lindacat
November 15th, 2004, 10:59 AM
I just returned from a week on the Veendam. I was cruising with my parents, a friend and her mom. We were also part of a larger group of about 200 Star Trek fans, on board for a convention.
We flew in a day early from Boston and stayed at the Tampa Marriott Waterside. The hotel was beautiful. It is also home to residents from a near by nursing home which was damaged in the storm. Therefore it appeared to be booked to capacity.
After breakfast the next morning we took a cab to the pier 6 where the Veendam was docked. As my friends mother needed a wheel chair, we were checked in and among the first group to board the ship. The process was painless. The rooms were not yet ready, so we headed to the Lido deck for lunch.
The ship is beautiful, with fresh flowers in all the public rooms. Our room was very comfortable, and was equipped with the new linens and towels in the upgrade program.
Cabin Steward
While our cabin steward was very nice, he was also very slow. We would return to the room 5/6 hours later and it still wouldn't be made up. While he kept the room clean, it was not the amazing job we have seen on other cruises. He would forget to empty a barrell, or fail to resupply soap or bottled water that we had used.
Dining Room Service
This is my fourth cruise on Holland America, and in the past I had been very disappointed in the service in the dining room. I never felt it was on the same level with cruises I had taken on other lines (including Celebrity & Royal Carribbean). This cruise was definately the best service I had ever had on a Holland America ship. I still don't feel it was the best ever, Celebrity & Royal Carribbean still hold that distinction. However, it was a pleasant surprise, our waiter was quick & efficient, our orders were always correct. My only complaint would be that he seemed to be rushing us out the door. We were unfortunate enough to be assigned the 8:30 seating. (The entire group we were with was assigned this seating, and due to some of our activities we could not change the seating time.) By 9:30, we were leaving the dining room. In fact on the evening of the Baked Alaska parade, we waited almost 25 minutes after our entree, before the parade and dessert. The table next to us hadn't even received their entrees. This time issue wasn't due to what we were ordering as most nights someone ordered from each course.
However, compared to the service this past July on the Maasdam, the service was leaps and bounds better on the Veendam.
The Head waiter never came to our table throughout the week, I wouldn't know what he looked like.
Overall Service
I found the Wait staff on the Lido deck and in the various bars to efficient and fun. Quick to help with a tray and provide coffee/ waiter refills. Or quick bar service.
The ships staff were very accomodating to our group, and my family and I had a great time.
If anyone has any questions, I would be happy to try and answer.
Linda
We flew in a day early from Boston and stayed at the Tampa Marriott Waterside. The hotel was beautiful. It is also home to residents from a near by nursing home which was damaged in the storm. Therefore it appeared to be booked to capacity.
After breakfast the next morning we took a cab to the pier 6 where the Veendam was docked. As my friends mother needed a wheel chair, we were checked in and among the first group to board the ship. The process was painless. The rooms were not yet ready, so we headed to the Lido deck for lunch.
The ship is beautiful, with fresh flowers in all the public rooms. Our room was very comfortable, and was equipped with the new linens and towels in the upgrade program.
Cabin Steward
While our cabin steward was very nice, he was also very slow. We would return to the room 5/6 hours later and it still wouldn't be made up. While he kept the room clean, it was not the amazing job we have seen on other cruises. He would forget to empty a barrell, or fail to resupply soap or bottled water that we had used.
Dining Room Service
This is my fourth cruise on Holland America, and in the past I had been very disappointed in the service in the dining room. I never felt it was on the same level with cruises I had taken on other lines (including Celebrity & Royal Carribbean). This cruise was definately the best service I had ever had on a Holland America ship. I still don't feel it was the best ever, Celebrity & Royal Carribbean still hold that distinction. However, it was a pleasant surprise, our waiter was quick & efficient, our orders were always correct. My only complaint would be that he seemed to be rushing us out the door. We were unfortunate enough to be assigned the 8:30 seating. (The entire group we were with was assigned this seating, and due to some of our activities we could not change the seating time.) By 9:30, we were leaving the dining room. In fact on the evening of the Baked Alaska parade, we waited almost 25 minutes after our entree, before the parade and dessert. The table next to us hadn't even received their entrees. This time issue wasn't due to what we were ordering as most nights someone ordered from each course.
However, compared to the service this past July on the Maasdam, the service was leaps and bounds better on the Veendam.
The Head waiter never came to our table throughout the week, I wouldn't know what he looked like.
Overall Service
I found the Wait staff on the Lido deck and in the various bars to efficient and fun. Quick to help with a tray and provide coffee/ waiter refills. Or quick bar service.
The ships staff were very accomodating to our group, and my family and I had a great time.
If anyone has any questions, I would be happy to try and answer.
Linda