A/C - Hot, Cold or Just Right? Your Experiences?

[Peggy Sue]

Just returned from 10 days on the Volendam. We enjoyed our cruise, the bright spot being the opportunity to meet and spend time with a lot of wonderful people from cruise critic!

As others have already posted, our weather was not ideal, but we had a good cruise despite the weather. We understood why the captain canceled our call at half moon cay, but disappointing none the less..and we didn't get to experience our "pink cabana".

I'll post more on our cruise experience later, but wanted to ask you all who have previously cruised on HAL what your experience with A/C has been. We found the Volendam to be overall too Hot. There were a few spots on the ship that had sufficient air flow, but for the most part it was stuff and downright uncomfortable in a lot of the lounges, dining areas, etc.

On formal nights I felt so bad for the men, dressed in the tux with everywhere we went being warm. On the last formal night we discovered the room where you could play cards (Hudson?) was blissfully cool..so we ducked in there..everywhere else was like too warm. Two of the formal night DH went back to our suite to change into casual clothes after dinner..just too hot to remain in a tux. And he wasn't alone...say many men and women who changed, as they were just too hot.

We called for A/C service twice in our suite. At times, we were comfortable, but we found the air temp to varied all day long....and when dressing or dinner each evening he suite always seemed to get hot. We kept the bathroom door shut at all times after showers, etc., as we found the steam, etc. just added to the uncomfortable warm air.

Lack of A/C was a common complaint thoughtout the cruise. We wrote a long comment about the A/C problems before we left the ship.

So....what has your expereinces been with A/C on HAL ships...do you find they run too hot, too cold or just right??

[HeatherInFlorida]

On the Oosterdam last week way too cold in most public rooms. No problem in the cabin because we could control the temp. So then it was just a problem between DH and me!!!;) I like it very cold for sleeping and he thought he was in an igloo.

So I had to wear long sleeves for dinner every night in the DR. But I have to admit my friend (who lives in Maryland) was sleeveless every night and very comfortable. I'm a New Englander and moved to FL 4 years ago. Maybe it's true what they say happens to you down here.:D

[marybeach]

:( Oh, I hope that they get it fixed. I'm cold natured, so I generally make sure to have long sleeves on for dinner and a wrap for the show. SO is hot natured, so the AC is VERY important to him. I noticed even on the Zan last year that it would get warm dressing in the evening, with showers and all. Was the Volendam really warm in all inside areas?....this could be a pain. I'm wondering if it is isolated or throughout the ship.

[peaches from georgia]

We have always found the public rooms on the HAL ships we have been on to be quite chilly. Enough that I always will wear a jacket, long sleeves, or a sweater to the dining room every night. DH most often also wears a jacket to dinner and I have never seen him take it off. We have never had a problem getting our cabin as chilly as we like it for sleeping, and that's '3 blanket chilly'.

Interesting that the Oosterdam is still freezing, Heather. I had to wrap myself in the plaid wool throw that was in our cabin to be able to go into the casino when we were on the Oo last Dec. And I was not the only one there wrapped in a blanket and still cold. :eek:

[DFD1]

One of the most important things for us on a ship is adequate air conditioning. Frankly, I dread the upcoming sailing on the Volendam because of the problems you and others report. If the cabin is not reasonably cool, we will not get any sleep for 10 days....not something I look forward to.

The worst experience was on the Noordam a few years back. We had a main deck aft cabin. It was miserable. We brought in two large fans. Nothing worked. Finally, we insisted on being moved and we were moved to a main deck forward cabin and were very comfortable for the balance of the l0 day cruise.

[elmorejj]

Air conditioning is very important to us. My DH really likes it cool, and I like it coolish. That being said, I hardly ever have found the public rooms too cool, but then, I always wear something over my arms in the evening. I didn`t vote, because on 2 cruises, the A/C wasn`t very accomodating to us, once on the Maasdam and once on the Veendam....jean :cool:

[Aussie Gal]

We found the airconditioning on the Prinsendam a month ago, far too cold in the public rooms, too warm in the dining room and just right in our cabin as we could control the a/c.

Last year I cannot remember feeling uncomfortable at all on the Noordam and yet I had read reports that it was too hot in the Caribbean. We were on her in the Mediterranean and it was a very hot year.

I am hoping that the Maasdam will be just right in July. Looking back to our last cruise on her which was the Baltic in 1999, I cannot remember feeling either too hot or too cold.

Jennie

[jhannah]

I've never had a problem on any ship I've sailed ... HAL or otherwise. Sometimes public areas are fairly cool. But for me that's just fine. Our cabins have always been adjustable to what we like.

[tealady]

I was on the Volendam with Peggy Sue and agree that the public rooms on the ship were generally way too warm. I usually cold natured and I never once felt the need to use a wrap or sweater. The only place we found on the ship to be cool, actually cold in one area, was the Crows Nest on the smoking side.

[lknick]

It's like Goldielocks. Sometimes it's too cold, somethimes it's too hot, sometimes it just right. And that applies from ship to ship as well as location within a given ship.

[Tatka]

On Zuiderdam ...after reading this board we were worried about not working A/C in our room and turned it almost to the MAX. Well we got sick after the first night.:eek:

It felt really hot only in the pool with retractable roof...I think they don't have A/C in that area.

[JoeCruisin]

The Oosterdam was perfect a few weeks ago. Only once or twice did it get a little warm in some areas in the Lido - but it was on a sea day and a lot more people were there at the same time contributing their hot air. Our room was perfect - barely had to adjust the controls.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We like to sleep in very COLD conditions.

Wonder why so many of HAL ships are having air-conditioning - especially in the cabins?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Peggy Sue

You mentioned that you were in a suite on the Volendam. What suite were you were in?

We will be on the Volendam in Feb/Mar.

[Peggy Sue]

We were in 7014. We enjoyed the suite very much. Our only other suite experience was on the Zuiderdam, 7078. We couldn't decide if the room was larger or smaller. The Verandah looked larger than the zuiderdam, but it was may 03, so our memory may be failing!! The only thing I missed between zuiderdam and Volendam in the suite was an actual desk area. On the zuiderdam there was a desk area where the dresser drawers were, along with a chair. On the Volendam, there is a small corner space as you enter the suite and you have to bring one of the side chairs over there. No plugs etc. in that area. On the zuiderdam, the desk area had plugs near by. we bring a printer on board, so we're always looking for the desk configuration.

We enjoyed the volendam very much. Just wish we had better air flow. the new bedding is wonderful..but our suite was warm and we slept most nights without covers...so we never really used the wonderful new duvet.

Peggy sue

[DB469]

I am too confused, I booked the Zuiderdam for next July...I love it very cool at night when I am sleeping, and I don't like to feel hot (have enough of that living in Florida). Please tell me those who say the dining room and public areas were warm, was it to the point where you were sweating or needed to fan yourself? Or was it on the warm side but just comfortable? Please help as I am reading so much about HAL air conditioning problems. Thank you.

[RevNeal]

I have never been too cold on a HAL ship. Even in Alaska I wasn't too cold. I have frequently been too warm.

On the Zaandam, during our 21 day cruise from Vancouver to Pt. Canaveral through the Panama Canal, I was too warm a few times in public rooms ... and especially in the Lido. We had trouble in our cabin, where we had the AC set all the way down but couldn't get it cool enough during the afternoon (though it got comfortable during the night). One of the places where we were comfortable most of the time on the Zaandam was in the Rotterdam Dining room. In the past -- and, particularly, on the Maasdam -- I would be very VERY uncomfortable in the main Dining Room. On the Zaandam the Rotterdam Dining Room was very comfortable (cool) every evening except for one (the AC was seriously malfunctioning that day).

[x lindsay x]

I voted for the last option because anywhere that has air conditioning is too cold for me. I think the Zuiderdam was very consistent temperature wise, all the indoor spaces were around the same temp.

My theory is that it's better to be cool and just add a layer than have it be too warm which you can't really do anything about.

[mikefang]

Wife and I completed a back to back on Maasdam on Nov 9th. Came down on reposition from Canada/New England then took 1st Caribbean of the season. Great cruises and great ship and crew. Had a/c problems from Norfolk south. Cabin 820 varied from warm to very hot and muggy. Other postings indicate varied a/c in other areas. Crow's Nest always very cool, dining room usually cool with some warm nights. Cardroom for a couple of receptions VERY hot and uncomfortable. Our response from ship very polite and timely. Did not ruin the cruise, would take same one without hesitation. Unknown how widespread the a/c problem was but other postings indicate many cabin areas were just fine.
It was a great trip! Mike

[mrswynn]

Yes, the Volendam was far too warm. tealady, Peggy Sue and I were all on the same cruise and it was far too warm. The Crow's nest was the only cool spot, but you had to sit near the smoking area. We frequently complained to both our cabin steward and the front desk and it was never fixed to our satisfaction. We were initially told that the "heat" was turned all the way up - even though the thermostat clearly indicated "cool" to the max. Would suggest anyone going on board her dress lightly. I'm usually not too warm; in fact I get cold easily, but felt that I was melting the majority of the time!

[Druke I]

Thin as a rail here - no insulating fat.

We often find the dining rooms and main show venues too cold, so end up layering.

I presume they are kept cooler for the benefit of the hard working staff/entertainers.

[marybeach]

Rev,

You've been on the ship more than most....have you noticed too warm conditions, especially on lower promenade deck in the cabins. I seem to recall that is where you try to book.

Also, during the day, we are out by the pool or in the hot tub when we are on ship....so heat seems irrelavent. However, sleeping in a too warm cabin is not pleasant.

[RuthC]

It would be hard to get the ship too cold for me; remember I'm the gal who likes to go to Greenland and Antarctica. Even then I'm usually in a sundress on board during the day. Usually I can't complain about the temps on board.
Once in a while I'll find it too hot in the dining room, but not by much. Last summer longtimecruiser and I found it "just right", or even a bit warm while her Mom was cold.

Everyone has their own comfort zone.

[DB469]

Lets make this easier, what would you say the average temperature is on the Zuiderdam, I think 73 is just perfect.

[JohnR49er]

Never had any problems on any HAL cruise till the last one on Maasdam. It's been well documented on this board by many of us who were on it. Seems it's getting to be a problem on a few of their ships. Hope they can figure it out soon. We found the Dining room was always comfortable. The Pinnacle was 80 degrees and the Crows Nest was always the coolest place. Our room was never below 75 the entire cruise and usually was 80 and over.

[RevNeal]

You've been on the ship more than most....have you noticed too warm conditions, especially on lower promenade deck in the cabins. I seem to recall that is where you try to book.

On the Volendam I've been in staterooms on the Lower Promenade Deck Twice; both times it was very comfortable ... actually cool enough that I didn't have the thermostat set all the way at the bottom. On the Zaandam I found it just warm enough in the afternoon, while dressing for dinner, that it was uncomfortable. By the time it was time to go to bed, however, it was comfy. Never had trouble sleeping.

On the Volendam I tended to find most public rooms comfortable, but I distinctly remember being too hot in the dining room more than once back in Jan 02. That was a southern caribbean cruise, however ... so ... could have just been me reacting to the heat outside.

[marybeach]

Thanks Rev. That makes me feel better. However, Barbados is pretty southern, so I umderstand it could get warm at times when it is sunny.

[WindyCity]

I wonder if the AC problem on many ships is caused by passengers who prop their verandah doors open thus causing the AC to work erratically. I would think, over time, this would really wear down the AC system, yet I notice lots of people put down "bungee cords to prop verandah door open" on their must have cruise list.

[Peggy Sue]

windycity .. interesting thought. Our verandah door locked into an open position when you went outside..we make a point to close it.

We were one deck below the lido..the hallways during dining hours were warm, and i think that was due to the lido doors opening and closing all the time as passengers come and go from the pool areas. In the morning, we found the doors to the pools were left in an open position...which we didn't like as the lido become too warm...but late morning, they were closed again and the lido became a bit more comfortable. I'm sure it's very difficult to regulate an area like the lido due to the volume of folks who walk through there all day long, and when they closed the pool deck, it gets rather steamy and hot in there..which carries into the Lido too.

Guess we just don't understand why there can be pockets of comfortable a/c on the ship, such as the crows nest, or the card room, but our cabin, and other rooms were warm. The Neptune Lounge was always too warm too.

I'm sure regulating A/C is an engineers nightmare on a large ship! But, as a passenger ...we would like to avoid being uncomfortably warm. Sort of a catch 22!

[JohnR49er]

Open doors do create a problem. Enough warm air will cause condensers to freeze up.
They have a simple solution that many hotels use. A switch that cuts off the A/C when balcony doors are open. I can't believe they haven't installed them.

[DFD1]

Seems logical that open doors all over the ship would reduce the effectiveness of the AC.

I have no first hand knowledge about the AC system, but I imagine that keeping it balanced when cruising south toward the equator with a hundred open doors at all hours of the day and night would be close to impossible.

Sounds like a "keep the door closed" notice might be in order.

[Himself]

I was on the same cruise as Peggy Sue. I found the Crows Nest to be rather chilly. I walk a lot on the lower promenade deck and when I would come in, I noticed the ship was cool. I had no problem with the temperatiure of the Ship. It is funny how some people can be uncomfortable and others will experience the same temperature and say "This is ideal." Perhaps it tells us more about ourselves than it does about anything else. My thoughts anyway.

Himself

[Randyk47]

Our experience is limited to the Ryndam (3 cruises) and the Oosterdam. I don't recall any AC problems in any cabin and we've had a selection from suite to mini-suite. Crow's Nest can be cool but we dance there normally so it's been fine.

[Giorgi-one]

Experienced problems on the Z last July similar to many posts on this board. Air conditioning was spotty. There was little or no AC in the dining room on one of the informal nights. Every man in the place immediately took their jackets off as soon as they sat down. We also experienced loss of AC in our cabin several times. I am an engineer and my guess is that the AC system is undersized for hottest summer days.

[Batinfla]

We just returned from the Volendam last week. My husband and I are complete opposites in regard to temperature. I am always hot and he is always cold. I found the temperature to be just right for me most of the time. My husband thought that the dining room was very cold so he ended up wearing his jacket every night to dinner. I was comfortable without a sweater or long sleeves. Card room tended to be too cold for him also. We were able to control the temperature in our cabin on the Lower Promenade deck without any problems.

[mrswynn]

I never noticed balcony doors open when we departed the ship - but that doesn't mean that people didn't leave them open. However, given the rough seas, if anyone would have left their doors open, the rooms would be filled with salt! I think the rough seas compounded a lot of problems on this trip - and being queasy didn't help make anyone comfortable. Glad to hear that perhaps the situation has been fixed and that future passengers will be more comfortable.

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

Just off the ms Westerdam, 17-day repositioning cruise from Barcelona.

We were in SS category suite 6094. The only time the room was too cool was when I turned the air too far south. The new air system seems to be very responsive.

Several evenings in the upper dinning room we were too hot upon arrival for dinner. The Engineering Dept. seemed to be very responsive when called by the staff and the room cooled down within a few minutes.

The Vista lounge was either way too cool in the day and much too hot at night. The casino was always cool.

George