Statendam? Would you take it?

[marluvs2go]

I keep reading the reviews that the water lines broke and the temps in the state rooms were way off kilter..too hot too cold..and engine troubles as well.also as near as I can tell it goes in for dry dock just after my maybe cruise thru Panama Canal on March 8th. Does that mean the state rooms may be a bit shabby or? Anyone with recent experience or advice? thanks so much!

[gentlemancruiser]

I enjoyed my cruise on the Statendam last April. However, I've been on better HAL ships, that's not to say the Statendam is in terrible condition, that would be an overstatement in my mind. Yes we did have engine and AC troubles, there was some wear and tear showing in our stateroom shower/tub.
What you have to remember is that the Statendam is HAL's oldest ship and she needs a bit more TLC then her younger sisters.

The crew were excellent and the Captain Frans was hilarious.

[pseudochicken]

I enjoyed my cruise on the Statendam last April. However, I've been on better HAL ships, that's not to say the Statendam is in terrible condition, that would be an overstatement in my mind. Yes we did have engine and AC troubles, there was some wear and tear showing in our stateroom shower/tub.
What you have to remember is that the Statendam is HAL's oldest ship and she needs a bit more TLC then her younger sisters.

The crew were excellent and the Captain Frans was hilarious.

Is the Ryndam in a similar condition?

[pipedreams62]

How can they not be? There's people scrubbing,polishing,cleaning 24/7

I went on the Statendam last Christmas I found the ship pristine and in top working condition. I really wonder what some people conjure up of these ships that are maintained 24hrs a day?




http://boldt.us/8564-2/rusted_cargo_ship_beached.jpgl
yea yea yeah,you found 3 hairs in your shower drain big whoop,or your air wouldn't go down to 40 below.

[CruiserBruce]

Pipedreams62- you are my hero!!!:D:D:D

[juliecat]

A bit more serious than three hairs in the drain. Here's what I saw earlier this month on the Statendam:

Air conditioning that wouldn't go below 80
Bathtub badly in need of regrouting
Several cabins had no water (at all) for two days
Several cabins had non-flushing toilets (eventually fixed)
28 cabins were flooded with scalding hot water from a burst pipe
2 of the aft elevators were out of service most days
Escalator out of service most days
TV (including onboard broadcasts) out for two days
Internet out three days
Cracked and broken tiles along windows in Lido pool area
Shipwide electrical outage
One engine out for more than half of the trip

I know many people love this ship (she was one of my favorites) but we really need to paint a more honest picture of the ship's condition. Was the ship clean? Yes, of course. But there are a lot of things that can't be fixed without a refit and that won't be happening until next year.

J

[mikjr]

I know many people love this ship (she was one of my favorites) but we really need to paint a more honest picture of the ship's condition. Was the ship clean? Yes, of course. But there are a lot of things that can't be fixed without a refit and that won't be happening until next year.

J

I just love honesty!!

[faymuiheng]

Was on this ship on it's last voyage of the season to Alaska. Group of 13, with 2 balconies and 4 outside cabins.

All the rooms looked fine, and everything worked. no complaints there.

We did notice two things that needed repair.

Escalator never worked, and fountain in the atrium was out of service after day 2.

[CDRMark]

Without blinking.
Cheers
Mark

ps: that reminds me; I have a tub at home that needs regrouting...
thanks

[Love the beach]

We were on her for 14 days-- Aug 16th - Aug. 31. Everything worked fine, including the escalator and fountain. Loved being on her.

[onthegogirl]

Was on this ship on it's last voyage of the season to Alaska. Group of 13, with 2 balconies and 4 outside cabins.

All the rooms looked fine, and everything worked. no complaints there.

We did notice two things that needed repair.

Escalator never worked, and fountain in the atrium was out of service after day 2.

I was on the Statendam in March 2008. The escalator was supposed to be removed in the Feb 2008 drydock but it didn't happen. i don't think it can work.

Carole

[Sissy Ruth]

A bit more serious than three hairs in the drain. Here's what I saw earlier this month on the Statendam:

Air conditioning that wouldn't go below 80
Bathtub badly in need of regrouting
Several cabins had no water (at all) for two days
Several cabins had non-flushing toilets (eventually fixed)
28 cabins were flooded with scalding hot water from a burst pipe
2 of the aft elevators were out of service most days
Escalator out of service most days
TV (including onboard broadcasts) out for two days
Internet out three days
Cracked and broken tiles along windows in Lido pool area
Shipwide electrical outage
One engine out for more than half of the trip

I know many people love this ship (she was one of my favorites) but we really need to paint a more honest picture of the ship's condition. Was the ship clean? Yes, of course. But there are a lot of things that can't be fixed without a refit and that won't be happening until next year.

J

And what kind of compensation did you receive for these dire
circumstances ??

[Marie321]

We were on the Statendam for a 14 day cruise in Alaska in mid-June. We loved the cruise. The escalator was working then. The fountain was working on some days. We did not notice anything major that was wrong.

[bepsf]

My folks very much enjoyed Statendam when they sailed on her at the beginning of September...
...Mom even said that she was in better condition than when they came aboard Oosterdam to visit me after my 2005 cruise on her!

And with only very minor exceptions - nothing that couldn't be solved with a bit of extra time to thoroughly clean the grout in the bathroom and replace a fitting on the shower spigot - we found Ryndam to be in lovely condition.

[lorekauf]

I just got off the Statendam yesterday. I have to agree with some issues brought up here. The main engine(s) broke twice on this trip. The first time it caused us to arrive 1 hour late to a port. The second was Thursday when the engine broke again. This caused us to get into San Diego at around 8:30 and the first passanger was not allowed off the ship until around 11. I came very close to missing my 1:25 flight. I did have issues with non existant A/C in my cabin for the first few days. Some of the front office staff seemed very bothered by my request to have this fixed. I found the A/C man in the hallway one night and got him to come to my room. He removed the filter and the a/c was acceptable after that. HAL did give me a small credit for my issues.....I thought was very nice since I've had worse problems with a/c. The escalators worked for 2 days then never ran again. I had been on the Statendam in Nov.08 and thought things overall were in better shape on this trip. I thought the food was very good and the cruise did a lot for repairing my faith in HAL. I'd be hard pressed to book another cruise before dry dock because of the engine problems. I really hope the Statendam made it out of San Diego yesterday. I was happy to be going home due to the engine issues.

[Tampa Girl]

I was on the Statendam in March 2008. The escalator was supposed to be removed in the Feb 2008 drydock but it didn't happen. i don't think it can work.

Carole


Hi Carole,

We were on the same cruise - what a great experience! Which elevator were you referring to?

[Hflors]

I hope dry doc corrects the little things that seem to be wrong with Statendam as I and my two sisters are booked on her for the 17 day Panama canal the end of April. My two sisters were on Veendam this past spring when she had so many problems after her drydock. They are pretty good about these things and took all the problems as an adventure. Hal was very generous with them over the "inconveniences" during the Veendam adventure, but I am hoping we don't encounter any "adventures" on Statendam.

I wonder what the authorities would do if the engine quit as we were going thru the locks of the Panama Canal. How embarassing that would be :D: Do they have Tow boats?
I wonder if the lights and electricity quits if the engine goes out? Anyone know? Is the casino open when you go thru the Panama Canal? More importently are the kitchens still able to operate is the engines go out?

[lorekauf]

I hope dry doc corrects the little things that seem to be wrong with Statendam as I and my two sisters are booked on her for the 17 day Panama canal the end of April. My two sisters were on Veendam this past spring when she had so many problems after her drydock. They are pretty good about these things and took all the problems as an adventure. Hal was very generous with them over the "inconveniences" during the Veendam adventure, but I am hoping we don't encounter any "adventures" on Statendam.

I wonder what the authorities would do if the engine quit as we were going thru the locks of the Panama Canal. How embarassing that would be :D: Do they have Tow boats?
I wonder if the lights and electricity quits if the engine goes out? Anyone know? Is the casino open when you go thru the Panama Canal? More importently are the kitchens still able to operate is the engines go out?
I have no idea how many engines the ship has but the ship was still moving when one of the engines broke. It was still moving...but slowly. The kitchen was still fuctioning at all times:D. The electricity never went out either. I can't answer the question about the casino. I just love going to the Panama Canal (been there 5 times) and when the weather is good I spend the whole day outside.

[CowPrincess]

The kitchen was still fuctioning at all time

Well, THAT'S a relief :D (Hey, did you see any liver on the menu?) :D

[lorekauf]

Well, THAT'S a relief :D (Hey, did you see any liver on the menu?) :D
No liver. I was SO upset. They told me they are saving it for your next cruise:D.

[Hflors]

I have no idea how many engines the ship has but the ship was still moving when one of the engines broke. It was still moving...but slowly. The kitchen was still fuctioning at all times:D. The electricity never went out either. I can't answer the question about the casino. I just love going to the Panama Canal (been there 5 times) and when the weather is good I spend the whole day outside.

As long as the kitchen is working all will be right with the world!!!!! :D:

[lorekauf]

As long as the kitchen is working all will be right with the world!!!!! :D:
I'm with you on that one:D.

[CowPrincess]

I bet you reeeeeelly missed the liver, LK :D

[lorekauf]

I bet you reeeeeelly missed the liver, LK :D
You know I did. They might have had it one of the nights I was in the Pinnacle. I never did check those nights on what was on the menu. I would have been so upset to miss it:D.

[sapper1]

You know I did. They might have had it one of the nights I was in the Pinnacle. I never did check those nights on what was on the menu. I would have been so upset to miss it:D.
If you order liver on the Oosterdam I think I will eat in the Pinnacle.:D
Welcome home----will look forward to hearing about your cruise.

[lorekauf]

If you order liver on the Oosterdam I think I will eat in the Pinnacle.:D
Welcome home----will look forward to hearing about your cruise.
Thank you. I'll "facebook" you as soon as I can get my head together. I've got a mountain of laundry and I've got a bad cold....and here I sit on the internet:rolleyes:;):D.

[JWJs]

Pipedreams62- you are my hero!!!:D:D:D

Ditto!:)

[bln030]

Hello
na when the man here so read on Statendam, we have an evening teuerurlaub booked, smile,
We are 20.12-8.01.2010 on it.
coming from Germany and as far as flying, and then man reads something.
hal had sent a mail, would that be with the regulatory Statendam not everything.
came back a very brief mail, which they know nothing about the problems and the ship was fully in the regulatory and he asked me are on holiday freuen.entweder blind or do not want to have to admit that the state dam problems.
would have allowed the boat to take and if we probleme, I show them the mail from them that everything would be ok.
I have something in hand when problems should not be sollte.das heisen I will look for it, I know it's an old ship and not a new-but still may not occur such problems, if so they should have the boat before benefit from the traffic.
looking forward to the cruise anyway.
lg frank from berlin

[lorekauf]

Hello
na when the man here so read on Statendam, we have an evening teuerurlaub booked, smile,
We are 20.12-8.01.2010 on it.
coming from Germany and as far as flying, and then man reads something.
hal had sent a mail, would that be with the regulatory Statendam not everything.
came back a very brief mail, which they know nothing about the problems and the ship was fully in the regulatory and he asked me are on holiday freuen.entweder blind or do not want to have to admit that the state dam problems.
would have allowed the boat to take and if we probleme, I show them the mail from them that everything would be ok.
I have something in hand when problems should not be sollte.das heisen I will look for it, I know it's an old ship and not a new-but still may not occur such problems, if so they should have the boat before benefit from the traffic.
looking forward to the cruise anyway.
lg frank from berlin
I'm fairly sure you will be fine. I would make sure you book flights going home later in the day or the next day. It was very stressful wondering if I would make my 1:25pm flight which should have been plenty of time.

For the people who feel compelled to make remarks about the fact that of how trivial these issues are....your day will come. I hope you will feel these issues are still trivial when you experience them. My guess is that it will be totally different then:rolleyes:.

[SHERGIB]

I was on the same trip as Julie and had one of the best cruises in our 250 days on HAL. Yes, the ship is ready for dry dock but you will not find a better crew on any of the dam ships. The food was wonderful, although the service was a bit slow. The Pinnacle Grill was the best one we have eaten in. We ate there four times and it was excellent. Having witnessed a near disaster with the escalator on the Maasdam years ago, I.m not surprised to see it shut down. Our cabin was very cold for the first 10 days but it was fixed and we were compensated. This has happened to us on most of our repositioning cruises and I believe it has some thing to do with the sea water temperatures. There was a main engine problem but not nearly as bad as on the Maasdam from Norfolk a few years ago. We learned long ago to arrive a day early and fly home a day late. It eliminates getting stuck in an airport as we did in 2002 for three days. The flooding was confined to 17 cabins as I was told by the hotel manager. I've had pipes burst at home while I was away. Things happen!!!!!!!! Yes we all want perfection, but it is a small town and things wear out and break.

Anyway, we had a wonderful cruise and would book the Staendam tomorrow if we could.

[SHERGIB]

And by the way, they did serve liver and it was delicious.

[serendipity1499]

I was on the same trip as Julie and had one of the best cruises in our 250 days on HAL. Yes, the ship is ready for dry dock but you will not find a better crew on any of the dam ships. The food was wonderful, although the service was a bit slow. The Pinnacle Grill was the best one we have eaten in. We ate there four times and it was excellent. Having witnessed a near disaster with the escalator on the Maasdam years ago, I.m not surprised to see it shut down. Our cabin was very cold for the first 10 days but it was fixed and we were compensated. This has happened to us on most of our repositioning cruises and I believe it has some thing to do with the sea water temperatures. There was a main engine problem but not nearly as bad as on the Maasdam from Norfolk a few years ago. We learned long ago to arrive a day early and fly home a day late. It eliminates getting stuck in an airport as we did in 2002 for three days. The flooding was confined to 17 cabins as I was told by the hotel manager. I've had pipes burst at home while I was away. Things happen!!!!!!!! Yes we all want perfection, but it is a small town and things wear out and break.

Anyway, we had a wonderful cruise and would book the Staendam tomorrow if we could.

Thank you for your post..You are correct things do break at home..

On one trip there was a terrible storm & our house roof leaked...We came home to our kitchen ceiling down..Last year one of our Friends main water pipe broke & their entire house was flooded before their daughter discovered it..We'll be on the Statendam in less than two weeks & hope for the best...If something happens I hope we will be able to roll with the punches..We expect to have a wonderful cruise..

Cheers..Betty