statendam info

[aleut]

Hi
We are going to Hawaii on the Statendam next month.This is my first time on a Holland America ship so I have a few questions.Is there a self serve laundry facility?What are the best shore excursions? Do you tip the wait staff in the Pinnacle restaurant or is that included in the tip at the end? Any infor mation you can give me about the ship or trip will be greatly appreciated

[palmgirl]

Statendam has self serve laundry on each deck with cabins, except the navigation deck.

Tipping in the Pinnacle Grill is not included in the daily tips. We normally tip as we would for a similar meal at a nice resturant.

We did Mexico on the Statendam three years ago and she is one of our favorite ships. Great size, nice staff, wonderful trip. Sorry we have not cruised to Hawaii.

Have a wonderful trip. :D

[Sailboater]

We cruised the Statendam to Hawaii last April. We made use of the self service laundry a couple of times. There is even an iron and ironing board available in the laundry room. No need to bring soap -- they use a special, biodegradable soap that you push a button on the machine for. Don't push it several times, once is enough. Even though you don't see "suds" the clothes come out very clean and soft. I did bring dryer sheets for use in the dryers. The washing machines don't allow the addition of fabric softener during the cycle.

We took a number of excursions. The Circle of Fire tour was very interesting but the time at the museum/information center was a bit short for me. I like to read all the reader boards and check out every display. The tour guide was excellent and filled us in on a lot of the history of the islands and a bit of the culture.

On Oahu we shared a cab with another couple and basically did the ships tour but in an a/c Lincoln Continental. Cost as a few dollars less and we got to stay a bit longer in places that interested us and skip a stop or two where there was no interest. Also got a bit of "flavor of the islands" from an inhabitant.

On Kuai we took the helicopter tour of the island and the Na'apali Coast. It was a cloudy and gray day but the scenery was so spectacular that we hardly noticed. If I could only do one tour on the cruise, this would be the one I'd pick.

We did the submarine dive at Kona which we both really enjoyed. We don't scuba dive so it was exciting to see "what's under the water". There were a lot of fish, interesting coral and an excellent commentary by the guide.

At Maui we did the Tropical Plantation tour which was interesting and the Ocean Center which was the best aquarium center I have ever seen. The highlight is walking through a plexiglass "tunnel" while the fish swim over, under and around you -- including some 3 foot sharks.

The trip over and the trip back were very relaxing. We had very little in the way of large seas only got a bit rocky one night. The first 2-3 days out from San Diego are somewhat cool until you get close to Hawaii. Reverse going back -- it gets cooler the farther you get from Hawaii.

The Statendam and her crew are wonderful. You should really enjoy your trip.

[Cauvet]

We did the circle November 2002. We were late arriving in Hawaii because we had to turn back to San Diego 3 hours out to off load a sick passenger. Several others had to be off loaded during the trip for medical reasons including the piano bar player who had a massive heart attack. In Hilo, we took the trip to the top of Mauna Kea. It was quite breathtaking. In Oahu, we did the Pearl Harbor tour which was very interesting and then took a city bus into Honolulu. We bought some Hawaiian clothing (the dress everyday in Hawaii is "Hawaii wear" so pack your Hawaiian Shirts and MuMu's). The prices were much better than on the ship or other "tourist" places. We went to the old Ala Moana Surfrider and had a Mai Tai while watching the sun set on the the beach. In Kauaii, we went to the Waimea Canyon. In Maui, I can't remember what we did. But the best luau is in Lahaina, The Olde Lahaina Luau. It is a very short cab from where the ship docs. You can go on line and book it. The further in advance you book it, the better seats you will get. We book several months in advance and requested traditional ground seating and were front and center ringside to the stage. The best seats in the venue unless you prefer to sit at a table. It was $75 in 2002 but the buffet was very good, the show was excellent and it was a worthwhile experience. We had plenty of time to get back to the ship and even do some shopping first. In Kona we took the cloud forest walk which was very interesting.

If you have a balcony, I think the port side is the better side for seeing the Volcano. We had the very last balcony so we could see both sides of the ship which was really nice while cruise the NaPaali coast.

We ate in the Pinnacle several times and it was always good. This is a fabulous cruise and you will really enjoy yourselves!

[garydm]

Aleut-We are on the February 19 Hawaii cruise on Statendam. We have been on this ship twice in the last year and it is our favorite.

We have a car rented at Hilo and will tour around there. Other than that we don't have much planned in terms of shore excursions. I have been reading other posts and thinking about some options.

There are two schools of thought on tipping in Pinnacle, I think. One, that you do tip extra. The other, that the tip is included in the "daily tip amount." Last time we were on Statendam the food and service was so good in the main dining room, there was little need to do Pinnacle, although we did.

Gary

[palmgirl]

There are two schools of thought on tipping in Pinnacle, I think. One, that you do tip extra. The other, that the tip is included in the "daily tip amount."

Gary

I am certain that you should tip in the alternative resturant. In the list of who the daily tip covers, the Pinnacle staff was never mentioned.

[garydm]

Actually, here is the official HAL statement:

"A gratuity of $10 per guest per day for dining and stateroom services will be automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis. We are confident that you will find the service onboard exemplary and, should you wish to make adjustments, you may do so at the end of the cruise by contacting the front desk. A 15% service charge will be automatically added to your bar charges and dining room wine account."

Last time I checked, Pinnacle was a dining service. However, nothing precludes one from tipping more (if the standard rate is left on your account).

Gary

[Allis154]

Does anyone know how much the self-serve laundry is? Does it take quarters, or is it free like the self-serve laundry on the QE2? Thanks..

[RuthC]

Allis, I don't remember the cost in the self-serve laundry---I do remember that it's not free---but figure in the neighborhood of $3.00 for wash and dry.
Maybe $2.00 for one and $1.00 for the other? :confused:

The machines do take quarters, and change is readily available at the Front Desk.

[sweet sheep]

Can you answer any of these questions please?

Going on the Statendam in October to Hawaii. Staying in outside cabin on A deck. Do they still put fruit and or flowers in the cabins? Do they furnish a robe to use for each person in cabin? In the grill area what is served for breakfast? How is it at lunch time-food wise?

Do they have trivia games, craft classes, cooking classes and etc?

Do they give behind the scenes tours? Such as the kitchen, theatre, bridge?

Thank you very much. We are a group of 14 and i am trying to find out information to share with the group.

[RuthC]

sweet sheep, I'll try to answer some of your questions:

All cabins have robes for use on board. They are "one size fits most", probably up to size XL, a XXL might squeeze in to it.
There is fruit in all cabins. Don't expect flowers on A-deck unless you buy them for yourself, or get them as a gift.

There's an extensive variety of breakfast and lunch food at the Lido buffet. Hot/cold typical breakfast foods; there is an egg/omlette cooked-to-order area.
Lunch has an array from sandwiches up through carving of the day. There is also a hot dog/hamburger grill area near the Lido pool.

Yes, on the games/crafts question. Cooking classes may be limited to the ships where the culinary area has been completed.

There should be an opportunity for a kitchen tour; possibly a behind-the-scenes tour of the show lounge. Don't expect to get on the bridge or in the engine room.

[sweet sheep]

Ruth C

I really appreciate your answers to my questions. If i can i would like to ask about a few other things. I will be traveling with 14 people (at this time-may be more) all friends from my church including our pastor and his wife. Is there a chapel onboard the Statendam? We would like to make use of it some days especially on sunday.

Everyone has different opinions about the shore excursions they have taken so that is a hard question to answer, but are they any that really impressed you or make you feel very sorry you chose that one?

How were the evening shows? How about shopping onboard?

Again, many thanks for your replies.

[1cruiselvr]

We sailed on the Statendam to Hawaii in December. There is not a formal chapel onboard, but they use a meeting room for religious events. I'm not sure they accommodate all faiths on board. They will list times and events in your daily program. We found the entertainment to be hit or miss. I think it's the one area that HAL is lacking in comparison to other cruiselines. We didn't use any HAL excursions, we booked our own but tablemates did and expressed their satisfaction with their choices. Shopping is limited. Another area HAL is lacking IMHO. There is a duty free shop for liquor and you can find trinkets and jewelry. Where you thinking of anything specific that you wanted to purchase onboard? Happy Sailing!

[RuthC]

sweet sheep, I think your question on religious services has been answered. I will add that on a cruise of that length there should be Protestant clergy as well as the Catholic priest. Is your pastor the official Minister? If your pastor wants to conduct additional Bible readings, or other services, he (she?) should speak to the Cruise Director about setting it up.

In Kauaii I loved the excursion to the Fern Grotto; there is a walk of some length if that's a problem. The tour to the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" is great if the clouds haven't rolled in by the time you get there.
The carriage ride in Kona was nice enough, but far too hot in the brilliant sun. I liked the tour that went to the City of Refuge (think that's it; that tour was in '92---memory ain't what it used to be).
In Lahaina I love to walk around and enjoy the town. There was a good light and sound show there on my '00 trip. The helicoptor flight that went over Molokai ('95 trip) was fabulous!
Can't think of too much else about shore excursions at the moment.

I don't shop, so can't help at all there.

Anything else? Please ask.

[sweet sheep]

Hi Ruth,

I am asking again :) About the dinner attire on board? Are there 7 Casual, 5 Informal. and 3 Formal evenings? I looked in HAL book and do not see that answer. This arrangement was done on a Celebrity ship so i am guessing that maybe it is the same?

Also, are there any theme nights for passengers? Like country western or mascarade evenings or any other theme?

Thank you again.

[ryansmemom]

Hi Shirley

My husband and I were on the Statendam Circle Hawaii cruise last December. There were 4 Formal nights, 8 Casual, and 3 Informal nights. One Formal night included a Black and White Ball which was really a special evening. Of the 8 casual nights 4 were themed Hawaiian.

As far as excursions, we took the Helicoptor tour of Kilaua, the Army Duck tour in Honalulu, the Fren Grotto tour and the Whale Watch tour in Lahania. We really enjoyed all of these tours. We felt these were the best tours we had taken on all of our 15 cruises.

We enjoyed this cruise and the Statendam. We are currently in the planning stage of our return cruise in late 2006 or early 2007. What ever you and your group do, I just know you will have a wonderful time.

This is just a fantastic cruise and the Statendam is a wonderful ship and her crew is just fantastic and will do everything possible to make your cruise a dream come true.

Have a fantastic time.

Linda :)

[RuthC]

sweet sheep, Linda answered the dress question; there's little for me to add.
Except: remember, it isn't just "dinner" dress, it's evening. HAL requests that you maintain the dress code in all the public areas all evening to maintain the atmosphere.

When you get your documents there will be a page that will list the total of formal/informal/casual evenings on your cruise. The last time I did the Hawaii cruise there were 5 Hawaiian Casual evenings---all in the islands.

[sweet sheep]

Thank you everyone for your help. I love these boards because of all the help they give from previous cruisers to help those preparing to take the same trip. I look forward to this trip and will certainly be very happy to share with others who will be going in the future.