hgatsawgrs
May 4th, 2006, 03:50 PM
We just got back and I thought it appropriate to pass on our thoughts on this cruise. We were in an S suite as we have been on our last ten HAL cruises. We were somewhat reluctant to go on the Statendam as it is getting old and a past cruise on Ryndam was a disaster with a cabin water leak.
Anyway, since the ports were so wonderful and the time of the year gave no choices we did it. It turned out that the weather was wonderful and the ports were great and the trip was once in a lifetime. We did extra time in Tokyo and Hong Kong and it was a great way to see and experience Asia.
All experienced cruisers look to a ship tp provide a great way to see many places and if I had only three weeks to see Asia this was the way to go.
Also, while it is a crap shoot to get good weather - the Spring is the best time as the Typhoons are not there and the cheryy blossomms are.
Dealing with the ports ( customs and immigration and terminals) is a difficult thing for cruise ships to do in Asia(China) and the ship did it as well as could be expected. We often had some uncertainy and changes at the last minute and most passengers seem to understand- Some of those that b.... at anything were upset.
As far as the ship itself- Well, here it goes:
You get few surprises with HAL- the food is predictable,average but edible. Entertainment was ok- speakers good- shows were shut down a few times as the staff had the virus. The ship is a good size to get around and see people easier, but it is old. Regardless of S of E changes(that is just upgrades that were sorely needed) the ship is showing its age- A leak on our floor had five suites out of commission for days. No fun for those folks.
A fire/smoke set offf the alarms one early eve and that is real scarey. The crew put the equipment fire out and no harm but it was not fun- Again this is an old ship thing probably.
The crew does a great job with what they have- Is it the kind of ship or experience to go anywhere on?- not in my opinion! But if they offer this cruise again and you have a strong desire to see Asia in three weeks, I would highly reccommend it.
Anyway, since the ports were so wonderful and the time of the year gave no choices we did it. It turned out that the weather was wonderful and the ports were great and the trip was once in a lifetime. We did extra time in Tokyo and Hong Kong and it was a great way to see and experience Asia.
All experienced cruisers look to a ship tp provide a great way to see many places and if I had only three weeks to see Asia this was the way to go.
Also, while it is a crap shoot to get good weather - the Spring is the best time as the Typhoons are not there and the cheryy blossomms are.
Dealing with the ports ( customs and immigration and terminals) is a difficult thing for cruise ships to do in Asia(China) and the ship did it as well as could be expected. We often had some uncertainy and changes at the last minute and most passengers seem to understand- Some of those that b.... at anything were upset.
As far as the ship itself- Well, here it goes:
You get few surprises with HAL- the food is predictable,average but edible. Entertainment was ok- speakers good- shows were shut down a few times as the staff had the virus. The ship is a good size to get around and see people easier, but it is old. Regardless of S of E changes(that is just upgrades that were sorely needed) the ship is showing its age- A leak on our floor had five suites out of commission for days. No fun for those folks.
A fire/smoke set offf the alarms one early eve and that is real scarey. The crew put the equipment fire out and no harm but it was not fun- Again this is an old ship thing probably.
The crew does a great job with what they have- Is it the kind of ship or experience to go anywhere on?- not in my opinion! But if they offer this cruise again and you have a strong desire to see Asia in three weeks, I would highly reccommend it.