Secrets that we should know about the Veendam

[hugger]

We are sailing 11-4-06 on the Veendam (took a cat. B ver. suite guarantee) - the first time with HAL in several year's.
Wondering what the hints/tips/secrets are that we should enjoy on the Veendam???
ie: this knob in the shower gives more water pressure - etc - hint's like this would be so appreciated.
I did see that the coffee tables in the cabins can be raised/lowered - what a neat concept that is!
Can't wait to hear more -

[Aussie Gal]

We will be on the Veendam for 34 days from 24th September, so we would also like to know any "hidden secrets" that only pertain to the Veendam.

Jennie

[hugger]

Aussie Gal - 34 days on the Veendam - how lucky are you - you are living right :) I want to be you when I grow up :-) WOW is that great.
Where are you crusing to? We would like to take a long cruise when my DH retires.
Please be sure and write when you get back as I'd love to hear about your cruise. I may have to wait to hear about the secret's of the Veendam from you. We don't cruise until Nov 4th - for a week out of Tampa, FL to the Western Car.
I took your advise from another thread and booked us in a Cat B ver suite guarantee - maybe we'll get a little upgrade. A girl can dream - right :)

[TampaMike]

I sail Veendam regularly, and leave Sunday from Seward. I have sailed Veendam twice a year for several years, in between other HAL ships.

I visited her on the return to Tampa after the SOE drydock and found the enhancements nicely done without changing the overall feel of the ship. I like the S Class size, but each ship has a personality and features I enjoy.

I cannot assertain any specific idiocyncracies to Veendam moreso than any other ship that are really an insider tip. The cabins are generous size with good storage, but in general utility functions (water pressure, A/C, views) can vary from cabin, deck or location amoung any ship afloat.

If there is one thing that comes to mind is the need for an extension cord and multi-plug power strip. The ONE power outlet in main room of the standard cabin is at the dressing vanity. The outlet in the bathroom, I believe is for shavers only. Another point is that most hard sided, or larger suitcases will not fit under the beds. The stewards, will however remove them from your cabin, store them in the hold and return them at the end of the voyage.

[hugger]

TampaMike that you would go on the Veendam twice a year - WOW!
We live in the Tampa Bay area as well - north of Clearwater.
Can you tell me about arrival and departure from the port here? This will be our first time leaving from Tampa. We normally go out of FLL.
What time should we arrive - do you know of a good shuttle service - if we have a Cat B ver. suite can we go to our rooms on arrival? If not what do you do with carry on luggage? I always take at least 3 carry on bag's. Plus the checked luggage. Being you cruise so often you probably have it down to carry on luggage only = I'm so BAD :)
Looking forward to any hints and tips you may be able to give us.
THANKS in advance!

[RuthC]

- if we have a Cat B ver. suite can we go to our rooms on arrival? If not what do you do with carry on luggage?
I can help with this one...
If you board before the cabins have been cleared you are espected to wait to go to them; those in the PH and S-suites my drop their things at the Neptune Lounge.
The rest of us will be directed to a secure area to check our carry-on's. I've had this done three different ways---
once there was a secure room with an attendant. I was given a claim slip.
A second time there was an area on the Lido deck barracaded by tables. Stewards took the luggage and placed it behind the barriers; IIRC a claim check was given then, too.
Last cruise I brought my carry-on to a lounge. The steward took my name/cabin info. My things were delivered to my cabin.

In any of these cases there is a secure method to guard your things without the need to drag them along.

[localady]

No hidden secrets that I know of Jennie. I think she is my favorite S ship though. She was in wonderful shape when we cruised on her last December,really spotless with news rugs throughout, and that was before her SOE improvements. I would love to cruise on her someday again soon!:cool:

[sail7seas]

We visited on Veendam since her SOE and she looks Fabulous!!! She is in excellent condition.

I don't know of any idiosyncrazy about Veendam or her "S" sisters.

Tampa is a very easy port to board in. If you get to the terminal around 11:15, you should be able to check in and board within a short time.

Security coming into the terminal is particularly noticeable there and very careful. All good by me!!!

You'll love Veendam. She's a wonderful ship with a really good crew.

[Aussie Gal]

Hugger,

We are boarding in Vancouver and going down the coast of the U.S., through the Panama Canal and then up the Amazon River returning to Tampa. We leave the ship on Saturday 28th October.

It will be our second big trip this year as we went to South America, Antarctica, Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands in January/February. We were away for 7 weeks.

We wanted to do these two big trips whilst we are still "young" (I still feel only about 35) and fit.

On the day of embarkations we always board the ship around 11.30am and go to the Lido. Usually our cabin is ready around 1pm so it is not a long wait. I love being on board before too many passengers arrive as you feel it is "your" ship.

Jennie

[Aussie Gal]

No hidden secrets that I know of Jennie. I think she is my favorite S ship though. She was in wonderful shape when we cruised on her last December,really spotless with news rugs throughout, and that was before her SOE improvements. I would love to cruise on her someday again soon!:cool:

localady,

We were on the Maasdam last July before she had her SOE improvements so am looking forward to using the new beds and to see what differences the improvements have made to the Veendam. We are looking forward to this cruise, as we will be going to completely new ports except for L.A. where we spent 4 days in February after South America.

Jennie

[Aussie Gal]

No hidden secrets that I know of Jennie. I think she is my favorite S ship though. She was in wonderful shape when we cruised on her last December,really spotless with news rugs throughout, and that was before her SOE improvements. I would love to cruise on her someday again soon!:cool:

localady,

We were on the Maasdam last July before she had her SOE improvements. We are looking forward to the using the new beds and to see what a difference the improvements have made to the ship. ;)

We have only been to L.A. out of all the ports we are visiting so it will be a new experience for us. We are so looking forward to this trip.:)

Jennie

[Willsot]

We were on her last month and our favorite new feature is the Explorations Cafe and Library area. It is beautiful, with wonderful leather furnishings, headphones with all types of music and a well-stocked library with current bestsellers and periodicals. We went there first thing and checked out a few of the new books that we wanted to read on the cruise. Said next time we won't even bring any of our own other than for the airplane.

[localady]

localady,

We were on the Maasdam last July before she had her SOE improvements. We are looking forward to the using the new beds and to see what a difference the improvements have made to the ship. ;)

We have only been to L.A. out of all the ports we are visiting so it will be a new experience for us. We are so looking forward to this trip.:)

Jennie

Jennie-
Not sure if you are stopping in San Francisco, but I'd offer to give you a tour of the beautiful 'City by the Bay' if we weren't headed to Rome to board the Noordam at that time.:rolleyes:
Maybe next time!:cool:

[Aussie Gal]

Jennie-
Not sure if you are stopping in San Francisco, but I'd offer to give you a tour of the beautiful 'City by the Bay' if we weren't headed to Rome to board the Noordam at that time.:rolleyes:
Maybe next time!:cool:

Localady,

Thanks for your kind offer but we aren't calling into San Francisco but going from Seattle to L.A. before hitting a few Mexican ports.

Peter and I are spending four days at the end of the cruise in S.F. as we have always wanted to visit and see your lovely city. :)

Have a wonderful cruise on the Noordam.

Jennie

[gizmo]

I have been on the Veendam a couple of times. As others have mentioned there is nothing that makes this ship different from other S Class ships.
I don't think there are any "secrets" unique to the Veendam.