Just Back - Volendam 21/3-12/13 (mini review)

[Spot]

I'm sitting at FLL airport waiting on a flight that doesn't leave until almost 6pm so I thought I'd jot down a few notes on this WONDERFUL CRUISE!!!

Background - DH and I are both in our 50's and newly retired. This was our first 10 night cruise and our 3rd cruise with HAL (our 8th cruise overall). We cruise for the ship and the cruise itself not so much for the ports.
We stayed in a B catagory Verandah Suite (mini suite). This cabin was just fine for us, comfortable with plenty of storage. Our cabin steward was Irwin and he never missed a beat. We had Main Dining (bottom, late 8:30pm).

This was the best cruise we have taken thus far and we were amazed at what the extra 3 nights did to enhance our cruise experience.

Food was good, not great but good. We really enjoy casual dining in the Lido where we get plenty of great food.
This time we tried in room dining from the dining room menu for dinner - what a luxury!!

There were a good number of CC members onboard so I'm sure they will all post. We really enjoyed everyone we met onboard!!

If you have any questions just ask.

[middle-aged mom]

Weeell, Spot, since you have all afternoon at FLL, and you welcome questions......:)

....what were your ports, how were they, and how was the weather? Thanks! Appreciate you posting!!:)

Karin

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have a safe flight home from your cruise.

[RuthC]

Got to keep you occupied so you don't go nuts waiting in that airport---
Would you post something about the entertainment on board, please? Who came aboard to play the "big stage", and what did you think of them. And, who is playing in the various lounges these days? What was your opinion of them?

Thanks. :)

[Spot]

Hi Karin!!
Cruise went as follows:
12/3 - departed port everglades
12/4 - Sea
12/5 - Sea
12/6 - Aruba
12/7 - Curacao
12/8 - Sea
12/9 - Dominica
12/10 - St Thomas
12/11 - Sea
12/12 - Half Moon Cay
12/13 - Port Everglades

Weather was gorgeous everyday but one, hotest day by far in Dominica.
Some showers and some rough seas at night (the Sea day between St Thomas and Half Moon Cay was overcast and rough seas).
Really was a nice itinerary with enough days at sea to relax and enjoy the ship and our fellow cruisers :).

[Spot]

Gosh Ruth, I can't help you in that department, DH and I made our own entertainment if you know what I mean :).
We seriously didn't go to a single show as there were so many wonderful fellow cruisers onboard that we made our own fun.

There were enough of us that I'm sure someone can give you the information you need - Sorry Ruth!

[boxer2]

I agree with Spot. We were on the same cruise. Had a great time. There were two comedians on board. One was Marty Brill the other I can't remember his name. Something Chase I think. Both were very funny. There was a female singer Annie something who was good also. Did not go to any of the crew shows. Jeffrey Allen was the piano player in the piano bar. He was very good. Went to see him almost every night. We enjoyed the whole cruise very much. Would do another 10 day again in a heart beat.

[RuthC]

Thanks, boxer. (And thanks anyway, spot.) I know about Marty Brill; the "Annie" was probably Annie Francis? She's been getting several good recommendations from this board lately. I'll keep that in mind if I ever see her name on the Daily.

Jeffrey Allen, hum? You liked him. OK, I'll put his name in my memory bank for future reference. Thanks! :)

[boxer2]

RuthC, yes that was her name. Annie Frances. Lots of passengers liked her. I'm still trying to remember the other comedians name. He was really my favorite act. Had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes! He sang also and had a very good voice.

[elmorejj]

Ruth, the pianist in the piano bar was fair to good. He did a few tribute shows, eg. James taylor, Elton John type shows. Not really my type of lounge music, guess I`m getting too old! Still need a shot of 40`s type stuff...............jean:cool:

[Roz]

The piano bar guy was awful on the Nov. 13 itinerary, but he was getting off after that cruise. Glad you got someone better.

Marty Brill was hilarious. Annie Francis needs help with her repetoire, IMO. Yodeling??? I was surprised at how strong her accent comes thru in her singing. I enjoyed Paul Pappas, the piano player. He should just stick to playing the piano, and not sing. :D

Roz

[wskon]

The piano bar guy was awful on the Nov. 13 itinerary, but he was getting off after that cruise. Glad you got someone better.

Marty Brill was hilarious. Annie Francis needs help with her repetoire, IMO. Yodeling??? I was surprised at how strong her accent comes thru in her singing. I enjoyed Paul Pappas, the piano player. He should just stick to playing the piano, and not sing. :D

Roz
Roz, I am sort of perplexed. I remember that you said that the piano pplayer was getting off and we would have a new one on the 23rd sailing. Well to be honest with you the piano player was awful.. I figured it was the same one you had talked about.. He was so bad I never got his name.. Some people have said he was so good. My husband had been a musician for 40 years and I think we know good music when we hear it. I wish I had gotten his name. I will ahve to look back through my paper stuff and see if I can find it.
Sandy

[whogo]

Annie Francis needs help with her repetoire, IMO. Yodeling??? Roz
A lady is a woman that can yodel but doesn't.

[RuthC]

Ruth, the pianist in the piano bar was fair to good. He did a few tribute shows, eg. James taylor, Elton John type shows. Not really my type of lounge music, guess I`m getting too old! Still need a shot of 40`s type stuff...............jean:cool:
Thanks, Jean. When it comes to taste in music I believe we prefer the same era. James Taylor and Elton John just aren't going to do it for me, either.

[HoneyGV]

Hi Karin!!
Cruise went as follows:
12/3 - departed port everglades
12/4 - Sea
12/5 - Sea
12/6 - Aruba
12/7 - Curacao
12/8 - Sea
12/9 - Dominica
12/10 - St Thomas
12/11 - Sea
12/12 - Half Moon Cay
12/13 - Port Everglades

Weather was gorgeous everyday but one, hotest day by far in Dominica.
Some showers and some rough seas at night (the Sea day between St Thomas and Half Moon Cay was overcast and rough seas).
Really was a nice itinerary with enough days at sea to relax and enjoy the ship and our fellow cruisers :).

Same itinerary we had on the Nov 3rd sailing. Our weather was beautiful too. On the way back our last stop was HMC and I knew the day before that we probably would skip it as the weather was reporting a strong cold front going through Florida. Sure enough, our Captain was wise to give us an extra sea day rather than TRY to tender us to the island.

I just love the Volendam. The ship's size is perfect for us and a 10 day cruise is perfect for us too. Just long enough to relax and enjoy and short enough not to get antsy.:)

[Oceanwench]

It's all subjective.
Steve Frank [or Franks] was the piano man Roz and others complained about.
He was on the Oosterdam in 2004 when I sailed, and we had so much fun, we closed up the piano bar most nights.
Steve wasn't there so much to entertain, but to get pax singing along and interacting.
He did everything from show tunes to Beatles to Buffett.
Techincally he was not the best -- but he was there to get pax involved and singing.
At least that is my interpretation of the purpose of a piano bar.

I think if you want to be entertained by music of a specific type [or era] there are other options aboard the ship.

It's been my experience with HAL that there is a good range of music, and some people are happy with the classical music in the Explorer's Lounge, while others like the more contemporary sounds in the Northern Lights [if the particular ship has a disco].
I've read complaints here from people who don't like the music played at the Lido pool -- they want steel drums and a Caribbean sound, not soft rock or jazz.

[elmorejj]

I think I would have preferred anything round the pool other than what we had last week. Polka music every day, just not my thing, but as you said, it is all so subjective...........jean:cool:

[happy cruzer]

Music is very subjective. I find it strange that James Taylor and Elton John are considered to be too new; most of their music is about 25 years old.

I think HAL has to provide a range of music; I don't think it would be reasonable to expect every venue to play music from the 40's. On our cruise the Ocean Lounge had mostly music from the 40's and we had Steve Frank which I thought was Ok, I really enjoyed his version of the Phantom of the Opera mix.

It is all subjective.

[Love Cruises]

Thanks, boxer. (And thanks anyway, spot.) I know about Marty Brill; the "Annie" was probably Annie Francis? She's been getting several good recommendations from this board lately. I'll keep that in mind if I ever see her name on the Daily.

Jeffrey Allen, hum? You liked him. OK, I'll put his name in my memory bank for future reference. Thanks! :)
Ruth...

We have seen Annie Francis on a few cruises and she is really good. I beg to differ regarding some of the comments on this thread about her yodeling... we thought she was quite good. Good enough that we wouldn't mind seeing her perform again. I guess it is just a matter of opinion. I think you would enjoy her!