First cruise booked on Veendam

[DisneyPixie]

Hi everyone! Hubby and I booked our first cruise! It only took me 2 years to convince him. We're sailing on the Veendam out of Tampa on Nov 13th. We got a great deal on one of the S suites so we grabbed it. What can we expect on the Veendam?

Thanks!
Bryce

[sail7seas]

Seeing as your question is pretty broad in scope, I'll try to help by saying you should expect a spotlessly clean, beautiful ship that has a wonderful, easy to navigate layout.

The dining room is two level and is an elegant room.....not quite as pretty as Maasdam's IMO but the same wonderful layout.

Aft pool is exposed and open to the air and wind and our favorite.
Lido pool has the retractable roof which can be opened/partly opened/closed to suit conditions.

You should expect friendly, efficient service and to feel like a guest rather than a customer.

Hope this is some help to you.

[newcruisers04]

What a co-incidence seeing someone else ask about Veendam! We will be on that ship leaving Tampa a month after you. Hope everything goes well for you and the ship is what you expect. I know we are more excited every day about taking a cruise...its a special big "five OH" for me. Do you have any special shore excursions planned? Suppose it would help me to know which ports you are going to be in eh?..uh huh...yup...I an a canuckian...hahahaha...we will be in Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Montego Bay.! Any ways...have a wonderful cruise...this site is a hot bed of information!

[doone]

My entire family sailed on the Veendam a couple of years ago. For some in my family, it was their first cruise. They thought the Veendam was one of the most beautiful ships with spectacular service, friendly crew and they had so much fun, we're going on another family cruise Feb. 2006, this time they want a 10-day cruise.

I think you have chosen a wonderful ship for your first cruise, rest assured, it won't be your last one.

Any specific questions, please ask away.

[marie55]

We were on the Veendam last August and loved it!! We had also found a great deal on an "S" suite and it was wonderful...made the trip extra special, although it was an Alaskan cruise and was special to begin with!!! The Navigation Deck was so convenient to Lido as it is only one floor up, and we walked down the few flights of stairs to the Dining Room each evening for dinner. (As a matter of fact, we didn't use the elevators very much on that trip!) The service was great and the ship was beautiful. You'll love the balcony, too...it was huge! Hope you have a wonderful trip!!

[Debi_D]

Wow what a great way to start cruising in a Suite on the Veendam. We have been on the Veendam twice in a Suite and you are going to love it. Ship is beautiful and you are going to enjoy your large, large, large deck.

Trust me your husband will comeback as a cruise monster:D :D

Debi

[TwoTravelers]

We are booked on the Veendam for back to back cruises Nov 6-20, 2004. We are also in a suite. We cruised on the Veendam earlier this year from Tampa via the Panama Canal to San Diego. This ship, like most of HAL ships, is great. The Indonesian and Filipino crew are friendly and competent. You will really enjoy your cruise. Just make sure you wash your hands very often to forestall "Montezuma's Revenge". Amerikanis-Chandris-Dec 1985
Inspiration-Carnival-Dec 2002
Noordam-HAL-Mar 2003
Triumph-Carnival-Jul 2003
Noordam-HAL-Dec 2003
Horizon-Celebrity-Mar2004
Veendam-HAL-Apr- 2004
Veendam-HAL-Nov 2004
Horizon-Celebrity-Dec 2004
Horizon-Celebrity-Jan 2005

[cruzincurt]

We just booked a Veendam Verandah for Nov. 13th as well. We went on her last November. Out of 14 cruises, it ranks as one of the best.

[Sandiz]

I can promise you that you won't have to beg for two years for your next cruise. The S suite is wonderful. He will love the whirlpool tub and the huge living space. The patio is so large you could easily have 15=20 people on deck.
Your cleaning, pressing or laundry is done for you without cost. You can have a full breakfast, lunc or a 5 course dinner served in your suite or on the patio. Each day there will be an extra treat brought to your room, like chocolates, champagne, etc. There is a dressing room with 3 large closet doors that are mirrored and a vanity with stool. The Neputuned room is where the conciegre is and it has all kinds of coffees and pastries, and finger sandwiches, big TV and library and newspapers. The conciegre will take care of your credit card for your acct so you don't have to go to pursers downstairs and wait in line. You will be first on and first off and no long lines to either. You can board about noon and they serve lunch in the Lido room and they don't tell you this so just be aware that you can go on that early and have a nice lunch and get your bags emptied before you even leave port. Look at the seating of the main dining room and pick your seat--one of the perks of a S suite. Call or have your travel agent call and request what you want. First night on board in the Pinncle dining room the cost is half so you can try it for $10 each. It is wonderful. You can also pre-book a reservation before you go. Hope this gives you a taste of how the other halve lives all the time. Enjoy----it's wonderful. Oh, if you suite isn't in the center of the ship consider changing if you can. And, the uneven room numbers will be facing the ocean when in dock. Facing the land can be a lot warmer if you want to sit on patio. Good cruising! Sandiz