Question for Doone...

[ekerr19]

Doone-

We are going to book Volendam 3/20/05 next week. Are you still booked on this voyage? I thought I saw a post where you are booked in March on the Zuiderdam, but I could be mistaken, or maybe you have 2 cruises in March?...

We always book outside large when we travel with the kids, except once on the Zui, we booked a Suite (very nice, IMO) and once on the Noordam we got an A and out the kids were in an inside...

I have not been on the Volendam and I'm torn between booking the outside large, category H, or a BB triple and putting my son and his friend across the hall in the inside I category... do you have any experience with the outside large? If so, is it the same size as those on the Statendam & Maasdam?

[doone]

You bet I am still booked on the Volendam. What happened is after booking the Volendam, my friends decided they wanted to take a cruise. We ended up with March, sailing on the Zuiderdam 7 days before my Volendam cruise. I will fly out of Boston on March 11th, sail on the Zuiderdam March 12th, return to Ft. Lauderdale on March 19th, embark on the Volendam on March 20th, aaahhhh life is sweet.


I am in an inside cabin on Main Deck on the Volendam. I have sailed in outside cabins, not on the Volendam, but other HAL ships and I would assume, yes they are the same as on the Statendam and Maasdam. How many people are sailing with you? Perhaps getting 2 cabins would be best, especially with the bathroom situation.

Your going to love the Volendam. Its very similar to the Statendam and Maasdam on the layout, but its a tad bit larger, which in my opinion, makes a big difference.

Please feel free to e-mail me at home, I did have my e-mail address in my profile, but with the new boards its gone and I don't know how to get it back in there. I have tried, but its not there. Anyways, here's my e-mail address at home: doone1957@verizon.net, please put cruise critic in the subject line.

Hope to talk to you soon.

[Esme]

First off how old are the kids and how many are there? If they are teenagers, then I would put your son and his friend in an Inside across the hall from your cabin and you take the BB. Have had a BB, B, A, & I on the Volendam - you will love the ship.

[Nasmas]

We were on the Volendam last March in a SS. It was great. We got a good deal on Priceline for the 10 day Southern. It was sorta last minute. One month in advance. But, it was wonderful. I loved the ship and the itinerary. I know you don't want to wait but it was worth it. We got the 10 day for less than we're paying for the 7 day on the Zuiderdam. I think you'll have a great cruise if you're in the broiler room. So, book what you want. I really dont' think it will matter.

[doone]

I don't believe the Volendam has SS cabins, only PS, S, mini suites, outside and inside cabins. The SS suites are only found on the Vista Style ships. Did you perhaps have an S Suite??????

Its a great ship, I can't wait to sail her again. Glad you enjoyed the Volendam.

[ekerr19]

Thanks to everyone for your replies... I've been busy these past few days and hadn't checked in.

We are traveling with our friends and they are bringing their 15-yr old son. We also have a son, soon to be 16. Our daughter is 11, going on 18... :D

We thought about getting a triple B or BB so our daughter could be with us - have our friends get a cabin next door to ours, and we'd put the boys in the inside I, hopefully across (or close enough) the hall.

I tried cruisecomptete.com at the recommendation of another poster - I just got a quote from Cruise Value Center that is currently beating our regular TA by about $200 - I never thought that would happen!

We are going to book this at the end of the month, so I hope my TA will match Cruise Value Ctr -

[doone]

When you book, since you want your children across the hall from you, look at the brochure and the Volendam's cabin's, pick the cabins you want so you won't have to worry your children aren't near you.

Let me know when you have booked.

[ekerr19]

When you book, since you want your children across the hall from you, look at the brochure and the Volendam's cabin's, pick the cabins you want so you won't have to worry your children aren't near you.

Let me know when you have booked.

Wow! You are on the Zuiderdam & then the Volendam... how nice! I will be anxiously awaiting hearing about your experience on the Zui - won't it be nice to miss all that lovely Massachusett's weather in March? We won't miss the March blizzards we usually get here in Colorado :)

I am sending an e-mail to my TA to hold my cabins - we've spent weeks looking at and marking up our Volendam brochure - I think we've decided on our cabins - hopefully they are available. We can't wait! I will let you know when we've got it booked.

Thanks so much for all your help & input! :D

[doone]

Yes, I am very excited and have never done back to back cruises before, so its exciting. I enjoy the weather in New England, yes, even the snow, but its nice to get away from it for a while.

I'll be able to fill you in on the differences between the Volendam and the Vista style ships onboard. I am curious myself.

Look forward to hearing your booked on the Volendam. We sailed her a couple of years ago and loved her, I am sure you will too.