Info needed -Volendam 10 day S Caribbean Seafarer

[TT]

We are looking to book the Volendam for a 10-day Sothern Caribbean Seafarer in 2005. It's out of Ft. Lauderdale and consists of these following ports: Aruba, Curacao,Tortola, HMC and back to Ft. Lauderdale. Has anyone been on any of these 10 dayers? How was it and mainly how was the ship. Any suggestion on rooms that are good to book? My TA asked if a bal. was needed....well does it? We do love being outside for breakfast but she said some trips you just don't need them. Mmmmm. Any info to help us decide would be helpful since we have not cruised Hal before....but this Sept. 4th we will be on the Zuiderdam. Just as I am typing my TA called and asked about a 10 day Eastfarer on the same ship. It seems like different ports. Thanks to all who reply.

[DFD1]

The Volendam is a great ship. Many on here tell us that it is one of the favorites of many experienced cruisers. As to the balcony, many cruisers think they are great. They add a signifcant amount of outside private space to your stateroom. I'm surprised about your TA's comment..."on some trips you just don't need them...." That does not make any sense to me. The value of a balcony would be the same on any cruise...except perhaps in disagreeable weather....which you are not likely to find in the Caribbean.

[gizmo]

Hi TT,

I usually always book 10 day cruises, 7 days seem too short. I have sailed on the Volendam 3 times and think it is a beautiful ship. I enjoy having a balcony and do use it on Caribbean cruises.

What other type of info are you looking for?

[doone]

The Volendam is a beautiful ship, you can't go wrong with either itinerary. I am sailing on the Volendam, again, March 20, 2005.

The balcony question is only one you can answer. I sail with a group but like my space and get my own cabin, with the single supplement, I get category K, mid-ship, inside cabin. I don't spend alot of time in my cabin, we're always up on deck.

You will find the Volendam to be a wonderful ship and I think you really will enjoy her and either itinerary.

I agree with Gizmo, those 7-dayers just aren't long enough, 10 or more days, PERFECT.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:) Volendam

We have never been on the Volendam but do look forward to our back-to-back cruises on her in 2005. We always book a suite and love our verandah. We spend a lot of time on it.

Why your TA would say that sometimes a balcony isn't needed on certain itineraries - I don't know. We have always had verandahs in the Baltic, Alaska, etc., even though there are times we couldn't sit out on it as much as we wanted to. It's great to be able to just walk out onto the balcony while you are entering or leaving a port.

Tortola - not much to do there - have been there a few times. Suggest you book a tour to the Baths on Virgin Gorda. POOR shopping

Aruba - so much to do here - tour of the island - beaches on your own - good shopping (prices are high but on your itinerary it's the best shopping port).

Curacao - also a good shopping place - remember the stores are closed from noon till 2 for napping (ZZZZ). If you are on a schedule that leaves around 10 PM, there will be fireworks as the ship leaves the port. Usually this is also BBQ night. If you like walking tours, walk across the Queen Emma Floating Bridge to get to the shopping area. You can also take a trolley train around the city just to see the highlights.

:)

[dakrewser]

WE did 10 days on the Volendam last October and enjoyed it thoroughly. THe whole ship was in good shape (I don't remember a broken elevator at any time!) and the service was everything we've come to expect.

In Curacao, we rented a car and drove around the island (It's not that big) found some great scenery & beaches as well as a lovely, isolated (out a dirt track) lighthouse on the western end. :cool:

We do find that 10-14 day cruises are much more relaxing than 7-day, but: a) you take what's available to the area you want to see; and b) you take what your vacation schedule will allow (well, my wife's vacation schedule. I, fortunately or not, can continue to work while I'm cruising). ;)

[TT]

Thanks for the reply's. How is Aruba? I remember a time it was not safe. Did anyone occur any problems on the islands? How was the weather in Oct.? I have not been to these island but if it's like St. Thomas then I will like it. When I went to book the Zuiderdam there was THOM so said for me to take the aft cabins because of the large Verandah. Can anyone suggest a room that you loved? We love Verandah's and are booked in a Cat A on the Z but I have not fully done my homework yet Like upper or lower for dinner and how is their specialty rest? Any suggestions? You know I have to tell you guys are all great what would we do without all your help. See I said we meaning the board. Thanks guys this really helps alot.

TT

[gizmo]

TT,

Aruba was nice. No mention of crime. There are nice beaches and we spent the day at the beach.

You have me confused. :confused: Which ship and which itinerary did you book?

[doone]

If I am not mistaken, I believe when I was in Aruba, they said Aruba had the lowest crime rate in either the caribbean or the surrounding islands.

[Sage]

The last time we were in Aruba, we found it very safe and friendly. Also Aruba sits outside the typical hurricane and storm path, so it should be nice sailing. The beaches are very nice, and the shopping was also good. Have a great time. We are looking forward to our first cruise on the Volendam in December.

[Nasmas]

We were on the 10 day Southern last March. We didnt' stop in Aruba, though, but the itinerary was great. We loved it. The Volendam is a wonderful ship. We stayed on the ship at some of the ports because the pools are empty when the ship is in port and we feel like we have the ship to ourselves. The crew on the Volendam are among the best. We had a SS room and were very pleased with it. We previously were in S rooms, but this was a last minute for us and all of the S rooms were gone. The SS was fine. Not as big as the S but there was plenty of room. We will never cruise again without a balcony. We love to eat breakfast there. We're spoiled. I can't imagine when you wouldn't want one.
I think you'll love the cruise.

[doone]

Nasmas, were you in an S category? I don't believe the Volendam has the SS category. That category, to my knowledge, are only found on the Vista Style ships.

[gizmo]

Nasmas,

You mentioned an SS cabin on the Volendam. I think you meant an A or B since the Volendam does not have an SS category. Only Vista class ships have them.
I have stayed in a B and they are nice since they do have a verandah.

[TT]

Gizmo, we are already booked on the Zuiderdam for the Sept. 4th, 2004 sailing and we are already booking 2005. In fact hubby wants to do a 7 day in Jan or Feb. then the 10 day in the fall. Ahhhhh it's nice to have a hubby who sits and thinks about it then says start looking for Jan or Feb. for our anniv. I knew I married right. I quess the second time is always best. LOL

Sage did you say shopping was good. Boy I love to shop on the island.

Doone I think I need a new travel agent. Mmmmm I quess I better start looking. I hate wrong info.

Nasmas- I remember being on the Norway and we were the first ones off and did our thing and got back on by 11:00 or so and we went to the pool and did the same thing. We were the only ones for hours. It was so very nice and quite and just to look around and see the island was great. Ahhh isn't life wonderful. Thanks guys I can't wait for pricing. We have a cat A for the Sept. 4th sailing so I fiquire around 1000.00pp for the 10 daycruise since I am paying 699.00PP for the 7 day. Am I about right on the pricing?

[doone]

TT, what category are you thinking of booking? I just checked the prices for the Fall 2005 on the Volendam on the HAL web site, they are more than $1,000 per person, even for the inside cabins. Prices can change and depending upon who you book with. Just thought I would let you know. Good luck, I think you will enjoy the Volendam, she's a great ship.

[Joanandjoe]

Try to find a posting by Rev Neal. This will give you a link to his cruise pages, which include photos and videos of your itinerary on the Volendam. If you can't find his postings anywhere else, try the "Blenders" thread: about one out of every 10 postings is his.

[TT]

Doone I received 886.00 for inside. My TA says right now they are selling the 10 cruises so the prices are up there but she feels they will come down. Sometimes I think January is a great time to book but she promised me a better price if they dropped.

Joanandjoe I will check out Rev. Neal info. Thanks so much. He really is an experienced cruiser.