Information needed on Veendam

[candbgirl]

We are booked on a cruise on the Veendam next spring. Because HAL information is very confusing regarding what is a suite and what isn't a suite I'm turning to the people who really know. All of you. We are currently booked in a B. My DH wants to bump it up to a S. I personnally don't care and frankly don't see the need for it but he said only the S and PH get suite perks. He is mostly interested in priority embarking. I keep telling him that this ship is smaller and we have never really had to wait with HAL, etc. etc. etc. So my question is do the "suite" passengers in the A, B, BB,etc get priority boarding on the Veendam? Thanks for your help.

[peaches from georgia]

DH is right. Only PS and S get the suite perks including priority boarding. And the use of the Neptune Lounge, the services of the Concierge, a super large cabin and balcony, priority tendering, complimentary laundry and dry cleaning, etc., etc. We find having an S well worth the cost, but it is a personal decision.

[JimVrhovac]

Ruth and I travel in Suites (s) or Verandah suites (a or B) and have done so multiple times. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

We have sailed on this ship more than any other and it is our favorite ship (as you can tell from our future cruises)

The ship and its crew have a fantastic personality and it shows in the ways that they do their jobs.

Ruth & Jim

[sail7seas]

We love being in the "S" and to us it is 'worth' it. You and your DH have to make that decision.

You are right about not having to wait long to embark. The ship carries 1260 (+ or -) and certainly not all the guests arrive at the terminal at the same time. Embarkation goes smoothly and quickly.

Veendam is a wonderful ship!

[candbgirl]

Thank you all for your responses. We are traveling with several others who do not have "suites" so they would not have access to all of the perks anyway. I personally would feel bad leaving them out so my choice would be to stay put. I guess we'll have to discuss this. Jim and Ruth I see that you have been on the Veendam several times. We have never been on her and we are really looking forward to a smaller ship. Our last cruise was the Zuiderdam and that was small compared to some of the giants we have sailed with our family. My sister(who will be with our group) was on the Maasdam in July. It was her suggestion that brought us to the Veendam. I can't wait. Thank you all again.

[JimVrhovac]

If want a disk of the ship drop us a email. We have several disks of cruises on her. We take 4-500 pictures per cruise.

One perk is you can order one (1) hourderve tray per party(day) when you are hosting a party in your room. tray serves 6-8 people. Additional trays cost about $15.00 ea (I think).

Nice touch for sail away party on balcony .....

Ruth & Jim

[Two if by Sea]

Just because you're entitled to perks doesn't mean you HAVE to use them when you'd be abandoning your party. You still get a MUCH larger suite for the money -- a suite large enough, perhaps, in which to ENTERTAIN all those friends of yours with the free hors d'oeuvres every day :).

Priority embarkation seems to be a non-issue. If you have the money and won't feel like that money could have gone to another whole cruise, then why not spend it and live comfortably?

[JimVrhovac]

I was telling her what is available.

It is up to her how she will use the befefits of the suite

Jim

[HeatherInFlorida]

When we priced a cruise on Veendam, the price for an "S" was just shy of double the cost of a "B". This might be worth it to some, but not to us.

On the Vistas, the price difference is not as much. But because there are fewer of them on Veendam, the cost is of course more.

So if you're thinking about it, be sure you are really going to use the extra perks. The part that would be really nice is the size of the cabin. Since you're travelling with others, it would be great to be able to all gather in your larger cabin.

Remember, though, that on the S & R class ships the verandah A's and B's are considerably larger than on the Vista class. They are very comfortable and I think quite spacious in comparison.

Whatever you choose, have a great time!:)

[JimVrhovac]

Our TA has been good for us as we have gotten some really great prices on the suites. DO not know how and do not ask but generally only couple hundred more than B. Otherwise we stay in 186, 188, 190 all the time

Ruth & Jim

[mek]

JimVrhovac - Can you tell me why this is your favorite ship? I'm looking at the Veendam for next February. It's been a while since DH and I have been on HAL, the last time was on the old Westerdam and before that the old Noordam. We really love Princess, but we cruise with them frequently and want something different. I'm also thinking of Celebrity again, but frankly I think they are overrated. DH has some back problems that may or may not be corrected by the time we want sail, so I was thinking a smaller ship might work well for us this time. How has the food been recently? It was very good on our previous HAL cruises. I am a little concerned about night life - we're not wild party people, but we do like to stay up late. Is there anything to do past 10 pm? Does this ship have a movie theater? Any tips you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[JimVrhovac]

Biggest reason we like the Veendam is the crew. We have sailed on her so often we have been able to develop a lot of friendships.

Each ship has its own personality and this one is service, service, service. If you have a problem they will do everything in their power to solve it for you.

ANother reason is location. We live in Orlando and she sails out of Tampa. We drive over day before and get extra day's vacation. Lot of hotels in Tampa and Ft Lauderdale will allow you to park car there for free while on the cruise. Nice perk.

Ruth and I are down to earth people. Was on a cruise with upscale restaurant owner and he referred to food as upscale banquet food. We have never had a problem and they have gone out of their way on multiple occasions for us.

Any futher questions email us.

Ruth & Jim

[jtl513]

Remember, though, that on the S & R class ships the verandah A's and B's are considerably larger than on the Vista class. They are very comfortable and I think quite spacious in comparison.I don't think I agree with that. A couple of weeks ago a friend had a BC on the the Statendam and it really didn't seem much different to me than the VAs that we've had on the Noordam and Westerdam. It seemed a little longer, but that's about it. The verandah was just about the same. I know HAL says the BC is something like 295 sq ft, and the VA is 255-ish, but it just didn't feel like the BC was 4.5 or 5 feet longer, or that overall it was significantly different than the VAs. :confused:

[HeatherInFlorida]

You may not agree, JTL, but the standard verandah cabins on the Maasdam (for example) are noticeably larger than those on the Oosterdam. I've been on the 2 ships, one following the other, and the difference is very noticeable.

The HAL measurements are correct. The balcony, also, is a bit larger. I hope I didn't give the impression is was a huge difference, but we were able to have 6 people comfortably watching a video in our Maadam cabin. We could not have done that on the Oosterdam in a cabin located in the same exact location.

I can't speak for specific cabins so some may be a bit smaller than others, but a BA vs. a VA is what I'm comparing.