Volendam fans - Speak up pls...

[brucory]

We are thinking about a Volendam cruise at the end of this year... We are a little unsure about spending 14 nights on her due to her smaller size (between NZ AND Aus)... For those who are fans, can you tell us some things about the Volendam that would make her more appealing than other larger ships? Cheers... :D :D :D

[sapper1]

We are thinking about a Volendam cruise at the end of this year... We are a little unsure about spending 14 nights on her due to her smaller size (between NZ AND Aus)... For those who are fans, can you tell us some things about the Volendam that would make her more appealing than other larger ships? Cheers... :D :D :D
We sailed the Volendam last year and loved her. The advantage of a smaller ship is that when you meet people, you see them again and again so after a few days, you seemingly always have someone to talk to in the bars and public areas. Also we never encountered overcrowding in the Lido area for breakfast and lunch as the lines were not so long.
Running back to your cabin to pick something up doesn't involve a long trek on a smaller ship.
Also with fewer passengers, you get to know some of the wonderful crew members and they remember your preferences as if by magic.
I am sure that you will enjoy a cruise on the Volendam.

[doone]

The Volendam has always been, and still remains, my favorite HAL ship. She is a more intimate ship than the larger ones, her color schemes are relaxing and peaceful and the crew has always been exceptional.

I would not hesitate to book her, I think you will find her to be an exceptional ship as I always have. Hope this helps.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The larger ships don't have any appeal to us -- far too many people. Many times a mob scene getting off the ships in ports.

Have sailed on the Volendam for 20 days at a time - twice (back-to-back cruises. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

Do agree that with a smaller ship you will see the same people and get to know them.

[brucory]

for the positive encouragement... Now wondering if the outside rooms (D and above) are going to be up our alley. We are a little hesitant as were spoilt with balcony on the Vista... Will we cope without one on the Volendam? :D :D :D

[doone]

One nice thing that the R and S class ships of HAL have that the Vista's don't have are the self-service laundries, which the Volendam has. I think you will find this helpful with packing knowing you can wash, especially with the weight limits and baggage limits on the airlines these days.

[OceanLiner]

The Volendam is a smaller ship in relation to some other ships, but she is in no way small. There is plenty of everything to keep you entertained, yet there is plenty of open deck space/public areas with a wonderful amount of nothing. The ship is well maintained and the staff couldn’t be better. The food is good to very good. Please note that our experiences are based on the deluxe verandah suite with the Neptune Lounge.

[aliaschief]

The MS Volendam was our first cruise with Holland America. Even though the last couple of cruises have been on Vista size ships we would not hesitate to sail again on the MS Volendam.

She is a beautiful ship with an outstanding crew.

[Sage]

The Volendam is my favorite ship as well. The Officers and Crew are wonderful, and the ship is just the right size. You will have a wonderful time sailing on the Volendam.

[ldog]

We sailed the Volendam last October through the Panama Canal and then the Statendam on the Aus/NZ itinerary in February. Both were fine. We had an outside oceanview cabin on Main deck and it worked well. We spent very little time there. But it was nice to see what the weather was like in the morning. There was always lots of space and places to sit and watch the scenery without a balcony. We spent a lot of time on the aft deck around the pool on sea days.

We loved the ports that we visited.

[RoupMom]

We are going on the Volendam for the holidays this year. We were previously on the Amsterdam, which is similar. We had a C category cabin on the Amsterdam, on the Lower Promenade deck, which has the wrap-around teak deck. Don't know where your "D" is, but we loved being on that deck, because it felt like we had our own balcony, even though we didn't. We liked it enough we booked that specific cabin for this cruise. The main deck "D"s are a bit bigger than the LP deck, I believe. We've never had a verandah on a cruise, so maybe we don't know what we're missing.:)

[Robin7]

We love the Volendam! We were aboard last fall for 10 days, partial Panama Canal. (In an HH.) We've also been on her sister, the Zaandam, in a D on Main Deck, #2627. (You can see our photos here if you want: http://travel.webshots.com/album/552873190WLMTHU) We loved the Zaandam so much we booked the Volendam, and we loved the Volendam so much we have booked that NZ/Australia trip, leaving Auckland on October 24th. I can't tell you how much we're looking forward to it!

We've been on both the Zuiderdam and the Oosterdam. As well as the Veendam, the Zaandam, and the Volendam (and two even smaller ships--the Westerdam and the Nieuw Amsterdam--no longer in service with HAL). We definitely prefer the smaller ships.

We have never had a verandah, so I can't speak to whether you'll find a D a step down or not. Those outsides were spluges for us. :) We did like the D much better than the HH. ;)

Robin

[janmcn]

We love the Volendam! We always get the "D" deck rooms on it because they are very convenient to getting up the stairs one flight and out to the promenade deck for walking, seeing the views, etc. It is also much more stable than the upper decks if it gets rough as it can in the NZ/AU area. I'd definitely go for it! Ditto all the comments about it being more personal, easier to get around in, all around "comfy."
Jan

[camrosegirl]

I am presently on the Volendam sitting in Ketchikan. I agree with what everyone says--it is great. I would caution about the cabins on Lower Promenade--I love them, but many of my neighbours complain about noise--under the theater in front, bit of engine vibration in back--that being said I have been on for 2 weeks and everybody I have met are very happy. Look for midship on Main or Lower Promenade.

I am jealous--what a great itinerary. I get home on Sunday so will check if you have any questions.

[MSMcDuffy]

I enjoyed being on the Volendam (Alaska '06).

I'm not sure if this is applicable for Aus/NZ, but the Volendam got closer to the glaciers in Alaska than our recent Oosterdam cruise (but the amount of ice is also a factor).

Being able to use the iron/ironing board in the self-service laundry room was a big plus that we didn't have on the O.

The only negative thing I can think of about the V was that the couch pillows seemed a little worn, but that's so minor and perhaps they've been replaced since then.

I had a balcony on the Volendam and then an outside stateroom on the Oosterdam. I thought it might be a little disappointing downgrading, but the outside stateroom was just fine (even with 4 people). We even saw whales outside of our window one day!

[brucory]

We love the Volendam! We were aboard last fall for 10 days, partial Panama Canal. (In an HH.) We've also been on her sister, the Zaandam, in a D on Main Deck, #2627. (You can see our photos here if you want: http://travel.webshots.com/album/552873190WLMTHU) We loved the Zaandam so much we booked the Volendam, and we loved the Volendam so much we have booked that NZ/Australia trip, leaving Auckland on October 24th. I can't tell you how much we're looking forward to it!

We've been on both the Zuiderdam and the Oosterdam. As well as the Veendam, the Zaandam, and the Volendam (and two even smaller ships--the Westerdam and the Nieuw Amsterdam--no longer in service with HAL). We definitely prefer the smaller ships.

We have never had a verandah, so I can't speak to whether you'll find a D a step down or not. Those outsides were spluges for us. :) We did like the D much better than the HH. ;)

Robin

Great photos... Also the carpet in the elevators stating the day reminded me of the Amsterdam, which we really enjoyed. I wonder why they dont change the carpets on the vistas? It really is a special touch... :D :D :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

Great photos... Also the carpet in the elevators stating the day reminded me of the Amsterdam, which we really enjoyed. I wonder why they dont change the carpets on the vistas? It really is a special touch... :D :D :D

On Our recent Westerdam cruises -- the days of the week were changed every day in the elevators.

[brucory]

On Our recent Westerdam cruises -- the days of the week were changed every day in the elevators.

Oops, I generalised after they didnt do this on the oosterdam, but had done on the Amsterdam... Is it only the Oosterdam that does not have the day of the week on the carpet in the elevators? :(

[Krazy Kruizers]

Don't know as we haven't been on the Oosterdam in a few years.

[luvn2cruzzz]

I am presently on the Volendam sitting in Ketchikan. I agree with what everyone says--it is great. I would caution about the cabins on Lower Promenade--I love them, but many of my neighbours complain about noise--under the theater in front, bit of engine vibration in back--that being said I have been on for 2 weeks and everybody I have met are very happy. Look for midship on Main or Lower Promenade.

I am jealous--what a great itinerary. I get home on Sunday so will check if you have any questions.

I have sailed on the Volendam 3 times and loved her. We have had cabins on the Lower Promenade twice and found that to be our favorite location. We were in the middle of the ship, close to the outside doors and loved just getting up and going outside to walk or sit in one of those wonderful deck chairs. We have been on two of the Vista class ships which are wonderful but I will take the Volendam over them. Next month we will sail on the Prinsendam for the first time--I wonder how it will compare and if we will like that small a ship. Can't wait to find out!

[Bradtez]

Really enjoyed reading what others have thought of the Volendam. My wife and i are on her for 18 days next May from Japan to Canada and are now more excited than ever :)

[Bouff]

Our second cruise was on the Volendam in a D grade cabin. Although our first cruise on the Noordam was in a Balcony cabin, whilst it is nice to have a balcony, we still enjoyed our cruise on the Volendam as much. Being a smaller ship it is very easy and quick to get to the Promenade deck if you want a better view!

[terrydtx]

We sailed the Volendam last year and loved her. The advantage of a smaller ship is that when you meet people, you see them again and again so after a few days, you seemingly always have someone to talk to in the bars and public areas. Also we never encountered overcrowding in the Lido area for breakfast and lunch as the lines were not so long.
Running back to your cabin to pick something up doesn't involve a long trek on a smaller ship.
Also with fewer passengers, you get to know some of the wonderful crew members and they remember your preferences as if by magic.
I am sure that you will enjoy a cruise on the Volendam.

I would have to agree with this poster 100%, We did a 10 day Panama cruise last year on the Volendam and loved the ship and crew. The ship is smaller, but you never felt like it was small or cramped in any way. Even on our sold out cruise we never had to wait in long lines for anything. The breakfast buffet was maybe the longest line with 4 or 5 people waiting to start the line.
Getting on and off the ship was a breeze as well.
We love the lower promenade deck cabins. We were midships there on our last cruise and the outside deck became our huge balcony. We took our breakfast out there every morning and had a glass of wine with appetizers in the late afternoon.

[ladychar]

I am having full blown Volendam withdrawl today. My DH and I just returned from an Alaskan cruise on her. It was a great ship.

After seeing the lines to get on some of the huge ships in port, I was so happy we had chosen to go on the Volendam. Just the right size-and a fabulous cruise.

[Richard in Panama]

As you can see the VOLENDAM has a great following!! It is large enough, and never feels "crowded", yet you still feel like you are on a ship at sea and not on a hotel that got washed out to sea. I spent 2 months on her this Spring and loved it. The crew loves it too, and a happy crew makes for happy guests!

Regards, Richard

[Rabbitlady]

Here's another vote for the Volendam. We loved being on her for two weeks(June 29-July13).
Everyone has their complaints and we did hear some like..... service in the fixed dining, dirty windows constantly, poor maintanence of sports equipment.... but like anything else you can complain and pick apart anything. We thought we got a great value on this ship, had a great time, and liked most of the food in the dining room.

Rabbitlady