just off the volendam!

[jcike1980]

we cruised the eastern carib. on the volendam 10-17 to 10-27. we enjoyed every part of it from embark to disembark. was at pier 1130 on the ship having lunch on the lido at 1237.
food and presentation- good
lido food - good
dining room- good
variety food- good
pinnacle dining- great
dinner stewards- great
room steward- great
dottie cruise director- very personal and interactive w/ everyone.
We had rain one day in road town. Other than that weather was great.
The ship was sold out 1400 on our sailing and our dinner steward told us 10-27 sailing also sold out.
I think the only thing that we would have like to seen and heard more of is carib. music kettle drums, etc.
the crows nest provided good music from the band potofino.
My DW and I received the copper medallion from the captain and mariner society for 100+ days with hal. My regards to all , jcike

[doone]

Glad you enjoyed the Volendam. I sail her in March again, we think she's great, glad you did as well.

[stanjj111]

Thanks for the info. We will be on the Volendam the first time in Dec. Anything special that we should know about?

[jcike1980]

Thanks for the info. We will be on the Volendam the first time in Dec. Anything special that we should know about?just enjoy yourself shes a great ship. jcike

[Peggy Sue]

Thank you!! We will be boarding on 11/6 -- the next cruise!! Can't wait!!

Question... What were the dining times offered? Interested in the late seating times for upper and lower.

Also, did they offer the Wine dinner in the Pinnacle any evening? I don't recall what it was offically called, but there is an additional fee (more than the $20. normal fee) and wine is paired with the meal.

Did you enjoy the ports? Any good/bad shore experiences?

Glad you had a great cruise and great weather too!!

Thanks!!

Peggy Sue

[Sue's Mom]

Thanks for posting the info. SO glad you had a good time. We are off on the same cruise on Nov 26. :D

[BLStokes23]

Welcome back - sounds like you had a great time. I think your cruise visited Barbados. Any thoughts or recommendations for this port? We'll be sailing the Volendam in January.

[marybeach]

Glad you had a good trip!

Thanks for update. Did you use the Java Cafe? How was the new bedding? Did you have the robes? Anything you might offer about the ports and entertainment would be interesting!

[Sue's Mom]

......... Did you use the Java Cafe? How was the new bedding? Did you have the robes? Anything you might offer about the ports and entertainment would be interesting!

In other words, are you going to do a trip report? :D :D :D

[Himself]

Glad you enjoyed the Volendam. Of the ports visited, how did you like Tortola and Barbados?

Himself

[jcike1980]

Glad you had a good trip!

Thanks for update. Did you use the Java Cafe? How was the new bedding? Did you have the robes? Anything you might offer about the ports and entertainment would be interesting!
We did use the cafe we enjoyed it very much.My DW liked the latte and cappachino. I just had regular coffee and yes cookies. Lem will take good care of you at the java cafe. we did not get off in nassau have been there before. we enjoyed dominica(tralfargar falls). My wife enjoyed st. thomas $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ . Barbados we did the tiami snorkel. It was great.The food on this excursion also very good . the signature progrm is a great hal deal. we loved the bedding and the bigggggg towels. Yes we had the robes as well.Hope this helps, jcike

[jcike1980]

Glad you enjoyed the Volendam. Of the ports visited, how did you like Tortola and Barbados?

HimselfWe enjoyed road town tortola, though it did rain all day that day. In barbados we always do the tiami snorkel and lunch. Its our favorite in barbados. its a 5 hour deal w/snorkel-lunch-and a trip up the wst coast of barbados. Its 89 dolars worth every dollar.

[jcike1980]

peggy sue: the complete pinnacle deal w/wine 49.50 .the dining times for late seating 8:00 - 8:15. hope this helps . jcike

[sail7seas]

Welcome Back. Thanks for posting your comments. Happy you had a good time.


Congratulations on getting your Medallion.....Did you get it from Captain Henk Draper? He's FABULOUS!!!

[marybeach]

As dave said, "trust but verify". Seems like what we've been hearing is correct. I'm looking forward to the ship. Thanks for answering my questions.:)

[jcike1980]

Welcome Back. Thanks for posting your comments. Happy you had a good time.


Congratulations on getting your Medallion.....Did you get it from Captain Henk Draper? He's FABULOUS!!!yes S7S i received it from captain draper. he has been captain on volendam since 2/04. He was great !

[Snieman5]

WE ARE ON THE VOLENDAM NOV 26 AND HAVE NEVER SAILED HAL BEFORE (CARNIVAL +RCCL +CELEBRITY) WE WANTED TO TRY SOMETHING NEW AND I LOVE THE IDEA OF THE CAPPACINO AT NO CHARGE? THIS IS OUR FIRST 10 DAY AND KNOW THAT I AM GOING TO WAY OVER PACK. WE ARE FROM CENTRAL MICHIGAN ( small town) .AND IS THERE ANY THING THAT WE SHOULD NOT PACK OR FORGET TO PACK AND ANY MUST SEE OR DO IN THESE PORTS.? BOOKED A GUARENTEE AND STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED OUR DOCUMENTS YET

[mrswynn]

We're from Saginaw and traveling on the Volendam on 11/6. I'll write a note when we get back to answer some of your questions.

[DFD1]

Sailing on the Volendam on 11/26. Thanks for your comments. Very helpful. Glad you had a great cruise.

[doone]

One thing I will tell you, you don't need to overpack, the Volendam has self-service laundries, which I love this class of ship for. I have overpacked for the last time. I always use the laundries and don't wear half the clothes I take. Makes life so much easier with the laundries. I know some people don't like to do laundry on vacations, I don't mind and it makes my life easier.

I have sailed the Volendam before and will sail her again in March, we think she's a spectacular ship, hope you do as well.

[jcike1980]

One thing I will tell you, you don't need to overpack, the Volendam has self-service laundries, which I love this class of ship for. I have overpacked for the last time. I always use the laundries and don't wear half the clothes I take. Makes life so much easier with the laundries. I know some people don't like to do laundry on vacations, I don't mind and it makes my life easier.

I have sailed the Volendam before and will sail her again in March, we think she's a spectacular ship, hope you do as well. doone we used there services you are right on . less packing right on!!!!

[doone]

I find the self-service laundries so handy, especially on 10-day cruises or longer. Hope HAL adds these back into their new series of ships in the future.

[jcike1980]

WE ARE ON THE VOLENDAM NOV 26 AND HAVE NEVER SAILED HAL BEFORE (CARNIVAL +RCCL +CELEBRITY) WE WANTED TO TRY SOMETHING NEW AND I LOVE THE IDEA OF THE CAPPACINO AT NO CHARGE? THIS IS OUR FIRST 10 DAY AND KNOW THAT I AM GOING TO WAY OVER PACK. WE ARE FROM CENTRAL MICHIGAN ( small town) .AND IS THERE ANY THING THAT WE SHOULD NOT PACK OR FORGET TO PACK AND ANY MUST SEE OR DO IN THESE PORTS.? BOOKED A GUARENTEE AND STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED OUR DOCUMENTS YET just as doone has said you don't have to pack as much because of the laundry if you so desire to use that service. the java cafe is on deck 4. to the right of the office and shore excursions. the cappachino is a no charge item. try the oatmeal raisin cookies WOW!!!!!!! good sailing,jcike

[doone]

OOOHHHHHH, all those cookies are wonderful.

[jcike1980]

OOOHHHHHH, all those cookies are wonderful.I must admit doone I had more than my share!!!

[doone]

I always do too, that's half the fun.