Volendam - anyone recently cruised on this ship?

Thanks, EpicureanGirl! I guess they fixed the AC and plumbing problems cruisers experienced in the post-dry dock sail in December. I won't count on a refitted cabin and bath. I wonder what they did in dry-dock? I'm glad to hear you had a nice cruise on the Volendam. We're excited for our cruise on her coming up soon.

Hi c8ndygr1 - after reading so many negative reviews of the Volendam in early December 2017, it's first cruise after the November drydock, I called HAL's Ship's Services and asked if someone could let me know exactly what was done in drydock.

Got an email reply in a day or two from someone named Michelle who said: "The bathrooms in the staterooms have been upgraded. Any difficulties that the ship had right after drydock have been addressed and no further issues have been reported."

She also said "The oceanview staterooms have the walk-in showers and no longer have the tubs." And also:"All public areas carpeting was replaced. The Crow’s Nest, Spa, Explorations Café, Hudson Room, Show Lounge, Dining Room, Pinnacle Grill, Wajang, America’s Test Kitchen, and Public Bathrooms have been refurbished with new carpeting, paint, and furniture has been refurbished."

I hope we'll hear from some Volendam cruisers in the next few months to supplement some of this with more info, especially on the condition of the cabins. We've booked a Panama Canal cruise on the Volendam next January.

Now I am disappointed if this is true that the ocean view rooms no longer have bath tub. I chose this type of room specifically for the tub. I was looking forward to my 14 days next month. Soaking in it every night and not having to clean it up myself. Sad!

Hi c8ndygr1 - after reading so many negative reviews of the Volendam in early December 2017, it's first cruise after the November drydock, I called HAL's Ship's Services and asked if someone could let me know exactly what was done in drydock.

Got an email reply in a day or two from someone named Michelle who said: "The bathrooms in the staterooms have been upgraded. Any difficulties that the ship had right after drydock have been addressed and no further issues have been reported."

She also said "The oceanview staterooms have the walk-in showers and no longer have the tubs." And also:"All public areas carpeting was replaced. The Crow’s Nest, Spa, Explorations Café, Hudson Room, Show Lounge, Dining Room, Pinnacle Grill, Wajang, America’s Test Kitchen, and Public Bathrooms have been refurbished with new carpeting, paint, and furniture has been refurbished."

I hope we'll hear from some Volendam cruisers in the next few months to supplement some of this with more info, especially on the condition of the cabins. We've booked a Panama Canal cruise on the Volendam next January.

Thank you for giving us the straight scoop from HAL on the latest refurbishments. Good to know at least the bathrooms have been upgraded. We are booked in a Vista suite. I'll be sure to add my comments for you post-cruise. We did the Panama Cruise a few years back on the Zuiderdam. Really enjoyed it.

Have a great cruise, c8ndygr1! I'm sure there are still problems in the ship, but it seemed to be looking pretty nice. Hopefully you get a refurbished stateroom.

Would you describe the safe in the cabin? Is it large enough for a laptop computer? Is access via 4-digit keypad or some type of magnetic strip? Thank you for any info you can share.

Does the volendam still have a good library and deck chairs on the LP deck?

Now I am disappointed if this is true that the ocean view rooms no longer have bath tub. I chose this type of room specifically for the tub. I was looking forward to my 14 days next month. Soaking in it every night and not having to clean it up myself. Sad!

I totally agree!!!! I am sad. I loved the tub, and we have been on other cruiselines recently with no tub even in ocean views or verandahs! (Only suites, I think.)

my feelings also two weeks without a tub i'll be glad to get home

Would you describe the safe in the cabin? Is it large enough for a laptop computer? Is access via 4-digit keypad or some type of magnetic strip? Thank you for any info you can share.

You can use any card with a magnetic strip to unlock it. I put my MacBook Air in my bedside table, so don't even know if it would fit our not. It seemed pretty small. We threw wallets and jewelry in there -- that's it. Sorry I can't estimate the dimensions. Maybe if you call guest-services they can tell you?

Does the volendam still have a good library and deck chairs on the LP deck?

The library looked great with the new furniture. Still plenty of books and games and always a puzzle on the go at the big table. Nice seating groupings and some individual loungers facing a window.

Sorry, I didn't venture out on to the LP deck this cruise. I really am not much for humidity, and had to save my stamina for the days in port. After that it was air-conditioning all the way! :)

FYI Re: safe size on Volendam

Per HAL customer service, the measurements are 21cm H x 21cm D x 35cm W. They couldn't say what type (keypad or magnetic strip).

FYI Re: safe size on Volendam

Per HAL customer service, the measurements are 21cm H x 21cm D x 35cm W. They couldn't say what type (keypad or magnetic strip).

Well, it's definitely the magnetic strip, so now to convert the measurements to inches for our US friends... ;)

According to Google: 21 cm = 8.26 in; 35 cm = 13.77 in

So, safe would seem to be approximately 8.26" x 8.26" x 13.77"

:)

:)

Well, it's definitely the magnetic strip, so now to convert the measurements to inches for our US friends... ;)

Thanks!

Now, I wonder what the dimensions of the door opening is? Sounds like there might be room for an iPad, and that’s about it!

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Recently on the Noordam, we used our own 4-digit code for the safe. It wasn't terribly large - we only used it for our passports and cash. The instructions were on the front of the safe.

Unless they change the safe type from cabin to cabin, as of two weeks ago the Volendam has the magnetic strip. As long as it fits what you need, either would be fine with me, not sure about the OP though.

I was just curious about the safe. It's really not that big of a concern. One way or the other, I'm sure we'll manage. Thanks all for your input.

Just returned from our 28-day cruise on the Volendam. Our Vista 'Suite' on the Verandah Deck was not updated in dry dock. The bathroom was new. Instant hot water was great. Water pressure was good. The TV and DVD player were old. The safe was old and small with magnetic strip access. The soundproofing seemed pretty good. Didn't hear our neighbors or outside noise with the balcony door closed. Our AC was set on the coldest setting but the room temperature stayed the same. Pleasant enough but at night it got hot. Either the light switch turns it off or the ship turns it off at night but around 6am it comes back on again. Did not notice any problem areas on the ship. No nasty smells other than the smoking areas on the pool deck and in the casino. We noticed quite a few temporary crew members and newbies being trained on the job. Questions? Ask away!

Looks like the only upgrade made to our room on third floor is in the bathroom. The shower is bigger than most on cruise ships since it used to be a tub there and it has a glass door instead of a curtain so it is nice but I would have preferred a tub. Both inside and outside of our room look rundown, paint peel off, dingy carpets. Some of the time, there were buckets at various points to catch dripping water. They were working on the walkway right outside of our room or close by through most of our 14 days. The Captain mentioned that most of the upgrade concerntraded on ITs and lightings.

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The new website shows the rooms looking like new hotel rooms and very nice. After reading reviews I am getting nervous that the cabins will look like the old pics. From what I read/heard early on, I thought the whole ship was getting an overhaul, or at least all cabins. This is our first cruise and want it to be nice.....still gonna keep An open mind and good thoughts.....sailing early June on upper decks.

The new website shows the rooms looking like new hotel rooms and very nice. After reading reviews I am getting nervous that the cabins will look like the old pics. From what I read/heard early on, I thought the whole ship was getting an overhaul, or at least all cabins. This is our first cruise and want it to be nice.....still gonna keep An open mind and good thoughts.....sailing early June on upper decks.

The public rooms will be nice, the itineraries will be special, the crew virtually 100% wonderful, the dining options are great and your eyes will be closed and asleep most of the time when you are in the cabin. At best, all the cabins are more functional and certainly not luxurious at this level of cruise travel pricing.

I hope you enjoy your first cruise very much, and go with the 80% rule -20% may disappoint but what most of us have found is 80% makes us want to go back to HAL ships again and again. The Volendam was a favorite of ours. HAL is good value cruising - and you do get what you pay for - a nice, functional ship that does not charge you for high end or trendy cabin decor, but the cabins have a very good layout built into its bones. .

The new website shows the rooms looking like new hotel rooms and very nice. After reading reviews I am getting nervous that the cabins will look like the old pics. From what I read/heard early on, I thought the whole ship was getting an overhaul, or at least all cabins. This is our first cruise and want it to be nice.....still gonna keep An open mind and good thoughts.....sailing early June on upper decks.

We were on the Volendam for 28 days ending Mar 28. We saw no signs of disrepair as gochina experienced. Our cabin on the Verandah Deck 6 had not been updated. It had a new bathroom with shower/tub. The room was spotless. Zero carpet stains. The bed & linens were comfortable. (The towels were a bit overcooked by the ship's laundry). Very little visible wear and tear in the cabin. The hallway carpet had some color wear in front of each cabin door but no rips or ugly stains. All public areas were well maintained. Considering the age of the ship, any complaints we had were not due to its condition. (I have photos of our cabin if you're interested.) Granted not all staterooms will be the same but our friends cabin next door was also in good shape. Just my recent experience...

We are currently on the Volendam and we had a norovirus outbreak after Shanghai a few days ago. But the ship is really in nice condition otherwise.

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OlsSalt,

I will still be happy and those reasons are exactly why I chose the Volendam. I just heard about the refurbishments and got excited.

Btimmer, hope y’all are staying well!

Thank you

We’re staying well; departure has been delayed 45 minutes so far by two staterooms who have not surrendered their passports. Even the Captain pleaded over the PA for them to do so. There is a tug standing by outside the LIDO.

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We’re staying well; departure has been delayed 45 minutes so far by two staterooms who have not surrendered their passports. Even the Captain pleaded over the PA for them to do so. There is a tug standing by outside the LIDO.

 

 

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Wonder if this is the same Rusians who held up the ship in Nagasaki? ;p