Will Veendam be good fit new to Holland America

We're three couples researching a 2019 cruise for our respective anniversaries. It's every five years, this time will be 25,30,35 years per couple so ages are mid fifties through early sixties. In 2014 we sailed the Oasis with her 6000 passengers to the Caribbean and had a great time. Looking at getting to Cuba for this one and the Veendam is doing it. This is an older smaller vessel than we have ever sailed, and never having done Holland we're interested in the ship and entertainment aboard her. Is there enough music/bar/club in the evenings for us to have fun....? In order to get to Cuba we'll sacrafice the larger/newer ship just for the experience. Thanks for any help you might be able to provide us.

It depends on what you are looking for. I like the smaller ships but the entertainment may not be as great as on the large ships. There is some music in the evening, but it is mildly sedate. Holland America is not known for their night life but the ports of call more than satisfy us.

It depends on what you are looking for. I like the smaller ships but the entertainment may not be as great as on the large ships. There is some music in the evening, but it is mildly sedate. Holland America is not known for their night life but the ports of call more than satisfy us.

I'll second this having also been to Cuba on the Veendam's maiden voyage. I personally like the older, smaller HAL ships and mainly because they are more sedate. So this was perfect for me, but may well not be what you are looking for as group of couples.We had a four person group of Cuban musicians on the Veendam and they were very good - played poolside as well as in the Crows Nest after dinner for dancing.

Havana is worth it, anyway ship you choose. Cienfuegos shows you the other side of Cuba - the rural side. Also very interesting. Only problem is the cruise needs more than one long day in Havana - too much to explore and it is spread out.

If Cuba is your main goal, I think there are also other cruise lines that offer several days in port on some of their speciality cruises; not a regular one like the Veendam is now running. The other collection of ports on this route were hit or miss so that can make a difference in your final choice too. The good thing about traveling in a larger group is you can easily make your own fun in the evenings - the venues are there, just the crowds might be a little thin ...because we more sedate types (old?) are already in bed.

Found Cuba cruises also on: RCCL, Norwegian, Oceania and Azamara

Though I would say this first Cuba run on the Veendam brought out a lot more younger passengers and everyone appeared to be having a very good time - they all came with a spirit of adventure on this maiden port stop. But it was also the Christmas New Years holiday so that was an impact too on that voyage.

Best to try a different cruise line or ship. We are mid 70's and were on the Veendam a couple months ago.

Unless you like to listen to music all night or enjoy half an hour of Trivia at 9 p.m. every night there was hardly anything else to do except drink and go the casino.

The early show in the theater was always crowded but the later show was nearly empty depending on the entertainment which was kind of so-so. And, if you get there late you may be sitting in an area where you can only see the lower part of the stage.

There are no comedy clubs, B. B. King clubs, etc.

We usually went to the early show followed by Happy Hour in the Crow's Nest and then called it a night.

A couple years ago we went to Cuba on the Celestyal Crystal which went round trip from Montego Bay. We overnighted in Havana and stopped at three other cities in Cuba. The ship also didn't have much nightlife but the People to People talks each day were wonderful. Would do that again in a minute.

Without knowing a lot about your interests, I can only go by the fact that you enjoyed sailing on the Oasis. Compared to that, look for Holland America's Veendam to be waaaaaaaaaaaay on the other end of the spectrum. The difference is bigger than night and day.

Since there are so many cruises that go to Cuba, I'd keep researching those cruiselines.

Also, I'm not sure how many of HAL's cruises are going to stop in Havana next year. Cienfuegos might be the only Cuban port visited for some cruises they offer.

If you enjoy cruising the Beehives of the Seas class of ship, HAL is not for you.

We're three couples researching a 2019 cruise for our respective anniversaries. It's every five years, this time will be 25,30,35 years per couple so ages are mid fifties through early sixties. In 2014 we sailed the Oasis with her 6000 passengers to the Caribbean and had a great time. Looking at getting to Cuba for this one and the Veendam is doing it. This is an older smaller vessel than we have ever sailed, and never having done Holland we're interested in the ship and entertainment aboard her. Is there enough music/bar/club in the evenings for us to have fun....? In order to get to Cuba we'll sacrafice the larger/newer ship just for the experience. Thanks for any help you might be able to provide us.

I have sailed the Oasis and the Veendam's sister ship the old Statendam. Honestly, HAL doesn't come close to the volume and variety of activities and night life of the Oasis class ships. If you want an active night life, then you will probably be disappointed in the Veendam compared to the Oasis. That said, I am 46 and love the more subdued cruising experience on HAL. The Oasis was not a good fit for me, and I spent most of my time reading my book on the balcony and staying away for all the action. I definitely suggest that you look at the Cuba cruises on the other lines and ask questions on their boards too. Good luck with your planning! :)

Lisa

It will be just fine as long as you do not expect any night life and you get a cabin that has functioning AC and plumbing.

Keep researching other options. I would recommend Oceania or Viking.

Oceania was my choice to see Cuba. (We love the line anyway). They have many itineraries with three or four days in Cuba.

Viking is doing some Cuba runs. They have a very nice product.

I would not recommend Veendam to anyone as this ship has a long history of mechanical problems. It’s been for sale forever, no buyers. My guess is it will be retired when the next Holland America ship comes on line.

Note about plumbing and A/C claims on the Veendam: Have sailed on four Veendam cruises and have only noticed short-term cabin temperature problems when those cruises were close to the equator for a few days - cabin temperature ranges up to 75 degrees, which is in the ship's guidelines but is often felt as too warm in those already hot outside areas. It helps to keep the curtains in the cabin closed, particularly during the afternoon sun.

Additionally, if someone forces open their balcony door it can affect the A/C in cabins on that same circuit which can affect any ship on this sort of HVAC system, not just the Veendasm. Same with plumbing issues, if someone puts anything down the toilet that does not belong - it can back up the system on that plumbing circuit line too. Any reports of plumbling/AC issues are not necessarily confined to any one ship, but more a factor of itinerary (very hot climate zones, particularly equatorial) and passengers not following posted guidelines regarding plumbing and balcony doors.

I'd say the ship is roughly similar to the Majesty of the Seas. We went from the Voyager Class to Majesty, and enjoyed it.

The big drawback is that you have to purchase a suite to get a balcony on Veendam.

I think they've redesigned the OV rooms to have exterior doors so you do get a shared balcony on the promenade. But I've found on most cruises, it's better to pay a little more and get some suite benefits (mainly double loyalty points). On our Rotterdam trip, we found our Vista Suite long and narrow. I think the room on Majesty was wider. So, we felt less crammed.

Looking up the deck plans, they have just two elevator banks. And, it looks like they have some stairs midship that go all the way up to the Lido. The aft elevators look like they're in the back of the lido. Looking at the Oasis deck plans, they also have only two elevator banks. Most Royal Caribbean ships have the elevators at Midship, but it looks like the Oasis may be a little aft. But it looks like you'll still have to walk quite a distance to the elevator if you're in the back of the ship.

We were on the Rotterdam, and loved sitting in the Exploration Cafe w/ a cup of their specialty coffee until the dining room opened. Looks like you may be able to do something similar on the Veendam.

We do like how they'll accommodate special requests.

As for our nightlife, we've had stressed stewards on Royal Caribbean, because we returned to our room right after dinner.

They knew about it from day one. Because we give them a written list of our preferences.

Keep researching other options. I would recommend Oceania or Viking.

Oceania was my choice to see Cuba. (We love the line anyway). They have many itineraries with three or four days in Cuba.

Viking is doing some Cuba runs. They have a very nice product.

 

I would not recommend Veendam to anyone as this ship has a long history of mechanical problems. It’s been for sale forever, no buyers. My guess is it will be retired when the next Holland America ship comes on line.

I totally agree that Veendam is not for you. Also try looking at Azamara. For whatever reason, Viking does not have a port stop in Havana. They tender to Cienfuegos and then its a long (4 hrs?) bus ride to Havana with the option of an overnight stay. And you might even like MSC. They were docked alongside of the Oceania Insignia when we were there in December.

I'm sure you'll find something to suit your needs, it just isn't the Veendam.

If you want to go to Cuba, I think Veendam is your best reasonably priced option. We are planning on doing one of these itineraries.

She was our first HAL cruise and we have been on her more than once. Expect good food and a great crew. HAL is know for itineraries and crew.

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We're three couples researching a 2019 cruise for our respective anniversaries. It's every five years, this time will be 25,30,35 years per couple so ages are mid fifties through early sixties. In 2014 we sailed the Oasis with her 6000 passengers to the Caribbean and had a great time. Looking at getting to Cuba for this one and the Veendam is doing it. This is an older smaller vessel than we have ever sailed, and never having done Holland we're interested in the ship and entertainment aboard her. Is there enough music/bar/club in the evenings for us to have fun....? In order to get to Cuba we'll sacrafice the larger/newer ship just for the experience. Thanks for any help you might be able to provide us.

For you, I recommend against Veendam for a lot of the reasons already mentioned in this thread. I really think you'll be very disappointed in the lack of evening entertainment....heck, entertainment anywhere. If Veendam is run like the rest of the fleet, they don't even have live music near the pools.

For any sort of nightlife, I recommend sticking with RCI.

If Veendam is run like the rest of the fleet, they don't even have live music near the pools.

 

Yes, and that is why so many of us like the pool area on HAL!!!!!!

For you, I recommend against Veendam for a lot of the reasons already mentioned in this thread. I really think you'll be very disappointed in the lack of evening entertainment....heck, entertainment anywhere. If Veendam is run like the rest of the fleet, they don't even have live music near the pools.

 

For any sort of nightlife, I recommend sticking with RCI.

The Veendam Cuba cruise had live Cuban music at the Pool as well as the same group of Cuban musicians doing shows in the CrowsNest after 9pm - they were very lively.

The Veendam Cuba cruise had live Cuban music at the Pool as well as the same group of Cuban musicians doing shows in the CrowsNest after 9pm - they were very lively.

That's great news, actually. Thanks. I didn't know HAL did that on the Cuban cruises. The lack of evening performances in the Crows Nest is something I've really missed on my last couple HAL cruises.

That's great news, actually. Thanks. I didn't know HAL did that on the Cuban cruises. The lack of evening performances in the Crows Nest is something I've really missed on my last couple HAL cruises.

I should qualify my statement, this was the Veendam maiden voyage and the HAL President was on board. Need to check if this was only a special event for that cruise, along with the flags and pins we got too. They were great and really set the mood for the trip, including the special panama hat uniforms the crew wore.

I just returned, Wed., and no Cuban music and in fact, it was hard to tell that I was on a Carribean cruise (music wise). ☹ I plan on doing a full review next week when I get home, still in FL at this point.

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Well, so much for that. Thanks gardner.

Well, so much for that. Thanks gardner.

Underscores why we should all start adding the dates ship sailed and locations to our responses. Sorry this was only a one time thing for the maiden voyage. It was such a hit. Be sure to mention this in your evaluation. HAL is counting on this Cuba access to be a revenue generator for them.

If you enjoy cruising the Beehives of the Seas class of ship, HAL is not for you.

I am afraid I have to agree if that is your only preference. I love the Veendam and am thrilled to learn that it now has this itinerary. We've been on for cruises of 7, 35 and 48 days. There is not the spectacular entertainment of the larger ships but we enjoyed good stage shows, lounge music, and a fantastic piano bar performer. The captain and crew have been great each time.

If you go in not expecting the same type experience as the large ships, you may be pleasantly surprised.

I'd say the ship is roughly similar to the Majesty of the Seas. We went from the Voyager Class to Majesty, and enjoyed it.

 

The big drawback is that you have to purchase a suite to get a balcony on Veendam.

 

 

I think they've redesigned the OV rooms to have exterior doors so you do get a shared balcony on the promenade. But I've found on most cruises, it's better to pay a little more and get some suite benefits (mainly double loyalty points). On our Rotterdam trip, we found our Vista Suite long and narrow. I think the room on Majesty was wider. So, we felt less crammed.

 

 

Looking up the deck plans, they have just two elevator banks. And, it looks like they have some stairs midship that go all the way up to the Lido. The aft elevators look like they're in the back of the lido. Looking at the Oasis deck plans, they also have only two elevator banks. Most Royal Caribbean ships have the elevators at Midship, but it looks like the Oasis may be a little aft. But it looks like you'll still have to walk quite a distance to the elevator if you're in the back of the ship.

 

We were on the Rotterdam, and loved sitting in the Exploration Cafe w/ a cup of their specialty coffee until the dining room opened. Looks like you may be able to do something similar on the Veendam.

 

We do like how they'll accommodate special requests.

 

As for our nightlife, we've had stressed stewards on Royal Caribbean, because we returned to our room right after dinner.

 

 

They knew about it from day one. Because we give them a written list of our preferences.

Genuinely interested here ... what preferences do you make them aware of?