Veendam? Maybe?

[Gablin]

Ten years ago, I cruised the Med and Baltic Sea with HAL on the Rotterdam. It was my third cruise with HAL, and it was fine.

I've done a few family cruises since, on other lines.

 

Now, I'm looking at cruising South America next fall or winter, ending in Valparaiso. HAL's Veendam is one of the many ships making this cruise. Princess has one, Celebrity has the Infinity, NCL has one, etc.

It will be my best friend and I, each in our own single cabin, planning to spend a few days ahead of time in Buenos Aires and several days after in Santiago, arranging our own air to and from South America. (We both live near Seattle WA.)

 

I've read many of the Cruise Critic reviews for the past year for each of the ships doing this cruise. I tried to balance reading the positive reviews as well as the negative ones. Many people have complained about Veendam and about Infinity - dirty, poorly maintained, bad food, etc., etc.

 

With only 38 days each of HAL cruises, the repeat passenger thing is not a huge motivator. We're both in our sixties, so we fit the demographics for HAL maybe better than some other lines. Maybe not. Recently, I was on a Royal Caribbean cruise in Alaska and most of the passengers were closer to my age and way of being than to my daughter's.

 

My interest is in experiencing Argentina and Chile and being comfortable and well fed while doing so. My friend's interest is similar, with the added features of being able to dress up some times (formal nights) and having interesting conversations with people from other countries. (Well, me too. I would like to dress up and I love to meet people from other countries.)

 

Is HAL our best choice? I have been on two Royal Caribbean cruises, so I have whatever benefits accrue to repeat passengers with them, too.

 

We are two old ladies who normally choose inside cabins, midships, sneak (or bring) our own wine aboard, don't use the casino except to bet each other once during a cruise about who could lose $2.00 faster than the other, like meeting new people and learning about other countries and other cultures. I"m comfortable arranging our own tours in the ports, but willing to spend the money on the ship's excursions when that's the safest, easiest choice.

 

Which line would you choose if you were us?

[bobnjeff]

I would chose HAL any day over RCCL. I much prefer the smaller ships. More relaxed and friendly atmosphere yet also more refined. I have been on the Veendam. Loved the lounge areas. The Pinnacle Grill. Great staff and shows. We had some of the best dinner companions and food. We are going on the Amsterdam Dec.23rd and very much looking forward to her. We have been on RCCL The Splendor of the Seas. Nice but a bit cold.

[bobnjeff]

Oh and by the way you don't have to sneak wine onto HAL they let you bring as much as you want. You have to pay a corkage fee in the dining room but you can have a glass in you cabin and then carry one to a lounge or even into the dining room. Enjoy!!

[Gablin]

Thanks, bobnjeff.

 

The wine thing might be a decider for us. It would be a shame to go all the way to Argentina and have to buy wine in a box :eek: so that it can't be detected by the metal scanner.

The last time I cruised with HAL, in 1999, I brought wine on board in some of the ports and had no difficulty doing so. I thought it was allowed, but was told a few years later by another cruiser that I had broken a "rule" by doing so.

[fann1sh]

Since you're both solo cruisers, let me also give you cabin advice.

 

I love the category J cabins on lower prom deck. Just steps from the wrap around promenade deck, good size (same as the nearby oceanview cabins, but with shower only instead of tub).

 

Been on RCCL, and enjoyed it. What cabins/categories are you considering on RCCL?

 

If you've already cruised HAL you don't need the "why I like HAL" sales pitch. I haven't cruised on Veendam since her refit, so can't comment on the recent negative reviews.

 

P.S. - the "go ahead and bring unlimited wine aboard" policy is also a deal maker for me. For what it's worth, I haven't yet been charged corkage in the dining room on any of my bottles.

[coldinreno]

We have done this cruise with HAL 5 years ago & will do a similar one with Oceania in January. Three weeks ago we were on Veendam, we were pleasantly surprised & pleased with the cruise. It is true that several other ships are doing a South America itinerary, we have sailed with most of them & considering your comments I made think your best bet is Veendam, by far.