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Just off the Volendam - Quick overview

rugbypopsie

By rugbypopsie,
in P&O Cruises ( Australia )

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rugbypopsie

rugbypopsie

Posted
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Hi All, back yesterday from the Volendam around the islands. Not fair to compare it to the Diamond Princess trip in December..the ships are so different in size etc. but I thought I would pass on some thoughts for those of you who might be interested in an HAL cruise from Aus.

 

It was the fastest and smoothest check in ever..out of the limo (kids treat) and into our stateroom in 20mins flat! Very different layout to the ship from what I am used to but very workable and easy to get around. Our verandah cabin 6205 was located close to the forward elevators with very easy access to the restaurants.

 

Stateroom was very comparable with a minisuite on the Diamond, plenty of storage, 3 seater lounge, nice desk area, fridge flat screen TV, larger bathroom with spa bath. Decent balcony not quite as big as the Diamond's but only let down was the outdoor furniture, one chair, tiny table and the world's most uncomfortable lounger, the balcony was fully covered.

 

Lido Buffet, nice layout, much less messy and confusing. Good choice of food and generally the main courses etc. were exactly the same as the offerings in the MDR. Was not 24 hour but the the times were pretty generous and like all ships no chance of starving!

 

Mid size ship 1400 pax lots of intimate comfy bars and lounges throughout, decor classy, elegant and understated. Small casino which was very efficient in receiving my donations. Not much in the way of shopping, very limited offerings in the way of alcohol or anything else for sale. The usual BJ, T shirt etc. sales. Good value on watches, lots of up market jewelery.

 

Entertainment onboard fairly limited, great magician, usual song and dance nights, crew and kids talent shows great fun. Speaking of kids my grand daughters loved their first cruise and thought the kids club great. 170 kids onboard, 163 of them very well behaved pity about the 7 teenagers who were a pain for the whole cruise and then topped it off by vandalising lights and wheelchairs on the second last night.

 

Ports were the usual, Noumea (bah, couldn't even get on the train), Lifo (dont forget your reef shoes), Vila (Erakor is great value for the day also went to the Cascades), Lautoka (took a cab and spent the day at the Sheraton in their pool), Luganville (yuk apart from the Blue Holes watch out for the opportunistic unofficial cabs), Dravuni (lovely beach), Isle of Pines was missed due to the need to run from the impending cyclones. Weather hot and sunny, humid seas, occasional swells but otherwise fine.

 

Bingo prize on last day was $100,000 (catch is you have to get it in 46 numbers, possible but unlikely). Drinks around $7 USD. They ran out of Aussie 4X Gold (bad organising) also had almost no stock in shops including duty free, no gin etc.

 

Overall this is a nice ship, easy to get around without feeling crowded, very pleasant staff. Pretty quiet in the evenings, even with a younger crowd than usual. Food really nice quality and presentation, however could not get a booking in either of the speciality restaurants the Pinnacle looked fantastic. I had anytime dining which worked fine.

 

The ship is due for a refurb in March, age showing in small pools etc. however that said anyone contemplating a cruise on the Volendam will not be disappointed IMO. We now have the family fully converted to the joys of cruising, bring on the bargains!

 

Sue

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SunnyinDubai

SunnyinDubai

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Welcome back Sue :)

 

Glad to hear you and your family had a lovely time and that the weather was not as bad as you initially thought it might be. We enjoyed the ship last year as well and are looking forward to our trip next yea - sigh - what a long time to wait :o. Pity about the teenagers - was anything done about what they did? I know last year all parents got a talk about kids and their behaviour on board and whilst I heard there were things happening - it was nothing too major.

 

Why were you not able to do the train at Noumea? :confused:

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aussiedisneyfan

aussiedisneyfan

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Sue, you are a good girl posting an overview already. It was a pity that those teenagers ruined it and the the reputation of others. Thank god I know mine was in bed when it happened. The Pianist said some were still running around at 4am on the last day.

 

We had a great time too and thanks to Sue, enjoyed the trip to Sheraton Denarau. DH just discovered the watch box, lol.

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Sandielle

Sandielle

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Thanks for the review, Sue. :) I like what I've heard about the Volendam in several reviews. The '7 brats' are the only bad comments so far - and HAL can't be blamed for that. A pity some parents don't care what their little darlings do. :cool:

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thied

thied

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Hi Sue did you play Bingo? $100,000 thats huge some one would be very happy.

do you know did anything happen to the brats ?

 

There is all way one or two parents that lets children do as they please and run a muck on the ship, lucky for every one else these parents soon get the hint to control them very fast from the staff on the ship.

 

for those who do not know or are new on here they do have many adults only cruises around the world and Australia.

 

 

Love Thied

 

.......

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Hot Chilli

Hot Chilli

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Enjoyed reading your overview of the cruise. Would love to take a HAL cruise one day.

 

I have some questions about Lautoka..... did your pre-arrange the transport & visit to the Sheraton or just grab a cab & go when you got there? Was there a 'Day Pass' charge or just the assumption you would buy a meal & drinks? We are going to Lautoka on our cruise and was thinking of doing the same thing. Thanks :)

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rugbypopsie

rugbypopsie

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Hi All,

 

"Good girl for posting early" nah just avoiding doing the unpacking and the washing!!

 

It was a pity about the brats all the other kids onboard this trip and really every other trip are fine..guess this lot were orphans i.e. no apparent or effective parents! I hope they got some grief..I heard them boasting to each other in the Lido and pointed them out to security as the ones responsible I was so angry about the attitude.

 

Sheraton Denaru..we just hopped in a couple of cabs, the other alternative which is closer and cheaper is First Landing Beach complex the beach is of course tidal and at this time of year the trade winds making the beaches on that side not too comfortable. The Sheraton did not ask for any money but Jane shopped and we ate and drank so I am sure they were more than happy. The cabs wanted $40 Fiji per hr. I think we could have probably haggled more or just got a one way taxi and got the hotel to call us a cab to go back cheaper.

 

"Did I play bingo" does a duck have lips! Not with any luck but my grand daughter won $288 USD (kids can pay but not claim so the adult has to claim) My Husband won about $500 playing blackjack.

They also gave away a free cruise to the Caribbean or Mexico and on the last day you could buy a ticket for the same for $10 which was drawn at bingo.

 

HAL/Princess like Kiwi I probably wont be lured away from Princess' US ships too close to elite and I want the perks..but HAL was a nice ride and I enjoyed it.

 

I should mention the meet and greet..we had all the officers and Captain present and free grog! (Are you listening Princess) nice touch. My grand daughters loved the towel animals too.

 

I should also mention hot room service breakfasts were appreciated and they were hot, metal covers and plate warmers! Better than any 5 star hotel I have stayed in.

 

Disembarkation was too easy too, you get to wait in your room and then pretty much walk straight off.

 

The "tipping thing" raised its ugly head..please just add it into the fare..lots of passengers removing the tips..gives us a bad name. Its part of the crew pay structure please just calculate it into your budget and leave in place or agitate for the cruise lines to make it part of the fare.

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rugbypopsie

rugbypopsie

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I keep remembering things I should have mentioned:

 

Australia Day BBQ ...nicely done BBQ in pool area lots of Aussie decorations, Advance Australia Fair sung, crowd right into the vibe..great afternoon.

 

Pillow Menu..loved the choice of pillows after Princess' very poor pillows. Bed linens, robes and towel as well as very comfy mattress..lovely and very good quality..

 

Captain I was also impressed by the Captains broadcasts...informative and kept us up to date with the decisions he was making to keep us comfortable and away from the developing weather situations.

 

I like their slogan too, on the survey forms the top score is 9. We were told "if it was fine give us a 9"..in other words don't let the small incidents or minor irritations spoil your cruise..look at the overall experience.:)

 

I think HAL will be an increasing presence in the Australian cruise scene especially when they bring their third ship here in 2012/13.

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Kiwi Kruzer

Kiwi Kruzer

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I think HAL will be an increasing presence in the Australian cruise scene especially when they bring their third ship here in 2012/13.

 

 

Lets hope so.

More ships means more space available.

More space available means more specials,

and cheaper fares....:D

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cazz0069

cazz0069

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Thanks for sharing Sue. My parents hated the Volendam so its nice to see a more neutral review. I think they were sold the cruise on the premise of it being a 5 star ship, but based on the pics my parents showed me of worn mattresses and sheets etc, they were really dissapointed. Glad you had a good time! :)

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rugbypopsie

rugbypopsie

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I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion but I honestly don't get the comments about the Volendam. I don't think Jane or myself are either naive or inexperienced cruisers or travellers for that matter.

Every cruise is different, weather, crew, entertainment, other passengers, itinerary all play a part.

 

For me the difference between cruises is pretty much the people I am with..a great roll call, interesting people and I have a great time..otherwise I have a good time.

 

If you want to focus on the negative you can always find something to whinge about but honestly why waste a good holiday.

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erewhon Holiday Sharing Rare

erewhon

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rugbypopsie,

Thank you for your review of your cruise on the Volendam.

 

You state that HAL will have 3 ships out here 2012/13. I see that the Volendam and the Oosterdam are booked in at a couple of ports as from October 2012. Which other ship will be out here for the 2012/2013 season?

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rugbypopsie

rugbypopsie

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rugbypopsie,

Thank you for your review of your cruise on the Volendam.

 

You state that HAL will have 3 ships out here 2012/13. I see that the Volendam and the Oosterdam are booked in at a couple of ports as from October 2012. Which other ship will be out here for the 2012/2013 season?

 

I am not sure they did tell us but I am not familiar with the "dam" ships..but definately said there will be a third one out here. Maybe some one on the HAL board knows?

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The_Big_M

The_Big_M

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You state that HAL will have 3 ships out here 2012/13. I see that the Volendam and the Oosterdam are booked in at a couple of ports as from October 2012. Which other ship will be out here for the 2012/2013 season?

 

Zaandam is also out here over the season from the end of this year, and there's a pass-through from Amsterdam.

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