Volendam - the ship

[doone]

Last month I was on the Main Deck, inside cabin on the Volendam, and yes, it had the new mattresses, they are great. Looking forward to sailing on the Volendam next February after her dry-dock and all the new added features of the SOE.

[KAJOKG]

KAJOKG, which October Volendam sailing are you on? We are sailing on Oct. 26. I have started a thread on the roll call board, but so far no others have signed on.

 

We were on the Volendam in 2000 and loved her. Looking forward to this trip. We had the wonderful new bedding on the Westerdam in Dec. in a Verandah cabin. Hope it is in our Main deck cabin on the Volendam.

 

We will be disembarking as you embark. We're on the Oct. 16 sailing. This will be our 3rd sail on the Volendam. We love this ship. We will be in a Verandah Suite on the Verandah deck. We've been on this deck before and look forward to it once again.

[RuthC]

What time does the buffet breakfast stay open until?

Generally buffet breakfast ends at 10:00 A.M., and continental breakfast at 10:30. I've seen it stay open a few minutes later.

This I'm sure of since I'm usually jumping in the line as they're trying to close down! But sometimes I'm late. :rolleyes:

Once in a great while these times are 1/2 hour later for each, but I don't know what causes that. Maybe several sea days in a row? :confused:

[PattiHere]

We will be disembarking as you embark. We're on the Oct. 16 sailing. This will be our 3rd sail on the Volendam. We love this ship. We will be in a Verandah Suite on the Verandah deck. We've been on this deck before and look forward to it once again.

 

My DH and I will also be sailing on Volendam on October 16. We will be on the Verandah Deck. This will be our first cruise with HAL.

[SF]

RuthC:

 

Thanks for the dining information.

[KAJOKG]

My DH and I will also be sailing on Volendam on October 16. We will be on the Verandah Deck. This will be our first cruise with HAL.

 

I really enjoy HAL. It is low key compared to other cruise lines, but I have seen the best shows of all on the Volendam. And I love the Sea Quest program usually held on a sea day afternoon, and run by the CD staff. It is hilarious! Don't miss it. We really like the Verandah Suites and the food is usually quite good. We do mostly sail with Princess because we really don't like traditional dining - they offer Anytime Dining. But on our last two sails, HAL was trying to compensate for this and had menu selections in the Lido. Tables were set for fine dining and the wait staff there helped you to a table. You made your selection for soup and appetizer from the buffet and ordered your dinner from a menu. A waiter brought your entree to your table. Sure hope they haven't changed this practice. We usually skip one formal night and dine at the Lido where smart casual is acceptable. Maybe we will cross paths in the hallway on the Verandah deck.

[PattiHere]

I really enjoy HAL. It is low key compared to other cruise lines, but I have seen the best shows of all on the Volendam. And I love the Sea Quest program usually held on a sea day afternoon, and run by the CD staff. It is hilarious! Don't miss it. We really like the Verandah Suites and the food is usually quite good. We do mostly sail with Princess because we really don't like traditional dining - they offer Anytime Dining. But on our last two sails, HAL was trying to compensate for this and had menu selections in the Lido. Tables were set for fine dining and the wait staff there helped you to a table. You made your selection for soup and appetizer from the buffet and ordered your dinner from a menu. A waiter brought your entree to your table. Sure hope they haven't changed this practice. We usually skip one formal night and dine at the Lido where smart casual is acceptable. Maybe we will cross paths in the hallway on the Verandah deck.

 

Thank you for all the information!

 

I am new to Cruisecritic and wasn't sure if I did my first post correctly. My husband and I have cruised a few times (Disney, RCCL, NCL) but liked the itinerary for this cruise and also wanted to experience HAL. We haven't tried Princess yet, but would like to, perhaps for our next cruise.

 

We are retired, I am in my fifties (today is my birthday) and my husband is in his sixites. We basically enjoy relaxing, enjoying the ocean, the shows (glad to hear you enjoyed them), trying our luck in the casino, and exploring the different ports.

 

We are considering making reservatons for the Pinnacle Grill the first night and have requested the 6:15 seating for dinner since we are use to having our meals at home early - didn't think we would be able to hold out for the later seatings. I believe when we cruised on RCCL they also offered the dining option in their Lido restaurant - my husband and I tried it on one evening when we returned late from an excursion and thoroughly enjoyed it. Would like to try it on the Volendam - since this is a longer cruise - it shouldn't be a problem.

 

What is SeaQuest?

[KAJOKG]

PattiHere -- Sea Quest is sort of like a treasure hunt where the crew separates the audience into two teams, each led by some crew members. They then request items from the audience and whoever gets the most items wins. But the things they ask for are crazy -- like false teeth, men's trousers, an expired credit card, a roll of toilet tissue, etc. The crew really gets into the fun and it is quite funny. I hope they still have it. We are early diners also. On our last two Volendam cruises the wait staff was terrific. They remember everything, and have much ready for you the next evening. Even gave us an extra lobster tail one time. We always request a table for two, but couldn't manage that the last time. When we sat down for dinner at our table for 6, the head waiter came over and gave us a big hug and a hearty greeting. He remembered us from our first cruise. That's a nice thing to do.

[PattiHere]

PattiHere -- Sea Quest is sort of like a treasure hunt where the crew separates the audience into two teams, each led by some crew members. They then request items from the audience and whoever gets the most items wins. But the things they ask for are crazy -- like false teeth, men's trousers, an expired credit card, a roll of toilet tissue, etc. The crew really gets into the fun and it is quite funny. I hope they still have it. We are early diners also. On our last two Volendam cruises the wait staff was terrific. They remember everything, and have much ready for you the next evening. Even gave us an extra lobster tail one time. We always request a table for two, but couldn't manage that the last time. When we sat down for dinner at our table for 6, the head waiter came over and gave us a big hug and a hearty greeting. He remembered us from our first cruise. That's a nice thing to do.

 

Thanks KAJOKG - I believe they had something like that on our RCCL cruise last year - although we didn't get to participate - my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the people be the first one with the "crazy" item that the crew was asking for! Hope they have it on the Volendam - it was funny to watch.

 

Nice to hear you have enjoyed your dining experience also. I have read some of the complaints about people's dining experiences and I think life is to short to get stressed over the little things - my husband and I try not to let the small issues in life get us down - we don't have enough time for that!

 

Just one more question - it is no big deal if they don't - but do you know if they ever offer escargot on the menu. My husband and I don't get to have it to often - but it is something we enjoy when we get the chance.

 

Thank you for all your wonderful help!

[Sage]

Our favorite ship is the Volendam. We love the ambiance, the friendly crew and staff, and the service is outstanding. We especially enjoy our cruises when our favorite Captain Van der Zee is aboard, and are looking forward to our May sailing to Alaska. If you would like a particular item that is not on the menu, just ask at least a day before, and they will do their best to provide it for you.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Volendam did not have the Sea Quest like we have had on some of the other ships.

 

Instead they had an adult savanger hunt - which I posted.

[KAJOKG]

Volendam did not have the Sea Quest like we have had on some of the other ships.

 

Instead they had an adult savanger hunt - which I posted.

Then they have changed. Sea Quest was on my other 2 Volendam sailings. Too bad....it was such fun. We are just observers and we enjoyed that crazy activity. This will definitely not dampen my enthusiasm for our sail on the Volendam, for sure/ Thanks for the update.

[M94FUN]

Just got off the Volendam on April 9th,

Pattihere, yes there is escargot on formal night, escargot, chilled strawberry soup and lobster tails--it was my favorite night.

We had bad weather on the day for Half Moon Cay, they called everyone back to the ship who had gone ashore, very tricky hopping from tender back to the ship as the seas were rough. The staff added activities during the afternoon and we participated in sea quest. It was really alot of fun.

If anyone is stopping in Tortola I would highly suggest the sailaway and snorkel on Norman Island. We sailed out to Normand Island snorkel about 45 mins and then sailed to a nearby beach. It was a very pleasant morning.

[PattiHere]

Just got off the Volendam on April 9th,

Pattihere, yes there is escargot on formal night, escargot, chilled strawberry soup and lobster tails--it was my favorite night.

We had bad weather on the day for Half Moon Cay, they called everyone back to the ship who had gone ashore, very tricky hopping from tender back to the ship as the seas were rough. The staff added activities during the afternoon and we participated in sea quest. It was really alot of fun.

If anyone is stopping in Tortola I would highly suggest the sailaway and snorkel on Norman Island. We sailed out to Normand Island snorkel about 45 mins and then sailed to a nearby beach. It was a very pleasant morning.

 

 

Thank you M94Fun - you made my husband and I very happy! Sounds as though we will enjoy formal night!

 

Sorry about your experience with Half Moon Cay, but you have the right attitude - you made the best of it and had a nice day with the ship activities.

 

Thank you for your suggestion about Tortola!

[BS Cruisers]

also just returned cabin number 2676

[singnact]

My hubby and I are going on HAL for the first time next week, (May 7-11), for the 4 night Pacific coastal cruise on the Volendam. I would love to have some questions answered about the ship.

Since this is a shorter cruise, we will be having one formal night, I was wondering if lobster would be served? NCL 5 day doesn't serve a lot of prime choices on the shortened cruises..

Also, does anyone know if any kind of Dutch or Indonesian food is served? My husband is Dutch..would love if some would be offered.

And one more good question...the chocolate buffet..mmm..is it offered?

Thanks, and we are staying in a category B verandah...any comments are welcomed! Thanks...

[cuddlepie]

We will be sailing to Alaska mid May and thankfully have now heard great reports about the ship. I had heard some really dodgy comments awhile ago and was quite concerned that their standard had gone down! :eek: when you consider how much we are spending coming from Oz!!!!

We are from Australia and have never been to Canada/Alaska so are VERY excited!! I have only been to Fiji & Bali!!!! So I guess I am in for a real adventure.

Anyone else sailing May 18th? :D

[avalon1025]

I will also be joining the Volendam in SF for 4 nights. Its actually a continuation of the much longer repositioning cruise from Florida to Vancouver (meaning passengers will be disembarking and some will be staying on when we board in SF). The last formal night should be a regular formal night, though depending on what they served earlier in the cruise on other formal nights will tell what our's will be. Unlike the NCL cruises, this is not just a stand alone 4 night cruise.

 

See you aboard!