Live From The Veendam Daily Report

[Pilot70D]

LIVE FROM THE VEENDAM DAY 1

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The War Department (a.k.a. Mrs. B.) arrived in Tampa safely after a tempestuous beginning for this cruise. Because e the Veendam is slightly smaller (our last cruise was on the Volendam – see Live From The Volendam A Dialy Report) I tried to persuade the War Department to pack a little more lightly. In this I was partially successful in that her collection of undrilled designer bowling balls was left at home. It was a different story however when it came to that complete set of vintage manhole covers, a spare kitchen sink and approximately one and a half long tons of other luggage. All in all it was a remarkable feat that we moved all of this loot from Atlanta to Tampa.

 

HOTEL

 

We were booked into the Doubletree Hotel, which is on Cypress. It’s located near the airport as well as shopping and not too far from the port. I reserved our room via Priceline some ten months ago for $65.00. HINT: This hotel is a real bargain. Why? For several reasons – first, the rooms are comfortable. They also greet all incoming guests with homemade chocolate chip cookies. Anyone with chocolate chip cookies is my friend. Second, they have a free shuttle to the port. Our driver was very knowledgeable about local history and gave us a short lecture on points of historic interest during the short drive to the pier. Third, guests can leave their cars in the Doubletree’s parking garage for free while they are on their cruise. We were happy campers as we headed to the Veendam.

 

EMBARKATION

 

Embarkation wasn’t fun. We have always sailed from Port Everglades prior to this cruise. All of the embarkations we have experienced at that port ran more quickly and took less time even though we were boarding larger ships. It wasn’t chaos but it did take over an hour of waiting in line. We arrived at the pier around 1:00 thinking that the crush would be over. We were wrong. It wasn’t chaos. Things were well organized. Furthermore everyone from Holland America was polite and smiling. Still the process went very slowly even though both of us are US citizens and we had filled out all of the immigrations forms via the internet ahead of time.

 

Finally after everything is filled out, inspected, x-rayed and so forth it’s our turn to board. Boarding is always a pleasant experience with Holland America. Security checked our cruise ID cards and we were then whisked aboard by a host of white-gloved ship’s personnel all of who were smiling and all of whom were determined to verbally welcome us aboard. One and then two and then finally three of them grabbed the War Department’s bag and staggered off in the direction of our cabin.

 

THE CABIN

 

We are in 135 that is a verandah suite on you guessed it – the Verandah Deck. There are four floor to ceiling closets immediately inside the door. They really got it right in the design of these closets. Each closet can be left full length for hanging garments or there are fold down shelves in each closet when the full length isn’t needed for

hanging stuff. The bathroom is medium size with whirlpool tub and corner storage for shaving stuff or what not.

 

Our bed is configured as a single queen sized bed and it does have that oh so comfortable pillow topped mattress. Wonder how long it will take them to notice that one is missing after our voyage has concluded. Just past the bed is the couch, a table and a built in desk with nine storage drawers and an entertainment center. I reassured the War Department that it was perfectly ok to leave those overflow cosmetics which wouldn’t fit in the drawers on top of the desk. Just past the couch is a micro sized refrigerator and the door leading to the veranda. Our veranda is covered and completely private. Visions of naughty activities danced through my mind. Hmmmmmmmmmmm…

 

 

More to follow later after a brief timeout.

[stanford's girl]

I like your type of humor! I'll be looking forward to following your "Live" report. :D

[LollyT]

I'm in stitches! Can't wait to read more of your daily review(s). As for me, if I don't have my collection of hand-threaded, silk embroidered, monogrammed fly swatters with me, I wouldn't know what to do. :D Guess the War Dept and I have something in common. My DBF is refusing to think about luggage until Saturday night after a few cocktails...... ;)

 

Laura

[RuthC]

If I can't be there in person I'm glad to come along on your ride. Thanks for the lift!

Looking forward to the reports. Keep 'em coming. :D

[RuthC]

It's the ever-popular WSOD!

[I Luv Crusin]

Thanks! I'm going to be in V134 April 1, 2006. I can only hope for an upgrade to an outside (verandah) cabin!!! If you get a chance to peek in V 134 would you let me know what it's like?

 

Waiting patiently(NOT!) for your next installment!

[I Luv Crusin]

Dupe! Sorry

[Pilot70D]

LIVE FROM THE VEENDAM DAY 2

 

Here we are sailing happily along in the Gulf of Mexico. The captain just announced that our air and water temperatures were both a balmy 78. We have moderate seas with a fairly stiff wind but the Veendam is a smooth sailing ship despite the swells. She also is a pretty ship. Our sail away from Tampa was slightly delayed in order to take on more ballast. The ballast was necessary to counteract the two or three degree list to starboard that developed after the luggage was delivered to our cabin. Still we got underway in good time.

 

The first two full days of this cruise are both sea days and sea days are always fun. The typical activities are eat, bingo, eat, casino, eat, movie, eat, swim, eat, internet café, eat and finally a little time in the Piano bar. Holland America has this nifty cost savings plan in effect on this two week cruise. They figure we’ll all eat ourselves to death during the first couple of days then they won’t have to feed us for the rest of the cruise.

 

Everyone in the Lido Restaurant and in the Rotterdam Dining Room are doing their very best to kill us with kindness. They are persistent and I have finally surrendered. I was able to resist the first eighteen of them that offered to carry my tray for that long haul journey from the line to a table which must be a good 25 feet. I was so worn out that when the nineteenth guy offered to grab my tray that I had no strength to resist. The thing about it too is that they are all smiling and happy. The person that hands out the tray and salad plates has learned our names and after the first meal has greeted us personally each and every time we have eaten in the Lido.

 

Then there’s the food. I keep reading and occasionally hearing about cutbacks in the variety, cutbacks in the tastiness and quality of the food. For lunch in the Lido there was a choice of four entrees. These included beef roulade, fish & chips, turkey medallions a la something or other, two different types of pasta, pizza, sautéed potatoes, sugar snap peas, rice, French fries and some kind of broccoli creation. Let me explain – I don’t touch broccoli or its albino cousin cauliflower so they were of no interest. Now you have to understand that all of this was in addition to about 150 yards of salad bar and three separate desert areas. It is true that salt air shrinks all fabrics so at this rate I’ll be lucky to get one leg in my tux during the second week.

 

Let me get back to the deserts because this surely is where they must have implemented those cutbacks. Why, we had ONLY eleven different flavors of ice cream, sorbets, sherbets and so forth. Imagine – only eleven when Baskin Robbins advertises 21 different flavors. We are experiencing a truly shameful shortcoming here. Now there also happened to be sixteen different varieties of pies, cakes, custards and other chocolate covered do-dads plus two different kinds of cookies. Thank God for these cut backs or it would be pure hell making choices.

 

In the Rotterdam Dining Room our service along with the food have all been first class. We sort expected that a lot of the dining room personnel would be kind of worn out from the Thanksgiving cruise during which time the ship was at full capacity. Never happened. Every one on the team that takes care of our table came by to introduce themselves before we got started with the first dinner. The chief steward (the guy in charge of the dining room) has come by during every meal to check on things. Our chief waiter was actually humming and singing as he went about his business. The one constant though has been that every single person there has ALWAYS been smiling, friendly and helpful. They all keep asking if there’s anything else we want. See – it all ties back in to those cost cutting measures I mentioned earlier.

 

All in all life couldn’t be better aboard the Veendam as we head south to even warmer places. More later.

 

Everyone have a great day out there.

[Sage]

I am greatly enjoying your review. Thanks, and I look forward to the next installment.

[Pilot70D]

My DBF is refusing to think about luggage until Saturday night after a few cocktails...... ;)

 

Laura

 

 

There is that twenty ton hydraulic press which the War Department uses to finally close her luggage. This press is available for short term loan in that we will not be needing it for a while. You would have to journey to Atlanta to pick it up but are welcome to use it. There are two small indentations in it however. These were created one year when she decided to bring a couple of her authentic and engraved civil war cannon balls for good luck.

[the2ofus]

I love your writing style! Keep on giving us the straight scoop on this trip and all the difficulties you are encountering. We can take the truth.:eek: If someone has to suffer I'm sorry it has to be you. I'd gladly go in your place.

[GayleArc]

Piolot70D. I'm, guessing the person in the Lido giving out the trays is Harry. If

it is, your lucky to still have him. We tried everything to get him into our luggage, but alas we had to leave him behind for you. He was one of the most

wonderful crew on our 14 dayer Oct.29th. Hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did. Gayle

[shorton]

Pilot70d, we are in 137 and my parents are in 135 on a Feb. Veendam cruise so I'm reading your fun words with great interest. You mentioned that the veranda was completely covered. Does that mean total shade? How's the noise? Thanks!:)

[Cruisetrekker]

The guy is the Lido MUST be Harry ! Please tell him LeeAnne from last week is still thinking of him ! He was the BEST !:D

[peaches from georgia]

The guy is the Lido MUST be Harry ! He was the BEST !:D

I think you are talking about 'Herry'. He was our dining steward on the Oosterdam and now has just recently transferred to Veendam. We were so pleasantly surprised to see him again in the Lido every day.

[Pilot70D]

LIVE FROM THE VEENDAM DAY 3

OR

ROCKIN’ N’ ROLLING TOWARD PR

 

Yippee Kai Ay – here we are on the high seas and I do mean high. We have 6-10 foot seas running with a 25-30 MPH breeze blowing so we are literally rocking and rolling toward Puerto Rico.

 

Well, that isn’t 100% correct. The Veendam doesn’t roll much at all but she does pitch quite stoutly. It’s not too bad in our cabin which is located approximately amid ship but those puppies in the cabins all the way forward or all the way aft are probably thinking teeter totter right now. Ah well, we can’t all enjoy the good life. Seriously the seas are moderately rough but the Veendam does ride through them and is kind to the passengers because she doesn’t roll much at all. It’s when you get pitch and roll combined that those easy queasies reach for the pressure bands, the pills and as a last resort the barf bag. Like I said the ride hasn’t bucked anybody overboard yet but it was kind of funny watching one guy try to walk across the Sports Deck with his hair sticking straight out to the left.

 

We also had some excitement in stateroom 135 but I’ve got things out of order. Let me step back and thank HAL for the way they have treated us Cruise Critic folks on this Vantastic Veendam Voyage. The second day they reserved the Crow’s Nest for us at 11:00 for our Cruise Critics Meet & Mingle get together. The ship provided waiters, fancy hors d'oeuvre plus they sent a couple of the ship’s folks to meet us. They were so impressed with our behavior that they decided to throw another party for us at the same time the next day and guess what – they provided the booze. There were all sorts of fancy canapés and soft drinks too as well as champagne and wine.

 

The War Department attended this second day party with me and I must say that she was in a remarkably good mood after consuming almost bottle of champagne by herself. Many people wanted to finally meet the long suffering lady after having read so much about her here and in the Daily Report From The Vollendam during our last cruise. On second thought maybe they wanted to keep us party animals isolated from the rest of the passengers given what could happen if we all had such a good time.

 

Now that excitement now that I’m back on track. Sometime after the party ended the War Department decided to take a shower and then do her hair. She thundered out of the bathroom, grabbed the hair dryer and plugged it in at the desk. No happy whirring sound emanated from this appliance. It sounded more like a grinding, groaning, shriek. Well, bright lady that the War Department is she turned it off, unplugged it and then decided the second time’s a charm so she plugs the damn thing in again and turns it on. Worse noises accompanied by smoke and a really bad burning smell spew forth accompanied by the smoke detector going off.

 

Oh great and I have just stepped out of the shower and am buck-naked at the time. Ever the one to keep her priorities straight she bellowed at me to get my shorts on because “THEY” will be coming. Welllllllll, not exactly – the smoke detector continued to go off and to go off and to go off some more. By now I could have been fully dressed in my tux twice over. The War Department then throws open the door to our cabin figuring that firefighters with axes and full turn out gear will be thundering down the corridor any moment. She almost mutilated Miftah, our cabin person who was delivering towels to another stateroom, with the door. Nope, he had no idea that our smoke detector was going off and no; he wasn’t there to save us. The bottom line from what Miftah told us is that the smoke detectors don’t cause a remote alarm to go off anywhere that only if a blaze breaks out and the sprinklers go off is an alarm generated. I am so relieved – not.

 

All’s well that ends well though. By the way while my mind is on electrical stuff let me pass along a tip to everyone. In the main part of these cabins there is one and only one electrical outlet and that is here at the desk. We always pack a six-outlet power strip with us to cure this.

 

It is time for dinner so we’re heading out to fight off death by starvation for another four hours. In the meantime everyone keep safe and have a great day.

[Pilot70D]

You mentioned that the veranda was completely covered. Does that mean total shade? How's the noise? Thanks!:)

 

No, it doesn't mean total shade. In fact the verandas are quite sunny as they have a glass front. However, no one can see in your veranda from above or from either side (at least not without doing some very interesting acrobatics).

 

We haven't noticed any noise on our veranda at all except for the sea and whatever noise we make. :=) And any noise we might make would be only good clean fun...

[TampaMike]

Pilot,

 

Nice to 'sail' with you. Reading along is like being there. I am boarding upon your return to Tampa for the next sailing, also on the V Deck, midship but on the port side.

 

Some ships have the smoke detectors wired to a central alarm. But this can be a problem as they are sensitive to smokers and even steam from the shower. There would be alarms, fire crews and drills non stop! The in cabin detector is to alert the occupants, as the first detection of a potential fire allowing them to evacuate the cabin (and wake them if sleeping). Should it cause the spinklers to engage, then the bridge would be alerted. For most ships, this is the best compromise while still offering fire safety. The very BEST safety is to be active, not passive with an alarm or potential fire. I'd report a false alarm to the front desk as I would report smoke or fire. You never know if someone is already in reaction mode, or not.

 

Continue to enjoy the trip, but please don't burn the Veendam down!

[Pilot70D]

LIVE FROM THE VEENDAM DAY 4

 

Here we are fixing to leave our first port of call, Puerto Rico. This is primarily a shopping stop for us so no excursions. The good ship Veendam reached port safely and after tying up at the pier loosed fifteen hundred tourists with a three-day pent up urge to shop. The marines didn’t hit the beaches of Tarawa or Iwo Jima any faster than this horde of crazed shoppers hit the shops and stores of Old San Juan.

 

Now the War Department did leave a treasured possession behind at the hotel in Tampa so we journeyed to the scenic Walgreen’s to find a replacement. After accomplishing our mission we meandered around the old city for a while ending up at the Christopher Columbus Monument. We were 75% of the way to the fort so we decided to play tourist and do the two foot tour of the fort. You know – left, right, left, right, left, right….

 

Now, just a word for those who are considering booking various excursions to tour the fort. The fort is directly up the hill from the pier and only five or six blocks separate the two. You can see the cruise ships from the fort and vice versa. Even though it’s all up hill from the cruise ships to the fort it is a pleasant stroll. If walking isn’t your thing then the cab ride to the fort is NO MORE THAN FIVE BUCKS TOTAL (that’s not apiece that’s total). This fort is magnificent and deserves your full attention. It offers some of the most spectacular views of San Juan that can be found.

 

The fort and San Juan both have rich histories, which are well documented via the many exhibits, plaques and signs that the National Park Service has put in place. It takes every bit of two hours or more to see everything the fort has to offer. Once in the fort the walking can still be somewhat strenuous as there are three levels to see from bottom to top. Still at three bucks apiece this is one the great tourism bargains of all time. Pay the money, bring a picnic and couple bottles of water and have a great time.

 

We returned to the ship all enthused and self-satisfied with our two and a half hours of walking. No good deed ever goes unpunished so we headed to the Pinnacle Grill and undid all of that exercise and then some. The Pinnacle Grill is well worth the surcharge just don’t eat for about three days and you’ll be in the right frame of mind to do it justice. Their steaks are still tender enough to cut with a fork and the rest of the things that precede and follow the main course aren’t bad either. No, I am not a little piggy just because I had two Baked Alaskas. I was merely showing the War Department the delicate construction that goes into this marvelous desert. It was an educational thing you understand.

 

Damn, I can hear the salt air shrinking everything even more. Ah well, more to follow after I sleep all this off. Y’all be good. If you can’t be good be careful. If you can’t be careful be discrete.

[Aussie Gal]

Pilot70D,

 

I am so enjoying your postings. We will be on the Veendam next September for 35 days so I am glad that you are liking the ship.

 

I look forward to the next episode tomorrow.

 

Jennie

[RDMOREU]

You are a HOOT; no, a HOOT N' A HALF!!! Keep on writing!!!

[Pilot70D]

I think you are talking about 'Herry'. He was our dining steward on the Oosterdam and now has just recently transferred to Veendam. We were so pleasantly surprised to see him again in the Lido every day.

 

 

Everyone is correct - it's Herry but pronounced Harry. He was both pleased and embarrased to hear that he has a devoted following.

[skyflyer]

Pilot....SUPER POSTS!!!! We were "thinking" of booking Veendam next November, but I think your report has now "convinced" us!!!

 

HAPPY CRUISIN.....:cool:

[sail7seas]

Great, great, great...

 

Please keep the 'reports' coming.

 

 

 

[Pilot70D]

LIVE FROM THE VEENDAM DAY 5

 

 

We left PR late last night and sailed overnight for Tortola arriving in this port early in the morning. But first a word about dinner last night. By the aft Lido Deck pool they had set up a barbeque. HAL tries so very hard to make these meals by the pool memorable so scenery as well as the ambiance was fabulous. Candlelight glowed from every table while fancy ice carvings were the centerpieces for the food area. There were also great pyramids of fresh fruit plus all sorts of fancy carved melons and they were serving the drink of the day in a glass with flashing LED’s in the bottom. Sure did make it easy to spot the drunks.

 

Unfortunately the food didn’t quite live up to its surroundings. HAL is a great cruise line and they do a fantastic job in the dining room and in the Lido. IMHO they oughta stick to what made ‘em famous. The intricacies of good barbeque is something that the Dutch just haven’t mastered yet. IMHO any one of us with Texas in our background could provide some sorely needed barbeque training. Don’t misunderstand – the food was edible. It wasn’t over or undercooked. It just wasn’t barbeque let alone good barbeque even though it was cooked on a grill outdoors. Still, the ambiance almost made up for it.

 

Tortola

 

If the good Lord ever made a heaven on earth it would look a lot like Tortola. The rum is plentiful, the flowers are exotic, the weather is warm and the women are too. OOOOPS – I meant to say everyone’s friendly there. There is also some of the best snorkeling and diving to be found in crystal clear water that surrounds this Island.

 

Snorkel Woman and I had booked an all day snorkel trip directly with Patouche (http://www.patouche.com). They did an absolutely fantastic job from beginning to end. They made arrangements for a cab company to meet us right at the cruise ship pier and take us to the Patouche office and dock. The advance booking price for an all day trip including snorkel gear, lunch, drinks, snacks & more snacks is only $90 per person. Let me tell you that given the way the War Department can sock away those rum punches this is a real bargain.

 

Anyway we hopped on one of their sixty-foot catamarans and headed out. Lemme tell you, that big cat just purrs smoothly through the water. One the way out they served home made cinnamon rolls with a caramel topping. Lots of good things to drink were also available but we arrived at the Baths before we could do any real damage to the rum locker. The plan was to snorkel at the baths and then wade ashore, remove our snorkel gear and tour the caves.

 

The snorkeling was fantastic – the water was crystal clear plus the coral was truly beautiful with a multitudes of colors and wildlife. We were almost sorry when the time came to wade ashore and head for the caves. The caves are a truly spectacular sight. They were created by wave erosion happening over many centuries among this tremendous jumble of huge boulders. When I say huge I mean huge. Many of these boulders are larger than a house. This jumble of jumbo boulders has created many intricate passages and chambers that make up the caves.

 

Now just a word of warning – the trip through the caves is extremely challenging. It can be very difficult for those that aren’t extremely flexible or possibly not up to scrambling over rocks with VERY narrow passages and at times VERY low ceilings. Furthermore there are places with wet and slippery footing. One somewhat older gentleman in the group did slip and fall twice incurring several cuts and bruises. He was however wearing dive booties with smooth soles. I too had dive booties on but mine have grippers on the sole and I had no problems. Still my recommendation would be to do one of two things. Exploring the caves is optional. One could continue to snorkel at the baths and not do the caves. If you are going to do the caves then either go barefoot or wear hard-soled booties that will provide traction and some protection for your feet.

 

After the baths we had lunch aboard the cat. Lunch was quiche, pasta salad, cole slaw and banana bread. After that we weighed anchor and headed for Cooper Island for the third snorkeling splash. The coral reef here was even more splendiferous than at the baths. Simply breathtaking. After this we weighed anchor and set sail (literally, we sailed back). During the entire return trip soft drinks, beer, rum punch and lots of other rum drinks flowed freely. The good crew from Patouche hated to see an empty glass. Snorkel Woman and I arrived back at the dock with an after glow derived from all that really good water time.