Should I book the Veendam??

[TiogaCruiser]

14 minutes ago, Cruise4food said:

In July 2019, Maasdam, sister ship of Veendam, had the Adagio classical music duo playing in Explorers Lounge. A violinist and pianist performed regularly to large audiences. You can expect that Veendam has her own Adagio players, even though they are not on the chart.

What was the configuration of seating?

Was it rows of chairs or sofas and chairs?

[Cruise4food]

14 minutes ago, TiogaCruiser said:

What was the configuration of seating?

Was it rows of chairs or sofas and chairs?

I do not have a photo. Seats at windows were club type, 2 & 2 facing each other over a coffee table. In center of lounge, single seats, in pairs with a small drinks table between, all faced the musicians at the end. Finally, a long continuous sofa separated the lounge from the hallway leading to the dining room. Only at the windows did any seats face away from the Adagio players (describing the Maasdam here).

 

Edited September 7, 2019 by Cruise4food
calrified this is maasdam ship.

[HokiePoq]

I apologize if I'm repeating myself....posted on a thread like this not too long ago but did check and it doesn't seem to be this one   I'll say it again:   We have spent 90 days on the Veendam, way more than any other HAL ship.  I'd gladly do another ninety!  When we first booked it in 2007, there were threads just like this one.  And it did have engine and plumbing problems during the weeks before we sailed but none during our week.   In 2015 we were on for Voyage of the Vikings.  I was so pleased that the ship looked much better than it had in 2007 and no problems.   We spent 48 days on for Amazon Explorer, no problems then either.

It is not a new ship obviously and one should not it expect to be.   But it has a fabulous crew and when we sailed the two long voyages, we had the best captain we've ever experienced.    OP make your decision based on price and itinerary and don't worry so much about reviews,   Those displeased seem more likely to submit them.   

[Cruise4food]

2 hours ago, TiogaCruiser said:

What was the configuration of seating?

Was it rows of chairs or sofas and chairs?

This youtube video of Veendam is from June 2018, based upon a When & Where depicted. Explorers Lounge is at 17:05, with classical musicians playing. The rest of the video is worth watching for a very thorough look at Veendam. I haven't even watched the video till the outdoor hottubs yet. Back to it.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqWe9TXFjTI

[ksmaxey]

Just off the Veendam today.  The new carpets look great and the ship is in great shape for an older ship.  We had 1 night in 12 where the air didn't seem to work right and we called and reported it and they called us back the next day to ask if they had fixed it which they did.

 

The ship layout is not as great as others with the galley blocking motion on that floor.

 

We loved the hand washing stations on the Lido.  The Lido is smaller because the ship is smaller.

 

We thought the entertainment was seriously lacking compared to other ships.  It lacked the variety that BB Kings offers.  Lots of piano music if that is your thing.   Also all the key entertainment areas are around the casino and there was smoke odor.  We spent more evenings watching DVD's in the stateroom that any other events - which is a first for us.

 

The crew was fantastic.  The TV's are old school and really small. 

 

Fleetwide there needs to be more variety for America's test kitchen for those who cruise more than once every 2 years. 

 

New York Pizza was advertised as lunch and dinner on the online app but was closed the first 3 days and then only open from 11 - 2:30 PM.  There were lots of kids on the transatlantic who would have liked pizza for dinner . . .

 

The Fitness Center was in great shape and opened every day sharply at 6 AM which was first for us as 4 star mariners.  (some ships it is 7 and most often the staff forget 1 out 7 days to open and the desk has to be called.)

[majn]

4 minutes ago, ksmaxey said:

Just off the Veendam today.  The new carpets look great and the ship is in great shape for an older ship.  We had 1 night in 12 where the air didn't seem to work right and we called and reported it and they called us back the next day to ask if they had fixed it which they did.

 

The ship layout is not as great as others with the galley blocking motion on that floor.

 

We loved the hand washing stations on the Lido.  The Lido is smaller because the ship is smaller.

 

We thought the entertainment was seriously lacking compared to other ships.  It lacked the variety that BB Kings offers.  Lots of piano music if that is your thing.   Also all the key entertainment areas are around the casino and there was smoke odor.  We spent more evenings watching DVD's in the stateroom that any other events - which is a first for us.

 

The crew was fantastic.  The TV's are old school and really small. 

 

Fleetwide there needs to be more variety for America's test kitchen for those who cruise more than once every 2 years. 

 

New York Pizza was advertised as lunch and dinner on the online app but was closed the first 3 days and then only open from 11 - 2:30 PM.  There were lots of kids on the transatlantic who would have liked pizza for dinner . . .

 

The Fitness Center was in great shape and opened every day sharply at 6 AM which was first for us as 4 star mariners.  (some ships it is 7 and most often the staff forget 1 out 7 days to open and the desk has to be called.)

Welcome Home!! what stateroom, what deck. So the entertainment not so hot. that's a shame. who wants to watch DVDs in their room?  But service, food, ship was good? and clean? Hoping for some entertainment. No comedians? ugh.

[Cruise4food]

1 hour ago, ksmaxey said:

Just off the Veendam today. 

Thanks for your report. Veendam should make a couple Boston - Montreal runs now for the autumn leaves.

[lizzies_mom]

On 9/7/2019 at 10:37 AM, Cruise4food said:

In July 2019, Maasdam, sister ship of Veendam, had the Adagio classical music duo playing in Explorers Lounge. A violinist and pianist performed regularly to large audiences. You can expect that Veendam has her own Adagio players, even though they are not on the chart.

While we've enjoyed the Explorers Lounge, what we like about Lincoln Center Stage is that the chatter of passing diners is somewhat muffled. Generally there are rows of chairs for the 'serious' listeners who arrive early, and comfy seating in an adjacent area so you can drop in inconspicuously if you are late.

[MISTER 67]

We sailed on the Veendam 4 times as well as her sister ships more than a few times each. The Statendam class ships when they came out were great ships but now they are probably a little too long in the tooth for our tastes, not that she is old and dirty but we like the Vista class ships much more, we have gotten use to a few more bells and whistles, not that they are mega RCCL ships but just the right size for us.

[pmjnh]

On 9/7/2019 at 11:37 AM, Cruise4food said:

In July 2019, Maasdam, sister ship of Veendam, had the Adagio classical music duo playing in Explorers Lounge. A violinist and pianist performed regularly to large audiences. You can expect that Veendam has her own Adagio players, even though they are not on the chart.

We were on the Maasdam in June/July and LOVED Adagio. What a wonderfully talented quartet of strings. They were 2 couples from Serbia and incredibly talented and personable. I think we were at one performance of theirs each day.

 

We just booked Veendam for Boston-Montreal and looking forward to what I am expecting to be similar to the Maasdam experience (?)