Volendam Review Questions

[doninla]

Just returned from Alaska cruise on the Volendam. If anyone would like some info regarding dining, entertainment, dress, gambling, excursions, staterooms, Vancouver, etc. please let me know. Alaska was wonderful despite bad weather.

 

Don

[happy cruzer]

How was the dining?

What did you do for breakfast? I like salmon and bagels and chocolate coissants?

Lunch - how was the lido? any sushi, maybe at night? how was lunch in the dining room?

 

How as the dining room at night? were you waitlisted or did you get your first choice of time. Did you make any special requests in the dining room? I love the appetizers and soups, and meat dishes besides the beef?

 

Did you do the afternoon tea? midnight buffets?

 

Did they have texas holdem on the ship? do you remember the limits and if it was crowded. Our last cruise it was just 1 table with low limits, lots of fun though.

 

thanks for the chance to ask question, I can't wait till November in the Carribbean.

[mafig]

Did you have three formal nights?

 

Did you go to all three. We're thinking of skipping one. If we did, which one would you recommend? We don't want to miss lobster night.

[dderm]

Can you remember who the Captain is and who is serving in the Neptune Lounge?

[NaplesCruiser]

Hi,

Welcome home. We sail on the Volendam in November, would like any feedback you have regarding the ship, dining, service, cabins etc.

Thanks!

[doninla]

I'll try to answer some dining questions. First, the Lido was ok for breakfast. You have a lot to choose from, plus they do have eggs and omlets to order. The lines are pretty long some times. We did not enjoy the Lido lunches. We thought the food was fair at best. Most of the dinners in the dining room were good, not great. I would suggest the Pinnacle great at least once. Even though there is a 20 dollar surcharge, it was quite a bit better than the dining room. Better service and better atmosphere. It was like a fine romantic restaurant. The steak I had was as good as I have ever eaten. The menu is the same every night there. If you want to try it, book it once you get on the ship. If files up quickly.

 

Don

[doninla]

Naples Cruiser,

 

We loved the Volendam. I liked the size of the ship as it was very easy to find your way around. There was never a wait for the elevators. The bars on deck 5 were very comfortable as was the Crow's Nest. Live music in the Ocean bar was very good, but dated. They needed a new and more modern playlist. The Ocean bar was pretty crowed before dinner. The piano bar was not. The Crow's Nest after dinner was pretty quiet as was the casino. I really would like to know where everybody disappears to after 10:00pm. This certainly is not a party ship (at least ours wasn't, even though there were 2 weddings on board)

 

The rooms were quite large (for a ship). We had a balcony cabin on deck 6. I certainly would recommend a balcony ( a must for Alaska). The bathrooms again are quite large, but not a great deal of room for cosmetics. There was plenty of hanging space and drawer space for clothes. If it can handle my wife's clothes, it will handle everybody's.

 

The dining service was good, certainly not special. For better service and food, be sure to book the Pinnacle restaurant. The Lido restaurant (buffet) is again nothing special. Quantity does not always mean quality. I think it is ok for breakfast but not of lunch. Why anyone would eat there for dinner is beyond me, unless you didn't want to dress up.

There were 2 formal nights (very few tuxes, mostly suit or sportcoat and tie). Informal night means a sport coat for me. To some it meant anything in their closet. Casual night (there were 4) jeans are fine. It is amazing what some people wear for dinner.

For drinks, liquor was priced right. A call drink was only 5 or 6 bucks. No charge for ice tea but there is a charge for soft drinks.

Any other questions please let me know.

[doninla]

Happy Cruzer,

As far as gambling went on the ship, the casino was very quiet. There were only a few of us at the craps table, a hand full at roulette, and maybe 1 black-jack table going. Of course, the slots were pretty busy. There was no poker (unless you consider video poker, poker). Here is an important tip for all who plan to gamble. Take cash. Let me repeat. Take cash. The ship charges you 3% if you want to use your on board account. Good luck and happy cruising.

[thomasale]

That 3 percent on your card is quite a shocker as I have read many times that this is one of the benefits to using it (your shipboard account)...hmmmmm

[happy cruzer]

I agree that 3% charge sounds horrible. :eek: also no poker. yuk. On the Zuiderdam, the poker was not held in the casino but in a room off of the Explorer's Lounge. they had a dealer come from the casino and run the game each evening at sea. one table and very friendly.

 

Thanks fro the details on the dining. Did you ever do room service for breakfast? Was it on time and hot? and how was the coffee on board?

 

thanks for the quick answers!

[doninla]

Happy Cruzer,

 

We did room service every morning. If we put down 7:30-8:00, it was in our room at 7:30. We usually just ordered coffee and bagels. Food was warm, not hot and coffee was pretty weak. But it is a nice way to start the morning, sipping your coffee on the balcony, instead of waiting in line at the Lido buffet. (of course we ate at the buffet after the room service. God forbid, we missed a meal). Here is a hint. Order coffee for 4, not 2. That way you get 2 pots and it will give you a few cups.

 

The first morning we ordered room service, we heard a loud crash at our door. Of course it was our order...............all over the floor. No problem: they were back in 10 minutes with a new tray.