Volendam 10/14 LONG

[thomasale]

Volendam 10/14/2006

 

 

This was our 30th anniversary cruise. It was a 10 day southern Caribbean itinerary and our first time on HAL. We have several cruises with Celebrity and have been on RCCL once and Carnival Once. We have never had a “bad” cruise and once again enjoyed ourselves immensely. We still have to say that Celebrity is our favorite line. It is not dissatisfaction with our HAL experience as much as it is our overwhelming satisfaction with Celebrity.

 

In this review, I will try to recap each day. “We” are my wife of 30 years Sandy (age 53) and myself also 53.

 

Day 1

 

Embarkation day is finally here and our long wait is over. We have everything packed and the car is loaded. We only live about 85 miles north of Ft. Lauderdale in Port St. Lucie. I have made this trip many times and know the way. We hit the road at 10:00 a.m. just as planned. Beautiful day and all is well. We head south on the turnpike and I set the cruise on an easy 65 MPH…I will let everyone else be in a rush now because I am on Vacation and I want this baby to last. We get into the cruise mode with reminiscing about our previous trips and thinking about what we will do on this one. Next thing I notice is the Miami Dade county line…uh oh we missed the exit to cut over to I95 for Port Everglades. No big deal because we can turn around. Okay things did get a little tense as traffic going north on 95 is heavy and if we would have just taken 95 from the start we wouldn’t have missed the exit. We get there at about 12:00 noon and so has everyone else. I drop my wife off, check the bags, and head to the parking garage ($12 per day) which is right across from our terminal and is covered. Get in line (sunny and hot) we slowly move into the terminal to be greeted by another huge line. We wade through that line and I can’t help but think why didn’t they steer us all inside and get us out of the heat and into the a/c. They then give us a number (for what turns out to be no apparent reason) and head us to the express check in line. Those that didn’t do the express are sent to another line. Guess which line is shorter? (memo to self, forget “express” check in) the other is shorter and thus faster.

 

We get aboard at about 2:15 (that’s a 2 hour and 15 minute embarkation!!!) and are taken right to our cabin 6165. It is amidships close to the amidships elevators. Starboard side. (all the southern carib ports would have been better on the port side) The cabin is beautiful and all the gifts from our TA are there (4 bottles of wine, Pinnacle Grill, and complimentary photo. There is the beautiful arrangement of flowers for Sandy with the note “I hope the next 30 years are as great as the next 30 years” Not quite what I said but the message gets through and the arrangement is BEAUTIFUL and lasts the entire cruise.

 

It is our first balcony and we go right out on it and notice a funky odor but assume it must be Port Everglades. We go back inside and decide it is time to check out the Lido. Up we go for the usual buffet fare. Pickings seem especially lean but we figure its’ around 3:00 and it must be shutting down. The ice cream is excellent and on a waffle cone is hard to beat. The hours on that are generous and we took advantage of that feature a lot!

 

We go down to check out our table. Our dining assignment is 5:45 upstairs. Our table number is 33. Aft window table for 6. We had wanted the 6:15 dining but decide the window seat is beautiful and we will see about our tablemates before trying to switch. We look at a lot of the rest of the ship and it is just as beautiful as we imagined and you on Cruise Critic described. The Volendam is divided into a lot of little rooms with plenty of private spaces to while away the hours. The décor of flowers is everywhere. The artwork is impressive and the furnishings are comfortable and classy at the same time. We are very excited about this trip.

 

Back to our room to prepare for dinner. Casual tonight and I am glad. We head down to the dining room, no time for a cocktail and we arrive 5 minutes late at about 5:50. Our tablemates are already there and we introduce ourselves. John and Barb Toye from L.A.

He is a retired Presbyterian Minister and she a retired school teacher. Dave and Chris King. Dave is director of the YMCA in Portland, Oregon and Chris a homemaker. We hit it right off. It turns out that Chris is the daughter of John and Barb. We all love wine. We have 3 grown children and so do Chris and Dave. The conversation never slowed and we were nearly the last to leave every night. There would be no changing this table and it was one of the highlights of our cruise. We are hoping they will come to the Princess Emerald cruise we have booked for next summer.

 

I had the Mahi Mahi with sauce and my wife had the Prime Rib end cut. My fish was excellent. My wife’s end cut was dry and tough but that is how it often is. Our waiter Hance offered something else but she declined and doubled up on desert I think. Hance and his assistant Winnie were a good team. Hance had a soft manner and easy smile and although I believe Winnie was stretched too thin as far as tables went the service was efficient and we were happy. The wine steward Enrique also was stretched thin. He paid us more attention than others after we ordered a bottle of Opus One. We rarely were without his attention. It still makes me uncomfortable when I know that the surrounding tables were being slighted and we were receiving the favorable treatment. I just do not understand short staffing.

 

The heat in the dining room was unbelievable. I attributed this to our being seated upstairs. I later found it to be the case in most of the dining area including on deck 4. This is a shame and I am sure that over the course of the cruise this affects our enjoyment and certainly contributed to our missing a couple of dinners here.

 

In general we were quite delighted with our first day. We went for a stroll on the promenade. Stopped and had a couple of drinks. Listened to some music at the lounges. We met Reggie in the Oceans bar and listened to the String Trio.

 

We went back to the room and I went out on the balcony again. The odor was still there…I was sure it couldn’t have followed us from FLL. It was an annoyance at worst, and our bed had already been turned down by Eddie…The bedding is the absolute best I have ever slept on…the BEST

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2 day at sea

 

We awoke after a beautiful nights sleep on that fantastic HAL bedding and I went up on the aft deck for some pictures. I got them, of the sunrise. I love this time on the ship when it’s waking up. I find the morning people fun to be around and easy to engage in conversation. I went back and got the wife and we went up to the Lido for our first breakfast. It was the usual fare. I did try the Musseli and thoroughly enjoyed…had some each morning thereafter. I also had the full contingent of other offerings. FRESH SQUEZZED OJ!! MMMMMMmmmm…scrambled eggs (blechhh) toast was not fresh ( I ordered a bagel from then on) Coffee was outstanding (it mysteriously changed to too thick mid cruise, but Explorations had been discovered by then and maybe that’s what put me off the regular stuff J

 

My wife then went off and I went to the main pool. Here I met a delightful woman of 85 whom I spent a couple of hours mostly listening to. She had a lot to offer and I usually like to spend my time listening to stories and sharing current views. No doubt Ruth does too because we shared quite a bit in that time. The sun was beautiful and I LOVE the freshwater pool. I wonder how the temp goes from Ocean temp of 84 degrees to the just above freezing the pool water felt? Around 11:30 they began to close the overhead cover, I guess this was due to the windy condition? In any event it soon got too stuffy in the area so I left. Lunch and then the library. Did I mention how beautiful this area is? Loads of little areas to sit with a book. Current periodicals, and music stations to sit at. There are also plenty of computers. We brought our own laptop and was able to connect in a number of spots around the ship but not in our room.

 

Cruise Critic had a meet and greet at 4:00 in the Crows Nest. Scott in Maine was responsible for arranging this. The cruise director Scott was in attendance. Everything he does seems forced including his smile. I have only been impressed by a couple of cruise directors on other ships and at least Scott had the courtesy to show up. If I was him, I would have been sure to have some h’doerves set up though. It was great to meet the others such as Scott in Maine, Seafun, and others. The only member I didn’t meet was Bglen from South Carolina. I never did catch up with them. Oh well maybe on a future cruise. There were about 30 or so in attendance and it was very nice to “put a face with the name”

 

We went to the Lido as I was not feeling up to another hot night in dining room. We had dinner here twice and to be honest I wish they would just give you your entree when you order it. Instead they give you a number and then a waiter in training comes looking for you and your number (really just the number) The problem is this leaves the waiter wandering around always and even after he has delivered your food, and he can see you eating he comes by again and again looking all over for a matching number. Bad system. This first night my wife orders fettuccine with neither sauce… Plain and something else. I just order the shrimp bisque. When the waiter hooks up with us he has the fettuccine sauced with a thick alfredo and my soup is beef bouillon something. We eat what comes and get some ice cream for dessert. We love the ice cream and its’ availability. It is very good.

 

A donation at the casino and time for bed again. Oh yeah we do stick our head in several shows and as my mother said if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all…enough said.

 

Day 3 Day at Sea

 

Another beautiful day at Sea. We enjoy to the max.

 

Dinner at our table and I am anxious to spend some more time with our table mates. They won’t be joining us but they do have the courtesy to advise (as we did the night before) and so it is just the 2 of us and we have a lovely dinner. I do not remember what either of us had. We just enjoyed ourselves and the service was excellent.

 

Day 4 Aruba

 

We meet up with Pat and Scott, another couple we met onboard from Galveston Texas. We do a little shopping and then get a cab to Palm Beach. We go through some pretty tough spots on the way to the beach. It is very dry in Aruba and our driver advises that they have not had appreciable rain since February! The beach is nice but I would not rave over it (maybe that’s because we have very nice beach’s here) In any event we have a nice day. Pat and Scott advise that they have the late seating main floor and they are not going at all any more…too HOT…too bad because the Lido is less than satisfactory.

 

When we get back to the ship we get ready for the Pinnacle. Our TA gave us a certificate good for dinner. We have reservations at 6:30. The setting is beautiful and we are introduced to our waiter. He is the only one we are ever introduced to. He did a fine job but I must say he did not out service Hance in the regular dining room. Sandy had the Crab Cakes. I do not remember what I had but I can tell you I wish I had the Crab Cakes. In this regard I have to fault our waiter as he never made any suggestions. He showed and described the meats but that was it for flair. We each had the Filet and I ordered Scalloped potatoes and Asparagus. Sandy had Mushrooms and Rice. All very pedestrian. Filets were cooked to perfection and presented beautifully. Taste not exceptional. Not even in my top ten for dinners which I think it should be. After all it’s called the Pinnacle! Desert? Sandy had baked Alaska and I had the chocolate molten volcano…that made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

 

 

 

 

Day 5 Curacao

 

A delight! Colorful and sights all around the ship where we docked. You could get right off and walk to shopping which we did. Or shall I say Sandy shopped and I took in the local color. There are beer gardens sprinkled all over town. It makes waiting very pleasant. The weather has been perfect every day and this is no exception.

 

Dinner in the Rotterdam and we get reunited with our tablemates. We recap whats been going on and find that all is well for them too. I have the duck (my first time) I enjoy dinner very much and the wine even more. Service again outstanding and the maitr’d fills in for Winnie and does so very well. I must admit this is the first time I have seen a maitr’d serve table and I applaud them for pitching in this way…

 

 

Day 6 Dominica

 

This was the highlight of the trip. We booked with Beno on line. This island is so beautiful. I have over 200 photos. I will not try to describe what I have seen but will be posting pictures soon. Thank you Cruise Critic for the Beno tip. Our guide was Desmond so you don’t have to have Beno and you will still enjoy!!!

 

Dinner in the Lido and no my first impression was not wrong. Same Chinese Fire drill. (no offense)

 

Day 7 Day at Sea

 

We have this down pat now…it does rain this day but it didn’t bother our reading or naps one bit. We really enjoy the spacious room.

 

Again on this day our toilet works intermittently. They always come and fix it but what a job and frankly it embarrss’s me!!!

 

Day 8 St. Thomas

 

What is there to say here…I go to Snuba which is over by Coki Beach. I am with another Cruise Critic Tom and we have a great experience with Frank from VI Snuba. I get back and we walk to town for some shopping. I must say I do not enjoy this and always feel a little bit Carnied here. Sandy loves her jewelry and this is the price I pay to have such a great spouse. Gladly pay!!!

 

Day 9 Half Moon Cay

 

So much hype here…except it is not hype. If you love the beach this amazing. Sand like talcum powder and water crystal clear. We had a clam shell and I recommend that. We shared it with the Westerdam and I feared crowds but it really did not feel overwhelmed. The barbecue is a joke and a lot of work for the crew. Skip it or step it up with full time crew on the island. JMHO

 

Day 10 boo hoo

 

You all know this story so I shall skip it.Over,done kaput. Suffice to say we had a great cruise on a great ship with a great crew! This is my review of the Volendam. We are glad we sailed her and are thankful to all on the boards who helped us and led us to the best she has to offer. Oh yeah, the bar service was fantastic and we enjoyed Reggie in the Oceans bar especially. Best of luck to him in the future. I was a little disappointed in the HMC bar service. They did not seem too interested in serving here, but I can get my own drinks. They did not know what a Coco Loco was and at the main bar they only had Bacardi Limon rum???blechhh.

 

My preference for Celebrity has a lot to do with the little things. HAL has a fine product and certainly outdistances X in many respects. It may have something to do with your first love. I did NOT spend the 10 days comparing to X. In any event, I spoke to many loyal X cruisers and not a convert to HAL in the bunch. I will say this, I am looking forward to a cruise on a Vista class ship, but that will be after a couple of doses of the X treatment again. I am glad for all the options and hope that everyone finds the line they LOVE…

 

Now, how far until July 16th? J

[gizmo]

Thanks for taking the time to write the review. I enjoyed reading it. :)

[mafig]

Thanks for the review.

 

We're on Volendam in one week (11/3). I hope the airconditioning is fixed by then. Did you notice it getting better in the dining room as the week progressed (because you went back), or did you get used to it. Was it hot in your stateroom too?

 

I'm sure I'll think of other questions. Hope you stick around to answer.:)

[mafig]

Oh....and congratulations on your 30th anniversary.:D

[kathyemma]

That would drive me crazy. The balcony is one of my favorite parts. At night after my daughter goes to bed I like to sit out there to read while listening to the water. The smell would have ruined that for me.

 

A lot of people are raving about Celebrity - I may have to try them.

 

thanks for the review -

 

Kathy

[fann1sh]

Mafig, if the a/c problem Thomasale describes is like the one I experienced 02/05 on Maasdam, it will take dry dock to fix it. I'd come prepared with a battery operated fan (Sharper Image has a great one) Bringing a good fan saved my cruise.

[fann1sh]

I'd come prepared with a battery operated fan (Sharper Image has a great one) Bringing a good fan saved my cruise.

 

Sorry for the double post, but here's a link to a fairly small, packable, high quality fan that also has an ionizer (air cleaner) and operates on wall power or D batteries and is under $20. The fan speed is on a sliding scale - can be set at any speed from very low to tornado. I now own 2, and don't travel anywhere without one.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sharper-Image-Feel-Good-Fan-Desktop-Fan_W0QQitemZ230042773384QQihZ013QQcategoryZ20612QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

 

I have no connection with Sharper Image. I'm sure there are other products out there just as good.

[mafig]

Thanks for the fan idea.

 

Am I supposed to carry the fan into the dining room too?

 

Gee, a/c doesn't work and neither do the toilets and my cruise is next week. How wonderful.

[wskon]

Did you not stop at Aruba? I am excited to hear Reggie is in the Ocean Bar. I am hoping it is the same Reggie we met on the old Nordam and on the Rotterdam. He was wonderful and we really enjoyed him. We are going Nov 23rd. I will let you know when we get back. We have also been torn between Celebrity and HAL.. It seems like we always end up with HAL. I am hoping not to be to dissapointed. We also have a trip set with BENO. I am glad to hear yours went okay. Loved the review and Happy Anniversary! We are getting close to 34...

Sandy

[scott in maine]

As expected, you've given us all a perfectly captured review of the 14 OCT sailing of Volendam. I was on this ship with Tom and can say that I agree fully with every comment he's put forth here. Well written, balanced, and on target.

 

The only issue that we didn't experience was the foul odor syndrome (for which I'm most thankful). And the air conditioning problem seemed to get somewhat worse as the ten days progressed, IMO. The ship's temperature at times really was troublesome; with some luck they'll have it quickly fixed for others.

 

Thanks again Tom for the time you invested in putting this forth. Hope to see you on another cruise soon!!

[thomasale]

Mafig, Dining room was always hot . With the people load it gets hotter as the dinner progresses. After first night I removed my coat when I got there and I was in good company. The stateroom would get stuffy at night and I believe the air was shut down then and would be restarted in the a.m.

 

Fann1sh that is a good suggestion about the fan but too late for me :(

 

Wskon, Yes Aruba was our first stop on day 4. We were with another couple we met on board from Texas. We shopped and then took a cab to Palm Beach. It was very much like our beaches here...I think we caught a rough day?

[sharks48]

Tom -

 

Wonderful review. Thank you for taking the time to write it. We, too, have loved X - went on the same Century cruise two years in a row! This will be our first HAL.

 

Re the trip to Palm Beach in Aruba - could you elaborate on the "tough spots" you went through? Do you mean "bad" neighborhoods, rough road, or what? We are either renting a car or taking the bus to Malmok/Arashi [we leave FLL on 11/3] and are curious about this.

 

I'd like to add my congratulations on your 30th anniversary - hope you'll have many, many more wonderful years.

 

Sharon

[mafig]

Trying to put the a/c and commode issues in perspective.

 

How about this:

 

Tom, If you knew about the above problems before final payment, would you have cancelled this cruise?

[wskon]

Mafig, Dining room was always hot . With the people load it gets hotter as the dinner progresses. After first night I removed my coat when I got there and I was in good company. The stateroom would get stuffy at night and I believe the air was shut down then and would be restarted in the a.m.

 

Fann1sh that is a good suggestion about the fan but too late for me :(

 

Wskon, Yes Aruba was our first stop on day 4. We were with another couple we met on board from Texas. We shopped and then took a cab to Palm Beach. It was very much like our beaches here...I think we caught a rough day?

 

Thanks - I just re-read your post and saw Aruba. I was reading it to my husband to tell him about Reggie. Maybe the same one-who knows. Anyway I saw the Aruba part and figured you probably thought I need glasses. Sorry I was at work and must have missed it. Sandy

[FLACRUISER99]

Excuse me for butting in but, yes it was warm in the Dining room ( I had Main Upper) But not all that bad, I would not miss a meal because of warmth. Our cabin and most of the ships temperature was fine. I would repeat this cruise in a heartbeat.:cool:

[mafig]

Thanks, jtutak.:)

[Marjeanne]

We were on the Volendam on the Sept 20th Alaska sailing, this was the last one before repositioning to the Carribbean.

 

We too had the same problems i.e.: non flushing toliets, and horrible smell..

 

We were on the Navigation Deck aft. Balcony stateroom 7085, and the stench seemed to be midship it was a very strong almost overpowering urine smell.

 

I agree with Tomasale, the non flusing toilet was embarrasing and we had to go up to the Crows Nest or down to the Promenade to use the public restrooms.

 

I also agree with Tom, the beds were fabulous, as was our stateroom.

 

All of the above, plus, my luggage being sent to Hawaii on the Carnival Spirit made this the voyage from hell..

 

Would I have cancelled had I known about the problems??? Hell yes, in a nanosecond

 

We were so looking forward to cruising with HAL and felt it would be a good alternative to our beloved X.

[scott in maine]

We were on the Volendam on the Sept 20th Alaska sailing, this was the last one before repositioning to the Carribbean.

 

Would I have cancelled had I known about the problems??? Hell yes, in a nanosecond

 

 

YIKES!!!! Now I'm really glad we didn't have a cabin with "toilet issues" - yuck! I can certainly see how that issue could quickly cloud the entire ship experience. Sorry your trip was so adversely affected.

 

Tell us, what did you do on board to attempt rectification? What are you doing/have you done since getting home in terms of communication with HAL?

[debmkay]

Thank you very much for your review, we are sailing on the 11/13 cruise as well and hope some of things you mentioned will be corrected. I am hoping the dining room won't be too bothersome to me as I am usually cold almost everywhere on the ship. We are in stateroom 7085 aft and hoping the smell will be gone! Really hoping the toilet issues will be resolved. We have never sailed on Celebrity but I am hoping to in the future. This will be our second HAL cruise, our first being the Zaandam which we enjoyed immensely. Looking forward to it even with all the things you mentioned, after all I am on a ship going to beautiful islands. What more could I ask for! Congratulations on your 30th and many more to come.

[thomasale]

Sharks48 when I say tough spots I mean bad neighborhoods just not what I expected

 

Mafig I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed the cruise. I would NOT in retro cancel based on any of these issues...I am glad for the experience.

 

Wskon Reggie now has less than 30 days and I am afraid he will be gone when your cruise departs

 

Jtutak I would like to repeat this cruise also. I am so sorry when someone concentrates on the little negative I have written. Let me say this loudly I HAD A GREAT CRUISE!!!!

[thomasale]

Sharks48 when I say tough spots I mean bad neighborhoods just not what I expected

 

Mafig I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed the cruise. I would NOT in retro cancel based on any of these issues...I am glad for the experience.

 

Wskon Reggie now has less than 30 days and I am afraid he will be gone when your cruise departs

 

Jtutak I would like to repeat this cruise also. I am so sorry when someone concentrates on the little negative I have written. Let me say this loudly I HAD A GREAT CRUISE!!!!

 

Debmkay I was in cabin 6165 and I am sure you will enjoy your Volendam experience. I know I did mine.

[BJHOOSER]

I had a different problem then most on the ship. I had to much A/C. I went to the front office three times to get some heat put in my cabin. I was lower promenade as far aft as you can get. They always say the third time is the charm, in this case it worked. I finally got some heat in my cabin. I would have to bundle up or get in bed and cover up to keep from freezing. I am one that is usually hot all of the time but not in this case. No plumbing problems either. My niece on Main deck had the smell but that is all The dining room seemed fine to me, maybe all of the talk was blowing cold air and we didn't get hot, suppose?...lol.;) Abby

[BJHOOSER]

My problem was different then most of those other posters. I had to much A/C. It took three trips to the front office to get some heat in my cabin. It was so cold i had to climb in bed and snuggle under the covers to get warm. Usually i am always way to warm but not in this case. I had no plumbing problems or smell other then what i was supposed to either. I was on Lower Promenade far aft. Dining room temp was fine, could have been all the gassing going on at the table that kept us cool. This was Volendam 10-14. With Thomasale. Hoping you have many more Tom, and Sandy, and you had a great anniversary. Abby;)

[BJHOOSER]

Sorry for the double post but the first message disappeared as you all know can an does happen. It didn't show up till i posted again. Oh well! Have a laugh over it....lol. Abby:D

[arzz]

We, too, were on the October 14 Volendam -- I have not yet gotten around to writing a review but we echo the comments of Thomasale. We had a great cruise. The ship is very much as I remember her from last October except better -- I do love that Explorations/Library area on board.

 

In Dominica we did the tubing excursion and had a great time! The river gorge that we travelled was incredibly beautiful and the tubing was a great experience. A good way to see some of the Dominica rain forest. Before going I was not sure that this was the correct excursion for me -- but I would now do it again in a minute. Highly recommended.

 

We ate dinner in the lower dining room, second seating and neither my husband or I ever felt too warm in the dining room -- considering the remarks of others I have no explanation. Our area of the dining room, however, had many empty and almost empty tables. we, therefore, enjoyed rather attentive service. Was the ship really full?

 

On the last few days of the cruise we had one day when the toilet in our

cabin did not flush for an hour or so. Then for a while it would not flush reliably when pressed, but it always took care of itself within a few minutes. We just assumed normal ship issues and never bothered to report it as it always resolved itself within a short time. We have had similar experiences on other ships. We do not get concerned unless it backs up or refuses to flush for an extended period. On ships, toilets happen.

 

Last October we had a mid-ships verandah and we, too, remember the outside odor. This time we were in an ocean view cabin on deck 3 forward of the atrium -- (my comments about this cabin are addressed in the current thread about cabins to avoid) -- one thing that I did not mention was that in the corridor outside our cabin there was a very noticable musty odor (we were not aware of the odor once inside the cabin) and we did have allergy issues the whole trip -- usually while at sea my allergies disappear. This issue was duly noted on our comment cards at the end of the cruise.

 

We did notice that the appetizers served in the bars at cocktail time are no longer the ubquitous hot, fried bits -- the new ones were quite tasty but no healthier than the fried appetizers (a cherry tomatoe piled high with cream cheese, a bread round with a huge portion of liver pate, etc) -- and though we thought we had escaped the bitteballen (or whatever they are called) they dutifully did appear on the last night on board!

 

We only attended two shows -- the last production show, and the magician. We did enjoy the magician -- not for the predictable tricks that he performed but for the very creative presentations, especially the rabbit that opened the show.