Krazy Kruizers Posted November 10, 2004 #1 Share Posted November 10, 2004 There were several water leaks. The worst one was in the hallway between the Pinnacle Grill and the restrooms. Water was coming though the lights. When the leak first started one evening there was only 1 small bucket under it. By the next morning there were 2 small buckets. When the crew arrived to start fixing the leak, there were 2 small buckets and 3 large barrels collecting the water. The crew worked on the leak for 2 days. Before the lights could be replaced the wires had to dry out another couple of days. There was another water leak on Navigation deck, aft at the stairwell. This leak was small was quickly fixed. One afternoon as we were walking into the balcony of the Van Gogh Lounge part of the ceiling came down. More work for the crew. One of the steamers wasn't working and it took 2 - 3 days before laundry was returned. There are new hair dryers in the cabins. In the suites it is located in the bottom dressing drawer. They are powerful. Since they are bolted down (European style - 2 prong type) you can use it either in the dressing room or in the cabin. Our wine steward told us that he bought a fan for his room mate and him to use - crew cabins are very hot. Definitely an air-conditioning problem on this ship. In Puerto Vallarta quite a few of the crew went to Wal-Mart to buy fans. Faxes - are billed at the regular satellite phone rate of $7.95 per minute. Internet - Using their computers: 250 minutes - $100; 100 minutes - $55; pay as you go - $0.75 per minute; activation fee - $3.95. Wireless: 250 minutes - $100; 100 minutes - $55; 33 minutes for $25 or $0.75 per minute (HUM - it costs you $0.25 more for the 33 minute plan!). Wireless rental cards: $10 a day and $3 a day optional insurance. To rent a laptop it is $20 a day and $10 a day optional insurance. We saw a couple of people using their own laptops in the card room and the Crow's Nest - there are internet connections there. Mariner's Parties - there were 2 of them. One was one Oct 30 and the other was on Oct 31. They are actually luncheons. How they selected which mariners attended each party I could not tell you. There were about 300 mariners at each party. We were told that they had just tried this new idea on the Hawaiian cruise before our cruise. Those people who had already earned their medals reported to the Explorer's Lounge at 11:30. All others reported right to the dining room. Tables were reserved for those of us who held medals. Each group had their pictures taken on the stairs. We looked for the pictures but never found them. Have no idea what happened to them. At the tables we were offered wine, bloody marys, champagne or orange juice. By the time we were excorted to the dining room - shortly before 12, the others were already on their second cocktail. There was a short ceremony for those receiving their medals. The cpatain went to their tables and pictures were taken there. It was difficult getting an extra glass of wine or champagne once the food began to be served. The lunch consisted of: smoked salmon over ceasar salad; bacon wrapped chicken breast with asparagus and risotto; and strawberry mousse delight. Of course there was rolls and butter. Everything was very good. As far as we could tell, everyone enjoyd the luncheon much more than just going to the lounge and having a cocktail and if you're lucky, an appetizer. We didn't hear too much from the captain other than the 1 PM reports on sea days and emergency reports. I guess we are used to the captains on the other 'dam' ships who would always come everyday as we were leaving a port and tell us about the day, where we will be going, what the weather will be like, etc. If you do get to talk to the captain, and we did several times, you will find him very personable and he does like to joke around. Even though I haven't finished my daily reports, I will give my conclusion of the Statendam here. Would we go on the Statendam again? Alaska - yes Hawaii - maybe Pan America or any very warm region - NO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLStokes23 Posted November 10, 2004 #2 Share Posted November 10, 2004 KK - I've really enjoyed reading your reviews. Love the way you've written your report in small segments. Your review has been extremely informative. Welcome back! Hope you've had time to rest up a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kruzkeen Posted November 10, 2004 #3 Share Posted November 10, 2004 Thanks for the wonderfully detailed 3 part report. I think that there are 9 more daily reports to come. This may seem like asking an author to divulge the ending of a book before it is completed. Did they ever fix the air conditioning? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
localady Posted November 10, 2004 #4 Share Posted November 10, 2004 Thank you for your report KK. I have to tell you that we found the Statendam to be our least favorite HAL ship to date.:o We found that the smell of diesel fuel was very strong on our verandah balcony in July 03, and decided at that time probably not to sail her again. Funny how different that experience was vs. the Ryndam which we adore. My DH and I are interested in doing an Australia/New Zealand cruise, but if the HAL ship is to be the Statendam, we will have to really discuss it before making a decision.:rolleyes: :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted November 10, 2004 Author #5 Share Posted November 10, 2004 The air-conditioning was fixed in some parts of the ship by the end of the cruise. The crew still wasn't happy in their quarters. Some people were still complaining up until the last 3 days of the cruise. The last 2 days we were heading north, the temperatures were cooler and as a result the ship cooled off on its own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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