Veendam Review

4.0 / 5.0
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Never again

Review for the Mexican Riviera Cruise on Veendam
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1italgal
First Time Cruiser • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Mar 2014

This was my first time on Holland America. I should NOT be complaining here just b/c my sister treated me to this cruise. She didn't get any deals on the rate, so she also expected a better product for the $$. I need to get my review out to others who may be currently considering the Mexican Riviera cruise on the ship Veendam.

Where do I start... Ok, this is only my 3rd cruise. First one was on the Tahitian Princess and the second one was with Norwegian. I've never been so miserable with a cruise experience than I was on this cruise on the Veendam. I just got home today and MUST write about my experience. When we arrived in our cabin, I discovered a pair of men's socks (from the previous passenger) beneath one of the gaucho's pillows...yuk. (why were these still there??) One of my bags did not arrive until 5pm and when it did, they had removed my one and only bottle of wine (we were allowed to bring one bottle of wine onboard)...there was a note saying I had "violated" their alchohol policy....what?? So they confiscated it saying they would return it at disembarkation. Guess b/c I had not PHYSICALLY carried the bottle on board, I was in 'violation' of the alchohoI policy. I was quite annoyed by this but after expressing my discontent, they did return my bottle of wine to me the next day. Ironically, I met a couple from Canada who said they managed to check in an entire suitcase filled with the 1500ml bottles of wine, several large bottles of Crowne Royal and a couple bottles of tequila and nothing had been removed from their bags...say WHAT??

The staff I've 'fondly' named the Walking Dead. Either they were simply worn out and exhausted or they were extremely bothered by all us 'annoying' passengers. There were very few staff members who smiled and greeted us--most did not acknowledge the passengers at all. I'm NOT a demanding or picky person, but I found it insulting and sad that many staff walked right past me when I had been trying to order a drink for 30 minutes and a few grumbled to other staff members when I asked a question.

Cabin Review

room was comfortable and clean (except for the discovery of the previous passenger's socks under the gaucho pillow). Plenty of drawers and closet space. Would have been nice to have had the ability to open the window a little in order to get a little fresh ocean air.

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