This two week cruise on the Veendam was a great itinerary that included several sea days. I had not cruised with HAL for about two years and was surprised at some of the cost -cutting measures I observed and the problems encountered on this ship.
This was my first experience with the Port of Tampa and I loved it. Great facilities and not too crowded. The Tampa airport was also a pleasure and much less congested than other FL airports used by the cruise lines. As others have noted, the pre-registered check-in line for embarkation was much longer and slower than the line for those who did not complete their paperwork online. Arriving on the ship, I was surprised to find that there is no longer a crew member to escort you to your cabin. When I finally located my cabin (after trying to maneuver my rolling carry-on past a bucket in the hallway that was catching a water leak) I went to the wrong cabin! Obviously my key did not work and I had to find a steward. Eventually we discovered my error...I was one cabin number off. As always, HAL cabins are great - clean and spacious with ample closet and drawer space and a decent sized bathroom. My steward did a great job although he sometimes forgot to replace items like the bathmat. And, oh those wonderful, comfortable beds! I slept like a baby.
Others have noted ongoing problems on the Veendam with air conditioning, plumbing and water leaks. The above-mentioned bucket remained in the corridor off-and-on for most of the cruise. There were frequently sewerage odors throughout the ship. The air conditioning did not seem to be working well in some areas. My cabin was okay most of the time but never totally cool. But some cabins had no AC at all. Carpets are stained and frayed throughout the ship. Elevators are a bit cranky. Rope lights have numerous burned out bulbs. There aren't as many floral arrangements around the ship as in the past. The number of staff and crew seems to have been reduced. Activities are not as numerous. There were also some mechanical problems causing us to reach our first port late. I understand the subsequent cruise missed two ports due to these problems.