Volendam Review

Warning - long and detailed

Review for Alaska Cruise on Volendam
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Nicknet
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: May 2016
Cabin: Verandah Suite

After reading many different cruise site articles, speaking to friends and relatives, we decided on a total Inside Passage offered by HAL round trip from Vancouver. We wanted to avoid the choppy waters completely, as such Seattle round trip itinerary was out. We also read a few ‘Must Do’ reviews of Amtrak ride from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. which helped us decide on flying to Seattle, WA. Spending 2 nights sightseeing the wonderful city and the Boeing Museum and Factory. The Amtrak was so worth taking in being able to see lovely scenery and a whole bunch of (about 25+ perched as pointed out by the Conductor on speakers) bald headed eagles. We spent 2 nights at the Pan Pacific hotel on the Canal Place port that is built to look like a ship. Our suite had a panoramic view of the water, with floating planes landing, helicopter and ferry rides, sail boats and freighters plus cruise ships; besides awesome scenery of snowcapped mountains far on our left, water being bordered by the lush green land and hills. All this took a lot of discussion, planning, by my husband and I with all the bookings coordinated all by us, without a travel agent. All our bookings were direct with each of the service provider.

HAL, in spite of agreeing to provide a wheel chair for embarkation due to my inability to stand for a long time, did not come forth with it, with the excuse that they only agreed to do so after checking in! Our hotel was in the port and fortunately, an extra conscientious employee that escorts all the cruise passengers that booked the same hotel thru HAL, went out of her way to help us. Watch out for the reservation department employees make promises that are not honored. Embarkation went fast, was well organized with HAL guides all over the port, Customs, Security and all the way into the ship! I liked how organized everyone was unlike on our prior cruises on other lines that we boarded in NYC. The de-embarkation was also excellent, without any crowding, the same went for port excursions.

The ship is old, we were in Vista suite #6049 mid ship – port side for all the best scenery. The bathroom is a step up with shower in the tub. As always, the room stewards were excellent, very trust worthy and honest. In spite of my husband leaving them a couple of dollars tip on the bed on the first night, we found it was still there when we returned for the night.

Cabin Review

Verandah Suite

Cabin A

The room was comfortable for two but narrow when passing the bed thru to the entry door. Lots of storage space with many hangers in 4-5 closets, one of which had a safe and shelving. We had to store one of the 2 suitcases in the cabin since the ward robe could only hold one large suit case. we did not think of storing beneath the bed. Surprisingly the bed was King size and not Queen. The bath room was large and comfy with rain shower head that conserves water! The mattress was comfortable with allergen proof covers and quality sheets set.

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