Volendam Review
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We arrived the day prior to embarkation. We flew with Singapore Airlines and they offer a deal on hotel and shuttle to the hotel. The hotel we stayed in was good but only offered a buffet breakfast at $28 Singapore dollars/person. We got some food from a mini mart and had our breakfast for under $10 for the two of us.
We took a taxi to the Singapore Cruise terminal (there are two in the city) arriving about 11 AM. Since we are 4 star, we had expedited embarkation. After answering the health questions and going thru customs, we were directed to sit and wait. In less than three minutes we were called and went right onto the ship and into our cabin. From there, we went to the Mariner's lunch and got excellent service. Debarkation was just as well organized. We took a taxi to the airport where we were able to check our bags. Cost of the taxi was under $20 Singapore dollars.
The ship was in very good condition. Some things have changed since our last HAL cruise. Small things were no longer offered such as an ink pen in the room, the Librarian position was cut, menus were new, the daily bulletin was different and so forth. It seems like the bean counters are looking to cut here and there.
Cabin Review
Large Ocean-View Stateroom
Port Reviews
Singapore
The Hidden Jakarta was a private tour that showed us how the working person lives in a very big city. We visited slums, took various forms of local transportation. We visited the harbor area and a slim that was demolished by the government for a "higher use". Some of the local families moved back into the area and set up camp. The people are friendly and seem happy. For them, it appears that times are tough but they work hard and get by.