Veendam Review
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Cruising has been my preferred vacation since I boarded Chandris Line's Horizon (Now Celebrity Cruises). I caught a taste of classic cruising then, only to see it slip away with the modern industry paradigm. Fortunately, Holland America Line has preserved the classic cruise experience with the ms Veendam, while adding only those modern tweaks that prevent your vacation from taking on the cheesy, carnival flavor that has permeated the industry since. My adjective use of "carnival" is intentional. It's a wish that the parent company leaves the HAL business formula unspoiled.
This is not a new ship, expect occasional blemishes. I thought Veendam wore them well. I've been on old ships that were fit for a torpedo and newer ships more run down than Veendam was.
Holland America maintains balance on this cruise. Veendam offers their passengers short embarkation process, room to breathe onboard, spacious cabins and suites, confident cleanliness, righteous dining menus, a crew that melts into the background until you need them.
Cabin Review
Neptune Deluxe Verandah Suite
Huge suite for a cruise ship. Private balcony the size of an interior cabin. Most comfortable bed ever on a cruise ship. Vast storage space.
Blond wood, brown sofa, orange chairs. Gold, tan, orange and brown tones for textiles. Decor was tasteful. Crew kept room confidently clean, including the wall of window glass looking out over balcony. Views were incredible inside and out. Dressing room has a second sink. Refrigerator in bar kept beverages nicely chilled. Air conditioning functioned perfectly. Outside, you could hear the occasional din from a pump on the deck overhead. It did not spoil the atmosphere. Inside, the suite was dead quiet all the time.
Several minor material flaws: Bathroom sink drain chrome trim damaged. Porcelain in toilet bowl is scoured. Missing trim cap on closet door bored a hole in the paneling adjacent to closet. This is a handicap accessible suite; there is no tub, but a large, low step in shower. Two shower chairs fold out for use within. Seats had some mildew stain. Vanity counter top in dressing room has been cosmetically damaged by solvent spill. Living area chairs had faint stain on them.
Flaws did not diminish an overall excellent accommodation; level of comfort was unsurpassed in my experience.