Our cruise on the Volendam -- 22 November - 8 December 2014 -- from Sydney to Singapore was a serious disappointment on many levels.
First, there were many annoyances, such as the cruise director choosing to make some routine public address announcements during scheduled church services on Sunday morning. The itinerary skipped major ports, except for Darwin, and chose to stop at isolated ports ...
We were a bit nervous about 32 days on a ship but we could not have been wrong. The Volendam crew made us feel welcome from first boarding in Sydney. We liked the idea of a smaller ship and the bonus we found out on the way was we got to sail through the Barrier Reef out of Cairns and also the smaller ports could take Volendam where alot of the larger ships cant get into these lovely smaller towns ...
We have just returned from a 34 night Circumnavigation Cruise of Australia. We had a wonderful time after being a little unsure how we would survive a 34 night cruise.
Embarkation in Sydney went without a hitch and we were aboard within 25 minutes. This was at White Bay which is out of town and lack and form of public transport.
The public areas were well maintained and there was always a quite ...
Our third cruise on the Volendam during past six years.Chose the transpacific repositioning cruise to visit LA, Hawaii and Pago Pago for the first time.
We had no problem with the age of the ship and the condition of it. Very clean and well presented.....and the flower arrangements!!!!
Amazing that given the problem on the Alaskan cruise prior to this cruise that for 24 nights the problem didnot ...
We chose this cruise for its itinery:- Esperance, Port Lincoln, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island. We arrived in Perth 3 Days before Cruise, imagine our surprise when on a visit to Freemantle the day before the Volendam was due to dock, there she was!!! We stayed at Miss Mauds in Perth- best food anywhere.
Embarkation was a little slow, but fairly trouble free. Cabin was good size, with plenty storage, ...
This was our third cruise with HAL, the others being Alaska and Mediterranean, which they offered to us at an attractive rate for being returning cruisers. ( Mariner's Society members ). We cruised a sector of the Australian Circumnavigation cruise and found it a very pleasant way to get to Melbourne. The ship was sick with GI problems ( probably norovirus but this was not mentioned by name. ) and ...
Embarkation and disembarkion were very efficient, cases were delivered quickly.
Cabin: main deck 2666 outside in good position towards aft quiet.
When opening cabin door were surprised how dull the decor appeared, quite tired looking, the only colour's were in the 4 cushions, but was clean and tidy. The beds were very comfortable in twins giving a feeling of space. There is no fridge in cabin, ...
Due to recent orthopaedic surgery I could not fly long distances so had to change our planned Alaska followed by Eastern Canada cruises to something closer to home. We were delighted to be able to embark at our home port. This is the first time this has happened to our knowledge. A 1 Hour suburban train ride versus 14 hour flight! Unfortunately the Port staff were not familiar with HALs usual ...
Have been on a few Holland America ships and was the most disappointed one wasVolendam
We did not get on in Sydney but Darwin.
We found the staff quite unfriendly at the start and only into the trip did they warmed up and much nicer and smile.
Out cabin staff were excellent.
Cabin placement for us was terrible found we were not taken serious by the front desk they seem to say nothing wrong but ...
Since the moment we stepped on the boat, we were treated like royalty. The stateroom attendants, waitstaff, bartenders and even managers knew us by name. Every step we took we had a welcoming smile, good day mam/sir, and may I assist you. We could not be more happy.
The food was incredible. Lots of options for a variety of eaters (vegan/vegetarian/gluten free/ even low sodium).
The staff kept us ...
