I am a 3 star Mariner with Holland America, but this is my first cruise with them in Asia.

The Volendam has come through its December refurbishment quite nicely. I was in a category A, verandah cabin, quite mid-ship, 6163. Other than it being directly above the piano bar, it couldn’t have been a nicer stateroom. On the first night I called the front desk and asked for ear plugs, they were there within minutes. They did the trick, and the music was not a problem thereafter. They called to insure I was satisfied, and sent chocolate strawberries the next night. The cabin had new drapes, bedding, shower curtains, caulking throughout. It was nice and new feeling. The outside deck could use a spruce up, but that seemed to be ongoing as we sailed.

I boarded March 16th in Singapore, a beautiful home port, such a great city with so much to see and do. I took the HAL package, 2 nights pre- and one night post- including transfers and the Fairmont Hotel, which included an amazing buffet breakfast I’d never seen in another hotel anywhere. Great location in the Raffles complex, walking distance to almost all of the major sights of the city, with a Hop of Hop Off stop across the street. Read more