Volendam Review
Rating by category
Additional details
This is difficult to rate because somethings were great, other were ordinary.
We made the best of it and hard a great cruise but HAL could do some simple things to make it so much better.
We are both early 50ś but felt like we were the young ones on the cruise.
Cabin Review
Large Ocean-View Stateroom
We were on level 2, it was a good choice. You feel less rocking on the boat on the lower decks. The room was spacious, queen bed, lounge, small table, good size bathroom.
The ocean view was good. It is nice to wake up to natural light.
Port Reviews
Singapore
Singapore is very easy to get around and to organise it yourself. There is plenty to see around Marina Bay or Chinatown.
Koh Samui
We hired a taxi from the port and went to to Big Waterfall (Waterfall #2) and one of the beaches 20 minutes from the port.
If going to the waterfall take note that they only take cash. You can walk to the falls, it is strenuous.
There are plenty of quiet beaches.
Bangkok (Laem Chabang)
Bangkok is a long way (over 2 hours each way). We instead went to Pattaya. The beach is ordinary and there is limited to do in the town.
It is worthwhile seeing the Sanctuary of Truth.
Sihanoukville
It is good to get a taste of Asia, but this is 3rd world conditions.
Hire a taxi and go for a tour, but don expect too much.
Da Nang
We hired a taxi to go to HoiAnn.
It was a rainy day but this was still on of the highlights. It is a bit over 30min but an easy drive.
It is a very quaint little town bustling with markets and shops.
Halong Bay
We went on the junk boat tour organised by the cruise liner.
I was excellent. Halong Bay is amazing, it was the highlight of the tour. There is no much else in the town, hiring a taxi for a couple of hours is more than enough.