Veendam Review
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Additional details
When I booked my cruise, there were several things that drew me to HAL - the luxury the line's name invoked, the amount of time spent in port vs at sea, and the shipboard culinary arts program sponsored by Food & Wine.
I have cruised on two other lines (RC in '09 and Carnival many yrs ago) in the past, so I have something to compare HAL to. HAL Veendam fell short on luxury, but otherwise provided a pleasant cruising experience. Luxury is in the details, and things like a mildew stained bathtub mat, salt and pepper paper packets in the Lido restaurant instead of actual shakers (for the first two days), broken and missing tiles in the Retreat area, a pathetically small pool that was overrun by children, ship crew painting and varnishing main areas during the daytime, while at sea, just make for lasting impressions - unfortunately negative ones.
My room, while a little cramped, was clean and comfortable (minus the tub mat). Unfortunately, the doors to the Lower Promenade deck, which is where my cabin was located and right next to, slammed very hard while cruising, making for a constant banging whenever in use. There are signs posting caution on the doors, but in the "right" conditions, it took the strength of 1-2 adults to open the doors to the deck and depending on whether or not you were going in or out, determined whether you might have lost your fingers or toes, or gotten thrown into the interior doors because the force of the wind was so hard.
Cabin Review
Cabin 319/Oceanview - located next to an exit door. When there are high winds, you can hear the door slamming as people go in an out. On the walking deck - has one-way privacy tinted glass, however from the outside I could see into people's rooms when the interior light was on. With a queen bed set up, there is about one foot of walk space on either side of the bed from the wall. There is a mini sofa, but its tiny if you want to stretch out on it with you feet up. Love the curtain that creates privacy between the cabin living area from the door, should you happen to have your room door open while you're in it for some reason. Bathroom, nice size and set up, except there is only one electrical outlet and its up towards the ceiling. So if you have something to plug in (shaver, toothbrush, etc.) you need a long cord or plug it in at the vanity. Also, when you turn out the bathroom light, the power to the outlet is cut off.