Our experience was so bad, we disembarked in wellington after 4 days of the cruise. It was a floating nursing home and everything about the ship and it's itinerary of entertainment reflected that. The real 'rub of ...

Sail Date November 2012

wkpjr01

1 Review Written

3 Helpful Votes

Holland America disappoints

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

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 ...

Sail Date November 2014

IRL 123

1 Review Written

Kiwi's On Volendam

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

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 ...

Sail Date October 2014

JMAUST

1 Review Written

Another great cruise

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

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 ...

Sail Date October 2014

raeallan76@hotmail.com

1 Review Written

2 Helpful Votes

Cruising Kiwis

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

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 ...

Sail Date September 2014

purplepeopleeater53

1 Review Written

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

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 ...

Sail Date October 2013

travelfriends 13

1 Review Written

Disappointed not up to expectations

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

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, ...

Sail Date November 2013

Two cruisers downunder

1 Review Written

2 Helpful Votes

Another wonderful cruise with HAL

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

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 ...

Sail Date October 2013

shad2038

3 Reviews Written

11 Helpful Votes

Perth - Melbourne on Volendam

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

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 ...

Sail Date November 2013

possum6446

1 Review Written

Very expensive shore excursions

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

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 ...

Sail Date November 2013

astonge113

1 Review Written

Best experience we ever had!

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

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 ...

Sail Date September 2013

gail h

8 Reviews Written

24 Helpful Votes

Once in a lifetime adventure!

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

We arrived in Sydney on Oct 17 to acclimate ourselves to the time change. We stayed at the Bayswater Sydney in the Kings Cross area. What a find. Good rates and near the metro. Get a weekly pass from the Metro that ...

Sail Date October 2012

edi

1 Review Written

Trip of a Lifetime

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

I did a lot of research on Cruise Critic before our trip and found so many of the reviews helpful in planning our trip. I thought I'd return the favor for those yet to take this wonderful cruise. Although I booked ...

Sail Date February 2012

mumanddaughter11

1 Review Written

Good ... but

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

Disability Matters: We booked the cruise well in advance. Mum requires a walking frame to get around and a wheel chair for steep inclines and long distances. Because mum couldn't climb into a bath to shower, we ...

Sail Date December 2011

runningbarb

1 Review Written

wonderful ports of call

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

We stayed at the Suissotel in Sydney (arranged by Holland America, whose representatives met us at the airport, took us to the hotel, and transferred our luggage onto the Volendam the next day). Beautiful location, ...

Sail Date January 2012

rsquare

2 Reviews Written

Australia-New Zealand in a Wheelchair

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

This a review of the Volendam's 5 December 11 voyage around New Zealand, a Sydney to Sydney round trip. But there is a back story to this review. In July my wife Gail, who posts on these boards as Abby Ruth, was ...

Sail Date December 2011

Willsot

4 Reviews Written

New Zealand Discovery

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

New Zealand Discovery 17-31 January 2012 The long flight MSP-LAX 4 hrs., 3 hr. layover, LAX-SYD 15 hrs. The new Delta "economy comfort" seating was worth the extra cost. Dinner was actually v. good and ...

Sail Date January 2012

Goldi Wong

1 Review Written

Goldi Wong

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

This was our 6th cruise but it was our very first cruise with Holland America Line. Embarkation was satisfactory. Our luggage was delivered quickly to our cabin. The ship itself was smaller than the ships we ...

Sail Date December 2011

Julie the Cruise Director

1 Review Written

You too can go to AUS/NZ even if you are a penny pincher

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

We planned our holiday New Zealand Cruise, our first on Holland America Line, about 6 months ago, and used other Cruise Critics reviews and message board to plan many aspects of our trip. We booked our trip ...

Sail Date December 2011

gypsy1

3 Reviews Written

9 Helpful Votes

A pleasant surprise

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

This was our tenth cruise with five cruiselines over a period of 14 years. We always choose verandah or mini-suite accommodation and have been happy with every experience so far. We had read differing views of ...

Sail Date December 2011

ozy3oy3

2 Reviews Written

1 Helpful Vote

No rating

Across the Tasman to New Zealand

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

I usually read the worst reviews and don't bother with the good ones, that way I know the worst and can be pleasantly surprised. So to keep this short I will not say all the good things of which there are many but ...

Sail Date December 2011

Marconeon

5 Reviews Written

Repositioning on the Volendam

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

We booked the 17-Day Australia and Indonesia cruise on the Volendam about 2 months out in January and was offered an upsell from a DA outside stateroom to a B verandah stateroom at an attractive price and having a ...

Sail Date March 2011

Mitch086

1 Review Written

1 Helpful Vote

Holland America- No AC, No Hot Water & Filthy Ship

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

I booked 4 staterooms on Holland America's 14 Day New Zealand & Australia cruise, departing January 30, 2011, on the Volendam. I booked 1 Deluxe Verandah Suite and 3 Veranda Suites for 9 people. The trip was a gift ...

Sail Date January 2011

Ladybentley

7 Reviews Written

41 Helpful Votes

Very enjoyable cruise!

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

This was a 14 day cruise from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand. As we live in Auckland this cruise was ideal for a relaxing holiday with no long air flights. We flew to Sydney three days beforehand for a ...

Sail Date February 2011

Gerko

3 Reviews Written

12 Helpful Votes

Different but Good

Volendam

Australia & New Zealand

Mostly we have been P & O/Princess passengers but decided to give HAL a go after good reports from a mte. It was a good move. Its very quickly obvious that HAl has a somewhat older demographic. After enduring ...

Sail Date December 2010