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Holland America Line

MS Veendam

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:Tim Agg
# previous cruises: 8
Date of Trip: April 18, 1999
Itinerary: Repositioning

This was a leisurely 19-day voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Vancouver. Despite minor flaws and being slowed down by engine problems, this was a fine, relaxing and high quality trip. The Panama Canal transit, the Tikal excursion and the numerous relaxing sea days were the highlights. Food and service were generally very good.

The Crow's Nest is superb for sea viewing, and is never crowded during the day. The Ocean Bar is best for pre-dinner drinks - and getting to know people. The Java Cafe services latte's - rescuing one from the very bland regular coffee. The Rubens Lounge has good sight lines - but the entertainment is very mainstream and not flashy. Swimmers should head for the aft outdoor pool: salt water and never a crowd, unlike the more popular Lido pool. The Lido serves fine breakfast and lunch fare, and is a pleasant room with great sea views.

The Lido serves breakfast and dinner - good choices and good quality. Avoid the lines and try the main dining room - with a good chance of a window seat. Dinner in the main dining room is an experience, especially on formal nights. Dress up and make a real entrance into this spectacular two-story room. We found the menu varied and interesting. food quality was mostly good, but uneven on a few evenings

Best cabins ever: very roomy, bright, well decorated. We thought we had over packed, but still had closet and drawer space left over. The shower and bathroom were roomy, with enough counter and storage space. Large window. Very quiet. Excellent steward service: I came down with the flu for two days, and it was like having my own nurse!

The small band in the Ocean Bar was talented and consistent. The main house band played excellent "big band" numbers not often enough. The Rosario Strings play well, but like on all HAL ships, they seem to tune their instruments a little flat - anyone know why? Most of the featured entertainment was popular with most passengers, but of little interest to those of us whose tastes run to classical and jazz. The crew shows are not to be missed. The cruise staff was generally excellent; we are accidentally insulted by the cruise director one day, and his recovery was less than impressive.

Veendam is a great ship for walking off the calories, with a wrap around promenade with lots of sun and shade, as you prefer. Spa, pools, gym, lots of on board activity - or just sitting at a window looking for flying fish: you can do anything or nothing any time of the day or night, and quality seems excellent. Ports: Ocho Rios: disappointing; Aruba: fabulous beach and snorkel options; Panama Canal: wear a hat, carry a bottle of water and plan on staying outside as much as possible; stunning scenery is sandwiched between the most gigantic Meccano Set any little kid could ever imagine: the locks are toys for boys gone wild, and are endlessly fascinating; the Canal Authority provides a good narration. Guatemala: throw financial caution to the winds and book the Tikal excursion: getting to Tikal is very interesting, and the site itself is like seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time: all the pictures cannot prepare you for it. Lots of wildlife too. Hint: early May is at the tail end of the dry season - better than the wet in the jungle. Santa Cruz Huatulco: cancelled due to engine trouble slowing us down. Acapulco: get up before dawn and be on deck as the ship approaches Acapulco Bay: the city lights surround you on three sides, very pretty. See the cliff divers if there for the first time. Avoid the curo-selling hordes pier side:too aggressive for my tastes. Do not throw coins to the kids swimming beside the ship - it is very dangerous. Zihuatenejo: a delightful little town on a beautiful bay; Ixtapa, just north, has all the hotels and shops you can visit anywhere. Puerta Vallarta: take the sail/snorkel excursion. Los Angeles: what to do with a day in San Pedro? $15 gets you a tax to the excellent new Long Beach Aquarium, also a stone's throw from the Queen Mary. On return to San Pedro, stop into the Los Angeles maritime museum - free and more interesting than you might think. Finally, if you are really lucky, like we were, your ship will be four hours late getting to Vancouver. This means sailing in full daylight the hundred miles into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Haro Strait and the Strait of Georgia - glorious mountains and islands - before arriving at one of the world's most beautiful seaports. Be on deck and drink in the views. Plan on staying a few days in Vancouver and Victoria before returning home.

On this repositioning cruise, the crowd was older than usual, even by HAL standards. At age 50, I was among the youngest 20%! HAL does attract a more mature crowd, normally well-travelled, comfortably well off but not flashy with money. As on other cruises, we found several people with whom we became friendly, and with whom we swapped post-cruise photos and notes.