Volendam questions.

B

Big Dog

Guest
Hello all:

Through some kind of awesome luck (who knows..maybe clean living :) ) my wife and I convinced her employer to approve a vacation request (previously denied) for the 2 of us to go on our first cruise on the Volendam to celebrate our 10th anniversary.

We will be 39/35 years old at the time of our cruise in December..and are very excited about going. It's funny, our TA encouraged us not to sail this ship because of what she considered to be a demographics issue. She suggested a 10 day southern carribean cruise in early December will attract ...HAL's 'traditional' cruiser. Actually I think we are going to love an older more reserved experience than a party all night kind of thing...but I digress.

I have been reading here for months, and I think you all are a wonderful group, sharing ideas, opinions etc. I was hoping to get some answers to some specific questions from people who have sailed the Volendam:


1. What is the current charge for internet usage on the ship?
2. Do you think the upcharge for the Pinnacle is worth it?
3. How did you tip? (We certainly are planning on tipping, but I have read some
people tip bar servers as they go, some tip waiters and stewards up front, etc.) I
was just wondering what you did, and how it worked for you.
4. We have booked an 'A' cabin, but does anyone think I should book a suite
instead? (We are not the wealthiest people, but I could probably save up and
afford it)
5. Two very good friends are joining us on this cruise, but are on a very tight
budget...if we upgraded to a suite, would taking advantage of the suite privelages
(as I understand them) mean a lot of seperation from our friends? (I don't want
them to feel bad)
6. Although we are not 'party' people, and enjoy friendships with many people
younger and older than we are (heck...age is a state of mind!) do you think it will
be an obvious or (more importantly) a troublesome distinction?
7. Lastly...if you are going on this sailing (Dec. 1) please have a toast with us on the
4th...celebrating 10 years of absolute bliss! (Who would have thought I guy like me
could be so stinkin lucky!)


THANK YOU so much (in advance) to your responses and answers!!
 
S

sail7seas

Guest
I'll try to remember all your questions.

You will more apt to have fewer young families on an early December ten day cruise than a holiday cruise/school vacation. Most families do not take their children out of school for vacations, so you probably will find more middle agers.

An "A" cabin is very comfortable but cannot compare to an "S" which is very much larger, has a huge balcony and a wonderful dressing room with an extra sink in the vanity. Very handy when dressing for dinner. Volendam does not (yet) have a Neptune Lounge so that would not be an issue in regards to your friends not being able to take advantage of Suite amenities.

As a suite pax, there are many extras which have been detailed here. The things that would effect your interaction with your friends would be Cocktail party, Suite Brunch/lunch, priority embarkation and disembarkation and priority tender passes. These are wonderful amenities and make your cruise that much more comfortable. But they would not include your friends. There are other extras but they would have no impact on your friends.

Pinnacle is wonderful and IMO worth far more than the nominal $20 charge. We enjoyed three wonderful dinners there and felt it was worth way more.

It is our habit to tip bartenders/bar stewards by placing a gratuity and a note into an envelope and giving it to them on the last evening of the cruise. Some people "tip as they go" in regard to bar servers. Those tips are in cash as you cannot add a gratuity to a bar tab on HAL....and we like it that way.

Hope I answered most of the :? :?
 
A

ANSAlberg

Guest
The Volendam is a LOVELY ship and I am ABSOLUTELY sure you will enjoy it if you are looking for a "Classy experience!"
You said you aren't THAT wealthy but you could save up; I'd say "Don't bother" The midpriced cabins with balconies are LOVELY and the amenities almost the same; same enough for a great vacation [ Happy Anniversary BTW]
It is, in general, the custom to tip on the last night -ESPECIALLY the bar peoople and diningroom folks! I like this custom BECAUSE it gives you a wonderful chance to give a VERBAL "Thank you -you made our cruise so special" . I usually bring notecards from home but envelopes are available as well the last day in the area of trhepursers desk. OUr usual hang-out for sailaways and pre dinner is the Crow's Nest forward -So we see the SAME guys [ and gal ] up there -And they are SPECIAL; Gani, Tricia, and two other neat guys I've forgotten were there in November.
I wouldn't worry about those "demographics" -there will be young people on your cruise -but maybe not in the sheer numbers as on -for example -Carnival. Carnival does a TERRIFIC cruise, But HAL is our VERY favorite for that special feeling!
Anne:daisy:usa:CO
 
B

bOB

Guest
Internet cafe charges are 75¢ a minute, or you can buy time in blocks
and get as low as 45¢ a minute, also if you have your own laptop and
an 802 wireless card you can use their access points in the atrium area
for about a dime a minute more than the cafe (which does not have an
access point).
I would at least consider upgrading to a mini veranda since it is an
anniversary cruise for you. The mini's do not have the amenities of the
"S" suites but you enjoy a little more room and of course the veranda.
We were just on the VODM three weeks ago. The pinnacle is located in
the former Marco Polo and yes is worth every penny of the $20, we ate
there three times and without a doubt, there was no doubt, do it at least
once.
Don't worry about the age demographics, better duck, them old suckers
will run over you with their walkers............
Actually, in the Caribbean I wouldn't worry about it, we were in Alaska and
found the average age is creeping down on HAL somewhat, the disco was
even rocking on our Alaska cruise.
 
B

Big Dog

Guest
Thank you for all of your responses. As it turns out the Suites are now 'closed' so that makes one decision for us. :)

I am anticipating a great experience on HAL for our first cruise!


*****
 
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