Holland America Line - ms Volendam
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I have just had the opportunity to have a ship inspection of Holland America Line’s 5 star luxury cruise ship the ms Volendam in Melbourne on 15 March 2012.
General characteristics:
- Length 238 metres
- Decks 10
- Speed 23 knots (43 km/h)
- Capacity 1,432 passengers
- Crew 647
On entering the ship we were escorted into a central atrium where you were able to view 3 deck levels and gain access by a central stairway or elevators. The ship has a pleasant feel and very quickly you get used to the luxury feel and elegant areas and staterooms. There are a range of shops and duty free outlets on board, which open 1 hour after the ship sets sail. This is the same with the on-board casino. To use the casino you will be given a key card and you will then settle your account, or collect your winnings at the end of the cruise.
The staterooms are all very light and spacious and offer interior, ocean view, veranda suites and deluxe veranda suites.
The lead in category of inside stateroom still offers guests a very comfortable and roomy cruising accommodation:
2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed and shower. Plus a seating and work area and bathroom.
Stateroom amenities include:
- Luxurious beds featuring Sealy® Premium Euro-Top mattresses and finely woven cotton linens
- Deluxe waffle weave and terry cloth bathrobes for use during your voyage
- 100% Egyptian cotton towels
- Premium massage showerheads
- 5X magnifying make-up mirrors and salon-quality hair dryers
- Fragrant soaps, lotions, shampoo and other bath amenities from Elemis Aromapure
- Complimentary fresh fruit on request
- Elegant ice bucket and serving tray for in-stateroom beverages
- Flat-panel TV and DVD player
- Ice service, shoeshine service and nightly turndown service
On board also you are spoilt for choice with the range of restaurants, café and bars catering to every taste and choice. The Rotterdam Dining Room offers a two level elegant dining experience with accompanied mini orchestra pit to entertain diners. With two general settings at 6.30pm and 8.30pm for those that have chosen set time dinning which allows pre show meals to be taken before the entertainment starts at 8pm and 10pm daily. The shows on board are varied and include a number of Broadway style shows. If after dinner you want to relax then head to one of the bars. The Sports Bar for a drink and to catch the latest game, the Ocean Bar for cocktails and dancing, the very popular Piano Bar for guitar and piano entertainment or the Crow’s nest for be entertained by the on-board DJ, or head to the Explorer’s Lounge for coffees, cognacs & Classics.
If you get peckish during the cruise then head to one of the many eateries: the Exploration Café where you can have a lovely snack and a speciality coffee and if you are having so much fun you can visit the future cruise desk. Here the on-board consultant will advise you on the range of cruises and options available around the world with Holland America Lines. You can pay a $200 deposit on a future cruise and only available on board you will receive special benefits for doing so. This is such a great incentive to take advantage of special on-board credits and other benefits for such a small outlay, and the best part is that if you don’t know which cruise or when you have up to 4 years to use your future cruise deposit.
If you fancy a really delightful dining experience then maybe once or twice during the cruise you might want to eat at the speciality premium dining venue the Pinnacle Grill. For just a surcharge of $10 for lunch and $25 for dinner (bookings essential) you will receive around $150 value fine dining experience, for around an additional $10 you can also take advantage of special fine wine pairings. At certain times in the cruise the Pinnacle Grill hosts a Cirque Dining nights for 439 and this is a not to be missed experience based around the menu and feel of the famous NY restaurant. The Pinnacle Grill seats 82 guests.
If you have kids then they are taken care of in Club HAL and this caters to 3 age ranges from 3 up to 17. These clubs have dedicated areas for the kids to meet and become friends with kids their own age. The Oasis area is a great and fun place for them to hang out and be entertained to their hearts content.
If you need tech help whilst away, then the cruise offers a dedicated Microsoft lab where expert techies can advise and help on a whole range of programmes. Learn how to edit photos and videos, download photos from your camera to an online photo sharing service, learn Adobe Photoshop or get help with your own laptop issues. All for free.
Recap and more entertainment and dining options:
- Rotterdam Dining Room: features impeccable service and an extensive wine list. Five-course menus include continental cuisine, vegetarian and low-carb options
- Pinnacle Grill: This intimate reservations-only venue offers an elegant, sophisticated dining experience. Featuring premium Sterling Silver beef, inspired seafood dishes and many select wines rated "Excellent" by Wine Spectator - as well as distinctive Bvlgari® china, Riedel® stemware and Frette® linens
- Lido Restaurant: offers a relaxed ambiance for all three meals and features a variety of fresh, cooked-to-order specialties
- The Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine: our state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen offering interactive gourmet cooking lessons taught by our own Master Chefs or culinary guests
- Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times: a comfortable, coffee house environment where you can browse through an extensive library, surf the Internet and check email or simply read the morning paper.
- Greenhouse Spa & Salon: features heavenly beauty and wellness rituals. Enjoy a facial, hot stone massage, steam in a thermal suite and have your hair and nails done for a special evening.
- Frans Hals Show Lounge: features talented vocalists, dancers, illusionists, comedians and variety acts Crow's Nest: offers sweeping 270° views during the day, and a hip, fashionable nightclub each evening
- Club HAL®: our dedicated youth facilities and activities for kids ages 3 - 12; activities are supervised and age appropriate
- The Loft and The Oasis: designed exclusively for teens (13 - 17) to have fun, socialize and hang out with people their own age
Holland America Line’s cruises really do have something for everyone and with sailing out of Australia; it really offers a 5 star cruising experience at an affordable price and with some great itineraries. Starting at 14 days with Cruises Australia & New Zealand or vice versa, a special one off Solar Eclipse cruise scheduled for 7 Nov 12 and also a Pacific Treasures cruise from 10 – 14 days visiting New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji. There is also a 34 day circumnavigation of Australia cruise on 21 October 12, showcasing the absolute best of Australia and also visiting Lombok in Indonesia.
If you want more then there are options to combine and NZ cruise with the Pacific treasures or the Solar Eclipse cruise with around 27 days of blissful indulgent cruising. Also there are a couple of options to cruise from Sydney to Vancouver/ Los Angeles/Seattle or the other way round and these cruise provide an opportunity to cruise one way and experience Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia and Tonga.
There are a range of shore excursions available in all destinations and these cater for all guests needs.