The
ms Volendamis another Holland America cruise liner to complete her Signature of Excellence enhancements, which focus on accommodations, service, dining, itinerary development and enrichment programs and activities. Examples include As You Wish dining for open seating, a new Culinary Arts Center program for kids, and the expansion of shore activities to include private touring options in port
The 61,396-ton, 781-ft long, 10-deck ms Volendam, built in 1999, is registered in the Netherlands and holds 1,440 passengers with plenty of breathing space. She has a 106-ft beam, travels at a maximum speed of 23 knots and carries an international crew of 647.
From May to September, she plies the Inside Passage on 7-day cruises, with land extensions to Denali National Park, the Yukon and Fairbanks. In the winter months, 10-day southern Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale are a staple, with stops at Holland America's private island of Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, the Netherlands Antilles and a combination of popular and less visited islands. Repositioning cruises operate in September and April via the Panama Canal to and from Alaska.
The ship's focal point is a three-deck oval atrium featuring a towering glass sculpture by Luciano Vistosi. Volendam'spredominant floral theme is found in grand paintings of huge flowers, fruits and still lifes scattered throughout the ship—an impressive collection dating from the 17th century to the present. Also prominently displayed are Capt. Stephen Card's historic paintings of Holland America's ships. Five lounges are offered: the Frans Hals show lounge presents both Las Vegas- and Broadway-style revues and various entertainment. The Wujang Theateris used for lectures, religious services and current films. Next door is the Java Cafe, offering espresso and wonderful cookies. The Erasmus Library adjoins the Half Moon and Hudson Room, which holds 115 people and offers audiovisual and card-playing facilities. The Skyroom is often used for Club Hal children's programming when kids are aboard. The casino is extremely popular in late evenings and offers blackjack, dice, stud- and draw-poker, roulette and slot machines. The Internet Center has eight terminals and a printer. Two pools can be found on the Lido Deck and tennis and volleyball courts are available. A running track is on Sports Deck above Lido Deck, and the wraparound Lower Promenade Deck has room enough for walking and for resting in traditional wooden deck chairs. The fitness center is fully equipped, forward-facing, and a joy for gym goers. The pampered enjoy dual saunas and steam rooms, six spa-treatment rooms and a juice bar. Aromatherapy massage, reflexology, facials, back-stress relief programs and slimming treatments are on the menu.
The main dining room is a two-deck, 747-seat affair, with a grand staircase and beautiful fiber-optic chandeliers. Meals here are efficiently served and nicely presented. The 88-seat Pinnacle Grillbrims with drawings and prints covering one wall from floor to ceiling and serves a steak, chicken and fish menu for an extra charge. The 386-seat Lido Restaurantserves an extensive buffet, providing a casual option for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is also the home of the late-day snack and the ice-cream bar, which provides treats and an extensive array of fixings. Room service, with over 25 items offered, all complimentary, is available round the clock.
There are 17 categories of staterooms among the 716 cabins, ranging from a 1,126-sq-ft penthouse suite to standard inside cabins with two lower beds convertible to queens, sofa beds, upper berths and shower-only baths. The 168 deluxe mini-suites with verandas are particularly spacious at 284 sq ft. 23 cabins spread throughout stateroom categories are equipped for the physically challenged.
Volendamis a beautifully designed vessel offering a sedate yet premium experience and excellent service.
