HAL Volendam

The thing that really struck me about Volendam is the large numbers of sitting areas aboard.

Even at meal time, hundreds of tables around the deck areas are set for dining as well as those of course in the buffets and dining rooms. If tables are hard to come by on other ships (and often they are), it seems passengers have little difficulty finding one even after they've filled their plates!

Reading rooms, cocktail lounges, lazy 'just sit around' areas and more, seemed to flow one onto the other.

Volendam is a mid-sized ship though by today's standards could easily now be described a small ship. Her intimacy and crews' attention to detail supports that all the more.

Her decor is mild (not too Gaudi) but shows all the signature refinements that HAL is famous for across their fleet.

Her atrium is small and doesn't have the same gloryness about it as some of her sister ships, but moving through these areas to the casino, shops, photo shop etc was a breeze. It's a ship that I feel would be very difficult getting lost on.

Staterooms were quite roomy and the deluxe verandah suite took the prize on the day. It was very spaceous and exceptionally well appointed (even having it's own concierge and private lounge with drinks and nibbles)

Standard ocean view staterooms were pretty well as to be expected. Still roomy but comparable to those on many ships. Inside rooms were identical to outsiders, minus the window/port hole.

Each stateroom was well equipped including having flat screen TV's in each.

Food aboard was pleasant, fresh; served warm to hot in a very timely fashion. Presentation was excellent and it was interesting to view my first culinary room (cooking school) on board a ship. It was great!

The only downside (if this really is a downside) is her limited areas that had ocean or panaramic views. I'm comparing her to larger ships, and probably those sheeted with glass everywhere giving that wide-open feel. I didn't fell that aboard Volendam. She seemed to be 'tighter', a little crampy in areas but that said, those areas were quite big in reality.

KIDS: At first thought, I doubted she was ideal for children and teens. I didn't feel there were enough 'child-friendly' areas, that is until I visited the childrens facilities and teen club toward the end of the inpspection. I stand corrected. It was sensational. A strictly NO ADULTS allowed!

Overall, I found Volendam impressive and had a lot of character. Ideal for a good number of cruise passenger types.

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Stay tuned for MSC Classical ships (Suez Canal) coming soon!

Editor - Cruisescene