How to Choose a Cabin on Holland America’s MS Veendam
Holland America’s MS Veendam has seven cabin categories, but even in the interior cabins, the standards are high: While there are no mini-refrigerators, you’ll have a flat-screen TV and DVD player, and a long list of movies to choose from. In the bathrooms, Egyptian cotton towels, waffle-weave robes, massage shower heads, and dispensers of Elemis® body wash, shampoo, and conditioner give a feeling of luxury. You also get a fruit basket. Beyond these “basics” — many of which are not so basic on other lines — there are plenty of differences. Here’s our take on all seven cabin categories:
Photo by Lisa Cheng
Interior
Cabin Shown: 560
Best for: The no-frills traveler.
What You Get: Many cruise ships’ interior cabins not only skimp on windows, but also on living space. That’s not the case here: These cabins have a sitting room and bedroom — separated by a gauzy curtain — with a vanity, stool, and love seat.
Photo by Lisa Cheng
Ocean-View
Cabin Shown: 720
Best for: View seekers who need a budget-friendly price.
What You Get: Nearly identical to interiors, these cabins offer more space, a bathtub, and an exterior view. Don’t worry about inadvertently booking a room looking out onto a lifeboat: The deck plan clearly indicates what view you’re in for: porthole, partial, or full.
Photo by Lisa Cheng
Lanai
Cabin Shown: 328
Best for: Those who need outdoor space — but don’t mind sharing.
What You Get: These suites offer deck space at a wallet-friendly price. They’re located on the lower Promenade deck, and though they don’t have a private balcony, they include access to a public promenade that wraps around the ship. In the morning, you may see walkers whiz by your window or workers repairing lifeboats, but they can’t see you: The sliding glass door is a one-way mirror.
Photo by Lisa Cheng
Verandah Spa
Cabin Shown: 109
Best for: Spagoers in search of a Zenlike retreat.
What You Get: These rooms were designed for the wellness set. They’re equipped with yoga mats, iPod® docking stations, mineral water, pedometers, and countertop water fountains. The cabins offer proximity to the Greenhouse Spa, but unlike their counterparts on other cruise lines, they don’t include complimentary access to the thermal suite. Passengers can, however, book discounted packages and treatments available only to them.
Photo by Lisa Cheng
Vista Suite
Cabin Shown: 122
Best for: Cruisers who are into perks and privacy.
What You Get: On larger, newer ships, private verandas may be a dime a dozen, but on the MS Veendam, that amenity is a scarcer commodity. These staterooms span 283 square feet, and perks include a mini-refrigerator, personalized stationery, a whirlpool tub, and a choice of hypoallergenic pillows.
Photo by Lisa Cheng
Neptune Suite
Cabin Shown: 004
Best for: Passengers who need extra attention.
What You Get: These concierge-level suites provide access to a private lounge and a number of other amenities that justify their price tag. They offer a bottle of sparkling wine, VIP embarkation and disembarkation, free laundry and pressing, and boutonnieres and corsages for the first formal night. The rooms measure 575 square feet, including a generous veranda; they also come with a whirlpool tub, binoculars, umbrellas, and tea service.
Photo by Lisa Cheng
Pinnacle Suite
Cabin Shown: 001
Best for: Passengers who expect the best.
What You Get: The sole Pinnacle Suite has all the benefits of the Neptune Suites, plus a pantry, a palatial master bathroom — and a second guest bathroom — and Dutch artwork that decorates the sprawling living and dining space. The suite sleeps up to four in a king-size bed in the bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room.
Elemis is a registered trademark of Elemis Ltd. and its affiliates.
iPod is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Join the discussion
Which cabin category do you like best on this ship?
1 Comment
Posted by peggyjohnson
after you are booked, how do you find out your room number. It shows stateroom VQ