Will never sail with Holland America again!!

Item: Veendam
Rating: 2
Author: vbarditzky

Veendam Cruise Review to Canada, New England, New York

vbarditzky

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 36

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

14 Night New England & Canada Discovery (Boston Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 27, 2017

Ship: Veendam

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 111

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

The destinations were all wonderful and well worth seeing (except for one) and the bulk of the staff worked extremely hard and were helpful and accommodating, BUT the corporation let them all down. I paid extra for a Verandah that due to maintenance issues could barely be used --- front desk staff were not helpful in fixing problems. So, although the places we visited and the staff were all lovely, I was very disappointed with the lack of response to a number of situations, too numerous to mention --- but I will be writing a formal letter of complaint to Holland America and although I have cruised with them before, I would never cruise with them again!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

I'm a vegetarian there was only one option every night at dinner, so if I didn't like that option I would order a couple of starters - very disappointing.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Ranged from brilliant to very poor! So hard to discuss, some of the acts were fabulous and some of the music (piano bar) and some shows (Doom) were so far below par it was again, disappointing.......

Entertainment

3 out of 5

See above, some acts excellent and others very poor indeed.......................

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Would have been a smiley face IF we could have used the Verandah, painted and maintained twice during our stay and so couldn't use and then the following days reeked of paint - so four of the seven days we couldn't use the verandah

Ship tip

Do not sail on this ship - very tired and old looking, cabins extremely small, all in all, not a happy experience.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Boston, Massachusetts

5 out of 5

Trolley ride gave a good experience of the city.

Thumbs Up 6

Quebec City, Quebec Did not visit port

Take the funicular to the top and the Hotel Frontenac, stunning views - a GREAT city.

Thumbs Up 0

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Did not visit port

Anne of Green Gables well worth a visit.

Thumbs Up 0

Halifax, Nova Scotia

5 out of 5

Bar Harbor, Maine

5 out of 5

3 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

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szcondon1 7 years ago

There are vegan cruises. The one on Holland is coming up 7/1-8 Montreal to Boston. Perhaps since you are vegetarian, you might want to consider working with vegan cruise planners because then you can get amazing food.

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barbara0811 7 years ago

corporate told us this ship was completly remoled less then 2yrs ago...we r booked on this ship for 49dys..oct. 20th from ft. lauderdale back 2 ft lauderdale..anyone out there also bookec on this cruise?

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Other reviews of this sailing

The most disappointing vacation we have experienced. A complete waste of money.