Stepping aboard Zaandam during her inaugural season, it felt like I was in some throwback to a grand ocean liner, but built for modern times. Back then Holland America still had the white gloved stewards standing in a line at the embarkation foyer to escort passengers to their cabins! Those 1990's/early 2000's S & R class HAL ships felt downright posh. To an elevated degree I hadn't seen aboard Princess & Royal Caribbean. Everything was sumptuous, comfortable, formal, yet inviting. If that makes sense. Zaandam originally had a lot of orange, pink, purple, & teal in her interiors. Loved every minute aboard my HAL cruises during that era. Then with the introduction of Zuiderdam that's when things(service, dining, ship experience) started to ever so slightly shift to a less favorable direction. Thank you for your detailed descriptions & knowledge Peter Knego!
Thank you so much. I agree with all you say. My biggest problem with the Compass ships was their awful dining rooms. Such a disappointment after the S and R class and so noisy! The HAL ships had a unique style and of course, the art collections, even if the works weren't necessarily to one's particular taste, were impressive and so numerous. I hope to sail in VOLENDAM and/or ZAANDAM again before they are gone, althogh I am told HAL plans to keep them around for a while. The VOLENDAM was really spotless and lived up to the old Holland America Line standards in that way. Again, thanks for posting.
Hi Peter! Thank you very much. Great video! I sailed with the sister ship, the Zaandam 10 years ago. From Buenos Aires to Valparaiso. First time in South America. It was rough weather in the south, and also very beautiful. Must go back some day.
Peter, magnificent tour! Thank you for your excellent production and well-chosen music. Now I am literally going to book a cruise on the Volendam today. Much appreciation for an outstanding - and convincing! - tour.
Thank you for the tour. Hubby and I are looking forward to our Boston to Montreal this summer. Our first ocean-going cruise. Last summer, we did the St. Lawrence Cruise Lines Ottawa to Kingston River cruise (Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers), on board the 70 passenger Canadian Empress.
Hope you have a grea time! Love these two ships more and more for their size and those perfect promenades. Wonderful on the EMPRESS. Hope to sail in her one day. Thanks for posting.
I really enjoyed this tour Peter. She looks like total class to me. And I like the black and white photograph of the volume down which used to be one of the original Moore McCormick line ship. That was a nice throwback. If I had the money I would certainly be sailing on this one. The interiors are really beautiful. Thank you for the visit on the ship an excellent video.
What fantastic documentation of this wonderful ship. I sailed on her back in the early 2000s the refit really becomes her. Although I have good memories of the eclectic previous interior. Peter, thank you for all you do.
Geoffrey, thank you so much for extremely kind message. Its been murder trying to grow my channel but getting comments like yours gives me much hope and inspiration. Thanks again. :)
I'm doing the 24 day, Boston Greenland Iceland trip July / August. We did a Panama cruise this past January on sister ship Zaandam. I love the smaller ships.
Wonderful tour... Makes me want to sail her even more... Though it seems like there is the same carpeting throughout?? Cant wait to book on her and Zaandam.. they look perfectly delightful.. Crows Nest..looks to be a favorite spot.. Thanks for putting this together..
Hi Peter. I am sure you can remember the elder Volendam and Veendam that used to sail from Miami during the 1970's and early 80's. (The old livery with the orange stacks) I just remember seeing them sail from Miami way back when, when I was a kid, when we visited the port. They used to berth at the end of the port where the new RCI building sits now.
It was fun to see Volendam here in Vancouver doing the Alaska run this past summer. Definitely no worries about her fitting under the Lion's Gate bridge! 🌉
The Crows next brings back a lot of memories. Spent half my trip in Alaska up there… my only wish is I wish the rest of the ship was as bright and beautiful as that space. The atrium was just too dark in my opinion :(
Thanks, Sam! I like the atrium centerpiece and its overall shape but understand what you mean. The Crow's Nest on all these ships were/are such great spaces.
@@midshipcinema we were docked on the north side of the B street pier...i can send you a few photos of the nansen and on board if you want, i buy brochures from you :0)
Thanks, Sam. It's been a while since I've sailed with Disney but think the MAGIC and WONDER are beauties, at least externally. If Disney were interested in more than just influencers covering their ships, I'd be open to it. :)
Thank you Peter for your amazing video. Truly an amazing ship. I hate the modern cruise ships which are nothing more than floating hotels with a theme park bolted on. Totally aesthetically bankrupt. The difference between Rome and Las Vagas.
Be careful in catching COVID, for it's alive and well ... Wife and I caught full blown COVID-19 third day on cruise.. Sure uncomfortable Hell!! Room 1877 .. Maybe from previous guest... Without a doubt, we left room 1877 with the COVID virus !!! Please Stay Safe and forget taking a cruise !!!!
Everyone should be careful, of course but you have more of a chance catching Covid on the airplane or at the airport on your way to a cruise than the cruise itself. Get vaccinated, wear a mask, take care of yourself and take a cruise.
Stepping aboard Zaandam during her inaugural season, it felt like I was in some throwback to a grand ocean liner, but built for modern times. Back then Holland America still had the white gloved stewards standing in a line at the embarkation foyer to escort passengers to their cabins! Those 1990's/early 2000's S & R class HAL ships felt downright posh. To an elevated degree I hadn't seen aboard Princess & Royal Caribbean. Everything was sumptuous, comfortable, formal, yet inviting. If that makes sense. Zaandam originally had a lot of orange, pink, purple, & teal in her interiors. Loved every minute aboard my HAL cruises during that era. Then with the introduction of Zuiderdam that's when things(service, dining, ship experience) started to ever so slightly shift to a less favorable direction. Thank you for your detailed descriptions & knowledge Peter Knego!
Thank you so much. I agree with all you say. My biggest problem with the Compass ships was their awful dining rooms. Such a disappointment after the S and R class and so noisy! The HAL ships had a unique style and of course, the art collections, even if the works weren't necessarily to one's particular taste, were impressive and so numerous. I hope to sail in VOLENDAM and/or ZAANDAM again before they are gone, althogh I am told HAL plans to keep them around for a while. The VOLENDAM was really spotless and lived up to the old Holland America Line standards in that way. Again, thanks for posting.
July 2024, New England, Boston to Montreal. 7 day. This ship while older is a classic lady. The food, staff and service are unmatched!
Unbelievable but this ship looks like a classical beauty next to the modern ships 😃 thanks for this video, Peter. I enjoyed it.
Thanks so much for watching, Frank! :)
Hi Peter!
Thank you very much. Great video!
I sailed with the sister ship, the Zaandam 10 years ago. From Buenos Aires to Valparaiso. First time in South America. It was rough weather in the south, and also very beautiful.
Must go back some day.
Ideal ship and intriguing itinerary. Hope to do something similar one day. Thanks so much.
Best cruise ship tour ever! I love that you include history and art.
Thanks so much, Nancy! I try to make them comprehensive and tell the whole story. Appreciate your watching and commenting. :)
Peter, magnificent tour! Thank you for your excellent production and well-chosen music. Now I am literally going to book a cruise on the Volendam today. Much appreciation for an outstanding - and convincing! - tour.
Oh, that is so wonderful of you to let me know. Hope you have a fantastic time on board. I really like those two remaining HAL classics. :)
Always a treat PK, love the older ships!
Thank you! So appreciate your watching. :)
Thank you for the tour. Hubby and I are looking forward to our Boston to Montreal this summer. Our first ocean-going cruise. Last summer, we did the St. Lawrence Cruise Lines Ottawa to Kingston River cruise (Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers), on board the 70 passenger Canadian Empress.
Hope you have a grea time! Love these two ships more and more for their size and those perfect promenades. Wonderful on the EMPRESS. Hope to sail in her one day. Thanks for posting.
Thank you for posting this video. You answered several of my questions.
Excellent! Thank you for watching. :)
I really enjoyed this tour Peter. She looks like total class to me. And I like the black and white photograph of the volume down which used to be one of the original Moore McCormick line ship. That was a nice throwback. If I had the money I would certainly be sailing on this one. The interiors are really beautiful. Thank you for the visit on the ship an excellent video.
Thanks so much Mrs. Linarcos! I'm so glad you enjoyed this tour. She is quite a beauty and more special now than ever with most of her sisters gone.
What a fantastic tour and ship that is. Thanks for sharing these amazing footages.
Much appreciated, Daniele. So glad you enjoyed it! :)
This is one of the best ship tour I have seen. I especially enjoyed the art descriptions. Very nice indeed. Thank you.
Merci, Francois! I so appreciate that. Please share with anyone you think might enjoy it. :)
I really enjoyed this Peter.
Thanks so much, Chris! Always happy when you watch these videos. And I enjoyed your QUEEN ANNE previews and shipyard clips. :)
Excellent tour!!
Thanks so much! :)
What fantastic documentation of this wonderful ship. I sailed on her back in the early 2000s the refit really becomes her. Although I have good memories of the eclectic previous interior. Peter, thank you for all you do.
Geoffrey, thank you so much for extremely kind message. Its been murder trying to grow my channel but getting comments like yours gives me much hope and inspiration. Thanks again. :)
Thanks for the great video and narrative. Will be on her in Aug from Montreal to Boston. Can't wait!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting, Norbert. Hope you have a fantastic time.
@@midshipcinema Hi Peter, wonder if the lounge chaises on deck 3 lower promenade deck not directly outside the Lanai cabins are for public use?
@@norberteng9496 Yes, I was told they are for public use, just as long as there is not a reserved sign on or near them. :)
I'm doing the 24 day, Boston Greenland Iceland trip July / August. We did a Panama cruise this past January on sister ship Zaandam. I love the smaller ships.
So much nicer than todays ships.
In many ways, yes. The promenades and observation lounge, especially.
Wonderful tour... Makes me want to sail her even more... Though it seems like there is the same carpeting throughout?? Cant wait to book on her and Zaandam.. they look perfectly delightful.. Crows Nest..looks to be a favorite spot.. Thanks for putting this together..
Thanks so much for watching and commenting, Sea Travelr. Hope you enjoy a cruise in VOLENDAM or ZAANDAM soon. :)
Hi Peter. I am sure you can remember the elder Volendam and Veendam that used to sail from Miami during the 1970's and early 80's. (The old livery with the orange stacks) I just remember seeing them sail from Miami way back when, when I was a kid, when we visited the port. They used to berth at the end of the port where the new RCI building sits now.
I knew them both well in their later guises. Great American built ships that had many careers between them. :)
Thank you Peter
Thank you, Ben! :)
It was fun to see Volendam here in Vancouver doing the Alaska run this past summer. Definitely no worries about her fitting under the Lion's Gate bridge! 🌉
She's perfect for Alaska with that promenade deck. Thanks for watching and commenting. :)
OMG What a Video! Thank You!
Thank you, William. I'm so glad people are starting to discover it. :)
well done!
Thank you. :)
The Crows next brings back a lot of memories. Spent half my trip in Alaska up there… my only wish is I wish the rest of the ship was as bright and beautiful as that space. The atrium was just too dark in my opinion :(
Thanks, Sam! I like the atrium centerpiece and its overall shape but understand what you mean. The Crow's Nest on all these ships were/are such great spaces.
We Are So Much Looking Forward To Out B2B On The HAL Volendam In 2025. Thank You So Much For Creating And Sharing Your Informative Video
So glad you found it useful and I hope you have a great time! :)
you were there the same day we were...we just got off a norwegian expedition ship, fridtjof nansen from vancouver :0)
Where were you guys berthed? I would have definitely taken some footage if the NANSEN was near the Embardadero in San Diego.
@@midshipcinema we were docked on the north side of the B street pier...i can send you a few photos of the nansen and on board if you want, i buy brochures from you :0)
Would love if you did a video on the classic Disney ships - Magic or Wonder. Curious to hear your thoughts/opinions on them.
Thanks, Sam. It's been a while since I've sailed with Disney but think the MAGIC and WONDER are beauties, at least externally. If Disney were interested in more than just influencers covering their ships, I'd be open to it. :)
We will be on her in July for NE, Canada, Greenland and Iceland
Hoep you have a great time! :)
The R class the last liners left in the fleet of carnival class monstrosities!
Thanks for watching. :)
Thank you Peter for your amazing video. Truly an amazing ship. I hate the modern cruise ships which are nothing more than floating hotels with a theme park bolted on. Totally aesthetically bankrupt. The difference between Rome and Las Vagas.
Thank you for watching and appreciating. On the big modern ships, I agree but there is always Viking or Oceania as an alternative, budget permitting.
Be careful in catching COVID, for it's alive and well ... Wife and I caught full blown COVID-19 third day on cruise.. Sure uncomfortable Hell!! Room 1877 .. Maybe from previous guest... Without a doubt, we left room 1877 with the COVID virus !!! Please Stay Safe and forget taking a cruise !!!!
Everyone should be careful, of course but you have more of a chance catching Covid on the airplane or at the airport on your way to a cruise than the cruise itself. Get vaccinated, wear a mask, take care of yourself and take a cruise.