Cruise Talk: Holland America Returns to Bermuda

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Lines » Holland America Returns to Bermuda

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Topic: Holland America Returns to Bermuda

Slazy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4089

posted 08-30-2008 03:38 PM

Holland America has announced that they will begin service on the Veendam to Bermuda in August 2010 with 10 sailings and the line will offer a full season of sailings in 2011.

The following is from Seatrade Insider:
HAL announces New York-Bermuda service
30/08/2008
Beginning in 2010, Holland America Line will once again sail on regularly scheduled cruises between New York City and Bermuda. The line will call on both Hamilton and St. George’s, with overnight stays.

The 1,350-passenger Veendam is designated to sail in late August 2010 on the first of 10 round-trips, marking HAL’s return to New York as a homeport and to Bermuda as a destination.

HAL first visited Bermuda in 1926 when Veendam II, with capacity for approximately 500 passengers, left New York on the company’s maiden Caribbean cruise. During the summers of 1930 and 1931, Veendam II sailed five-day round-trips between New York and Bermuda.

HAL’s Rick Meadows, evp marketing, sales and guest programs, called Veendam ‘ideal’ for the upcoming program: ‘She is a premium mid-size ship, the perfect size to navigate the narrow entrances to the harbors in Hamilton and St. George’s.’ Passengers will be able to ashore into the center of each town.

Bermuda Premier Ewart Brown welcomed the new relationship with Holland America.

In addition to the 10 sailings between late August and October in 2010, the line will visit the island for a full season beginning in May the following year, with 20 or more departures anticipated.

[ 08-30-2008: Message edited by: Troy Jorgens ]

Posts: 14 | From: Ketchikan, Alaska | Registered: Aug 2003 | IP: Logged

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 08-30-2008 04:02 PM

This is great news!

I know a lot of people who will be very happy.

VEENDAM is a lovely ship and will be perfect for these cruises.

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 08-30-2008 09:07 PM

GREAT! My DD can't wait to sail on the Veendam to Bermuda - she loves to golf and has always wanted to go there. Hopefully my SIL & BIL will be at their winter home when we go so that she can golf at Mid Ocean with them.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 08-30-2008 09:59 PM

The second cruise I ever took was from NY to Bermuda on the STATENDAM. This was in the 70's. I remember being docked side by side in NY with ROTTERDAM, and wishing I was on her instead. ROTTERAM went to Nassau and Bermuda, and we only went to Bermuda. Anyway, it was a great trip. I was very young and remember seeing the movie Hair in STATENDAM's movie theater. It had a bit of nudity so it was a big deal for me. Strange the things you remember. Our cabin was down on C Deck and it was very close to the water line. For a while our cabin looked like a washing machine with the water rising above the porthole. I thought it was so cool. Then they came and closed the portholes up with deadlights. Suddenly we had an inside cabin for the rest of the trip back to NY.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

nycruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 960

posted 08-30-2008 11:57 PM

I am VERY happy. I like Holland and I love to have ships dock in Bermuda's small ports!

Posts: 665 | From: Westchester County, NY | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

LeBarryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 5308

posted 08-31-2008 10:10 AM

I am onboard the Eurodam currently, where they announced that HAL will be going to Bermuda. Rick Meadows announced it yesterday at a press conference on the ship as we cruise around the Atlantic. Bill Miller is onboard, so I will be meeting with him for another interview. Also interviewing the Captain in about 10 minutes and the Engineer as well.

HAL has also announced they will be spending about 200 million to refurbish the Statendam-class ships. They will be adding an amazing relaxing pool area different from what other ship pools are like. More details about this later as well as other modifications.

September 4h, my Eurodam presentation on Cruising Authority the talkshow will have excellent interviews you won't want to miss...be sure to tune in. cruisetalkshow.com

[ 09-02-2008: Message edited by: LeBarryboat ]

Posts: 1955 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Tim Agg
First Class Passenger
Member # 3185

posted 08-31-2008 08:40 PM

Bermuda on the Veendam out of NYC is a great combination - I look forward to booking!

Posts: 365 | From: Vancouver BC | Registered: Jul 2002 | IP: Logged

shipcafe
First Class Passenger
Member # 3959

posted 09-02-2008 02:52 AM

quote:
Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
I am onboard the Eurodam currently, where they announced that HAL will be going to Bermuda. Rick Meadows announced it yesterday at a press conference on the ship as we cruise around the Atlantic. Bill Miller is onboard, so I will be meeting with him for another interview. Also interviewing the Captain in about 10 minutes and the Engineer as well.
HAL has also announced they will be spending about 500 million to refurbish the Statendam-class ships. They will be adding an amazing relaxing pool area different from what other ship pools are like. More details about this later as well as other modifications.
September 4h, my Eurodam presentation on Cruising Authority the talkshow will have excellent interviews you won't want to miss...be sure to tune in. cruisetalkshow.com

Was also aboard for this short NY cruise. What were your thoughts on the ship? I have many photos to add and update to my existing Eurodam photologue on my site after this past weekend.

Posts: 314 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

shipcafe
First Class Passenger
Member # 3959

posted 09-02-2008 02:55 AM

I've never been to Bermuda and have heard this weekend how impressive it is to sail into St. Georges and Hamilton on a smaller ship like Veendam. I am looking forward to booking me and my family on this cruise for 2010.

Posts: 314 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

Thad
First Class Passenger
Member # 1224

posted 09-02-2008 11:16 AM

I think this is great news for both HAL back in NYC, and Bermuda especially. A great line sailing to a great location. My parents used to take us to Bermuda every year when I was a kid, and I fell in love with ships, watching the Statendam, Volendam and Veendam sailing into Hamilton Harbor. I wish HAL all the success with this, and think it is nice as it will be unique compared to the megaships out at the dockyard..

Posts: 1967 | From: Boston, MA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

LeBarryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 5308

posted 09-02-2008 11:18 AM

quote:
Originally posted by shipcafe:
Was also aboard for this short NY cruise. What were your thoughts on the ship? I have many photos to add and update to my existing Eurodam photologue on my site after this past weekend.

I didn't know you were onboard, too bad we didn't connect. I too took about 600 photos of Eurodam. My immediate thoughts are that she is a Vista-class very similar to Oosterdam and the others..however, I really liked the Asian restaurant and lounge...a nice addition to the vista-class. I did like the decor in the staterooms, especially the dark-smoked mirror behind the bed. The textured carpeting in the staterooms was a nice touch. I wasn't crazy about the Queen's Lounge, which I thought was too dark. Main Dinning room was very comfortable, however, very loud...I had a tough time hearing anyone speak at our table for eight. I really liked the decor and chairs in the Pinacle restaurant on Eurodam, better than Oosterdam. The cabanas were very interesting...another revenue-producing item, however, a nice touch to have a special deck area for those who want to enjoy a peaceful, relaxing, unintrusive private spot on deck. Production show in the main show lounge was a disapointment (in my opinion) others seemed to really enjoy it. My biggest problem with the production show was not the dancers or singers (they were great), but the fact that it was piped-in music, the choreography was just ok....it was a show I would have expected to see on ships 15 years ago, except for the extra bells and whistles built-in to the staging which was high-tech and well done. I would expect Holland America Line, with the demographics of their passengers, to have a much more classy show, rather than a somewhat cheesy show. I was expecting big band, live orchestra-stuff. I guess I'm spoiled after the Liberty of the Seas production shows which were truly spectacular across the board. Holland America truly does well with the small details...like the fruit basket in each stateroom with a menu asking which fruits you want each day, breakfast in the stateroom is awesome, waiters in the dining room are unobtrusive yet very efficient and attentive. I really like the great photos throughout the cooridors..hundreds of photos of HAL ships old and new, all with the chromatic look. I caught myself stopping often to gaze at these photos...my wife had to laugh, and was very patient with me. I'll have a full review later.

Posts: 1955 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Thad
First Class Passenger
Member # 1224

posted 09-03-2008 11:19 AM

Looks like the government is attempting to get a few other lines into Hamilton and St. George's as well. The (Bermuda) Royal Gazette reports that Bermuda is in discussions with Celebrity and MSC too for 2010. I wonder which ships this could be. I thought Hamilton's length limit was in the 750' range. The Century is 815', though the Azamara twins are obviously options. As for MSC, besides the Melody, the Lirica / Sinfonai / Armonia / Opera are all in the 825' - 830' range. In general, I think this would be a boon to the stores in Hamilton and St. George's, which is good news for the island, as it makes those two centers more attractive to visitors. I also like being able to see the ships sailing into and out of Hamilton from our balcony at the Newstead, so I am pleased by the news.

Posts: 1967 | From: Boston, MA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

nycruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 960

posted 09-08-2008 07:03 PM

Celebrity may put the Century on the NY to Bermuda run using Kings Wharf. I beleive they are building a 2nd pier at wharf.

Posts: 665 | From: Westchester County, NY | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Thad
First Class Passenger
Member # 1224

posted 12-19-2008 10:12 AM

So HAL announced today that the Veendam will be doing a full season in 2010 to Bermuda, starting in April rather than August. I am not 100% sure what she previously was scheduled to do from April to August of 2010. Was that the time scheduled for her big renovation? If so is this being postponed, scaled back or cancelled?

Posts: 1967 | From: Boston, MA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 12-19-2008 12:02 PM

quote:
Originally posted by nycruiser:
Celebrity may put the Century on the NY to Bermuda run using Kings Wharf. I beleive they are building a 2nd pier at wharf.

King's Warfe is away from everything. There is a nice museum and fortress there.

I am sure Celebrity and other cruise lines will overcharge for a bus ride to Hamilton.

Can't wait for the *.dam to call on Hamilton. Big screen TV can wait another year.

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Thad
First Class Passenger
Member # 1224

posted 12-19-2008 12:36 PM

Actually the ferry into Hamilton from Dockyard is now a quick nice trip and is maybe $4.00. Bermuda has upgraded their ferry system, and the newer "fast" ferries are really nice. You can even sail from Dockyard to St. George's now, which is a beautiful way to see the north shore of the island, and get to sail into the Town Cut.

Posts: 1967 | From: Boston, MA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 12-19-2008 12:39 PM

I think she was going to do Europe cruises April-August.

The major refit is much sooner, in spring 2009, and is still on as far as I know. (VEDM will be the first of the five ships to get it.)

Given the state of the economy this is not a surprising move at all as people will want closer-to-home/less-expensive cruises.

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

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