EMBARKATION DAY | HOLLAND AMERICA VOLENDAM

[@kathleenperez2650]

Reminds me of when I watched the Love boat as a kid in the 70s and 80s! Small and sweet 😊

[@DaveBrandysExcursionsTravel]

Well played with the guessing game! WE just love the charm of the older ships :) Have a great cruise!

[@clarencemarquez8134]

Hey Sharon, Jaime, Matthew and Kayla, wishing all of you the very best Cruise experience. HAVE FUN! Food, fun, drink, laugh and smile as much as possible!! Thanks so much for your hard work in keeping the CRUISE FAMILY informed. BONVOAGE!!!! 😎⛹️‍♀️🚴‍♂️🤸‍♂️

[@lindsaykousgaard555]

First interior ever! Wow 😂 Have fun!!

[@johnchojnowski3951]

Love that Jaime has the time to do more videos . I hope his boss will give him the time to do more videos . Jaime does atop notch job on his videos. Love his wit and narration we love Ncl ! Sailing out of nyc on March 7 . 10 days to the Caribbean . Booked our favorite cabin . The forward facing penthouse. Love your work .

[@ScreamieBirds]

Loved the Volendam! Our biggest ship at that time - lol! Our first mini-suite.

[@christinav3619]

That is a really nice cabin! But a small dam ship! I love the itinerary too!

[@Maggatoota]

We were blessed to be invited to the Captain’s table for dinner on a Holland America ship. The most shocking thing the Captain told us was that the “inside cabin” is the best kept secret. You get the best sleep in the quietest room. He was amazed at what people will pay to have a room that they are barely in.

[@denniscostabile4264]

July 2024 Boston to Montreal, New England cruise.. This ship is a classic fine hotel, with service and luxury at every turn. Best meal is the Dive IN burger during the day. Had steak most days, so by the time I ate at the Pinnacle Grill, I wanted seafood.

[@timothywalters4149]

west coast cruise from Vancouver.... Nice!!!!!

[@michellebowen4317]

Wow!! 1st interior EVER???😮

[@paulhill2012]

We Cruised from Singapore to Hong Kong with many ports in between about 10 years ago. Lovely Ship, perfect experience. A classy ship and we met a bunch of fun fellow cruisers along the journey.

[@c.christman9649]

We love Holland America! We have cruised many different cruise lines in the last 20 years and have found them to be always excellent in everything! Thank you for reviewing the Volendam! Gotta love the smaller ships and no crowds!

[@gtjgtj8334]

Always wanted to sail on these ships especially the lanai rooms. Can't wait to see how it is for you guys. Have fun!

[@joengberg9432]

I read on another sight that there are a little more than 700 guests. After San Diego, the ship heads for a South Pacific cruise.

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

Yes...wish we could stay on...

[@robertshaver1612]

Thank you for posting this video. You answered several of my questions.

[@beth6270]

Have a wonderful time! ❤️ I almost booked this same cruise! We're headed to Long Beach to board Panorama next week. 🚢 ⚓️

[@debbierange545]

Seems like a very chill atmosphere.

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

It is....

[@ronniesquires]

❤ Precious, love it. Thanks guys. Enjoy and we can't wait to see the other coming videos. 👏👏

[@Ilikeit05]

I was surprised this was your first inside cabin. Glad that you liked it! What a very nice spacious cabin with a couch and everything! I love inside cabins and especially on the Carnival Panorama because there great seating along the sides of the ship. The staff was a super friendly and they seem happy! Have a fabulous time and thank you for showing us the ship and your journey!

[@pattidaly2938]

Enjoy! Look forward to your videos.

[@amandaregis313]

Thanks for sharing! Hubby and I are doing the New England Boston to Montreal this summer, and I've been binging on Volendam tour videos. During the Vancouver Olympics, as part of the Canadian Armed Forces security detail, he was housed on board the Oosterdam. The pictures he took certainly didn't do the skyline justice.

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@johnchojnowski3951]

I am claustrophobic and need a balcony. I hope you enjoy your cruise . We live in the Bay Area

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

We like balconies, but we wanted to try it at least once...

[@shannontn101]

Hope you have an amazing cruise! Did you see the next itinerary for this ship - its a 51 day round trip from San Diego to the South Pacific! That would be amazing!

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

Yes, wish we could stay on...

[@rjsams001]

I'm doing a Montreal > Boston cruise in May 2024 with a guaranteed inside cabin on Volendam, so it was nice to see yours and hear that you are happy with it. I've never done a guaranteed cabin before.

[@TheGouche69]

James r u on a ghost boat ... were r the SAS crew .....is jimmy having a naughty but wild weekend ...😮😮😮

[@ptboadair]

Looking forward to your review of the Volendam as we were on the Konings dam a month after you were and while on put a deposit on the 40today, Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale transatlantic be curious to see how you feel you would past 42 days on such a small ship

[@deidresmith2335]

We did a cruise on the Volendam many years ago to Alaska and stayed in a Lanai room.....it remains one of the best cruises and ships we have travelled on...

[@sharoncruisingscene]

This looks wonderful! Looking forward to seeing more content from this cruise. Enjoy!

[@NauticalNurseNancy]

What a fabulous video! Way to get that fresh content posted. Have a great rest of your trip❤

[@kens805]

I used to cruise on the Maasdam frequently and loved it! 2000 people!

[@user-ht1cn5jz5o]

We have had interior rooms on Princess and Carnival. I love it. Every cozy and comfortable.

[@mpv1986]

My dad immigrated to America from Holland in 1950 on the SS Volandam. Pretty sure the current Volandam is a bit more comfy!

[@teresamagnusson8711]

Have fun!

[@mesenteria]

A lot of pro tourist tipper videos say to avoid the Lido upon embarkation because EVERYBODY else will head there...first. Instead go to the main dining room. It is quieter, you'll be served, and you can talk and plan out what to do without necessarily having to deal with another couple or two. Also, you can book your table and meal time then for the dining room for the entire voyage.

[@pinksix5888]

Thanks! Going on Volendam to Iceland and Greenland in June. Looking forward to it! Have a verandah cabin because we enjoy chilling with wine with our sunsets

[@stephladouceur]

Enjoy!

[@Mandysbigdaddy]

Great video as always.

[@scottmcneal3752]

The staff seems real nice 👌🏻

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

They have been great...

[@jeffkellyb7712]

In 11 HAL cruises I have found that to be true 11 times. One reason we keep going back!

[@PalenskeFamily]

Balcony rooms are great, but we've cruised inside for the past few, and did just fine! We had an inside room on NCL for spring break. We had them split the bed into two twins so we had an "aisle" down the middle of the room and it really helped! (our daughter was in a drop down bed). A lot of Pacific Coast cruises stop in our small town (Astoria, Oregon)...I was hoping this one would be stopping here! :)

[@Flamingo_Pam]

The oatmeal raisin cookies are soooo good! I have to stay away from those😂 Looks like a nice ship. I like the laid back vibe for when Im cruising alone.
Sharon's getting antsy to get organized. Now that you work for her Jamie she may delegate some of the unpacking to you, lol.

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

I know..the oatmeal cookies are the best. I bring a bowl back to our cabin every day...lol

[@kathleenperez2650]

😊 have fun!!

[@ColoRadio6996]

Were you able to try the super-tasting fries at the Dive In Bar by the pool?? Stay safe.

[@Joy-of8fc]

Awesome..enjoy some Sharon and Jamie only time together

[@sallysmith1657]

Thanks for the tour. I am on that ship for the holidays.

[@debbierange545]

Have fun

[@ericgranger5014]

Have a great cruise!

[@TessAlmond]

I'm with sharon, gotta unpack before the vacay really starts!!

[@TessAlmond]

Seems nice but tame, but it's just day 1. Looking fwd to seeing how the rest of the week goes!! ;) Jamie it's been a while, we need some pole dancing! I'm sure there isn't a Pole in your small cabin. But you can find one somewhere on the ship. 😆

[@shadowgaming7892]

hope yall have fun out there! Rule the seas like a pirate!

[@julieamos1633]

Wow sounds fun

[@jeffkellyb7712]

You should do a Pinnacle Grill lunch! And eat breakfast in the MDR, better than the Lido, in my opinion. Though I am fond of the crepe station!

[@denniscostabile4264]

Just off the Rotterdam 4/13. No condiments to be found. Also food that was meant to be hot was cold. food that was meant to be cold, was room temp.

[@sugarsgetaway]

Older ship is nice in my book because the cabin are usely bigger your room seem a good size. Quest Sharon are you going get a burger 😊

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

Yes I think the older ships have larger cabins.
No burger for me....lol

[@michelleb749]

This is a surprise! Enjoy!

[@barbarashuster9029]

23 years ago but we ended our Alaska cruise there and stayed at the Pan-Pacific and boy was it fancy! Phone in the bathroom!😊

[@JulieThompson38]

Did Volendam's roulette have 2 or 3 green :) That's my husband's game. The more green the better.

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

at the time...2 green..0 and 00...Good luck!!!

[@markwilkerson1487]

We always do interiors. We don't spend much time in the cabin anyway. Plus the total darkness when the lights are turned off. Is great for day napping.

[@rondacarney4972]

You might catch a little seasickness on that one. Hope you have a nice relaxing cruise❤️

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

Yes...the seas have been a little rough this morning...

[@pierrevalliereseafan]

I will be in room #2501 on the Volendam. Thx for your video.

[@jamesbyrne7017]

We’ll be in San Francisco the same day on the Oceania Regatta

[@CunningStunt]

enJOY!

[@markcoleman8568]

Vancouver best cruise center in the world, go in a day before stay at Pan Pacific hotel - building on the pier

[@cblack1964]

Ha ha! I guessed you guys were going to Canada!

[@rickinnes]

The cargo ships are waiting their turn to enter the port . We enjoyed the Volendam to Alaska . Deck 3 promenade walk around was close to water and had some up close encounters with whales .

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

Yes, we saw a whale this morning...

[@roscoefromang2152]

sharon you exude kindness.

[@debbierange545]

i knew it. but your summery dress threw us. Good Job be evasive

[@kays749]

Will you please check if there is classical music offered? My husband is annoyed that HAL has stopped doing Lincoln Center performances.

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

They have a venue for it..we will let you know!!

[@Liz0409]

❤ LOL I kove the guy from Dive Inn. HAL Employees are the best in the industry.

[@kathyp2794]

Hope you are having and amazing time!! No burgers, I'm guessing 😅

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

No burgers for me....Maybe Jamie will give them another try...

[@arlenemaxwellcopeland1644]

we bought a converter plug for our last cruise and the socket was round, not square, so we just bought another one, round this time.

[@arlenemaxwellcopeland1644]

Nice intro.

[@kh884488]

Thanks for sharing! Can you please let me know how the sound proofing is between the cabins?

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

We had no issues with sound. Sometimes these older ships can be more "solid" than the newer ones with less outside noise. Thanks!!

[@TessAlmond]

My 1st and 2nd cruise were interiors. I didnt love it but didn't hate it.
After 23ish cruises i say obviously balconies are better. but... they've become so much more expensive that i just book interiors near an open deck or 'secret ' deck for easy access to the outdoors. As a solo traveler, its the way to go.

[@DancingAroundOurWorld]

thank you for your info. my first "solo" and I'm nervous

[@TessAlmond]

@@DancingAroundOurWorld try not to be. Talk to people at the pool, the bars etc. Join a team for trivia, do any time dining and ask to be sat with other people. That way you meet people every night. I enjoy it.

[@susananderson618]

I have to ask as I have wondered the answer to this question for a LONG time. Why do women walk around a cruise ship carrying a large purse when all one needs is their s&s card. Even in every day life I no longer carry a purse. We love HAL and we especially enjoy the smaller to mid size ships, no love for the oversized large ships at all. We will be cruising on the Eurodam in April 2025 from San Diego to Vancouver for our B2B Alaska sailings!

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

I usually just wear my lanyard around the ship, but I did bring my purse with me on the cruise because it was easy to keep our travel docs, etc in ...once we got settled in our cabin the purse went in the closet. I have a fanny pack I use on port days.

[@rickstetser8557]

When did they start putting the cabin key cards at the cabin door? It would seem safer to get them at the check in desk. That's been our experience.

[@TessAlmond]

Years ago. It's safe. I mean if someone's In there, call security . Never been an issue for 😅me

[@jeffkellyb7712]

I believe it was when they restarted in 2021. (We were in a cruise that ended the day they stopped in 2020, I don't think they did it then). I suppose someone could take your cards, but you will know (since they won't be there), and guest services could take care of things easily.

[@autobotdiva9268]

its very quiet but nice

[@passiveinvestor1978]

They actually let you end your cruise early way before the official end of the cruise? I've never heard of that.

[@MommyandAuna]

How long did it take you to board this time?

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

Super fast!!!!

[@roadshoulderphotography683]

would you spend 42 nights in an inside cabin ??

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

Very tough question...If I had the option to do a balcony, then no...but if it was interior or nothing..on the right cruise, at the right price...maybe. lol Thanks for watching!!!

[@benbarker95]

Hopefully you don't get another Holland America Hairenburger 🍔

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

Us too....lol

[@truetexangirlj6280]

☮️💖🛳️

[@chrisphinney6430]

I need a duffle bag like yurs were cxan i get one?

[@leocatcruises]

You didn't like their premium ship Koningsdam and now you're on a clunker in an interior.?? Maybe it was free, I wouldn't bother with the Volendam.

[@SharonatSeaTravel]

We never said we didn't like the Koningsdam. We said the activities were lacking for us. We always like to try a larger & smaller cruise ship on each new cruiseline we try.
It may be small but definitely not a clunker. The ship is nice, just small. We enjoy smaller ships.

[@jeffkellyb7712]

I have not sailed Volendam, but went through the canal early this year on her sister, the Zaandam. We enjoyed it a lot, it is small, but that just makes the service more personal! It also reminded us of one of her other sisters, the Amsterdam which was sold during Covid. Our first cruise was on Amsterdam, and we have been hooked ever since!

[@karenl9601]

I didn't care for the Koningsdam either. I've been on the Oosterdam, Westerdam, Statendam and most recently the Koningsdam. I found the decor too 'modern', didn't care for the music walk area as it was too open and competing with each other, the casino was also too open, the shops were small and too spread out and I just found the ship way to big for my liking.

[@mariebistline9953]