Bay of Islands.... our last port of call

An historically important place - It was here that the Maori's signed the Waitangi Treaty.....  although the weather was a drizzling mist, I could see why NZ has the highest per capital boat ownership in the world.... with waters like this, no wonder.

Comparisons - Volendam versus..

We have cruised mainly on the Princess Line (134 days), with 10 days on the Royal Caribbean and 7 days on the Costa line.  We have made some notes of our personal likes and dislikes after 10 days on the Holland America line.  We’ve been very happy on all our cruises and would cruise again on any of the lines mentioned above – for us every line has their ‘advantage’ and ‘disadvantages’…… we now feel it’s truly about the itinerary and where we want to go as every line for us can be quite enjoyable.

Volendam likes:

·      Rosenthal China in the main dining room

·      Rosenthal China on your room service tray

·      Rosenthal China designed by Bvylgari in the Pinnacle Grill

·      Luxurious pillow topped bedding

·      Luxurious Egyptian cotton large towels

·      Luxurious quality bed linen

·      Wait staff with a good command of the English language

·      Happy hour – 2 for one drinks in Ocean, Crows Nest and Piano bar – daily

·      No hard sell of drinks – wait service only

·      No hard sell of Art Work – it’s available, but no constant art shows promotions

·      No hard sell of Jewellery and Bling, the shops are open and you’re free to browse

·      No constant noisy announcements by the Director about what’s on/where…..

·      The Capitain is very informative and weather conditions, keeping everyone well advised of the weather and sea conditions ahead.

·      Anytime dining – fantastic and super well organized

·      The unlimited laundry option of $7 per day per cabin for the duration of your cruise…… $112 for our 16 day cruise

·      The china plates in the Lido Buffet…..they are not melamine ware

·      The glass cups in the Lido Buffet ….. they are not melamine ware

·      Soft drink beverage cards valued @ $50 for the price of $25

·      Soft drinks are usually delivered in a can – not pre-mix

·      Quirky little things like all elevators (12) have floor mats that change every day – naturally they say things like, Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday – Friday – Saturday – Sunday

·      The Coffee Bar – explorations and a myriad of specialty coffees on offer

·      The Coffee Bar allows you to have take away paper cups – it feels like a true coffee bar

·      The Library – it’s humungous and well stocked, including large print texts.

·      Access to the back of the ship from ‘all’ levels..

·      Lots of lovely little quirky lounge areas

·      Lots of texture in the wood panels, ceilings etc

·      Proper Card Room

·      The food and presentation is excellent

·      The public space washrooms are elegant and have towellets, not paper towels

·      Cabins are slightly larger

·      Window and Balcony cabins have a bath with shower over

·      Balconies are larger

·      A tall (12oz) Americano coffee is $1.90 + 15% tax, a tall Caramello late is $2.60  + 15%

·      Happy hour 2 for 1 $6.75 + 15% tax    ie Marguerites’ are under $4 each during happy hour!   A Ballantynes scotch and dry is $5.75 for 2 during happy hour + 15%

·      The volume of fresh flowers around the ship

·      Administration main office appears extremely efficient

·      The beverage purchase system is extremely efficient with pre-loaded cards  ie $100 that are computerized and docked electronically with each purchase (no signing of chits etc) – less room for error.

·      Ben and Jerries ice-cream – available in Lido buffet most of the day, as well as assorted sorbets

·      Limited no’s of young children onboard (specifically at Christmas)

·      No hard sell of the Salons services

·      The deck 4 wine shop that allows you to try before you buy!  You can purchase bottles of quality quaff onboard and take them to your room or dinner

·      Photography crew are not in your face – they set up certain areas around the ship every night for those that might wish to have a photo taken – again no hard sell

     Daily Happy Hour!

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Volendam Dislikes

·      Lido buffet does not have 24/7 dining

·      The Lido deck grill does not have the variety of food on offer as Princess

·      Smoking is allowed onboard in the Casino and Piano bar

·      Smoking is allowed in cabins

·      Cost of shore excursions seem more expensive

·      Gang planks very steep for exiting and fewer exits

·      Cabin stewards don’t seem as ‘accessible’

·      No unlimited soda card – however the soda beverage card of $50 for $25 amply compensates

·      Internet access is more expensive (best value rate if 55c per minute) when purchased in $100 lots.

·      Not as much signage as other lines to where to disembark and what time you are due back

·      No fresh moist towel on arrival/return to the ship

It's the quirky little things I enjoy discovering on cruise ships!

It's just those little idiosyncrasies that make a cruise line stand out.  We all expect the 5* service, the quality decor that frames the ships viewing windows and masses of expensive artwork on a ship, but it's those quirky clever little things that sing out at you and say - hey this is clever.  On the Volendam for me it was the elevator mats.....  simple I know, so what's in a mat you say?  We'll it's the date..... every day they changed them, and for the date challenged cruiser that I am, it was a really quirky but useful adjustment to the days decor - along with the fresh flowers.

Happy New Year from the Volendam!

Auckland - Wednesday 29 Dec 2010

It’s coffee in the morning and Island party at night!

The Seaside town of Mt Maunganui - Monday