Well, we were in luck. The Cold front, much diluted by now decided to make it a fast one through the Carib and came over us during the night while we sailed from Santo Tomas. By the time we arrived at Costa Maya, we had clear skies, lights winds and a very low swell. The wind, although strong in open waters, blew from the Mexican land side and thus it was very light in the port itself. Wind over the land means it blows in line with the main pier and that is berth 3. My favorite dock and thus I grabbed the chance to go alongside there. The Westerdam scheduled to arrive at 10 am., had the choice of berth 1& 2. That is perpendicular on the wind but berth 1 is the fastest for docking if you are in a hurry. The Westerdam was coming from Grand Cayman and that is a tight schedule to arrive on time, thus the faster you can dock the better the chance not to be delayed.
As Costa Maya was a nice and quiet day and nothing exciting happened, time for some more Q&A.
What is SOE 2009? And what does it mean for the Veendam ?
Over the next two years, the S class and the Rotterdam will go in drydock for a major face lift. This will happen over an 18-month period and will reflect a $200 million investment program. The Veendam will be the first; entering the drydock at Freeport Bahamas on the 1st of April 2009. Apart from regular maintenance work, the following changes in and on the ship will take place:
a. Rebuilding the Navigation deck pool area. The deck will go one level up, so that more Balcony cabins can be installed and the pool area will be remodeled into the The Retreat. The deep pool will become a shallow water area where guests can lounge in chairs and dip their fingers and toes in the water. It will be surrounded by a new pool bar and an upscale pizzeria called Slice. Shade will be provided by a canopy and wind screens. The pool will now be in line with the aft entrance to the Lido restaurant. Apart from the extended deck, the most visible item will be the addition of a duck tail to the stern of the ship. This is a sort of spoiler located on the water line. It will enhance the buoyancy of the ship, needed due to the extra weight of the extra cabins and it will improve, thus reduce, the fuel consumption of the ship with creating a better flow of the propeller wash.
Photo: courtesy of Holland America Line.
b. 44 staterooms will be added. 32 with verandahs and the rest will be inside ones. Twelve staterooms below the navigation deck/bridge area will have verandahs added. Forty-six new lanai staterooms will be created by replacing existing windows of 42 staterooms (on Lower Promenade Deck 6) with lanai doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade and adding four additional staterooms.
c. A Merabella luxury jewelry shop will be built in the forward corner of the Explorer lounge.
d. The Casino and Piano bars will be reconfigured into a multi-themed area called Mix with three separate bars—Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales.
e. The main show lounge (Rubens lounge) will be revamped to become more theatre style with tiered seats; tiered also on the lower level.
Photo: courtesy of Holland America Line.
There are some more enhancements planned but they will depend on the time available. Apart from items for the guests also improvements are planned for the officers and crew. As these will have to take place in the existing space in the hull, I am busy, together with the office, to try to optimize the current room available to get as much out of it as possible. If we can pull it off, it will be a big improvement for the officers and crew.
By 4 pm. we left Costa Maya, while the clouds were gathering over the resort. The 2nd part of the Frontal system came over and that made the temperature drop rapidly. But we had had a good day to finish our port calls with. Tonight and tomorrow we will get a wobbly ride back home to Tampa but as we had the cold front come over us last night, the wind should start to abate tomorrow and thus the waves should diminish in height. If they just come down from 14 to 10 feet, then I am in business speed wise and the guests will have a reasonable quiet ride home.
December 14, 2008 at 8:45 am
Thanks Captain .The Veendam should look great .One ? How long do you think the S class will be with HAL ? I still think the S class are the best in HAL fleet by far .But they are getting on in years now .And with HAL trying to appeal to to a younger crowed and more family’s.I just don”t think this class can offer then what the mager ships offer . But the one thing about the Veendam is .When we cruised on her 3 times back in the 1990″s is it was what a cruise use to be like . Not a flooting resort .I was on the Noordam last year out of NYC an 11 day cruise .But i felt like the ship was to big for HAL .And the cruise was great .But it was missing something .I think it was the fleeling like we had on the Veendam .I still think the S class is the perfect side ships . Happy Holidays
Mr Veendam
December 14, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Captain,
Thank you for taking the time to write in such an interesting manner to educate us on the skill and professionalism required to run the ship. I didn’t realize you have to be a meterologist too!
I agree with the previous comment that the “S” size ship is perfect. I have sailed on most of them, and prefer not to travel with half of a large city. I’m on the ship to get away from that!
Susan