 Expert Review |  | | | | |
| | | | | Overview
When Holland America Line's Statendam debuted early in 1993 it was the first in its class of ships. The Statendam is fifth in the company's 130-year history to bear the name. And in the Holland America tradition, the Statendam is a floating masterpiece of shipbuilders' art, Old World tradition and state-of-the-art modern technology. Art tours, walks through the ship to study incredible art works and artifacts are as popular as sail-away parties on other vessels. The Statendam offers more than $2 million worth of art and artifacts, often featuring a theme of Dutch exploration. Whether walking to the library where you'll find the Internet Cafe, the card room, or any of the lounges passengers can't miss the beautiful objects displayed throughout the ship and in each guest room. | | |  top | | | | Dining
Editor's Note: Holland America has long been one of the more traditional cruise lines when it comes to main-restaurant dining. On every ship but Prinsendam, HAL has offered four seatings: 5:45 p.m. (first upper); 6:15 p.m. (first lower); 8 p.m. (main upper); and 8:30 p.m. (main lower). But that's changing as the line begins to incorporate As You Wish dining onto its ships. Via As You Wish, passengers can opt for pre-set seating and dining time -- or take advantage of a new, flexible option at dinner (breakfast and lunch are already open seating). The program, tested on Noordam, enables passengers to request either option during the booking phase. One level of the ships' two-deck-high dining rooms will be dedicated to traditional "early or main seating" while the other will be open from 5:15 - 9 p.m. daily. Passengers opting for the flexible option can make reservations ahead of time -- or simply walk in. As You Wish will be phased in gradually. In fall/winter 2007, look for its introduction on Noordam, Ryndam and Volendam. Statendam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam, and Zaandam will introduce it in winter 2008. And Westerdam, Zuiderdam, Veendam, Maasdam, Amsterdam, and Prinsendam will incorporate As You Wish in spring and early summer. HAL's new Eurodam will debut in July with As You Wish in place. The Rotterdam Dining Room is magnificent. It is very elegant in decor, with soft colors, marvelous chandeliers and great light wood furniture. Food is superb, offering a lighter choice at dinner and lunch and some fairly notable fish and seafood entrees. Service varies from extremely attentive to casual. The Lido does a great job of breakfast and lunch and the practically all-day yogurt and ice cream bar is a sweet treat. Ice cream and your choice of toppings are provided at no extra charge. One constant feature of HAL ships is the poolside taco bar and hamburger stand where on a nice day many passengers slip a T-shirt over their swim suit and dine al fresco. Room service is well prepared and presented. | | | | top | | | | Public Rooms
Most public rooms are located on Promenade and Upper Promenade decks. A three-deck atrium showcases an elaborate 26-foot-high "Fountain of the Sirens," which extends from Lower Promenade Deck to Upper Promenade and is the centerpiece of the ship, the spot where people meet or gather to head to one of the ship's many lounges. | | | | top | | | | Cabins
Rooms are designed to offer privacy and most cabins offer a bath and shower, standard amenities and more-than-sufficient closet space. Each room has beds convertible from one queen size to two singles. Six staterooms are equipped to accommodate physically challenged passengers. Many cabins have verandahs, a super touch on a ship that provides some of the best designed staterooms in the industry. Consider that standard staterooms are just under 200 square feet and inside rooms about 186 square feet. | | | | top | | | | Entertainment
The Van Gogh Theater is a work of art in itself and really quite entertaining. The room is themed to Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh's paintings "The Starry Night" and "Irises," and features computerized fiber optic lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system. Colors are vivid and jewel-like. Some shows are excellent, others just fair. Dancers enjoy music after dinner in the Ocean Bar. The Crow's Nest Bar is another favorite with a bird's eye view. Wajang Theater shows first-run movies and if you get there early enough you can get your complimentary bag of popcorn. It is also the site of religious services, lectures and seminars. The Java Cafe is located right next door. The casino is airy and made up of five blackjack tables; roulette table; dice table; stud poker; draw poker; and 105 slot machines. One pool features a retractable dome. New to Statendam in spring 2009 (May 10) is the Microsoft Digital Workshops program, comprised of complimentary classes led by Microsoft-trained "techsperts." Passengers can learn to use computers to enhance photos (Windows Live Photo Gallery), produce and publish videos onto a DVD (Windows Movie Maker) and create personal webpages or blogs (Windows Live Services and Windows Live Writer). In addition, one-on-one coaching, called "Techspert Time,? is available for more than 20 hours each week. | | | | top | | | | Fitness and Recreation
The Ocean Spa fitness center provides dual saunas and steam rooms; massage rooms; juice bar; beauty salon/barber shop. There's a specially surfaced jogging track that doesn't have a lot of traffic on it on Sports Deck that encircles the ship's stack. A second, outdoor, swimming pool is located one deck below Lido Deck on Navigation Deck aft. Statendam's stack. A broad teak deck encircles Lower Promenade Deck, for strolling or walking. | | | | top | | | | Family
Camp HAL is scheduled over holidays and summer sailings when children will be aboard. | | | | top | | | | Fellow Passengers
Passengers are primarily aged 60+, with more families during holiday and vacation periods. On Alaska cruises, the cruise line offers special shore excursion for children, attracting more families during the summer. | | | | top | | | | Dress Code
Cruise casual, with a lightweight sweater or jacket. Ships always seem cold, and the Statendam, while warm in decor and friendliness, is kept quite cool. Formal nights require a tuxedo or dark suit for men and all the glitz women can pack into their luggage. Informal nights mean a dress or blouse, skirt or pants for women and jackets but no ties for men. | | | | top | | | | Gratuity
For years and years, Holland America Line distinguished itself with its "no tipping required" policy, the objective of which was to prove that the cheerful and accommodating staff worked for the love of serving their guests, not for tips. Unfortunately, many passengers took this to mean "tips are included," or "tipping not allowed," so as Holland America hopes to attract a more diverse clientele and more first-time cruisers, the tipping policy has been specifically addressed. According to a statement from Holland America president Stein Kruse, the tipping policy -- fleetwide -- is as follows: "For your convenience, a gratuity of $10 per guest per day, for dining and stateroom service, will be automatically posted to your shipboard account. We are confident you will find the service on board exemplary and, should you wish to make adjustments, you may do so at the end of the cruise by visiting the Front Office. Also, a 15 percent service charge will be automatically added to your bar and beverage purchases." | | | | top | | | | | Expert reviews are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community. This objective information can help you choose just the right ship for your next cruise vacation. | |  | |
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