Supplement to Travel Trade
October 2000

Elegance & Tradition

Hallmark of the Veendam

Holland America alumni who have cruised on the Veendam's sister ships, the Statendam, Maasdam and/or Ryndam, will feel right at home as soon as they board HAL's newest entry in the cruise market.

Although much will be familiar, the Veendam has a style and flair all her own. The sleek, 55,451-ton Veendam is a smart blend of Old World charm and contemporary comfort.

In this age of megas and glitz, Holland American has, once again, delivered a cruise option that is traditional, understated and elegant.

A pallet of yellow, gold, camel and splashes of accent colors, create a warm, sunny atmosphere throughout the ship's 10-passenger decks.

While the Statendam and Ryndam each have a large fountain as the centerpiece of their three-deck atrium, the centerpiece in the Veendam's atrium is a soaring glass sculpture created by Luciano Vistosi, the same Italian artist who crafted the Maasdam's striking atrium sculpture,"Totem."

For the Veendam, Vistosi, one of Italy's leading contemporary artists, fashioned a crystalline tower of blue-and-gold blocks, called "Jacob's Staircase." Each glass block was hand-crafted in Murano, Italy.

An escalator provides convenient access to staterooms on Lower Promenade Deck for passengers embarking on Main Deck.

The layout of the public rooms on board the Veendam is similar to the Maasdam, but with her own distinctive furnishings, artwork and an impressive collection of antiques.

Holland America has traditionally used art and antiques as an integral part of the design of its ships' public rooms. And, the collection on the Veendam is one of the most outstanding at sea.

The Veendam has an abundance of objects that reflect Holland America's 123-year maritime history. And, her collection of Oriental antiques are combined with pre-Columbian objects from Latin America -- items that Dutch sailors might have seen while traveling in distant and exotic lands.

Among the most stunning: a blue Samurai coat of armor from 17th-century Japan; brightly colored feather masks and headdresses used by Amazonian Indians in 20th-century Brazil; and a large, ornate metal barbecue or "Trionfi" from the mid-18th century, which, while Spanish in origin, is from a Tuscany castle.

A stroll through the ship is like a gallery visit, giving passengers serendipitous encounters with truly breathtaking objects. The investment in precious art, crafts and artifacts help make Holland America a top choice for discerning travelers.

During a recent voyage on the Veendam, I stopped by the well-stocked Hugo de Groot Library -- and there in the corner I spotted a small mirror with a tortoiseshell frame surrounded by silk and metallic thread embroidery. A nearby plaque identified it as English circa 1660 -- and as the dressing mirror of Charles II!

Specially commissioned modern artwork also enhances several of the public rooms. For instance, in the Puzzle Corner (a nook for those who cannot resist the challenge of a good puzzle) -- which is located between the library and the card room -- are two whimsical triptych murals.

One shows a circus scene, the other depicts whales towing a vessel througha deep-blue ocean toward the viewers. They were painted by Frank Lisser and Peter Hartwig of Amsterdam, respectively.

The dining experience on the Veendam is elegant, thanks to the ambiance of the splendid Rotterdam Dining Room, located on Promenade and Upper Promenade Decks. It seats 657 on two levels connected by a pair of sweeping, curved staircases with shiny brass railings.

Candlelit tables for two, four, six or more are harmoniously arranged throughout both levels. Large windows on three sides bring sea views into the dining experience.

Enormous paintings of giant flowers, based on details from 17th-century Dutch still lifes, by Australian artist Tim Maguire, punctuate this dramatic room, where reds predominate.

Live entertainment is provided by a string quartet which performs on a music ledge on the Upper Promenade overlooking the main floor.

Subdued lighting comes from the ceiling's end-to-end floral glass fixtures as well as from reproductions of 17th-century Venetian lanterns (the originals are on board the line's Nieuw Amsterdam).

Service is superb, as is the cuisine. Holland America menus have undergone some changes in the past year, with an expanded use of sauces and exotic vegetables. The result is culinary perfection.

I was happy to find that there are vegetarian choices on every menu and special requests were graciously accommodated.

Lighter meals can be taken at the 403-seat Lido Restaurant, which serves a wide variety of choices, cafeteria style, for casual dining at breakfast and lunch.

The sunny restaurant is adjacent to the Lido swimming pool, with its bronze sculpture of five leaping dolphins by British artist Susanna Holt, situated beneath a retractable glass dome.

For those who wish to dine casually by the pool, there is a grill at which hot dogs and hamburgers are served in the afternoon.

Also on Lido Deck is a fully-equipped, ocean-view Ocean Spa fitness center, which is located near a beauty salon/barber shop, massage, sauna and steam rooms.

Even if they don't work out, passengers can visit the spa for the wonderful juice bar, where healthy drinks are created from fresh fruits. It's a good place to sit at the bar or on a comfortable, upholstered rattan chair and watch the sea.

A wide teak deck encircles Lower Promenade Deck, where there are plenty of wooden deck chairs and lots of room for strolling.

Evenings sparkle in the Rubens Show Lounge, forward on Promenade and Upper Promenade Decks.

Joe Farcus, well known for his interior designs of Carnival Cruise Lines ships, chose the art of Pieter Paul Rubens, the 16th-century Flemish painter, as his inspiration for the two-level lounge, which features Las Vegas- and Broadway-style entertainment.

The decor is in warm coppery brown and gray tones, with accents of gold leaf and brass. Glass cutouts of dancers' forms radiate from large columns and likenesses of Rubens, drawn by Farcus, are etched into the heavy glass doors leading into the lounge.

Computerized fiber-optic lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system add to the professionalism of the performances.

The main floor of the Rubens Lounge is similar to that of the Vermeer Lounge on board the Ryndam, with a dance floor in front of the stage.

The Veendam's dance floor is crafted of marble and granite in three colors: reddish marble (Rossa Verona); dark gray with pink granite (Sucurru), which also is used for the tabletops; and white marble veined with orange (Crema Valencia).

Comfortable sofas on the main floor are upholstered in a coppery brown fabric with a Chinese maze pattern. In the balcony, guests sit theatre-style.

Farcus also designed the 249-seat brightly colored (yellow and purple predominate) Wajang Theater, located on Promenade Deck, which is used for lectures, meetings and religious services, as well as for viewing current films. A nice touch is the hot fresh popcorn, served before every evening movie!

Near the theatre is the popular 37-seat Java Cafe, where espresso and cappuccino are served for informal coffee breaks.

Forward on Sports Deck is the Crow's Nest Lounge, which is significantly different in design from the dual purpose lounges of the same name on the Veendam's three sister ships, which were designed by Joe Farcus.

On this ship, F.C.J. Dingemans, the principal architect for all public rooms on the Veendam, except the main show lounge, took over the Crow's Nest design.

Like its namesakes on the Statendam, Maasdam and Ryndam, the Crow's Nest is located high atop the ship, overlooking the Bridge. By day, it's an observation lounge; at night, it's the ship's nightclub.

While the Crow's Nest on board the Veendam's sister ships have an overall theme for the entire room, Dingemans has divided the Veendam's 5,100-square foot U-shaped room into three separate areas.

On the starboard side, Dingemans, of VFD Interiors of Utrecht, Netherlands, has created the "Captain's Area," which has the atmosphere of an English club. It's comfortably furnished with burgundy leather sofas and lounge chairs in brown leather accented with dark marine blue and burgundy.

The curved ceiling is covered with woven leather and crossed by wooden beams.

In contrast, on the port side of the Crow's Nest, natural colored rattan, with light green upholstery and potted plants create a light and airy setting for a "Tea Area."

The raised wooden floor is inlaid to provide the look and feel of a parquet surface.

The ceiling, which is also curved, combines beige-white fabric with Murano glass tiles that are lighted from behind.

Located in the forward, central portion of the Crow's Nest is the bar area, with a dance floor, bandstand and disk jockey control booth.

The intimate, 11-seat bar is made of golden oak. Above it, the oak-and-brass ceiling creates a warm sheen.

Seating arrangements in the remainder of the bar are directed toward the dance floor or toward the expansive windows.

A continuous sofa borders the windows, while armchairs with footstools provide a comfortable perch from which to view the sea.

Nautical antiques are featured throughout the lounge.

For other evening (or daytime) pursuits, The Casino offers blackjack, Caribbean poker, roulette, a dice table and 97 slot machines. It features an adjacent bar and is conveniently located on Upper Promenade Deck.

On the same deck, you'll also find the Ocean Bar, a popular place for cocktails and dancing. Dutch artist Wout Muller painted the two circular murals that adorn the ceiling above the Ocean Bar. Against a cobalt background are painted figures from both astrology and astronomy.

Although the figures may be fanciful, the constellations are represented accurately.

Two other lounges are located on the Upper Promenade Deck: The Explorers Lounge, with its plush sofas and armchairs, an inviting place for cognac and conversation; and the intimate Piano Bar, a popular evening sing-a-long spot.

Even the most seasoned cruiser can't fail but to be impressed by the well-appointed and spacious staterooms and verandah suites.

The Veendam features a total of 633 staterooms, including one penthouse suite, 28 suites, 120 deluxe staterooms, 336 outside staterooms and 148 inside staterooms.

In addition, all of the 149 suites and deluxe staterooms (categories A and B) have private verandahs.

The suites measure 565-square feet, including a 180-square foot verandah. The deluxe staterooms are 284-square-feet, including a 54-square-foot verandah.

Roomy outside staterooms average 196-square feet and inside staterooms average 192-square feet.

Sixteen of the deluxe staterooms and 36 of the outside staterooms have connecting doors, enabling families or traveling companions to create their own suites.

Fabrics have flora patterns reminiscent of batik, in shades of peach, off-white, beige and browns. Monoprints of typical Dutch scenes by Kathy Haines Dench adorn the walls.

All staterooms feature ample closet and drawer space. The beds can be arranged as two singles or one queen. Every stateroom also has a sofa -- and 70% have sofa beds.

Suite and deluxe staterooms also have a VCR, whirlpool bath and minibar.

Bathrooms have plenty of elbow room and feature medicine cabinets, hair dryers and an ample supply of amenities.

In fact, with staterooms so comfortable, and the new movies continuously shown on TV so captivating, and the verandahs so relaxing, staying in one's cabin is a pleasurable inclusion in the day's activities.

On my recent cruise, which hosted a number of travel agents, the consensus was that all categories -- including the most modest -- were of top quality and sure to exceed the expectations of clients who worry about staying in cabins rather than hotel rooms.

This splendid ship, third in the company's 121-year history to bear the Veendam name, sailed its maiden cruise from Ft. Lauderdale in late May and is currently alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries through Aug. 17.

The vessel will then reposition to New York and, beginning Aug. 29, sail new 10- and 12-day Eastern Canada and New England cruises.