Recommend January 2012 - (Page 18)

holland america’s VEENDAM continued from page 16 City Hall in Hamilton, Bermuda. 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Two computers were set up here as well, if guests wanted to use them instead of in the Explorations Cafe, the main Internet cafe on board. The Neptune Lounge can easily become an extension of the 556 sq. ft. Deluxe Verandah Suite. Ideal for families, it offers a double pull out couch that turns into a large sectional sofa by day. The suite even boasts a separate dressing area with sink and vanity as well as a 180-sq.-ft. verandah, complete with two lounge chairs and a table for four. The ship also features innovative 181- to 256-sq.-ft. Lanai staterooms, added during the enhancement program, in which guests have access to the walk-around Lower Promenade deck via a sliding glass door. Meanwhile, the 244-sq.-ft. Verandah Spa Staterooms are located near the Greenhouse Spa and Salon and offer special spa amenities, such as yoga mats and exclusive treatments, as well as private verandahs. While the ship is at port—in this case Bermuda—guests are able to dine on island and return to the ship when they want. We, however, took full advantage of the excellent cuisine on board. The two-level elegant Rotterdam Dining Room, with its large windows and dramatic double-side staircase, offers 5-course menus with 10 entree choices of continental cuisine, vegetarian and low-carb options. We often couldn’t decide which entree to get, opting for getting a second as an appetizer—though that list also included at least four choices, plus of course soup and salad options. The kids can order off their own menu of traditional kid-friendly food if nothing appeals to them from the main menu, and there will always be room for dessert. The Rotterdam offers two traditional seatings, 5:45 p.m. and 8 p.m., or you can opt for open seating from 5:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. We chose open seating, and wherever we sat we were treated to excellent service by the wait staff. We also enjoyed dinner at Canaletto, a complimentary Italian specialty restaurant by reservation, set into a corner with private seating and waiter service in the Lido Restaurant buffet. The food and service there was ﬁrst-rate, and kids will love the gelato ice cream and the cotton candy that ends each meal. Or, guests can opt for the Lido Restaurant, which offers plenty of choices, good food and quick service; it is also open for dinner. The Pinnacle Grill is the ship’s specialty restaurant for an additional charge. A more formal elegant dining experience, guests are treated to Sterling Silver beef and fresh seafood, all served on Bulgari china, accompanied by Riedel stemware and Frette linens. Recommend the ﬁlet mignons, which, we guarantee, will be grilled to perfection. True foodies will enjoy the Culinary Arts Center program, presented by Food & Wine magazine, which invites guests to be part of hands-on cooking demonstrations and other cuisine events. The kids get to be a part of the fun as well, and they’ll have a chance to learn how to make pancakes. Other enrichment programs on board include Digital Workshops, which is very popular, fun and offers free “how-to’s” on digital photography. Other activities include the usual found on board such as trivia, bingo, time at the spa, dance lessons and movies in the Wajang Theater. Club HAL, the children’s program, will keep the youngest members of the family happy, thanks to a warm staff, and lots of crafts and games. The nightly shows in the two-level Showroom at Sea entertain guests with Broadway-style revues. A Q&A session gives guests access to the entertainers’ personal and professional challenges of life at sea. Piano music in the MIX lounge and DJ Reggie’s dance music at the Crow’s Nest also make for an evening of fun. off the ship Bermuda was home-base for the ship during our sailing. We docked in the capital city of Hamilton—transforming the ship into a “hotel”—and with the city at their doorstep to explore, passengers are going to want to do just that, as well as spending some time on Bermuda’s famed pink-sand beaches. Available shore excursions include guided tours of the city and island, plus tours that take in the best of the beach, snuba, scuba, snorkeling, ﬁshing, golf, and catamaran cruising. Veendam will continue its weekly Bermuda sailings from New York this spring, starting April 22 and running through Aug. 26. The ship will include two relaxing days at sea and three overnights in Hamilton. Cruise fares start at $669 pp dbl plus taxes. ■ Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): Fabulous Family Voyages (September 2011) contact information Holland America: (877) 932-4259; hollandamerica.com fast facts passenger capacity: 1,350 crew members: 580 length: 719 ft. beam: 101 ft. maximum speed: 22 knots 18 january 2012 recommend.com http://www.recommend.com http://www.hollandamerica.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend January 2012

Editor's Note
Hotel Desk: Hard Rock Hotels and Resorts
Tour Talk: Lindblad Expeditions
Holland America's Veendam
Delta Air Lines' 2012 Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America Travel Guide
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Las Vegas' 2012 Offerings
Hot European Tours for 2012
Hokkaido, Japan
Egypt's Antiquity Attractions are Eternal

Recommend January 2012