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Cruise & Travel Report on the High Seas! The Veendam’s Triumphant Return to Bermuda

Liam Cusack ,

EDITORIAL: Cruise & Travel Report’s Managing Editor, Liam P. Cusack, reports on his recent voyage aboard the ms Veendam from Boston to Bermuda — Part 1 of 3 articles.

 

Veendam in Boston
ms Veendam in Boston

 

By Liam P. Cusack, Managing Editor

 

18 May 2015 -New York City – On May 2nd, a chilly but sunny Boston Saturday, I boarded the ms Veendam as she prepared to sail to Hamilton, Bermuda. This was her first cruise this season to Bermuda and it marked Holland America Line’s return to regularly scheduled cruises to the island of pink sand. Holland America Line had stopped regular calls to Bermuda nearly three years ago. The last time I sailed on the Veendam was 4 years ago, that was on a New York City to Bermuda cruise, and I was delighted to see that the Veendam was looking better than ever. Her Captain, Christopher Norman, and her entire crew are taking excellent care of this classic vessel. Like any modern traveler I read online reviews, many of these reviews spoke of the Veendam looking tired and showing her age. I must disagree! She was in excellent shape, one would never know that she was built nearly 20 years ago.

Veendam in Hamilton, Bermuda
ms Veendam in Hamilton, Bermuda

This article is merely a forward to two other articles which will be posted in the coming days. In the upcoming articles I will share with you my impressions, my criticisms and my experiences of the seven days I was aboard the Veendam. We’ll look at the ship, the service, the food, the amenities, the crew and the itinerary. I’ll also discuss some of the special packages which Holland America Line is offering. Additionally, I’ll share some of the thoughts my fellow passengers shared with me.

The final article will be most special. While aboard, I had the opportunity to interview the Captain, Christopher Norman; Hotel Director, Henk Hoekstra; Cruise Director, Christina Purcell; and Guest Relations Manager, Julie Pineda. It’s not often that I have the time or the opportunity to write such an in-depth article about a ship, its crew and itinerary. I hope you find what they have to say as interesting as I did. So stay tuned to Cruise & Travel Report.

note: click on bold-faced words for more information.

Liam Cusack

Liam P. Cusack is the Managing Editor of Cruise & Travel Report (www.cruiseandtravelreport.com), a publication dedicated to providing travelers the same news that industry insiders receive. A self-described “travel nerd”, Liam is an Ocean Liner and Cruise Industry historian who has traveled to more than 60 countries, every US state and sailed on more than 60 cruises. After nearly two decades as an award-winning political journalist and investigative reporter at a major NYC daily newspaper, he decided to dedicate his career to helping avid travelers, like himself, be more well-informed. With Cruise & Travel Report, Liam strives to provide news and tips to make every vacation a dream vacation.