March 2nd - 4th

We boarded the Volendam easily and were told cabins will not be open until 2:00 p.m.

Please have lunch, if you need to check bags and coats. As this ship is half the size of the QM2 it is much easier to get around. We are on deck 6 so it is only one down to the majority of the public rooms or 3 up to the Lido deck.

The lunch in the lido deck was very good and we found our way to the cabin at 2:00. pm. The cabin is larger than on QM2. The bathroon has a Jacuzzi bath and the balcony has a Chaise Lounge to streach out on. Flat screen TV with DVD player. We have free DVDs as we are in a balcony cabin.

First night tried to get table for 2 but told fully booked. Have two call in advance so we ate the same menu in the Lido. When we arrived in cabin at 2:00 it was 80 degrees. Waited until 4:00 p.m. Called pursher. “Yes sir it is hot, the Air conditioning will not work well on port days until we go out to sea” 7:00 called after sailing 2 hours. Oh yes! I will see to it. A young lady arrives at the cabin with a thermomether. It is 80%! I will have some one check it. Nothing happens. The next morning she comes back. “It is much cooler” she says! Yes I say :there has been no sun all night1”

The enginer comes and says “Yes it is not working. I fixed it” There is a dribble of cold air. The young lady call 3 hours later. The temperature has come down 1 degree. Would you like a Fan? Yes please. Three hours later no fan. Called back and had the fan delivered. On day two the temperature out side has gone down to 65%. A Job Well Done?