HAL outlines remaining Signature enhancements

Veendam, the first vessel to receive the improvements during a 34-day drydock that ended in late April, is now sailing in Alaska. In a first series of drydocks in 2010 and 2011, Maasdam, Statendam and Ryndam will receive stateroom upgrades, the addition of Mix, Showroom at Sea, Canaletto and other public area enhancements. The second series of drydocks, in 2012 and 2013, will add The Retreat and new staterooms in the aft portion of the ships, as well as forward veranda and spa staterooms.

‘Veendam looks spectacular,’ enthused Rick Meadows, evp marketing, sales and guest programs, who said the continued Signature of Excellence investment ‘reaffirms our commitment to our fleet of mid-sized ships.’

The upgrades range from new fixtures and soft goods in staterooms to a resort pool feature called The Retreat with a giant LED screen. Midship lounges are being reconfigured into an area called Mix with three separate bars, Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales. The main show lounge is transforming into a Showroom at Sea with a glamorous nightclub ambience.

Plans are for each ship to gain 44 to 46 staterooms, 32 with verandas and the balance inside staterooms. On Statendam-class ships, a dozen rooms near the spa also will add verandas and, along with three inside staterooms, and become ‘spa staterooms.’ On Rotterdam, 23 staterooms will take on the spa theme.

Stateroom windows on the new Lanai accommodations are being replaced with lanai doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade. There will be 38 of these on Veendam and 39 on Rotterdam. Ryndam, Maasdam and Statendam will receive 38 Lanai rooms during their second phase of their drydocks.