HAL’s Veendam – Things turn Ugly!

The HAL blog has photos of the Veendam’s refit in Freeport. She’s getting a reverse make-over making her stern more uglier than before.  New aft balcony cabins and additional deck require the instalment of a ducktail for stability. Also, the bridge wings are being extended result.

Before

 

After!

Now some commentators (my Friend sread) have said: “Who cares what a ship looks like from the outside, because you can’t see it from the inside? It’s the experience for passengers who are on board that matters more, I would have thought”. “I imagine HAL will pay more attention to people on the inside pee(r)ing out, than those on the outside pee(r)ing in”.

Sread has summed up the difference between a ‘cruise passenger’ and a ’ship nut’.  Would you buy a car that you thought looked ugly, even if you could not see it when you drive?  I know ship nuts that would just not cruise on an ugly ship.

Just imagine the embarrassment of walking back to the port to board a monstrosity, especially if a more attractive ship were berthed nearby. A true ship nut would have to wear a disguise. It would be like a car park full of BMW’s and you had to walked back to your Reliant Robin – oh the shame.

Another friend, PamM, says “She  now looks like Norwegian Epic sailing back-wards”.  

 However I do agree that HAL, NCL et al are not at all worried about us few ship-nuts. 

I have written a whole article about ship aesthetics called ‘Do Looks Matter’ (see menu right).

Tags: HAL, holland america line., Veendam