Zuiderdam Question

RE: Post Refit Features and Additions

I would be grateful to know what attractions were added on the Zuiderdam during last fall's dry dock. Does the Zuiderdam now have Holland America's Exploration Center (EXC) and the Rijksmuseum at Sea like were added to the Westerdam earlier in 2017? If not, does anyone know when they are scheduled to be added? I have read the Zuiderdam now features B. B. King's Blues Club and Lincoln Center but I have not been able to find out what other innovations were added. (Sadly, when I phoned HAL the agent said he wasn't sure.) Thank you for your replies.

Cap

Yes, the Crow's Nest is now EXC/Explorations Central. Other changes are the Northern Lights disco/nightclub is now the Gallery Bar and what was the Sports Bar is now the Dueling Pianos/Billboard Onboard area.

Additionally, the area that was the Shore Excursions Desk in the Atrium is now a sitting area, though I NEVER saw anyone actually sitting there. The lovely Atrium Bar is (or was as of January) sitting empty and unused.

I will say of the all the changes made during the dry dock, the addition of USB ports near the bed is definitely the most useful and practical as far as I could tell. I understand there were changes to suites, but since I'm a steerage dweller, I can't tell you anything about those changes.

Thank you ellieanne for the information. Very helpful. Much appreciated.

Cap

SS suites have all new carpets, beding, furniture, huge TV over the sofa, new bathrooms vanities, built in night light in bath ceiling, lights in closets, electric plugs at bedsides. I tried to post photos but they would not upload.

SS suites have all new carpets, beding, furniture, huge TV over the sofa, new bathrooms vanities, built in night light in bath ceiling, lights in closets, electric plugs at bedsides. I tried to post photos but they would not upload.

Thanks so much :D

I understand there were changes to suites, but since I'm a steerage dweller, I can't tell you anything about those changes.

I was on the Mar 21 Zuiderdam cruise and was in the "steerage" type cabin, an obstructed outside room on Deck 4. I was told by the room steward that these cabins had new carpets and new mattresses and linen. The mattress was unbelievably comfortable. Except for a few chips in the bath tub, the cabin was in excellent condition. This was my first cruise on the Zuiderdam but it won't be my last especially now that smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship. I am never going back to the Koningsdam again. I realize now how much I missed my afternoon naps on the Promenade.

As to the Crow's Nest, I loved the new design. There was a large variety of books available, especially fairly-new reference books.

Yes, the Crow's Nest is now EXC/Explorations Central. Other changes are the Northern Lights disco/nightclub is now the Gallery Bar and what was the Sports Bar is now the Dueling Pianos/Billboard Onboard area.

 

Additionally, the area that was the Shore Excursions Desk in the Atrium is now a sitting area, though I NEVER saw anyone actually sitting there. The lovely Atrium Bar is (or was as of January) sitting empty and unused.

 

I will say of the all the changes made during the dry dock, the addition of USB ports near the bed is definitely the most useful and practical as far as I could tell. I understand there were changes to suites, but since I'm a steerage dweller, I can't tell you anything about those changes.

Just off the Zuiderdam. In my opinion, The new Gallery Bar is a HUGE improvement over the old Northern Lights "Disco". The new space is very cozy and elegant with beautiful and interesting art and very inviting furnishings. Some sofas had white pillows! A lot of events and meets were held there during our cruise in contrast with the old, dark, Northern Lights that was only used for bar crawls etc. The "Sports Bar" and "Piano Bar" are now gone and the space has been opened up into the "Billboard Onboard" area. During our cruise, there were two guys who played duets together most nights. I'm not sure what "dueling pianos" are but these guys just played the same songs together. You got to sit close and request songs but were not really encouraged to "sing along" like the old Piano Bar was designed to do. It was OK but to tell you the truth, I like the old Piano Bar concept MUCH better because it was more intimate and crowd participation focused.

Just off the Zuiderdam. In my opinion, The new Gallery Bar is a HUGE improvement over the old Northern Lights "Disco". The new space is very cozy and elegant with beautiful and interesting art and very inviting furnishings. Some sofas had white pillows! A lot of events and meets were held there during our cruise in contrast with the old, dark, Northern Lights that was only used for bar crawls etc. The "Sports Bar" and "Piano Bar" are now gone and the space has been opened up into the "Billboard Onboard" area. During our cruise, there were two guys who played duets together most nights. I'm not sure what "dueling pianos" are but these guys just played the same songs together. You got to sit close and request songs but were not really encouraged to "sing along" like the old Piano Bar was designed to do. It was OK but to tell you the truth, I like the old Piano Bar concept MUCH better because it was more intimate and crowd participation focused.

I enjoyed the Gallery Bar, when there weren't evens going on. I found it crowded and uncomfortable when it was full for trivia. The Crow's Nest or BB Kings would be a better choice for trivia, especially on sea days when so many people come to participate.

I actually liked the Northern Lights Disco, but I can see why they needed to re-configure the space.

When I was on the Zuiderdam, I thought the piano players were awful. I'm happy to hear there are new players on board now.

Just off the Zuiderdam. . .The "Sports Bar" and "Piano Bar" are now gone and the space has been opened up into the "Billboard Onboard" area. During our cruise, there were two guys who played duets together most nights. I'm not sure what "dueling pianos" are but these guys just played the same songs together. You got to sit close and request songs but were not really encouraged to "sing along" like the old Piano Bar was designed to do. It was OK but to tell you the truth, I like the old Piano Bar concept MUCH better because it was more intimate and crowd participation focused.

I was on the same cruise. As the Billboard Onboard guys explained during their Q&A on the last day, they aren't playing dueling pianos (and that's not a term HAL uses). They are playing together, as you said. I thought they were fun to listen to, except that they mostly played the same songs, night in and night out. ("Piano Man" is a terrific song, but how many times do you want to hear it?) They said the song lists are set by the powers that be on shore.

This was a 20-night cruise, and HAL has many such long -- and even longer -- itineraries. I really think performers like this -- as well as the Lincoln Center Stage folks, who were excellent but who repeated their programs (set by shore folks too) after several days -- need a larger repertoire, especially since they make up 2/3 of the non-main-stage entertainment. (We never went to BB King's, so I can't say if they were equally limited.)

I was on the same cruise. As the Billboard Onboard guys explained during their Q&A on the last day, they aren't playing dueling pianos (and that's not a term HAL uses). They are playing together, as you said. I thought they were fun to listen to, except that they mostly played the same songs, night in and night out. ("Piano Man" is a terrific song, but how many times do you want to hear it?) They said the song lists are set by the powers that be on shore.

 

This was a 20-night cruise, and HAL has many such long -- and even longer -- itineraries. I really think performers like this -- as well as the Lincoln Center Stage folks, who were excellent but who repeated their programs (set by shore folks too) after several days -- need a larger repertoire, especially since they make up 2/3 of the non-main-stage entertainment. (We never went to BB King's, so I can't say if they were equally limited.)

The limitations on what music can be played live have been in place since at least 2014. My husband attended a Steel Drum class on our NYE cruise 2014/2015 and asked the instructor/drummer about the songs he played around the pool at lunch time, mentioning that there were only so many times he could hear Africa without wanting to steal the drumsticks. The drummer said they have a list of songs they could play, and even though they know or other songs are requested, they CANNOT go off-list. It became a joke with my husband and the drummer overtime they saw each other, the drummer was sure to play the opening bars of Africa. It was funny for us, because we knew the reason, but I am sure other people got really annoyed with that, as well as with the limited playlist.

I know there are some controversial songs, and I have no objections to banning those, or songs with lyrics not appropriate for a wide audience, but I really do feel limiting the music that can be played only serves to annoy passengers who would really like to hear "their" song played. Surely it's not an ASCAP or other licensing issue. I would think that HAL would have filed that paperwork and paid any fees.

It may in fact be an ASCAP issue, as we listened to Adagio for fourteen days (ok not EVERY session) and I don't believe they played the same number twice! (copyrights of most classical works have expired?).

Mike McCabe in the Piano Bar did play some repeats, but seemed to have a VERY large repertoire in his tablet or iPad, presumably approved by those upstairs.

Is the Crows Nest now still large enough to host a Meet and Greet with about 50 people?

It may in fact be an ASCAP issue, as we listened to Adagio for fourteen days (ok not EVERY session) and I don't believe they played the same number twice! (copyrights of most classical works have expired?).

 

Mike McCabe in the Piano Bar did play some repeats, but seemed to have a VERY large repertoire in his tablet or iPad, presumably approved by those upstairs.

I seriously doubt it's a licensing issue. An ASCAP license gives the holder "the right to perform millions of works in the ASCAP repertory." Also, the Lincoln Center folks were not just playing classical music, but also things like movie soundtracks.

https://www.ascap.com/help/ascap-licensing

Is the Crows Nest now still large enough to host a Meet and Greet with about 50 people?

Yes.

But not large enough to hold nearly the entire ship when we cruised Prins Christian Sund and the outer decks were closed because of high winds. (Thank goodness for our balcony! :D)

On 9/19/2018 at 5:39 PM, kevingastreich said:

 

Just off the Zuiderdam. During our cruise, there were two guys who played duets together most nights. I'm not sure what "dueling pianos" are but these guys just played the same songs together. You got to sit close and request songs but were not really encouraged to "sing along" like the old Piano Bar was designed to do. It was OK but to tell you the truth, I like the old Piano Bar concept MUCH better because it was more intimate and crowd participation focused.

You're not alone...many people have said the same. The original piano bar  was more fun, and had a great night club vibe. It was packed, and often SRO,  with people of all ages..even the teenagers !   The new piano bar lacks any kind of atmosphere, and the view...people walking by, and the casino, is distracting. 

On 9/20/2018 at 5:25 AM, DaveOKC said:

Is the Crows Nest now still large enough to host a Meet and Greet with about 50 people?

Yes, if you don't require a cocktail party type of gathering. They no longer have a  full bar. 

7 hours ago, Boatdrill said:

 

Yes, if you don't require a cocktail party type of gathering. They no longer have a  full bar. 

Yikes, what part of a bar DO they have? 

2 hours ago, crystalspin said:

Yikes, what part of a bar DO they have? 

In bar terms, it's a "full bar" which means it has liquor, beer & wine, and distinguishes it from having just beer & wine. I think @Boatdrill meant that the whole space is not longer a bar. The Crow's Nest has a full bar. It's just not as big as it was at one time.

Hmmmm.  HAL Onboard Event Services has told me they no longer allow private cocktail parties in the Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam  Crow's Nests because there's no way to serve any alcoholic drinks, except wine and beer. The bar isn't stocked for anything else.   As a result, they schedule parties in the Gallery Bar, or Queen's Lounge (BB King's). 

29 minutes ago, Boatdrill said:

Hmmmm.  HAL Onboard Event Services has told me they no longer allow private cocktail parties in the Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam  Crow's Nests because there's no way to serve any alcoholic drinks, except wine and beer. The bar isn't stocked for anything else.   As a result, they schedule parties in the Gallery Bar, or Queen's Lounge (BB King's). 

I'll check this weekend, but someone recently posted photos of the Zuiderdam's bar and there were definitely liquor bottles. I could see them restricting cocktail parties because the service area of the bar is cut way down when it's half coffee bar.

On 3/23/2018 at 2:33 AM, Cap N said:

RE: Post Refit Features and Additions

 

I would be grateful to know what attractions were added on the Zuiderdam during last fall's dry dock. Does the Zuiderdam now have Holland America's Exploration Center (EXC) and the Rijksmuseum at Sea like were added to the Westerdam earlier in 2017? ..........................

The "Rijksmuseum at Sea" appears to be kind of a mystery. Since Westerdam gained it in her atrium during her April 2017 dry-dock (see pics), Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam and Koningsdam have all gone to their dry-docks and have reappeared without getting the "Rijksmuseum" Time will tell with Noordam due for dry-dock in 2019

Forgot to add; in gaining "Rijksmuseum at Sea", Westerdam lost her Atrium Bar and her atrium stairs no longer go all the way down to Deck 1 but stop at Deck 2 while the shorex office and the FCC moved up to the Crow's Nest

On 12/12/2018 at 8:27 AM, POA1 said:

 

I'll check this weekend, but someone recently posted photos of the Zuiderdam's bar and there were definitely liquor bottles. I could see them restricting cocktail parties because the service area of the bar is cut way down when it's half coffee bar.

That would make sense, since the bar is much smaller now. 

Thanks for your input.  It's very appreciated. 

22 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

Forgot to add; in gaining "Rijksmuseum at Sea", Westerdam lost her Atrium Bar and her atrium stairs no longer go all the way down to Deck 1 but stop at Deck 2 while the shorex office and the FCC moved up to the Crow's Nest

Thank you for posting the photos. The area looks terrific - clean (not fussy) and classy.   

2 hours ago, Boatdrill said:

That would make sense, since the bar is much smaller now. 

Thanks for your input.  It's very appreciated.  

My pleasure. There's a reasonably good chance that I'll find myself in that bar. The least I can do is look up and check for bottles.