Zuiderdam.. horrific food. March 12, 2005

[shipcafe]

Somewhat of a different subject.

You mention you were in an "S" suite. How was the suite? Did you take advantage of the concierge services?

[Time2sail]

Hopefully, it is true that these posts are read by someone at HAL who will try to correct shortcomings and improve the quality of food and service on the ships that are named. There are veteran HAL cruisers who have given honest opinions and new cruisers who have done the same--I appreciate all that post. I will not be eating peanut butter and jelly nor will I starve; I have gone on enough cruises to know there is plenty to eat even if the main course is not up to par.

[xpcdoojk]

Yes compare Catnip's and other mature discussions of the food on HAL and you can easily see why the OP's comments irritate so many people. Her comments are both rational and reasonable. She is not screaming for attention, she is not implying that anyone who chooses HAL is making a mistake, and she is not comparing having a bad meal to some horrific or horrible experience that would ruin an entire cruise. :)

 

So, in my opinion, most people are not complaining about criticism of HAL, but of over-stated, bombastic, smear jobs. It is a subtle difference, and one, unfortunately, that people who rush to defend someone who posts things that are beyond defense seem to ignore. JMHO:D :eek:

 

jc

[doowillie]

All this over one person's impression of ONE meal ! (So what am I doing here ??). Anyway, as someone suggested, I suspect he is a troll and is enjoying the uproar. If not a troll, then I hope he is not in any position that requires reasoning, judgement, or quick decisions. My problem is not with any honest criticism, but such a vitriolic diatribe based on ONE MEAL. Seems to me that a reasonable person would consider the possibility that this was an abberation and tried at least one more time and with other selections.

[1stMate]

It amazes me that on a cruise with such allegedly horrible food in the main dining room that the same cabin was allowed to make a reservation at the Pinnacle for five or six consecutive nights. I would have expected a stampede for reservations, even at $20 a person.

 

I was on the Westerdam the week of 3/20 and wasn't impressed at all by the main dining room. We ate there the first night, and it was pretty good. We had friends who were on the Westerdam the week of 3/13 and we called them from the ship before we left port ( I love cell phones) and asked for the run down. They said the worst meal was the 1st night. Still, we went the first night and thought , "if this is the worst, we're in for a great dining experience." I had pre-booked the Pinnacle for the second night, a formal night, which was utterly elegant in the Pinnacle. Wearing a tux to a good restuarant followed by a night in the casino really made me feel like I was cruising with the Rockefellers and the Van Cleefs. Anyway, it was so good that Tuesday morning I called for another reservation and was told the Pinnacle was booked solid. There was no large group that reserved it, it was sold out merely from individual passengers. That's as close to a stampede as you could get.

 

It's a matter of taste, our cruise experienced dining companions thought everything was terrific, in spite of some dining room miscues, such as serving a meal that wasn't ordered on 2 different occassions, failing to bring ordered food until being reminded a couple of times as well. There were folks on the cruise that we talked to that loved it and folks that didn't.

 

We were in the main diningroom the nights 1,3,5 & 6. Pinnacle night 2, Bar-b-que night 4 and Lido the last night. After the 3rd night large table behind us was empty for the rest of the cruise.

 

dakrewser wrote

THe OP has, in effect, insulted anyone who claims to have had a good experience on a HAL cruise. I'm not OK with that.

I'm sorry you felt that way when reading his post. I didn't read it that way. Nor do I think upon reading his subsequent posts did he intend it to be interpreted as you clearly have. I had a wonderful time on my cruise. Although I thought that the MDR was not of the caliber it should have been on a HAL ship, it wasn't terrible it just wasn't wonderful, I can certainly empathize with his opinions. I'm sure the OP wasn't out to get you or insult you personally.

[annbanan]

Ok.........it is time to move on to:

 

Great Food Zuiderdam 3-19 -3-26

 

Have A Great Day!

[Tarkus]

you know, in the customer service industry, if you can muster 99%+ positive comments about anything then you're doing MUCH better than expected! in that regard, if 1 out of every 100 posts regarding a cruise is negative, please keep that perspective - there's just no way in the world you're gonna please all of the people all of the time.

 

we can debate whether there's some other ax to grind (there may well be) - but this review in no way diminishes my excitement about my upcoming cruise on the zuiderdam. nor am i expecting either "horrific" food or the best food that's ever touched my lips. then again, i likely fall somewhere in that 99 percentile that i mentioned.

 

jm2c.

[Gregg20]

we can debate whether there's some other ax to grind (there may well be) - but this review in no way diminishes my excitement about my upcoming cruise on the zuiderdam. nor am i expecting either "horrific" food or the best food that's ever touched my lips. then again, i likely fall somewhere in that 99 percentile that i mentioned.jm2c.

 

Yes exactly. I've been on the Zuidy twice and each time my reasonable expectations were exceeded.

[lknick]

The right to criticize in no way implies deep thought, especially when it comes to subjective items such as food.

 

The tyranny of the majority applies to everything. HAL’s food is designed for the majority of their market segment, and every recipe is taste tested before being added to the menu.

[Time2sail]

The right to criticize in no way implies deep thought, especially when it comes to subjective items such as food.

 

The tyranny of the majority applies to everything. HAL’s food is designed for the majority of their market segment, and every recipe is taste tested before being added to the menu.

 

When I read that one is not to miss escargot night, then I as a minority would say "yes I am--not going to eat a snail." This would be horrific food to me:eek: Throw on a piece of liver and I don't have even a word for that:)

[xpcdoojk]

When I read that one is not to miss escargot night, then I as a minority would say "yes I am--not going to eat a snail." This would be horrific food to me:eek: Throw on a piece of liver and I don't have even a word for that:)

 

Yum escargot... my mouth is watering and it is lunch time. Unfortunately, my poor little taste buds are now doomed to dissappointment. How can anyone not like escargot.:confused:

 

jc

[lawbrob]

7 of us cruised the Zuiderdam during the week or March 12-19. The crew of this ship is very dedicated to great service. Everything was clean and well organized. Ship is easy to roam about on. We found lots of quiet nooks to talk, read or snooze. The Crow's Nest is a great place to relax in the afternoon with a good book or drink. Our room was fine and cabin steward Santos took great care of us.

 

We ate in the Pinnacle Grill one evening and totally enjoyed the fare. Lido deck food was excellent along with the amazing "Hunky Dory"......who should take up a career in politics. The Vista Dining Room food...lacked taste. The presentation was very good but for the amount of money spent we expected better. We have cruised before and are not picky eaters. We have on occasion asked the waiter to bring us another entree if we weren't satisfied with our original selection. They are always happy to bring something else.

The menu did feature one entree every evening called "comfort food". Pot roast and home cooking. My husband loved this...lol. The surf and turf left a lot to be desired. We didn't suffer much...gained weight like crazy...!

 

We noticed a sort of class system on the boat. The higher priced cabins have their own bar (Neptune Lounge) that the rest of us were not allowed to use. One day at lunch we were asked to leave the Crow's Nest to allow the Deluxe cabin passengers to partake in a lovely private lunch.

We weren't offended by this but none of us read anything in the brochures that mentions this arrangement.

 

We will probably cruise HAL in the future but want to try other lines as well.

The food was not "horrific".... just a little bland.

[Time2sail]

I do put salt on them in the flower bed and garden:)

[Catnip]

jc,

I LOVE escargot......with all that butter and garlic.......YUMM!!!!!! ;)

[TedC]

Lawbrob,

 

The Neptune Lounge, as widely advertised, is only for guests in PS and S suites. But it's NOT a bar. There are juices, coffees, teas and snacks available and light breakfast fixings.

 

Sometimes there's a suite party in the Neptune, and then drinks are served at that time. The suite brunch usually is in the Crow's Nest on one day, but only lasts 2 or 3 hours. Often various groups reserve some of the public areas for meetings, etc. but that's never been a problem for us.

[1stMate]

jc,

I LOVE escargot......with all that butter and garlic.......YUMM!!!!!! ;)

 

I found all the appetizers to be wonderful albeit teeny tiny portions. While I enjoy glutony, I felt uneasy ordereding multiple selections. The gazpacho was really good, almost as good as my mothers, seriously, Mom's is amazing.

 

I split the large Filet in the Pinnacle and had the turf in the Lido, no way it (the Lido version) was from the same species as the Pinnacle. The MDR's grilled tuna was done correctly, rare, but the fish lacked flavor. The venison was good and rare but three slices and no madera sauce or port reduction? Come on.

 

BTW, I hated when they served the Baked Alaska and then 10 minutes later, when everyone was down to the last spoonful, they came around with the cherry sauce. That's poor planning.

[dakrewser]

We noticed a sort of class system on the boat. The higher priced cabins have their own bar (Neptune Lounge) that the rest of us were not allowed to use. One day at lunch we were asked to leave the Crow's Nest to allow the Deluxe cabin passengers to partake in a lovely private lunch.

We weren't offended by this but none of us read anything in the brochures that mentions this arrangement.

 

The Neptune Lounge isn't a bar, it's where the concierges (who service S and PS cabin passengers) work. There's always coffee and light snacks available, but bothing that isn't also available to any other passenger in he Lido and/or dining room.

 

The Crow's Nest is used for many different private functions during the day when it isn't open as a lounge. Not just ship sponsored events, though - anyone can (with advanced notice) book it.

[Dog Mommie]

Can't believe this is getting so much attention...but, then again, I rarely post and here I am!

 

 

Been on 15-20 cruises and have to agree, the Zuiderdam was not up to HAL's usual standards. Went when it was only a few month's old...had unbelievable sewage odors in hallways and in our cabin. Purser's officer actually gave us her personal can of Oust ! We had the Captain, head mechanic, and head of the hotel ALL in our cabin at 6:30A.M. on the 3rd morning out trying to figure out where the exhaust fumes AND sewage fumes were coming from and how best not to kill us with said fumes. (the Oust was definately loosing the battle)

Finally found an empty cabin (below cat. we booked) and moved us. Never got a response, much less a refund, from HAL for any of this.

 

And the food was on par with the cheapest cruise we have ever sailed. Actually wanted to charge me for escagot on the following night after it was on the menu after our waiter told us there was plenty left over! Pay extra for leftovers? Not even the old Norway did that!

 

We've been on several more cruises since then (none being HAL) and have not been disappionted in the least...HOWEVER, we are going on the Maasdam in Sept. and really hope that we're not making a mistake...that it is like the good HAL cruises I remember and not the Zuiderdam hell again!

[JDee]

The right to criticize in no way implies deep thought, especially when it comes to subjective items such as food.

 

The tyranny of the majority applies to everything. HAL’s food is designed for the majority of their market segment, and every recipe is taste tested before being added to the menu.

 

Hi Iknick, was glad to see your post. Many people, including myself, were wondering if anything happened to you. There is a posting on page 3 inquiring about your absence. Many, many would like to see your posts more often and again, glad to see your posts & hope you are feeling well. Guess you are enjoying our retirement..... I am.....

 

Happy cruising......

[JDee]

I know that over the past several years, other cruise lines (RCCL, Princess) food quality have declined also.

 

Up until a month ago, I would have agreed w/your assessment on RCCL foods. That is probably the reason my last cruise on RCI was about 5 years ago. Having done many consecutive HAL cruises, decided needed a change of scenery. Almost booked another Celebrity cruise, but then Splendour came to Tampa & gave it a try....what a difference 5 years makes....The DR menu was not as extensive as HAL's or Celebrity's, but what I had was very good, well presented, really outstanding dinner was their prime rib, and no real loosers either....

 

I was really amazed with their service in the DR and the Windjammer. Very well staffed both places. In WJ, waiters walking around with coffee refills, juices, water, etc., same at lunch, tables promtly cleaned, always made you feel welcome. Outstanding desserts both places...However, certainly would concede that HAL Lido for breakfast and Lunch is the gold standard of similar priced cruise buffets.....

 

What did I miss?? The ice cream sundea station (Splendour did have a self-serve frozen yogert machine open almost 24/7), wajang theatre & popcorn, Explorer Rosario's & chocolates, but I lived though it & will place RCI on my cruise schedule rotation.

 

Happy cruising to all.....

[Pereiras]

Nice and comfortable. Lots of room, though I understand from another poster not as large as the other class HAL ships.

 

Concierge was good.. they remembered everyone's names and all, and the little snackies were good there. Didn't use it too much except to get coffee (expresso), which was at cost elsewhere on the boat I understand. It was good for making some arrangements on shore, but I would suggest you do it before you leave. Ex. the cabanas and shades were all gone before we docked at the Cay.

 

Somewhat of a different subject.

 

You mention you were in an "S" suite. How was the suite? Did you take advantage of the concierge services?

[Pereiras]

We didn't enjoy the food on the cruise in the main area, and experienced one horrific meal. The rest of the food, save the Pinnacle was awful.. and not just by our judgement.

 

Few here seem intent on shouting me down, one guy in particular who I suspect might have some 'special' relationship with HAL.

 

Glad my thread is attracting the attention that it has. Perhaps that way, they might improve the food. Worst cruise I have been on. Horrific Turf. Bland, dry, tasteless otherwise. Pinnacle good. CS crummy.

 

Thanks to all the OP bashers here who continue to post (thanks Dave) and allow this thread to continue.

 

Seems that the negative Zuiderdam experiences noted here are gaining in numbers.

 

 

 

Can't believe this is getting so much attention...but, then again, I rarely post and here I am!

 

 

Been on 15-20 cruises and have to agree, the Zuiderdam was not up to HAL's usual standards. Went when it was only a few month's old...had unbelievable sewage odors in hallways and in our cabin. Purser's officer actually gave us her personal can of Oust ! We had the Captain, head mechanic, and head of the hotel ALL in our cabin at 6:30A.M. on the 3rd morning out trying to figure out where the exhaust fumes AND sewage fumes were coming from and how best not to kill us with said fumes. (the Oust was definately loosing the battle)

Finally found an empty cabin (below cat. we booked) and moved us. Never got a response, much less a refund, from HAL for any of this.

 

And the food was on par with the cheapest cruise we have ever sailed. Actually wanted to charge me for escagot on the following night after it was on the menu after our waiter told us there was plenty left over! Pay extra for leftovers? Not even the old Norway did that!

 

We've been on several more cruises since then (none being HAL) and have not been disappionted in the least...HOWEVER, we are going on the Maasdam in Sept. and really hope that we're not making a mistake...that it is like the good HAL cruises I remember and not the Zuiderdam hell again!

[Pereiras]

Thanks for bringing this up. We had reservartions for the departure night, and the nights at sea. (departure is $10 per night, not $20).. and just FYI.. by Monday, there is no room available in the Pinnacle.. unless you wanted to eat really early, or very late. if you try through the concierge. We came to know Sergio, (the Matre D.. and were able confirm the other nights that we needed. So, yes, it seems to me that there was a bit of a stampede. We ate at that fabulous 30 course meal thing on the Princess (wow), and on our cruise, there was always some availability.. right through to the last night.

 

It amazes me that on a cruise with such allegedly horrible food in the main dining room that the same cabin was allowed to make a reservation at the Pinnacle for five or six consecutive nights. I would have expected a stampede for reservations, even at $20 a person.

[Pereiras]

Don't agree though that it was one sided. Just truthful. Keep posting!

 

 

I have never been on a Holland America Line (HAL not HOL) cruise, but your entire posting on this thread is so blatantly one-sided and transparent, that all I really have to add (if you couldn't tell from my other remarks) is right on Dave!!!!!!!!! :D

 

Pereiras, you are doing your credibility a great disservice, and frankly I find this entire whine of yours to be quite sad. JMHO.:mad:

 

jc

[Pereiras]

Thanks lawbrob. Please don't shout down this one too Dave. By the way, I understand from Sergio that they are considering Hunky Dory for a promotion to the Pinnacle. Good on him. He is a real find. Photographic memory.

 

 

7 of us cruised the Zuiderdam during the week or March 12-19. The crew of this ship is very dedicated to great service. Everything was clean and well organized. Ship is easy to roam about on. We found lots of quiet nooks to talk, read or snooze. The Crow's Nest is a great place to relax in the afternoon with a good book or drink. Our room was fine and cabin steward Santos took great care of us.

 

We ate in the Pinnacle Grill one evening and totally enjoyed the fare. Lido deck food was excellent along with the amazing "Hunky Dory"......who should take up a career in politics. The Vista Dining Room food...lacked taste. The presentation was very good but for the amount of money spent we expected better. We have cruised before and are not picky eaters. We have on occasion asked the waiter to bring us another entree if we weren't satisfied with our original selection. They are always happy to bring something else.

The menu did feature one entree every evening called "comfort food". Pot roast and home cooking. My husband loved this...lol. The surf and turf left a lot to be desired. We didn't suffer much...gained weight like crazy...!

 

We noticed a sort of class system on the boat. The higher priced cabins have their own bar (Neptune Lounge) that the rest of us were not allowed to use. One day at lunch we were asked to leave the Crow's Nest to allow the Deluxe cabin passengers to partake in a lovely private lunch.

We weren't offended by this but none of us read anything in the brochures that mentions this arrangement.

 

We will probably cruise HAL in the future but want to try other lines as well.

The food was not "horrific".... just a little bland.