Zuiderdam

[BR47]

I believe the Zuiderdam came into Ft. Lauderdale from a 10 day Panama Canal Cruise, and it looks like it doesn't go out again until next Monday, 2/13. Does anyone know if it is having repairs or upgrades during this week, or is this week just to give the staff a break?

 

Thanks.

[jtl513]

Where do you see this info? What I find is that it is leaving today for an 11-day Sunfarer cruise.

 

The only times a ship is out of service is for emergency repairs or a scheduled dry dock. The Zuiderdam's next dry dock will be Nov 30 to Dec 9 in Freeport Bahamas.

[djg541]

It looks like the Z is scheduled to sail today, feb 6th according to the post before yours. ( "sail a way")

[BR47]

O.K. Thanks. I looked at someone's post on another thread and it said they were sailing on the Zuiderdam leaving February 13th. That can't be right if they leave today for 11 days.

 

Sorry - my mistake.

[DougMacP]

The "Z" is sailing today...they are alternating 10 day and 11 day itineraries. The new cruise is 11 days. Just got off her....in the rain...so I'm afraid the new passengers are going to have a icky couple of days.

[BR47]

The "Z" is sailing today...they are alternating 10 day and 11 day itineraries. The new cruise is 11 days. Just got off her....in the rain...so I'm afraid the new passengers are going to have a icky couple of days.

 

How was your cruise? I will be on her next month.

[djg541]

The "Z" is sailing today...they are alternating 10 day and 11 day itineraries. The new cruise is 11 days. Just got off her....in the rain...so I'm afraid the new passengers are going to have a icky couple of days.

 

Nice to hear. I hope you have time to post a review of your experience aboard her?

Will be sailing on her in April.

Thanks in advance.

[retdon]

The "Z" is sailing today...they are alternating 10 day and 11 day itineraries. The new cruise is 11 days. Just got off her....in the rain...so I'm afraid the new passengers are going to have a icky couple of days.

Doug, How is this ship, thinking of doing the canal on her in Oct. Any comments will be appreciated, service, crew, food, etc. Linda

[DougMacP]

I admit had concerns about the frequency and consistence of the negative comments going into this cruise (10 day Southern Caribbean with a partial Panama Canal transit) but I was heartened by the good comments…. So to those that come after me….here are my thoughts….Positive first.

 

1. The food is excellent! Completely and totally blown away with the quality of the food in the main dining room (MDR) and the Lido. Service in the MDR excellent.

 

2. The ship is not falling apart. The elevators worked fine. One is out in the front stack but those are worst ones to use anyway (most traffic). Use the middle stack where there are 4 more outside elevators. Did not see one public bathroom out of service.

 

3.. Our room attendant was outstanding the beds and pillows very comfy and the room was very clean

 

4. The entertainment was the best I’ve experienced on any HAL cruise. Not one bad group. Two shout outs…the piano player Jim Fisher is exceptional (sadly he’s leaving after this cruise…but will be on the Noordam soon) and the shows in the main show room a huge surprise.

 

5. Loved the private island!! It will be the best beach you’ll see. Hint….order a clam shell online for 15 bucks before your cruise unless you like a lot of direct sun…or want to walk quite a ways down the beach so find some shade.

 

6. Be realistic about your expectations and be tolerate of your fellow passengers. If you are a fitness fanatic or like a youthful crowd don’t go on a HAL cruise. The fit and trim were in the extreme minority here…best guess less then 10% and the average age probably early 70‘s. The high percentage of morbidly obese (at least 30%) and obese (another 30%) made me confront my own prejudices on the matter…and I’m overweight…... It is there cruise too.

 

7. A cruise is a comfortable and convenient way to get in the sun….that is dollar for dollar cheaper then a land based vacation. Keep reminding yourself of that….when something bugs you.

 

Now the negatives…

 

8. Some of the furniture in the cabins is very tried (true)…..and the carpet in some of the stairs is showing through especially near the dining rooms. She is far from a rust bucket and neither does she have the glow of youth. Not a big deal to me...but you did notice it.

 

9. BRING EAR PLUGS….the cabins are well soundproofed to noise from other cabins but the ceiling panels in our cabin (6113) and many others pop, squeak and groan so loud in anything other than a calm sea that if we didn’t have ear plugs it would have made you crazy. I repeat….BRING EAR PLUGS

 

10. Don’t expect to see the Officers on deck or circulating amongst the passengers. What I read before I cruised was true….they are nowhere to be seen. Attitude and dedication to customer service comes from the top…..sadly they miss the mark in a huge way here. When we were docked next to the Island Princess in Puerto Limon…we saw more of their officers in several hours walking their promenade and lido decks…then we did ours the entire cruise.

 

11. The service in the Lido (buffet) is generally poor. Not having trays isn’t as much of a problem as is no set ups (silverware) on the tables much of the time, or in spots were the passengers could easily find them. Everyone was always hunting it down. The way they handle the beverage stations are bizarre…the staff are always sort of there in the way and then give you attitude when you ask for water (lemonade or iced tea). Generally the staff was either scowling or signing to themselves. Again…lack of direction and supervision. Never have I rated a service person on HAL as a poor on the survey until this cruise.

 

12. No matter how annoyed you get…..just keep going back to number 7.... We had a great time..it was a great product...at a great price....what's not to like???

[1jade105]

Thank you for the report. DH and I are scheduled to sail Zuidy in March and I have been following very mixed reports for months. I sailed on her in August to Alaska so am not really worried.

One additional comment: On a dark and stormy night on the Alaska sail my SIL was returning from the casino late at night, alone. She was in a glass elevator, port side, when the lights went out and the elevator stopped. Being stuck in an elevator perched over the sea in the dark alone is not a pleasant experience, but she kept her head, found the emergency phone and was reassured that help was on the way. Shortly the lights came on, and the elevator proceeded to the proper deck. When the door opened there was a man in a white jumpsuit who asked her if she was the one who called?

 

S@#$ happens! But it doesn't have to spoil your trip and it can make for a good story.

[zena88]

DougMacP; Thank you for that in depth description of Zuider- I'm doing 18 days on her in April and have been a little concerned about the plumbing and other issues, so I'm so glad that your experience was a good one.:D

[DougMacP]

Full review now showing in the member review section.

[bishop84]

10. Don’t expect to see the Officers on deck or circulating amongst the passengers. What I read before I cruised was true….they are nowhere to be seen. Attitude and dedication to customer service comes from the top…..sadly they miss the mark in a huge way here. When we were docked next to the Island Princess in Puerto Limon…we saw more of their officers in several hours walking their promenade and lido decks…then we did ours the entire cruise.

 

Most of the officers I know on HAL ships work a minimum 10 hours a day and usually more. Maybe that's why they are not seen walking about the ship off duty?

[HALgrl]

Most of the officers I know on HAL ships work a minimum 10 hours a day and usually more. Maybe that's why they are not seen walking about the ship off duty?

A new Captain was recently assigned to the Zuiderdam so I'm sure he's just getting used to a new ship. He is only on for a short term (1 month) so I'm positive you will see a strong presence of officers around the ship when the Zuiderdam's other established Captain returns in March.

[brichar499]

I agree with the previous comments although it was a little hard on the Lido service staff. I had a much more positive experience with the Lido staff.

 

Two exciting events occurred on this cruise.

 

First was an actual fire alarm at sea at 11:30pm. The officer of the deck immediately advised ship-wide that there was a active alarm in the engine room and emergency crews were investigating. A couple of minutes later, the captain took over and announced that the alarm was associated with a smoke leak in an incinerator and that the high pressure fog extinguisher had been activated. Five minutes later he announced that all emergency crews would be standing down except for the on scene crew and that there was no cause for additional concern. Well handled by all.

 

Another unusual event was departing Puerto Limon. We had been waiting passed the scheduled departure time for a missing couple. Finally after 20 minutes, lines were cast off and we headed out. We were in a veranda cabin at the rear of the ship watching the activity. After we were about 200 yards out pass the pier, the couple came a running, madly waving their arms. We assumed they would be having a wonderful intimate weekend alone in Costa Rico but the captain came on the PA and announced he would go back and get them. I couldn't believe it as I've seen people left at the pier before. The whole procedure wasted another 30 minutes getting back and getting them aboard. The fuel cost alone must have been significant. At least HAL scored with positive PR and hilarious entertainment for us passengers, the many crew members who watched, and the passengers of the Island Princess who were hooting and hollering from the other side of the pier.

[DougMacP]

I forgot about the fire alarm!!!! but I did cover the late passengers at Puerto Limon in the full review. They were so lucky!!....and the passengers on the Island Princess really had fun with it.

[Protseq]

I admit had concerns about the frequency and consistence of the negative comments going into this cruise (10 day Southern Caribbean with a partial Panama Canal transit) but I was heartened by the good comments…. So to those that come after me….here are my thoughts….Positive first.

 

I just keep in my mind that there are literally thousands of people cruising on a ship, and what you see here is just a snapshot of how people experience a certain ship. You have to weight the positives against the negatives. The Zuiderdam was our first cruise with Holland America. We both enjoyed the experience.