HAL's website response to Zuiderdam inquiry

[hypercafe]

I was in room 6077, had AC 50% of time. Also found the culinary arts center to be without AC and the public ares around it. I was offered a credit for a future trip however I said I would rather have the AC fixed so I could enjoy the present trip as I have canceled my future HAL trips and switched to X and Oceania. I hope this is detailed enough for your investigation. Was trip ending 4/20

[MR NW GUY]

:rolleyes:

I was in room 6077, had AC 50% of time. Also found the culinary arts center to be without AC and the public ares around it. I was offered a credit for a future trip however I said I would rather have the AC fixed so I could enjoy the present trip as I have canceled my future HAL trips and switched to X and Oceania. I hope this is detailed enough for your investigation. Was trip ending 4/20

 

Good Morning Hypercafe. Below is your posting from earlier in April. Kind of curious that your tone has changed so much and there was no menton of the cruise credit. Just saying.... :confused:

 

 

 

Just got back from the April 9 Canal trip. Since this ship seems to get such mixed reviews guess I'll give my 2 cents.

 

We had room 6077, SY cabin. Very nice, clean and well kept. Very nice size. There were no toilet issues but there were some out of order public ones causing delays for the ladies at dinner and show time.

 

Crew were nice in general doing their job well.

 

The ship does have some sort of AC issue as parts were very hot and parts cold. My cabin was hot and cold at different times. Crew said there was a problem. It seemed to me they were doing like a rolling AC out, maybe to save money.

 

Ship is in good shape however it really does need a sprucing up. All of the outdoor stuff is well worn and the aft pool deck on the lido is really very bad. One hot tub down for the count and the other 50/50, chairs, lounges etc should be put in the dumpster as soon as possible and the teak is crying out to be cleaned. In fact it is so bad I was thinking they are going to put cabins there at refit time and don't want to spend money there.

 

A lot has been said about smoking. I do not smoke however the smell does not bother me. I only smelled smoking in smoking areas and never on the berthing decks in or out. I have to say that the casino smelled like a pit.

 

Food was OK all around however the service in the MDR was very slow, at least 2 hours for dinner. We had flex time and found it hard to go to the first show if we did not eat at 5:30. Waiter said they had just cut MDR staff by 8. Found the best food on Lido.

 

My goal on this trip was the Canal and we got there and it was great. I did not like this ship IMO it looks like it was stuck in the 70,s. Since it is only 10 years old I guess this was what HAL wanted and I am sure lots like it. I would take this itinerary again but not this ship.

 

After 11 days on board this was how I saw it. You might have a different outlook, that's what free speech is all about.

[hypercafe]

If the details are so important to you I put all of my concerns on the comment card, after I got home I was called by customer service and giver the offer. That's was after I had switched the trips so I said what I said. I have a trip on the Summit for October and on the new Rivera for March. Part of my reason for changing was I got sick and tired of being told I was nuts. My big reason for going on HAL was the canal and as I said we got there and it was great. The total trip with fare and on board charges was 7 grand, at that price I can do better.

[Roz]

Thanks Mr. NW Guy for providing your observations. Sounds like a more balanced review and outlook on things. I'm heading over to the terminal in a few minutes, so I'll reach my own conclusions.

 

Roz

[DAllenTCY]

Thanks for posting the cabin numbers. Lisa would ask Mr. Deering if these issues have been resolved on the Zuiderdam? She boarded today, reads and responds to these posts, and I believe that she will tell us the truth. I look forward to Roz's comments as well, and trust that everyone sailing today will have a pleasant experience.

David

[cruz chic]

Thanks for posting the cabin numbers. Lisa would ask Mr. Deering if these issues have been resolved on the Zuiderdam? She boarded today, reads and responds to these posts, and I believe that she will tell us the truth. I look forward to Roz's comments as well, and trust that everyone sailing today will have a pleasant experience.

David

I'm sure those 2 posters will tell the truth as they see it. Doesn't mean they will know everything that has happened. I really wish you would stop diminishing the experiences of others.

[CowPrincess]

Thanks for posting the cabin numbers. Lisa would ask Mr. Deering if these issues have been resolved on the Zuiderdam? She boarded today, reads and responds to these posts, and I believe that she will tell us the truth. I look forward to Roz's comments as well, and trust that everyone sailing today will have a pleasant experience.

David

 

Are you suggesting that only laffnvegas can be relied on to tell the truth? :rolleyes: That's what your comment sounds like to me.

[canadianbear]

We arrived back yesterday on the 4 night Pacific Coastal aboard the Zuiderdam and were in aft cabin #5185. We had the a/c turned to the coolest the whole time and the room was "just comfortable" so I'm not sure if it would have kept the room cool in a hot climate through the Panama. Our toilet was always delay flushing-2 hours several times (once when I just got off the phone with the front desk I heard the toilet flush!!) and most of the time 2-10 minutes. The morning we were to disembark it also did not flush for over 2 hours-and still hadn't when we had to leave (thank heavens it wasn't anything gross in there) and front office was again advised of it.

 

I have not heard back from when I e-mailed Jdefrin at HAL about questions re the a/c and plumbing and my concerns regarding if they would be addressed before our cruise in 2013.

 

These are not isolated issues but it certainly does depend on what cabin you are in. If you have no issues in your cabin it doesn't mean the person 4 cabins down isn't have some.

[ramtuf]

We have been on over 35 HAL cruises and have NEVER had an ongoing problem with airconditioning or plumbing. The fellow who is currently on the Zuiderdam is stating that entire floors are out of useable toilets for extended periods of time. Sorry but I don't buy it. Any problems in these areas have generally been short term or nonexistent. I seriously wonder if some of these people have alternative motives. [/quote

We were on the 22 day cruise & yes the A/C was shut down for a day to repair it. Yes the whole aft end of the ship had no toilets for a day while they replaced 1

vacuum pump & repaired another.

[startwin]

Was on the Z last April (problem free) but this summer we will most likely be on either the Oosterdam or the Westerdam. There are ligitimate complaints but entire floors of toilets down for days ?? As Philip 217 said "that would be on the news" If you cruise enough you eventionally will have a toilet that does not flush - you call the front desk and inform them and guess what ? It works later. If, as has been reported, the Z really had entire floors without flushing toilets then I'll be the first to appoligize. But thats my opinion, and if the AC and the toilet do not work on the Oosterdam, it will have little to do with karma.

 

Yes indeed, entire floors of toilets were down. First, 3 decks went out, then the rest, and we were informed the foreward public toilets were operating. As the captain himself apologised, I'm sure you can too.

[startwin]

I'm posting this from San Diego where I'm scheduled to board Zuid tomorrow for the 4-day Coastal. I doubt HAL will cancel the 4-day, as the ship needs to reposition to Alaska. My return flight is from Seattle, so I need to get up to Vancouver. If I had to fly back home from SD, it would be majorly inconvenient and expensive.

 

Roz

 

P.S. The same poster who's reporting all the problems has been issuing edicts from the ship. The 4-dayers were told we need to eat in the Lido or our cabins on formal night, when in fact, there is no formal night since our cruise docs clearly state 4 smart casual nights. Apparently the captain died and left them in charge. :D We were also told our smart casual dress will ruin the ambience for those who boarded in Ft. Lauderdale. Geez!

 

That is an outright lie and you forgot to mention I was relaying a conversation with the hotel manager. Not my words at all. What a horrible attitude.

[Roz]

I was on the 4-day Zuiderdam segment, May 8-12. Had a wonderful cruise despite the high seas and having to skip Port Angeles. I was in #7058 and had no toilet or AC issues during my stay. The ship is showing a little wear, but is not in the broken down condition that some have reported. In fact, I went looking for things that were broken, torn, worn, etc. and would have missed most of them were it not for posts on Cruise Critic.

 

I think I have a great attitude. :D

 

Roz

[RedmondCruiser]

Yes indeed, entire floors of toilets were down. First, 3 decks went out, then the rest, and we were informed the foreward public toilets were operating. As the captain himself apologised, I'm sure you can too.

 

Maybe we are talking more about perception here. A good analogy is "if your neighbor looses his job its a recession but if you loose your job its a depression" Likewise if your neighbor does not have a working toilet its a shame but it your toilet does not work its a disaster. I understand that, but the breath of the problem generally runs more on rumor than on fact. Sapper said that there were no toilets working for a night and a day. That could be as long as 36 hours. Thats a long time for every person on the ship to hold it.

[cruz chic]

Yes indeed, entire floors of toilets were down. First, 3 decks went out, then the rest, and we were informed the foreward public toilets were operating. As the captain himself apologised, I'm sure you can too.

I think you will probably sail on the Z again before that happens;).

[kazu]

Maybe we are talking more about perception here. A good analogy is "if your neighbor looses his job its a recession but if you loose your job its a depression" Likewise if your neighbor does not have a working toilet its a shame but it your toilet does not work its a disaster. I understand that, but the breath of the problem generally runs more on rumor than on fact. Sapper said that there were no toilets working for a night and a day. That could be as long as 36 hours. Thats a long time for every person on the ship to hold it.

 

are you having a good time???:confused::confused: Just wondered since you are disputing facts put out by real cc members. Sapper said there were floors out - not no toilets working anywhere - suggest you re-read (maybe twice) and then comment;)

 

Rumour not fact? So Sapper and Startwin aren't posting facts:eek: Really - sorry, but I will dispute that one. These are two very reptuable people.

 

I just can't believe your post and yes, you owe an apology. I suspect Hedoubletoothpicks will freeze over first -

 

I can't say anymore or I will say something I shouldn't.

 

Smooth Seas and a big THANK YOU to Sapper & Startwin for reporting live to us. btw - that not only takes time but money;) Most people that do that have only the best interest of their fellow cruisers at heart

[cruz chic]

Smooth Seas and a big THANK YOU to Sapper & Startwin for reporting live to us. btw - that not only takes time but money;) Most people that do that have only the best interest of their fellow cruisers at heart

I double that:).

[startwin]

Maybe we are talking more about perception here. A good analogy is "if your neighbor looses his job its a recession but if you loose your job its a depression" Likewise if your neighbor does not have a working toilet its a shame but it your toilet does not work its a disaster. I understand that, but the breath of the problem generally runs more on rumor than on fact. Sapper said that there were no toilets working for a night and a day. That could be as long as 36 hours. Thats a long time for every person on the ship to hold it.

 

Gosh, you're funny:D:D:D It's not a rumour when you are experiencing it, believe me! We didn't hold it - we went into a Mexican port and found a toilet.

[RedmondCruiser]

Well I will apoligize for alluding to "all the ship" the quote was "most of the ship". But people who read these boards are now asking if they should even cruise on the Zuiderdam, and that is sad. Ive had some disputes in the past and I have expressed them and let it go. Some people have posted over 70 times about their problems on the Z. "We get the idea - you had toilet problems"

[kenevenpar]

Our first HAL cruise was on the Zuiderdam. We had an aft corner Deluxe Suite. This was back when the Zuiderdam was new, and if you recall, there were serious vibration issues. It was not something new to our cruise, you could see that other pax had tried to stop the vibrations by inserting empty matchbooks into wall panels to stop the vibrations. Trust me, it was very annoying. The staff onboard did everything they could do to help us stop the noise, and we were appreciative of the efforts put forth.

 

Because we absolutely loved the crew, and the efforts they made on our behalf, we continued to sail HAL( many times) and the Zuiderdam (4 more times, 3 of those in the same suite) and have had wonderful cruises (without the vibration noise).

 

My point is, SHIP happens, and we do not like it when it does impact our cruise. But the positives far outweigh the negatives. We believe that HAL will address and fix the problems, and we will continue to include HAL as one of our two "go to" cruise lines. Even after the current reports, which I believe to be factual, we would gladly sail the Zuiderdam.

[chrispb]

Our first HAL cruise was on the Zuiderdam. We had an aft corner Deluxe Suite. This was back when the Zuiderdam was new, and if you recall, there were serious vibration issues. It was not something new to our cruise, you could see that other pax had tried to stop the vibrations by inserting empty matchbooks into wall panels to stop the vibrations. Trust me, it was very annoying. The staff onboard did everything they could do to help us stop the noise, and we were appreciative of the efforts put forth.

 

Because we absolutely loved the crew, and the efforts they made on our behalf, we continued to sail HAL( many times) and the Zuiderdam (4 more times, 3 of those in the same suite) and have had wonderful cruises (without the vibration noise).

 

My point is, SHIP happens, and we do not like it when it does impact our cruise. But the positives far outweigh the negatives. We believe that HAL will address and fix the problems, and we will continue to include HAL as one of our two "go to" cruise lines. Even after the current reports, which I believe to be factual, we would gladly sail the Zuiderdam.

 

Bravo, you have just given HAL carte blanche to sail a ship that may not be fit for its purpose, ie carrying passengers who may need to use a toilet during their cruise.

 

I, for one, am glad people are prepared to speak up about problems they encounter. Hopefully, HAL will get this sorted thus ensuring future cruisers will have trouble-free sailing. By not highlighting these problems there wouldl gradually be a lowering of standards and lower passenger numbers.

[panheads4ever]

I have a cruise booked on this ship in Sept. inside passage out of BC but you guys are making me wonder that I have made a huge mistake and an expensive one at that.

[hypercafe]

There are lots of ships in Alaska, I would change to another. Half of the fun for me is looking forward to the trip, not worrying if all will be OK.

[Watson's aunt]

If certain rooms are being reprted to having problems why is HAL selling those cabins. just lock them down. People are spending a lot of money for those rooms . Plus Hal is giving perks to them. Don't sell the room. (5185)

 

 

Mary

[FrankNJ]

Well I will apoligize for alluding to "all the ship" the quote was "most of the ship". But people who read these boards are now asking if they should even cruise on the Zuiderdam, and that is sad. Ive had some disputes in the past and I have expressed them and let it go. Some people have posted over 70 times about their problems on the Z. "We get the idea - you had toilet problems"

 

 

Don't forget Air Conditioners !

[iancal]

So let me see, what will I choose?

 

 

Door A: Someone who is actually on the ship and whose reports are validated by others on the same cruise???

 

Door B: Someone who is sitting at home and knows absolutely NOTHING about

the conditions on that particular cruise?

 

 

I think Door A would be my choice.

 

Thanks for the information startwin. It is always good to get first hand, up to date information on a ship instead of the assumptions and suggestions of falsehoods by an armchair HAL fan who is not even on the cruise.