Zuiderdam second time around

[PathfinderEss]

We just returned from an 11 day cruise starting in San Diego repostioning to Vancouver and then a full week in Alaska aboard the MS Zuiderdam. After reading all the threads about the Zuiderdam, I half expected her to be in shambles but far from it, she is in good shape for a 10 year old ship. We were fortunate to have no problems in our cabin, everything worked. Sure she has some wear, but I should looks so good after having probably a million people climbing all over me for 10 years.

The ride up to Vancouver was a little rocky but because the wind was hitting us from the front, it was an up and down motion, not like rocking from side to side. I think on the whole everyone did ok. After reaching Vancouver it was a pretty smooth ride up thru Alaska.

Food quality on Zuiderdam was good and the Pinnacle was one of the best we have eaten at. One of my favorites is the taco bar and it did not disappoint. The ice cream bar is a favorite of DH’s and I think he got his fill of chocklot. Service was ‘5’ star, from our room stewards to the bar tenders and food servers. Thanks to Captain Turner and Hotel Manager Mr. James Derring she is a ship with a happy crew and it shows.

Ports were Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan. We’ve done 6 cruises to Alaska, so we have been to all several time. They are enjoyable ports to go to, especially to shop in. Glacier Bay was awesome, we were so lucky to have good weather there. Sun was coming in and out between the clouds, it was really beautiful. We got very close in because there was not a lot of ice in the water yet this season, but we still were able to see some caving.

I personally did not see any whales but they were sighted by other passengers. Saw a few Bald Eagles and some immature one’s too. I believe the Eagles are still nesting but come June/July you should see more of them. Caught sight of a bunch of mountain sheep before we got to one of the glaciers. They looked well fed or they have an abundance of coat because of the winter cold that they have not yet shed.

These two cruises were what we call btb but then they turned out to be a ‘collectors’ cruise, which was a pleasant surprise to us. We had read about them on cruise critic but never experienced one. It turned out to be very nice with extra parties/lunches, nicer bags etc.. Hope to do another one soon.

Mariners awards and lunch, well when you only have 17 on board, 10 showed up for the awards, the only passengers getting an award (bronze) were unable to come, it was pretty funny. Just a side note, we did this same cruise 2 years ago and we were the only mariners on board, now that was really strange. There was a conflicted between the mariners lunch and another ‘collectors’ lunch, we decided to go to the ‘collectors’ lunch, love that Indonesian food.

We went to several wine tasting, every time we do, I learn a little more about wine. DH only likes white wines and I like reds so we both have to sit through wine’s that are not to our taste.

Entertainment was good, the guitarist David, in the Crows Nest was wonderful. Really enjoyed sitting there in the evenings. Went into the piano bar several times, with Jimmy Maddox playing. He is quite the entertainer and kept things lively. Personally and I do mean personally, I don’t think he is that good of a singer though he does plays the piano well but as an entertainer he is great. That venue was full most of the time. If you happen to have a show called Kimika on board please go see it, it will be worth your while, really enjoyed it.

It was fun meeting other CC members Starwin, Roz, Sapper and LaffnVegas, etc.. Lisa, we had met several years ago in Vegas, and had also talked to her on several banner waves. Its always fun putting faces with names. The roll call we had on the four day was one of the best I’ve been to, just really nice every day kind of people, so pleasant.

I’m going to attach some pictures that I think sum it all up, more so then my writing does.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PathfinderEss]

Here are some more Alaska scenes and two, that are meant for Sails DH. On the menu for the last formal night was a wonderful caviar dish. The other is just a picture of a caviar treat at the mariners awards, as I recall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jrzebird]

Great review and awesome photos! Thank you. Made me want to jump back on board!

[canadianbear]

Glad you had a great time and no issues in your cabin (do you mind telling which cabin as we have the Panama booked for 2013 and a little nervous) or email it to me a sammiepell at hotmail dot com Thanks.

 

Saw you at the M&G briefly for the 4 night people...wish I could have stayed longer to chat with everyone but had to leave after 50 minutes. I did see you in the piano bar too but won't say any more!!:)

 

I love Alaska....and your photos just make me want to go back again! Thanks for the review.

[localady]

Glad you had such a lovely cruise and that the weather cooperated for you in Alaska, especially Glacier Bay!:D :D

[bobalink]

Great photos!

It was nice to meet you at the M&G - I was on the 4-day segment.

[PeaceLoveCruise]

I love the Zuiderdam! Nice to see a good review about her for a change! Thank you for sharing your photos! Outstanding! I'm going to get there some day!you made me want it more than ever!

[PathfinderEss]

Glad you had a great time and no issues in your cabin (do you mind telling which cabin as we have the Panama booked for 2013 and a little nervous) or email it to me a sammiepell at hotmail dot com Thanks.

 

Saw you at the M&G briefly for the 4 night people...wish I could have stayed longer to chat with everyone but had to leave after 50 minutes. I did see you in the piano bar too but won't say any more!!:)

 

I love Alaska....and your photos just make me want to go back again! Thanks for the review.

Canadianbear, it was nice meeting you too and no I don't mind telling you which cabin we had, it was 7065. We are thinking of doing this cruise next year too. I wouldn't be nervous, the Zuiderdam goes into dry dock the end of November. If there are still issues with plumbing or air conditioning, I would think it will be address then. You might ask Starwin which cabin she had and maybe avoid it.

[PathfinderEss]

A few more pictures.

Ketchikan

Juneau

Westerdam in Juneau

 

Skagway

 

and one more

[PathfinderEss]

oops, forgot about Vancouver

 

[portofrome]

Great photos and thanks for your review.

[solocanadian]

Here are some more Alaska scenes and two, that are meant for Sails DH. On the menu for the last formal night was a wonderful caviar dish. The other is just a picture of a caviar treat at the mariners awards, as I recall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great photos Melodie. Glad to see Escargo on menu. Hope they are served on the Zaandam. Sorry, that red caviar doesn't do it for me. When Fred & I used to buy a whole salmon at the local docks, the odd time we'd end up with a female full of eggs like you have pictured. We'd chuck them out or give them to a Japanese neighbour if he was home. We both loved the Black Russian Sturgeon caviar that HAL used to serve but I haven't seen that in 4 or 5 years. A couple of years ago on the Oosterdam sushi bar they used flying fish caviar as a garnish (that's what one of the servers in the Lido said it was). It was about the size of the head of a pin & a beautiful emerald green. They'd pop in your mouth when you chewed - delightful.

[solocanadian]

Looks like there was a ton of snow on the mountains.

[luvcruisn']

Thanks for the pictures, Melody. Some of the glaciers look so similar to the pictures I took in Antarctica, but Alaska is so much easier to get to.

[startwin]

Thanks for such a great review. It was a pleasure to meet you at the 4-nighter M&G, especially after our chats on the sailaway threads! I do agree with you about Jimmy's singing - and he gets the words all wrong with the songs, but he sure is a terrific entertainer. I was thinking about you after we left the ship in Vancouver and hoping you had good weather in Alaska. Hope we meet up again one day:)

[erewhon]

Thank you for the review of your cruises and the great photos.

[sapper1]

It is nice to read a review and be able to put a face to the poster. Happy to have met you and glad you had a good Alaska experience.

[vivavegas]

Well done review! Love the photos too! Sounds like you had a great time.:)

[IRL_Joanie]

Now you see why she is my favorite ship:)

 

Glad to see you enjoyed her as much as I do:)

 

Maybe you can join us for a week or 2 May 11th or May 18th, 2013 round trip Vancouver?

 

Joanie

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome Home

Glad you had a wonderful cruise.

Love your pictures.

Not much caviar there.

[CtheW0rld]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

where i come from, this is sold in fish bait shops - not passed off as caviar. :eek:

[kazu]

What a nice review:D and such fabulous pics:) Sounds like you had a great time and that is good news:) Thanks for sharing your experiences with us:)

[CtheW0rld]

where i come from, this is sold in fish bait shops - not passed off as caviar. :eek:

 

like this: http://www.dgbait.com/salmon-eggs.html

 

[mamaofami]

Thank you for the review and the great pictures. Hope they have those escargot on the Veendam in three weeks.

[kenevenpar]

Thank you for the review and wonderful pictures.

 

The Duck Pate on the menu looks great; I do not remember it on the menu, but would love to try it.:D