Zuiderdam Review June 2 - 9

[fsdj1097]

Here is a brief review of our Alaska Inside Passage cruise aboard the ms Zuideram. I would be happy to answer any questions.

 

Background: This was our 7th trip to Alaska. We have cruised both the Vancouver Inside Passage and Seattle departures. We much prefer the Vancouver sailings due to the more scenic aspect of the Inside Passage. Although the Vancouver sailings involve a lot more logistics for us, we prefer them. We are 12-time HAL cruisers, and have never had any reason to look at another cruise line.

Embarkation: We arrived in Vancouver on the AmTrak Cascades train, having had 2 pre-nights in Seattle. The train arrived at Pacific Central station at approximately 11:40. We caught a cab to Canada Place (about a $14 US fare). Remember that your driver will most likely make change in Canadian dollars. Embarkation took approximately 45 minutes. The cabins were ready, so we dropped off the carry-ons, said a quick hello to Ivy and Diana in the Neptune Lounge, and went up to the Lido for lunch. Our terrific TA had snagged us a last-minute upsell from a SS to a SA 10 days prior to sailing. The Passenger Safety Briefing lasted approximately 30 minutes. The briefing was a no nonsense affair, roll was taken, and several cabin numbers were called out by the Captain before we were released. Our Captain was Christopher Turner and the Hotel Manager was James Deering (lucky us!)

Shipboard Life: We were in cabin # 7080. Our cabin stewards were Rony and Nardy. They took wonderful care of the cabin and met each of our requests enthusiastically. On most days the cabin was made up before we returned from breakfast. The ice bucket was always full and on the last day for sending laundry, we were a bit tardy getting our list completed, but Rony assured us he could get it done, and it was. We ate most breakfasts and all of the evening meals in the MDR. Our stewards were Budi and Roy. We were very happy with the food and service. One morning, the service for breakfast was slower than normal, but as it was a late port day, we weren’t in any hurry. Once salmon dish and one pork dish were a little overcooked and dry, but other than that the food was great. We often ordered multiple appetizers, entrees, desserts, and Budi never batted an eye. We enjoyed the team trivia and played most every day. There were well over 500 Aussies on board and they are a fun-loving bunch. We met a wonderful couple from Sidney who helped make the cruise even more fun. We did have 3 occasions when the toilet in our cabin would not flush. We contacted both our cabin steward and the Neptune Lounge. In each case it was reported to us that the problem was widespread and was a result of low pressure in the lines. Again, in each case the problem was resolved within a few hours. This problem, in no way, had an impact on how much we enjoyed the cruise.

Neptune Lounge: Our concierges, Ivy and Diana took wonderful care of us. They were always very cheerful and helpful. On one occasion, after our 3rd report of the toilet issue, they sent a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries along with a letter of apology. We thanked them for the gift and assured them that it was not necessary.

Ports and Excursions: In Juneau, we were blessed to have some friends who live there that allowed us the use of their vehicle. We drove out to Mendenhall and spent a few hours walking the trails and getting up close to the glacier. It was an incredible day with highs in the 60s and bright sunny skies. Some of the local teens were actually swimming in the lake! Just crazy stuff! In Skagway we took the Historic Skagway and Salmon Bake tour. The stop at Liarsville was lots of fun and included the salmon cooked over an alder wood fire, performances in the ‘theater’ that included music and the reading of Robert Service poetry. We followed that with gold panning, and yes, we found just enough gold to pay for our cruise. That’s why they call it ‘Liarsville’! We salmon fished in Ketchikan with our favorite charter boat captain Dan Leathers on the ‘Kisutch’(Tlingit for King Salmon).

Special Ceremony: My brother brought the ‘cremains’ of a friend whose last wishes included being buried at sea. Thanks to other posters on CC, I recommended that he contact Ships Services to coordinate the ceremony. Captain Turner met with my brother on the first sea day and went over exactly how and when the ceremony would take place. He took the cremains and had them sewn into a specially weighted bag to prepare them for the burial ceremony. On our last day at sea, and just before we re-entered the Inside Passage @ Alert Bay, an officer me us at the Front Desk and escorted aft on the Promenade Deck where the Captain, Mr. Deering, a ship’s chaplain, and a couple of other officers were waiting. The cremains were in a US draped slide, manned by one of the officers. Captain Turner read some appropriate scriptures, and nodded to the officer manning the slide. He tilted the slide, allowing the container to slide over the railing and into the ocean. There was a tray of rose petals provided, and my brother and his wife scattered them over the railing. It was a very touching, appropriate ending to a commitment that my brother made to his friend. Later, a certificate was presented to my brother that indicated the date, the GPS coordinates, and the ocean conditions of when the ceremony was completed. The Captain told my brother that these requests are not very common, and that this was only the 2nd time he had been asked to perform one.

[SwissMyst]

Shipboard Life: We were in cabin # 7080. ..... We did have 3 occasions when the toilet in our cabin would not flush. We contacted both our cabin steward and the Neptune Lounge. In each case it was reported to us that the problem was widespread and was a result of low pressure in the lines. Again, in each case the problem was resolved within a few hours. This problem, in no way, had an impact on how much we enjoyed the cruise.

 

Neptune Lounge: Our concierges, Ivy and Diana took wonderful care of us. They were always very cheerful and helpful. On one occasion, after our 3rd report of the toilet issue, they sent a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries along with a letter of apology. We thanked them for the gift and assured them that it was not necessary......

 

Thank you for your report and glad you liked your cruise. I am highlighting the bathroom report only because so many others are particularly interested in this issue on the Zuiderdam and your own report will help define what types problems one might still encounter.

 

We have had delayed flush on several of our past HAL ships which have not included the Zuiderdam. We assumed this was a quirk of the low-flow vacuum flush systems - a nuisance, but not a problem.

 

It helps to know this delayed flush may not be any one particular ship's problem, but might be one of the trade-offs that could be part of the new mandated "green" technology ships were required to install. Like the early home low-flow toilets which often required several flushes, pretty much undermining their original water-saving intent.

 

We thought the MDR food on the Zuiderdam was among the best of the entire HAL fleet -sounds like they are continuing in that same tradition. This is a great cruise.

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for taking the time to write and posted a review of your cruise. Sounds like you had a good time. Aren't Ivy and Diane great, we had those two lovely ladies in May on our cruise. We also did a burial at sea about 7 years ago aboard the Amsterdam in Alaska. Hal, the officers, and Chaplin really made it very special as it sounds like the Zuiderdam officers and Chaplin did for your brother friend.

How was your weather, just curious?

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

We have experienced the delayed flush on several ships and several cruiselines. I think it is part of cruising these days.

 

Your ceremony sounds absolutely lovely. It is good to know that HAL does these so well.

[Sea42]

Thank you for your report and glad you liked your cruise. I am highlighting the bathroom report only because so many others are particularly interested in this issue on the Zuiderdam and your own report will help define what types problems one might still encounter.

 

We have had delayed flush on several of our past HAL ships which have not included the Zuiderdam. We assumed this was a quirk of the low-flow vacuum flush systems - a nuisance, but not a problem.

 

It helps to know this delayed flush may not be any one particular ship's problem, but might be one of the trade-offs that could be part of the new mandated "green" technology ships were required to install. Like the early home low-flow toilets which often required several flushes, pretty much undermining their original water-saving intent.

 

We thought the MDR food on the Zuiderdam was among the best of the entire HAL fleet -sounds like they are continuing in that same tradition. This is a great cruise.

I'm curious. What is the criteria used to distinguish a delayed flushed from a non working toilet. An hour, two, 1/2 a day, by the next time you have to use it? At what point is it non functioning?

[fsdj1097]

Thanks for taking the time to write and posted a review of your cruise. Sounds like you had a good time. Aren't Ivy and Diane great, we had those two lovely ladies in May on our cruise. We also did a burial at sea about 7 years ago aboard the Amsterdam in Alaska. Hal, the officers, and Chaplin really made it very special as it sounds like the Zuiderdam officers and Chaplin did for your brother friend.

How was your weather, just curious?

 

Yes, both Ivy and Diane were excellent concierges. All of the crew were commenting that the weather for our cruise was the best of the season so far. We're quite familiar with just how fickle the weather can be in S.E. Alaska. I'm an early riser and was on deck most mornings before 6:00 AM. I wore some thermal underwear and a wind suit and was comfortable. We only had rain for the sailaway at Skagway. We were quite blessed with great weather the entire trip.

[kazu]

Thank you so much for your review and for taking the time to share your experiences with us. I found it very touching that they accomodated the wishes. It sounds like it was a lovely ceremony and so nice that it was done as requested. Really touching. Welcome home:)

[Typhoon1]

Thanks for taking the time to post such an informative review.

[thecook]

Thank you for your great review...Dh and I will be boarding the Zuiderdam in a few weeks, so I glad to hear good news. Sounds like I may have trouble keeping off the 24 pounds that I just lost with all that great food:rolleyes: Looks like I will be walking the stairs more oftrn than taking the elevator. Glad you enjoyed your time in Alaska.

[PathfinderEss]

Yes, both Ivy and Diane were excellent concierges. All of the crew were commenting that the weather for our cruise was the best of the season so far. We're quite familiar with just how fickle the weather can be in S.E. Alaska. I'm an early riser and was on deck most mornings before 6:00 AM. I wore some thermal underwear and a wind suit and was comfortable. We only had rain for the sailaway at Skagway. We were quite blessed with great weather the entire trip.

Thanks again Fsdj, sounds like your weather was better then ours. Though we had great weather for viewing Glaicer Bay and in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skayway were rainy, and pretty windy.

Next question - you didn't say how many salmon you caught? Did you bring it back on board and have the Chef cook it or have it smoked and sent home?

[Assateague Island Princes]

Welcome home Sam! Was tickled to see your review here, thanx for sharing. Sounds like another terrific Alaska cruise for you all. Wow - great weather, hmmm? So glad. Wish I was going back again this year:o...guess I'll have to live vicariously thru the posts of you good folks while I plan for my trip next year.

 

Again, I appreciate the time you took to post your review. Hopefully one day we'll be sailing with you and your family back to Alaska!

[erewhon]

Thank you for your review.

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for your review.

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[fsdj1097]

Thanks again Fsdj, sounds like your weather was better then ours. Though we had great weather for viewing Glaicer Bay and in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skayway were rainy, and pretty windy.

Next question - you didn't say how many salmon you caught? Did you bring it back on board and have the Chef cook it or have it smoked and sent home?

 

We didn't bring the fish back. We donated them to Capt. Dan. I don't think HAL still allows you to bring the fish back to the Chef. I've asked a couple of times and I've been told that they've stopped allowing that. We had a couple of rock fish and one smallish king. We had another fish on and a couple of other bites, but didn't get them in the boat. We talked to some of the other passing fishing boats and it was a pretty slow day for them as well. I think because of how cold May had been, the baitfish and the kings are just now arriving.

[fsdj1097]

Welcome home Sam! Was tickled to see your review here, thanx for sharing. Sounds like another terrific Alaska cruise for you all. Wow - great weather, hmmm? So glad. Wish I was going back again this year:o...guess I'll have to live vicariously thru the posts of you good folks while I plan for my trip next year.

 

Again, I appreciate the time you took to post your review. Hopefully one day we'll be sailing with you and your family back to Alaska!

 

We could not have asked for better weather. The day at Mendenhall Glacier was simply incredible.

 

We're booked on a Canada/New England cruise on the Maasdam for next June. That'll be another dam ship and itenerary that we can mark off our list.

 

We would love to see you on another cruise! We met the nicest couple from Australia this trip. David and Karen were so kind and we won the daily Team Trivia with them. You can't beat those HAL prizes these days ;).