July 4th Zaandam to Alaska review

[kingstonKouple72]

Cruise review

Embarkation in Vancouver:

Easy. Organized. Efficient. We got there very early as we always do. I think we might have even been the first to drop off luggage with the porters.

Got in line to go through customs. There were people from two ships in line. The Zaandam and a Celebrity ship. We were the first to be called through. US Customs was pretty easy as usual (well.. ever since wife got her Travellers Redress number through Homeland Security….-another long story of mistaken identity).

After Customs we sat in chairs in rows until check-in was ready.

Check in was a 3 minute process… produce travel docs, “no we haven’t been sick”, get room key etc.

Then go sit in more rows. Met a really interesting couple from New Zealand, we talked the whole time, so it didn’t seem like that long. In reality it was possibly 45 minutes. When they were ready to board…. We were on in minutes.

Room was ready when we got on board. We had an oceanview on Deck 3. Lots of storage. Clean. Bathroom looked like it needed a little TLC. The shower handle leaked.

Muster drill was the most organized and efficient of any cruise I have been on in the past.

Ports:

Juneau: Weather was fantastic. We went to Mendenhall Glacier. It wasn’t what I expected. Cost to be shuttled there was $10pp each way. We took the bus there (total cost: 4 people, $7 – but we had to walk about a mile and a half, and it was hot. On the way back we took the shuttle. Much better idea.

Skagway: Did the White Pass Summit train ride. WOW! The scenery was amazing. I only regret I didn’t have a better camera. We didn’t see much wildlife, but it was awesome! Afterwards we walked around Skagway a little, found the library to get on wi-fi and send an email-update back home, and then went to the Red Onion Saloon and Brothel. We had a beer and a rootbeer. Best rootbeer I ever had. Apparently they make it themselves. Something not to be missed. Weather was great here as well. The morning was touch and go, with rain threatening, but in the end it turned out to be a great day.

Ketchikan: We hadn’t researched this very much, which I regret. As a result, we just wandered around many of the shops. We ate at the Fish House, which I think was a massive disappointment. $50 for two meals that 4 of us shared. Wasn’t good at all. My local fish and chip shop makes fish 10 times better for no where close to the price.

Apparently just a short walk “behind” the shops was Creek Street, which is where “real Ketchikan” begins. Next time we will be sure to go here, as I heard it is a nice nature hike.

Ship Impressions.

This was a smaller ship, so it wasn’t that hard to navigate. We learned relatively quickly where everything was. That doesn’t mean we didn’t take wrong turns every now and then and end up at the wrong end of the ship once in a while.

Our deck had a washer/dryer and a few ironing boards which was a pleasant surprise. We did all our ironing after we got our luggage before the muster drill so we would be done ironing for the whole week. There might have been another laundry room on deck 1 (not positive).

The ship was quite elegantly decorated. We were very happy with the way it looked.

Entertainment.

Was not impressed

On previous cruise lines there has always been lots of organized activities to do during the day. Not so on the Zaandam. I mean, sure, there was a couple of things on towel animals and cooking, but nothing that interesting. We ended up spending time on the Lido reading in lawn chairs if we weren’t in port or taking in the scenery.

The house entertainers “the HALcats” were pretty bad too. The singers could sing just fine, but the dancers? All the girls would do is flip their head back and forth making their hair fly, and wiggle their butts.

They brought in a few professional entertainers. Leon Etienne, magician. He was phenomenal. Only wish his two shows were longer, and a woman (can’t remember her name – Patricia? Trish?) who did music comedy, doing impressions of other singers.

Food

Food was good. Portions in MDR were fine.

But overall we were not happy with the food availability on board… and here is why:

MDR:

Food: no complaints. Portions were excellent. We had any-time dining and we generally got there at about 5.15-5.30. We didn’t leave hungry or stuffed, which is the way I like it. I never like being stuffed.

I was surprised, however, how relaxed the MDR was. I generally wear a tie to dinner, even if it isn’t a formal night. One day I looked around and I was the only person in a tie.

Lido:

Food selection: -just ok. There were several different areas for “Italian”, “Asian”, etc and within each area there were 3 or 4 options. Some were consistent every day, and some changed. While there wasn’t a lot of selection, there was always something we could find that we liked. The food itself tasted great.

Lido Hours: STUNK! Lido buffet and outside grill closed at 8pm. Earliest closing time of any cruise line I have been on. It reopened at 11-12 for “late night snacks.” I was not happy with this. As I said before, l never left the MDR stuffed. We did the early show. And when we got out at around 8.15pm or so, we often wanted a light snack. But the damn thing was closed! TERRIBLE.

SALMON BAKE DAY ISSUE:

Port day, we returned to the ship and didn’t feel like getting changed for dinner in the MDR. There was going to be a salmon bake on the Lido by the pool. Food staff did a lot of work getting the bbq’s out there and setting up the tables. However…. Neither myself nor my son like salmon. No problem, we figured, we can just eat in the Lido buffet, while my wife and MIL eat their salmon.

Nope.

Buffet was closed.

Lido Grill was closed. ***??

I expressed my concerns to guest services, who said every Salmon Bake Day there are people who aren’t happy with the food options. (well.. then fix it for crying out loud! Keep the buffet open!). He suggested I order room service. I expressed I don’t come on a cruise to eat my dinner alone in my cabin. While he expressed empathy, the MDR or room service was my only option.

So, my son and I ate in my cabin. I ordered a steak sandwich with FF, he ordered a burger with FF. I received a steak sandwich with potato chips. He got a burger, no side. That wasn’t the end of it…..

My cabin phone rang about 8 times from guest services and kitchen staff giving me updates on the food (“putting a rush on it”, “was told it is on its way”, “has it arrived yet”). I actually got the “has it arrived yet” call several times, many after the food was consumed. No one ever asked if they got the order correct however…..Seems they have a communication problem.

Other

At one point during cruise, I was in casino and noticed the gates to the store were closed, but there were people crowding behind the gates all around the perfumes. Dealer told me it was a “crew sale”. The next day, almost anytime I walked by a crew member, I could smell the stink of his/her newly acquired perfume. Fortunately my cabin steward didn’t partake, because if my room stank of it, we would have a major problem, as my wife has allergies to perfume. The cruise line management should enforce 100% no perfume amongst the crew.

The passenger complement was different than I have ever experienced before. We have always cruised out of an American port, and so the majority of passengers have been American. This time, cruising out of Vancouver, we were told that 60% were Canadian. I think, and this is just my opinion, that of those 60%, most would not identify as Canadian. You see, it has been my experience that Americans are American first, and <their country of birth> second, and they learn and adhere to American customs and social norms. Not so with Canadians. It seems that when someone immigrates to Canada, they identify with their country of birth first, then Canadian second. And God forbid they are asked to assimilate into Canadian culture. Many of the cultural norms they refuse to give up are perceived as offensive by much of North American culture (budding in line, ignoring women (or worse, pushing women out of the way to get to the front), chewing with mouth open, yelling across tables and not respecting that other people are trying to have conversations in the dining room as well.. to name a few). Anyhow, guess what I am trying to say is that there were a lot of “non-Canadian” Canadians on this cruise. We think in the future we would prefer to sail out of American ports. We are accustomed to North American culture, and if the majority are Americans on board, this is generally what we will get. (disclaimer: We are Canadian's).

The casino wasn’t very busy. I like to play a little poker on board, but there were never any games. Not enough people. Although the casino staff were awesome (including one very cute Czech blond… ). Blackjack was popular as was roulette and craps. Even the slots (ugh) weren’t very busy.

On the whole, we had a great time, but I think that was in spite of the ship issues. We will find alternative options to HAL in the future.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report and yes, the HAL cats are pretty bad.

[Aquahound]

Thanks for your review. I had a hard time choosing between your cruise or the Zuiderdam the next day on July 5. I went with Zuiderdam and based on some of the things you mentioned in your review, I think I made the right decision. :)

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for taking the time to write and post a review of your Zaandam cruise to Alaska. We were on her in May/June and love our cruise.

[Lizzie68]

Good review, and I do agree with you about the Lido buffet hours. Also I know what it's like to be on the "no fly" list and require a redress number. But I will take issue with following statement which I cut and pasted...

 

Many of the cultural norms they refuse to give up are perceived as offensive by much of North American culture (budding in line, ignoring women (or worse, pushing women out of the way to get to the front), chewing with mouth open, yelling across tables and not respecting that other people are trying to have conversations in the dining room as well.. to name a few)

 

Seriously - you have never seen N. Americans behave like this? Well I certainly have.:rolleyes:

[oaktreerb]

We were on the cruise that ended on July 4. We were also disappointed with the cruise. It was not what we expect of a Holland America cruise.

 

We had several issues such as poor service in the dining room and were told that the Indonesian crew that was scheduled to come onboard in Juneau had not arrived. They seem to have been short staffed the entire week. They had taken servers from the pinnacle grill and the dining room to work in the Lido. Service in the dining room was extremely slow, tables were left empty, and diners had to wait to enter the dining room.

 

As far as the guests onboard. We had people from many countries including England and Australia. They were also not happy with the service.

 

Because of the heavy discounting of inside rooms on this cruise and the 3rd and 4th free promo it was packed with Vancouver families and kids. The pool was constantly busy with kids jumping in. I don't know if there is an adult time but all I saw were kids in the covered pool. Kids were running through the Lido when the Kids Club came in for ice cream mid-day. They missed me by inches as I came around a corner!

 

The smoking section outside the Lido was busy all day with staff and guests socializing....and yes, the smell does drift into the Lido.

 

We won't be ready for another cruise for awhile. If you want a cheap vacation and you live in a port city you can get a great deal. If you have to plan further ahead you spend a lot of money on what may be a cut-rate outing for others.

[Krazy Kruizers]

OP

Thank you for your review.

We have always done the Blue Bus in Juneau to get to Mendenhal Glacier -- very well worth the extra cost as they take right into the area and drop you off at the center.

HAL has always closed the Lido when they have a buffet -- even in the Caribbean.

HAL Cats -- we also HATE them -- all they do is SCREAM.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

We were on the cruise that ended on July 4. We were also disappointed with the cruise. It was not what we expect of a Holland America cruise.

 

We had several issues such as poor service in the dining room and were told that the Indonesian crew that was scheduled to come onboard in Juneau had not arrived. They seem to have been short staffed the entire week. They had taken servers from the pinnacle grill and the dining room to work in the Lido. Service in the dining room was extremely slow, tables were left empty, and diners had to wait to enter the dining room.

 

As far as the guests onboard. We had people from many countries including England and Australia. They were also not happy with the service.

 

Because of the heavy discounting of inside rooms on this cruise and the 3rd and 4th free promo it was packed with Vancouver families and kids. The pool was constantly busy with kids jumping in. I don't know if there is an adult time but all I saw were kids in the covered pool. Kids were running through the Lido when the Kids Club came in for ice cream mid-day. They missed me by inches as I came around a corner!

 

The smoking section outside the Lido was busy all day with staff and guests socializing....and yes, the smell does drift into the Lido.

 

We won't be ready for another cruise for awhile. If you want a cheap vacation and you live in a port city you can get a great deal. If you have to plan further ahead you spend a lot of money on what may be a cut-rate outing for others.

 

 

Sorry you were disappointed in your cruise.

[Typhoon1]

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

[Keith1010]

Thank you for taking the time to write this report/review.

 

Keith

[CowPrincess]

So, my son and I ate in my cabin. I ordered a steak sandwich with FF, he ordered a burger with FF. I received a steak sandwich with potato chips. He got a burger, no side. That wasn’t the end of it…..

 

At least you got your food ;) We decided it was some sort of plot against us on the Zaandam as our food went missing, wrong items were sent, essential things like cutlery was missing, we had to guess which dish belonged to which person, seeing as what was delivered was not what anyone had ordered :D

 

(and I guess the reassuring email I got after the cruise hasn't been forwarded to the ship yet :D )

[thetexasaggiecruiser]

Thanks for the review. I hope you all had a great time despite the issues.