Get your ZZZ's on Zuiderdam

[WeatherBoy]

Just got off the Z and if you like sleep this is the cruise for you. We were looking to veg on this vacation and this cruise did the trick. Talk about quiet, especially at night....we really enjoyed it.

 

We missed HMC last Sunday as Rita was just forming in the Bahamas, so we went out further to sea and then south to Tortola and remained on schedule. Seas were very rough for those two days, with the bridge reporting 12-18 foot seas.

 

From Tortola (a real backwater port with chickens running amuck) it is a no-brainer to take the ferry on your own to Virgin Gorda with safari cab connection right to The Baths. It was an outstanding day! Try to catch that 9 AM Speedy's ferry. You then spend four hours on a beautiful beach with boulders. Total cost=$33. We finished with a cold beer at the Top of The Baths restaurant which has the most incredible view.

 

From St. Thomas, the next day, it is also an easy ferry ride over to St. John, where we went to Trunk Bay, which was just stunning, as usual. Total cost=$40.

 

Oh, in the middle of all this it was announced that we would indeed get to go to HMC....at the expense of stopping in Nassau. Sounded good to us. Twelve hours later the captain comes on to announce "Seattle" decided we should go to Nassau, as scheduled. We think a lot of passengers complained about skipping Nassau and the decision (probably the correct one) was made to keep on schedule, so we went to Nassau.

 

Nassau is a complete dump. We won't get off the ship next time.

 

The food was good, service great (except the evening we didn't get our dinner until close to 10 PM.) especially our room steward. Entertainment, what there was of it, was good, EXCEPT commedian Julie Barr who was horrible. Joel Mason, the Elton John impersonator, was OK, although you could tell he is a real talent at the piano. If only he would play an entire song without conversing with the audience.....Oh, excellent juggler, Jeff Harris I believe was his name.

 

But like I said, it was just a good cruise to REST. :D

[A02]

Yeah... I was so dissapointed with Nassau. Meh.

[vicocala]

Thanks for your review Weatherboy,

 

We are preparing for our cruise already and can hardly wait. Why did your dinner one night not become available until 10:00 PM?

 

I'm glad you all made a safe journey! :)

[Candy]

Zuidy is our favorite ship, and we find plenty to do... shows, eat, games, casino, eat, dancing, spa, eat... and we take 2-3 naps a day. We can take advantage of the planned activities or take a nap. There is no PA system constantly hawking pool games, art auctions or drink-o-the-day to interrupt our relaxing vacation. Kudos to the staff and crew who make certain we are comfortably taken care of, day and night.

 

Candy <-- will relax on Zuidy #6 on 11/12

[oceanlov1]

seems that comedy is subjective. went on the zuidy in august. thought julie was HILARIOUS..........both lounge and late night. check out her act for yourself.

[McDebbie]

Wish I would have found time to relax on our Zuidy cruise! The last night I was so exhausted I couldn't even make it to dinner! Did you not try Northern Lights at night? Every time we went it was packed. Might be because we were on the Labor Day cruise. Crows Nest seemed to be pretty lame late though.

 

We chose to do the over the moutain tours on Tortola and St Thomas instead of the beaches - oh my! Not for the faint of heart! The man in back of us from the UK said it was better than a Disney ride. :D

[WeatherBoy]

seems that comedy is subjective. went on the zuidy in august. thought julie was HILARIOUS..........both lounge and late night. check out her act for yourself.

 

Yeah, if you call telling jokes like you just read them from a book good comedy then she's great. Asking the audience about their body piercings and weddings is sooo lame and shows she had nothing prepared.

[pklopp]

Weather Boy - we so missed meeting you at the Sailaway Party that Chip and Debbie hosted!!! A little nervous about meeting one great group of people, perhaps? Were you wearing a Tennesee Vols hat on the Red Hook ferry???

Peggy

[WeatherBoy]

Weather Boy - we so missed meeting you at the Sailaway Party that Chip and Debbie hosted!!! A little nervous about meeting one great group of people, perhaps? Were you wearing a Tennesee Vols hat on the Red Hook ferry???

Peggy

 

How could you assume I was nervous about meeting anyone when I never said I would attend? I saw your little party, btw, from the aft pool deck. There were 10 or 12 average joe's out there. Whoever had the video cam probably has a shot of me, but it appears you already saw me on the Red Hook ferry??? Why didn't you approach me?

[pklopp]

I suppose I did not approach you because we had just found out that HAL had switched back to Nassau on Friday - wasn't interested in dealing with anymore negativity! Which little party did you see? Chip & Debbie hosted a party in the Crow's Nest on the 17th with about 35 attending - that is where we were all looking for you!! They then hosted parties leaving St. Thomas and Nassau.

Peggy

[vicocala]

Weatherboy sounds like the type you might not of wanted at your party. Ordinary Joe's??

 

Sounds like you are still sore that the Gators whupped up on the Vols. LOL

[Vic The Parrot]

There is no PA system constantly hawking pool games, art auctions or drink-o-the-day to interrupt our relaxing vacation.

 

 

 

Mornin, Candy

 

 

Interesting to hear ....

 

 

In Feb of this year, on Oosterdam, there was a constant barrage of bingo announcements. I was under the impression that this is common right now.

(I HOPE it's not common .... )

 

But believe me, I let my voice be heard at the end of the trip on the pax feedback form...

 

 

So I'm interested to know how you managed to 'avoid' the bingo, pool games, etc .. announcements on your previous Zuiderdam voyages.

 

Earplugs? ... cotton stuffed in your ears? .. or did you manage to just tune them out after a while?

Not trying to be facetious...... would like your input on this.

 

 

:confused:

[Candy]

Mornin, Candy

Interesting to hear ....

In Feb of this year, on Oosterdam, there was a constant barrage of bingo announcements. I was under the impression that this is common right now.

(I HOPE it's not common .... ) But believe me, I let my voice be heard at the end of the trip on the pax feedback form... So I'm interested to know how you managed to 'avoid' the bingo, pool games, etc .. announcements on your previous Zuiderdam voyages. Earplugs? ... cotton stuffed in your ears? .. or did you manage to just tune them out after a while? Not trying to be facetious...... would like your input on this.:confused:

I know I do remember hearing announcements from time to time, but not a constant barrage of them. I am quite certain that any announcements, other than regarding safety drills, are not broadcast in the cabins (which is another love/hate topic), and we can nap peacefully.

 

It could also be that I'm able to tune them out because I don't let things annoy me as some people do. I am fully aware that there is no perfect cruise or ship or tablemate, and tend to overlook the small stuff.

 

Candy <-- believes there are no big deals

[pklopp]

I have been on cruises where the cruise director is constantly on the PA - did not find that to be the case on the Z - actually thought there were very few announcements - almost thought I was missing things a lot of times!

Peggy

[crbnsoul]

How could you assume I was nervous about meeting anyone when I never said I would attend? I saw your little party, btw, from the aft pool deck. There were 10 or 12 average joe's out there. Whoever had the video cam probably has a shot of me, but it appears you already saw me on the Red Hook ferry??? Why didn't you approach me?

 

This "average joe" didn't invite you to our "little party". Maybe that's why you didn't show? I know I can't use the "A" word, so I'll just say that you seem like a rectum. I'm sure my cruise was much better since I didn't meet you, or rather, you didn't meet me. Let me know about your next cruise so I can avoid it!

[crbnsoul]

Weatherboy sounds like the type you might not of wanted at your party. Ordinary Joe's??

 

Sounds like you are still sore that the Gators whupped up on the Vols. LOL

 

Please refer to above post!

[crbnsoul]

Weather Boy - we so missed meeting you at the Sailaway Party that Chip and Debbie hosted!!! A little nervous about meeting one great group of people, perhaps? Were you wearing a Tennesee Vols hat on the Red Hook ferry???

Peggy

 

Peggy's being nice. We really didn't miss you!

[Golfgrl1911]

ATTA BOY CHIP!! We had a ball and there was NO negativity! I know all of us that participated on our CC roll Call (except for the OP) had no room for that on this cruise.

 

Peggy, You go girl!! Apparently the OP was lurking from the above aft pool area at us "average Joes" watching what he was missing!! He sounds a little envious to me!

[pklopp]

The best group of "average joe's" that I have met in a long time!

Peggy

[OhioGirl]

CHIP, PEGGY AND NANCY...

You guys are the best...Brian and I, along with the other "Average Joe's" had a blast...WeatherBoy was an A** on the roll call before the cruise..and it seems it continues...

 

I agree with him on there not being alot of activites on board..but I had a wonderful cruise..and I'm sure it was because of all of you...

I know I have made long lasting friends...(I know we'll all cruise together again..and visit each other on land...) And lets face it, is there anything besides Gatlinberg to visit in Tenn? ha ha....

 

Everyone please stay in touch..

 

Forever your Cheerleader!!!

Sheila

[MrTallPaul]

The best group of "average joe's" that I have met in a long time!

Peggy

I sure had a good time with the group! I am hoping to meet up and cruise again with many of the individuals I met.

 

I pretty sure I am an ordinary, average guy. ...Haven't won any nobel prizes, cured cancer or world hunger to date. Funny we didn't notice you Weatherboy...you must have really stood out spying on a group of regular folk.

 

As to answer...

"Why didn't you approach me?"

Did you stick out that much that we should have known who you were? An introduction would have allowed us to properly recognize you.

 

If I was so important as to publicly degrade others I would have reserved the Penthouse and invited everyone there so I could gloat about how "high and mighty" I was. You were only on the Lido deck looking down - that's a average Joe's deck.

 

Weatherboy - It would appear that skies are often cloudy around you?!

[OhioGirl]

Way to go Paul...

Now I know why I like you...

Like I said in my original post..this was a great cruise..and getting to know all of you prior to the cruise, and during our wonderful 7 days aboard the Z...was the hightlight...

 

Brian and I will be right there booking with any and all of you CC'rs given the chance...

 

Paul, tell Lisa hello...and please send me your home address, so I can get rid of these pictures!!

 

Hope everyone is adjusting to home life...I am, but kicking and screaming all the way...

 

Everyone...(except WeatherBoy) please stay in touch.

Sheila

[pbjberg]

Good morning, All,

 

I know I came in at the Roll Call late, but I do want all of you to know that it was great meeting you on our cruise. I knew by the conversations on the board, that you all would be a fun group and you were and are.

 

Thanks for all the helpful hints before the cruise. Even though there were some bumps in the road (or sea), this cruise exceeded my expetations on what it would be like. Thanks to all of you for helping that.

 

I know we will be cruising in the future(not too far away, I hope.)

 

If anyone would like, for those that have cruised on different ships and different cruise lines, how did this cruise stack up?

 

Thanks again and it was great meeting you all.

Pat

[Italian Nancy]

Way to go all of your.. Who needs the negativity Weatherboy oozes.

 

Had a great time with all of you and would love to do a reunion cruise anytime.

 

Got my pics back yesterday, but I didn't take any of the group, would love to receive any you have scanned.

 

ngisonni@hotmail.com

 

Nancy

[pklopp]

Heya all - Weather Boy is referring to me not approaching him on the Red Hook Ferry back from St. John! Stood there facing the back of the ferry the entire ride and I could not help but look at him the entire ride. The Vols hat was the give away - talk about an average joe! If I had not just found out that we were going to Nassau instead of HMC, I probably would have approached him, but I did not want to add to my lower mood at that point.

Peggy