Zuiderdam Review - 10/01 thru 10/08

[richcrow]

Overall, I would have to say that this cruise was a very positive experience for DW and myself. It was our first HAL cruise and, I’m sure it will not be our last. So many detailed reviews have been done about the Zuiderdam. So, I will try to just cover the positive and negative things that occurred during our cruise. As for the wear-and-tear you see on the ship, it did not bother us at all. I don’t know what people could expect on a ship that is almost three years old and has sailed with 1700 to 1800 passengers every week.

Embarkation

 

 

Went very smoothly. Best we have ever experienced. Arrived at the terminal around 11:00 am and was on the ship at 11:40. After checking our carry-ons, we went to the Lido and had lunch. As a surprise to us, our carry-ons were delivered to our cabin while we had lunch.

 

Disembarkation

 

No problems at all. Took us 15 min. from the time our number was called until we were outside the terminal with our bags.

Renewal of Vows

 

 

This was the height of our cruise. It was everything that HAL had advertised. Capt. Henk Keijer and HM Regemorter could not have done a better job. We were celebrating our 40th anniversary and were sitting with a couple from Yorkshire England who were also celebrating their 40th. They were married on Oct. 2nd and we were married on Oct. 1st.

Food

 

 

Having only cruised on Carnival, I would have to say that IMHO the food in the dining room was as good or better than Carnival. Service was a little spotty at times and, like has been stated in other reviews, seems to be rushed as if they didn’t have enough servers. Zuiderdam’s Lido was the best we have had on any of our cruises. We had breakfast in our cabin only once and everything was excellent.

 

We ate at the Pinnacle Grill the first and last night out. On Sat. evening everything was perfect –food and service. On Friday evening, our service left something to be desired – different waiter and took forever.

Cabin

 

 

We were in Stateroom VD5076 and had excellent service from our steward Wandy. The room was perfect for the two of us, but I don’t know that I would want to sail with three or four people in a room this size.

 

 

Entertainment

 

 

Was great for the most part. The staged shows were fine, but the “impromptu” cast and crew shows were not that entertaining. Of course, we were lucky enough to have Joel Mason onboard and he is the best thing that I have ever seen on a cruise ship. As for lounge entertainment, “Rare Occasion” in the Ocean Bar was great. We usually had before and after dinner drinks there just to listen to them and dance. The “5 Seasons” in the Crow’s Nest wasn’t bad just a little too loud for me. “Fidelio” in the Piano Bar seemed to be a good piano player, but an entertainer he wasn’t.

 

Casino

 

For all of those who have stated that the slots on this ship seem to be loose, we sure didn’t experience that. I wanted to play Texas Holdum, but never could get to the table. Did enjoy the Black Jack tournament even though I didn’t win anything.

 

Half Moon Cay

 

Like most of you, HMC could be one of my favorite places. I could see the potential there, but the weather wasn’t the greatest. It rained most of the time we were there. At least we had the Blue Cabana to get in out of the rain. The food was good and we would go back if we have a chance.

Cruise Critic Get-Together

 

We had two get-togethers scheduled with six couples attending the first in the Crow’s Nest on Sat. evening for after dinner drinks. The Hotel Manger Diderik Van Regemorter and two ladies from Guest Relations (sorry but I didn’t get their names) attended and furnished drinks. The HM seemed to be genuinely pleased to have us onboard and was very interested in what we had to say about Holland America. They all said that they were very familiar with Cruise Critic.

The HM did talk in length about the deck problems in the passageways and the other changes that are to be made during Dec. drydocking. He said that all of the carpet is to be removed and new underlayment will be installed. Zuiderdam will receive the same underlayment that was installed on the Westerdam which has fixed the problem. He said that the ship will receive all kinds of refurbishments to make her as good as new.

We had another scheduled get-together in the Ocean Bar for before dinner drinks on Sunday which was also well attended. Everyone seemed to enjoy each other’s company so well that we got together on Friday evening in the Crow’s Nest for a good by drink.

Well, I started this by saying that I wasn’t going to go into too much detail, so I will end this by saying that we really did enjoy our first HAL cruise and I’m sure will be sailing her again. We really did enjoy the Zuiderdam and plan on sailing her in Alaska probably next spring.

 

 

[the2ofus]

Well balanced, succinct, a pleasure to read. So glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[vicocala]

Rich,

 

Thanks for the review. I am a little puzzled though. I thought Mr. Deering had moved to the Zuiderdam from some previous posts. Was that just a temporary thing to fill in or do you have any idea?

 

Thanks again, hopefully the weather will improve for our cruise!

[richcrow]

Mr. Deering was supposed to be back on Zuiderdam for our cruise, but he was detained on the Oosterdam for one additional week and should now be back on Zuiderdam.

 

Richard

[FlorenceItaly]

Rich - What a wonderful review. Thanks for posting.

 

Also, we are going to be in the same stateroom in December. Was there any sewage smell at all? Thanks.

 

Marie

[richcrow]

Rich - What a wonderful review. Thanks for posting.

 

Also, we are going to be in the same stateroom in December. Was there any sewage smell at all? Thanks.

 

Marie

 

Marie,

 

No sewage smell at all. In fact, the only sewage smell that I incountered on the ship was when you passed the womens restroom on the second deck near the Queen's Lounge. I think that you will like 5076. It is in a great location for elevators.

 

Richard

[FlorenceItaly]

Rich - Thanks so much. I am so relieved :). Btw, it was very exciting for me to read a review from someone that was in the exact same room we will be in! When is your next cruise???

 

Marie

[richcrow]

Our next cruise will more than likely be next spring to Alaska and very well may be on the Zuiderdam. That is if we don't take another cruise on the Holiday which is sailing out of here in Mobile. It isn't Holland America, but it sure is nice just to drive for 20 mins. and get on the ship.

 

Richard

[Ziggy7]

I found it Rich!! Great review!!! Thanks for sharing it with us!!

 

If your looking for a good cruise, there is still the Hall-O-Ween Dam Cruise!!! I still have you on the list as maybe hehehe :)

[bsa250cc]

As a fellow cruiser on the 1st October and one of the merry band of CC'ers who went to all three get-togethers, i feel I can only re-iterate the comments of Richard and Judie. Only those with a magnifying glass could make negative criticism. The ship was constantly being cleaned and painted throughtout the day and night, and was allways well presented.

 

The food and service in the main was impeccable. In contrast to Richard and Judie, we also ate in the Pinnacle on Friday evening and were swamped by 2 servers and the Maitre D', who constantly fussed over and talked to us, ensuring everything was 100%. So you can see that every one is different.

 

The highlight for us was the trip we took to Virgin Gorda. If you like snorkelling the trip through the boulders to the left as you get on the beach is well worth the effort. within 10 minutes you have a private (2 other couples) beach to yourself which once in the water is just like being in an aquarium. As well as a couple of 4 foot barracudas there were hundreds of fish of different species in excess of 18 inches.

 

We took the ferry and lunch package with speedys ferries which included both the ferry, taxi's to and from the baths and lunch at the Beach and Turtle. All for $35.00 each. It was outstanding value.

 

All in all a wonderful week.. :) :) :) :) :)

[vicocala]

bsa,

 

A little unclear about the snorkeling, do you mean snorkeling around the boulders on the beach or once you hiked thru the rocks, or a beach within the rocks?

 

Also, with all the rain lately how was visability for snorkeling in the Virgins overall? I plan on snorkeling at Coki point, the baths, Honeymoon beach and Cane Garden Bay. Any advice for any of the others I mentioned?

 

Thanks!

[bsa250cc]

Hi,

 

When you reach the beach from the pathway you go to the left to a sign posted trail (can't remember the name) It,s past the tourist hut. It goes through the boulders which involves some crouching down. All along here is access to the water, but by far the best is if you continue until you see the sign for the car park and turn off to the right. Here you will find a small beach enclosed on both sides by the boulders. It takes just over ten minutes of sometimes strenuous walking. There are wooden steps and a rope to help in the more difficult parts, but if you persevere it will be worth it. About half way there are some pools with excellent snorkelling, but be advised as the water comes through it is quite tidal and you need to be a reasonable swimmer to avoid contacting the rocks and corals.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Bob

[vicocala]

Thanks for the clarification Bob! :)