My review of Zaandam

[porsena]

Thanks for the review and photos! We're looking forward to sailing on Zaandam in November, our first smaller HAL ship since the unlamented (by me, at least) Ryndam.

 

I agree with your comment about the too-small bathtub. I'd much rather have a walk-in shower in most of the same space.

[pknaberry]

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[The Penguina]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the great review, pictures (w0w) and additional comments from the Zaandam cruisers. All this is soooo much appreciated. I'm filling my notebook!!

 

I might have missed this so please excuse if already asked......

 

Were you able to pull up the daily menus for the Lido and Main Dining Room on the TV?

 

Are the corner medicine cabinets still hangin' out in the suite bathrooms? (as opposed to the center drawer)

 

Thanks again!

[goldengatecruisers]

Penguina - I can't honestly say I looked for the menu on the television. I am not sure if it was a feature. In the bathroom, at least in the bathroom in #6166, there was no medicine cabinet nor was there a drawer. We had a series of open shelves for toiletries and we had a deep shelf under the sink next to the trash bin - it was here that we placed larger items. Hope that helps.

 

Ashley

[AryMay]

Were you able to pull up the daily menus for the Lido and Main Dining Room on the TV?

I apologize for butting into this thread, but will answer since this was the type of information I had been looking for prior to the cruise.

 

The menus were not on the TV. There were no interactive features at all on the television.

 

However, you could log on to the HAL Navigator App using the ship's wifi for free (no account needed.) The menus for the main dining room and the specialty restaurants were available each day. The app also gave you access to shore excursions, your account, daily activities, etc. Another feature that I didn't find until mid-way through the cruise was the "Feedback" section.

 

If you had questions or comments, you could submit them through the app and they would respond within 4 hours. I used the feedback section to inquire about getting a cruise log at the end of the cruise. When I returned to my cabin later in the morning, there was a note on my door saying they had tried to contact me but were unable. They also assured me that they would deliver a written cruise log to my cabin at the end of the cruise...which they did.

 

The app also has a texting feature where you can send messages to other passengers for free. It worked well EXCEPT that no alert is given when you receive a message. If you weren't specifically looking then you may not realize that someone was trying to get in touch with you.

 

The app also gave you free access to a couple of other websites...HAL and also the New York Times.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the review

 

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[sail7seas]

Thanks so much for sharing with us The photos are wondeful and I trul y enjoyed seing them. I have sailed Zaandam many tmes but not foa long g time. Your report and lovely photos are inspiring g me to think abou t booking to sail her. :)

[sail7seas]

Thanks for your review and photos. Other than the updated colors in the carpet and furniture coverings, I really didn't see much difference from what I experienced when I was aboard in January. The "reports" that the Atrium's sculpture--the Organ--was to be removed during her dry dock proved to be as bogus as I thought they originally were.

 

One afternoon in the Crow's Nest, I spoke with some employees of a Company that had been employed to plan the dry dock while we were en route to Buenos Aires. They were taking measurements, etc. From what I "thought" I heard from them, the changes to the Crow's Nest appears to be much less than what your photos show. In my opinion: thankfully!

 

 

 

i would guess not too many of us would weep to see the organ removed. :)

Edited May 14, 2018 by sail7seas

[madera1]

Thank you for taking the time to write this review. We live in CA and are taking the reverse Pacific coastal in late September.

 

 

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[Oahucruiser]

Wonderful review, photos and details. Appreciate the time that you took to do all of this. Thank you.

[crystalspin]

Thanks to Ashley *and* AryMay. Great photos Ashley -- I did not know Zaandam was recently in drydock. Wow like a new ship for my family group of ten in August! AryMay, how cool to hear about the texting app, again with the big group this should be handy even if silent!

[rkacruiser]

i would guess not too many of us would weep to see the organ removed. :)

 

Just my opinion, but the Organ is an integral part of the Zaandam's decor theme of music. When the Organ does its Noon Concerts, it surely provides a memorable moment for those guests who are able to observe/hear them.

[AryMay]

Just my opinion, but the Organ is an integral part of the Zaandam's decor theme of music. When the Organ does its Noon Concerts, it surely provides a memorable moment for those guests who are able to observe/hear them.

 

 

 

We were on the ship for 23 days and never heard it play...or heard anyone mention it being played. Wondering if we missed it or it never happened.

 

 

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[rkacruiser]

We were on the ship for 23 days and never heard it play...or heard anyone mention it being played. Wondering if we missed it or it never happened.

 

 

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One needs to be in the Atrium near the Front Office at the right time to witness/hear its performance. Whether it is done daily, I don't know. It was during days at sea when I happened to be there when the Organ performed.

[rsquare]

I'm coming into this thread very late, having just started pricing the March 2019 Buenos Aires-Santiago trip on Zaandam. I am quite concerned about a CC review of Zaandam which included the following:

 

I found constant reminders that Holland America relies on income from profit centers onboard its ships like jarring loudspeaker announcements of activities: art auctions, bingo, casino contests, spa services, sales in shops and shore excursions. Gone are the days of free sail-away drinks and announcements for navigational purposes only. The quiet, up-market ambience has been shattered.

While your review focussed on the physical aspect of the ship, it does not really touch very much on issues such as this. If true, this would be a major concern for us. Could the OP or others who have recently been on Zaandam please comment?

 

[goldengatecruisers]

rsquare - I too would have concerns about a constant barrage of announcements throughout the day. Remember mine was only a short Pacific Coastal so I can't speak to a longer voyage. I did not encounter the announcements noted in the CC review you quoted. The Captain would come on and make his daily announcement which I always enjoy and then the Cruise Director would speak briefly at the conclusion of the Captain's detailing of the ships position and weather. My only comment would be to have the Cruise Director speak a little more clearly and to slow down his announcement. He would shout into the microphone and speak so rapidly it was almost impossible to decipher what he was saying. His personal style over the PA was not one of professionalism and control, rather a rushed and brash delivery of information which never resonates well with me. Admittedly he would promote certain activities around the ship (some of which would generate additional income for HAL or vendors) but it was only at this one time. I can not say I noticed announcements throughout the day reminding passengers to spend more money.

The itinerary you are pricing out looks lovely and I would not hesitate to book it. Hope this additional information helps.

 

Ashley

[rafinmd]

Ashley, who was the Cruise Director. In my experience a couple of things don't sound like typical HAL, both the poor enunciation, and the frequency. My typical experience has been 3 daily announcements, one around 8:45, a second after the Captain's update, and a final one with the evening activities around 4PM, They (especially the morning one) are NOT piped into staterooms and should not wake late sleepers. They've always highlighted the free activities as prominently as the ones for fees.

 

 

On my last cruise the organ played about 11:45 leaving me time to go topside for the Captain's update.

 

 

Roy

[goldengatecruisers]

Hello Roy - I can't recall who the CD was on my recent Zaandam cruise but he did not have good quality PA skills in my opinion. I must admit to not noticing the early announcements as I was usually in my stateroom and quite honestly I cant say I noticed the afternoon one. I am sure the frequency is as you state - it goes to prove the announcements were not bothersome because it would have been something I picked up on. I think its important to announce the activities to help guests decide how to spend their time - many times people are not carrying with them the daily planner so a gentle reminder on the PA is appropriate.

 

Ashley

[rsquare]

Ashley and Roy, thanks for the fast response. Three a day, including one when I'm likely to be sleeping, is within the edge of tolerable, but just.

 

We do most of our ship travel on Cunard, where the only use of the PA is for the Captain's noon announcement or an occasional last minute program cancellation.

 

We've heard stories about mass market lines like Carnival where the announcements come fairly frequently, and since it is difficult to place HAL (upper end of mass market? lower end of premium?), the review seemed credible.

 

Other than that, the ship looks great. I sailed on her sister Volendam in 2011 and really liked the size of the ship. My last HAL trip was four years ago, on Eurodam, quite enjoyable but of course things change in this industry. Your comments are reassuring.

[OHCruiser]

Did they happen to add bedside electrical/usb ? Thanks

[packercruising]

Did they happen to add bedside electrical/usb ? Thanks

 

They didn't in our cabin on deck 7. They added a lamp with a USB port. We brought a multi outlet adapter as there is only one outlet by the desk. That gave us a couuple extra outlets and USB ports.

[OHCruiser]

They didn't in our cabin on deck 7. They added a lamp with a USB port. We brought a multi outlet adapter as there is only one outlet by the desk. That gave us a couuple extra outlets and USB ports.

 

Thank you. I want to use a small fan on the bedside table, so I guess I'll need a long extension cord....

[packercruising]

Thank you. I want to use a small fan on the bedside table, so I guess I'll need a long extension cord....

 

Not sure they will let you. They even unplugged our adapter a few times. Can you get a battery operated one?

[RuthC]

Not sure they will let you. They even unplugged our adapter a few times. Can you get a battery operated one?

If you're referring to an unplugged European adapter, then it's likely the steward unplugged it so he could use the outlet, and then neglected to plug your item back in. The vacuum cleaners have a European plug.

 

I use an extension cord, with a Euro adapter, for my CPAP machine, and it is often I climb under the covers, switch on the machine, and---nothing. It's been unplugged.

[packercruising]

If you're referring to an unplugged European adapter, then it's likely the steward unplugged it so he could use the outlet, and then neglected to plug your item back in. The vacuum cleaners have a European plug.

 

I use an extension cord, with a Euro adapter, for my CPAP machine, and it is often I climb under the covers, switch on the machine, and---nothing. It's been unplugged.

 

I was referring to the 120v, but you are probably right about why it was unplugged. I never thought of that. :)

 

That must be frustrating, at times, with the CPAP machine. I sure don't envy you there.