Anyone back from Zenith 2 Bermuda yet?

[alpal1993]

Thanks for the review.We will be leaving for Bermuda on May 27 Just hope the water temp is high enough for this SFL.Packed my Bonine already.LOL

[NextOne]

I see that the Zenith is scheduled to arrive in Hamilton at 9 a.m. on Monday. How long until you can actually get off the ship? We're trying to plan a taxi tour and are curious about how early we can tell the driver to arrive.

Thanks!

[Up North Cruiser]

I am going to give you a somewhat lengthy review, only because I really enjoy them myself. It helps me to understand the whole cruise experience. Here goes.

 

Embarkation was a breeze. Dropped our luggage off at the designated area, not crowded at all, about 11:30. Parked our car and took a shuttle from the parking lot to the ship entrance building. We had our Express Passes previously filled and printed out and handed them in along with our passports. Being a non-U.S. citizen they kept our passports and gave us a receipt. Make sure you keep that receipt in a safe place because you need to hand them in at the end of the cruise to get your passports back. There was hardly anyone there embarking at that time.

We got our ship pass, got on another shuttle and that shuttle took us to the boat. We were on the ship by 12:00 noon at the latest being handed our glass of champagne and escorted to our room by our stewart.

 

Went and had the buffet for lunch and walked around the ship to familiarize ourselves. We were on Deck 4, inside cabin. We had had balconies on our previous 2 cruises and weren't sure if I would feel a little closed in with no window. Didn't feel that at all. It made us go out more to enjoy the ship.

 

Pros about Deck 4 - Florida Deck

More reasonable rate. Daughter getting married in July so we just wanted to get away at a good rate. We were mid ship and were very pleased with the room. The floor was quiet, never heard anything. There were actually four in our room. Last minute decision on the part of my brother and sister-in-law. The beds come down from the wall on each side of the two singles pushed together so they don't take up any more room in the room. Certainly had to organize our timing for dressing for showers, formal night, etc. but can't say it was difficult. We were still talking at the end of the cruise.

 

Cons

Far from the facilities. Dining room on Deck 7, Showrooms on Deck 7 and 8 and Buffett and pools on Deck 11, spa and hot tubs on Deck 12. Elevators are a bit slow but we managed. We always walked down and sometimes up.

 

I didn't know what to expect reading all about the Zenith, mold in the bathrooms, tired decoration, etc. and yes you can tell it has been around for a while but the beds were comfortable, the room was spotless, didn't really smell anything ie musty, etc. The furniture is dated, just a couple of ordinary chairs but served the purpose. I read that the staterooms were the largest of the bigger ships but I didn't feel that. I thought the rooms were about the same size. Lots of closet space, bathroom just big enough.

 

We had been on two larger ships previous so wasn't sure how that would work out. Didn't necessarily "feel" the difference. We certainly had rough seas going and coming but I never felt threatened. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles but everything I needed and more. You can't go on this ship and compare it to a ship over twice the size, you just can't do it.

 

Dining room was nice and comfortable. Food was excellent we found both at the buffet and the dining room. We tried breakfast and lunch in both the buffet and dining room and always had dinner in the dining room. We had late night seating for the first time. Liked it better than early. Have more time to wind down from your day before getting ready for dinner. The entertainment shows were usually at 7:00 for the late sitting and then you ate afterwards. Unfortunately eating so late there wasn't much room left for the trays of "bites" that came around at 11:30 or the midnight buffet. Don't miss the midnight buffet even if just to see. There is just picture taking for the first 1/2 hour.

 

Entertainment

We really enjoyed the entertainment on board. There were two broadway shows, excellent, a comedian who was very good and an australian entertainer of the year who was also good. They also have lounges where you can go to listen and dance as well as a piano bar with a singer at the piano, we loved this. At night they have a fireplace going, nice setting (Michael's Bar). They had a guitar player in the Fleet Bar, but it seemed to be always very cold in there, probably because the weather was cool outside. All in all a fun time.

 

Service

Best ever. I'm not sure if they try harder because of the age of the ship and less amenities but couldn't ask for more. The waiters take your tray at the buffet line and walk you to your seat, they keep your stateroom spotless, they are always working somewhere. The waiters in the dining room were very personable and enjoyed them very much.

 

I really enjoyed this trip. I like the fact that the ship docks and you stay there for a few days. It takes the pressure off to get back in time before it sails and you can come and go 24 hours a day if you wish, eat where you want, when you want. I wish they would do this for other cruises as well. I find by the time you sort of find out where you are going you are leaving and going on to another place. Got a bus pass and we made our way around the island ourselves. Liked St. George the best. It was smaller and easier to get around on foot. It was cool this time of year and would like to go back and try the water and snorkeling. It was great for sightseeing.

 

We arrived about 2 hours late back in NJ because of the weather so disembarkment was late. Because we weren't flying we didn't get off the ship until about 11:30. There were people getting ready to come onto the ship as we were leaving. It was very smooth as well. Went to a room to get back our passports and declaration of goods and then waited until our colour of our bags was called and away we went. There were porters there to take our bags for us to where our car picked us up. No hassle at all. Can't wait to go again.

 

Hope I haven't gone on too long. I know I appreciated all the info I got here before I left. Thanks again for all your help and I am sure I will be off again in the next few months. Cheers,

 

Sue

[BrooklynGirl2]

Sue thank you for the fair and balanced review of you cruise on Zenith. All of what you said mirrors our experience on her. Yes, she's a bit dated and "lived in" but very cozy and comfortable and the crew is fabulous. We like the intimate size of Zenith and found it easier to get to know fellow pax and just to get around the ship in general. We also stay on the Fla deck (ocean view) and I like it because it is quiet and more reasonably priced. Of course you also have to go further to the public areas but I need the exercise :D .

[Vic The Parrot]

Yes, she's a bit dated and "lived in" but very cozy and comfortable and the crew is fabulous. We like the intimate size of Zenith and found it easier to get to know fellow pax and just to get around the ship in general.

 

 

 

BrooklynGirl.... I love when you bring this up!

 

It could be I have the same feeling regarding this fine ship. When I was last on board in 2004, the atmosphere was very soothing. And I have to say that Zenith, IMO, is "aging well".

 

Think of it as a small European hotel that improves with time. And, I can't wait to set foot on board again! (Hopefully THIS year! .....)

 

 

:)

[Vic The Parrot]

Smoking needs to be banned on ships. Hasn't the industry learned their lesson yet? At most, it should be outside.

 

 

Not this again ......

 

 

 

:rolleyes:

 

 

I really don't see what your above comment has to do with this post.

If you need to voice your views regarding smoking in public,there's a seperate thread somewhere on this board.

[stefhef]

I only said it here because it was overwhelming on the Zenith. Many spots where you had to hold your breath to pass through and others where you could not venture at all due to the overpowering smoke stench. I have never noticed that on any other ships. I enjoyed our 4/22 Zenith cruise but would not cruise on her again due to: too much smoke, gym very poor and I really miss not having a balcony. Service, as others have said, is absolutely top notch!

[Lois R]

Vic, I sailed Zenith for the first time in Feb and it was great.

I went back last month and it was FANTASTIC:) I can't explain

it but the service last month was some of the BEST I have ever

had on any of my cruises! Just totally outstanding:D

 

Now, I am going on Mercury in 2 weeks...going to Alaska for the first

time...lets see how the service compares to Zenith;)

[DUCK33]

zenith is a great old ship.......best crew I ever sailed with

 

 

HI LOIS!!!!

[Granny&Pap]

:) Thanks to all of you, who have reported "great" reviews for the Zenith Bermuda Cruises. We are sailing Zenith August 19th from Bayonne and all the comments have given us a great idea of what to expect. Really looking forward to this cruise. Have sailed on Infinity and Milennium; both times with balconies. Other cruises have been inside or oceanview. As stated....."not in the cabin that much". Will the seas be any better in August?? Will the water be warmer in Bermuda in August?? Most of our other questions have already been answered by all the favorable comments...Thanks.

[Lois R]

zenith is a great old ship.......best crew I ever sailed with

 

 

HI LOIS!!!!

 

Hi DUCK...hope you, Mrs and the duckling are all doing well:)

[NextOne]

I see that the Zenith is scheduled to arrive in Hamilton at 9 a.m. on Monday. How long until you can actually get off the ship? We're trying to plan a taxi tour and are curious about how early we can tell the driver to arrive.

Thanks!

 

Still hoping that someone can share some guidance. Thanks!

[BrooklynGirl2]

To answer some questions...yes the water in Bermuda will definitely be warmer in August. As for the seas...it is unpredictable as August is considered Hurricane season. You could have smooth as glass seas or stormy seas. That's the chance you take. We sailed in early September last year and except for one night where we were rocking and rolling seas were beautiful and calm. We DID have to leave Bermuda one day early because of an impending hurricane (Nate) which never actually hit Bermuda but that just gave us an additional gorgeous sea day.

 

As for docking, I remember actually docking before 9 a.m. Then the ship has to clear customs. I think we were having breakfast in the dining room when they announced that you were able to leave the ship. Must have been before 10 am. Sorry I can't be more exact.

[Cachecara]

I know we were able to leave the ship very close to the 9a.m. docking as we had Hartley's Helmet Dive excursion scheduled --if my mind remembers correctly 9:30a.m. (those grey cells are rapidly dying out), so we had to be off Zenith to meet for Hartleys pronto. :)

[Joanandjoe]

I know we were able to leave the ship very close to the 9a.m. docking as we had Hartley's Helmet Dive excursion scheduled --if my mind remembers correctly 9:30a.m. (those grey cells are rapidly dying out), so we had to be off Zenith to meet for Hartleys pronto. :)

 

How was Hartley's? We were interested in that or the helmet dive in St. George, but we felt that the water would be too cold to be enjoyable (and I couldn't see squeezing my overweight bod into a dry suit). I guess it's academic because today is the last day to sign up online for our 5/13 cruise; but maybe we can sign up on the ship if the water temp. is OK. (Otherwise we'll do our helmet dive in the Caribbean in November.)

[NextOne]

Thanks for the help, BrooklynGirl2 and Cachecara. We were nervous about cutting time too close, so we booked the taxi for 10:30.
We're on the May 27 trip (only 24 days!) and really looking forward to seeing Bermuda again. It's been 23 years since we've been there.

[ChoirMom]

We're on the 06/03 Zenith sailing to Bermuda - I'm curious as well as to you experiences with helmet diving.

[Becky_Mac]

I went to Bermuda several years ago and did the helmet dive with Hartley's (sp?). We were staying with a local family we know and they recommended that one over the others...not really sure why but they were good. It was excellent. I highly recommend it. The guy at Hartley's (can't remember his name) who runs it is superb....really knows his stuff. I can't comment on the water temp though since it was August when we went and the water was very warm then. You could always call Hartley's...they have a website... and ask them. They are very nice there!

I am going on the Zenith on June 10th and trying to convince my husband to try it. He doesn't swim but I am trying to show him that this is the perfect water activity for the non-swimmer.

Honestly, wet suit or no wet suit...you have to try it. It is one of the best things I have ever done!