Ms Zuiderdam 9/2 Alaska (Long!)

[kelhair]

There have been some requests from our wonderful 11/25 Oosterdam roll call for some impressions of our recent Zuiderdam cruise to Alaska (9/2-9/9). For those that haven’t, you won’t hurt my feelings for skipping!

This was my 9th cruise and DH’s 6th. We (or I) have sailed everything from Carnival to Silversea. I promise you there’s never been a bad cruise and there have absolutely been things from each cruise that we’ve loved more on one line than another. (For Carnival it was their Roast Beef and Brie sandwiches from room service, not so much anything else. But dang those sandwiches rock!)

Anyway, first time on HAL. As some of you have read from posts on the roll call (shout out to the Ooster group), we actually had booked the 11/25 Oosterdam first based upon loving the HAL boards and the members. We also felt that what HAL offers (genteel service, elegance, no hairy legs contest, et al) sounded right up our alley. PLUS we have loved Indonesian and Filipino crews in previous experiences. Then I was “scouring” for deals and found this fabulous deal for the late season to Alaska (a destination we have longed to see.) So we booked an SZ Guarantee (which was also a first for us, we always book specific cabins.) So that’s the background. I’m not going to go day by day, but highlight some of the things that cause either questions or a great deal of chatter on the boards.

Many of you read Bardgal’s funny post on the roll call regarding our upgrade. Boy was it an upgrade! We had received our cabin assignment over 4 weeks before sail date into a lovely SS. I won’t say I wasn’t a tad disappointed (ungrateful wench) because I was longing to have the suite benefits. Colored me spoiled (and you’d be correct). Primarily because I had read so much about the Neptune Lounge, suite lunch, etc. But really, I was happy with the SS and its location AND so excited about Alaska. And let’s face it, expecting that jump (SZ to suite) was simply more than a little ridiculous.

So, Bardwench calls me the day before we were leaving asking are you excited, what cabin are you in, etc. (more on her motives later.) I was so swamped with trying to finish up work “have-to’s” that I said, no I’m not excited yet, too swamped and I can’t remember the exact cabin number because I’m lame. She said go look. So I went to the HAL board to check the immigration page (our documents had been sent before the SS assignment so they didn’t have the number.) I gave her the number and described the SS. She responded with the “Babe, you’re in an SB.” I said I must have given you the wrong number and went back. Well, the story ended up being even longer as I called HAL to confirm, etc. But yepper, the upgrade fairy had flown by and threw/sprinkled her magic dust and I missed her visit! So here’s a quick rundown of the grand, the great, the good and the average (of which there was few.) SZ Guarantee to an SB. (I’m loving HAL to death at this point.)

-Left hotel at 11 (Vancouver) and at Canada Place by 11:10. In a line for security that hadn’t started moving when a wonderful lady asked, “Who’s with the Zuiderdam and Who’s with the Diamond (Princess)???” Bless her, she moved all the Zuidies over to one security line and got it going. Up to the desk, scanned the credit card and took our pictures. Not boarding “quite yet” so we very intelligently scouted seating and chose seats closest to the doorway (to boarding.) Ten minutes later they say “let’s go” and we hopped to it. (Keep in mind we were probably, no definitely, the youngest waiting so easy for us to get the “hop” going.) Walked onto the ship at 11:30 (maybe first passengers on, but definitely first 5 or 6). Dropped luggage at the awesome Neptune Lounge (thank you upgrade fairy), had the lovely Irene (concierge) make Pinnacle reserv’s for that evening and off to Lido. Didn’t eat much as we had breakfast at the hotel but tried the famous Bread Pudding by 12:30! Started exploring and cabins ready at 12:59. Already the experience was being defined as Grand!

-Cabin all the way aft with the best balcony ever (Diamond Princess PH a close second) as it was huge and all the way covered. Perfection for the weather we were anticipating (and subsequently confirmed!) Grand. Reason for Bardgal’s questions? Chocolate covered strawberries and a coffee card and mug as gifts from my Gal pals that will be joining us in November on the Oosterdam. Sweet and kind and Grand again. Also 3 bottles of champagne. Grand #4 or #5!

-Dinner at Pinnacle. What a lovely, lovely room. What beautiful china (Brian I thought of you) and the chairs are so gorgeous I was over the moon. Not full by any means and wonderful service. I had a filet and DH had the porterhouse. Steaks were Grand, sides were not. One appetizer great, the other average. Please do note however the volcano cake was perfection. There has been lots of discussions how it’s hit or miss, well grand slam out of the ballpark on this visit. We had only planned on one visit, but ended up making great friends with tables on either side of us (all two tops) in the dining room and the six of us decided to spend out last night there (PG). Again, steaks were very good and most of the apps. (Some at table said their steaks were not as good as the first night this cruise they had eaten there.) The PG was packed and service suffered. We had 3 different bottles of wine (all couples drinking something different) and no one ever poured another glass after opening the bottles. I’m serious. We had to reach over and refill our glasses the entire meal. The sides again were disappointing and I tried all new ones this time. The discussion of the $30 pp (new charge) as of 10/1 was something I wanted to jump in on. If you are looking for a different experience than the dining room then I say go and enjoy. The room has a great feel. The additional $10 is not ever something we would quibble with. But neither of us felt that the food, other than the steaks and the chocolate volcano cake, was worth it. The definition of “worth it” is so subjective so I won’t go there; however, there were more disappointments for us than successes. I think we’ll take the Rev’s suggestion and try lunch next time as he has raved about that menu. The six of us had lots of laughs and great story telling so the evening in that respect was wonderful!

Other observations:

-Master was Captain Hans van Biljouw. Oh my goodness, I am smitten. Have NEVER in all the previous cruises met a more congenial, warm and gracious Captain. He looked like a teddy bear and absolutely sparkled. His hospitality was unlike anything we’ve experienced before. We met him at the suite cocktail party and suite lunch (yes, friends, they were still doing that and it was a definite highlight.) Wanted to take him home. Cheers to the Master.

-The crew is as awesome as the HAL loyalists attest. Fabulous at every level in every position (excluding perhaps the Shore Excursion staff, they were a little short in their tone and seemed rather impatient. And our needs with them were minimal, I assure you.) Cabin Steward was Henry and he was sweetness personified. A little forgetful at times, but trust me, a smile from him and we forgot the roll of toilet paper he left on top of the mini-bar!)

-Neptune Lounge gets an A+, all the way around. Simply fantastic.

-Dining room very efficient. Not as outgoing as some we’ve had but very good in service and attitude.

-Did minimal room service (just coffee and some Danish, etc.) but always on time and often early.

-Coffee (other than the Windstar which was terrific, thanks Bardgal) was horrible. But then, so is almost every other line we’ve been on. Why is that??

-Hallways on cabin decks looked really tired. The beige paint was scuffed and dirty throughout.

-I personally liked the “nooks and crannies” layout of the ship.

-Filipino crew show was beyond charming, loved it.

-Wine selection was great.

-Weather, well we did get a lot of rain. But it never affected our enjoyment. Skagway was mostly dry and Juneau wasn’t too bad. Ketchikan poured the entire time.

-Loved the décor additions with the Northwest theme. Have never seen a line put so much effort into personalizing the cruise.

-Had a First Nation woodcarver on board for exhibitions. How great was that!!!! And the naturalist was exceptional.

Alaska is just as beautiful and completely awe inspiring as all of you have written. I look at our beautiful pictures and it still doesn’t do any kind of justice to the land, sea, sky and animals. You must experience it in person. We were humbled every day.

So thank you to all you dear HAL loyalists whose postings encouraged us to try HAL. It really all started when Sail7Seas started posting from the inaugural Noordam and it caught my eye. So thank you Sail7 and Rev and Jim and Heather and Ruth C and Lisa (particularly with your Alaska posts) and Brian and Grumpy and Ides, et al. You’ve gained a convert!!!:D

Kelly

[RuthC]

Well, you're very welcome. Thank you so much for the honorable mention. :o

And thank you for taking the time to post such a nice report. Glad you had a good time. Listen, the rule goes if it doesn't rain when you're in Ketchikan you really haven't been to Ketchikan. :rolleyes:

So, Kelly, it's nice to know there's a new HAL fan on the team. ;)

[SanDiego Single]

Thanks so much for taking the time to give us that great review. I will be on the Zuiderdam in a little over a week now and I am so looking forward to it. I will also be following you shortly after on the Osterdam (about a month after) So try not to party on her to hard and leave some fun for me. :) Did you see any of the sales going on in the ports I am hearing that they have items on sale because of the end of the season.

[kelhair]

Ruth C, your posts have been some of my favorites so of course I needed to point you out specifically. I did think of you with the chocolate strawberries!

 

San Diego Single, they were already posting signs re. "end of season" clearance. Especially the jewelry stores! However, a casino host said the last two weeks is when everything is really discounted (he mentioned t-shirts, etc.) He told us that's when he does all of his Christmas shopping!

We sure are chosing identical routes aren't we? We'll leave the Oosterdam in wonderful shape, no worries:)

[kikiwik]

Thank-you so much for the review. It makes me even more excited to go to alaska in just 9 days. Thanks so much for all the positive feedback as it makes me even more excited that there wasn't any negatives.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome home and thank you for taking the time to write your revuew. Very nice!!

[berylde]

Thanks for review of ship. We will also be in an aft Deluxe suite on the Zuiderdamn in December.

 

You mentioned that the balcony is totally covered.. Any partial place open to sit in the sun?

[kelhair]

Berylde:

 

Depends on your deck (and catagory.) We were on Deck 8 in an SB (corner) which was totally covered. And boy was that great with the weather. We were able to bundle up and stay out with binoculars for Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay (and all sail ins into ports.) Was wonderful for the inten.

 

Now, deck 7 and deck 6 (and I think 5 as well) all have some coverage and a good amount of sun exposure. So it does depend on your deck.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Kelly

 

Thanks Krazy Kruiser, first time I've actually posted any kind of review. I did forget a few things . . .

First, Hunkey Dory was off contract and we were so sad not to meet him! (Found out his name is Marcus.)

Two, the beds really, really, really are as great as people say. Sleep better than I have in a long time.

Three, the thing that really made our cruise was the type of co-passenger aboard. We always meet folks but never like this. Lots of Aussies aboard and they were so fun. But we also connected with so many others. Just nice, nice people. It really was different than anything we've every experienced. HAL attracts a great spectrum of people and countries and it was delightful.