Small Review, Zaandam Hawaii 4/22 to 5/9, 2007

[jeda]

I have never done a review before but was asked on another thread by Karin and Aaron to post one on this cruise, especially about the 10 sea days so here is a small one and I will gladly answer any questions you may have and fill in the gaps that way.

 

Firstly the cruise was an awesome experience. There were a few glitches but in the big picture nothing other than trivial. My sister and I had a dolphin deck outside cabin, no problems with that at all. We were only there to sleep and change clothes so to us the cabin just is not an issue. My parents had a veranda cabin number 6187, very nice cabin.

 

We were early sitting for dinner, upper table 86 for 4, by the rail. We had been confirmed for a table by the window but whatever, that wasn't meant to be, not a big deal. It was a fine table and we had an awesome dinning room team in the waiter, busboy and wine steward. The wine steward was really a sweetheart. I had a 10 punch wine card and had wine every night and came home with 2 punches left on the card, and this was a 17 day cruise!! Now that is definitely service. We also ate one night in the Pinnacle with the 4 of us and Mom and Dad had the renewal of vows and with that they ate one more night in the Pinnacle by themselves. It was all good!

 

Sea days are soooooo nice! You can be as busy as you want (ie: follow the program) or like Marilyn (sis) and I, toss the program and take each day as it comes. We did do bingo twice a day as it was something my Mom enjoyed, but to keep the cost down Marilyn and I each put in $10.00 and said if we won we would share the pot. After lunch Mom and Dad generally went back to their cabin for a rest and Marilyn and I had a couple of hours where we wandered, swam, did the internet, walked the promenade, sat on a deck chair and chatted, hit the coffee bar, and just basically had a lovely time. Each day we just decided what we felt like doing and did it all in slow motion, so nice! There was ample structured choices on the daily program, we just weren't interested. We would pick up Mom and Dad at 345 for Bingo and then it was time to get ready for early seating dinner, then show time, the casino for the parents mostly, and another day slips by! You can see we actually did get into a sort of routine. I brought 3 books with me as I am an avid reader and believe it, I never read a chapter in 17 days! Unbelievable for me!!

 

If anyone would like to know more just ask and I would be happy to answer any questions.

 

I will just add that Marilyn and I had one "major peeve" in that we were going to HAWAII and the all the logo items in the Shops on Board were ALASKA logo:( as this was the last Hawaiian run of the season and then the Zaandam was starting the Alaska season. My argument was "so what?" I said we had never been to Hawaii before and wanted to buy Hawaii ship logo ship clothing not Alaska. So in the survey at the end of the cruise we did mention this disappointment in the comments. I said that I ended up spending money in Hawaii that I would have been spending on the ship.

 

PS The Zaandam is a lovely ship ;)

 

Jess

sailed with parents Ann and Jim and sister Marilyn :D

[Copper10-8]

Hi Jeda, thanks for taking the time and effort to write a review; always appreciated here! Can you tell us who Zaandam's captain, hotel manager and cruise director were on your cruise?

[jeda]

The Captain was Captain Sybe de Boer

Hotel Manager was Cees Tesselaar

and the Cruise Direcor was Rob LaForest (great guy)

[Copper10-8]

Thanks for the super quick answer!! Much obliged!:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Glad you enjoyed your Hawaiin cruise. Thanks for the report.

[May4]

Thanks for writing about your trip! I'm glad to hear that everything went well.

 

I think that you'll simply have to go back to Hawaii soon so that you can get the proper swag.:p

[Atomica]

Jess, thanks for the great review! It sounds like you had a fantastic time on the Zaandam. I'm glad to hear you found lots to do on the sea days - it sounds very relaxing!

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Thank you so much Jess; this is just what I was looking for!:)

 

A couple more questions for you, if you don't mind. How did you find the entertainment onboard? You mentioned going to see the show each evening - how was that? Was there a lecturer onboard, or any special presentation about the Hawaiian islands? You also mentioned Rob LaForest as a great guy. In your opinion, what is the special something that makes a Cruise Director good?

 

And finally, how did you enjoy the islands themselves?:)

 

Sorry for so many questions, and thanks again for so kindly posting this review of your Zaandam cruise. Zaandam was my first HAL ship, only last summer, and therefore she will always be a special ship for me.

 

Karin

[Juanita462]

Jeda - so glad you had a great cruise. We were on the same ship and our experiences were a bit different. The Zaandam was our first ship and is, as always, a great ship - well maintained and run. Great crew and mostly great staff.

 

Our problem was that we love sea days because of the activities - on this cruise they were almost non-existent. No games, one trivia most days and only one sports event. cutting the activities staff down to two meant that they didn't have time for the usual activities. If we had known before that they were going to do this we would have cancelled.

I guess it all depends on what you want to do on sea days. I read 5 books and hubby read 4!

 

I thought that there was a great group of pax onboard - so very friendly.

 

Karin - yes, they had 2 lectures per day on the Hawaiin Islands and their culture - very informative. After we left Hawaii I think she talked about the Mayan culture and they had another lecturer who wasn't as good - he took forever to get to the point and many left.

 

I thought the entertainment was above average on this cruise. A bit much of the singers and dancers but the rest were very good.

 

We loved the Islands themselves - especially the 2 days in Honolulu and had an opportunity to see places that we missed before.

 

Yes, the shopping was very disappointing - the worst we have ever seen. How ridiculous to put out all Alaska stuff for a Hawaiin cruise. They also never had any real bargains when they did have a sale. We have always been able to buy memorabilia at 75% off - I thought they inflated the prices - $66 for a t-shirt - so they could say they were 50% off.

 

Hope you don't mind me butting in Jeda - I actually watched for you on the ship but without a picture there wasn't much chance of finding you. We were at the early seating too - table for six by the window on the starboard side - the noisy one! How did you like the table by the rail? We tried for that but didn't get it.

[jeda]

Firstly for Karin, As Juanita said the entertainment was very good. I personally liked the Zaandam cast of singers and dancers and most every show that was on at night. A couple I could have taken or left but again just not a big deal to me, I try to make the most out of what is there.

 

Yes there was a guest lecturer. Other than that I can't say too much, as it doesn't interest me, feels too much like school :o not holidays..She lectured on something different almost every sea day and her lectures were always well attended in the lounge.

 

I found Rob to be very personable in a genuine way. On the other hand we did not care for Kelly the assistant cruise director, we found her to not be genuine and her friendliness appeared very "put on", IMHO. She just did not give out very welcoming vibes, I can't really explain it, she seemed phony to me, but it is just my opinion. Rob was always friendly, always stopped to chat. He met my parents on the Zuiderdam last September when they were still able to travel alone and remembered them. He always called us "Stronach Family" and if my sisters were out and about he called us the "Stronach Sisters", even though I haven't been a Stronach for 27 years ;) but it was the effort he made to remember and recognize us and always stopped to chat that we appreciated. He would always put his hand on Dad's shoulder (Dad is blind) and say "how are you today Mr Stronach, its Rob". Not many people think to identify themselves to a blind man. Things like this go a long way in my book. ALSO he always found out the Canuck scores for me and announced them in the show lounge :D or the nice boys in the Casino Bar would get them for me!

 

The Hawaiian Islands, what can I say, I AM IN LOVE!! If you need more info you will have to be more specific in your question...

 

Juanita, I wish we could have met on the ship, it would have been a pleasure to make your aquaintance (sp?). The table by the rail was actually assigned to us. We had reserved and confirmed 102 table for 4 by the window but ended up at 86 by the rail and of course when I tried to fix that there was a 300 plus waiting list for early dinning so that wasn't going to happen. It turned out table 102 was a table for 6 and my parents wanted a table for 4 so that must be why they changed it up. Too funny that we had "your" table and you had "ours"!! Sorry our paths sis not cross Juanita, although they probably did!;)

 

Any more questions, feel free :eek:

Jess

[Old As Dirt Mom]

.........

 

 

The Hawaiian Islands, what can I say, I AM IN LOVE!! If you need more info you will have to be more specific in your question...

 

Any more questions, feel free :eek:

Jess

 

Jess and Juanita, thanks for your prompt replies. Appreciate all the info. I'm booked on the Volendam in fall 2008 from Seattle to Sydney via Hawaii and New Zealand, and just wanted to get some idea of how you managed the sea days. Thanks!

 

Rob LaForest does sound like he has a unique ability with people.

 

Jess, I'm with you, I love Hawaii, and indeed lived in Honolulu for two years when I was based there with Pan Am. I have visited many times since, and consider Hawaii one of my favorite places in the world. I was interested in your reaction, and the HAL experience there, in general.

 

And I agree with both of you ladies regarding the Alaska merchandise on a Hawaiian cruise:rolleyes: . Why couldn't the shops onboard have offered a "Hawaiian Clear-Out" for the last cruise of the season to the islands? I know the shops operate as a separate concession from HAL, but even so, that's just poor organization.

 

Aloha:)

 

Karin

 

ps Jess, just wanted to add that you and your family sound like wonderful people, and it's evident that you derive great pleasure from each other's company. Bon Voyage in your journey through life!

[jeda]

Aloha Karin!

Thanks so much. My family is very close and I would do anything for my parents, even sail on a wonderful cruise to Hawaii!!!!;)

 

Best of life to you!

 

Jess

[akeka]

I will just add that Marilyn and I had one "major peeve" in that we were going to HAWAII and the all the logo items in the Shops on Board were ALASKA logo:( as this was the last Hawaiian run of the season and then the Zaandam was starting the Alaska season. My argument was "so what?" I said we had never been to Hawaii before and wanted to buy Hawaii ship logo ship clothing not Alaska. So in the survey at the end of the cruise we did mention this disappointment in the comments. I said that I ended up spending money in Hawaii that I would have been spending on the ship.

 

The Hawaii stuff was on sail during the Zaandam repositioning from San Diego to Vancouver earlier in April. I must confess we bought some at great prices.:o

[jeda]

If anyone wants to see pictures they are here BUT I warn you there are lots!

 

http://davejess.myphotoalbum.com/slideshow.php?set_albumName=album01&utm_source=share&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=slideshow

[RustaRoo]

If anyone wants to see pictures they are here BUT I warn you there are lots!

Thank you for posting your pictures - I love Hawaii (and have been 15 times); your photos brought back many excellent memories. It looks like your family had a fabulous time; thanks for sharing.

[Juanita462]

Those pictures are great! Brought back memories from out first cruise to Hawaii and tours that we took. I remember your family group and particularly your distinquished father very well - don't know why but I thought he was deaf, not blind. Must have misread your letter in the rush of getting away. Your Mom and Dad's devotion to each other was very obvious - what a great couple.

 

Thanks for posting the pics - will look forward to next year's report and pictures. Ahoha!

[jeda]

Aloha Juanita,

I am sorry we did not meet aboard the Zaandam, perhaps we will on another sailing some day!

 

Take Care

[razman]

Thanks so much for posting your pictures, they were fabulous!