Zuiderdam Cruise - Just Back

[WeLoveCruising]

After a break from these boards due to a very busy work schedule, I’d like to come back and post a review of my recent cruise on the Zuiderdam.

So, before anyone objects, I’ll give the disclaimer that my husband works for HAL. He wasn’t on this cruise, I went with a friend, and yes – we paid in full, and were not traveling for free or on any employee rate. Disclaimer done….enough said, ok?

Background: with my husband’s job at HAL, I’ve been on almost every ship with the exception of the Statendam (just never works out, I guess). I have too many days to count, and am very familiar with HAL and their ships. The Zuiderdam 7-day cruise wouldn’t be my first choice (because I prefer longer voyages and smaller ships), but it was in the right place at the right time. My friend and I went on the same date as the Yum Yum cruise, and I would have loved to join the Yummers….but work schedules had us both in Florida the prior week and travelling to San Diego wouldn’t have worked…thus, the Zuiderdam.

I recently sailed on the Noordam, which to me is newer, more elegant, and in better shape than the Zuiderdam. That being said, of course the Zuiderdam is a HAL ship and I do like the artwork and décor. The louder colors didn’t bother me, but the “pot holes” you read about are real. They didn’t necessarily bother me, but they are there, especially on Deck 2 from the atrium to the casino…you can even see pulls and gathers in the carpet. Not enough to trip or become bothersome, but they are there.

We stayed in a VA aft verandah cabin. The verandah cabins are noticeably smaller than on the S and R class ships, but still comfortable, and we both loved the large verandah. Being two singles, we asked for the beds to be separated. I’m used to travelling at times with a friend or my son, and in other cabins on other ships our beds are usually separated to 2 nightstands, or about 3 feet apart (I would guess). Because of the configuration of this room, our beds were only about 6 inches apart when separated. I thought it was odd at first since my friend was about the same distance from me as my DH is at home in our kingsize bed J, but I got used to it.

Because this was my friend’s first cruise, we did all the things that my husband and I tend to take for granted and not do….therefore I went to every show, Captain’s reception, etc. The entertainment on the Zuiderdam was very good! Joel Mason was the most entertaining act I have ever seen on a ship – he incorporates his talented piano playing along with storytelling, humor, etc. You have to see this show!

The food was all pretty good. We had a table for 2 at the 8pm seating. The Zuiderdam is yet to implement AYWD. I noticed the menus were a little different than my last cruise in November on the Noordam. The “Starters” were still broken down into Appetizers and Soups and Salad, instead of being lumped together. Also, the Suggestions on the right side of the menu were repeated from the left, instead of being different selections. There was still an entrée sized salad, and a pasta selection that could be both appetizer and entrée sized. Our wine steward (a real sweetheart that DH and I had a year ago on the Maasdam) had a tray of after dinner cordials each night – layered drinks like Baileys, Crème de Cocoa, etc.

We usually get a week long pass to the thermal suite, and I did so again on the Zuiderdam. The ceramic loungers on this ship are slightly different than on other ships – the tiles are darker in color (not a big deal), but they are not as reclined as on other ships…and therefore to me not as comfortable. I wonder if this will be changed in Dry Dock in April??

 

The ports were great, especially HMC. We were very active on this cruise, and enjoyed it tremendously. I’ll be glad to answer any questions.

 

Joanne

[sail7seas]

Welcome Back, Joanne. We have missed you here.

 

Thanks for your review. I enjoyed reading it and it made me miss Zuiderdam. We have cruised her a number of times but not for a long time. We had some fantastic cruises on her.....great memories.

 

Happy you enjoyed yourselves....and I so agree re: Joel Mason. We have only seen him once and it was on Zuiderdam but some time ago.

 

[hammybee]

Thanks for making the time to share your most recent cruise with us. I bet it was fun living it through the eyes of a first time cruiser again.

[RuthC]

Thanks for dropping by to give your thoughts on the Zuiderdam, Joanne.

Now, don't be a stranger! Stick around and chat. :D

[WeLoveCruising]

Thanks for dropping by to give your thoughts on the Zuiderdam, Joanne.

Now, don't be a stranger! Stick around and chat. :D

 

Hi Ruth,

I missed reading all about your South America cruise while I was away. I cant wait to read the whole thread...once these boards speed up and start behaving better.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome Home.

 

Glad you had a wonderful cruise.

 

How was the Mariner's party?

 

How was the Captain's Toast?

[WeLoveCruising]

Welcome Home.

 

Glad you had a wonderful cruise.

 

How was the Mariner's party?

 

How was the Captain's Toast?

 

Hi KK

 

The Mariner's party was in the new brunch format, on the last sea day, with the medallions awarded privately beforehand. There were alot of Mariner's on this cruise, it was pretty busy in the dining room.

 

I honestly havent attended a Captain's welcome toast in many years, last I remember passengers would all be introduced to the Captain when entering the lounge, but I know that had changed awhile back. Passengers were all given champagne on entering...we got there early and had a little bit of a hard time getting a glass (it's the real cheap stuff, but I wanted my friend to have it for the toast). I noticed that most officers on stage only pretended to drink theirs and handed it back as they were leaving the stage.

[nycruise]

Hi:

 

Enjoyed your review. Isn't the Zuiderdam due for an upgrade in drydock this Spring?

[jtl513]

Isn't the Zuiderdam due for an upgrade in drydock this Spring?

April 3rd to 25th - it will get the same major refit that the Westerdam got last year, adding about 30 cabins, moving the Explorations Cafe to to Crow's Nest, etc, etc.