Zuiderdam 10/16 Western review

[Roboat]

Executive Summary: Fantastic.

 

Background: DW and I were joined by my brother Lee and his DW. We are all in our late 50's. We cruised the Zuiderdam last year on the Eastern Itinerary. I had cruised once before, on the Celebrity Millenium.

 

Embarkation was very smooth. We arrived at the terminal and dropped off luggage about about 11:30, then parked across the street from the ship in the parking lot (about $12/day, but you can use the Park and Fly and park cheaper, about $6/day). We got in line for "Web Registration." The line moves quickly, as they have about 25 stations, all manned. Here they check your docs, swipe your credit card, and take your picture for ID purposes. Your picture does not appear on your ID card, but pops up on the monitor of the person who swipes your card when you enter or leave the ship. We were aboard before 12:00. Very easy and efficient process.

 

We boarded on deck 2 and were directed past an area where you could check your carry-ons, which would later be delivered to your room. We didn't do that, as we had very little carry-on.

 

Then, it's up to the Lido on deck 9 for lunch. At 1:15 they announced that all rooms were ready.

 

Veranda Cabin was great. The last time, we had an inside N cabin. This time we opted for the Veranda (B5162, port) and were very happy. It is a just a little bit bigger than our N cabin, 15 sq ft, but the window and veranda made it feel much more spacious, and DW was ecstatic. My brother and his DW were next to us and the steward open up the panel between the verandas. Our veranda had a cushioned faux-wicker chair and ottoman and 2 other non-cushioned but comfortable chairs. The other cabin had 2 chairs an ottoman and a tiny table.

 

The veranda was fully covered above us. Below us, looking straight down, we could see about 2 ft of the verandas on deck 4. Our cabin was very near the aft, about 7 or 8 from the aft-most on that deck. Good news is that it is was near the elevators, and all the food is aft, so it was very quick to run up to the lido, get a tray of goodies, and bring them to the room. The cabin was spotless, and smelled fresh. It had a bathtub/shower. Plenty of storage once we found it all - under the bed, under the loveseat. We brought an over-the-door shoe holder but we never needed to get it out.

 

The bed was nice and firm, quite comfortable. I stopped counting the threads

in the sheets at 117. ;)

 

I'll continue.....

[Roboat]

Pinnacle dining was all we had hoped for. We went there Saturday night and again on Thursday night. Steaks were amazing, cooked perfectly to order. I tasted all 3 (filet, rib-eye, porterhouse) and though each was different all were delicious and tender. A tiny nit-pik: The Thai chicken soup - with coconut milk and lemon grass - was not my favorite and had the taste and consistency of Chinese Hot and Sour Soup. No discernable coconut flavor.

 

And [warning: heresy follows...] - I wasn't that crazy about the Volcano cake. :eek: I think my expectations were too high, one of the dangers of over-research. It was good and I can recommend it, but it was not life-altering, as I had hoped.

 

A minor informational note: my brother requested a vege lasagna entree to be served as an appetizer, and a steak. The waiter said he would have to charge him another $20 if he ordered 2 entrees. Gourmand beware!

 

Also, we pre-ordered the 6 wine navigator package and the wine steward was a bit testy about honoring it in the Pinnacle, but he did. In fairness, when we ordered the package, we were told it was not for the Pinnacle, just the main dining room. But at embarkation, where they try to sell you the package, I asked again and was told it could be used in the Pinnacle as well. It is a bit of a hassle for the Pinnacle wine steward, because he had to contact our dining room steward and then actually go retrieve the wine from the main dining room. Next time, I would just order wine separately in the Pinnacle.

[peaches from georgia]

........

A minor informational note: my brother requested a vege lasagna entree to be served as an appetizer, and a steak. The waiter said he would have to charge him another $20 if he ordered 2 entrees. Gourmand beware!.......

Hmmm. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck...... Does calling an entree an appetizer make it an appetizer? Don't think so. I think it's entirely fair to charge for each entree ordered, don't you? That's where the majority of the cost of the meal to the restaurant is incurred and a land restaurant certainly would charge you for each entree. The Pinnacle is a pay-as-you-go alternative to the all-you-can-eat main dining room. ;)

[Roboat]

Key West - We got a late start and regretted it, since we would have liked to have meandered around. We rented a 4-man golf-cart for $70/2 hrs. That was nice, in spite of several humorous near-death experiences :eek: as the driver - not I :) - learned that it is hard to turn the wheel at slow speed without power steering.

We stopped at a beach for a drink. I noticed a leathery topless women of a certain age and pointed her out to my bro who took a look and said, "Man, you owe me one.":rolleyes:

 

My bro, a writer, toured Hemingway's house and enjoyed it. I think it was $10 admission. I got some conch fritters, which were excellent. We rode around a bit - Duval street and the southernmost point - and turned in the cart. They gave us a ride back to Mallory Square, where we looked at assorted junk for half an hour and boarded.

 

Costa Maya - Sorry, no report. We stayed aboard.

 

Cozumel - My bro went on a sail/snorkel trip through HAL for $27-29 which he said was so-so. Not many fish, no colorful coral, water was not as clear as other trips. I went on the $27 HAL Beach Break which was nice. I shared a $14 taxi ride to Paya Mia, formerly Playa del Sol. It's a nice beach, with a couple of hundred lounge chairs, many umbrellas, and looked only 20% "full".

The $27 included unlimited rum punches, etc. Drinks were too sweet for me I asked the bartender to add more rum which he did.

 

I bought some cheap goggles and snorkle, and headed into the water, with nothing but sand and some tiny fish. o my utter amazement, I found a beatiful 8" starfish! I retrieved it and saw a little boy and his granma looking over and pointing, so I swam over and gave it to the boy to look at before returning it to the water. I had great time talking to the boy, about 12, from Aberdeen Scotland, for about an hour.

 

I decided to get another rum drink and go into the swimming pool but as I entered I slipped and wrenched my leg quite painfully. It was excruciating but I didn't spill my drink. :)

 

Caught a taxi back and limped back aboard.

More.....

[localady]

And [warning: heresy follows...] - I wasn't that crazy about the Volcano cake. :eek: I think my expectations were too high, one of the dangers of over-research. It was good and I can recommend it, but it was not life-altering, as I had hoped.

 

Roboat-

 

It's really okay that the Volcano cake wasn't your thing. It just reaffirms my suspicion that chocolate is really a gal thing:p

Bring on the flames....... ;)

 

Glad you loved the cruise, aren't those balconies the best? Would you find it hard to go back to an inside?:cool:

[elmorejj]

Enjoying your review. Is anything else changed at Playa del Sol beside the name? Have spent 2 or 3 days there in the past and always enjoy it....jean :cool:

[dakrewser]

Key West - My bro, a writer, toured Hemingway's house and enjoyed it.

I hated it. All those truly ugly paintings!

 

But the rest of the cruise seemed fine, didn't it?

 

;) -dave

[Roboat]

I hesitate to mention this, since I can't verify it, but I think I should. A couple reported to us that they saw a young woman from our ship with blood all over her clothes who had reportedly been sexually assaulted in Cozumel. She had rented a horse and gone off on her own. The couple said you should not go off on your own in Cozumel. Now please know that this is purely hearsay. I don't know any more than that. I hadn't heard it before. But I would say that, after hearing that, I personally would at least use the buddy system on all shore excursions.

 

HMC - Again, we wished we had gotten an earlier start, as the beach and water was beautiful. The Zaandam had already arrived and the beach was somewhat crowded. All the cabanas were there, but I forgot to see which ones were operational/occupied. Bahama Mamas on the beach were excellent. The barbecue was quite good, with ribs, chicken, hamburgers (good ones!), mahi-mahi, fresh fruit, salads, vegeburgers, turkey franks, etc. They shut it down right at 1:30 as scheduled.

 

Dining Room - We had a table for 4 by the window as requested, table 125. We had the 6:15 seating in the lower dining room. As mentioned, the lower dining room has ocean views rather than the view of the promenade. Service was consistently very good. The food was consistently very good to excellent and attractively presented. I had 4 excellent and well-prepared Atlantic lobster tails and the Beef Wellington during the second formal night.

 

My SIL did have to send back her mahi-mahi one evening, as it was ice-cold and not cooked thoroughly, but it was immediately replaced and was delicious.

 

Entertainment - My votes:

Danny Shorts comedian- starts out at C+, ends at B+. Same for his late night Adult version.

Cast show "Under the Boardwalk" - B+/A-

Edge the Juggler - B+

Elton John impersonator - A

Cast show "Stage and Screen" - A++++!! Don't miss this. Costumes are amazing, performance is wonderful! Get there 20 mins early for a decent seat.

 

Early shows are at 8:30pm, late shows at 10:30.

 

Movies in the Queens Lounge - good, but they are chintzy with the popcorn, half the audience got half of a small bag each! Dunno why.

 

I highly recommed the bartending class. We had 4 drinks for $10 - in 30 minutes, though I only drank about half of each. They were excellent and it was informative. There were only six of us, and the minimum is supposed to be 10. You sit on the stools around the semicircular bar. You get a printed copy of the recipes. Well worth it!

 

Hey, I even ordered a Wang Wang! They aren't on the drink menu, but the waitress laughed and said they'd make it! She said they are strong and they are. I was told it included: gin, vodka, bourbon, dark and light rum, and fruit juice. Kinda weird tasting, but not bad.

[jazzsea]

I asked ship services about the extra charge for another entree in Pinnacle Grill. There is no extra charge. How did you pay for the extra entree? Cash? Just curious.

[Roboat]

Hmmm. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck...... Does calling an entree an appetizer make it an appetizer? Don't think so. I think it's entirely fair to charge for each entree ordered, don't you? That's where the majority of the cost of the meal to the restaurant is incurred and a land restaurant certainly would charge you for each entree. The Pinnacle is a pay-as-you-go alternative to the all-you-can-eat main dining room. ;)

Peaches, I think it is entirely fair. I was pointing out that the options available in the Pinnacle differ from those available in the main dining room. It is not a complaint - just intended to be helpful information. I don't think it was unreasonable of my brother to make the request, and I don't think it was unreasonable that it was denied.

[Golfgrl1911]

Roboat......Thanks for the review so far!! I am reliving my 1 month old cruise while reading!! Glad you had a great time. When's the next one? Nancy:)

 

P.S. Sorry to hear about the alleged assault. Safety in numbers!!

[peaches from georgia]

Peaches, I think it is entirely fair. I was pointing out that the options available in the Pinnacle differ from those available in the main dining room. It is not a complaint - just intended to be helpful information. I don't think it was unreasonable of my brother to make the request, and I don't think it was unreasonable that it was denied.

Roboat, I probably worded that incorrectly making it sound as if you thought the extra charge was unfair and I apologize. You didn't say that and I didn't mean to imply it. But, the double-entree question has been brought up here before and many posters do think the Pinnacle should be all-you-can-eat.

 

Love your review! :D

[Roboat]

I asked ship services about the extra charge for another entree in Pinnacle Grill. There is no extra charge. How did you pay for the extra entree? Cash? Just curious.

Hi Jazzsea - First of all, thanks again for getting the info for the $100 per cabin shipboard credit, which our TA told us did not exist. You did this for us several months ago, giving me the promo number and advising me not to take NO for answer. That worked great!

 

Regarding the Pinnacle: My bro did not get the second entree; he just changed the order to an appetizer and entree. No harm, no foul.

 

Sounds like this is another inconsistent policy.

 

Still, I LOVED the cruise and the ship!

[BLStokes23]

Roboat - welcome back - really enjoyed reading your review. Is there a reason you chose not to get off the ship in Costa Maya? Unless there is more than 1 cruise ship docked, it's usually a fun place to hang out at for a couple hours or so. Sounds like you had a great cruise.

[sail7seas]

I asked ship services about the extra charge for another entree in Pinnacle Grill. There is no extra charge. How did you pay for the extra entree? Cash? Just curious.

 

The only use for cash on a ship is for tips and gambling, is it not? Any Pinnacle charges (aside from tips) would be to shipboard account, wouldn't they? I personally have always understood the $20 charge pp (or $10 on first night) is for a 'normal' complete dinner....not additional entrees. We've dined in them many times on various ships and never heard of someone having two entrees at one meal. I would certainly expect that if someone wanted two entrees, they would be charged additional and that charge would be placed on their shipboard account.

[OCruisers]

Roboat .... Fun review to read!!! A bit sad :( you failed to take the time to do a complete thread count on the sheets ....

 

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[Roboat]

Enjoying your review. Is anything else changed at Playa del Sol beside the name? Have spent 2 or 3 days there in the past and always enjoy it....jean :cool:

This was my first visit so I can't really answer. i thought it was a great beach. Friendly staff.

[Roboat]

Roboat - welcome back - really enjoyed reading your review. Is there a reason you chose not to get off the ship in Costa Maya? Unless there is more than 1 cruise ship docked, it's usually a fun place to hang out at for a couple hours or so. Sounds like you had a great cruise.

Actually, I hurt my leg the day before, in Cozumel, and it was still sore. Sorry for mixing up the sequence in my report. Anyway, that's why we stayed ashore. DW almost never goes ashore, just likes being aboard. Sorry I didn't get a chance to visit Majahual. It wouldn't have been that difficult, since the tram takes you from the gangplank to the taxi stand.

[cruise_nut480]

Extra charge

 

Do you think it would be fair to ask for a credit for the meal that you did not eat in the main dinning room since you ate in the Pinnacle dinning room. I have been on over 55 cruises in my life and have never heard of them telling someone that they would have to change them an extra $20 for another entry. If that happen to me it would be a cold day in H__ll before I ever sailed on HCL again.

[Roboat]

Just a few other thoughts.

 

Room service was good timely. We ordered breakfast a couple of times; I added Grits to the card and received them. We ordered lunch once, and ordered of the Dining Room menu on the evening I was wimping out with a sore leg. I limped to the dining room and asked for a menu to take back to the cabin, which was provided. We never got exactly what we ordered, maybe a muffin instead of a croissant, but it was no big deal.

 

One little tip: When the Room Service line is busy, it rings a few times before switching you to music. I waited 20 minutes, called back, and it was immediately answered. Next time I waited 2 minutes, called back, same thing. From then on, I just called back whenever I was put on hold and it never took more than 3 tries. So, if you get put on hold, just call back. I don't think it really answers the calls in the order received.

 

Midnight buffet (11:15pm to 12:30 or 1pm)was good. Italian one night, French another, etc. Good choices, from pates, to main dishes and desserts.

 

Windstar Cafe was great. I thought the prices were reasonable, less than Starbucks. DW loved the Chai Tea.

 

Music: Larry the Piano Guy was one our least favorite experiences. Plays great, sings in a horrible nasally tone. The other piano guy, part of the something or other Trio, was almost as bad. Like a Bill Murray imitation of a lounge singer, IMHO.

 

But in the Crows Nest, Montague was very enjoyable. Beautiful female lead singer with a wonderful voice, excellent jazz guitarist, and nice assortment of light rock, pop, and some oldies. Interesting accents reminded me of the Vietnamese and Filipino bands we used to hear in Vietnam, who couldn't speak english but could sing just about any song in english. I'll never forget hearing "Brue Suede Shoes" as a mortar attack began. :D

 

The Ship was beautiful and luxurious. Beautiful colors, glassware, sculptures, wallpaper, carpet, everything, and the ship was gleaming. Very nice fit and finish everywhere. HAL spent some money on this ship, and it shows. It's a class act. It is big, but not crowded.

 

The sound and light systems in the Vista Lounge are top of the line.

 

The casino is fine. One roulette table, bunch of slots .25 and 1.00, maybe 10 blackjack tables and 1 or 2 craps tables, plus some of those "push a quarter off the ledge" things. I think we came out $25 ahead after 3 visits, enough to buy some Zuiderdam souvenirs in the shop.

 

On our trip, the seas were very light and the ride was amazing. I felt the ship moving less than 5 minutes total for the whole week. I don't know if this is common for the Western Caribbean, but it was great.

 

We saw very few kids aboard. I'd guess fewer than 40.

 

The passengers were friendly and everyone was happy and courteous.

 

The suggested dress code was followed by at least 98% of the pax. On formal night, it looked like 50% tuxes, 40% dark suits, and most of the remainder in jacket and tie.

 

Dutch Night was Wednesday (at sea day). The Indonesian platter was good. The Chocolate Tulip was great! :)

 

I observed the Dutch Dessert once but passed, since I'd had a late lunch. There were about 100 feet of great looking pastries winding through the dining room. Big line of people.

 

A tip: when leaving a show in the Vista Lounge, you can leave from the side instead of the rear. This puts you on deck 1 near the elevators so you can be assured of getting on the elevator. If you follow the crowd to get on at deck 2 or 3, you'll probably wait for an elevator.

 

The ladies got chilly in the dining room and began bringing a wrap or sweater.

 

The dining room was open for lunch on at sea days, but not port days.

 

I brought 2 bottles of wine and some rum in my checked luggage. My brother ordered some orange and cranberry juice and we had a a couple of rum punches in the cabin.

[BLStokes23]

Actually, I hurt my leg the day before, in Cozumel, and it was still sore. Sorry for mixing up the sequence in my report. Anyway, that's why we stayed ashore. DW almost never goes ashore, just likes being aboard. Sorry I didn't get a chance to visit Majahual. It wouldn't have been that difficult, since the tram takes you from the gangplank to the taxi stand.

 

You know, a couple margaritas at the restaurant right inside the port would have made your leg feel lots better! Hope it's back to normal now.

Thanks for posting such an informative review.

[Roboat]

You know, a couple margaritas at the restaurant right inside the port would have made your leg feel lots better! Hope it's back to normal now.

Thanks for posting such an informative review.

I'm sure you're right! :D Applying alcohol to one's liver is a good pain remedy!

[the2ofus]

Roboat,

A most enjoyable review, I appreciated your good humor even with those few things that did not quite meet expectation.

[ekerr19]

Roboat-

 

Thanks for such a wonderful review! I really enjoyed it -

 

Don't feel too bad about the Volcano cake... DH & I found it somewhat lacking as well - I think the Chocolate Tulip is much better.

 

Thanks again for sharing your trip with us. :)

[sail7seas]

The sad thing about chocolate volcano is that if it is undercooked by a minute, it is too runny. If it is overcooked by a minute, it gets very dry very fast. I have had a few that were 'less than perfect'. If one has one of them the first time they order it, they are disappointed and think it not so great. When it is prepared and served exactly as it should be.....It is heavenly IMO