Zaandam Review

Our best experience with HAL?

Review for South America Cruise on Zaandam
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porsena
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Nov 2018
Cabin: Verandah Suite

The Zaandam is our new favourite ship. Its smaller size means fewer decks and less crowding. Our cabin on deck 6 was one deck above the fixed-time dining room and most public areas, and just two decks below the lido. It is practical to use the stairs rather than the elevators. Less crowding meant that we did not have to show up at least half an hour early to sit together for performances in the theatre. Our cabin was bright and thoughtfully laid out, our balcony was deeper and more usable than the non-suite balconies on HAL’s larger ships, the ship is in excellent cosmetic condition, and the crew are cordially efficient. One curious point is that the magnetic bulldog clips we’ve used on other ships to hold papers to the cabin walls would not stick in this one.

This was our first experience of HAL’s EXC program and we like it. Lectures by the two guest speakers on sea-days were deservedly well attended. The port talks were informative, useful and a welcome change from the past pitches for ship’s tours. The EXC host went out of his way to be helpful and to offer advice for independent travel.

The Zaandam’s port tendering (three ports) went as smoothly and efficiently as one could expect.

Cabin Review

Verandah Suite

Cabin A

A bright, thoughtfully laid-out cabin. Comfortable but, speaking of tables, the one in this cabin is possibly too large for the space available. We were constantly moving it. Lots of storage, but the hanging section inside one closet is too short for shirts and jackets. The balcony is deep and usable. The bathroom is bright and updated with a jetted tub, and the plumbing worked well. Our bowl of fresh fruit was replenished daily.

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