Zuiderdam Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,028 reviews

My trip report to my armchair travelling friends

Review for the Southern Caribbean Cruise on Zuiderdam
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casaoro
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
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Entertainment
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Additional details

Sail Date: Nov 2018
Leaving port
Tender at Half Moon Cay
View of cabin from doorway
View of cabin from back wall
CruiseCritic group meet & greet
Top deck looking towards spa and Observation Lounge
Pool on top desk
Half Moon Cay - gathering area
Ship in Aruba port
View of town in Oranjestad
"Pok-a-dot kitchen" in Museum of Curacao
Flamingos at salt flat
Entrance to cave near Hato airport
Original Blue Curacao factory
Cathedral of Thorns
Mikve Israel-Emanuel
Museum of Curacao
Ship entering first Gatun Lake lock
"Mule" guiding ship through canal lock
Tugboat ensuring safe transit
Twisted building in Panama City
Cattholic cathedral in Panama City
Bridge - Pan-American Highway
Colon cathedral
Newly constructed bridge near Colon
Ship passing below new bridge
"Jesus Christ lizard" - appears to walk on water
two-toed sloth
Canal tour boats
three-toed sloth
Stained glass in cathedral in Puerto Limon
Island where Columbus landed on fourth voyage

Assigned to cabin 1029 on the Main Level of the Holland America Line (HAL) ms Zuiderdam, I had only a single flight of stairs from the boarding level (A) to climb. Picking the port side, I found myself walking past even-numbered rooms as I walked to the bow. A short young man popped out of an inside room to ask if I needed assistance, and I replied I was doing a tour, as I was on the wrong side. He asked my room number, and surprised me to address me by name: Joe would be one of the two staff assigned to keeping my room up. After dropping some of my stuff from my backpack (toiletries, change of clothes, electronics), I climbed the stairs to the Lido deck (9) to get lunch. Deciding that a salad might be a good way to start the trip, I queued up, only to have them completely run out of lettuce with the person in front of me. After waiting 15 minutes, it was announced that the lettuce was then being brought on board, and would be unloaded during the afternoon. So I had a lettuce-free salad, taking my bowl out on the deck with a glass of water.

Well, it was the wrong side, as the aft deck port side was the sole smoking area for the ship. I headed back inside and found a free seat, and had my salad. Skipping dessert, I walked to the bow and up to the observation deck (10) and made an inquiry regarding the specifics of the Panama City tour, and whether I might be able to skip lunch to spend more time at the cathedral. Then, since I’d purchased dinner upgrades, I took my reservations to the Pinnacle Dining Room (2) to book late meals for 5 of my 10 evenings. While I’d only bought 4, apparently getting the 6-bottle wine bundle earned me another.

Then it was time to muster to the emergency stations (3). Unlike RCCL, HAL has you out on deck under the lifeboats. We were instructed to queue up rather than be in random groups, and then told to remain silent. The very short Pilipino responsible for our station was very strict and humorless, but I’d rather that we all did what was necessary should conditions require it. Once dismissed, I returned to my cabin to find my suitcase still hadn’t arrived. No cork puller in the room, although a HAL bottle of wine sat alongside the wine card. Another climb to the shops level (3) and I met the Catholic priest, Fr. Desmond, who would be saying Mass daily; I agreed to meet him at 5 that evening. Up to the spa (9) to see what was offered, and then a trip to check out the gym, on the same level. Time for Mass, so back to 3 and a full room. Fr. Desmond, of Metuchen, gave a short sermon, seemed to get a little lost during the order of prayer; the ship’s staff attending him provided him with a white chasuble, which I questioned. Meanwhile, the ship left port.

Cabin Review

Bigger than my previous cruise, the couch was a nice feature. A bit of noise from the Billboard Lounge above at night, Main Level proved to be a great place to be. Being solo, I was never crowded or inconvenienced.

Port Reviews

Half Moon Cay

Walked to horse stable and back. Lunch of lobster roll and chowder. Could have skipped the whole experience.

Aruba

Small town, so basically a shopping expedition. Others toured, making trips around island or hitting beaches.

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