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   Cruise Travel - Reader Reviews

Welcome to Your Favorites, where you have the opportunity to share your travel experiences with fellow Internet Travelers around the world.


Holland America Line

MS Zuiderdam

Your Rating:Four Stars
Reviewed by: Joyce Mouse
# previous cruises: 2
Date of Trip: December 14, 2002
Itinerary: Caribbean - Eastern

Overview
We had a wonderful trip even though HAL has bugs to work out on this new ship. This was our first sailing with HAL. Lack of hot water for showers, plumbing problems and an Odyssey restaurant manager with an attitude were the detractions. Our lifeboat was also out of order.

If you are traveling with small children, don't expect a high chair. The room doors were easily opened by our 2 year old grandson (even when they were locked). Cribs are pack-n-plays. Don't expect an attitude of "the customer is always right" on this ship. We will sail again but will try other lines or other HAL ships.

Public Areas
The spa had a lot of choice of services. Food in the main dining room was very good with lots of variety. dining room staff was very accommodating and friendly. Room steward was wonderful. Odyssey Restaurant waiters were friendly and the food was wonderful. Manager at Odyssey was argumentative and uncooperative when there was a discrepancy in the reservation date we made with the concierge. The problem was between the concierge and the restaurant. We were refused seating until I proved our reservation by producing the written reservation sheet. It should be noted that it was 6 p.m. and the restaurant was virtually empty and was not full when we left at 7 p.m.

There is a walk-around promenade. Casino was fun. When someone wanted to play 2 hands of blackjack the staff was very fussy about what seat the player sat in (you must sit directly behind the first hand and cannot sit behind the second hand). This caused some players to get up and leave. I don't understand the importance of which of the 2 hands you are sitting behind.

Food and Service
The food and service in the main dining room was superb. The menu was varied. There was no soda card available so every soda cost $1.75.

Cabins
We were in a suite and had ample closet space. There was a jacuzzi tub with shower as well as a separate shower. Double sinks were very nice. We thoroughly enjoyed our cabin and veranda. We had a wonderful steward. Our kids occupied veranda rooms on the same deck. Their room really didn't have room for the pack-n-play which was used for a crib and they wouldn't take out the couch which would have given a lot more room.

Entertainment
We attended 2 shows while on board. The show we really enjoyed was a review of stage and screen with costumes by Bob Mackey. This was a wonderful show.

Activities
I had a facial and a couple of treatments at the spa. Very nice accommodations and treatment rooms. I also got a hairstyling for formal night which I redid when I got back to my room. We spent time at the pool. Our 2 year old grandson loved running around in the shallow water around the pool. Recommend you skip the ATV tour in St. Kitts. Highly recommend the Dolphin Encounter in Nassau.

Who Goes
Primarily an older crowd. Our trip was a family vacation and I would have liked it more if there were more younger people on board for our kids and grandchild to interact with.

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