Review from Zuiderdam 12/11 sailing page3

[cooldaddyd]

This brings me to the last subject of Embarkation and Debarkation.

Holland has this down better than any cruise line we have experienced.

Enough said.

Would I sail the Zuiderdam again? If the pricing were similar.

Would I sail Holland America again? Definitely. The Maasdam and Veendam offered better food and service even if the suites were somewhat dated. We are however booked in a suite on the Brilliance to Panama and are considering Europe on Celebrity's Millie or Infinity.

[CoasterBill]

I enjoyed reading your views. I was on the same trip and wrote a review as well. We enjoyed the food and trip as a whole. I agree that the entertanment was poor at best and the only night we really liked as well was the Magic show. Over all it was a big ship that did give a small ship feel with its small public spaces. I agree that there was plenty of space to sit and relax but we would enjoy better quality entertanment spaces as we are not real into just sitting around. I do not expect to be on HAL again anytime to soon but it is just that it is not for me and not that it is a poor product. We prefer Celebrity over HAL by far.

[localady]

Thanks for your review! Appreciate the tips regarding the excursions also!:cool:

[Searanger]

Cooldaddyd: Enjoyed your well balanced review. I have sailed on the Zuiderdam 3 times and agree with almost everything you highlighted. My only squirm was a "Well Done Steak" in the Pinnacle grill....the shame.....lol...

[cooldaddyd]

I agree. Holland will most likely not be in our future cruising plans until it is clear there have been substantial changes. It is increasingly difficult to find quality ships with quality service that are family friendly. Holland and Celebrity had been it. For the time being it appears to now be a 'one line show'.

[CoasterBill]

I agree with you regarding the family friendly as well. This summer on Voyager of the seas I was not happy with the entertanment. It had so much to make it family friendly but the main shows were often times anything but. Some of the jokes that were being told were so rude to do when it was a show that clearly all ages were attending. The shows gave no information that children should not attend. I got very upset with 2 of the shows over the week and I did let them know about it. Celebrity has never had this type of show without a statement that it is not for children (at least when I have been on a ship). HAL was also better with this as well but they did do some pre shows to the main show that could have crossed this line in my view.

[dakrewser]

I agree. Holland will most likely not be in our future cruising plans until it is clear there have been substantial changes. It is increasingly difficult to find quality ships with quality service that are family friendly. Holland and Celebrity had been it. For the time being it appears to now be a 'one line show'.

I'm sorry, did the cruise line (it's Holland-America, by the way. Holland is a country in Europe.) seperate your family in some way? Insult your wife/husband? Or do you really mean it's not an appropriate place for small children? If the latter, then I'll agree with you. There are better choices for cruising with small children. Choose them.

[Lisa616]

I'm sorry, did the cruise line (it's Holland-America, by the way. Holland is a country in Europe.) seperate your family in some way? Insult your wife/husband? Or do you really mean it's not an appropriate place for small children? If the latter, then I'll agree with you. There are better choices for cruising with small children. Choose them.

Did you actually just correct someone for using 'Holland' for a short abbreviation? To point out that it's a country in Europe..What's your point..is it just to be rude or am I misinterpreting your idea of humor? I'm actually very cruious because I can't believe what I just read.

[dakrewser]

Did you actually just correct someone for using 'Holland' for a short abbreviation? To point out that it's a country in Europe..What's your point..is it just to be rude or am I misinterpreting your idea of humor? I'm actually very cruious because I can't believe what I just read.
What's "rude" about correcting an incorrect usage? And, please, don't hand me stuff about feelings, and everybody's entitled and other pap. Holland is a country. Holland-America is a cruise line. The "short form" of Holland-America is HAL. Got it? There's no actual cost associated with being accurate and precise but it does help others understand what you are trying to say.

[Lisa616]

What's "rude" about correcting an incorrect usage? And, please, don't hand me stuff about feelings, and everybody's entitled and other pap. Holland is a country. Holland-America is a cruise line. The "short form" of Holland-America is HAL. Got it? There's no actual cost associated with being accurate and precise but it does help others understand what you are trying to say.

And who exactly made you the abbreviation police? Who says HAL is the only short form acceptable to Holland America? Is this a corporate thing? I'm quite sure the poster knows that Holland is a country in Europe, so I stand that your comment was incredibly rude. I thought these forums were for helpful exchange of information regarding cruising. It seems lately, there more about insulting others.

[dakrewser]

And who exactly made you the abbreviation police? Who says HAL is the only short form acceptable to Holland America? Is this a corporate thing? I'm quite sure the poster knows that Holland is a country in Europe, so I stand that your comment was incredibly rude. I thought these forums were for helpful exchange of information regarding cruising. It seems lately, there more about insulting others.
I didn't insult anyone, it was you who called someone "rude". And I didn't realize that someone could be arrested for mis-using abbreviations - do you have a phone number I can call?

Do you know the poster personnally? Else, how can you be "quite sure" about what the person knows or doesn't?

These forums are for exchanging information about cruising, which is what I was doing. What's your agenda?

[cooldaddyd]

Just to clarify, I was referring to cruiselines such as Seabourn, Crystal and Raddisson which are not particularly family friendly in that they are formatted and designed for adult cruising. These lines do little to encourage guests to bring along children of any age. Holland, Royal, Princess, X and the like, all provide special youth programs and entertainment.
As for referring to Holland-America as "Holland" - whether correct or not, it is simpy how many people refer to the company. Many examples can be found on this website as well as dozens of other professional travel websites linked to cruise critic.

[spcl4cs_gal]

Cool (I can call you Cool can't I??), would you recommend Patouche to someone who doesn't snorkle? Just trying to decide what to do with my time while in Tortola.

[dakrewser]

Just to clarify, I was referring to cruiselines such as Seabourn, Crystal and Raddisson which are not particularly family friendly in that they are formatted and designed for adult cruising.
Many people refer to me as "Bozo", but that doesn't make them right!


It was the use of the term "family friendly" I objected to. My "family", my wife and myself, have always found HAL to be friendly. But we would only reluctantly take children on the line.

[cooldaddyd]

If you are traveling with a group and simply don't snorkel I could see where it would still be worth joining your friend(s) for the trip. The sail is very nice, however, you would have to jump off the boat and swim over to "the Baths at Virgin Gorda" to tour that park.
Another couple did just that, they didn't snorkle but did put on some fins to make the swim over to "the Baths" and back. I don't remember them snorkeling at the second location and I believe they opted to stay on the boat. I would just make sure what boat the owners of Patouche intend on using the day you're in port. If it is the 36' red and white catamaran, it is an excellent vessel with plenty of space lounge in the sun.
Even though the one couple didn't snorkel and seemed to enjoy the trip I cannot recommend nor oppose just going along for the ride. It does seem like an expensive "day sail" with at least three hours spent anchored at two snorkel locations.
As I mentioned in the review, my wife, daughter and friends thought their experience on the Sea and See excursion offered through the ship was a good value.
Hope this helps.

[gizmo]

And who exactly made you the abbreviation police? Who says HAL is the only short form acceptable to Holland America? Is this a corporate thing? I'm quite sure the poster knows that Holland is a country in Europe, so I stand that your comment was incredibly rude. I thought these forums were for helpful exchange of information regarding cruising. It seems lately, there more about insulting others.Lisa I agree with you 100%. If someone uses the term Holland, they should not be critized. Although this is not spelling or grammar I think this would fall under the board guidelines:

Spelling and Grammar Errors
It is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes at one time or another, and that there are many users who use English as a second language, especially on our Cruise Boards. There are also a number of people who suffer from learning disabilities and who have difficulty noticing their spelling mistakes. Do not make comments on the spelling and grammar of other users. It is simply not a productive expenditure of energies.

[spcl4cs_gal]

If you are traveling with a group and simply don't snorkel I could see where it would still be worth joining your friend(s) for the trip. The sail is very nice, however, you would have to jump off the boat and swim over to "the Baths at Virgin Gorda" to tour that park.
Another couple did just that, they didn't snorkle but did put on some fins to make the swim over to "the Baths" and back. I don't remember them snorkeling at the second location and I believe they opted to stay on the boat. I would just make sure what boat the owners of Patouche intend on using the day you're in port. If it is the 36' red and white catamaran, it is an excellent vessel with plenty of space lounge in the sun.
Even though the one couple didn't snorkel and seemed to enjoy the trip I cannot recommend nor oppose just going along for the ride. It does seem like an expensive "day sail" with at least three hours spent anchored at two snorkel locations.
As I mentioned in the review, my wife, daughter and friends thought their experience on the Sea and See excursion offered through the ship was a good value.
Hope this helps.

Thanks Cool...the Sea and See excursion does look interesting. The last time I was in Tortola I stayed on the ship but would like to do something this time around.