naxos
December 31st, 2004, 12:29 PM
In summary, we had a great cruise- and am perplexed by all the negative comments on this board. I will attempt to address all aspects of the cruise with comments.
We were victims of Dec 22 airline chaos involving Delta on 12/22 and we arrived in FT Lauderdale without our checked baggage at 3 AM. Our baggage was not in our possession when we went to the pier. One call to Holland with our information was very helpful- we were promised that a Holland employee would be at the airport tracking our bags and getting them on board. There were thousands of stranded bags that day.
Embarkation- we arrived at the pier at 11;30 and were on board at 12. We were informed that our bags had been found and would be delivered later- by the way we did not use Hollands air. We were met on board by a white gloved attendant who led us to a place where we could check our hand baggage. We then went to the Lido for lunch. The lunch was terrific- many options including prime ribs of beef- we were already impressed.!
Soda cards were available, ice cream with liquers were available as well.
We sailed 3 hours late since 20+ passengers were stranded due to the bad weather.
Cabin service was unobtrusive and excellent- Our cabins were cleaned promptly and we were never disturbed- fruit was replenished daily.
We did not use room service.
Dining room service was excellent- could not have been better. Our waiters and wine steward were attentive, available and friendly- our preferences were remembered, our requests were always met and we could not have recieved better service anywhwere. we sat at table 116 second seating lower dining room.
Food was okay- not fine world class cuisine- but we were not expecting that. Soups were not so good and vegetables were always cooked in butter and seemed like a garnish rather than a side dish. but when we asked for more our wait staff brought more. Some dishes were terrific- And surprisingly the desserts were better than any cruise desserts we had before. Flambe desserts each night in the explorers lounge were delicious and the lounge was usually empty- i dont know why.
Entertainment was a weak spot- basically poor EXCEPT for the Indonesian show which was wonderful.
The ship is beautiful and despite the 2000+ passengers aboard we never saw a crowd- in fact there were several hours each day when I was alone or with few passengers and it felt like I was on a private yacht. The Crows nest is beautiful- a great place for a pre dinner drink- never crowded. The deck ouside the crows nest in virtuall empty until 10 am. I never spent time around the pool area too noisy and crowded for my taste-
Tendering at Half Moon Cay was a low point fro the staff- their procedures were chaotic and confusing and many passengers were angry and the staff who administered the priority were snippy.
Lido staff were helpful and friendly- offerering to carry trays and get drinks- Hunky Dory was in full swing and remebered my name and each family member from day one forward. Bar staff was profrssional and pleasant.
The staff was pleasant and professional on the entire ship- EXCEPT the tendering matrons and the the front desk staff who while friendly did not like to be questioned about procedures.
We were on the ship during the tsunami and found that the staff continued thier excellent service whilre many of them were worried about their families- the staff were able to contact their families by phone and the passengers were exhobiting their concern for the ship staff. We had one day of very rough seas and some rain.
We did oour own thing on St Thomas and St Martin- we rented cars and had perect weather at each port.
We wouod sail on the Zuiderdam again and cannot imagine better service anywhere.
We were victims of Dec 22 airline chaos involving Delta on 12/22 and we arrived in FT Lauderdale without our checked baggage at 3 AM. Our baggage was not in our possession when we went to the pier. One call to Holland with our information was very helpful- we were promised that a Holland employee would be at the airport tracking our bags and getting them on board. There were thousands of stranded bags that day.
Embarkation- we arrived at the pier at 11;30 and were on board at 12. We were informed that our bags had been found and would be delivered later- by the way we did not use Hollands air. We were met on board by a white gloved attendant who led us to a place where we could check our hand baggage. We then went to the Lido for lunch. The lunch was terrific- many options including prime ribs of beef- we were already impressed.!
Soda cards were available, ice cream with liquers were available as well.
We sailed 3 hours late since 20+ passengers were stranded due to the bad weather.
Cabin service was unobtrusive and excellent- Our cabins were cleaned promptly and we were never disturbed- fruit was replenished daily.
We did not use room service.
Dining room service was excellent- could not have been better. Our waiters and wine steward were attentive, available and friendly- our preferences were remembered, our requests were always met and we could not have recieved better service anywhwere. we sat at table 116 second seating lower dining room.
Food was okay- not fine world class cuisine- but we were not expecting that. Soups were not so good and vegetables were always cooked in butter and seemed like a garnish rather than a side dish. but when we asked for more our wait staff brought more. Some dishes were terrific- And surprisingly the desserts were better than any cruise desserts we had before. Flambe desserts each night in the explorers lounge were delicious and the lounge was usually empty- i dont know why.
Entertainment was a weak spot- basically poor EXCEPT for the Indonesian show which was wonderful.
The ship is beautiful and despite the 2000+ passengers aboard we never saw a crowd- in fact there were several hours each day when I was alone or with few passengers and it felt like I was on a private yacht. The Crows nest is beautiful- a great place for a pre dinner drink- never crowded. The deck ouside the crows nest in virtuall empty until 10 am. I never spent time around the pool area too noisy and crowded for my taste-
Tendering at Half Moon Cay was a low point fro the staff- their procedures were chaotic and confusing and many passengers were angry and the staff who administered the priority were snippy.
Lido staff were helpful and friendly- offerering to carry trays and get drinks- Hunky Dory was in full swing and remebered my name and each family member from day one forward. Bar staff was profrssional and pleasant.
The staff was pleasant and professional on the entire ship- EXCEPT the tendering matrons and the the front desk staff who while friendly did not like to be questioned about procedures.
We were on the ship during the tsunami and found that the staff continued thier excellent service whilre many of them were worried about their families- the staff were able to contact their families by phone and the passengers were exhobiting their concern for the ship staff. We had one day of very rough seas and some rain.
We did oour own thing on St Thomas and St Martin- we rented cars and had perect weather at each port.
We wouod sail on the Zuiderdam again and cannot imagine better service anywhere.