Zaandam recent cruisers?!?

[TinaLee]

We're all waiting to hear how she was after the SOE updates!! Come on now - tell us all about it!! Saw a mplsmom posted to my thread about favorite foods, so I KNOW you're home!! DETAILS PLEASE?!?

TinaLee :)

[TinaLee]

Just a gentle bump, so that those lucky Zaandam cruisers who took the first post-SOE improvement cruise can see this. I'm SURE they're all back, hard at work, sitting in front of their computers!

Wouldn't you MUCH rather tell us about your cruise than actually WORK?!? Come on, the boss isn't looking!! :p

TinaLee

[soccerfootballmom]

lol...I'm interested too as I'll be on her in March for my first cruise :)

[mplsmom]

Just returned Saturday - my first cruise - and as it was an all-expense paid (except for extra drinks and excursions) charter, I can't say if all of my experiences would be "normal". The beds were incredible - we did not want to get out! Perfect mattress, wonderful sheets. Our room was cleaned about 3 times a day, and I thought all of the food was very good. I will say that I bought the soda card, and I had a heck of a time using it. It wasn't good during meals, which I knew, but it also wasn't good on Half Moon Cay, and I often couldn't find a bartender in the morning to get my diet Coke. So, I would probably advise people to just purchase soda by the glass.

Overall, the ship looked great, and all of the staff were extremely pleasant and willing to help. My husband said the toilet acted up once, but two different people actually came to check on it, and it was fixed immediately. Our room temp was perfect, and we were able to adjust it very quickly with the thermostat. We had an outside, lower promenade room, so the walking deck is right outside your window. I was a little concerned about this, but the location was actually ideal. Everywhere we wanted to go, we found we were centrally located. There was a little noise around 4-5 in the morning from the crew washing down the deck, but the beds were so comfy, I was asleep again in no time!

If you're into working out and doing the spa thing, you're in luck. The workout room is beautiful, with an incredible view, and my husband and I both signed up for the "Alpha pod", which is a device you lay down in, and it closes over you (with your head out!). Heat is pumped in, your back is massaged, oxygen and lavender scents are emitted, and "new age" type music plays. Add to this the rocking of the ship, and I could have stayed in there all day. They almost had to drag my husband out. We got a "first day" deal - two 1/2 hour sessions - for $50. (one for each of us) Kind of pricey, but we loved it. The heated tile chairs in the aromatherapy room are also supposed to be fabulous, but we didn't have time.

Julie, the shore excursion manager, was wonderful, and we had a great time on everything we signed up for. We did TWO of the aquatrex tours on Half Moon Cay, because it was basically just my husband and I and the guide, so he kind of let us go wild. I have never had so much fun in my adult life (well, maybe). Beautiful day, incredible lagoons and wide open ocean, and speeding around on the Jet Ski. Unbelievable -

Overall, wonderful trip, and would do it again in a minute!:)

[localady]

mplsmom-

Thanks for the report! Did you get a chance to see the explorations cafe or see the teen area by chance??? We too are anxiously awaiting our cruise on the "updated" Zaandam.:cool:

[dakrewser]

We did TWO of the aquatrex tours on Half Moon Cay, because it was basically just my husband and I and the guide, so he kind of let us go wild. I have never had so much fun in my adult life (well, maybe).

Maybe you need to get out more? :)

Thanks for a wonderful review!

[mplsmom]

You better believe I need to get out more! Three boys, work part time, and am in school too. I guess this could have "tainted" my review, but I think most everyone else had similar experiences to mine.

As far as the teen area goes, I'm not sure if you're referring to what I think they called the Oasis deck, or lounge. There are steep stairs going up from the back pool, and when you get up there, it's like a little tropical paradise. There's a waterfall, hammocks, cushioned chairs - we didn't see the signs that said "for teens only" until we came back down. There were basically no kids or teens on our cruise, so I noticed the adults took over the area really fast! I imagine if it were teens only up there, they'd have a great time!

We walked by the Exploration Cafe. I think that's where they did the coffee drinks and chocolates, etc. We're not coffee drinkers, so we didn't actually go into this cafe. Too much to see, too little time!

One other hint - there are no clocks in the rooms (at least not in ours) so if you wake up in the night and like to know what time it is, you might want to bring your own. (or if your watch has a light, it comes in handy).

Also, most public areas of the ship (lounges, etc.) are freezing, so bring sweaters, wraps, etc., especially if you have sleeveless or skimpy formal dresses. It seemed to get a little better by the end of the cruise, so maybe people complained. It's hard to enjoy all the tropical drinks if you're shivering - and we certainly enjoyed the drinks! (the Mandarin drop is wonderful!)

[JaniceB]

Thank you for your report. We have been waiting for someone to report on the first cruise on the "new" Zaandam. We have teenagers and I am sure they will love the Oasis from your desciption. We also get our teens the soda cards on board, not sure what to do since your review. I am leaning towards getting them one, because they can bring their own to dinner with them. The " alpha pod" sounds wonderful. I just might have to try that on the first day.

Thanks again, now I really am anxious to cruise in March.

[soccerfootballmom]

The " alpha pod" sounds wonderful. I just might have to try that on the first day.

Thanks again, now I really am anxious to cruise in March.

lol Janice...I think I'm gonna have to race you for it :p

[TinaLee]

THANK YOU! Sounds wonderful!! I do have a couple of questions.

Did you notice if the pools were fresh or salt water, or one of each? Also, you said you're not coffee drinkers, but were they charging for coffee drinks from the Exploration Cafe area??

Was the cooking demonstration area set up, and did you see any of them?? My husband is looking forward to taking a cooking class on the ship.

From your description of the beds, and since I'll only be 5 weeks out from my knee surgery, I might just STAY THERE! LOL!

Thanks again for filling us in - we're all dying to "get out there"... no, wait, that's those other guys! :eek:

TinaLee

[mplsmom]

If you have teens, then I would get the soda card too. We just weren't on the ship enough for me to use it that often. If they're hanging out by the pools, they'll have no trouble getting sodas. I'm sure they'll use them enough to make it worth the money.

Sorry - I didn't actually get in the pools, so don't know what kind of water they were. And I'm not sure about the coffee drinks, but I believe I saw the menu above the counter, and I don't remember seeing any prices, so I would guess that they are included. Didn't see any cooking demos, but since we were a charter, I don't think they had all of the usual activities.

Re: the alpha pod - if you get claustrophobic, you might have trouble. When they first pump the warm air in, it gets pretty warm, but then that stops, so it's not overwhelming. We really enjoyed it - do it while the ship is moving if possible. I think the motion of the ship really added to the experience! Enjoy!