Zuiderdam Panama Canal Trip, Mar 23 to April 2, 2011

[jimmmbobb]

We had never sailed on HAL and did not know what to expect. We were coming off a January Cruise on RCL's Allure.

Embarkation & Debarkation......Allure was real good...but HAL was fine

We got on at 11 and went straight to the cabin...We had been upgraded from a VH on 4 to VA on 8..8028....The Cabin was super...it had two AC plugs and a tub(we had never had one). The balcony was large and since we had 4 couples next to each other had all four balconies open so that we could sit and talk..that was wonderful. The faucet leaked and they did not fix it while we were on board. Wayan and Yaz were very good stewards.

Food.....overall an A

Breakfast - Lido every day....very good...lots of choices......minor criticism..SMALL DRINK GLASSES and they served them....

LUNCH....lido....very good lots of choices...

Dinners....MDR.....very good most of the time...some dishes a bit odd...

Entertainment an A...Wonderful...shows were very good...a couple were average but for the most part enjoyable

Casino....smoky....good layout...won $40....

Northern Lights Disco....GOOD TO EXCELLENT...

Karaoke...OK...we had a lady who was real good...she is supposed to be on Wheel on June 4...

Internet.....Good and bad....great receiving but sending emails was a problem....had to go to the internet cafe to send.

Shops....my darling wife loved the jewelry...I was upset because...this was the first ship that I could not buy a logo hat due to poor quality.

Day 1 - Half Moon Cay.....great island...wonderful water....bad management of Clam Shells...People who got off the ship early took clam shells and the staff did not do anything about that. I was kind of amazed at the poor manangement and wrote them up on my critique.

Day 3 - Aruba - Sea & See Excursion....Not my favorite...Bus Ride...uncomfortable...shopping NOT GOOD Because we went to Aruba on a sunday and they close at 6. If you do a long excursion you get no shopping done...We did not like Aruba.

Day 4 - Curacao.....We got our own driver...went to Cabana Beach...loved it...the driver...Margie...picked us up dropped us off in the shopping area and we loved it.....Cabana Beach was "Topless".....We loved Curacao...

Day 6 - Panama Canal.....what a marvel...do the talk onboard...that helps you to undertstand what you are seeing....The Panama "Rolls"....nothing to write home about...best view...we saw the canal from 7...that was perfect. We did not go ashore for the excursions. I had done the train(it was really good) in 2006

Day 7 - Costa Rica...We did the Zip Line...that was fun...we had a great time....YOU DO NOT SEE MUCH...you go from platform to platform

Shopping....Half Moon Cay...OK....Aruba..supposed to be good...the ship did not plan well for us shopping & excursions....Curacao...lots of shops...Panama....nice little shops just off the ship.....Costa Rica...small area to shop...overall...I got hats in all the ports..but not on the ship

Zuiderdam comments...Having been on Allure before..We expected to be not so in love with Zuiderdam...We were wrong...Zuiderdam was fine..everything was easy to get to and even though some of the elevators at times were down...the cruise was wonderful...

THIS IS A CRUISE WORTH DOING....

You can see the ship go through the canal if you go to www.pancanal.com

[bcd2010]

Thanks for writing your review. It is concise and balanced - quick and easy to read with tons of relevant info.

[canehdn]

for sharing your experience with us. Very good unbiased review. Glad you enjoyed sailing HAL. As one who has not sailed RCI, I appreciate your comparison. I always find that interesting. Looking forward to boarding the Zuiderdam on Tuesday for the same itinerary.

Great review!

[Krazy Kruizers]

thank you for your review

we did your cruise in 2009 -- very good

we loved the panama buns - sorry you were disappointed in them

[sansterre]

We were also on this awesome cruise and I did the Live from the Zuiderdam thread. Thanks for the link: www.pancanal.com Great webcams!

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review.

[pmcubed]

I am doing this cruise, soon, very soon!! :D And I am so excited (especially since it has been SNOWING all day!). I don't know if this winter will ever end!

We have a short stay in Aruba and a long one in Curaçao. We also are doing the zip line - expecting it to be exhilerating!

Thanks for sharing!

Pat

[kazu]

I am doing this cruise, soon, very soon!! :D And I am so excited (especially since it has been SNOWING all day!). I don't know if this winter will ever end!

We have a short stay in Aruba and a long one in Curaçao. We also are doing the zip line - expecting it to be exhilerating!

Thanks for sharing!

Pat


Pat, PLEASE do not send the snow up here. We;ve had enough :eek:

Op - thank you great review and thanks for the wonderful link. :)

[pmcubed]

Kazu, our weather forecast for today was snow, changing to rain with less than an inch of accumulation. It has been snowing steadily since 9:30 AM! With about 3-4 inches on the ground!

I am SO READY for my cruise! This is the Winter that never ENDS!!

[boccismom]

I am SO READY for my cruise! This is the Winter that never ENDS!!



Pat, ours isn't much better. We had snow in the mountains last night and today in Bellingham. Didn't stick, but it was there.

Totally looking forward to our leaving here on Sunday (red-eye) and seeing you guys on Tuesday.

[kazu]

Kazu, our weather forecast for today was snow, changing to rain with less than an inch of accumulation. It has been snowing steadily since 9:30 AM! With about 3-4 inches on the ground!

I am SO READY for my cruise! This is the Winter that never ENDS!!




I so feel for you - it's been a never ending winter for us here too. Can't believe how long it has lasted. The whole reason I booked my outta' here cruise next year. ;)