New To HAL! Well back after a while. Need Help!Zuiderdam

[M.S JAZO]

Hello HAL board, I have been mostly on Carnival board cause Have been sailing CCL for a while but we have a CCL Victory cruise booked but are very very close to canceling and booking Zuiderdam for Aug 27. We saild HAL back in 99. Way long time ago. How is the ship, Decor food, service, enterianment,. Is it the laid back cruise but still have a great time, unlike carnival which is not so laid back but more active. Ports, Costa Maya, Cayman, Half Moon Cay. Nevermind Key West, Been there. Is Costa Maya pretty much the same as Cozumel. What to do at Half Moon Cay. Cabin/Deck. We want to book a Deluxe Verandah Suite, They have them on Upper Verandah, Upper Promanade and Rotterdam deck, Which deck is best, Also The one on the upper Promande deck seems to be on a corner,is it a wrap around. How is the cabin, overall, and any perks for booking that kind of suite, Anything else That I should know, about ships, ports, anything. Thanks in advance. Oh any pics out there of cabin, ship etc...

[SANDY BEACH]

You will love the S Deluxe Suite. The beds are the best of any cruiseline I have been on and many others seem to agree. The room is quite large and the balcony has 2 chairs with ottomans, large table for dining with additional chairs. I loved the free dry cleaning and laundry service, priority embarkation and priority tender passes. The Neptune Lounge is quite nice to drop in and out of for a quick drink (non alcoholic) and snack. It is on the Rotterdam deck and that happens to be the deck we prefer. I was only on 1 short Carnival cruise and found it to be quite different from my experience on Holland. The age group is probably older; however, the Zuiderdam did have a great mix of ages on our July 2004 cruise. Our cruise during the Fall reflected a much older crowd. Give it a try. I find it to be a great ship. Enjoy your cruise planning!!

[sbgood]

Hi M S Jazo

If you are thinking of the 8/27 cruise on Zuiderdam, then you will be sailing with us. We have never been on HAL, but from what I have read, I will not be disappointed.

You mentioned Costa Maya compared to Cozumel, and I think they will be like day and night. I don't think there is much of a town in Costa Maya, just a sleepy little village. From what I've read on the posts about Costa Maya, most people seem to like it for a beach day.

Hope to see you on the "Z"

[CruiseWacker23]

The Z is a great ship. I wouldn't think twice about switching from Carnival to Holland. I think Carnival is pretty much a party boat 24/7, the crowd on the Z will be overall more laid back but certainly not a rest home on the sea either. The S suites on the Rotterdam deck are mid ship which is always a good location and as mentioned before, the Neptune Lounge is on that deck. Service on the Z is impecible and we found the food always delicious. Be sure to reserve a night at the Pinnacle, its well worth the $20 cover charge ($10 on the first night).

[Ziggy7]

We rented the turquoise cabana on HMC island! WOW! I think we finally found Paradise! We were given a priority tender pass with our cabana rental and were on the first tender out! Painless to say the least. Also with the cabana rental you get to take the last tender off at 4pm so we didn’t have to wait in line then either. We loved the cabana! It came with an ice chest filled with 12 cans of soda pop and 4 waters, there was fresh fruit basket and flowers on the table, in the refrigerator (in the cupboard – lots of space to store personal stuff in too) was sliced fruit plate, olives, veggies & dip plate, salsa, avocado dip and chips, 2 lounge chairs with mist’ers, fresh water shower on deck, We had mats and snorkel gear for 4. We had 6 washcloths in ice cold water with ice packed on top, for our faces or body to cool down with. Our cabana guy was “Mario” and was he ever great! He was always making sure we had everything we needed or wanted, he brought us extra towels too.
We felt it was well worth the money, what a day of being spoiled in Paradise!:)

.

[khfadpi]

Are there mini-bar refrigerators in all of the rooms on the Z? Also, I read somewhere you get HAL tote bags (one per room), is this true. We got late seating dinner, last year on Carib. Princess we were Any-time dining which we liked. Will later eating make us miss shows and other things?

[Ziggy7]

Are there mini-bar refrigerators in all of the rooms on the Z? Also, I read somewhere you get HAL tote bags (one per room), is this true. We got late seating dinner, last year on Carib. Princess we were Any-time dining which we liked. Will later eating make us miss shows and other things?

Yes you will get a tote bag, eating later means you will have shows during others first seating and they will have shows while your eating. Not sure abiut the other stuff you asked about but I'm sure someone will give you and answer :)
We loved the Zuiderdam! Hope you do too!

[SANDY BEACH]

Yes, there are mini bar refrigerators that hold pop, water, beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks. It is not complimentary. You will receive a bottle of champagne (I think, may be wine) when you arrive in your stateroom. Although it is not the best quality, a very nice way to toast your departure on your beautiful balcony. Oh....I can picture it now.

[Cruisers NJ]

Hello Sandy Beach,

We tried to find the other thread, but could not find it.

We are going on the Z Eastern 7/09, we booked the S room again, there's no going back to a regular room now, plus it's our 25th anniversary.

[Cruisers NJ]

Hello Sandy Beach,

The other thread has been closed out. We are going on the Z again 7/09 eastern, we booked an S room again, there's no going back to an ss now. I guess we are spoiled.
Please feel free to join us, we will be celebrating out 25th!!! Boy how time does fly. If you would like to email us, our email is rjwcw@comcast.net

Cathy & Bob:)