Zuiderdam buffet question

[kendon]

9th cruise, but first with HAL on the Zuiderdam this summer. What are the buffet hours on the ship? We usually cruise with Princess and like the fact that when we return from an excursion at any time, there is someplace on the ship to get a bite. Any info is appreciated.

[stefhef]

can't remember but they are open a lot. There is always pizza and Italian and ice cream; there are also burgers/hot dogs/tacos out by the pool. They also start serving informal dinner there late in the afternoon (5:00? 5:30? 6:00?), so you can swing by and pick up something then too (even if you are having dinner in the dining room).

[rkacruiser]

Lido Restaurant Hours:

Continental Breakfast--6:30 A. M. - 11:00 A.M.
Buffet Breakfast--7:00 A. M. - 10:30 A.M.
Late Breakfast(Starboard Omelet Station)--7: 30 A.M. - 11:30 A. M.
Buffet Lunch--11:30 A. M. - 2:30 P.M.
Deli and Salad Bar--11:30 A. M. - 5:00 P.M.
The Wok(stir-fry)--11:30 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Pizza and Pasta Bar--11:30 A. M - 1:00 A.M.
Ice Cream Parlor--11:30 A. M. - 1:00 A. M. (Also has great homemade cookies and is no charge--different from Princess)
Casual Dinner--6:30 P. M. - 8:00 P. M.
Late Night Snack(often themed, i.e. French Night)--11:15 P. M. - 12:45 A.M.

Terrace Grill on Deck 9(same deck as the Lido Restaurant)--11:30 A. M. - 5:00 P. M.(Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Sausage Sandwiches, Grilled Chicken Sandwiches, and a taco bar)

The above from the Daily Program of the Zuiderdam, February 9, 2005

Personal Comment: You will find the Lido Restaurant operation on the Zuiderdam (or any HAL vessel) to be significantly better than the Horizon Court or Lido Cafe on a Princess ship.

Enjoy!

[FCOWHER]

Man oh man did the the buffett talk get me hungry! Joe V.

Serenade of the Seas 12/31/05
Zuiderdam 4/23/05
RCI - 2 times
Princess - 3 times
QE2 - 1 time
Royal Majesty - 1 time
Carnival - 1 time

[kendon]

What a friendly and helpful bunch you are! I enjoy the Horizon Court on Princess, so your personal comments on the HAL Lido buffet sound wonderful. Sounds like I won't be hungry. Looking forward to my vacation on the Zuiderdam.

[happycruiser101]

we were on the zuiderdam in Feb also, we were very dissappointed.:( Princess hands down is better. :)

[happycruiser101]

We were on the Zuiderdam in Feb 2005, we were very dissappointed.:( We could not believe that the buffet was closed from 8-11:30pm. Horizon Court has a better selection than the Lido. The entertainment on Princess is alot better than Holland. I hope you a have a better experience than we did.

[Iggipolka]

We could not believe that the buffet was closed from 8-11:30pm.

GIven the times listed above, that doesn't sound possible. When I was on the Zui, there was always lots and lots of food avaliable at nearly all times.

Mm..I love the taco bar.

[Vic The Parrot]

We were on the Zuiderdam in Feb 2005, we were very dissappointed.:( We could not believe that the buffet was closed from 8-11:30pm.

How was the buffet closed from 8-11:30pm, when rkacruiser
mentioned the pizza and pasta station is opened from mid morning to 1am???



:confused:

[Kathy & George]

My DH loves soft serve yogurt ice cream. Is there any on board the Zui? It will make his day if the answer is yes. I prefer real ice cream, but everyone has their own preferences.:)

[happycruiser101]

The pasta and pizza bar were also closed. We had to order room service that evening. The food in the main ding room was excellent. We made sure we made our dining room seating from that point on.

[spcl4cs_gal]

When I was on last week they only had soft serve strawberry but it wasn't the yogurt kind. I was looking for the chocolate yogurt flavour but unfortunately didn't find it this time. :(

[kendon]

Is the buffet closed for dinner (dinner only available in the dining room)?? If it is closed from 8 -11:30 pm, I'm assuming they don't have the option of eating dinner in the buffet area.

[spcl4cs_gal]

You can eat in the Lido for dinner if you choose but not all of the stations are open at that time. The pizza/pasta station is open as is the bistro (I think...the one closer to the back of the ship) but they have a set menu with sides that you can pick from. The dessert area is open but without the breadpudding. :(

[rkacruiser]

spcl4cs gal is correct from my recollection. I did hear comments from some who thought the casual dinner option in the Lido should extend longer than 8:00 P.M.

I have not tried the dinner options in the Lido myself, so I cannot offer my first hand experiences.

[spcl4cs_gal]

My brother and I both ate in the Lido one night and sat across from Joel Mason and his family. :) We had caesar salad, steak, baked potato, and dessert so that was enough for me.

[Candy]

We eat everything but dinner in the Lido. The buffet is varied and generous. We love the bread pudding, but wish they'd serve the ice cream with fresh berries and liqueurs like the olden days.

Candy <-- will see if Hunky Dory remembers us from the last 3 times