Any Zuiderdam Fans?

[peeps]

I have been hanging out here for several months and I am getting discouraged about The Zuiderdam. Nine couples are leaving for Alaska on Sept. 9. This ship was picked because the date and the itinerary worked for everyone. I am the one who suggested Holland America and I seem to have become the "point person" for the trip. I understand the decor is different and that's okay. However, I hope we will enjoy the same amenities, decent food, and good services that are offered on any other Holland ship. Does anyone have some encouraging words? I don't want to start a debate, I'm only interested in positive reports. I appreciate any help y"all can give me. I have enjoyed most of the posts on this board. Thank you.

[richwmn]

I have been on the Zuiderdam 3 times and the Zaandam and Maasdam twice each. I have found the same level of service on all Holland America Ships. On two of my early cruises I met employees from previous cruises who remembered me, once on the Maasdam and once on the Zuiderdam. I think you should consider that most people only speak up when they have problems. Over 300,000 people have had wonderful voyages on the Zuiderdam, enjoy yours.

Rich

[krewzin]

We just got off the Zuidy on the 22nd...you probably read my review (I'm sorry if I bummed you out!). Please don't be discouraged about her...she's really a beautiful ship and you're going to have a wonderful time.

The decor has been mentioned so often on these boards....of our family of 5 *I* was the only one who had read about it here. After 5 days on board I asked my family what they thought of the colors, and not one of them had a single negative thing to say.

Ask 10 people who went on the same cruise, same ship...and you'll most liikely get 10 different answers. It's very subjective....

We had the time of our lives on her...and you will too. We picked the ship/date for the same reason as you, and I do not for a second regret that choice!

If you have any more questions about her I'd be happy to answer them. Stop worrying and start getting excited.

[whogo]

We had a delightful time on the Zuiderdam in March. Food and service are great. Our two teens had a ball.

[King Neptune]

We were on the Zuiderdam in early July and enjoyed ourselves so much we have already booked her for another trip.

[cruisequeen10]

I was on the Zuiderdam last month to Alaska (July 8 - 15). I had done a review in 2 parts. Everything was positive. I was also wondering if I had made a wise choice to pick this ship, after hearing a lot of negative things. My mother and I felt we were pampered for the whole week. She has some food issues and they were all taken care of in the dining room. Yes some of the ship needs to be taken care of, but she is a beautiful ship and wouldn't hesitate to sail on her again. I would also recommend it to anyone wishing to sail on her also.

[barriesdad]

Nine couples are leaving for Alaska on Sept. 9. This ship was picked because the date and the itinerary worked for everyone.

Hello Peeps,

My DW and I will also be on the Zuiderdam leaving Sept 9. We are coming all the way from the UK and will be spending 2 weeks prior touring Ottawa and the Canadian Rockies.

We both can't wait to get onboard and have found the people and the posts on these boards so helpful as we are 1st time cruisers.

Maybe we will see you onboard in a little over 4 weeks.

Lloyd

[Scrumpy]

Prior to our May 2005 cruise, I also was nervous after some poor reviews. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the ship immensely. We had very few problems (none serious) and thought she was in wonderful shape. Staff was wonderful, ship was clean, and food was fine. Some folks don't like Zui. I don't know why, but it's that "different strokes" thing, I guess. We thought most things were excellent and wouldn't hesitate to book again. I hope you all have a fantastic time!

[peeps]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I am feeling better about things. Krewzin, thank you for your reassurance! Lloyd, I am glad to know there are others on the ship.:) I have not seen a roll call or read about anyone being on this cruise. We are all from Tennessee. You all have a great pre-cruise trip and travel safely. Maybe we will run across one another.

[Candy]

After 6 outstanding cruises on Zuidy, it's no wonder we've booked our 7th. While the color schemes are 'in your face', it takes little time to warm to them. We have found the service on this ship to be exemplary, and the accomodations superb!

Candy the ZuiderPrincess <-- doin' it again 11/4/06

[JaiOfChi]

Hey Peeps,

The Zuiderdam was the very first cruise ship that I had ever sailed on. As a result, I'm spoiled for good! It was truly magnificent in every way. We had an SS suite (#8089) on an Eastern Caribbean voyage which was great, except for (soon to be hurricane, but then only tropical depression) Rita, which tanked our trip to Half Moon Cay. The ship is grand and glorious and you will love it. Who cares about the colors and the patterns and all that stuff?! You will enjoy sailing the seas in majesty. Have a great time!

[outdoorbob]

We were on the July 8-15 cruise with CruiseQueen10 and had an absolute wonderful time! I was a bit anxious at times about what I had read about the ship and now I know I was worried about nothing. We thought the ship and the whole cruise experience was just great. We really had no complaints at all.

But there are always some folks that are just never happy. There was one gentleman during the lifeboat drill that was all bent out of shape because he thought the crew didn't have him going from cabin to lifeboat station by the most direct route! I assume he calmed down eventually.

Again, don't worry about it. Just decide you will all have a great time and you will! The ship is just wonderful. The itinerary is great and hopefully you get good weather like we did.


Karen,
I tried to e-mail you some pictures at a yahoo e-mail I found on an old topic. Did you get it?
Bob

[Kapricorn]

I was on the Zuiderdam to Alaska July 22 to 29. On my past HAL cruises, the food quality was good, but on this cruise I was pleasantly surprised to recognize the the head chef, Rudi, (about 6'7" or higher) who had transferred from Celebrity's Summit on which I was sailed last September. As a result, the dining room meal quality on the Zuiderdam exceeded what I had previously experienced on HAL. Have a fabulous time on your cruise!

[cruisequeen10]

Karen,
I tried to e-mail you some pictures at a yahoo e-mail I found on an old topic. Did you get it?
Bob

Hi Bob,

No I didn't, as I found out that my yahoo address doesn't work. You can try ksmcfad@hotmail.com.

Doesn't it suck being at home. Here it is still beautiful weather. You know the weather that you had when we got off the ship, well it is was like that all weekend. Today being the hot day. Tomorrow hopefully it will cool down.

Karen

[sparkly]

We have been on a number of cruises, various lines. 3 on HAL and booked the Zuiderdam next spring: AGAIN!! We had the most wonderful vacation last year, we are going again. A little different itinerary and 8 of our nearest and dearest are going along. Seems we yakked endlessly about how nice the trip was last year.
Please go with an open mind and remember that you are on a lovely vacation that happens to be on a ship. Things can happen on a ship...
ship happens. Keep your sense of humor and don't sweat the small stuff. They will not run out of groceries if you are in the buffet line!

[krewzin]

I was on the Zuiderdam to Alaska July 22 to 29. On my past HAL cruises, the food quality was good, but on this cruise I was pleasantly surprised to recognize the the head chef, Rudi, (about 6'7" or higher) who had transferred from Celebrity's Summit on which I was sailed last September. As a result, the dining room meal quality on the Zuiderdam exceeded what I had previously experienced on HAL. Have a fabulous time on your cruise!

Big blonde-haired guy? We saw him (can't really miss him :D) when they introduced the staff in the dining room.

[barriesdad]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I am feeling better about things. Krewzin, thank you for your reassurance! Lloyd, I am glad to know there are others on the ship.:) I have not seen a roll call or read about anyone being on this cruise. We are all from Tennessee. You all have a great pre-cruise trip and travel safely. Maybe we will run across one another.

I was wondering whether there was anybody else on this cruise too. ;) According to the HAL website it must be sold out as it doesn't come up when searching for a cruise. Maybe the other 1844 pax are computer illiterate or haven't come accross this wonderful site.

You probably have as far to travel from Tennessee as we do from the UK!! Just listen out for a Brit accent. I presume there won't be a lot of us Brits onboard. BTW does anyone know what sort of breakdown of nationalities will be onboard on an Alaskan round trip from Vancouver?

Lloyd

[doone]

Take what you read sometimes on these boards with a grain of salt. I, too, was going to sail on the Zuiderdam and was hearing nothing but negatives about her. I was sailing with friends who some had never cruised before and others this was their first time on HAL. I was nervous as well. When we boarded, about 5 minutes later, I knew all my concerns were unfounded. We had wonderful accomodations, excellent service from our wonderful Philipino and Indonesian crew members, the food was spectacular, we all had a wonderful time. I am sure you will find the Zuiderdam to be a wonderful ship and your cruise will be just as great. Enjoy.

[cruisequeen10]

On our Zuiderdam Alaska July 8-15, there were a lot of english and australians on board.

[outdoorbob]

Karen,

I tried the pictures again.

Today is the first day here that we've had that 'Victoria' type weather since we've been back. Sunny, 78 degrees, and low humidity-perfect!

Bob

[Kapricorn]

Big blonde-haired guy? We saw him (can't really miss him :D) when they introduced the staff in the dining room.

I'm sure that the tall chef is dark-haired. Perhaps Rudi is the name of the blond? I usually get confused with names. I don't recall anyone else being as tall as that dark-haired chef.

[mrskmirolla]

Peeps,

We were on the Zuiderdam last September. The service and food was great. I do have to admit I like the smaller ships better. I guess because we know where everything is and we don't get lost. I can't say a thing negative about her and I know all of you will enjoy her very much.

Have a great trip and don't worry about it.

Kathy

[Stith]

We just returned from the Zuiderdam on August 5. I became the point person for our family, too. (group of 21) We all had a wonderful time. They didn't even know they were supposed to be jolted by the bright color schemes. My brother found the string quartet (I think they are in the Explorers lounge) a sheer joy. Others loved the card room, and the magician was a huge hit with teenaged nephews. Alaska is beautiful and the ship is wonderful. Enjoy. Have a great time!

[ricksandy]

In case you're not feeling better about your choice, ;) I'll add my 2 cents.. We were on the Zuiderdam last November, we loved it so much that we've booked our second cruise on her - we're going again this November.

The only bad thing about the trip was that it had to end!!

Enjoy!

[sailingawaysoon]

Our first cruise was on the zuiderdam, and I guess that will make us always love her. We went on an Eastern Carribean trip and really were spoiled the entire time. The colors were beautiful, and no, it's not just a ship for "old folks". From the moment we stepped onto the ship we were pampered and treated like royalty. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Everyone seemed to go out of their way to make it very special. There's something for everyone on this ship. I hope you have a great cruise!