Any Zaandam tips?

[hommebronze]

Goin in december on Zaandam to mexico...any tips from you who have been on her?....what should i order in pinnacle grill?....what table to get?

ralph in san diego

[jhannah]

The Zaandam is a wonderful ship. Dining in the Pinnacle Grill is a nice experience. They are really known for their steaks. I'd suggest that. They will bring a cart around to show you the cuts from which you can choose.

As to a table, you can contact ship services and request a window table. But those go fast. I've had window and interior tables, and it really doesn't matter to me.

[middle-aged mom]

Goin in december on Zaandam to mexico...any tips from you who have been on her?....what should i order in pinnacle grill?....what table to get?

ralph in san diego

Ralph:

We've only been on Zaandam once, last month to Alaska. Lovely ship.

Just to clarify Jim's post above: the Pinnacle Grill on Zaandam has no windows; he was referring to the main dining room, I believe, when he mentioned requesting a table window. In the main dining room, we had table 106 by the window; it is on the lower deck of the Rotterdam dining room, portside, a rectangular table for six. Table 107 is its counterpart on the starboard side. Nice tables. We did not eat in the Pinnacle Grill on our cruise.

Here's what I found interesting about Zaandam: She has five diesel generators and one gas turbine, for total HP of 84,000. She has an azipod propulsion system of 46,000 HP (2 ABB Azipods.) Her diesel generators consume 216 tons of fuel per day, and her gas turbine consumes 90 tons of fuel per day. Zaandam can produce 450,000 gallons of potable water per day. Potable water consumption per day on our cruise averaged 200,000 gallons. She has a maximum speed of 23 knots per hour. Our cruise had 1,544 passengers, and 800 crew members.

Yes, I am quoting the above info from the Cruise Log which we were given at the end of the cruise, but I find those figures very impressive!

Is there anything in particular you'd like to know? I'd be happy to dig through my notes to provide additional information.

Karin

ps You know, upon further perusal of the Cruise Log which was issued to us on the last day of our cruise, I would have to say that whoever put it together did some slipshod work. I don't believe Zaandam actually has an azipod propulsion system. I could be wrong, but I think Amsterdam was the first ship in the fleet to be built with an azipod system. So maybe the other figures I gave you for Zaandam are really for one of the other HAL ships! Sorry! Mea Culpa!

[geocruiser]

Hi,

We were on Zaandam three times. It is really a nice ship. If Paul Tanner (a singer) is on board don't miss his show.

Geo

[jhannah]

Just to clarify Jim's post above: the Pinnacle Grill on Zaandam has no windows; he was referring to the main dining room, I believe, when he mentioned requesting a table window. Yes, I was referring to table selection in the main dining room. Sorry I didn't clarify when I began the new paragraph.

[middle-aged mom]

Yes, I was referring to table selection in the main dining room. Sorry I didn't clarify when I began the new paragraph.

Jim, I understood what you meant, but the fussy mother in me was compelled to spell it out for Ralph.:o Sorry, I can't help myself.

[hommebronze]

You must an engineer because of your interest in Zaandam numbers but MOM what i really want to know is....

best spots to read a book, people watch, drink prices?, best slot machines, best entrees, best shows to see etc.

thanks, Mom,in advance for your help...

ralph




Ralph:

We've only been on Zaandam once, last month to Alaska. Lovely ship.

Just to clarify Jim's post above: the Pinnacle Grill on Zaandam has no windows; he was referring to the main dining room, I believe, when he mentioned requesting a table window. In the main dining room, we had table 106 by the window; it is on the lower deck of the Rotterdam dining room, portside, a rectangular table for six. Table 107 is its counterpart on the starboard side. Nice tables. We did not eat in the Pinnacle Grill on our cruise.

Here's what I found interesting about Zaandam: She has five diesel generators and one gas turbine, for total HP of 84,000. She has an azipod propulsion system of 46,000 HP (2 ABB Azipods.) Her diesel generators consume 216 tons of fuel per day, and her gas turbine consumes 90 tons of fuel per day. Zaandam can produce 450,000 gallons of potable water per day. Potable water consumption per day on our cruise averaged 200,000 gallons. She has a maximum speed of 23 knots per hour. Our cruise had 1,544 passengers, and 800 crew members.

Yes, I am quoting the above info from the Cruise Log which we were given at the end of the cruise, but I find those figures very impressive!

Is there anything in particular you'd like to know? I'd be happy to dig through my notes to provide additional information.

Karin

ps You know, upon further perusal of the Cruise Log which was issued to us on the last day of our cruise, I would have to say that whoever put it together did some slipshod work. I don't believe Zaandam actually has an azipod propulsion system. I could be wrong, but I think Amsterdam was the first ship in the fleet to be built with an azipod system. So maybe the other figures I gave you for Zaandam are really for one of the other HAL ships! Sorry! Mea Culpa!

[missygirl]

One suggestion-if you want a good location by the Lido pool go early because it really fills up quick. If you happen not to get a seat you can go up to the sports deck. We had this problem when we went on the same trip because its not a huge area.
Missygirl:)

[Sueseb]

I love to take my book up to The Crow's Nest -- it is often quite empty during the day. Have a wonderful cruise. sue

[middle-aged mom]

what i really want to know is....

best spots to read a book, people watch, drink prices?, best slot machines, best entrees, best shows to see etc.

thanks, Mom,in advance for your help...

ralph

OK, I'll do my best, but bear in mind I'm only a middle-aged mom who went on my very first cruise on Zaandam not quite a month ago, with my mom, husband, and children, so my cruising style may not be your cruising style.;)

Best spot to read a book: If weather is inclement: The Explorations Cafe on deck 5. If weather is nice: your own verandah, or a deck chair on the Lower Promenade deck. The Explorations Cafe is wonderful; look here (http://www.hollandamerica.com/signatureofexcellence/explorationscafe.do) for a link to HAL's website which describes it. (Please keep in mind that HAL is servicing its website this weekend, and the link might not be accessible just now.)

Best spot to people watch: The whole "dam" ship.:) The Crow's Nest seemed pretty active at night when we were there. During the day, the Lido pool area was really hustling and bustling.

Best drink prices: There were special cocktails and martinis offered every day, prices were about $4.50 to $5.00 per drink special.

Best slot machines: I know this must seem incredible, but we didn't go to the casino.

Best Entrees: This is very subjective. I found everything good except the pasta I ordered one night. Here are a few tasty highlights: braised osso bucco, roast pheasant, fresh wild salmon done at least a dozen different ways, beef wellington, roasted venison fillet, parmesan crusted chicken breast, etc. etc. You get the idea.:)

Best Shows: In this department, we're easy to please, and we went to all the shows and enjoyed all of them. We particularly liked the Whyte Brothers, a duo who specialize in Beatles and rock 'n roll classics from the 50's and 60's. Unfortunately, their contract with HAL was up the same day we disembarked, and as far as I know, they have returned to their native England. We thought the main singers of the Zaandam theater cast were very good. Every week, there is a crew show, with the Indonesian crew and the Filipino crew doing alternate weeks. On our cruise, it was the Filipino crew who presented some of their native dances and sang for us. There is some real talent on those "dam" ships. Two of the best singers in the Filipino crew show work in the engine room and galley!

Did I help you at all?

[Krazy Kruizers]

The Pinnacle will soon be changing their menus on all ships - start time Oct 1 or shortly there after. I imagine that the steaks will still be on the menu. They claim that they are also going to start offering some daily specials.

AHHH---- but the Pinnacle (old Marco Polo) does have windows. As you enter the restaurant, on the left there are 3 long windows that look into the hallway -- sorry no ocean view.

[Krazy Kruizers]

And don't forget to look for the BIG YELLOW lips in alcove down by the Explorations Cafe.:eek: :eek:

[hommebronze]

yes you helped with those suggestions :>))

but what are the "yellow lips" all about?

cruising is like dreaming except you are awake!

ralph in san diego

[middle-aged mom]

AHHH---- but the Pinnacle (old Marco Polo) does have windows. As you enter the restaurant, on the left there are 3 long windows that look into the hallway -- sorry no ocean view.

Ooops, I made a mistake about windows in the Pinnacle Grill on Zaandam; thanks for the correction! I know what I was thinking - there are no windows looking upon the outside of the ship. But you are absolutely right about the three windows looking out on the hallway. I thought the Pinnacle Grill looked very dark and claustrophobic, but that's just me.

Ralph, I would recommend that you visit Reverend Neal's Holland America website here (http://www.revneal.org/cruiselinks.html). Scroll down to the "Panama Canal Cruise on Zaandam." He has a wonderful photo tour of that ship, and the famous "Yellow Lips" statue can be found there. Enjoy, Rev Neal is a great photographer!:)