Please help me decide on a ship

[karensj]

We are planning a cruise next February to the Caribbean. We are in our 40's with three kids (15,14 and 10 to turn 11 on the cruise) and my parents who are in their 70's. Mom and Dad want a lovely spacious cabin they don't care about the ports. They want a classy ship without the neon lights and good food. My parents will most likely book a suite. We want a relaxing vacation with things to keep the kids happy. We will stay in a closet if we have to. We have sailed carnival, hated it. We have also sailed celebrity loved it. We are looking at HAL. Do you think this is a wise choice. We are looking at either the Zaandam or Zuiderdam. Please help us with this decision.
Thank you for your help

The Johnsons

[FlorenceItaly]

My vote is for the Zuiderdam. I have not sailed her YET, but based on what has been posted on this board, I believe she would be a good fit for all the age groups involved.

Marie

[doone]

The Zaandam is a beautiful ship and I believe you will be happy with it. I haven't sailed the Zaandam as of yet, but have sailed the Volendam, which is her sister ship. We loved the Volendam and are sailing it again this winter. When are you planning on sailing? If you sail during school vacation, you'll be fine with things for the kids to do. You will probably find that HAL may not have as many activities for the kids as say Celebrity or Carnival, but when my nieces and nephews sailed with us a few years back on the Veendam, they all had a ball.

The Zuiderdam, which I am sailing for the first time next March, from what I understand is very neon in color, totally different from the other HAL ships.

Other's here who have sailed both can help you with that.

[CINCY40]

We sailed the Zuiderdam last December and again this May. It is a great ship. Your parents would really love to have an "S" suite with all the benefits. The room was large and lovely and the balcony is spacious with a table for four and two lounge chairs. IMHO your entire family would enjoy this ship. We certainly have!

Nancy

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

Have been on the Zaandam and the Oosterdam (sister ship to the Zuiderdam).

The cabins are much larger on the Zaandam. And the verandahs are much larger on the Zaandam especially if everyone intends to meet there a couple of times.

Reports are that the Zuiderdam has loud colors.

Zuiderdam has more paasengers.

Zaandam is easier to get around for older people.

:)

[peaches from georgia]

I would pick the Zaandam for all the reasons KK said. It is a smaller ship, easier to get around, the suites and verandahs are larger, many fewer pax, and I believe your parents would enjoy it much more.

I doubt your kids would have a preference. Neither ship has the amenities for kids that other lines may provide- rock climbing walls, round the clock kids activities, etc.- so I think they wouldn't find much difference if they sailed on the Zaandam or the Zuiderdam. Book for the adults and seniors.

[Roadwork]

Our vote would be the Zaandam. Everything is layed out better. You mentioned your parents would probably get an S suite. They are larger on the Zaandam.

[lipoppop]

The veranda A, B, BC etc. cabins on the Zaandam are 30 square feet larger than on the Zuiderdam. Non-veranda cabins are about the same size. Ditto suites.
The 30 feet makes a big difference- drawer and counter space especially. There are vcrs in the Zaandam cabins, none on Zui except suites. Hair drier on the Zaandam is in the bathroom; on the Zui it is in the cabin with a short cord that could be a problem. No privacy curtain between the bed and the couch on the Zui.
The Zaandam has 500 fewer passengers.
Jets in the tub on the Zaandam, none on the Zui.
All small things but enough forme to avoid the Zui and her sister ships and stay with the older vessels. amsterda is still my favorite.
Of course the food, entertainment, service and all the other things that make HAL great is the same on all ships. You will not be disappointed

[ekerr19]

If I were considering a choice that involved my parents (in their late 70's) and children (15 & 11), I'd go with the Zaandam.

I don't think my parents would care for the ambience or layout of the Zuiderdam, however, my kids did love it. The things we disliked the most was the size (too large), layout (too congested in many areas), decor (a bit "over the top" for my taste). That said, the Suite was beautiful, as were many of the public rooms. We especially enjoyed the Ocean Bar - we sat on the smoking side because hardly anyone was ever there.

I have not been on the Zaandam yet, but have been on the Veendam, Statendam, Maasdam, Amsterdam, which have a somewhat similar layout & decor (as I understand) as the Zaandam.

Hope this helps & good luck!