VOLEYMOM
August 2nd, 2004, 11:55 AM
Just returned from a wonderful cruise on the Zuiderdam. We are frequent cruisers and this was my fourth in a little over a year. Two on Princess, one on Celebrity and now Holland America. I will give my opinion with these 3 in mind. Was a little concerned due to some not so kindly previous posters. We are a couple in our early 50's and traveled with our 2 kids, and daughter's boyfriend all in their 20's. We flew into Ft. Lauderdale a day early from California and stayed at the Amerisuites. It was okay nothing great, we usually try to stay at the Embassy Suites but it was fully booked. Junior Olympics for boys waterpolo and girls swimming in town so many hotels including ours fully booked.
We took our time thinking we might miss some of the crowds and arrived at the dock a little after 1:00 p.m. Big mistake, unfortunately the computers went down and the line was out the door. We did not get on the ship until almost 3:00. We went directly to our room, main deck all the way forward. Outside cabin 1007. Our room was great, very nice with a lot of storage and the location was fine. Our room steward was wonderful, kept our room perfect and was always there if we needed anything. We were suppose to meet fellow cruisers at 2:30 so missed out on our meeting. I think Joe Dog is posting his review also, and was sorry to miss out on our meeting.
The ship was easy to navigate, although I did feel the ship was a little closed in. I missed the open atrium with the big staircase. Also we felt the ship was warm. Our room took a while to cool off, for some reason the electricity turned off right after we got to our rooms, including the air conditioning. It stayed off for a while and I think it really takes a while to get everything cooled down again. Were we miserable, no, just a little warm. The Lido was frequently warm also. We felt this ship could use a little help with the cool air. Also did not care for the pool in the middle. We like to hang out by the music and I usually try to stay more in the shade as I burn easily, but we found that the middle pool was to hot and humid. The top does not retract all the way, plus people would smoke in there and if you are not a smoker it was rather annoying. So we just moved to the back pool, I lathered up frequently with the sun screen and we enjoyed the back pool. It was very nice looking over the wake, service from the waiters was great. Never lacking a drink if we needed one.
We have been to the ports many times so did not do many tours. We rented bikes on Key West and I wobbled my way around, very hot but fun. We went to Paradise Beach in Cozumel, great place to just kick back and relax. We all had a massage and ate and drank. We all wished we had more time there, don't really understand why we were there so early and left so early. Grand Cayman we did go to Sting Ray City again. We booked with Sotos and it was nice. We had never been to Half Moon Key and we all agreed it was our favorite place. We rented a cabana and loved every minute. We were so lucky on this cruise. It was warm but not miserable, wonderful weather with just a little bit of rain. Seas were calm and most of the time you could hardly feel the ship moving.
Now my opinion of the food and our dining experience. I know this is a touchy subject with many so this is just my opinion. We give Holland America an A+ in their Lido resturant. We loved the stations and almost everything we ate was great. I loved the salad bar and the pasta bar. They had wonderful prime rib when we arrived on the ship, they roasted chicken, had ice cream every day and bread pudding. YUM. Wonderful fresh squeezed orange juice, what more could you ask for. We ate our breakfast and lunches here everyday. Our dinner was at 8:00. We had a table to for just us which was a little disappointing since I had requested a large table but we liked our window location so did not ask to be moved. Our waiters were Raden and Albert who did an excellent job. I give the dinning room food a B+ or A-. We had some excellent dinners and some not so good. The beef and fish dinners were on excellent, chicken sometimes so so. I love salads and desserts and they were just okay. Soups were very good. I would rate Celebrity ahead of both Holland America and Princess in food. On my last Celebrity cruise my waiter found out I loved Shrimp Coctails and I had one given to me every night. Our jumbo shrimp coctail on this cruise was probably the worst one I have ever had. The shrimp was limp and warm. We did not even finish it. Dining room service was slow. Be prepared to eat at a slower pace. The waiters do a great job, I think it really is the kitchen that is a little slower. It really did not bother us at all, after a long day in the sun it was nice to just sit back and take our time at a meal. We were always done in plenty of time to see the shows We did bring wine from home and I preordered some bottles from Holland America. We tipped out wine steward ahead of time and he was fantastic. Did not even charge us the uncorking fee, and kept our wine glasses filled.
We went to most of the shows, missing the comedian and I think the early show with the magician. Loved the Elton John impersonater. He really put on a great show. Thought all the shows were enjoyable. I am always impressed with how well they can sing and dance on a moving ship. Hit the casino, I like to donate, my husband, son and daughter did great on black jack. Winning more than they donated!
I guess a few people got the dreaded virus so they sent around a letter asking you to stay in cabin if sick, they then would not let you serve yourself in the Lido resturant. Luckily we all were fine no problems and I feel the ship did everything they could to prevent further illness. We noticed when we got on the ship they had set up dispensers with hand sanitation lotion which you could use if you wanted. I feel frequent hand washing is the key.
All in all a wonderful cruise, and would not hesitate to cruise on Holland America again. Everyone works so hard to please you. Was everything perfect? Of course not but nothing ever is. I will admit my favorite line is Celebrity I feel just a step above of both Princess and Holland America. Love the champage when you get onboard and the cool washcloths when you get back on after a hot port. Still very much enjoyed this cruise. Any questions just ask and I'll try and answer them.
We took our time thinking we might miss some of the crowds and arrived at the dock a little after 1:00 p.m. Big mistake, unfortunately the computers went down and the line was out the door. We did not get on the ship until almost 3:00. We went directly to our room, main deck all the way forward. Outside cabin 1007. Our room was great, very nice with a lot of storage and the location was fine. Our room steward was wonderful, kept our room perfect and was always there if we needed anything. We were suppose to meet fellow cruisers at 2:30 so missed out on our meeting. I think Joe Dog is posting his review also, and was sorry to miss out on our meeting.
The ship was easy to navigate, although I did feel the ship was a little closed in. I missed the open atrium with the big staircase. Also we felt the ship was warm. Our room took a while to cool off, for some reason the electricity turned off right after we got to our rooms, including the air conditioning. It stayed off for a while and I think it really takes a while to get everything cooled down again. Were we miserable, no, just a little warm. The Lido was frequently warm also. We felt this ship could use a little help with the cool air. Also did not care for the pool in the middle. We like to hang out by the music and I usually try to stay more in the shade as I burn easily, but we found that the middle pool was to hot and humid. The top does not retract all the way, plus people would smoke in there and if you are not a smoker it was rather annoying. So we just moved to the back pool, I lathered up frequently with the sun screen and we enjoyed the back pool. It was very nice looking over the wake, service from the waiters was great. Never lacking a drink if we needed one.
We have been to the ports many times so did not do many tours. We rented bikes on Key West and I wobbled my way around, very hot but fun. We went to Paradise Beach in Cozumel, great place to just kick back and relax. We all had a massage and ate and drank. We all wished we had more time there, don't really understand why we were there so early and left so early. Grand Cayman we did go to Sting Ray City again. We booked with Sotos and it was nice. We had never been to Half Moon Key and we all agreed it was our favorite place. We rented a cabana and loved every minute. We were so lucky on this cruise. It was warm but not miserable, wonderful weather with just a little bit of rain. Seas were calm and most of the time you could hardly feel the ship moving.
Now my opinion of the food and our dining experience. I know this is a touchy subject with many so this is just my opinion. We give Holland America an A+ in their Lido resturant. We loved the stations and almost everything we ate was great. I loved the salad bar and the pasta bar. They had wonderful prime rib when we arrived on the ship, they roasted chicken, had ice cream every day and bread pudding. YUM. Wonderful fresh squeezed orange juice, what more could you ask for. We ate our breakfast and lunches here everyday. Our dinner was at 8:00. We had a table to for just us which was a little disappointing since I had requested a large table but we liked our window location so did not ask to be moved. Our waiters were Raden and Albert who did an excellent job. I give the dinning room food a B+ or A-. We had some excellent dinners and some not so good. The beef and fish dinners were on excellent, chicken sometimes so so. I love salads and desserts and they were just okay. Soups were very good. I would rate Celebrity ahead of both Holland America and Princess in food. On my last Celebrity cruise my waiter found out I loved Shrimp Coctails and I had one given to me every night. Our jumbo shrimp coctail on this cruise was probably the worst one I have ever had. The shrimp was limp and warm. We did not even finish it. Dining room service was slow. Be prepared to eat at a slower pace. The waiters do a great job, I think it really is the kitchen that is a little slower. It really did not bother us at all, after a long day in the sun it was nice to just sit back and take our time at a meal. We were always done in plenty of time to see the shows We did bring wine from home and I preordered some bottles from Holland America. We tipped out wine steward ahead of time and he was fantastic. Did not even charge us the uncorking fee, and kept our wine glasses filled.
We went to most of the shows, missing the comedian and I think the early show with the magician. Loved the Elton John impersonater. He really put on a great show. Thought all the shows were enjoyable. I am always impressed with how well they can sing and dance on a moving ship. Hit the casino, I like to donate, my husband, son and daughter did great on black jack. Winning more than they donated!
I guess a few people got the dreaded virus so they sent around a letter asking you to stay in cabin if sick, they then would not let you serve yourself in the Lido resturant. Luckily we all were fine no problems and I feel the ship did everything they could to prevent further illness. We noticed when we got on the ship they had set up dispensers with hand sanitation lotion which you could use if you wanted. I feel frequent hand washing is the key.
All in all a wonderful cruise, and would not hesitate to cruise on Holland America again. Everyone works so hard to please you. Was everything perfect? Of course not but nothing ever is. I will admit my favorite line is Celebrity I feel just a step above of both Princess and Holland America. Love the champage when you get onboard and the cool washcloths when you get back on after a hot port. Still very much enjoyed this cruise. Any questions just ask and I'll try and answer them.