Zaandam 10 Night Christmas Questions (long)

[Arubalisa]

We are a family of 11 seasoned cruisers...first time HAL... previously NCL, Celebrity, RCCL & Princess.

Here are a list of everyone's :-) questions.

Welcome any comments or suggestions on the ship, food, atmosphere....

Url's with photos and/or trip reports for the Zaandam?

Are there 3 formal nights on this cruise?
Probably impossible to know, but any idea which night will be Dutch night?
DH & I would like to make a reservation at the Pinnacle for the 11 of us on this night. Is there anyway in which to reserve this before arriving on the ship?

Mini-suite with balcony on Golden Princess vs. Verandah Suite (balcony cabin)? Balcony size comparison?

Should we bring our own videos to play on the VCR for the kids or will there be kids movie offerings in the library to bring back to the cabin?

Children ages 15, 12, 10 & 8- HAL children's club? Activities?
Half Moon Cay- Treasure Hunt & Ice Cream Excursion? Any experiences?Beach Party for the teen worth the $$$

Tortola excursion suggestions for entire family including the elders? All are beach lovers. 99.9 % sure the Baths would be too strenuous for the oldsters.

Do they still offer free ice cream? Is there a charge for Espresso & cappuccino at the Java Bar?

We are trying to make this cruise particularly memorable for our foster, soon to be adopted, 8 year old daughter who still believes in Santa Claus :cool: She has never traveled previously but will be taking her first plane ride for Thanksgiving.

If you ask her if she would like to go on a cruise she will tell you she would "love to try a houseboat". So tell me the tonnage on a houseboat is like a couple of ounces compared to a cruise ship? ;) Needless to say any and all suggestion are greatly welcomed by these new parents!

Christmas Activities? Carolers? Tree decorating? Gingerbread clinics?? Emailed HAL on this and received a canned email response that yes they have activities for Christmas. Duh!

Does Santa pay a visit in person? Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Does he have a gift for each child as Royal Caribbean did? Have heard food on HAL is better than Princess. Will HAL offer a salad and a steak (similar to Princess offering every night "staples") to someone who does not like anything being offered on the menu that evening?

Is use of 2 way radios okay to keep track of the older child?

This should be enough to get everyone started. Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions.

Lisa

[sail7seas]

Am I imaging it or was this exact post made about a week and a half ago here and on C@? I seem to recall there were responses. Have you seen the replies?

[Bill S]

Lisa-we have not sailed on the Zaandam, but we were on board the Amsterdam last Christmas, so I will try to help you with some of your questions.

First, yes, your ship will vastly outeigh a houseboat-no comparison.

Second, we brought our own videotapes for one cruise and they would not play in the videoplayer in our cabin. If you have a Cat S cabin, you will have a good videotape library in the Neptune Lounge; if you are not in a Cat S or PH, the front desk should have videotapes available for check-out but I don't know how the variety is.

Next, the ship should already be decorated with full holiday regalia. HAL had a small wreath hanging on every cabin door and there were several Christmas trees throughout the ship, but I don't recall any special activities being held that you specifically mentioned. Yes, Santa, does pay a visit on the ship for all the kids but since we are empty-nesters these days, we did not attend his visit and I do not know if each child gets a present from him. On Christmas Eve there is carol singing and we also had a very touching candelight presentation by the crew-each nationality sang some holiday carols and it was excellent-that presentation was immediately followed by an outstanding buffet outide the show room in the atrium.

You should expect 3 formal nights on a 10-day cruise. Our last cruise was 10-days and we had 3 formal nights.

Last year we went to Alaska with a group of 22 and we all ate in the Pinnacle Grill twice, as a group. The mait're de was taken aback the first time we asked but he accomodated us and then the next time he even improved the seating arrangement, so 11 should not be a problem. We did not eat there the first night, however. You should be able to make reservations for the first night in advance of embarkation date for your group and unless HAL changes things again, the first night is half-price, only $10pp. We have found the Pinnacle Grill to be excellent. f

We have not done the W. Carribbean nor have we sailed on any line but HAL, so cannot help you there. Have a great time!

[Esme]

Lisa - Bill gave you some very good answers. We have been on a few Christmas cruises on HAL and they do a wonderful job. Your 8 year old will have so much fun Christmas morning when Santa arrives.

We are also empty-nesters, but I always go to watch the chidlren receive their gifts and see the smiles on their little faces. And, yes, every child receives a gift.

Ice cream is free - cones or in a dish with all kinds of toppings to add. No charge for any of the coffees in the Java Cafe or the dining room. Only charge would be for Specialty coffees with liquour.

I have seen lots of people using the two-way radios to keep track of their kids.

When you get on the ship, speak to the Maitre'd at the Pinnacle and I am sure he can tell you which night Dutch dinner will be served in the dining room so that you can make a reservation in the Pinnacle for that night.

Sorry, can't help you with the other questions, but I am sure there will be other posters who can help you. We have been to Tortola but visited with a friend who lived there, so can't help you there.

Sail - what difference does it make if these same questions were posted on another board. Maybe posters on this board can also be helpful and have answers to some of Lisa's questions.

[WindyCity]

The Zaandam does have a good collection of videos for children. There should be a list in your cabin.

HAL has a "From the Grill" section on their menu which offers steak every evening, among other things.

You will like the Zaandam. Quite an intimate ship - easy to get around - friendly staff.

Enjoy your cruise!!:D

[grannynurse]

The "S" suites on the Zaandam are almost twice the size as the veranda cabins on Princess. And, the veranda is huge in comparison.

FYI, HAL does have a children's menu for the dining room.

Videos are available, but since Zaandam does not have her Neptune Lounge yet, you may have to get them from the front desk. There is a list of available videos by category in the blue leatherette book in the cabins. The book also has info about all the ship's services and policies .

If you're in an "S" suite, you will also have complimentary laundry and dry cleaning and pressing.

HAL does Christmas very well, as it does most things, especially service, which you will love. The crew is very gracious and wonderfully accomodating.

We will be on the Zaandam New Year's cruise so we will be getting on as you're getting off. Did you notice the itinerary changes on your cruise? At least you're still going to St. Maartin, we're not.

Happy sailing, if you need any specific info ask away, and for photos check out RevNeal's recent posts, he has great pix of the Zaandam. He just got off last weekend.
GN

[elmorejj]

Hi, we will be on the Zaandam Xmas cruise also, as well as the week prior. This will be our 5th and 6th sailing on the zaandam. She`s a great ship with an awesome crew. The verandas are larger and nicer than on Princess ships, also the food is much better IMO. There will be lots of fun things to do for your daughter, both around the ship or in the HAL kids club. If you haven`t checked out the roll call board, pop on over there and see who else is sailing with you. There is a thread under Zaandam Dec 11th and Dec 18th......jean :cool:

[doone]

Sailed with kids on the Veendam a couple of years ago. The younger children did the treasure hunt on Half Moon Cay, they LOVED it, I would highly recommend this for the younger kids, 11 or 12 and under. The teens sailing with us didn't participate in Club HAL, they thought it was corny and they would, but the younger kids LOVED it and can't wait for their next cruise with HAL.

[dakrewser]

There was a press release (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041022/nyffns2_1.html) this morning covering holiday plans for all members of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Concerning HAL it said:

On Holland America Line, guests experience a multi-cultural holiday, with the international crew choir and staff singing native carols to entertain passengers. Other special holiday features include seasonal decorations throughout the ships; holiday movies; a visit from Santa; and a feast featuring goose, turkey, plum pudding and eggnog.

[Arubalisa]

Anyone know of any online links for HAL Room service menus? Are there any hot items served for room service breakfat (besides coffee or tea) or just Continental breakfast available?-- we are not staying in a suite...

Again, we are not in suites, would they take appointments for photographs on Formal nights for a family of 11?
Are movies generally shown in the theater on days when the ship is in port? Sorry...sounds boring, but it is a good way to keep a movie loving 8 year old girl out of the sun part of the day without having to stay in the cabin. :(

Pedicure and manicure prices aboard the ship?

If we are having wine delivered to other cabins for family members will they be charged a corkage fee if they decide they would rather drink the wine in the dining room rather than in their cabin? Like how would the dining room know the wine came from HAL and we did not bring it aboard? :confused:

Have heard conflicting opinions on whether Christmas Eve OR Christmas Day would be a Formal night? Anyone care to take a shot at this?

Does the Zaandham have doors on the balcony partitions on Cat. A. cabins which we could request our room steward to open for our adjoining cabins?

Bring our own Scrabble and Uno cards for the kids and Grandma to play? Hard to come by games on a Christmas sailing?

Dinner in the Lido...sit down waiter service or just buffet?

Sorry so many questions, but with 11 people, there are a lot of different questions...thanks so much...:)

[Esme]

You can get a full breakfast with room service, not just Continental.

I have seen groups having their photos taken, so I am sure you can make arrangements with the photographer.

Pedicures and manicures - pricey and I find that they are not that good.

HAL knows what wine they have sold you so if you take it to the dining room there will be no corkage charge. We have often done this.

We have been on a few Christmas cruises and I can't remember if Christmas Eve or Christmas day is formal, but DD says it's Christmas Day.

Never been on the Zaandam, so don't know how the doors work, but I have heard that on other ships they can be opened between cabins.

I would take my own scrabble and Uno cards for the kids and Grandma to play with as I really have no idea how many games they will have on board.

Never had dinner in the Lido, but I understand that soup/appetizers/dessert are buffet style and the entree is served.

Have a wonderful cruise and a very Merry Christmas to you and your family. We enjoyed our Christmas cruises and look forward to more in the future.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Movies will be shown on port days.

Have you considered letting the 8 year old join Club HAL? Christmas there will be a lot of children on board and a lot more activities.

Any wine that you have bought through HAL can be had either in the cabins or in the dining room and there is no corkage fee. They know what brands of wine they stock and sell on the ship.

We haven't done a Christmas cruise in a few years, but when we did do them, Christmas was formal and Christmas Eve was informal.

We have a traveling scrabble which we always take with us. So many of the ship's games and pieces missing.

Dinner in the Lido - you go to the buffet line for salads and desserts - the waiter brings your entree to the table.

[RuthC]

I know of no links to room service menus. As far as breakfast goes there will be a hang-tag left in your room for breakfast orders. It's full of all sorts of breakfast foods from omelettes to eggs, toast, muffns, meats, etc. You choose the time for delivery in 1/2 hour increments. If something isn't listed you may write in on.
If you do not order the night before you may call for the same things.
Dinner may be ordered from the dining room menu during the first 1/2 hour of the sitting. I'm not sure of the restrictions on this (early/early-only? upper of both?, etc.)
Suite/steerage has nothing to do with room service choices or availibility.

There will be ample opportunities for formal night photos! There will be backdrops set up all over the place. Walk right up and pick your setting. I've never heard of anyone making appointments---or needing to.

There's no corkage fee for wine if it's HAL wine. They know their stock, and there will be a record (somewhere) that it was sent from their supply. The cabin steward can take care of sending it to the dining room.

Never did Lido dinner myself, but the reports are that it's kind of a combination buffet/service. You go down the line picking most of what you want and order your entree. That plate will be served to you when ready.

Games, etc. are readily available, but if you want something specific, or want to be sure of availability, you may bring your own.

In my experience there is a movie in the theatre every day and night as well as movies on the cabin TV.

Hope this answers at least some of your questions.

[RuthC]

I guess Esme and KK can type faster than I. ;)

At least we agree on the answers!

[elmorejj]

Hi Lisa, I think we`ll have to wait till we are on board to find our which days are formal/informal. When we did a 14 day Christmas/New years cruise on the Rotterdam 2 years ago, it was Formal Christmas eve and informal Christmas day. This cruise I think we are in Barbados on the 24th so more than likely it will be Formal on the 25th.....who knows? Guess we`ll have to wait and see.....jean :cool:

[scluvsrain]

The dront desk has a really good selection of videos. You can check out 2 or 3 at a time and then you have to bring them back within 24 hours, I believe. The only trouble with the videos is sometimes the ones you want are checked out and you have to wait.

Movies are shown in the theatre every day, doesn't matter if you're in port or not.

My daughter and I did the dolphin swim in Tortola. A bit expensive for a group of 11, but that's what we did and we loved it.

Club HAL is great for the younger kids, but the teens would only like it if they saw another teen of the opposite sex that they thought was cute, if you get my drift. Otherwise, they'd most likely stay away. At least that was the experience with my daughter when she was a bit younger.