Ship Recomendation for Feb / Mar 05?

[pastark1114]

Everyone,

My wife and I are planning to take a cruise for our anniversary to the eastern Carri bean. We took our one and only cruise on HAL in 1994, on the MS-Noordam for our Honeymoon. We loved HAL's service and really enjoyed ourselves!! That said, we know a lot has changed in the past 10+ years and are looking for some advice.

We are in our mid-30's with small children, however, they will not be coming with us on the cruise. This is mom and dad's “break” and we look forward to the relaxation. :D Being our anniversary, we are looking for a romantic environment and some pampering. It is also important to note that we enjoy many activities and my wife loves to dance. After reading the reviews and opinions on the various ships, it is a little confusing as to which one to pick. So our questions are: 1. Is there a place to get a comprehensive comparison on of the ships, outside the basic information usually found under the ships profiles? 2. Can I get some opinions on the differences between the ships (MS-Zaandam, MS-Zuiderdam and MS-Westerdam) Any recommendation?

Thanks!!

Patrick

[RuthC]

by coming to the CC boards. I suggest you look over the various threads---feel free to go back a page or three---and read those that might be appropriate.

I've never sailed any of the ships you mentioned, so can't tell you too much. I do know that the Zaandam is not as large as the Zuiderdam and Westerdam, which are the newer Vista-class ships.

The Vista's (especially the Zuiderdam) are being marketed to families. If you want fewer children aboard your cruise I suggest you take this in to consideration.
Also, will it be school vacation week when you cruise? Larger ships will have more kids.

Service on HAL is not what it once was, but is still excellent. Food is good enough that I've never missed a meal---and I'm the finicky type. There are still fresh flowers everywhere in the public rooms, and cloth hand towels in the public restrooms. It's still a quiet, relaxing atmosphere.

There's a start. I'm sure those who have sailed the ships you named will add more info.

[Stevesan]

Spring Break begins in March, so you will find fewer kids on any of these ships in February.
We've sailed Zuiderdam (sister to Westerdam) and Volendam (sister to Zaandam). Zuiderdam is ok, but we much preferred Volendam. The Vista class ships attract a more varied type of passenger with tank tops, shorts and Harley gear worn in the show room on formal nights. That sort of thing was typical throughout, so it's less like traditional Holland America cruises.
Also didn't like the physical layout of Zuiderdam: It's more difficult to navigate. It has a much smaller and unattractive atrium. The Ocean Bar is open to passing traffic, and its dance floor is too small. For some incomprehensible reason, a divider is installed across the center of the seating area, disconnecting the rear of the lounge from the front. The Queen's Lounge is so poorly designed that it's nearly uselesss for any function. Finally, we didn't like the fee based Windstar Cafe which replaces the more traditional and comfortable Java Cafe.
Zaandam sails from Port Canaveral which may be more difficult for you to access from your home base? On the flip side, Fort Lauderdale airport (FLL) has tons of cruise passengers and can be quite frantic.
You can find lots of online reviews of Zuiderdam. If you don't find many Zaandam reviews, look thru the Volendam reviews for comparison.

[RuthC]

Spring break may begin in March, but those of us in the northeast have a winter break in February. From about Presidents' Day through most of April it's school vacation somewhere.

'Ya just can't get away from the little darlin's. You'll want to keep this in mind when deciding.

[peaches from georgia]

Is it possible to look at 10 cruises? That would be my choice for sure. Not only because of the longer time, but in Feb. and March you are going to have lots of families, school age kids, and even college kids almost any week you choose. You would have a lot less of this on a 10 day and the whole atmosphere/pax complex is different on a 10 day vs. a 7 day. If it is possible I would look at the Volendam from FLL or even the Maasdam out of Norfolk, depending on where you live.

[stanjj111]

Try the first week of Feb about Feb. 5th. Quite cold up north but too early for kids on board as vacations start the week after. We have on scheduled leaving San Juan on the 5th.

[Esme]

We sailed on the Noordam many times in fact celebrated our 30th anniversary on the Nieuw Amsterdam, sister ship of the Noordam 18 years ago - loved both those ships.

Now our favourite is either the Volendam or Rotterdam. Do take a balcony cabin or even a Suite as I am enjoy sure you will enjoy them. Haven't been on the Westerdam yet, but will be on her in a couple of months. We have an SS cabin.

Which ever ship you choose have a wonderful time and Happy Anniversary. :)

[bepsf]

Just to balance out what SteveSan said:

I've sailed on both the Vista Class and the R-Class - and have found that your fellow passengers are a hit and miss bunch (we had an entire motorcycle shop and their families aboard w/ us on the Amsterdam - they weren't attractive or well dressed, but for the most part very well behaved. The cruise was a gift from thier shop-owner...)

Although the Ocean Bar on the R-Class does have a better layout, the Pinnacle on the Vista Class ships have exterior windows - so a table for two will get you a wonderful view of the ocean. It's a trade off...

Atriums are subjective - and the Vista Class have a nice little bar at the base of theirs, as well as the wonderful Glass Elevators. Plus, its easier to find the exit on the Vista Class when in port (just go to the Atrium) as opposed to the R-Class ("Do we go to Deck 1 or 2 this time?")

You could do far worse than these ships tho - and neither one will detract from your vacation. But since you are close to my age, I must say that I prefered the livelier atmosphere of the Oosterdam - and would suggest a balcony stateroom on her or Westerdam to you.

Come back and let us know what you chose!

[mhshapiro]

ANY HAL ship in the Carribbean at that time of year would be great!

However, I'd recommend looking at the ship reviews on the main page of Cruise Critic. Look at both the professional reviews and the passenger reviews. I think you will find enough information there to make a good choice about which ship meets your interests best.

[Stevesan]

I've sailed on both the Vista Class and the R-Class - and have found that your fellow passengers are a hit and miss bunch (we had an entire motorcycle shop and their families aboard w/ us on the Amsterdam - they weren't attractive or well dressed, but for the most part very well behaved. The cruise was a gift from thier shop-owner...)

Yeah, but did they wear a tie with their death's head tee shirts on formal night?:D

[localady]

Yeah, but did they wear a tie with their death's head tee shirts on formal night?:D
Hey Stevesan-
I resemble that remark!!!:p Had a tie dye formal gown, but was too "chicken" to wear it as it appeared to have bullseyes set in the wrong places!:eek: