Would you recommend the Zuiderdam?

[jemingway]

I have never been on HAL, but I have the opportunity to take the Zuiderdam in February. It's only the 4-day version, so is it worth it? It is a legal seminar at sea. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[hdawson]

If you're asking about the ship and cruiseline, absolutely. The staff is wonderful and the ship beautiful. Food is very good and plentiful. If you're asking about a 4 day rather than the usual 7 day, that is entirely up to you.
I just finished a 7 day cruise on that ship 2 weeks ago. Definitely would repeat it.

[Golfgrl1911]

By all means do it!! Took my first HAL cruise on the "Z" in Sept. It was shortened from a 7 night to a 5 night because of hurricane Jeanne. Didn't get enough so 2 weeks later bought another one on the Zuiderdam for next Sept. If I never took another type of vacation but a cruise for the rest of my life I'd be in 7th heaven!! Good Luck, Chef Nancy:cool:

[estj]

I have never been on HAL, but I have the opportunity to take the Zuiderdam in February. It's only the 4-day version, so is it worth it? It is a legal seminar at sea. Any thoughts? Thanks.
she's a beauty! enjoyed her for a 7 day cruise in April and will be going on her sister ship...the Oosterdam...two weeks from tomorrow (YEA!!!). I was a little concerned about her size initially...but it was not a problem. Plenty of little "alcoves" and get-away-from-the-crowd areas. The spa is awesome! The Thermal spa is something to NOT miss. Good food as always on HAL...as well as service. Make certain you ride the outside glass elevators while at sea! Quite an experience! Casino is very nice...second slot in the second row was good to me last trip! And I won the Captain's slot special several times! You can't go wrong with HAL...top of the line in everything. Enjoy your cruise! (although I don't know how you could ever concentrate on a law seminar while at sea on that beautiful ship...they can't be serious about you really focusing, can they?)

[SANDY BEACH]

My DH and I have sailed the Zuiderdam twice this past year and will definitely book her again in the future. Go and enjoy whenever you can. You will probably find out 4 days is not long enough.

[RuthC]

By your address travel isn't much of an issue?
A seminar is work-related, right? So that makes at least part of the cruise tax-deductible?
And you get a taste of what a full cruise on the ship would be---whether you like it or not?

From everything I've read about it there's no way I want to sail that ship. But if I were in your position I would book it.

[SANDY BEACH]

Ruth C, Don't believe all you read. I was also very concerned after reading reviews before I boarded the Z for the first time. After sailing her, I realized that some people are probably never satisfied. I do agree that every cruise may not be perfect but it's still a wonderful week of pampering, relaxation and very comfortable surroundings. I would travel the Z again in a minute. Rates that are very competitive and a staff that tries extra hard to make your trip special. Very few, if any complaints from me.

[ualtim]

Go, Baby, Go. (to borrow a line from Hosrse Racing.) Just came off the big "Z" a few weeks ago and had a wonderful time. It is a lot like the S class ships but bigger with more of a Vegas casino feel. If you love HAL, you will find all of the features that made you fall in love with HAL in the first place. The Staff was outstanding as usual, and the ship was magnificiant.

Try to find time to enjoy the ship!

[estj]

By your address travel isn't much of an issue?
A seminar is work-related, right? So that makes at least part of the cruise tax-deductible?
And you get a taste of what a full cruise on the ship would be---whether you like it or not?

From everything I've read about it there's no way I want to sail that ship. But if I were in your position I would book it.
Ruth...I don't know who/what postings you have read...but trust me, she's a beautiful ship and quite comfortable. Yes, not everything is perfect...but I'm a rather critical person...and she met my expectations! Enough so that I'm taking my best friend and her daughter on their very first cruise in two weeks...on the Z's sister ship the Oosterdam. Wouldn't think of taking them on anything but HAL...and the Vista ships. I want to impress them so much that they will be begging for the next cruise! And I know HAL will not disappoint us!
Cass

[Italian Nancy]

In a heartbeat.. we were married on her last Sept.. she will always be special for us. Great ship, great food, terrific staff.

[jemingway]

Thanks for all your replies. I live in Plantation, which is the western suburb of Ft. Lauderdale, so it would be easy. My firm will pay the seminar fee and the rest is a business expense, so it would be the cheapest cruise I will ever take. It's one of those things where we didn't have it planned, so we are a little more tentative about it. We already have cruises booked for December, March and July, so the timing is not the best.

[RuthC]

SANDY BEACH and estj, please don't misunderstand why I don't want to sail the Zuiderdam. I love HAL. I do enjoy the pampering and service that the staff provides regardless of the ship they are serving on at the time.
I just prefer a smaller, more traditional style of ship---and one that is not family oriented.
My favorite ships are the original S-class; although at first I thought even they were too big. I would love to sail on the Prinsendam some day. I like the Amsterdam and Rotterdam, too, but don't want to sail any ship as large as the Vista class. They're fine ships for some; they're not right for me.

jemingway, I'm glad to see that you've decided to go to the seminar. If I were you I would have made the same decision.

[TedC]

We've been on all three Vista class ships, as well as HAL's smaller ships.


While the Vistas are rated at 1848 pax if there are two in each cabin, they rarely seemed crowded. One reason is that many cruise lines would jam in 200 or 300 more people on the same size ship.

The primary difference in the Vistas is the decor. We prefer the Westerdam and Oosterdam in that respect over the Zuiderdam, but that's very subjective.

I bet that those four days will be the fastest in your life - even seven days go by far too fast.

[SANDY BEACH]

Ruth C, I need to try one of the smaller ships. So many of you rave about them. I've looked at the Zaandam often since it sails out of Port Canavral which is close to where we visit family in Fla. Have you ever sailed this ship? I have always thought the Rotterdam was probably the best Holland ship around. Sounds like it is the classiest. What is your opinion there.

[RuthC]

SANDY, no, I've never sailed the Zaandam or her sister the Volendam. I've sailed all the S-class except the Maasdam (next summer!) and I've sailed the Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

From all I've read the atmosphere is different on the Vista-class. I understand it is geared toward a younger crowd. The music in the lounges tends toward a more modern era, there are more activities for children. A different style of cruising, more for the "hip, with-it" passenger that's not "me" is my understanding of those ships.

The S-class ships are smaller than the R/V-classes. The addition of the mid-ship staircase/elevator bank was wonderful to minimize back-tracking, but also made the ships longer. That trip from the dining room to the show lounge is just too long---I always get detoured into another type of lounge!
I do so agree with your word "classy" to describe these ships.

I'm not certain that people who start on the Vista-class and love them will enjoy the earlier ships as they have been. And I worry that soon there will be no HAL ships as they have been.

[sail7seas]

We have been told that the new class of ships that will follow the Vistas, will be more like the "S" and 'stretch S" many of us love. The new series is to be SMALLER than the Vistas and will be geared toward longer cruises.

[SANDY BEACH]

Detoured into a lounge is not always bad. Enjoy whichever ship you chose to sail and thanks so much for the info.

[dakrewser]

That trip from the dining room to the show lounge is just too long---I always get detoured into another type of lounge!

That's not a detour, it's a necessary pit stop. Gotta refuel for the rest of that long trek to the, um, where was I going? :rolleyes:

-dave