getting ready to buy cruise

[snowden]

Hello - anyone cruise Zuiderdam?

[bz]

We were on her last year. We though HAL did a nice job until we were on the Azamara Quest last month. But the Zuiderdam is a fine ship & we had no complaints. The food was excellent, not outstanding, but excellent, service was fine. They did a few really nice things. I would not hesitate to sail her again.

[snowden]

thanks bz- I just dont know what to do!

[jena1]

What do you meam when you say you don't know what to do?
We are going on the Zuiderdam in a couple of months and all I have read about the ship is very good. We have traveled aboard HAL ships a few times, so we expect basically the same wonderful cruise we have experienced before. Happy cruising!

[jtl513]

Originally Posted by snowden

thanks bz- I just dont know what to do!

Start with a lot of reading! You will find lots of reviews of the ship here:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberre...hip&ShipID=266

[miamiway]

Hi I am new to this board. We just booked 10 day Zuiderdam to Panama leaving Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 3, 2009. We have a SZ class suite, our travel agent said we're likely to get an upgrade as there are only two of those on board and they were a great deal. We're from Colorado and will fly into FL the day before. I have lots of questions:
1) Hotels mid range recommended near cruiseport.
2) Do SZ suites have any extra amenities? How can I find out how much things cost. I don't see that info on Holland America website.
3) Are there any shore excursions we should not miss.
4) In Half Moon Cay, is there shade if we don't rent a cabana? What is a clamshell?
5) I guess we can bring wine on board. We are wine collectors, is there a good wine store near cruiseport? Is there a limit how much wine we can bring on?
6) Other info, suggestions?
7) Is there a meet and greet planned?

[vegasgirl00]

Miamiway, I have never sailed on Zuiderdam but am ready to go on my 3rd HAL cruise in less than a year. Love them.

1) Hotels mid range recommended near cruiseport. (we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and they had a free shuttle and free breakfast. Breakfast was busy and not so great but the room was clean and there was a liquor store right up the street)
2) Do SZ suites have any extra amenities? How can I find out how much things cost. I don't see that info on Holland America website.
3) Are there any shore excursions we should not miss.
4) In Half Moon Cay, is there shade if we don't rent a cabana? What is a clamshell? (A clamshell is a canvas half cover that goes over 2 lawnchairs. We didn't get one but there are lots of trees along the beach that offer shade)
5) I guess we can bring wine on board. We are wine collectors, is there a good wine store near cruiseport? Is there a limit how much wine we can bring on? ( no limit on the amount of wine you can bring on that I know of but they will charge a corkage fee if you want to open the wine in the dining room. We just poured a big glass to bring to dinner and used our wine card throughout the rest of the meal. Sorry, not sure about a wine store nearby)
6) Other info, suggestions? (Half Moon Cay is, IMHO, the best port. Get there early and enjoy the amazing weather, beach and water. The bluest I have ever seen. Don't forget to grab a beach towel on your way out and PLEASE use the hand sanitizer anytime you can. Oh yeah, don't sweat the small stuff. If you have a problem, tell someone about it and have it rectified.)
7) Is there a meet and greet planned? (check on the roll call board. You will meet a bunch more awesome people that you are sailing with. The meet and greets are fantastic)

Have a great time!!

[miamiway]

Appreciate it.

[jtl513]

Originally Posted by miamiway

Hi I am new to this board. We just booked 10 day Zuiderdam to Panama leaving Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 3, 2009. We have a SZ class suite, our travel agent said we're likely to get an upgrade as there are only two of those on board and they were a great deal. We're from Colorado and will fly into FL the day before. I have lots of questions:
1) Hotels mid range recommended near cruiseport.
2) Do SZ suites have any extra amenities? How can I find out how much things cost. I don't see that info on Holland America website.
3) Are there any shore excursions we should not miss.
4) In Half Moon Cay, is there shade if we don't rent a cabana? What is a clamshell?
5) I guess we can bring wine on board. We are wine collectors, is there a good wine store near cruiseport? Is there a limit how much wine we can bring on?
6) Other info, suggestions?
7) Is there a meet and greet planned?

I answered on your own separate thread.