A Small Buffet of Zuiderdam Questions!!

I have some questions about our upcoming cruise on the Zuiderdam and you will notice they are in no particular order, here we go:

• I am seeing that the Casino is now totally no smoking;is that correct?
  
• Are there any Dance classes during the cruise?
  
• We chose Open Dining in the MDR –is it better to make a reservation? If not, what is the best time to go?
  
• This time it is just the 2 of us, so we would like to meet others, and sit at a large table, does that work well?
  
• I have read so much about Panama Rolls – are they in the Lido for breakfast? I read they serve them on the day they go to the Canal.
  
• Anyone familiar with free Wifi in Aruba, Curacao or Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. Suggested locations?
  
• Considering the $25.00 Beverage Card for Fountain drinks (get $50.00 worth), does anyone know if they have ginger ale at thefountain? (I know that is a silly question, but that’s the one I like, and try to stay away from caffeine now)
  
• We are in a VC Veranda cabin, I think the deck has 2 chairs & 1 little side table. Is it possible to request a sturdy table so we can eat on the deck on occasion?
  
• I have not seen anything about things to do when we dock in Costa Rica. We don’t want to take a ship excursion, or a bus tour. Just meandering around, or maybe grab a taxi to a location for beach and a drink or two? Any thoughts? And are there nice restaurants close to the port?
  
• We are really not experts at snorkeling, and really true rookies. Can we rent some fins & masks in port for a reasonable price?
  

Thanks for any feedback and insights you might have!

I can't answer all your questions but I can about dining. My husband and I always enjoyed a table of six or eight, and have made some good friends from those days. What is nice is that you sometimes plan an event with one or two of the couples. Also it's fun to run into each other in your comings and goings while on the ship.

Regarding anytime dining, I have done that also. I haven't made any reservations for the main Dining Room but just go when it's convenient for us. We have always been seated, but we usually ask to be seated with others. My usual time to go would be around 7:15-7:30, but anytime that is convenient for you should work out fine.

Marianne

I will focus on the dining question (although we have previously spent 21 days on the Zuiderdam so do know the ship). DW and I always do Open Dining on HAL and prefer to share large tables. We find real dining (as opposed to fast food dining) to be a great way to socialize and meet others. With Open Dining we get to meet many different folks..and this usually leads to some new friendships.

For us, the best time to eat is late when the waiters are not pressured to hurry, the MDR is not overly crowded, and we can relax. Later dining also allows us to enjoy pre-dinner cocktails with more socialization. We will normally head to the MDR sometimes between 7:30 and 8...although there are some nights when it could be closer to 8:30 if we enjoying our time pre-dinner.

On HAL there tends to be an older crowd (we are talking seniors)...many of whom prefer to dine long before the sun sets. You are more likely to have crowded dining (and queues for Open Sitting) at 5:30 then at 7:30. On most of our cruises the highest demand for Open Sitting was from about 6 to 7:15. After 7:15 things often settle down. And as I said, the waiters have no time pressure when serving the later diners...so it seems to be more relaxing. On the other hand, we have many HAL cruising friends who prefer to be in and out of the MDR in about an hour...since they have no interest in slow dining. For us, we are happy when we get a decent table and close the MDR :).

By the way, if you do prefer to dine at larger tables simple tell the person working the door that you "want to share a large table." We have had more then one Maitre'd tell us we were his favorites because we wanted to share. On HAL there are many diners who want 2-tops or who demand certain tables, waiters, etc. Since we are flexible it makes the Maitre'd's life easy and we are often repaid with excellent tables and waiters.

Another huge advantage to later dining is with the shows. The Production shows intended for early diners is often crowded, folks need to go very early to get good seats, etc. But the show's for the later diners are usually not crowded and one can simply walk-in at the last minute and still get a great seat.

Hank

We were on the Zuiderdam for a partial transit of the canal in January.

It poured when we were going through the canal in the morning. The Panama rolls ended up being served in the buffet that morning unlike a previous Zuiderdam cruise where you could only get them on deck.

However, unlike that previous cruise where the rolls were only served the day of the partial transit, this past January I found them one morning after the transit on the bread and roll station in the rear of the Lido. They were not elsewhere on the buffet when I looked.

I have some questions about our upcoming cruise on the Zuiderdam and you will notice they are in no particular order, here we go:

 

• I have read so much about Panama Rolls – are they in the Lido for breakfast? I read they serve them on the day they go to the Canal.
  

Thanks for any feedback and insights you might have!

Panama Canal buns, filled with vanilla custard and mandarin oranges, are served in the Lido Market for breakfast but they are mixed with the other pastries so you need to know what to look for:

Assuming you are doing the partial Panama Canal itinerary. The port for Costa Rica is on the east coast of Costa Rica which is not the beachy, upscale, resort part of that country. I recommend you either take a ship's tour or stay on the ship that day. Go over to the ports of call section on cruise critic and ask your question there and see what answers you get.

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In Curacao the city of Willemstad has free wifi.

Look for crew with their lap topsa t Rif Fort and you will know where there is free wi-fi :)

We enjoy large tables, but just note that it seems to take a lot longer to be served. Our first nite on the Eurodam a couple of years ago we were seate at a table for 10 maybe. We were in the dining room for about 2 & half hours and missed seeing the show.

I can answer a couple of questions.

1. The casino is now totally non-smoking

2. We always do anytime dining. We get there between 6 -6:30PM and rarely have to wait since we are always willing to sit with other people. The only request that I make is that we sit at an oval or round table for 6 or 8 people. It is very difficult to have a conversation when you're sitting at one of the long tables.

3. I would also suggest a tour in Costa Rica. We did a ship's tour to a plantation about 2 hours away. It was very interesting and beautiful scenery. Of course, we were 45 minutes late coming back but I didn't worry since it was a ship's tour. That is my usual criteria - if it's a city tour that's close to the port I'll do private excursions but if where we want to go is a considerable distance then I stick with the ship's tour. It just makes me feel more comfortable.

You will love this trip. We've done it twice and the Zuiderdam is my favorite ship.

Helen

Every time we have been on the Zuiderdam's partial Panama cruise, the Panama BUNS have been in the Lido and out on the decks. We love them.

At Puerto Limon, there are no beaches or restaurants near the port. There is a "Flea" market right at the pier.

My experience is that ginger ale is only available in cans, from the fountain guns they do a half & half mix of coke & sprite to simulate the color of ginger ale, but it is not ginger ale.

Usually we pre-pay an on-board credit to cover anticipated drink purchases, which in my case are 1-2 per day non-alcoholic ones. Ohh, and if you're not a drinker, definitely check out the non-alcoholic mixed drinks. You may have to ask for the menu, but they do a really great job with the Fresh Grapefruit Not-a-Cosmo and the Mint No-Jitos. I may or may not have gotten a fellow cruiser hooked on them by recommending those to her in the show lounge one night. She saw me later in the cruise and joked that her on-board account is worse for having taken my advice.

You have had the answers on the dining options and Panama buns. But I will chime in about an excursion in Costa Rica. My cruise partner and I took the ship’s tour in CR to a banana plantation. It truly was one of the very best excursions I have ever taken on a cruise. Never realized what a labor intensive crop that bananas are.

Considering the $25.00 Beverage Card for Fountain drinks (get $50.00 worth), does anyone know if they have ginger ale at thefountain? (I know that is a silly question, but that’s the one I like, and try to stay away from caffeine now)

I have found, when using a soda card, that when my preference isn't available from a fountain gun, the bartender opens a can and pours a glass for me.

Panama Canal buns, filled with vanilla custard and mandarin oranges, are served in the Lido Market for breakfast but they are mixed with the other pastries so you need to know what to look for:

Thank you for the photo. . . Now I will know what to look for! :halo:

You have had the answers on the dining options and Panama buns. But I will chime in about an excursion in Costa Rica. My cruise partner and I took the ship’s tour in CR to a banana plantation. It truly was one of the very best excursions I have ever taken on a cruise. Never realized what a labor intensive crop that bananas are.

Did that excursion on my Panama Canal cruise-I now see bananas in a very different way!

In Willemstad (docking at the Mega Pier), free WiFi at the Starbucks (#1 Baden Powellweg) outside the Renaissance Hotel; a whopping 5-8 min walk from the dock (ship's crew will be inside ;))

:hearteyes: Thank you for all of your posts --- every one of them. You know what's so delightful! ALL of them were helpful, positive and insightful! Three of my questions have not been answered, but no biggies - dance classes, al fresco dining table ;), and snorkeling.

We are renting a car at Curacao - so we can ride where we please. Based on posts I've seen for taxis, $75.00 for the day is a real deal! I guess we can rent some snorkel equipment at one of the beaches.

Casino Question: We played a 3 card poker game on the Eurodam - it was called something different, maybe Three Card Flush? I liked it even better than my Roulette table, probably because I won a few dollars!:D

Mimi

:hearteyes: Thank you for all of your posts --- every one of them. You know what's so delightful! ALL of them were helpful, positive and insightful! Three of my questions have not been answered, but no biggies - dance classes, al fresco dining table ;), and snorkeling.

We are renting a car at Curacao - so we can ride where we please. Based on posts I've seen for taxis, $75.00 for the day is a real deal! I guess we can rent some snorkel equipment at one of the beaches.

 

Casino Question: We played a 3 card poker game on the Eurodam - it was called something different, maybe Three Card Flush? I liked it even better than my Roulette table, probably because I won a few dollars!:D

 

Mimi

SNORKEL EQUIPMENT: Always a good question - rent or buy snorkel equipment. I'd recommend buying your own mask and tube so you know you have the best fit and sanitation. If you have a dive shop in your location, they can give you the best tips since the options vary. Probably cheaper than piecemeal renting at every stop and those two items are easy to pack.

You may or may not want flippers depending on where you snorkel. We found the ABC snorkeling experiences pretty tame and fins were not really necessary. I found some "travel" fins -smaller and shorter when in the South Pacific and those were are all I needed. DH lugged his full fins and they did gobble up a lot of suitcase space.

DANCE LESSONS: They have had dance lessons in the past, but this may be dependent on the willingness of the dance team to take on these extra tasks. Apparently their new contracts prevent them from doing anything other than direct performances now, so this may no longer be an option.

A few years ago they did a "Dancing with the Stars" knock-off and there were regular dance lessons and competition during the day in the showroom. But they no longer offer this program, It was not well attended when we visited it a few years ago, I believe on the Zuiderdam, but those participating enjoyed it very much.

Curacao has very rugged beaches, do your home work before going into the water unless it is well signed and safe. They also have some very poisonous plants near the beach areas - also well signed to stay away from them.

POKER: We noticed on our last Zaandam cruise the poker tables were not all electronic. Don't play the game so I don't know what this means to those who enjoy the game. It was always a full house around the table on that cruise. No "hiding the cards" when they were on full screen to anyone standing behind them.

Maybe someone can explain why this switch is better - certainly more neutral, depending on the computer program naturally. No more aces hidden in the sleeve or garter belt, which ruins at least one opera plot - La Fancuilla del Golden West.. (May2018)

BALCONY DINING TABLES: Unlikely you can get the stewards to haul in a separate dining table for your balcony, but never hurts to ask. Maybe you can buy some cheap folding TV tray tables in an early port and bring them back your cabin? I am forgetting whether the in-cabin coffee table is fixed to the floor or can be moved. If it can be moved, I suspect it will be very heavy but you could take this out to the balcony yourselves.

So if you still have one of the older, telescoping dining height in cabin tables, you could move that out to the balcony yourself for a better dining height table - awkward because there may not be enough room to sit around it. However, those older in-cabin tables are now getting replaced with lower fixed height coffee tables. So that won't work.

Tray on your lap or perched across the arm rests may be your only verandah dining option. Good questions since this dining option seems so popular - how to others manage? Certainly there is no problem when only managing the very good room service sandwiches, but getting the regular menu dinner would make this a little more difficult since this may require a good solid knife and fork platform depending on what you order - many times not however - just a fork.

Something that never appealed to us and we always have a verandah - but usually the wind or the cold never made this look like a good option let alone the lack of table. But we might be overlooking something special not having done this.

Neptune/Pinnacle Suites (and some Signature SS class cabins?) are the only ones with proper dining tables and chairs. The rest will be a make-do challenge. Hoping to learn more since we have a long lazy cruise across the South Pacific coming up and one of those informal aft "mini-wrap" cabins which will give us more balcony space.

SNORKEL

POKER: We noticed on our last Zaandam cruise the poker tables were not all electronic. Don't play the game so I don't know what this means to those who enjoy the game. It was always a full house around the table on that cruise. No "hiding the cards" when they were on full screen to anyone standing behind them.

 

......

Typo correction:...... poker tables were NOW all electronic...... (Zaandam)

We would not depend on renting snorkel equipment on Curacao beaches. While some of the more commercial beaches may rent equipment many other snorkel places do not rent any equipment. In fact, many of the beaches where we drive to snorkel do not even have any vendors. And when it comes to renting snorkel equipment you do not know who has had that snorkel in their mouth, how well it has been sanitized, or if you can find a decent mask that will fit. It makes sense to buy your own gear. Some of the Big Box/warehouse places sell relatively inexpensive equipment (often in sets). Personally we prefer to buy our equipment online from decent dive shop/vendors which allows us to select exactly what we need. Since I wear glasses I have a prescription mask which was one of my better small investments.

Hank

We found bringing our own snorkels and masks was a good decision. Most that are supplied are the old fashioned “J” type snorkels, and the new ones we bought are much better and easier to manage, have a valve to keep water out.

A note about masks....we bring our own for sanitary reasons, but I bought mine to have a prescription lens so I can see the fish! Very near sighted! The shop has options and I got one same day, not even a wait as I expected.

We have seen newer snorkel masks that cover the whole face and look good, but not at rental places. We don’t bother with fins or flotation equipment as we float all too easily.

Barbara M. In NH

How about this as a solution for a balcony dining table - pack your own as a suitcase -folding picnic table set up and check it in with your onboard luggage: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Easy-Camp-Picnic-Set-Belfort-Table-and-4-Stool-Folding-Suitcase/263759584104?epid=21020439130&hash=item3d694bdb68:g:UTkAAOSw7UJbIqw0

We always do anytime dining but we always make a reservation for guaranteed no waiting or almost no waiting.

I hope the casino is no smoking the last cruise we took in April it was smoking.

You should pack your own snorkel equipment so you have the quality, god knows how many people have rented equipment

You can dine in your cabin on the balcony or out by the pool. The restaurants (except for buffet) don't have outdoor tables.

We eat breakfast after the gym out by the pool everyday.

Our cruise begins Sunday, 11/25; and I thought I might need to go through all these posts again!  And there were so many excellent responses to all my questions!  Thank you Cruising Friends.  Any last thoughts or comments?.  Happy Travels to all of YOU.