Ships with dark blue hulls...

[Bourne in 64]

After spending a week on the Zaandam to the Mexican Riviera I can say I was quite pleased with every aspect of the ship from the outstanding crew, its condition, and the quality of the food which I consumed far too much of.

I read so many reviews with so many varying opinions that I went aboard with low expectations. Now, being new to cruising (only my second) I may be a little less picky but the one thing I have learned is that everyone has an opinion and some people are going to make mountains out of mole hills. Cruising is no different.

 

I heard she is scheduled to go into drydock soon? She is showing signs of being exposed to the harsh elements of saltwater and time, but really! She's in very good shape for her age!

 

I don't know if this is a no-no but if it is someone please let me know - I have posted links to two albums on my flickr account of the trip and the ship. I'm still learning this website and will likely post them here when I get time to figure that out. I'm sure the mods will let me know! :o

I have started a full review and will post soon. While I may owe it to myself to try out other lines (now that this will become a yearly ritual) I really can't see myself sailing on any ship that doesn't have a dark blue hull :)

 

Ship Photos

 

Cruise Photos

 

Howard

[nana51]

Beautiful pictures! I'll be on her next Saturday, same cruise.

[Bourne in 64]

Beautiful pictures! I'll be on her next Saturday, same cruise.

 

Thanks. I hope you are blessed with the same beautiful weather! Enjoy!!

[startwin]

Nice photos! The Zaandam looks sooo much better than the last time I was on her, and love the new carpets. The re-fit was obviously successful.

[kazu]

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences with us and your FABULOUS pictures.:D:D

 

Glad you enjoyed the blue hulled beauty

[Hflors]

Thanks for sharing your pictures with us. Zaandam looks to be such an elegent ship. I hope I get to cruise on her one of these days.

[rafinmd]

I don't know if this is a no-no but if it is someone please let me know - I have posted links to two albums on my flickr account of the trip and the ship. I'm still learning this website and will likely post them here when I get time to figure that out. I'm sure the mods will let me know! :o

I have started a full review and will post soon. While I may owe it to myself to try out other lines (now that this will become a yearly ritual) I really can't see myself sailing on any ship that doesn't have a dark blue hull :)

 

 

Howard

 

No worries. Unless there's something very unusual, posting a link to a site of your own is not a problem on cruise critic.

 

I was in the same position as you just over a year ago, and I found a few flaws with the Zaandam, but nothing that meant much in comparison with the excellent crew.

 

I would suggest you try other cruise lines some time. You might find one you really like. A cruise cannot really be too bad and if another line doesn't measure up you'll have a greater appreciation of HAL next time you're on one of their ships.

 

Roy

[BumperII]

Thank you for sharing those photos! You did an excellent job of recording the adventure. I hope you stick around long enough to do a display on every ship in the fleet.

[portofrome]

Thanks for sharing your photos.

[cabinluvn]

Thanks for the pictures. We have only sailed the Noordam(our third time will be next week), but anticipate sailing other HAL ships in the future. My SIL and her partner were on your cruise and also gave glowing reviews of the ship and itinerary.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[sparky-elpaso]

Great photos. You can also put the links to your flickr account in your signature so they're always there for folks to see.

[dobiemom]

I can't wait to sail on the same blue hulled ship in about 3 weeks! :)

[spacepotatoes]

Very nice photos! Glad you had a great cruise :)

[sail7seas]

Happy you enjoyed your cruise.

Thanks for sharing your great photos. :)

[0bnxshs]

Howard, thanks for sharing! Glad you had such a nice cruise. Lovely photos.... and welcome to Cruise Critic. :)

[Bourne in 64]

Nice photos! The Zaandam looks sooo much better than the last time I was on her, and love the new carpets. The re-fit was obviously successful.

 

Thanks :)

The only carpet that I saw that needing replacement are at the base of the stairs at all three stairwell locations, adjacent to the elevators on all decks. (The light red colored carpet)

[Bourne in 64]

Great photos. You can also put the links to your flickr account in your signature so they're always there for folks to see.

 

Thanks! Like you have ;)

I look forward to browsing your photos.

[solocanadian]

Bourne in 64: Howard, Thanks for posting your great pictures. Nice to see the Zaandam again. Happy to see new pillows, drapes & curtains in the cabins and the new carpet throughout. Can't wait to board her on April 6/13. Do you recall the names of the bar tenders in the Crow's Nest and Ocean Bar?:)

[solocanadian]

Howard: Forgot to mention how much I like the "Sketch Art" feature on your Nikon - pretty classy.:)

[saxon6732]

Thanks for sharing the photos and look forward to your review, Howard. We will be sailing on the Zaandam to Hawaii in April. This will be my first cruise and wife's second.

[Bourne in 64]

Bourne in 64: Howard, Thanks for posting your great pictures. Nice to see the Zaandam again. Happy to see new pillows, drapes & curtains in the cabins and the new carpet throughout. Can't wait to board her on April 6/13. Do you recall the names of the bar tenders in the Crow's Nest and Ocean Bar?:)

 

I was only at the Ocean bar once, but I spent quite a bit of time in the Crow's nest..:o

I knew the staff (and they knew me) but there were so many names of crew and new friends on board I couldn't keep them all straight. Sorry! I kept a journal of the trip and for my next cruise I'll make note of crew names. Bam and Bo were taking great care of me in my stateroom though!!

[solocanadian]

Thanks for your reply. I spend so much time in both those bars I always remember their names. Can't stand the HAL Cats so never hang out where they play. I'm staying on a different deck so I won't have same cabin stewards as you.:)

[Typhoon1]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and great pics.

[igraf]

We also went on a HAL Mexican Riviera cruise with reduced expectations, and like you we were pleasantly surprised. I would do it again, though only if HAL offers three port stops again.

 

igraf

 

 

 

After spending a week on the Zaandam to the Mexican Riviera I can say I was quite pleased with every aspect of the ship from the outstanding crew, its condition, and the quality of the food which I consumed far too much of.

I read so many reviews with so many varying opinions that I went aboard with low expectations. ...Howard

[JDinWA]

We're on the Zaandam next month so it was a treat to see the ship photos. I especially like the pair of the ship, one in the daytime and then same shot lit up at night - very dramatic. :-)