potholes in the hallways

[vicocala]

In many critiques of the Zuiderdam you here countless regalia about "potholes". Can someone explain why they are there? What floors seem to have them or are they on all decks? Has anything been done recently to help remedy the problem or will they just wait till drydock?

 

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions. Potholes or not, I am looking forward to the trip!

[pklopp]

Yes, don't let the "potholes" ruin your cruise. We seemed to notice this on most decks, but the biggest problem we had with them were on the 2 very rocky days - hit one of them and the boat would shift - just grab the handrail, and I had problems on the nites I had too many Bud Lites! Enjoy your cruise, we had a great time.

Peggy

[Esme]

This was the first Vista ship for HAL and I understand some mistakes were made at the ship yard in regards to the cement used in the hallways, however, this will all be remedied when the ship goes into drydock December 10th.

 

:D Boy I really do need my cataract operation and new glasses. I thought the topic read "PoRtholes in hallways." and I thought, What!

[zackiedawg]

I did notice them in various spots throughout the ship...but unless you have very bad balance issues, or a handicap, they shouldn't really present much of an issue. They are more like depressions...small areas that are a 1/4 or 1/2 inch lower than the surrounding floor, and hidden under the carpets. Some are just a few inches, others are dinner plate sized, but all very shallow.

 

I never got off-balance from one, or felt like they could cause harm - but I did wonder about them. A few I can remember - 1. just past the port side midship glass door to the outside pool area coming from the lido 2. the Navigation deck midship elevator lobby, near port side 3. Deck 2 in front of the Ocean Bar entrance just past the atrium heading aft, and in the casino near the aftmost entrance to the piano bar (this one seemed to be more of a loose floorboard feel...it would make a noise when you step on it).

 

As the others mentioned, it never detracted from my cruise at all, I never felt interfered with or endangered by them, and they should fix them up in drydock. They are noticable, but should be benign for most people.

[Randyk47]

I'd like permission to go home.....I think my brain is full. :o My initial reaction to this thread was also "What portholes in the hallways????" Haven't been on the Zuiderdam but I think I found some of the "potholes" on the Oosterdam.....just can't remember if I found them before or after my nightly ration of martinis. :rolleyes:

[Randyk47]

I'd like permission to go home.....I think my brain is full. :o My initial reaction to this thread was also "What portholes in the hallways????" Haven't been on the Zuiderdam but I think I found some of the "potholes" on the Oosterdam.....just can't remember if I found them before or after my nightly ration of martinis. :rolleyes:

[MikeT718]

:confused: I think there are a lot of us who mis read this thread I to was trying to fighure why thee were PORTHOLES in the hallways??? :p

[MikeT718]

:confused: I think there are a lot of us who mis read this thread I to was trying to fighure why thee were PORTHOLES in the hallways??? :p

[bcc99]

I've heard native Hoosiers sometimes calling these "chuckholes"...possibly that would help to alleviate the "porthole" confusion? :D I thought the same thing at first!

 

Seriously, though, the dimples in the deck aren't a big deal unless the seas are really acting up and/or you like heels. There are just some occasional places where the floor seems to dip down a bit, particularly in the corridors on the stateroom decks.

[bcc99]

I've heard native Hoosiers sometimes calling these "chuckholes"...possibly that would help to alleviate the "porthole" confusion? :D I thought the same thing at first!

 

Seriously, though, the dimples in the deck aren't a big deal unless the seas are really acting up and/or you like heels. There are just some occasional places where the floor seems to dip down a bit, particularly in the corridors on the stateroom decks.

[vicocala]

Yeah, just wondering if those who read "portholes" are the ones feeling the potholes. I thought some of it may be people just not getting their sealegs yet.

 

Sorry to hear about the holes near the elevators on the navigation deck as that is where my room is.

 

It really wasn't a big deal, there just seem to be so many comments about them, some critical, others seeming to laugh at it being a problem.

 

Thanks for the input and a couple of laughs. :D

 

If anyone has any funny or interesting stories about them, I guess this would be the place to add them. :)

[vicocala]

Yeah, just wondering if those who read "portholes" are the ones feeling the potholes. I thought some of it may be people just not getting their sealegs yet.

 

Sorry to hear about the holes near the elevators on the navigation deck as that is where my room is.

 

It really wasn't a big deal, there just seem to be so many comments about them, some critical, others seeming to laugh at it being a problem.

 

Thanks for the input and a couple of laughs. :D

 

If anyone has any funny or interesting stories about them, I guess this would be the place to add them. :)

[Candy]

If I'm with Jim, it gives me an excuse to hold on tighter (aaaawwww). If alone, I hold onto the handrail and try not to look too feeble.

 

Candy <-- doesn't care about the small stuff... just get me on the ship!

[Candy]

If I'm with Jim, it gives me an excuse to hold on tighter (aaaawwww). If alone, I hold onto the handrail and try not to look too feeble.

 

Candy <-- doesn't care about the small stuff... just get me on the ship!

[Randyk47]

I really don't know about "potholes" but seriously might have experienced them on the Oosterdam as I do recall my wife and I discussing a "low spot" near our cabin. What's more fun is getting into the motion of the boat.....now be careful here Randy folks will start getting ideas. By that I mean walking, particularly on those sea days when the boat is rocking (bow to stern). We get kind of a kick out of pacing ourselves....like....short steps when we're going "uphill" and the longer strides when we're going "downhill". Get in one of the long hallways on almost any ship and you get this kind of shuffle/shuffle/step/step/step routine. Anybody watching would think you were tipsy....and maybe sometimes we are. The other situation is dancing. Every once in awhile you get that "just stepped in a hole" feeling in the pit of your stomach as the ship rocks or rolls away from where you're putting your foot. Leads to those little stagger steps around the dance floor. :)

[Randyk47]

I really don't know about "potholes" but seriously might have experienced them on the Oosterdam as I do recall my wife and I discussing a "low spot" near our cabin. What's more fun is getting into the motion of the boat.....now be careful here Randy folks will start getting ideas. By that I mean walking, particularly on those sea days when the boat is rocking (bow to stern). We get kind of a kick out of pacing ourselves....like....short steps when we're going "uphill" and the longer strides when we're going "downhill". Get in one of the long hallways on almost any ship and you get this kind of shuffle/shuffle/step/step/step routine. Anybody watching would think you were tipsy....and maybe sometimes we are. The other situation is dancing. Every once in awhile you get that "just stepped in a hole" feeling in the pit of your stomach as the ship rocks or rolls away from where you're putting your foot. Leads to those little stagger steps around the dance floor. :)

[zackiedawg]

Get in one of the long hallways on almost any ship and you get this kind of shuffle/shuffle/step/step/step routine. Anybody watching would think you were tipsy....and maybe sometimes we are.

 

The cure is to have alot of drinks...and make sure to drink every time the bow rises. If you time it right, the staggered walk from the ship's motion will be perfectly counter-balanced by your drunken stagger, and you'll walk straight as an arrow.

 

Of course with the moving ship and the heavy drinking, the plastic (well, it isn't porcelain) god in your stateroom may be receiving lots of gifts that night.

[zackiedawg]

Get in one of the long hallways on almost any ship and you get this kind of shuffle/shuffle/step/step/step routine. Anybody watching would think you were tipsy....and maybe sometimes we are.

 

The cure is to have alot of drinks...and make sure to drink every time the bow rises. If you time it right, the staggered walk from the ship's motion will be perfectly counter-balanced by your drunken stagger, and you'll walk straight as an arrow.

 

Of course with the moving ship and the heavy drinking, the plastic (well, it isn't porcelain) god in your stateroom may be receiving lots of gifts that night.

[Randyk47]

Ahh Zackie....you know exactly what I mean!!! :D Word of caution.....do not push the button on the wall near the plastic god when in position. Can be hazardous to the plumbing and your life. :eek:

[Krazy Kruizers]

Yes - the Zuiderdam does have POT Holes.

They are bad in some of the hallways. We noticed a couple of women who had to push their husband's wheel chairs and had to rquest help.

The issue is SUPPOSED to be addressed in Dec when she goes into dry dock.

[Vic The Parrot]

Hey Vic

 

 

Maybe you could take some asphalt and a shovel with you.

It'll give ya something to do in case you get bored.

 

 

 

:D

 

 

the 'other Vic'

 

:cool:

[swom]

In many critiques of the Zuiderdam you here countless regalia about "potholes". Can someone explain why they are there? What floors seem to have them or are they on all decks? Has anything been done recently to help remedy the problem or will they just wait till drydock?

 

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions. Potholes or not, I am looking forward to the trip!

Not really pot-holes. More like mild indentations....Deck 5 near our room 5087 had one. Didn't bother me, just noticed it was there. It won't take away from your cruise at all. Go and enjoy. The Zuiderdam is wonderful...

[vicocala]

Hey Vic,

 

 

Do ya think security would let me bring on some quickrete? Hot asphalt might be a bit tricky carrying it thru the lines. :D

[Oceanwench]

Of course the problems with the floors did not ruin our cruise!

Rather than potholes, I'd call them ruts. Deep ruts in some places.

We still found them annoying. We were on Deck 6 and there were some bad areas.

For women in heels, a sudden low spot might send you tumbling if your heel were to catch.

 

As KK stated, there were problems with pax in wheelchairs. The smaller wheels on the front of a chair could catch in the ruts.

 

DH is in a power chair, and he had a very uncomfortable time traveling the halls.

 

I am sure these ruts have been mentioned in reviews b/c they are just one sign of the ship's state of disrepair, which should be remedied in drydock.

It's doubtful anyone pegged any unhappiness with the cruise to the lack of level flooring.

[trubey]

Hah! Ever driven in Detroit? AAA started waiving the deductible for broken rims . . . both of mine were $650 each!

 

Lane