First time HAL cruiser, just of the Zuiderdam

[CruisinShips]

15 hours ago, jlocole said:

Thanks for the review.  I have PC booked on Zuiderdam next year. I was on her on an Alaska cruise a few years ago.

I hope no scooters run me down.  I agree, they often feel like they own the aisle.

Questions:

When did you book the cabana?  AT LEAST A COUPLE OF MONTHS BEFORE THE CRUISE...YOU MUST CALL, CAN'T DO IT ON THEIR WEBSITE

Did you watch any movies in the theatre? NO

Did you visit any beaches?  (Other than Half Moon) NO, SORRY BUT WE LIVE IN SOUTH FL, SO BEACHES AREN'T HIGH ON OUR LIST WHEN WE CRUISE.

 

 

 

 

[*Miss G*]

22 minutes ago, Dolby1000 said:

Thank you for the review, as we sail on her on the 31st.

 

Can you tell me about this cabana?  What is it?  Where is it located and the cost?

 

Thanks again.

 

The cabanas are on Deck 11 Sports Deck.  You need to call Ship Services to reserve.  You can also make a preference request as to location.  The Family Cabanas are the first to go as they are the largest and there are only two of them.  Here is the brochure.  As far as I am aware the pricing remains the same.

 

[kamac56]

I appreciate the reviews, I never do them due to nasty comments that almost always come because someone doesn't agree with me.  So I appreciate the fact that you two are taking the risk.  I myself cruise just to get away from 72+" of snow each year. We will be on the Zuiderdam March 31st as well we did this same cruise same room three years ago and enjoyed ourselves.  We are just looking forward to sitting on the balcony and sending pictures of warm weather to our friends back home shoveling this crap! But again thanks you for your reviews!!!!!!!

[Walfam]

2 minutes ago, kamac56 said:

 We will be on the Zuiderdam March 31st as well we did this same cruise same room three years ago and enjoyed ourselves.  We are just looking forward to sitting on the balcony and sending pictures of warm weather to our friends back home shoveling this crap! But again thanks you for your reviews!!!!!!!

 

I wish there was room in your suitcase for me to stowaway.  

[CruisinShips]

37 minutes ago, Dolby1000 said:

Thank you for the review, as we sail on her on the 31st.

 

Can you tell me about this cabana?  What is it?  Where is it located and the cost?

 

Thanks again.

Cabanas are midship on Deck 11 (a little hard to find at first).  They can be rented by the day, or for the entire cruise (it was $599 for the cruise).  We were very surprised at how many went unused.  I think there were about 6 of them that were reserved for the duration, and on sea days a few more were occupied.  For us, it literally made the cruise.  We were there for some span of time nearly every day....anywhere from an hour to all day.  We would even go to relax after excursions.

As I said in my review, the service was outstanding, it was typically comfortable temperature wise with the breezes in the cabanas (sometimes the outside was downright windy).

[Aquahound]

22 hours ago, CruisinShips said:

The answer to your question is YES, but based solely on the itinerary. 

 

I pretty much feel the same way.  Compared to other lines, HAL doesn't offer much except interesting itineraries.  I liked your comparison to Oasis.  Not many people would compare a HAL ship to Oasis but you're right; they spent some time designing Oasis and those ships flow very nicely and are surprisingly not crowded.  Like you, I also miss a grand central atrium on HAL ships.  And when it comes to suite perks, HAL is pretty much last in line.  

 

I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise overall.  Like kamac56 said, it takes courage to report anything other than a totally glowing review around here.  Sad but true.    

[knittinggirl]

We've also been in a Grand Suite on Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas and had a fabulous Concierge, Francis.   He sent us emails the week before departure, and he also facilitated the best disembark we've ever had.    We waited in the Concierge/Viking Crown, and he took us in groups down the elevator to the gangplank on deck 1.   He stuck his key in the elevator panel, and turned the elevator into nonstop.  I was wondering if all the Royal Caribbean ships do the disembark that way.  He also told us that the Concierge lounge was for suite passengers only.  I guess they had too many diamond plus members on that cruise.

 

I don't remember any laundry service with the Grand Suite on Royal Caribbean.

 

And we've been in a neptune a couple of times on HAL.  The concierge was on duty the entire time it was open.  We did have some scheduling conflicts for the Pinnacle grill, but decided it was a good way to save money.  Not that we needed to save money, because we had a huge amount of onboard  credit for that cruise. 

 

We're always impressed with the laundry service on HAL, and now we're getting laundry service as a loyalty perk.  Much better than the laundry perk on Royal Caribbean.

 

 

[chill6x6]

CruisinShips,

I enjoyed your review!  

 

Yeah HA could tweak their suite amenities a little.  A cocktail time in the Neptune Lounge WOULD be a good place to start.  It wouldn't have to be that elaborate either OR cost them that much.  What's the point in having a Neptune LOUNGE?  The reserved seating that Royal includes is a lot more of a benefit than one can imagine and it doesn't cost the cruise line a thing.  I especially enjoyed it around the pool on Liberty/Navigator/etc.  One thing I like on NCL...suite guest meet at a designated area when coming into ports then ALL are escorted off the ship FIRST.  It was GREAT!  Cost to cruise line?  NOTHING!  When it comes to concierges...IDK, I think it depends on the concierge as to whether they will do/arrange this/that.  I've had some that seemingly could arrange anything....some seem to have the word "no" formed on their lips before the question is asked.  The last HA cruise I was on(Eurodam) the concierges would bend over backwards to please.   

 

Again, enjoyed your review! 

[CruisinShips]

2 minutes ago, chill6x6 said:

CruisinShips,

I enjoyed your review!  

 

Yeah HA could tweak their suite amenities a little.  A cocktail time in the Neptune Lounge WOULD be a good place to start.  It wouldn't have to be that elaborate either OR cost them that much.  What's the point in having a Neptune LOUNGE?  The reserved seating that Royal includes is a lot more of a benefit than one can imagine and it doesn't cost the cruise line a thing.  I especially enjoyed it around the pool on Liberty/Navigator/etc.  One thing I like on NCL...suite guest meet at a designated area when coming into ports then ALL are escorted off the ship FIRST.  It was GREAT!  Cost to cruise line?  NOTHING!  When it comes to concierges...IDK, I think it depends on the concierge as to whether they will do/arrange this/that.  I've had some that seemingly could arrange anything....some seem to have the word "no" formed on their lips before the question is asked.  The last HA cruise I was on(Eurodam) the concierges would bend over backwards to please.   

 

Again, enjoyed your review! 

 

Thank you.  I agree with all of that.  All good suite perk tweaks that don't cost them (and that shouldn't offend non-suite guests to any great extent).  And speaking of Royal..their Suite Lounge/Coastal Kitchen area on the Oasis class ships is a real highlight if anyone is considering one of those ships.

[chill6x6]

5 minutes ago, CruisinShips said:

 

Thank you.  I agree with all of that.  All good suite perk tweaks that don't cost them (and that shouldn't offend non-suite guests to any great extent).  And speaking of Royal..their Suite Lounge/Coastal Kitchen area on the Oasis class ships is a real highlight if anyone is considering one of those ships.

We were JUST on the Oasis in November and were in an OS.  It was a nice experience.  We have a NS on the Rotterdam coming up this month.   

[Maggie North]

Thank you for your review; we are on same ship and itinerary next week. This will be our first HAL cruise on a non-Pinnacle ship.  Looking forward to smaller crowd and exploring a smaller ship. 

 

[bEwAbG]

 

2 hours ago, chill6x6 said:

One thing I like on NCL...suite guest meet at a designated area when coming into ports then ALL are escorted off the ship FIRST.

 

The concierges on Nieuw Amsterdam did this on one of the port stops in Alaska last May.  I don't even remember which port but I'm guessing it was Skagway because there were lots of early morning excursions.  Anyway, they approached us the night before and told us to be in the lounge by a certain time and then did exactly as you describe.  However, they did not do that for any of the other port stops, but we also didn't need it, frankly.  I wonder if maybe they just use their discretion depending on the port?

Edited March 12, 2019 by bEwAbG