Quick Zuiderdam Review

[Katbird93]

Recently returned from Zuiderdam and thought I would post a quick review and answer any questions anyone may have.

I am 49 and DH is 53. Fifth cruise - first one on HAL.

We were unable to leave the day before and as it turned out our plane was late, but HAL staff at airport were great at getting us to ship.

Room SY6096 - Loved it! Great location on ship and enjoyed the balcony.

Food - Enjoyed most of it. Had room service almost every morning and was great. If it wasn't on the menu - request it. If they have it they will bring it. Lido was ok - preferred the grill if we were having a quick lunch or snack. We had 8:00 upstairs table for 2 dining. Food was very good. Ate there every night except one. We stayed in and had room service on balcony.

Ports - Really enjoyed them all except Half Moon Cay. We aren't beach people and felt it was really just a way to get more money out of you. Stayed there about an hour and returned to ship and enjoyed the pool area. Would have liked to have stayed in Grand Turk longer. Just wasn't time to do to much, so just stayed in the ship dock area. Tortola is beautiful. Hired our own cab and had him take us around the island. St. Thomas - have been there several times. Did some shopping and had lunch at Cuzzin's for lunch (recommended on this board). Great lunch - highly recommend.

Staff - Extremely nice and hard working. They seemed to be very tired by the end of our cruise. They treated us great and were always there when needed.

Massage - DH and I had a couples massage. While it was pretty expensive ($266 plus tip) it was worth it for us. Very enjoyable.

We also did a couple of martini classes at Atrium Bar (our favorite), which was fun and a great way to meet others.

Post Cruise - Stayed at the Marriott Hollywood Beach, which was booked through HAL. Nice hotel, but very overpriced. They did not even offer to help with our bags! For $300/night I think I will go elsewhere!

We really had a great time and would cruise again on HAL. Like the smaller areas. As a past smoker I really hate to bring this up, but they really need better ventilation systems in smoking areas.

If I can answer any questions, please let me know.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[bigredcrusier]

Thanks for the review. I was on the westerdam two years ago and have never heard of the martini classes. Did you have to sign up for those like the cooking classes? I know my wife would love that class!

[TrojanCruiser]

My wife & I were on the Ryndam last year for our 1st cruise with HAL. We enjoyed the Explorations Cafe and Library. How's the Erasmus Library on the Zuiderdam? Did it get crowded? Thanks.

[SweetP2]

Thanks for the Zuiderdam review, gets us all excited, AGAIN!

 

Yes, I too am intrigued to know more about the Martini Classes. How you booked and when? Cost? Yummy...

[earl_m]

Glad that you enjoy it. maybe you might try Hal again in the near future.

[Katbird93]

I think the classes were actually listed on the daily activity sheet as Mixology Classes. There were two of them (as far as I know) I think on at sea days. The cost was $15 per person and you learned how to prepare and had 4 different martini's. Just show up at the bar at the designated time - in this case it was 3:00 p.m. The first time we each paid the $15 and the second time we shared. They give you the recipes to take with you. Either check with the bartender at the atrium bar (that's where they were) or on the daily activity sheet.

I did not go into the library, but it seemed to be busy always and there was a giant puzzle on the table that people would stop in a put a piece in.

[TOM CRUIZES]

Hi thanks for your review, when you hired the Taxi in Tortola what price did you pay and for how long, also did they have 6-7 seat taxis available.

thanks

[berylde]

leaving on the 24th on zuiderdam for Eastern Carribbean.

 

Have made reservatins ahead of time with Mc Lean's taxi/van. It will be $120 for 4 of us in A/C vechile for 3 hour tour of tortola

 

My e-mail is Berylde@aol.com, if you need more info

 

First HAL cruise

[innlady1]

Recently returned from Zuiderdam and thought I would post a quick review and answer any questions anyone may have.

I am 49 and DH is 53. Fifth cruise - first one on HAL.

We were unable to leave the day before and as it turned out our plane was late, but HAL staff at airport were great at getting us to ship.

Room SY6096 - Loved it! Great location on ship and enjoyed the balcony.

Food - Enjoyed most of it. Had room service almost every morning and was great. If it wasn't on the menu - request it. If they have it they will bring it. Lido was ok - preferred the grill if we were having a quick lunch or snack. We had 8:00 upstairs table for 2 dining. Food was very good. Ate there every night except one. We stayed in and had room service on balcony.

Ports - Really enjoyed them all except Half Moon Cay. We aren't beach people and felt it was really just a way to get more money out of you. Stayed there about an hour and returned to ship and enjoyed the pool area. Would have liked to have stayed in Grand Turk longer. Just wasn't time to do to much, so just stayed in the ship dock area. Tortola is beautiful. Hired our own cab and had him take us around the island. St. Thomas - have been there several times. Did some shopping and had lunch at Cuzzin's for lunch (recommended on this board). Great lunch - highly recommend.

Staff - Extremely nice and hard working. They seemed to be very tired by the end of our cruise. They treated us great and were always there when needed.

Massage - DH and I had a couples massage. While it was pretty expensive ($266 plus tip) it was worth it for us. Very enjoyable.

We also did a couple of martini classes at Atrium Bar (our favorite), which was fun and a great way to meet others.

Post Cruise - Stayed at the Marriott Hollywood Beach, which was booked through HAL. Nice hotel, but very overpriced. They did not even offer to help with our bags! For $300/night I think I will go elsewhere!

We really had a great time and would cruise again on HAL. Like the smaller areas. As a past smoker I really hate to bring this up, but they really need better ventilation systems in smoking areas.

If I can answer any questions, please let me know.

 

Thanks for the review, Katbird.

 

I agree on the ventilation for smoking. I, too, am a former smoker (haven't smoked for 7 years), and walking through the casino on the Noordam last week was enough to make me sick. The casino is non-smoking but the smoke filtered out from the adjacent Sports Bar. Every smoker on the ship must have been crammed in there! It wasn't as bad on the smoking side of the pool area. The fresh air up there helped.

 

I do think that "former smokers" are more sensitive to smoke than someone who has never smoked. At least that's the way it is with DH and I.

[olechka]

Thank you for the review. We're on Zudeirdam on the 24th, 25 more days to go, can't wait!!!

[Katbird93]

Hi thanks for your review, when you hired the Taxi in Tortola what price did you pay and for how long, also did they have 6-7 seat taxis available.

thanks

I think we payed $20, he took us to Sopher's Hole and then picked us back up 3 hours later. He then took us to another restaurant/bar (can't remember the name) just down the road. We stopped and had a beer and bought him a 7-up and then we returned to town for another $20. There are very windy roads along the coast and it is very pretty. I felt more comfortable in a regular car then in the large open truck/bus cabs. I am sure there are van cabs. We waited until we were in town rather than right off the pier to get one. Have a great time!:)