Reds4life

How about lobster, shrimp, crab legs? Any of those on Lido or in MDR?

Gosh that sounds amazing! Can't wait until Dec 29

Sounds like two very good options. I am primarily concerned with whether the buffet has the beef choices that the MDR does. I like steak, prime rib, tenderloin, etc and lots of it. I would love to see prime rib on a buffet. Also, does HAL have lobster on formal night? I am a bit disappointed that the MDR has the shorts rule but will pack one or two pair of khakis I suppose just to appease. Can you wear shorts on non formal nights? If you order the MDR choices for room service, can you order more than one entree?

We are going on our first HAL cruise from Dec 29 to Jan 3. Upon looking at some of the menu posted online, it appears that the buffet on HAL is a little more extensive than other cruise lines particularly for dinner. Is this generally true? Can you get the same entrees on the Lido buffet as the MDR on most nights? This is of great importance to us because our cruise is a Caribbean cruise and we like to pack light if we can. We only dress up for formal nights if the menu is really good compared to the buffet. Thus, if the buffet has the same dishes then we would rather pass on the dress up. Any information is appreciated as always

Thanks that is good to know! I think they will definitely try the pizza regardless but generally have been a bit spoiled by MSC with pizza, but RCCL pizza was ok as well. I was kinda hoping for the NY Deli kind but I am sure we will manage lol 🙂

Man that's what I was afraid of. My kiddos are pizza snobs and only like quality. Although they did like Royal Caribbean's ok. MSC was top notch.

I have seen the NY Deli and Pizza advertised on some of the other ships, but does Zuiderdam have pizza? Is it the hand-made crust, freshly baked variety?

Proud to be from Appalachia. Born and raised. I try to make the world a better place everywhere I go.

That's what I am talking about

I have the AMEX Gold Delta card and I don't see the offer. Hoping that it does work for it though

I am only referring to the main dining room. If I am reading this correctly, no additional charges for multiple entrees, apps, or desserts in MDR? Just making sure

I can relate. I almost always order two entrees - usually one beef or chicken and the other seafood. Usually a soup and salad as well. Thanks

I saw this mentioned in another thread that there is possibly a limit on the number of appetizers or entrees in the main dining room? Is that true?

I am sold lol. Waiting on the rest of the group to be all in.

You are correct. Sorry. I agree with you. Thanks to those that have offered very meaningful content, suggestions, and descriptions of the onboard experience.

As an educator, I encourage students to listen to others questions and try and formulate an answer to the question given and try and contribute to any discussion. Many on here did not read the details about our family and our preferences and ignored our questions. They gave opinions on non-relevant topics which were not applicable to any of the items I asked advice on. I have no idea why you would get on this thread and spout off about "seeking confirmation, not advice" when you don't know our family. The advice we are seeking is specific and the advice which is irrelevant is not useful. Also as an educator, I stress that if you don't have anything important to say other than attack others then you keep quiet. Try it.

We are still considering Zuiderdam. Again, my kids absolutely do NOT want to meet other kids or attend a glorified babysitting kids club. They HATE the kids clubs. That is not what they are looking for at all. I think they are going to be fine with the daily activities as we tend to do things together and enjoy the outside. I was happy to see some of the itineraries have the cooking shows available and comedians. That is a very good thing for us to attend. I think our problem is that we want to see some evening entertainment that we can do together. Again, NOT kids clubs or sitting around drinking listening to classical music. We don't drink nor listen to classical music. Just an evening show of some type in the main theater should be a minimum. We very much always communicate extensively with our kids. We are educators and very much understand child development. They are very independent and do not like going on vacation to meet other kids. We go to enjoy our time together doing something different. The "different" is what I am looking for from Holland

Just want to say thanks to everyone who provided information. I honestly have to say I have my reservations about HAL. I am ok with something different, but it seems like they don't really put much effort into basic things like entertaining their guests. We like to feel like we are getting something special for our money when we travel. We enjoy just the basics of relaxing in a lounger and enjoying the sun, but also like to know that there are some other activities to do. Seems like HAL comes across as lazy or just not caring to try in this area. Some of you mentioned that my 82 year old mother would enjoy this ship. May I ask why you feel that way?

Question about the Amber Cove port...it says Day 3 9am then Day 4 depart 2am. Does this mean Day 3 9am arrival and stay that entire day then ANOTHER whole day then leave at 2am? Or just arrive at 9am and leave at 2am basically 2 hours after midnight of Day 3? Then Day 4 is a sea day?

Sorry, but the post is specific to this ship in the given time frame.

We only have a limited time frame after Christmas and this is the ship that works for that.

Thank you so much! We just, ironically, took Quantum to Alaska in July and we almost took Zuiderdam then. They were about the same price and we chose Quantum for the kids because we were worried about not being able to be outside as much as we usually are in Alaska. A couple questions: - Is the New York Pizza on the buffet or at the Dive In restaurant? - What do guests do for entertainment in the evenings if there is not a show? - I would be interested to see if the Zuiderdam will feature any of the following on your Alaska trip that I have seen in past daily planners: A comedian, cooking demonstration, BBC in Concert, and any live singing in the main theater (Cantare?). The last several reviews on CC have mentioned complaints about some of the normal features missing. Since this will be a short cruise, it is not a big concern but we do feel like that they should make a bit of an effort to provide something.

Interesting perspectives. I don't mean to make my kids seem odd. They are very athletic and enjoy water sports, but also very well rounded and intellectual. Honestly, they don't like ANY kids clubs because the activities, counselors, and other kids usually seem immature and annoying. Again, too much flirty, loud, obnoxious efforts to be "cool" which comes across to them as fake and forced. We may take a chance on HAL. They appreciate good food, enjoy a swimming pool, and tend to be easy to please. I saw that they have cooking demonstrations. Any info on those? (Kids like those too lol) Also, any info on the BBC Earth or One Step Dance?

Disney is about 4X more expensive for this particular window. Can't do that one lol.

Wow. Thanks so much for the information! I really didn't expect that much, but it is certainly appreciated. The pricing for the cruise on Zuiderdam for 5 nights is about the same as RCI and Carnival for 4. So, we are definitely considering for the value and because it looks like a different experience. What do you guys mean when you say "enrichment"? I noticed some of the Alaska itineraries had what looked like informative sessions on wildlife, nature, etc. Again, my kids are a little different than most and would probably rather go hiking at a National Park than go to "meet and greet" with kids they don't know and all join each others social media. I feel like they may be cool with attending some of these sessions or the BBC Earth shows. My youngest also like theater and might like some One Step Dance productions. The production shows is one of her favorite aspects about MSC. Do they have any comedy shows? And, do they have Harry Potter specific trivia? And, lastly, the itinerary says Amber Cove arrive on Day 3 at 9am and leave Day 4 at 2AM. Is this a 17 hour timeframe from 9am on Day 3 to truly 2am on Day 4 and then Day 4 becomes a sea day? Or do they stay for the rest of Day 3 and all of Day 4 as well? Thanks again for your responses 🙂