SeaDate

There are posts on every line's boards that are 100% "Worst in the world everything". Like most, I disregard them, but I do amuse myself when reading them trying to figure out if the posters can be so pampered in their real life as to find everything and everyone beneath their expectations, or are they just such malcontents in real life and that is their genuine outlook on everything. With food, entertainment, ship's décor, etc. being so subjective, I can not imagine that there was not anything that met these posters' expectations.

 

As for Zuiderdam, we put off for a long time trying HAL because their ships do seem to generate an awful lot of mechanical issues. Finally we sailed 8/31 inside passage, had an excellent cruise, and did not hear of any ship board mechanical issues. So when it came to some "use it or lose it" vacation time, we gladly booked the 11/8 Panama Canal on her. We again had an excellent cruise, but their were some serious issues with non working AC in aft facing cabins on three decks, and indications seem to be that this existed for at least the two prior sailings, and HAL knowingly put more passengers in these rooms. Even though it did not affect me, I have been pretty vocal here about what I feel is callous disregard for those customers in particular, but I still have to rate my own experiences as excellent, and did so on the HAL survey.

We were on the same cruise. We were fortunate that we had no A/C issues but I also know that the aft cabins did have problems. I agree with you that it was/is unacceptable for HAL to book those cabins knowing there were/are issues. We too had an excellent cruise.

I was going through ship reviews and found a couple of reviews of the Zuiderdam from the same person. One said they were on the ship in Sept, the other said they were on the ship in Oct. Both were extremely neg, poor marks in every category. The interesting comment was that they would never, ever, ever sail HAL again! So, my take is that these are BS reviews because they were basically the same comments on each review. I also read one that was written about the same cruise I was on. Several inaccuracies to say the very least about the ship, crew, food, and anything else they could think up. They must have been the unluckiest people in the world on that cruise. Would never want to stand near, ride with, fly with, or cruise with them - the world may end around them at any second:rolleyes:

I'm not a HAL cheerleader, 4 out of 23 cruises, and yes there were issues with the A/C but ...... I've had issues on numerous cruise lines but never ever had a bad cruise.

Trollers waste everyone's time by their BS. Sorry, it makes me very angry when I see crap like that on the boards.

Is it close enough to the pier that I can walk with two children, or do I need a taxi?

The BF museum is on the far end of Duval Street, about a mile from the dock, if you are at Pier B. I'm lucky enough to live here in Key Paradise. Nothing is far - the down town area is only about 1 mile by 1 mile. The entire island is only 2 miles by 4 miles.

Have a wonderful time in Key West.

OK - Now I'm jumping in. Although, I think I'll stay away from the comment that "most smokers seem to be broke" - THAT'S JUST TOO HYSTERICAL FOR WORDS.

 

I'm only jumping in because I do believe that the cruise lines read these boards and I get tired of mostly the non or anti-smokers speaking their peace.

 

I LOVE cruising - period! My cruise experience has changed drastically because of these smoking issues, but I am trying to deal with the changes. I love Hal and Princess, although up until these smoking changes, I loved Princess more (Elite). I still cruise both lines. HAL - a balcony only and yes, find that I spend much more time in my cabin on HAL. Princess, I choose my inside cabin somewhere close to a smoking area.

 

My biggest irritation with this thread is the whole argument of all smokers being inconsiderate and the idea that no one ever complains of inconsiderate non-smokers. Well, OK let me voice my complaints on the inconsiderate non-smokers that I have encountered.

 

I have seen it go from the simple coughing and waving thing that has gone on for years. To the women who proudly wrote on this board - how she would "hold her breath and run through the casino to get to the showroom". Until one evening when it was too crowded and she was running out of breath - so she started running faster and "knocked a women over sending the lady's drink into the air and the women to the floor". She claimed she kept running and never looked back. To me that is beyond rude and in "my world" I consider that assault. When all the women simply had to do, was go up one flight of stairs or use the elevator to go to the showroom without going through the casino.

 

Rude non-smoker? Last year I was gambling in the casino (and yes smoking) when a hysterical women came up to me screaming hysterically and pointing (inches from my face) at me saying "you are a horrible person and should be ashamed of yourself" over and over again. She was banned from the casino for the rest of the cruise (a 28 day one to be exact).

 

I have story after story that I "could" tell about rude and inconsiderate non-smokers. That same 28 day cruise on a large ship, I watched day after day, non-smokers filling the smoking side of the aft pool tables, when the non-smoking side was completely empty.

 

To me it has always simply been an issue of politeness and common sense. I have seen time and time again, non-smokers walk by a smoking area and loudly make rude and obnoxious statements to those of us in the area. That's not inconsiderate? I would never consider walking through the gym making comments about "addicted gym people". Or make rude comments to an overweight person because I see them eating an ice cream.

 

OK, getting off my soap box now, I have too go through my couch looking for coins to buy my next pack of cigarettes. WOW, it's going to take a lot of panhandling to pay for that 15 night cruise next month since "us smokers are all broke".

Amen! Will these boards never cease ref smoking. HA allows smoking on the balconies and other limited areas - end of discussion, so deal with it. if they change their policy, the smokers will have to deal with it - and I doubt you will read the constant b....... from the smokers.

I was on the NA 3-10 March and absolutly loved it.

The Cabana Club is on the 11th Deck overlooking the main pool. You can either get one for a week, $299, or get them by day, not sure of the cost. It is very quiet, no battling for chairs, either in or out of the sun, fresh fruit is provided, cold water, order breakfast or lunch. Under the tent is a table with two chairs and two very nice lounge chairs. I had a couple of nice naps!!! I'm sure they they would round up someone to take a drink order. At 3 PM they bring champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries. It is open from 8AM, maybe earlier, until 5 PM. There are tents on the Lido deck by the pool but you are only guaranteed the chairs/lounger under the tent. Those are cheaper.