Sailingpeace

Do you just want specific info about beaches or do you want to do other kind of activities ?

Just off a 14 days in an aft cabin on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Did one earlier in the year, on the Zuiderdam. Zuiderdam balcony was big and on every other deck, was even bigger , enough for lounge chairs in addition to regular chairs. Not the case on NA. Some people love looking at the trail the ship leaves in the ocean. We did for a while but prefer view from the side of the ship. Also we found it noisy and it annoyed us sometimes when relaxing on the balcony. One on deck four, one on deck five.

We also felt somwtimes some vibration that we have not experiences mid-ship.

Wonderful cruises, but good news for people who love those cabins, we won't be trying to get one from now on.

We stayed there one post-cruise. Horrible service from front desk. Impossible to get the same answer twice. Kept us waiting from hour to hour with different excuses each time , even contradicting themselves telling us that it was impossible another staffer had said that. Room with funny bed base, perfect toe bumper, ouch.

Something must have change about documents. I use a very nice leather looking folder/pouch with Holland logo imbossed to carry travel documents. It is the size of a big envelope. Very elegant and mostly very practical. My mom passed it on to me.

Got off yesterday from Nieuw Amsterdam. Two weeks cruise (B2B). Muster was on deck, outside , calling names and cabin numbers. Some people were very late. Officer had to ask for silence so we could hear instructions. At least we were on the shade side. DH can't stand for long. Glad to hear new peocedure is beeing introduced.

We also always went as soon as asked. But having to stand extra time because we are waiting for late arrivals makes us wonder if we should wait and join at last minute...

The "foie gras" poutine from the restaurant " Au pied de cochon " is very famous.

http://news.nationalpost.com/life/travel/where-to-go-in-montreal-for-poutine-topped-with-lobster-foie-gras-as-well-as-classic-picks-for-the-purists?__lsa=d88b-1558

http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/tag/foie-gras-duck-liver-poutine-in-montreal/

Bon appetit !

We were on the Zuiderdam last winter. We had an aft cabin. ( not a corner one). it was really nice and big but we only had two regular chairs . The deck above us had as big or bigger balconies with the two regular chairs but they also had two loungers ! You have to ask what size and furniture will be for your specific deck. we are not aft cruisers but for the loungers we would book such a cabin.

If my memory is ok , Zuiderdam has some absolutely great balconies aft , some with two regular chairs and two beach chairs ( loungers). No crowd ! ( but no pool ;)

We were on the Zuiderdam in February and we did not have loungers on our aft facing balcony. Just two regular chairs and a minuscule table. We were on deck 4. Our deck 5 upstairs neighbors had two loungers in addition to two regular chairs. We had a really big balcony and there would have been room for them.

This link may be helpful in figuring out how easy it is to get from one area to the other and connecting metro stations with points of interest.

In the Olympic village area, you can go up the stadium tower and get a unique view of the city and the surroundings.

http://mtlmap.com/

There are also some hotels in that area. Nothing chic or fancy cuisine but pre cruise ok. You are also not too far from Little Italy where you can get some awsome meals ! Also accessible by metro or short taxi ride.

Bienvenue a Montreal !

I found the "Indulgences" list for 2015 and for the Suite Amenities package, it's written as if the package is only available for Suites. But, from reading the posts here, it sounds like it's available for all rooms. Can someone clarify?

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/assets/cruise-vacation-onboard/Onboard_Gifts.pdf

 

Suite Amenities Package (for all Suites, excluding Neptune Suites) — prices starting at $289.00 includes complimentary laundry and pressing; Holland America bathrobe with monogram of choice; in-stateroom High Tea or daily canapés; fresh flowers; special VIP debarkation procedures; special VIP debarkation lounge; Pillows a la Carte Menu; initial stateroom beverage setup; $50 Beverage Card; Pinnacle Grill dinner

We were on the Westerdam last november . We had a verandah cabin. We ordered the Suite amenities package and a comfirmation folder with all the details was in our cabin as we boarded. Luckily I validated the info about booking here on cc. The first time had I chatted with Holland to clarify if we could indeed get the package, the rep wrote back NO it is not available to passengers sailing in a verandah cabin and even went as far as writing " this is why it is called a Suite package". I did think at the time that the irony was a litle rude. I did not bring it up with Holland, but I do find it funny now to know he was wrong.

Welcome Host Anne and thank you in advance for your work and care for this forum ! Thank you and best of luck to Host Michell ! Happy and peaceful sailing to all !

I was also on this cruise, and have to point out that the seas were pretty rough during this cruise. We were also on for the previous cruise, and over the 21 days, we only had 3 or 4 days of smooth sailing ...

It seemed to me that the seas we got were similar to other kind of rough seas we experienced sometimes in this region on some ohter ships , but this time we felt the mouvement more and I wonder if it is only because we were aft facing ( our first time, we usually sail mid or mid aft). Also , we were on deck four , and the grumbling vibrating noise was loud on some nights. Loud enough to be annoying and wake us up. But I agree we did get some very smooth days and nights probing that the ship can also be stable and quiet. We enjoy some rocking at night and are used to it. This time it was a different type of moving .

To help us understand the purpose of the question, can you tell us what the information would be useful for ?

watch this short video: https://vid.me/emGf

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Sounds better than what I called her before we boarded. ... Zoo-we-derdam.

Just got off ( yesterday) from Zuiderdam. Wonderful cruise ! First cruise on the Z and first aft facing cabin. On a few night the noise , vibration and shaking woke us up. We usually book mid or mid aft but often spend days on top deck all the way front. We have sailed the Carribean many times. I know it is impossible to really compare because so many factors are to be considered ( type of waves, current, wind, ship direction to name a few). Someone from told us it had nothing to do with the aft cabin and that hers was midship and she felt the same thing. We still wonder if we would have felt the same thing on another ship like for example the Emerald or Royal Princess or the newer Holland ships. I also know that size is not necessarely a factor. So question is, how stable is the Zuiderdam compare to other cruise ships ? I was told she does have and use stabilizers.

I am not sure I understand the purpose of knowing if a passenger is a smoker. Would it be like asking if the passenger has healthy eating habits or exercises ?

Just got off the Zuiderdam, aft ( facing aft, looking at the wake) cabin deck 4 , not a corner balcony.

There were two regular chairs and a very very small table. We also had two ottomans. No loungers. Our deck 5 upstairs neighbors had loungers in addition to the regular chairs. Room attendants told us they never saw loungers on deck four but I don't know how long they have been on the ship.

Or, if you prefer, you can also turn it in as a down payment on a more expensive bottle, and just pay the difference.

I think of it as an upgrade. :D

Thanks RuthC , good to know. Who do you ask for the wine upgrade?

cheers !

Just read that the balcony furniture on the Zuiderman has been recently changed. Anyone know if it is still two loungers and two regular chairs on the aft balconies , just newer ones ?

Thank you Joanie, for the info and the good news ! Looks like we are going to experience our first aft balcony ! Take care .

Did a lot of searches but no success. Sorry if I missed the info.

Are there loungers ,in addition to regular chairs, on the balconies of cabins facing aft on deck four , upper deck promenade? ( 4174,4176,4178,4179 and 4181,4183). Same question for deck five, and are the balconies size different on these two decks ?

Thanks.

Medium lenth hair, thick and curly. Dryer does the job well. Use ship shampoo but I bring my own conditionner . Not related to hair , but shower gel is heaven as far as I am concerned.

You are in my prayers. Until you are back on a real ship, I suggest you do what athletes do and use the visualisation technique. A ship , the ocean and your favorite ports are wonderful places to send your mind. Close your eyes and make a scenario of you walking around the ship, doing your favorite things. Try to see all the details in the decor, remember the sounds , the textures of the chairs, the bedding etc. , the smell of the fresh air and some exotics ports. Also to keep your mind occupied on positive and beautiful things, concentrate on deciding the top three of all the categories you can think of; best ports, best excursion, best meal, best cabin, best show, best embarkation procedure, funniest moment, etc, etc.

For us it is , no hesitation, Embassy suites. Shopping mall right behind ( with Total wine) , nice included breakfast ,nice free happy hour and we each time got a room with a view of the ships. Did not like service at Hilton Marina. We also relax by the pool in a nice decor.