Zaandam!?

[wilber1]

Has anyone been on the Zaandam lately? Any updated reviews would be appreacited!

 

Thanks!:rolleyes:

[g&gtravel]

We disembarked the Zaandam 10/17. While I will not do in-depth review (but hope someone else can), I will offer our quick views.

Not having the extensive experience the most have (this was our third HAL cruise), we are probably not as critical as some. To us, the trip was wonderful. Sure you see some wear/tear areas, including minor rust spots, but none effected our enjoyment.

We arrived at embarkation at peak time. Because sail away was 3:00, boarding was confined to a smaller window of arrival time. However, boarding was handled well. Not only did they provide seating to reduce the standing in line time, but they seated everyone in the order we arrived and moved us to the line in that order, which I found very fair. The best thing they did was to keep us informed of what they were doing and why they were doing it. Understanding what the procedure was made all the difference in not getting impatient. I estimate 30ish minutes to clear boarding. Staterooms were ready before a great lunch in the MDR was complete.

The normal great service they we expected was just what we expected, if not better. The Zaandam has a great crew on board now. Cabin attendants may have greater responsibilities now, but did not let it affect the quality of the service they provided. As soon as they learned what our schedule was, they adjusted so they cleaned when we were out for breakfast and dinner. We had one small plumbing problem and the attendants noticed it and had it repaired quickly (drain leak).

The Lido staff always remembered us, remembered what we liked and cleared tables quickly, so we never were without a clean place to sit. We found the Canaletto, and it's manager Harry, to be a great experience. Pinnacle and MDR were the quality that we expected.

At disembarkation in San Diego, we did not take expedited option, but were at our gates at the airport before 10:00.

We were very pleased with our cruise and the care we received for every staff member that we came in contact with. We booked our next adventure with HAL for our next cruise.

Questions?

[g&gtravel]

Also see Review for Zaandam, which is the same cruise we were on.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=73753

[Himself]

I went to Hawaii two years ago on the Zaandam and I have nothing but good to say about this ship.

[Don_In_AZ]

We were on her last year for 15 days to Hawaii. LOVED IT! Beautiful Ship! Awesome Crew! Just the right size...

 

I would sail on her again anytime.

[dmeyer]

Thank you for that information. My wife and I will be on her next month. First time on the Zaandam, so we are glad to hear everyone likes her.

[wilber1]

Thanks for the replys! It is nice to hear good things, some of the old posts realyl slam the ship!

[vriecke]

This will be our first cruise with HAL and the Zaandam. I have some questions concerning dress codes: how formal are the formal nights? My husband and I are limited to the amount of luggage we can bring, and do not particularly care to pack/wear formal clothes. But we do like to eat in the dining rooms as much as possible, and not at the Lido for dinner. Would a sportcoat and tie be acceptable? Thanks for any info you can give!

[Old As Dirt Mom]

This will be our first cruise with HAL and the Zaandam. I have some questions concerning dress codes: how formal are the formal nights? My husband and I are limited to the amount of luggage we can bring, and do not particularly care to pack/wear formal clothes. But we do like to eat in the dining rooms as much as possible, and not at the Lido for dinner. Would a sportcoat and tie be acceptable? Thanks for any info you can give!

 

Yes, in my experience a sportcoat and tie would be acceptable for formal night.:)

[RuthC]

Would a sportcoat and tie be acceptable?

HAL's definition of "formal" isn't. A sports jacket and tie meets HAL's dress code on "formal" nights. If your DH wants to go whole hog, he can rent a tux and save even more packing space.

[vriecke]

Thanks! We definitely are not the tux types! Being from New Orleans, we go as casual and laid-back as we can. Another question (well, actually, two): 1. Is sportcoat and tie the minimum he can get away with in the dining room, and 2. How many formal nights are there during the cruise?

[RuthC]

1. Is sportcoat and tie the minimum he can get away with in the dining room,

Sportcoat and tie is the minimum that meets HAL's dress code. Can DH "get away with" less? Possibly. Many men do. Or, possibly not. Some men have been prevented from entering the dining room when they aren't at least that dressed up.

2. How many formal nights are there during the cruise?

There are only two formal nights on a 7-night cruise. Three formal nights on a 10-night.