Zuiderdam Questions

[Howdy]

I will taking my first HAL cruise on the Zuiderdam next month and have a few questions:

 

From reading on this board I know that the rooms are usually ready at 1:00; what time does the luggage usually arrive?

 

It appears that some people state that the soda card is less expensive if ordered online prior to the cruise, others say it's the same cost as purchasing on the ship...does anyone know for sure? Also, I once read that if you purchase the soda card on the ship, you will receive a "bubble cup"; any truth to that?

 

Finally, it appears that the buffet restaurant (Lido?) is always casual for dinner; on formal nights if I were to eat in the main dining room, and then change to more causual clothing, I really shouldn't look "out of place" since the assumption should be that I ate at the Lido; am I correct with this assumption?

 

Thanks for your help.

[jcrandle]

No, they will just think that you are ignorant. :(

 

Straight from the Holland America website ....

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

On festive formal evenings, women usually wear cocktail dresses or gowns and men usually wear business suits or tuxedos. There are approximately two formal nights per week. (Gentlemen: Although business suits or tuxedos are suggested attire for formal evenings, they are certainly not required. You are welcome to wear a jacket and tie on formal nights.) Formalwear for ladies and gentlemen can be pre-ordered for your use for the duration of your cruise. Just call Cruise Line Formalwear at 800-551-5091 to reserve and it will be ready in your stateroom when you board.

 

In order to complement your fellow guests, Holland America asks that you observe the suggested dress code throughout the entire evening.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Google is your friend. To search a website by keyword - in the google search field type "site:hollandamerica.com" (without the quotes) followed by your search words. I used "formal night".

[Howdy]

Jim

 

Thanks for your reply; I really would hate to be thought of as "ignorant" on my HAL cruise - you are a real lifesaver...

[spcl4cs_gal]

Jim I bought my soda card online before I sailed in March and it cost me $27.50. Someone said that they cost more onboard so that's basically why I decided on the other route. As for the bubble glass, a bartender friend of mine on the Zuiderdam told me that they don't do that anymore and I really didn't see anyone onboard with one either (except me). Who knows for sure though? :)

 

My brother and I ate in the Lido on the last formal night and there wasn't one person there who was dressed in formal clothing. It seemed pretty casual to me but of course there weren't any shorts or tank tops allowed at that time. I don't think they allow them at any dinner in the Lido but I could be mistaken.

 

Hope you enjoy your cruise. :)

[dakrewser]

The Lido is always casual for dinner, but the main DR, the show lounge, the casino and the other bars and lounges all follow the dress code of the day.

 

 

Soda cards seem to be in flux as the line is experimenting with lots of different options and pricings. What's in effect on one ship isn't necessarily matched on other. Heck, what's in effect this week on one ship may not be in effect next week on the same ship.

 

You don't pay more by ordering ahead, so I'd recommend doing that (and bringing along any documentation of the purchase that you can!)

[Howdy]

Dakrewser,

 

If one eats dinner in the Lido on formal night and dresses casual, as permitted, do I understand you correctly that they will not be allowed in the casino or any shows since they all follow the dress code of the day. If so, what do these people do or where do they go after dinner?

 

Thank you for your help.

[DRich2]

Howdy,

 

No, I have never seen anyone denied access to the casino, shows, or lounges on a formal night. My experience shows that about half of the crowd remains in formal dress. Please don't let anyone make you feel uncomfortable in casual dress after dinner. I may be in the minority on this board (but not on the ship), I dress formal for dinner (usually early seating) then change to slacks and a nice shirt for the rest of the evening.

[dakrewser]

Dakrewser,

 

If one eats dinner in the Lido on formal night and dresses casual, as permitted, do I understand you correctly that they will not be allowed in the casino or any shows since they all follow the dress code of the day. If so, what do these people do or where do they go after dinner?

 

Thank you for your help.

 

No. There are no "dress code police" on HAL ships. THey believe everyone is adult enough to understand the dress code and abide by it. There are always some, of course, who choose to ignore it.

[O2cruise]

Howdy, to answer your question about luggage - it's such a variable that there's absolutely no way to know. Sometimes it arrives shortly after you do and sometimes it arrives while you're at dinner. Just depends on when yours is off-loaded from the HUGE bins of luggage. Hope you have a great cruise!!

Marie

[Howdy]

Marie,

 

Thanks for your answer. On our last cruise on RCCL luggage was received after dinner by many passengers and at dinner were dressed in shorts, jeans, etc since they had to wear what they came aboard in, and I know HAL seems to be a more concerned about how people dress for dinner.

[dakrewser]

Marie,

 

Thanks for your answer. On our last cruise on RCCL luggage was received after dinner by many passengers and at dinner were dressed in shorts, jeans, etc since they had to wear what they came aboard in, and I know HAL seems to be a more concerned about how people dress for dinner.

 

First night is always casual dress, and because luggage is being loaded right up until the anchor is raised, some leeway is usually granted. We always book main dining, so get our luggage in plenty of time, but it's almost always been delivered before lifeboat drill and, at the latest, when we return from that exercise.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

No, they will just think that you are ignorant. :(

 

Straight from the Holland America website ....

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

On festive formal evenings, women usually wear cocktail dresses or gowns and men usually wear business suits or tuxedos. There are approximately two formal nights per week. (Gentlemen: Although business suits or tuxedos are suggested attire for formal evenings, they are certainly not required. You are welcome to wear a jacket and tie on formal nights.) Formalwear for ladies and gentlemen can be pre-ordered for your use for the duration of your cruise. Just call Cruise Line Formalwear at 800-551-5091 to reserve and it will be ready in your stateroom when you board.

 

In order to complement your fellow guests, Holland America asks that you observe the suggested dress code throughout the entire evening.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Google is your friend. To search a website by keyword - in the google search field type "site:hollandamerica.com" (without the quotes) followed by your search words. I used "formal night".

 

if you don't want to get dressed for formal dining and eat in the Lido cafeteria, are you expected to stay in your cabin the rest of the evening???

 

Bill

[dakrewser]

if you don't want to get dressed for formal dining and eat in the Lido cafeteria, are you expected to stay in your cabin the rest of the evening???

 

Bill

 

The presumption would be that you are feeling a bit under the weather so that you really wouldn't want to be in the "boisterous" atmosphere of the public areas.

 

However you could be on deck, at the movies, in the Lido area, the gym, etc. without violating the dress code.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I guess if I eat in the Lido and want to go in the public areas after eating I'll just go put my formal wear on then. I don't want anyone presuming I was feeling ill and feeling sorry for me.

Seems I have a lot to learn before my cruise gets here in July. :(

 

Bill

[Howdy]

Bill,

 

Or you can stay dressed in your casual clothes and just let everyone think that you are just "ignorant" per jcrandles post!

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I guess I'm just thick headed. You're told if you don't want to dress formal you can eat in the Lido, but if you opt for that you aren't supposed to show your face in the public areas after dinner because you aren't dressed formally. :confused:

BTW is there even a movie theater on the Zuiderdam?

 

Bill

[dakrewser]

I guess I'm just thick headed. You're told if you don't want to dress formal you can eat in the Lido, but if you opt for that you aren't supposed to show your face in the public areas after dinner because you aren't dressed formally. :confused:

BTW is there even a movie theater on the Zuiderdam?

 

Bill

 

Be thankful. When we took our first cruise (on the Carnival Exasperation :rolleyes: ) the only option to dressing for dinner on formal night was getting a "salad" (two pieces of wilted lettuce and a pinkish gray slice of tomato) or "cheese plate" (4 saltines and a couple of slices of american cheese) from room service. You were expected to stay in your cabin for the evening. And this was on Carnival!

 

Movies are shown in the Queen's Lounge. Get there early for good seats (i.e., one's from which you can see the whole screen)

[Scrumpy]

I am extremely happy that I did not find this board before our Maasdam cruise. I would have been much too anxious.

 

Bill - If you are concerned, you can throw on a decent jacket and you will be fine. It's not all tuxes and evening gowns; there is enough leeway that as long as you are reasonably decent you won't get a second glance. Flip-flops, cut-offs and a tank top aren't appropriate, but I saw people similarly dressed who weren't hauled to the brig. (They had the audacity to walk down the HALLWAYS!!!) Seriously, I assure you that there are people who alter or change out of their formal evening wear after dinner - and the choices they make are not necessarily inappropriate. Some change completely and take it down a notch or two, but many are still mostly formal and make changes for reasons of comfort - changing shoes (esp. women; it's nicer than carrying their heels & I saw a lot of that, too), removing ties, etc. is fairly common. There seems to be reasonable compromise; others may not see it that way, but that is the way it is once you are on the ship. Btw, generally speaking, I believe that unless you have a strong attachment to blue jeans, you might as well leave them at home and bring an extra pair of slacks (Dockers or dress pants) instead. That's only my opinion, but if you plan to adhere to the dress code, jeans will get minimal use. Disregard that if you need them for shore excursions, of course. Columbia zip-offs double as pants and shorts, are lightweight, have lots of pockets and can do the "work" of a pair of jeans, if those interest you...

 

You may have movies in your room also. We did and I think that also applies to Zuiderdam. Ours were the same as the ones shown in the theatre.

 

If you decide to go in public, you could take a top hat and pop that on when you venture out of your cabin; maybe add a fancy walking stick and you're good to go. :)

Scrumpy