Any recent pics of the interior of Zuiderdam

[itzmered]

I keep reading about how bad of shape the Zuiderdam is in. I would love to see some pics of different interior areas to see just how bad of shape she actually is in. I have read more than once about the furniture in cabins have worn/torn fabric and the same with the carpet and furniture in lounges. I realize it is going in for drydock late this year but do they actually replace all the furniture and carpeting? It sounds like this is just a short routine drydock and not a full blown overhaul.

 

I will be really disappointed if I take my sister on her first cruise and the ship looks run down :( I have never experienced this type of conditions on any of the Princess ships we have been on.

[foodgirl]

I too would like to see some as I am booked for next spring to Alaska. I have heard so many mixed opinions here and as I plan to take friends who have never cruised with us I don't want a bad impression either. I was on the Z during her inaugural year and loved it but sounds like it's not been kept up well. I do hope someone has some pics to share.

[IRL_Joanie]

I keep reading about how bad of shape the Zuiderdam is in. I would love to see some pics of different interior areas to see just how bad of shape she actually is in. I have read more than once about the furniture in cabins have worn/torn fabric and the same with the carpet and furniture in lounges. I realize it is going in for drydock late this year but do they actually replace all the furniture and carpeting? It sounds like this is just a short routine drydock and not a full blown overhaul.

 

I will be really disappointed if I take my sister on her first cruise and the ship looks run down :( I have never experienced this type of conditions on any of the Princess ships we have been on.

I Love the Zuiderdam!! She is my favorite of ALL the HAL ships and am even booked on her once again for 2 more weeks May 2013. I was on her for 2 weeks in September and they had to pry me off of her.

 

Photos of her staterooms and interiors can be found here along with descriptions of her by fellow CC members: http://abqreunion2008.com/Zuiderdam/index.html

 

Just an FYI, there is NOT a Doggoned thing wrong with her!! Her only problem is people who shop around for the best prices, paying less than a Luxury Cruise price for a HAL ship and then expecting top of the line experiences.

 

When I say that, let me explain, they want Elegance and the ambiance of a top of the line cruise, but are only willing to pay for a mass market premium line.

 

Think Titanic 1st class over 2nd or 3rd class. You get what you pay for in this case I'd have to compare Hal to Titanic's 2nd class with the elegance/ambiance of 1st class.

 

I hope that makes sense

 

Joanie

[foodgirl]

Thanks Joanie......I see you are booked the same cruise next May as I am...I would love to meet you!!! Hope we can at the meet and greet. You do such a great job keeping all of us informed on a myriad of subjects. I have learned much from you...sorry to be OT but had to mention that. I plan to keep my plans set as they are now and keeping my fingers crossed that the Zuidy will be as I remembered her. :)

[Cindy]

Joanie, thanks for posting the link. Even though I've looked at the cabin pictures (of 5191:D) a hundred times, somehow I had missed the photos of other parts of the ship. It the Zuiderdam is half as beautiful in person as she looks in the photos, then maybe I can stop fretting about my decision.

Still...since I have over 6 months to go, I have plenty of time to obsess!:rolleyes:

[IRL_Joanie]

Gonna hit ya both in one post:)

 

As you can see there is NOTHING wrong with Zuiderdam!! The problems arise when people come in expecting 1st class for the price of 2nd class. Kind of like paying for a seat in coach on a plane but expecting to get a first class seat. The disappointment is immediate as is their volume in telling everyone what a lousy flight they had... Hope that makes sense....

 

All those previous negative reviews that you remember are from the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year cruises and were full of first time cruisers or people shopping around for the cheapest prices and expecting 1st class service.

 

I do not mean to downplay what they had to say, but they do not understand how a ship works 24/7/365 and they expect land side vacation quality where things can be fixed a heck of a lot easier than on the seas.

 

What maddens me is the people who have never been on the ship that jump in and chime up with things like, "Well, if it is that bad then the ship shoud not be allowed to sail or HAL should be ashamed or....on and on and on..." And they've never even seen her!!!

 

footloose just posted to the other thread and gave a totally different aspect from the same cruise..... It is all in the attitude of the cruiser and whether they go in looking for problems or whether they let little things become massive...

 

As an example here are 2 photos from Noordam, just outside the Sports/Casino Bar. Keep in mind that I have NEVER seen damage like this on any HAL ship before, nor damage that was left like this for more than a few minutes. I will bet that it was fixed before the ship left Ft Lauderdale the next day!!

 

 

Did I let this get me??? Nope, I loved the cruise, just not really comfortable with the ship so I will not cruise on her unless it is an itinerary that I really want to do and another that I like is not available. I just did not care for the ship, though others rave about her. She just does not feel right for me, unlike Zuiderdam:)

 

So foodgirl, are you gonna join the Roll Call ?? So far only me listed, but I know that ButterflyGirl will be joining as well as a couple others who've already booked her that were with us in September:) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1531638

 

OK, I will shut up fpr a while and let others have a chance to chime in:)

 

Joanie

[startwin]

I keep reading about how bad of shape the Zuiderdam is in. I would love to see some pics of different interior areas to see just how bad of shape she actually is in. I have read more than once about the furniture in cabins have worn/torn fabric and the same with the carpet and furniture in lounges. I realize it is going in for drydock late this year but do they actually replace all the furniture and carpeting? It sounds like this is just a short routine drydock and not a full blown overhaul.

 

I will be really disappointed if I take my sister on her first cruise and the ship looks run down :( I have never experienced this type of conditions on any of the Princess ships we have been on.

 

I'm also concerned, and I am going to be on her for 22 days shortly. I will post photos when I get back (if I can figure out how:o) and I will report on her condition.

[startwin]

Gonna hit ya both in one post:)

 

As you can see there is NOTHING wrong with Zuiderdam!! The problems arise when people come in expecting 1st class for the price of 2nd class. Kind of like paying for a seat in coach on a plane but expecting to get a first class seat. The disappointment is immediate as is their volume in telling everyone what a lousy flight they had... Hope that makes sense....

 

All those previous negative reviews that you remember are from the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year cruises and were full of first time cruisers or people shopping around for the cheapest prices and expecting 1st class service.

 

I do not mean to downplay what they had to say, but they do not understand how a ship works 24/7/365 and they expect land side vacation quality where things can be fixed a heck of a lot easier than on the seas.

 

What maddens me is the people who have never been on the ship that jump in and chime up with things like, "Well, if it is that bad then the ship shoud not be allowed to sail or HAL should be ashamed or....on and on and on..." And they've never even seen her!!!

 

footloose just posted to the other thread and gave a totally different aspect from the same cruise..... It is all in the attitude of the cruiser and whether they go in looking for problems or whether they let little things become massive...

 

As an example here are 2 photos from Noordam, just outside the Sports/Casino Bar. Keep in mind that I have NEVER seen damage like this on any HAL ship before, nor damage that was left like this for more than a few minutes. I will bet that it was fixed before the ship left Ft Lauderdale the next day!!

 

[ATTACH]227636[/ATTACH][ATTACH]227637[/ATTACH]

 

Did I let this get me??? Nope, I loved the cruise, just not really comfortable with the ship so I will not cruise on her unless it is an itinerary that I really want to do and another that I like is not available. I just did not care for the ship, though others rave about her. She just does not feel right for me, unlike Zuiderdam:)

 

So foodgirl, are you gonna join the Roll Call ?? So far only me listed, but I know that ButterflyGirl will be joining as well as a couple others who've already booked her that were with us in September:) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1531638

 

OK, I will shut up fpr a while and let others have a chance to chime in:)

 

Joanie

 

Joanie, settle down, much of this post is totally unfair and some is offensive. I will refer you back to Ruth's postings after her November cruise on the Zuiderdam - that's one lady we all respect and she had negative comments too, though mainly about the plumbing. We know you love the ship - you say if often enough - but other people have valid opinions too. I'm just reserving judgement until I am on her in a few weeks.

[RuthC]

I will refer you back to Ruth's postings after her November cruise on the Zuiderdam - that's one lady we all respect and she had negative comments too, though mainly about the plumbing.

Thank you. Credibility is very important to me.

There was a period of several cruises with reports of extensive plumbing problems in the public restrooms, including during my cruise.

I had one episode of a plumbing problem in my cabin, which was promptly fixed. Others I know had more recurring problems with their cabin plumbing, while their next door neighbors had none!

 

The problem of out-of-order public restrooms apparently started before my cruise, lasted for the duration, and continued another cruise or two.

But then it was fixed. Whether the source of the problem was finally located, or the part arrived, or whatever---problem solved, based on reports since. Doesn't mean that won't ever happen again, but at least for the time being, all is well on that score.

[foodgirl]

Joanie I am on the roll call. Look forward to planning which for me is half the fun!!:)

[PathfinderEss]

Wow Joanie how did you even see this. I guess I'm not to sensitive to this kind of stuff. Don't people realize that these ships are like hotel rooms and they are abused by many. It is tough to keep them looking like new. Personally I think they do a great job, that is not to say I do see things that need to be updated but I know they will. As I recall on our last cruise on the Oosterdam they were putting in new cabin carpeting while cruising. Sure it will take them a little longer that way but it will get done.

[Seago2]

Gonna hit ya both in one post:)

 

As you can see there is NOTHING wrong with Zuiderdam!! The problems arise when people come in expecting 1st class for the price of 2nd class. Kind of like paying for a seat in coach on a plane but expecting to get a first class seat. The disappointment is immediate as is their volume in telling everyone what a lousy flight they had... Hope that makes sense....

 

All those previous negative reviews that you remember are from the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year cruises and were full of first time cruisers or people shopping around for the cheapest prices and expecting 1st class service.

 

I do not mean to downplay what they had to say, but they do not understand how a ship works 24/7/365 and they expect land side vacation quality where things can be fixed a heck of a lot easier than on the seas.

 

What maddens me is the people who have never been on the ship that jump in and chime up with things like, "Well, if it is that bad then the ship shoud not be allowed to sail or HAL should be ashamed or....on and on and on..." And they've never even seen her!!!

 

footloose just posted to the other thread and gave a totally different aspect from the same cruise..... It is all in the attitude of the cruiser and whether they go in looking for problems or whether they let little things become massive...

 

As an example here are 2 photos from Noordam, just outside the Sports/Casino Bar. Keep in mind that I have NEVER seen damage like this on any HAL ship before, nor damage that was left like this for more than a few minutes. I will bet that it was fixed before the ship left Ft Lauderdale the next day!!

 

[ATTACH]227636[/ATTACH][ATTACH]227637[/ATTACH]

 

Did I let this get me??? Nope, I loved the cruise, just not really comfortable with the ship so I will not cruise on her unless it is an itinerary that I really want to do and another that I like is not available. I just did not care for the ship, though others rave about her. She just does not feel right for me, unlike Zuiderdam:)

 

So foodgirl, are you gonna join the Roll Call ?? So far only me listed, but I know that ButterflyGirl will be joining as well as a couple others who've already booked her that were with us in September:) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1531638

 

OK, I will shut up fpr a while and let others have a chance to chime in:)

 

Joanie

 

This is not the first time (today, even) that you have mentioned the first class/second class argument. You do realize that HAL is more expensive than NCL, Carnival, and in most cases Royal and Primcess, right? It's usually above X as well.

 

I don't think it is fair to cast aspersions on those who report differently than what you may have seen or may feel. "Did I let this get to me? Nope" is kind of a backhanded way of saying that someone let very small things get to them and bother them, even though in many cases people are reporting glaring issues or a series of unacceptable things. When people have been on many cruises on several lines and they come back with criticisms, are they expecting a land side vacation? Why would you even say that?

 

I really appreciate all of the work that you have done to create such a massive volunteer database re: cabins and public rooms of HAL. I also appreciate your incredible energy and supportiveness, something you have shown me many times. But I have to call a spade a spade and say that at times it does seem as though you are making personal attacks on those who come back with less than positive things to say 100% of the time. But hey, what do I know? I've never had a bad cruise, only great ones and Norwegian ones :D

[itzmered]

I dont expect top of the line elegance but I do expect a cruise ship in good repair. I expect at the very least the same class of experience I have had on Princess ships. They are comparable lines. After looking at all the photos of the Oosterdam posted on the other thread of this topic I am not convinced that I am going to get that. Those things didnt happen over night and if they were not fixed at drydock just when do they plan on fixing them? When they completely fall apart??? Like I said before it will not ruin my cruise but I will be disappointed. I have looked at your pictures on your site and it is a great compilation of pictures but are any of them current?

[Crusin Kelly]

WE sailed on the Statendam a couple of years ago to Alaska. Even then, she was showing HER age... the central elevator bank in the atrium never did work. did it affect our cruise? not one bit... was the service spectacular? You bet. Did that experience affect our decision to sail HAL again? NO - we leave in 8 days on Z... Will we see things that are different/old/broken? in comparison to our last cruise on the brand new Eclipse, you bet! - it was < a year old. We return to HAL for the experience... I bought a tux today... will wear it and will NOT be the only one ! !

 

HAL is doing the best they can... hard to take a cabin or floor out of service like hotel's can if something is not 100%.

 

Look past the minor imperfections, GOD knows we all have those little things that are not quite right ... It's what's on the inside that counts - the spirit, the elegance, the food....

 

We WILL have a great time - we will make many memories as we celebrate our 29th anniversary.

 

Champagne for everyone ! ! ! ;)

[FrankNJ]

I dont expect top of the line elegance but I do expect a cruise ship in good repair. I expect at the very least the same class of experience I have had on Princess ships. They are comparable lines. After looking at all the photos of the Oosterdam posted on the other thread of this topic I am not convinced that I am going to get that. Those things didnt happen over night and if they were not fixed at drydock just when do they plan on fixing them? When they completely fall apart??? Like I said before it will not ruin my cruise but I will be disappointed. I have looked at your pictures on your site and it is a great compilation of pictures but are any of them current?

 

I have some great current photos of the interior of Zuiderdam , but everytime I try to post them I get "upload error " . Anyone know why ?

[Seago2]

I have some great current photos of the interior of Zuiderdam , but everytime I try to post them I get "upload error " . Anyone know why ?

 

You need to use a photo sharing site like Flickr. Upload them there, and click "share" on that site. Copy the BBCODE, not HTML. Then you paste it right here in the message area- you don't upload it as an attachment.

 

Hope this helps:).

[IRL_Joanie]

I have some great current photos of the interior of Zuiderdam , but everytime I try to post them I get "upload error " . Anyone know why ?

 

If you email them to me I can post them on the HAL Staterooms/Cabins pages of the Zuiderdam.

 

They may be to large for CC to handle.

 

Joanie

[FrankNJ]

this time it went to uploading so we'll see .

[FrankNJ]

this time it went to uploading so we'll see . nope , still not there . anyway , I took this great shot of the lido on Zuiderdam . I'll email it to Joanie

[IRL_Joanie]

this time it went to uploading so we'll see . nope , still not there . anyway , I took this great shot of the lido on Zuiderdam . I'll email it to Joanie

 

Got it Frank!! Thought it was from you but was not quite positive until I saw this post:)

 

Joanie

[FrankNJ]

Thanks Joanie . Too bad it doesn't appear full size because it really is a beautiful picture and shows the beauty and good condition of the lido on Zuiderdam . With all those people it's amazing how good that carpet looks .

[IRL_Joanie]

Thanks Joanie . Too bad it doesn't appear full size because it really is a beautiful picture and shows the beauty and good condition of the lido on Zuiderdam . With all those people it's amazing how good that carpet looks .

 

Ah, but it is viewable full sized (and yes, in all its beauty:) ) on the Site here: http://abqreunion2008.com/Zuiderdam/Lido-Restaurant.html

 

For a quick link to it just click on the photo below:)

 

 

Joanie

[Blue12]

I was on the beautiful Zuiderdam in March and I loved it. Here are some pictures I took around the ship.

[innlady1]

Joanie, settle down, much of this post is totally unfair and some is offensive. I will refer you back to Ruth's postings after her November cruise on the Zuiderdam - that's one lady we all respect and she had negative comments too, though mainly about the plumbing. We know you love the ship - you say if often enough - but other people have valid opinions too. I'm just reserving judgement until I am on her in a few weeks.

 

Thanks, startwin. I, too, believe that the post you refer to is unfair and even offensive.

I love the Noordam and the Maasdam...as we've been on those two ships and have really enjoyed our experience with those...everyone has their own opinions...good or bad...of the ships they've sailed...but that's not a reason to insult someone who doesn't agree.

[Seago2]

Untitled by Tim the gardener, on Flickr