Princess Caribbean vs HAL Zuiderdam

[kennysahr]

Hi,

 

We're a young couple (I'm 33 and she's 28) planning our honeymoon. Its between the Zuiderdam and Caribbean Princess on October 1st. We're laid back, don't plan on spending much time in the casino and bars. We exercise daily (especially when I know we'll be eating so much!), like to try different foods, don't normally dress formal where we live but know it'll be fun to do so on formal nights (suit, no tux if that's ok!).

 

As far as activities, we're into a bit of everything - music, sports, suntanning and doing whatever else is there. Not heavy partiers. More interested in a kayak or hiking excursion than a beach day as we live in a beach city.

 

The specific date we're looking at has 3 stops for the Caribbean Princess and 4 for the Zuiderdam at not much of a difference ($125 more for the Zuiderdam per person).

 

That the Zuiderdam has 4 stops, bigger rooms and less people is an advantage. The impression I got from reading many reviews is that the crowd is older (which is nice, but if you were in your late 20's/early 30's, you wouldn't want to be the only one 20-30 years younger!).

 

I'd love to hear some opinions from those who've been on both ships and anyone else as well.

 

Thanks!

[Toto2Kansas]

WE have sailed on both ships. Each has their pro's and con's.

Yes, a big point is the size of the staterooms on the Zuiderdam compared to Princess, they are much nicer on the Zuiderdam if you are comparing inside, outside or balcony type cabins. This will depend on just how much time you plan to stay in your stateroom.

The Zuiderdam is definitely a more laid back atmosphere, or at least we found it to be so compared to the Caribbean Princess.

The passenger break down on both ships when we sailed was about the same as the Zuiderdam is HAL's challenge to the younger crowd with families. It was the only ship we have ever sailed on where there was a stroller line up outside the dining room each evening. :eek:

 

The nicest part of the Caribbean Princess we found was the Caribe Cafe in the evening. It is more of a come as you are type buffet but has some of the best buffet food we have seen on any ship. Formal dress not required and many were there in shorts during the evening so if you would like, no formal clothes would need to be taken on the Caribbean Princess.

 

We enjoyed both of these ships, but found the Caribbean Princess offered a nicer variety of things to do, and we are more the laid back type of cruiser too.

[dimonzr4me]

We have been on the Zuiderdam and since it's sailing the Caribbean the crowd is younger than what you hear about other HAL sailings. A pretty diverse crowd. We haven't been on the Caribbean Princess, but we just got off the Dawn and have sailed on the Grand 3 times and I really didn't see a big difference in the people on board other than I do think the crowd was a little older on the Dawn versus the Grand but it was also a 10 day cruise not 7 so I think you get more retired people on the longer cruises. The service was great on HAL and some of the food was fantastic. Either way I think you will be pleased.

[HMcruiser]

Hi! You sound exactly like us last year! We are in our mid 30s and were trying to figure out the exact same thing for our HM last October. We decided on the HAL Oosterdam (sister to the Zuiderdam) and were VERY happy. We have not sailed the CB yet, but will be for our first anniversary, and we can't wait.

 

After MUCH research this is what I have found. HAL has bigger cabins, better service, and better food, but not as many activities or people (and probably not a huge amount better). You would be surprised at the age group on the HAL. It is much younger than you would think. I would put the average age range at 40-50, with many younger and older than that - you would definitly not be alone. There were VERY few families. I only saw a handful of kids, but I assumed that is the advantage of traveling in October. For us it was the absolute BEST HM choice we could have make. It was so romantic, fun, and relaxing!!

 

I don't think you could go wrong with either, but if you want a slightly lower key HM with a few less people around I would say go with HAL. And get a balcony!! That was the best thing we did...soooo romantic. I hope this helped, please feel free to email me anytime with any questions.

 

Michelle

[kennysahr]

So its between more fun activities on Princess Caribbean and one more destination on the HAL Zuiderdam (4 instead of 3). I'm reading your replies carefully and appreciate the advice! I haven't been on a cruise since my teen years in the 80's..

[HMcruiser]

I swear, I think we're twins. That is my experience as well. I grew up in Orlando and we took a few cruises when I was in grade school, but I hadn't taken one since.

 

Basically, it's a difference between a little more relaxed and a little finer experience with HAL and a little more fun, more populated experience with Princess. Again, can't go wrong with either, but I so wish we were going on the Zuiderdam itinerary. Tortola is amazing, I wish we were going there instead of St. Maartin.

 

When we decided on HAL for the HM, I figured a more low key cruise for our HM was a great idea and then we could try Princess the next time, and that's exactly how it worked out!

[OrlEngr]

Here's my two cents ... I got married on the Coral Princess 6 months ago and got off the Zaandam on Sunday for our 6 month anniversary ... (we live in Orlando also ... convenient to ports and both of us love cruising). We are in our (late) 30's.

 

 

I enjoyed my Princess cruise a bit more ... just because there might be more going on ... you can skip the activities if you want relaxing ... but nice to have them there in case.

 

We love Anytime dining as it may things much more flexible for us. The Balcony (we had a mini-suite on both) was great ... But we liked Coral room layout much better. We had dinner on the Balcony ... just normal dining room menu as Coral did not do "Ultimate" ... and that was Awesome! Our room steward on Princess was much better than HAL ... but that is just a single sample.

 

Princess' entertainment we enjoyed more ... HAL shows seemed geared to an older audience. Princess Spa prices were lower according to my wife ... but they definitely were pushing their products.

 

On HAL's side ... we did like the British Virgin Islands very much ... and HMC. We didn't get to go to Princess Cays but have heard good things about it. Disembarkation on HAL was effortless. Princess was a bit more crazy.

 

I know neither of these ships are exactly what you are looking at so your results may vary... you will be happy with either choice ... but my recommendation is Princess line.

[HMcruiser]

Keep in mind the Zuiderdam, Oosterdam and Westerdam are geared for a younger crowd than the Zandaam.

[kennysahr]

HMCruiser -- Yeah! I think many of us who grew up in Florida in the 80's and 90's when the cruise biz grew and became what it is today went on cruises. Cool memories for me. I still have the little drum-thingie I bought in Jamaica and pictures from those trips.

 

We live in a resort city near the beach -- we won't be spending much time, if at all, by the pool. Activities are much more important to us than anything else. I couldn't tell the difference between a great steak and a $1,000 steak if my life depended on it.

 

One theme that returns here is that the Princess has better entertainment and activities. For someone who lives in a relaxed beach town, that's the interesting part! Many of you will think that's strange. :) "He's going on a cruise for the music and lectures?!"

 

The room size also doesn't matter much, we don't plan on spending much time in it.

 

Keep posting replies, to those who replied here and via email, thanks a lot!

[Italy52]

We have sailed on the Zuiderdam and the Dawn Princess. I realize that the Princess ship is not the one in your comparison, but it still is a Princess. We liked both cruises, but we would have to give th edge to Princess. Just our opinion. Both ships were Caribbean sailings and the average age was about the same. The service was the same on both ships-excellent. Princess has the edge with the food and dining experience. We really enjoyed the flexibility of the Personal Choice dining. Also, it guaranteed us a table for two, something HAL could not do unless we paid extra for the romantic experience (which we did, because it is that important to us.) The variety of food on Princess was better than HAL. Zuiderdam did have the advantage in its buffet court over Princess--loved the variety. Whatever you decide, have a wonderful cruise!

[Iamthesea]

Sounds like you would be happier with Princess or even one of RCCL's larger ships for better/more excercise opportunities. RCCL 's Voyager class ships have running tracks, rock climbing wall, ice skating and roller blading, not to mention a state of the art work out center. They have many ships in the Caribbean, but may be more expensive then Princess.

We got a good deal with HAL and didn't care for the ship at all. Looking forward to trying our Princess in the Fall.

[stoneharborlady]

Only one cruise under my belt, on the Caribbean Princess. We absolutely loved it. Thought the Caribe Cafe wonderful, never had to dress to eat there in the evening, many in shorts,and the food terrific. Movies under the stars was fun, and we would cruise on this ship again in a second.

[cruisemom42]

I haven't been on Caribbean Princess, but have been on Zuiderdam and on Sea Princess (and sailing on Star Princess in a month!!)

 

While the Zuiderdam was a beautiful ship, it was definitely too slow-paced for my taste (and believe me, I'm not a party animal either). Evenings seemed to revolve around dinner (which proceeded at a snail's pace -- sometimes had 20 minute breaks between courses) and the show immediately following (which we occasionally missed due to dinner taking soooo long....). After the main evening show, it was like the ship rolled up the carpets. There was very little else on offer. During the day it didn't seem like there was a lot going on either, although we did spend much of the time in the ports. I'd describe it as SEDATE -- and this was during early summer, when presumably there were lots of families and kids aboard.

 

By contrast, Princess always seemed to have SOMETHING going on that I wanted to do. They had excellent port lectures (because this was an Alaska cruise, we had the BEST EVER naturalist on board -- I attended every one of his four talks), games, trivia, ship tours, shows, music, you name it. After the evening show there were always several choices (secondary shows, open mike, trivia, dancing, movie, etc.)

 

Food is always hard to compare. I thought Zuiderdam and Sea Princess were very comparable overall, with a slight edge to Princess desserts. Princess almost always has great pizza at their pizzeria too. But the best thing (to me) was Princess's Personal Choice dining. I wanted an assigned seating but couldn't get one, and thought I was going to hate PC -- but ended up loving it! It's so great not to have to worry about making it to dinner exactly on time when you're enjoying an afternoon in port and want to linger, or just met some fun folks over a drink and want to stay and have another.

 

Congrats, and have fun! I think you'll be happy with whatever you choose....

[HMcruiser]

We live in a resort city near the beach -- we won't be spending much time, if at all, by the pool. Activities are much more important to us than anything else. I couldn't tell the difference between a great steak and a $1,000 steak if my life depended on it.

 

One theme that returns here is that the Princess has better entertainment and activities. For someone who lives in a relaxed beach town, that's the interesting part! Many of you will think that's strange. :) "He's going on a cruise for the music and lectures?!"

 

The room size also doesn't matter much, we don't plan on spending much time in it.

 

Ah, yes. In that case I agree that Princess is a better fit for you two. I give in..:D. My husband and I live in Atlanta and have pretty stressful jobs, so HAL was better for us, but in your case, you are going to LOVE the CB!! One more thing, I know you aren't too concerned with cabin size, but trust me...get a balcony!! It is so wonderful and romantic to walk out there first thing in the morning in your jammies, and go out there last thing in the evening...in your jammies.