Zuiderdam Alaska Inside Passage Cruise 31 May 2014 departure

[Delbankin]

We have just returned from 7 night round trip Inside Passage Alaska cruise on Zuiderdam out of Vancouver and thought we'd share our thoughts. Rather than post an entire review on the Review section we thought we would follow other recent trends of bit by bit reports which will hopefully be of interest.

 

This was our first HAL cruise and our 14th in total. We chose this cruise for the itinerary. Having researched other lines and ships this cruise suited our needs best.

 

Just prior to sailing, we were lucky enough to be offered an upgrade from our verandah cabin to what HAL call a superior verandah for a small additional sum. We normally cruise inside cabin but had decided to take a balcony to allow us to enjoy the scenery for this specific cruise in a degree of comfort.

 

We took up the offer and were pleased we did as the balcony and cabin were much more roomy than our original choice. The balcony had a table and chairs as well as two padded plastic wicker style lounger type chairs - normal balcony cabins seemed only to have the loungers and a very small and low table.

 

We are husband and wife, M (early 50's); F (late 40's). We flew BA out of Heathrow the day before and stayed 1 night pre-cruise. We also stayed 3 nights post cruise. Our hotel was Pan Pacific on Canada Quay. We chose it because of proximity to the ship and the convenience of a walking transfer - another first!

 

We arranged all our cruise and travel elements through HAL via our Travel agent. We booked 2 excursions direct with HAL via their website and 1 via the tour desk.

 

Although we could probably have booked flights and hotels cheaper independently we like not having to worry about anything and like the security that booking everything directly brings. We had previous close calls with volcanic eruptions and snow at home potentially affecting previous cruises which influence our thinking on this front.

 

Our travel arrangements went very smoothly and flights and transfers were good. We were able to book seats on the BA flight using the reference number on the pre-cruise documentation.

 

HAL reps were at the airport to greet us and as there were around a dozen people staying pre-cruise we had to wait a short while for the bus to transfer us to our hotel. The transfer took around 20 minutes. The driver gave us some useful information about Vancouver during the transfer. Guests were staying at 2 hotels and we were lucky enough to be the first stop.

 

We were able to check in immediately on arrival and a welcome letter with arrangements for joining the ship were waiting for us. Our room was on the pool deck level (8th floor) and was very roomy with a super king size bed and a sink and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities - snacks were extra. We arrived late evening and having been fed on the plane we decided not to have anything else to eat and went fairly early to bed.

 

In the morning our letter advised we should go to the HAL desk in the hotel to arrange our transfer. We were also advised to leave our bags in our hotel room and they would be collected and taken direct to the ship which was a bonus. I would thoroughly recommend this hotel for the convenience and location.

 

In the morning we went to see the rep and asked about the transfer process. We were advised we could take their transfer which was fairly early so we asked what our options were. As our luggage was being taken care of we decided to go slightly later on our own as we weren't sure our cabin would be ready if we boarded early.

 

After going to see the HAL rep we had a fast food breakfast in the food court directly below the hotel. There were a number of outlets to choose from ranging from burger bars to fruit and smoothie ones. We then went to board the ship at around 11am. The process was fairly smooth with HAL reps there to guide and assist all of the way.

 

The biggest delay, as expected, was in getting through the US customs who were on the quayside to check everyone going aboard, this presumably because the ship was sailing directly to the US. There was a considerable queue however we passed through customs and HAL registration in around 1 hour and we were on the ship and in our cabin just after noon.

 

After speaking to others a few days after we boarded it seems we timed it just right as other people who arrived later said they took more than 3 hours to go through the process.

 

What we did see whilst queuing was several people being taken away from the customs desk to a small office. We assumed, perhaps wrongly, that they had perhaps not completed the ESTA process in advance. We were well aware of the process having travelled to the US before but others may not have been aware as the cruise was departing and returning via Canada. We didn't think there was enough advance warning of the need to complete the ESTA process either by HAL or our travel agent in any of the pre-cruise documentation.

 

As we boarded relatively early, the ship was still quiet and we had our first and only main meal in the lido at a fairly leisurely pace. The lido was server based for the first two days due to recent previous noro virus outbreaks. This may be standard process for HAL but is something they might relax for cruises if the ship has been healthy for a period of time. As the ship was quiet we didn't have any trouble with queuing to be served. We weren't aware of any noro issues whilst on board and it seems HAL did a good job of eradicating it following earlier problems on previous cruises.

 

After our meal we went to explore what the ship had to offer. The layout was fairly standard for a Vista class ship which we had sailed on before with other lines. If anyone is still interested we will post more about the ship later and about our cruise in general. If everyone is bored rigid by the facts thus far we won't post any more. Let us know if we should continue..........

[Daisyloo]

Hi. Enjoying your review so far. I would love to hear more, and see photos too if possible. I am cruising in July to Alaska on the Zaandam so very interested in your experience.

 

Could you explain a little more in depth how the luggage transfer to the ship from the Pan Pacific hotel works? (I assume that is where you stayed)?

Thanks

Edited June 5, 2014 by Daisyloo

[PathfinderEss]

Enjoying your review, looking forward to more, thanks.

[RuthC]

Code Orange has been standard operating procedure on all HAL ships for several years now.

Consider, if you will, that holding to a strict Code Orange was what helped prevent any noro outbreaks during your cruise.

Were HAL to pull back on universal Code Orange fewer cruises would sail noro free.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I am enjoying your review.

Please continue.

[nana51]

Love your review. Keep on. Pictures if you have them.

[Stratheden]

Love reading reviews. Please don't stop.

[Alberta Quilter]

Hi. Enjoying your review so far. I would love to hear more, and see photos too if possible. I am cruising in July to Alaska on the Zaandam so very interested in your experience.

 

Could you explain a little more in depth how the luggage transfer to the ship from the Pan Pacific hotel works? (I assume that is where you stayed)?

Thanks

 

Not the OP, but I recently stayed at the PP prior to our cruise. I booked their Alaska cruise package. I called the bellman when our luggage was ready. He brought a stapler with him for the luggage tags and put the on the bags. Then he took them away. The next time we saw them was in our cabin. They made it to the ship before we did (we delayed our check-in at the bellman's advice because there were huge line-ups/long delays that day; there were four ships in Vancouver that day). It was easy peasy!

[April29]

We're going in August.

 

I love the detail you're providing.

[Daisyloo]

Not the OP, but I recently stayed at the PP prior to our cruise. I booked their Alaska cruise package. I called the bellman when our luggage was ready. He brought a stapler with him for the luggage tags and put the on the bags. Then he took them away. The next time we saw them was in our cabin. They made it to the ship before we did (we delayed our check-in at the bellman's advice because there were huge line-ups/long delays that day; there were four ships in Vancouver that day). It was easy peasy!

 

Thanks for the info. It sounds really easy and convenient. I think the Pan Pacific was a good choice for us!

Edited June 6, 2014 by Daisyloo

[Susie51]

You have given info I have never heard before about the luggage from hotel to cabin. Thank you for posting. I'm looking forward to reading more of your review.

[erewhon]

Enjoying reading your review.

Looking forward to the next report.

[erewhon]

Thanks for the info. It sounds really easy and convenient. I think the Pan Pacific was a good choice for us!

 

Staying at the Pan Pacific is the easiest way to board the ship.

 

Hotel staff collected our luggage, we then took the elevator down to Reception level, walked around the corner to the designated "Cruise Ship" elevator and down to the cruise area.

[Daisyloo]

Staying at the Pan Pacific is the easiest way to board the ship.

 

Hotel staff collected our luggage, we then took the elevator down to Reception level, walked around the corner to the designated "Cruise Ship" elevator and down to the cruise area.

 

Sounds so easy and convenient. So glad we are booked at the Pan Pacific. I am travelling with my 82 year old mother so anything that makes it easier is much appreciated.

 

I really like that on CC we can ask questions and get good info from fellow cruisers. Such a great way to be prepared for your cruise. Thanks everyone.:)

Edited June 6, 2014 by Daisyloo

[PattyCruiser2013]

:pyes, please continue! great detail. we are going in a few weeks and enjoying reading everything I can. thanks for the review!

 

We have just returned from 7 night round trip Inside Passage Alaska cruise on Zuiderdam out of Vancouver and thought we'd share our thoughts. Rather than post an entire review on the Review section we thought we would follow other recent trends of bit by bit reports which will hopefully be of interest.

 

This was our first HAL cruise and our 14th in total. We chose this cruise for the itinerary. Having researched other lines and ships this cruise suited our needs best.

 

Just prior to sailing, we were lucky enough to be offered an upgrade from our verandah cabin to what HAL call a superior verandah for a small additional sum. We normally cruise inside cabin but had decided to take a balcony to allow us to enjoy the scenery for this specific cruise in a degree of comfort.

 

We took up the offer and were pleased we did as the balcony and cabin were much more roomy than our original choice. The balcony had a table and chairs as well as two padded plastic wicker style lounger type chairs - normal balcony cabins seemed only to have the loungers and a very small and low table.

 

We are husband and wife, M (early 50's); F (late 40's). We flew BA out of Heathrow the day before and stayed 1 night pre-cruise. We also stayed 3 nights post cruise. Our hotel was Pan Pacific on Canada Quay. We chose it because of proximity to the ship and the convenience of a walking transfer - another first!

 

We arranged all our cruise and travel elements through HAL via our Travel agent. We booked 2 excursions direct with HAL via their website and 1 via the tour desk.

 

Although we could probably have booked flights and hotels cheaper independently we like not having to worry about anything and like the security that booking everything directly brings. We had previous close calls with volcanic eruptions and snow at home potentially affecting previous cruises which influence our thinking on this front.

 

Our travel arrangements went very smoothly and flights and transfers were good. We were able to book seats on the BA flight using the reference number on the pre-cruise documentation.

 

HAL reps were at the airport to greet us and as there were around a dozen people staying pre-cruise we had to wait a short while for the bus to transfer us to our hotel. The transfer took around 20 minutes. The driver gave us some useful information about Vancouver during the transfer. Guests were staying at 2 hotels and we were lucky enough to be the first stop.

 

We were able to check in immediately on arrival and a welcome letter with arrangements for joining the ship were waiting for us. Our room was on the pool deck level (8th floor) and was very roomy with a super king size bed and a sink and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities - snacks were extra. We arrived late evening and having been fed on the plane we decided not to have anything else to eat and went fairly early to bed.

 

In the morning our letter advised we should go to the HAL desk in the hotel to arrange our transfer. We were also advised to leave our bags in our hotel room and they would be collected and taken direct to the ship which was a bonus. I would thoroughly recommend this hotel for the convenience and location.

 

In the morning we went to see the rep and asked about the transfer process. We were advised we could take their transfer which was fairly early so we asked what our options were. As our luggage was being taken care of we decided to go slightly later on our own as we weren't sure our cabin would be ready if we boarded early.

 

After going to see the HAL rep we had a fast food breakfast in the food court directly below the hotel. There were a number of outlets to choose from ranging from burger bars to fruit and smoothie ones. We then went to board the ship at around 11am. The process was fairly smooth with HAL reps there to guide and assist all of the way.

 

The biggest delay, as expected, was in getting through the US customs who were on the quayside to check everyone going aboard, this presumably because the ship was sailing directly to the US. There was a considerable queue however we passed through customs and HAL registration in around 1 hour and we were on the ship and in our cabin just after noon.

 

After speaking to others a few days after we boarded it seems we timed it just right as other people who arrived later said they took more than 3 hours to go through the process.

 

What we did see whilst queuing was several people being taken away from the customs desk to a small office. We assumed, perhaps wrongly, that they had perhaps not completed the ESTA process in advance. We were well aware of the process having travelled to the US before but others may not have been aware as the cruise was departing and returning via Canada. We didn't think there was enough advance warning of the need to complete the ESTA process either by HAL or our travel agent in any of the pre-cruise documentation.

 

As we boarded relatively early, the ship was still quiet and we had our first and only main meal in the lido at a fairly leisurely pace. The lido was server based for the first two days due to recent previous noro virus outbreaks. This may be standard process for HAL but is something they might relax for cruises if the ship has been healthy for a period of time. As the ship was quiet we didn't have any trouble with queuing to be served. We weren't aware of any noro issues whilst on board and it seems HAL did a good job of eradicating it following earlier problems on previous cruises.

 

After our meal we went to explore what the ship had to offer. The layout was fairly standard for a Vista class ship which we had sailed on before with other lines. If anyone is still interested we will post more about the ship later and about our cruise in general. If everyone is bored rigid by the facts thus far we won't post any more. Let us know if we should continue..........

[PattyCruiser2013]

Also - can you confirm the formal nights? Sunday and Wednesday? I've heard both Wednesday and Thursday for 2nd formal night. Thanks!

 

We have just returned from 7 night round trip Inside Passage Alaska cruise on Zuiderdam out of Vancouver and thought we'd share our thoughts. Rather than post an entire review on the Review section we thought we would follow other recent trends of bit by bit reports which will hopefully be of interest.

 

This was our first HAL cruise and our 14th in total. We chose this cruise for the itinerary. Having researched other lines and ships this cruise suited our needs best.

 

Just prior to sailing, we were lucky enough to be offered an upgrade from our verandah cabin to what HAL call a superior verandah for a small additional sum. We normally cruise inside cabin but had decided to take a balcony to allow us to enjoy the scenery for this specific cruise in a degree of comfort.

 

We took up the offer and were pleased we did as the balcony and cabin were much more roomy than our original choice. The balcony had a table and chairs as well as two padded plastic wicker style lounger type chairs - normal balcony cabins seemed only to have the loungers and a very small and low table.

 

We are husband and wife, M (early 50's); F (late 40's). We flew BA out of Heathrow the day before and stayed 1 night pre-cruise. We also stayed 3 nights post cruise. Our hotel was Pan Pacific on Canada Quay. We chose it because of proximity to the ship and the convenience of a walking transfer - another first!

 

We arranged all our cruise and travel elements through HAL via our Travel agent. We booked 2 excursions direct with HAL via their website and 1 via the tour desk.

 

Although we could probably have booked flights and hotels cheaper independently we like not having to worry about anything and like the security that booking everything directly brings. We had previous close calls with volcanic eruptions and snow at home potentially affecting previous cruises which influence our thinking on this front.

 

Our travel arrangements went very smoothly and flights and transfers were good. We were able to book seats on the BA flight using the reference number on the pre-cruise documentation.

 

HAL reps were at the airport to greet us and as there were around a dozen people staying pre-cruise we had to wait a short while for the bus to transfer us to our hotel. The transfer took around 20 minutes. The driver gave us some useful information about Vancouver during the transfer. Guests were staying at 2 hotels and we were lucky enough to be the first stop.

 

We were able to check in immediately on arrival and a welcome letter with arrangements for joining the ship were waiting for us. Our room was on the pool deck level (8th floor) and was very roomy with a super king size bed and a sink and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities - snacks were extra. We arrived late evening and having been fed on the plane we decided not to have anything else to eat and went fairly early to bed.

 

In the morning our letter advised we should go to the HAL desk in the hotel to arrange our transfer. We were also advised to leave our bags in our hotel room and they would be collected and taken direct to the ship which was a bonus. I would thoroughly recommend this hotel for the convenience and location.

 

In the morning we went to see the rep and asked about the transfer process. We were advised we could take their transfer which was fairly early so we asked what our options were. As our luggage was being taken care of we decided to go slightly later on our own as we weren't sure our cabin would be ready if we boarded early.

 

After going to see the HAL rep we had a fast food breakfast in the food court directly below the hotel. There were a number of outlets to choose from ranging from burger bars to fruit and smoothie ones. We then went to board the ship at around 11am. The process was fairly smooth with HAL reps there to guide and assist all of the way.

 

The biggest delay, as expected, was in getting through the US customs who were on the quayside to check everyone going aboard, this presumably because the ship was sailing directly to the US. There was a considerable queue however we passed through customs and HAL registration in around 1 hour and we were on the ship and in our cabin just after noon.

 

After speaking to others a few days after we boarded it seems we timed it just right as other people who arrived later said they took more than 3 hours to go through the process.

 

What we did see whilst queuing was several people being taken away from the customs desk to a small office. We assumed, perhaps wrongly, that they had perhaps not completed the ESTA process in advance. We were well aware of the process having travelled to the US before but others may not have been aware as the cruise was departing and returning via Canada. We didn't think there was enough advance warning of the need to complete the ESTA process either by HAL or our travel agent in any of the pre-cruise documentation.

 

As we boarded relatively early, the ship was still quiet and we had our first and only main meal in the lido at a fairly leisurely pace. The lido was server based for the first two days due to recent previous noro virus outbreaks. This may be standard process for HAL but is something they might relax for cruises if the ship has been healthy for a period of time. As the ship was quiet we didn't have any trouble with queuing to be served. We weren't aware of any noro issues whilst on board and it seems HAL did a good job of eradicating it following earlier problems on previous cruises.

 

After our meal we went to explore what the ship had to offer. The layout was fairly standard for a Vista class ship which we had sailed on before with other lines. If anyone is still interested we will post more about the ship later and about our cruise in general. If everyone is bored rigid by the facts thus far we won't post any more. Let us know if we should continue..........

[Susie51]

Pan Pacific sounds like a great way to start a cruise. How can I be sure the ship will be at Canada Place and not Ballantine? I've cruised out of Canada Place and Ballantine. I would like to experience the convenience of Pan Pacific and sailing from Canada Place.

[Alberta Quilter]

Sounds so easy and convenient. So glad we are booked at the Pan Pacific. I am travelling with my 82 year old mother so anything that makes it easier is much appreciated.

 

This was exactly the reason I splurged on the PP; I was travelling with my 78 year old mother.

 

Our embarkation was a little different from erewhon's due to there being four ships in Vancouver that day. We were told not to use that elevator from the hotel that takes you down to the cruise ship level. We were told to report to the farthest convention centre hall, still at Canada Place, under the hotel. Fortunately, Mom used her cane. When we got there, they told us to go to the farthest corner of that room to find the ladies with the wheelchairs. We were then escorted back across the room, down the long hallway to that elevator that we were told not to use! It sounds like a gong show and in a way it was but it appeared to be relatively organized. (However some seniors who were in transit on our ship were forced to wait with embarking pax for up to three hours!!:eek:)

 

Because we were escorted, Mom being in the wheelchair, it was very easy for us. She did have to switch wheelchairs and attendants before going through port security. We were escorted right to our cabin door. Our entire embarkation process took 30/45 minutes from the time we left our hotel room until we got to our ship stateroom.

 

So, if your mother uses a mobility aid, even occasionally, you may want to have her use it on embarkation day. It should make things go more smoothly, if there are several ships in port.

Edited June 6, 2014 by Alberta Quilter

[Alberta Quilter]

Pan Pacific sounds like a great way to start a cruise. How can I be sure the ship will be at Canada Place and not Ballantine? I've cruised out of Canada Place and Ballantine. I would like to experience the convenience of Pan Pacific and sailing from Canada Place.

 

Check the port website: http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/about/cruiseandtourism/cruiselineschedules.aspx

 

It looks to me like HAL only sails from Canada Place, this year. I'm not sure if that is every year.

 

When I stayed at the PP, it sounded like HAL always has the pier on the left hand side (as one faces the harbour) of Canada Place. We had a waterfront room, which was very nice and looked right over the HAL ships both days. We watched sailaway in person on the first day, and watched sail, in the next morning, of our ship. It was pretty cool and added to the excitement!!

[Delbankin]

Thanks for the replies and questions. We'll try to answer any queries relating to the original post here and will post a new thread for the next phase of our review.

 

Taking the points in turn:

 

We do have photos (over 800 between us!) and it will take some time to sort them out so we may not be in a position to post here - perhaps with later segments.

 

We did stay in the Pan Pacific and labelled up our luggage and left the cases inside our room as advised in the HAL welcome letter. The porter collected them around 10am and the next time we saw them was in our cabin mid afternoon.

 

The Pan Pacific is literally yards away from the ship. We could have almost jumped from the hotel terrace to the deck! The walking transfer is a few hundred yards via hotel lobby, lift and indoor underground bus terminus for cruise departures.

 

I don't disagree that the 48 hour serving restriction in the lido is of some benefit in reducing noro however it clearly wasn't enough for previous cruises which from other posts seemed to require two deep cleans including one where all passengers were required to disembark before noro could be contained.

 

Our impression of HAL was that once the 48 hour restriction had been lifted, they did not enforce hand sanitisation for passengers before entering dining areas. NCL are far better at this with their light hearted washy washy routine.

 

We also witnessed an example of less than satisfactory hygiene routines relating to a problem with a toilet. There is one small toilet area on approach towards the dining room and one evening whilst heading for dinner there was a cleaner and maintenance operative standing outside both ladies and gents toilets which are adjacent. None of them prevented access.

 

On entering the gents, which consisted of a urinal and single wc compartment, I noted the wc cubicle had an out of order sign attached. I used the facility which was available and during my visit noted a strange smell. I washed my hands and left. As I exited I noted the operatives were still there and the maintenance man had a trolley labelled emergency spill kit. That then made me worry slightly of the possibility of cross infection after being allowed to enter.

 

My wife didn't get access to the ladies so went elsewhere and I waited for her in the corridor. I then overheard the maintenance man on the telephone. He was clearly looking for instruction from above relative to the problem at hand. He seemed surprised at the instruction which was to "leave it" because he repeated the instruction for clarity.

 

I did worry that I had been unwittingly exposed to a threat of infection however over the next couple of days nothing untoward happened and I remained healthy. I do beleive that HAL didn't properly look after passenger interests by both failing to clear the original problem and also failing to restrict access to the area. Even if the problem was only a choked and overflowing toilet I think the situation could have been handled better particularly given the recent outbreaks on the ship.

 

With regard to the formal nights, our recollection is that they were on the first two sea days which were the Sunday night and the Wednesday night. The dress code is formal and we both dressed appropriately, my wife in a dress and me in a lounge suit with shirt and tie. These days I only wear dinner suit (tux) with bow tie on Cunard cruises as the majority of lines these days do not enforce at all.

 

We are fairly experienced cruisers but we did have breakfast one day with some fellow Brits on their first cruise. They obviously had different expectations and the gentleman had actually complained to HAL representatives about the lack of reinforcement of dress codes where some people were allowed to enter the main dining rooms in attire not at all in accord with the dress code.

 

He had apparently mentioned to senior dining room staff only to be told that HAL had to be slightly flexible with guests. Clearly aggrieved by this answer he told us he approached front desk next day stating his lack of approval to the relaxed approach only to be told by front desk that they did not relax dress codes and expected guests to conform. Clearly two different messages being given by HAL but the more relaxed approach clearly evident in the dining room itself.

 

The final query was about the pier and how certain someone could be that their ship would be berthed at Canada Place Quay. I must confess I didn't even know that there was a second pier in Vancouver used by Cruise ships. I have however since researched the question and it appears there is a second quay - Ballantyne where ships can be berthed. There is a schedule for cruise ships which can be found by searching under port metro Vancouver. It appears that all the way through to September there are only RCCL and NCL ships scheduled to be using Ballantyne. HAL and other lines are scheduled to leave from Canada Place.

 

Hopefully these answer all points and queries raised against the original post. I will follow with a new thread for the next instalment over the next couple of days.

[Susie51]

Thanks for the link.

[erewhon]

This was exactly the reason I splurged on the PP; I was travelling with my 78 year old mother.

 

Our embarkation was a little different from erewhon's due to there being four ships in Vancouver that day. We were told not to use that elevator from the hotel that takes you down to the cruise ship level. We were told to report to the farthest convention centre hall, still at Canada Place, under the hotel. Fortunately, Mom used her cane. When we got there, they told us to go to the farthest corner of that room to find the ladies with the wheelchairs. We were then escorted back across the room, down the long hallway to that elevator that we were told not to use! It sounds like a gong show and in a way it was but it appeared to be relatively organized. (However some seniors who were in transit on our ship were forced to wait with embarking pax for up to three hours!!:eek:)

 

Because we were escorted, Mom being in the wheelchair, it was very easy for us. She did have to switch wheelchairs and attendants before going through port security. We were escorted right to our cabin door. Our entire embarkation process took 30/45 minutes from the time we left our hotel room until we got to our ship stateroom.

 

So, if your mother uses a mobility aid, even occasionally, you may want to have her use it on embarkation day. It should make things go more smoothly, if there are several ships in port.

 

We cruised on the Volendam, Wednesday departure, with only one other ship in Port.