Great crew on the Zuiderdam!

[DaveOKC]

Just returned from an 11 day Partial Panama Canal cruise on the Zuiderdam. It was a great cruise and we had a fun time.

 

I just had to post how fantastic the crew was on the ship. This was our 14th HAL cruise and without a doubt this was the best crew we have sailed with. We did not meet a single staff/crew member who was not pleasant and helpful - it sure made the cruise all that much better. All the HAL crews have been very good on our past cruises, but this one was clearly #1 in our book.

 

Thanks to the Zuiderdam crew!!

 

DaveOKC

[Lizzie68]

I have to agree - I've always found the crew on the Zuiderdam the absolute best. I guess it's a sign of a happy ship, and goes from the top down. Captain Turner (if that is who is on right now) is excellent. And things have improved even more in the last couple of years since the change in Hotel Manager.

[taxmantoo]

Captain Turner is indeed an excellent people manager and is really appreciated by his crew. On more than one occasion, we have actually seen him come into the dining room during dinner hours to wish an assistant waiter or wine steward "Happy Birthday". We have had the opportunity to have dinner with him and he is a true gentleman. His personality and enthusiasm transfer over to the crew.

[B Russo]

I agree about the HAL crews. I have never had a bad crew or a bad cruse. I guess I am easy to please because I have been on RC and CC and they where good also, but HAL is the best.:):) Bill

[RJ2002]

Wholeheartedly agree with the others. Captain Turner sets the right attitude on the Zuiderdam, and it seems to filter down to the entire crew.

[DaveOKC]

I have to agree - I've always found the crew on the Zuiderdam the absolute best. I guess it's a sign of a happy ship, and goes from the top down. Captain Turner (if that is who is on right now) is excellent. And things have improved even more in the last couple of years since the change in Hotel Manager.

 

Yes, Captain Turner was onboard. We had the pleasure of meeting him several times and he was always pleasant and friendly.

 

DaveOKC

[PathfinderEss]

DaveOKC, glad to hear you had such a great cruise on the Zuiderdam. I agree Hal has the best crews.

[maxout]

DaveOKC Love that ship! We had Capt. Turner on our full transit Repo in October 2012. He gave us a great talk on the behind the scenes tour and is every bit the gentleman and a fine manager.

Edited November 9, 2014 by maxout

[wandb]

We'll be on the Zuiderdam for the first time in January. Can't wait!! You all make me even more excited for that day to get here!

[heron45]

We are looking forward to being on the Zuiderdam in January. I would love to hear about any HAL excursions that you took.

[imae39]

We will be on the Zuiderdam the end of November. Will Captain Turner still be on? Do you recall the name of the Hotel Manager? Also, what is the time of the traditional first seating for dinner?

So glad to read your comment about a exceptional crew.

[DaveOKC]

We are looking forward to being on the Zuiderdam in January. I would love to hear about any HAL excursions that you took.

 

We took two HAL excursions:

 

The first was in Cartagena - City Highlights. About 4 hours. Not a good tour, too much walking (much more than listed in the HAL booklet we got onboard), not much of interest to see (except for the fort), two stops for shopping (one was more than enough), it was hot and humid, and the local vendors were everywhere (they actually followed the group around at the various stops). Guide was hard to understand and not very informative. Only positive thing was the air conditioned bus.

 

Second was in Costa Rica - Tortuero Canals. Great tour and fantastic guide (easy to understand and VERY informative). The canals were interesting and we saw monkeys, alot of sloths high up in the trees, and plenty of birds. Also very small red frogs. Then onto the Dole Banana factory - interesting watching them process the fruit and the guide really did a great job explaining how bananas are grown.

 

For those of you needing Wi-Fi access: In Aruba go to the Starbucks in the Ren. Mall (about 4-5 blocks from the pier) - strong signal, in Limon, Costa Rica the access was in the pier terminal building - not bad. In Curacao I used the McDonalds in town, but saw the crew using it at the ice cream shop in the nearby Reni Fort (walk through it, not around it like I did).

 

DaveOKC

[Queen of DaNile]

Great to hear Dave. We're looking forward to sailing on her next month and meeeting her wonderful crew

[maxie99]

that crew is the best, was on her 2 months ago, out of Vancouver,, OH yah--its my 300 th comment -:)

Edited November 10, 2014 by maxie99

[CowPrincess]

What a great post! Thanks DaveOKC :)

[newcruise55]

Do you know who was in the piano bar? we are going to be on the Zuiderdam in December and was just wondering how the entertainment was?

[Folk Singer]

I agree about the HAL crews. I have never had a bad crew or a bad cruse. I guess I am easy to please because I have been on RC and CC and they where good also, but HAL is the best.:):) Bill

 

 

Have to agree with you Bill.:):)

[DaveOKC]

Do you know who was in the piano bar? we are going to be on the Zuiderdam in December and was just wondering how the entertainment was?

 

I heard from others on the cruise that the piano bar was excellent.

 

DaveOKC

[Folk Singer]

I heard from others on the cruise that the piano bar was excellent.

 

DaveOKC

 

 

Really good to know.:):)

[cruz chic]

We took two HAL excursions:

 

The first was in Cartagena - City Highlights. About 4 hours. Not a good tour, too much walking (much more than listed in the HAL booklet we got onboard), not much of interest to see (except for the fort), two stops for shopping (one was more than enough), it was hot and humid, and the local vendors were everywhere (they actually followed the group around at the various stops). Guide was hard to understand and not very informative. Only positive thing was the air conditioned bus.

 

Second was in Costa Rica - Tortuero Canals. Great tour and fantastic guide (easy to understand and VERY informative). The canals were interesting and we saw monkeys, alot of sloths high up in the trees, and plenty of birds. Also very small red frogs. Then onto the Dole Banana factory - interesting watching them process the fruit and the guide really did a great job explaining how bananas are grown.

 

For those of you needing Wi-Fi access: In Aruba go to the Starbucks in the Ren. Mall (about 4-5 blocks from the pier) - strong signal, in Limon, Costa Rica the access was in the pier terminal building - not bad. In Curacao I used the McDonalds in town, but saw the crew using it at the ice cream shop in the nearby Reni Fort (walk through it, not around it like I did).

 

DaveOKC

There is also decent wifi at the Cartegena pier. I've done shorex there but find it kinda scary. The area by the pier is nice. They have some gardens, birds and shopping if you are so inclined.

[retdon]

Another AGREE with the fantastic crew and Capt. Turner. Just off the previous 10 day and what a ship, one HAL has got to praise. The ship is spotless, the food excellent and you could not ask for a better staff than on this ship.

 

Early dinner is at 5:30pm. Escargo sooo good, 2 lobster tails and a great cheese plate. Enjoy your cruise on the best HAL ship so far. :D