DaveOKC Posted November 9, 2014 #1 Share Posted November 9, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted November 9, 2014 #2 Share Posted November 9, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxmantoo Posted November 9, 2014 #3 Share Posted November 9, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Russo Posted November 9, 2014 #4 Share Posted November 9, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ2002 Posted November 9, 2014 #5 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Wholeheartedly agree with the others. Captain Turner sets the right attitude on the Zuiderdam, and it seems to filter down to the entire crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted November 9, 2014 Author #6 Share Posted November 9, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PathfinderEss Posted November 9, 2014 #7 Share Posted November 9, 2014 DaveOKC, glad to hear you had such a great cruise on the Zuiderdam. I agree Hal has the best crews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxout Posted November 9, 2014 #8 Share Posted November 9, 2014 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wandb Posted November 9, 2014 #9 Share Posted November 9, 2014 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heron45 Posted November 9, 2014 #10 Share Posted November 9, 2014 We are looking forward to being on the Zuiderdam in January. I would love to hear about any HAL excursions that you took. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imae39 Posted November 9, 2014 #11 Share Posted November 9, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted November 9, 2014 Author #12 Share Posted November 9, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen of DaNile Posted November 10, 2014 #13 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Great to hear Dave. We're looking forward to sailing on her next month and meeeting her wonderful crew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxie99 Posted November 10, 2014 #14 Share Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowPrincess Posted November 10, 2014 #15 Share Posted November 10, 2014 What a great post! Thanks DaveOKC :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcruise55 Posted November 10, 2014 #16 Share Posted November 10, 2014 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folk Singer Posted November 10, 2014 #17 Share Posted November 10, 2014 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.:):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted November 10, 2014 Author #18 Share Posted November 10, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folk Singer Posted November 11, 2014 #19 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I heard from others on the cruise that the piano bar was excellent. DaveOKC Really good to know.:):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted November 11, 2014 #20 Share Posted November 11, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retdon Posted November 11, 2014 #21 Share Posted November 11, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now