Zuiderdam review 12/30-1/7 New Years Cruise

[bfos]

Just returned on Saturday from the New Years Eve 8 day cruise aboard the Zuiderdam. I traveled with my wife and 7 year old son, we are in our 30's. We had verandah stateroom 6087. This was our 5th cruise and 1st on HAL. We had know idea what to expect, but have learned that the best vacation is one without expectations and we roll with the punches good or bad.

 

There was a large group of sick crew and passengers. We had to fill out CDC reports before dissembarkation. It was basically like a 24hr flu. If reported to the infirmary, your entire room would be quarintined for 2 days. Great way to spend a vacation.

 

Now to the review.

We arrived at the boat around noon on Friday and everything was extremely smooth. I had filled out our paperwork on line and this proved to be very time saving. We were on the boat in less than 20 minutes. Our room was very nice, spacious and large verandah. The bathroom has both a whirlpool tub and seperate shower. We never felt cramped for room. The closets were really great. We own clothing stores, so we only know how to pack lots of clothes. We had 8 bags total and found room for everything. The large suitcases fit easily under the bed. Nothing felt shabby about the room, and I am very spoiled(and not ashamed to admit it).

 

Now, the TV was big and old, not flat and new, no new mattreses. We had expected those, but were fine with what we had. Pillows were a mix of old and new. There were 2 telephones, one of which did not work.

 

We went to find some lunch right away and went up to the Lido pool. We had a taco bar lunch and then went exploring. I felt like everything looked nice if not freshly painted. I didn't see any of the Potholes so I presume those were fixed.

 

We then had the firedrill and went to get dressed for our 6:15 seating at dinner. We as most were sat at a table just for us. We really enjoy eating and conversing with others, but also appreciate alone time with each other. Our wait staff were very prompt and courteous. They were happy to help with anything. It seemed that they were dissapointed that we did not buy bottles of wine, but we are cocktail people. After the first night it was never mentioned and I had my libation quickly served everynight! We turned in early, since we had left Texas at 5am.

 

Saturday - Half Moon Cay

We arrived the next morning at the private island and took the tenders in, after having breakfast on our verandah. This moved fairly quickly. The sun was warm, the water cool. My son and I soon began our snorkling. We saw very little, some small fish and a few conch shells. I swam around for about 2 hours and never saw anything more. The BBQ lunch was OK. My son met some other kids and had fun playing on the fort with them. I think there were about 40 kids in his age range. It took awhile to get back to the boat, since we waited until the end. The boat left about 2 hours late due to a health emergancy and waiting for a helicopter to arrive. I am not sure of the exact reason, I heard something about a stroke. Back on the boat, we had a few drinks in our room and got ready for dinner, enjoyed the verandah. Our room had fresh ice at all times and the mini bar was always stocked. Dinner was again OK. My son and I went to the late show, but left early. It just was not our cup of tea, but we had fun roaming the decks. We celebrated the arrival of the New Year and hit the room. We had no hot water for the bath.:confused: This turned out to be an everyday problem. We called it in, but it never changed. The tub water was never more than luke warm or colder. Very dissappointing.

 

Sunday - at sea

We love sea days!! We went to the Lido and had a mixture of items, the danishes were very fresh. We went to the Lido pool for kids and ---- The roof is only open slightly. There were no chairs avail in the sun!??:confused: We were very upset and instead went to the adult only pool. I like to follow rules, but opening the roof only slightly was not right. I go on vacation to lay in the sun. There were other kids at this pool and it was OK. Our son is well behaved and we are always complemented on him. We stayed all day long and went to dinner. I also hit the casino,:D not much luck but not bad either. Went to the show with family and found it to not be geared for our age bracket or taste.

 

Monday - St Thomas

We had room service for breakfast, appeared for customs and got off the boat headed for Trunk Bay on St John. It was great snorkling and beautiful beach. The tour was over at Noon:confused: and we headed back to the ship. Lido roof still slightly open, went to the aft pool. Dinner OK, Casino was better this evening I won lots and then went to play Hold Em in the poker lounge. Had a great time. Nice group of guys.

 

Tuesday - St Martin

We got a late start. Got off the boat and caught a cab to Orient Bay. It was as beautiful as always. This was our 4th time to visit. We were too tired to visit Marigot:( and headed straight back to the boat late. Dinner OK, Casino won again, finished with poker too.

 

Wednesday - Tortola

Booked the excursion to The Baths on Virgin Gorda. This was the highlight of the trip!! Our son was in heaven exploring and finding new things at every turn. I was close behind, having just as much fun. WOW what a place, I can't wait to visit for an extended stay. Dinner OK, retired early with family.

 

Thursday - at sea

Beautiful day, not a wave on the ocean. Hot rays and a cool breeze, many cocktails later, we had dinner and hit the casino and poker.... The casino staff is great!! They were fun and had lots of stories. They were a pleasure to talk with.

 

Friday- Nassau

A cold front moved in just after we arrived and the rain soon followed. We had planned on spending the day in the Atlantis pools and slides, but had to settle for just the aquariums and shops. This is an amazing resort. We wanted to see what it looked like and will be going back for a week in June. A must see.

 

Saturday - Home

We got off the boat unrushed and with great ease. Grabbed the luggage, found a cab, and headed home.

 

Overall a great relaxing trip. The staff was amazing. the room nicely appointed, the food mediocre, the entertainment lacking (son loved the magician), the roof over the Lido a big dissapointment, the ports great as usual.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for posting your review here. Sounds as though you had a good time on your vacation.

 

Wonder why the roof over the pool wasn't opened more?? Maybe a mechanical problem??

 

Were you ever given a reason why you couldn't get hot water in your cabin??

[Coolcruise02]

Thanks for the review. Was the roof half closed the whole cruise?

[bfos]

No problem at all, they thought it may be too windy. They sent someone to fix the hot water - but the problem never changed.

[cmoq]

Thanks for a great review. We are going on the Z shortly and my husband is interested in the poker. Can you tell me more about the poker tables?

[bfos]

There is a poker table. This is something new they are trying to start. It was open everynight at 9pm. Some nights no one showed up to play. Had fun with the same group of guys most nights. Open bets were$3/$6.