Just back from Zandaam 14 day

[Crusinsusan2]

Hi All-First thanks to all for your pre-cruise help and suggestions. We flew in the morning of sailing. (Booked All ready There transpo and arrived on time 8:30am) Great driver same both coming and going and had arranged for a Total Wine stop on the way to embarkation. We were on the ship, cabin ready and eating lunch in the MDR @ 12:00. We found the ship to be in overall great shape (with the few exceptions of tattered hallway carpeting on our 6th floor and intermittent HVAC, or lack thereof in the late evenings, super stuffy). Our cabin and rest seemed spotlessly clean and updated with the exception of the TV, which was small and old. We had dinner (anytime plan) in the MDR three times and found service to be slower than average and food good to mediocre. Pinnacle 3 times-2 dinners-1 lunch all delicious. Dinner at Cantellano, short rib gnoochi as great as we remembered from other ships. Got the 8 wine package, and yes to confirm no matter where we decided to dine we could choose off the package and it was timely delivered. We had also pre-purchased 2 beverage cards (So convenient) ended up using only 1, the second refunded to our account on the last day. We debated on the Beverage package, but after all was tallied up I figured we saved about $750.00 and never went without! Service from top to bottom was really good as always. LOVED they have completely done away with the serve yourself at Lido. Just seemed cleaner, less aggressive lines and definitely more refined. Just wish we had seen more folks using the hand wash stations!! Dive In, Taco Bar all good and consistent, just wish they would crack the roof a little in the cool weather as the humidity and chlorine smell from the hot tubs tended to compete with food in the area. Itinerary was fabulous, fun and active. We booked Zodiaks, Kayaking, Riverfloats, Brewery Tour and had mostly good weather along the way. We ate our body weight in crab when available off ship. Got the unlimited laundry, less than 24 hour turn around and a godsend as some of our excursions left our gear soaked and dirty. Spent a few evenings in the casino. Julia our casino host was positively delightful. Met some wonderful folks who will be sailing with us in November/Eurodam to Sea of Cortez. Disembarkation was again a breeze. Used port valet-no issues and picked up luggage on our final destination. Would do this itinerary again in heartbeat. I have for the most part been a Hal loyalist since my late twenties so now well into my 40's I still find Hal to be a great fit for us. You can be as active as you dream up or just as relaxed. If your looking for non-stop partying and all night dancing probably not your best choice. Again, thanks for your wonderful advice. And yes you can have fresh eggs cooked any way you like them cooked to order in the Lido :)

[Dogstar]

Thanks for taking the time to review your cruise. [emoji1303]

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for your review.

Glad you had a wonderful cruise. We have done that 14 day cruise 2 times on the Amsterdam and loved it.

[Loreto]

Glad you enjoyed the 14 day/Zaandam! We sailed Aug. 13-27 4th time on that itinerary. Alaska for Californians is so easy! Maybe we will see you on the Nov. Eurodam/Sea of Cortez cruise...we have a roll call.

 

 

Karen

[Crusinsusan2]

Alaska through Seattle is a super easy travel day. San Diego even better for us in So Cal. No airfare and no hotels =longer vacation! We love the Caribbean more than anywhere but it's always a long, generally expensive haul coming and going. Happy to hear more fellow travelers on Euro/Sea of Cortez. Will head over to roll call. Thanks!

[erewhon]

Thank you for reviewing your Zaandam cruise.

[Crew News]

Thanks for your review. Hope you found the aft balcony on Deck 6 and it was not crowded.

[Crusinsusan2]

We did find the aft decks in our walk abouts! Lovely, quiet and usually empty on this cruise! It was our second time on the Zaandam (very first cruise many years ago) and had totally forgotten about these hidden gems. (Side note for Crew News-totally appreciate all of your wonderful info, menu's etc. over the years. just now starting to post but your threads have been so valuable in our planning)

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review!

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the review.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

[kazu]

Thanks for the review.

 

Sounds like you had a good cruise overall - always nice to hear :)

 

Good news on the eggs too ;)

 

Welcome home and back to reality.

[puppycanducruise]

Thank you for taking the time to post your comments.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[Crew News]

We did find the aft decks in our walk abouts! Lovely, quiet and usually empty on this cruise! It was our second time on the Zaandam (very first cruise many years ago) and had totally forgotten about these hidden gems. (Side note for Crew News-totally appreciate all of your wonderful info, menu's etc. over the years. just now starting to post but your threads have been so valuable in our planning)

 

Thanks for your kind words. I started bringing my scanner on cruises when friends/coworkers/CC peppered me with questions and I couldn't remember the answers.