Zaandam

[mrs_jip]

Has anyone been on HAL Zaandam recently and able to comment on food, evening entertainment and whether they have happy hour. We're going in March to south America and through panama canal. Any information would be great.

[*Miss G*]

Food was good and they did have Happy Hours.  It was a lovely ship.  I did a “Live” thread in May with pictures if you want to skim through:  Zaandam Live

Edited December 29, 2019 by *Miss G*

[old mike]

We love the Zaandam, our first cruise on the ship was in the fall of 2017 from Vancouver to Rio de Janeiro. We enjoyed that cruise so much we did a repeat last fall ,2018, we started in Montreal and we did a B2B continuing on through the Panama Canal and round to Rio again. The ship had undergone a drydock between those two cruises and was in good shape, for us we find the crew "happy" on all HAL ships but the Zaandam just seem to be happier.

The happy hours in the Ocean Bar and the quartet with the dance floor later in the evening make it our favorite space. The food in the MDR, Canaletto and the Pinnacle grill were all great. Mainstage Entertainment was hit and miss, so,so, but then that not not something that we cruise for. The scenery around the Horn, through the inside passage and glacier alley are hard to beat.

 

Enjoy.

Edited December 30, 2019 by old mike
punctuation

[mrs_jip]

Thank you - most helpful.

[JimnKaren]

We were on Zaandam March/April. 34 days from BA.

Great service in the dining room. Wonderful lecturers. Great scenery. Zaandam is doing Voyage of the Vikings next summer (we booked that) and the New England/Canada itineraries.

Happy hour in Ocean Bar was fun. When we were on, solo piano for the early happy hour and then a quartet for the later happy hour. They work the music so that it doesn't interfere with shows. Happy hour also in Crow's Nest.

Jim

[scottsdale5900]

We did the first cruise to Antarctica (Dec-Jan 2020) and are getting back on in March for the Panama Canal segment.  The food was very good, not as many options in the main dining room as in the past, but still very good.   Many of the entertainment team were changing after our cruise so I do not know who is at the piano bar.  Our room was sort of refurbished, the tub was replaced with a large shower.  Stayed at Intercontinental in Santiago.  Great part of town, loads of restaurants within walking distance.  We felt very safe. 

[Billthekid]

Happy Hour was at 4-5PM in the Ocean Bar and 9-10PM in the Crows Nest.  Second drink was $2.  Entertainment on the main stage was mixed with the usual comedian. piano player, 50's band, juggler, and production show, as of Dec. 2019 on 22 day cruise.  We were not awestruck, but it was something to do since other options were not available.  Piano Bar was crowded with out available seats.  No one in the casino and quartet in Ocean Bar was playing music that was not to our liking.  Your results may differ.