A report from the first Zaandam sailing in 790 days.

[rkacruiser]

Very interesting report; thank you for posting it and the pictures.

 

The tea at the Chateau was certainly not a "Tea".  Your Tea in Montreal appears much better.  Was clotted cream and Strawberry Jam served with the scones?  

[Ready2go11]

Yes, tea at the Ritz came with a tray of clotted cream, a fruit rose jelly (i am not a fan of rose in food but it was faint) and strawberry jam. The scones were good and the pastries at the top of the tower were very tasty and intricate as to layers. 

[rkacruiser]

38 minutes ago, Ready2go11 said:

Yes, tea at the Ritz came with a tray of clotted cream, a fruit rose jelly (i am not a fan of rose in food but it was faint) and strawberry jam. The scones were good and the pastries at the top of the tower were very tasty and intricate as to layers. 

 

Thank you for responding.  A fruit rose jelly?  That was different.  

[jhsocal]

Was room service available that last morning? seem to recall reading on some cruise it was not a choice.

[rocksteady27]

Thank you for the live report, I’ve been following along.

 

Question - is luggage direct an option? We found it very helpful on our last sailing out of FLL. Thanks!

[Copper10-8]

On 5/22/2022 at 1:50 PM, Florida_gal_50 said:

No kidding.  Those things on the wall must have been the first blow dryers invented 🤪😛.

 

Fair point, but at least those bad boys can be modified if needed.............

 

[Copper10-8]

Thanks for those who took the time, effort and $$ to post a review of Zaandam's first voyage with paying customers in two years. I think we can all remember Zaandam's (with the former Rotterdam VI) entry into Pt. Everglades with Covid patients on April 2nd, 2020 as her last voyage with pax prior to the one we're discussing here. 

 

For what it's worth, Zaandam gained her "Mix" bar concept during her October 2013 dry-dock. That was accomplished by reconfiguring her existing piano and casino bars. What is interesting is that she was supposed to lose Mix during her Sep/Oct 2020 dry-dock in Rotterdam, the Netherlands where it was scheduled to be gutted and turned into a smaller version of "Billboard Onboard." That obviously did not happen as it seems minds were changed up in Seattle. WA. or perhaps, it was mrely postponed

 

We just had Ian as CD on Zuiderdam in April and he is scheduled to work HAL's first Grand World Voyage in three years in 2024 back again on Zuidy. He is a very experienced and smooth working CD.

 

Looking fwd to sailing Zaandam in two months from Boston to Montrealto celebrate our wedding anniversary       

[Copper10-8]

On 5/14/2022 at 7:42 AM, StLouisCruisers said:

That top speed of 26 knots seemed rather high to me so I looked up this information from a Holland America fact sheet.

 

FAST FACT SHEET — ms ZAANDAM Gross Tonnage: 61,396 grt.(One registered ton equals 100 cubic feet) Length: 780 feet Beam: 105.8 feet Maximum speed: 23 knots (maximum) Ship’s Registry: The Netherlands Passenger capacity: 1,432 Crew: 607 Dedicated: May 2000 by actresses Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen

 

Maybe it just feels faster.  LOL😄

 

You are correct of course! Zaandam and her sister Volendam have a "service speed" of 22.5 knots. The fastest she has ever done was 23.2 knots during sea / technical trials in the Adriatic back in early 2000 when she was brand spankin' new. And that's directly from the mouth of an officer who was onboard during those 2000 sea trials

[Ready2go11]

10 hours ago, jhsocal said:

Was room service available that last morning? seem to recall reading on some cruise it was not a choice.

I do not believe it was available. We did not try to call to order but we also did not receive the door hanger order form on the last night like we had every other night (and they rook the extras we did not use on the last full  day so we had none available either) 

 

9 hours ago, rocksteady27 said:

Thank you for the live report, I’ve been following along.

 

Question - is luggage direct an option? We found it very helpful on our last sailing out of FLL. Thanks!

Luggage direct was not listed as an option on any notices we received. I recall on past cruises, they usually sent us a paper about the service mid way through the trip. There was no mention of it this time. 

[prescottbob]

Thanks for the reports.

I've re-read the postings and viewed pictures you provided, and it appears the cabins electrical outlet configurations, TV and DVD players have not changed from pre-Covid days. Is this correct?

With that in mind, does the CS desk still handle DVD loaner movies? Non-grounded power strips available? Breakfast in MDR with specials now a thing of the past? Afternoon wine tastings and "sip and savor" pre-dinner gatherings also no mas? 

I was just curious. I apologize if you have already answered some of these queries & I missed your responses.

 

Thanks again.

Be well.

Bob

[Ready2go11]

59 minutes ago, prescottbob said:

Thanks for the reports.

I've re-read the postings and viewed pictures you provided, and it appears the cabins electrical outlet configurations, TV and DVD players have not changed from pre-Covid days. Is this correct?

With that in mind, does the CS desk still handle DVD loaner movies? Non-grounded power strips available? Breakfast in MDR with specials now a thing of the past? Afternoon wine tastings and "sip and savor" pre-dinner gatherings also no mas? 

 

Bob,

 

Correct that electrical outlet, TV and DVD configuration has not changed. We did not ask if they had any DVDs at CS, but never saw any notice that any were available. It is possible they may have some. 
 

Although we did not personally ask for a power strip, we spoke to someone else who did borrow one from customer service for a breathing machine. 
 

There were no specials at breakfast and I was disappointed they did not offer the Sunday brunch (with a special menu) that I have seen posters on other ships mention. 
 

I am only 3 star (if all goes as planned will achieve 4 stars later this year!) so there may have been 4 and/or 5 star gatherings like a wine tasting available. There were no sip and savor, in say the Ocean Bar, before dinner though like pre-only Covid. The only Mariner event we were invited to was a champagne welcome in the Crow’s Nest on day 2 and no food was served. There were no lunches, brunches or ceremonies to celebrate milestones either. Based on other postings on CC, that seems to vary from ship to ship, with most not conducting them. 
 

Although we had the drink package and made our own “happy hours” with pre-dinner drinks at the mix bar, there were sponsored happy hours on board that were more crowded. They sometimes offered peanuts at these events, but we never saw the appetizers (maybe we were not in the right place at the right time) they used to serve during happy hour. 

[Florida_gal_50]

I find Hal breakfast menu extensive.  I can't imagine what more they could offer as a special.

[rkacruiser]

5 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I find Hal breakfast menu extensive.  I can't imagine what more they could offer as a special.

 

Do not recall the Breakfast menu when the Specials were offered, but, the Specials were creative breakfast entrees.  

 

21 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

We just had Ian as CD on Zuiderdam in April and he is scheduled to work HAL's first Grand World Voyage in three years in 2024 back again on Zuidy. He is a very experienced and smooth working CD.

 

Do you mean 2023 rather than 2024?  Ian is an excellent CD and his travel experience when he is giving a presentation or the narration of a scenic area in which the ship is sailing is informative and entertaining. 

[Florida_gal_50]

1 minute ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Do not recall the Breakfast menu when the Specials were offered, but, the Specials were creative breakfast entrees.  

 

 

Do you mean 2023 rather than 2024?  Ian is an excellent CD and his travel experience when he is giving a presentation or the narration of a scenic area in which the ship is sailing is informative and entertaining. 

I think the breakfast menu was much more limited but I won’t swear to that.  There is a chance I may sail on Princess next spring.  Their breakfast menu leaves a lot to be desired.  It very poor in my opinion so I would really miss hal for that and several other reasons.

[Copper10-8]

4 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Do not recall the Breakfast menu when the Specials were offered, but, the Specials were creative breakfast entrees.  

 

 

Do you mean 2023 rather than 2024?  Ian is an excellent CD and his travel experience when he is giving a presentation or the narration of a scenic area in which the ship is sailing is informative and entertaining. 

 

Yes, next year so 2023; my error, thanx! 

[rkacruiser]

3 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I think the breakfast menu was much more limited but I won’t swear to that.  There is a chance I may sail on Princess next spring.  Their breakfast menu leaves a lot to be desired.  It very poor in my opinion so I would really miss hal for that and several other reasons.

 

HAL's Breakfast menu is more extensive than Princess', but Princess's menu has a daily special on their menu and Baked Apple slices.  (HAL lacks that.)  Those slices were once "a whole Baked Apple".  (A Baked Apple is a treat for me because it is something I would not make for myself.)  

 

What is really missing anymore is a Steward presenting a tray of breakfast pastries without the guest having to ask.  When I do, a get a plate of pastries someone, I guess the Steward, has chosen for me.  One morning on one cruise, even that was not available.  I complained to the Steward and someone went to the Lido Restaurant and get the pastries that I wanted.  Nothing exotic was what I wanted:  a Croissant, Cinnamon Roll, a Danish or two.  

[rocksteady27]

@Ready2go11 thanks so much for getting back to me about Luggage Direct. We are on the July 2nd sailing out of Montreal.

 

The info you have shared from this sailing has been very informative and much appreciated!

[prescottbob]

5 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I find Hal breakfast menu extensive.  I can't imagine what more they could offer as a special.

Hello,

 

Depending on the ship (pre-Covid) and, well, voyages such as the Grand Voyages, would have a “special of the day” (off menu, you needed to ask).

Usually it was something creative utilizing ingredients that needed to be used, I.e. spinach and lobster in a small cup with a cooked egg on top, or small pancakes drenched in fresh fruit, etc.

 

I also recall on the WC’s having Sunday brunches on sea days that would have a menu consisting of various small portions of various delights.

 

Without a doubt, the regular offerings in the MDR and Lido are more than adequate.

 

Be well.

Bob

 

[rkacruiser]

1 minute ago, prescottbob said:

I also recall on the WC’s having Sunday brunches on sea days that would have a menu consisting of various small portions of various delights.

 

These brunches seem to be a new creation for the world cruise since I sailed.  Very popular, I understand.  When I have read the menu, I understand why.  

[Florida_gal_50]

23 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

HAL's Breakfast menu is more extensive than Princess', but Princess's menu has a daily special on their menu and Baked Apple slices.  (HAL lacks that.)  Those slices were once "a whole Baked Apple".  (A Baked Apple is a treat for me because it is something I would not make for myself.)  

 

What is really missing anymore is a Steward presenting a tray of breakfast pastries without the guest having to ask.  When I do, a get a plate of pastries someone, I guess the Steward, has chosen for me.  One morning on one cruise, even that was not available.  I complained to the Steward and someone went to the Lido Restaurant and get the pastries that I wanted.  Nothing exotic was what I wanted:  a Croissant, Cinnamon Roll, a Danish or two.  

I think that’s the only thing hal doesn’t have on their menu.  It doesn’t do much for me.  I would never order it.  I think they come around with pastries in club orange.  I can’t remember for sure because I can’t eat them without gaining a ton of weight.  When I hear about the things people eat at the Dutch cafe I don’t know how they aren’t 400 lbs.  I eat pretty sensibly  during the day, walk between 10,000 and 15,000 step plus go to the gym so its not like I’m sitting around all day.

 

 

 

[Florida_gal_50]

16 minutes ago, prescottbob said:

Hello,

 

Depending on the ship (pre-Covid) and, well, voyages such as the Grand Voyages, would have a “special of the day” (off menu, you needed to ask).

Usually it was something creative utilizing ingredients that needed to be used, I.e. spinach and lobster in a small cup with a cooked egg on top, or small pancakes drenched in fresh fruit, etc.

 

I also recall on the WC’s having Sunday brunches on sea days that would have a menu consisting of various small portions of various delights.

 

Without a doubt, the regular offerings in the MDR and Lido are more than adequate.

 

Be well.

Bob

 

I’m sure you understand that the grand voyages and world cruises have much better food.  More likely than not you are paying extra for that privilege. You can get a lobster Benedict at breakfast.  You just have to pay for it 😛.

[Florida_gal_50]

16 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

These brunches seem to be a new creation for the world cruise since I sailed.  Very popular, I understand.  When I have read the menu, I understand why.  

Just reading from live threads on world cruises it seems to me it was only a year or 2 before the shut down.  I don’t speak from personal experience.

[prescottbob]

29 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I’m sure you understand that the grand voyages and world cruises have much better food.  More likely than not you are paying extra for that privilege. You can get a lobster Benedict at breakfast.  You just have to pay for it 😛.

Hmm…

 

Interesting reply.

 

Be well & safe travels.

Bob

[New Jersey Pat]

Have the dining room and Pinacle been open for lunch on seas days.

[Ready2go11]

Neither venue was open for lunch during my 9 days on the Zaandam due to staffing issues. Canelleto and Pinnacle were not open for dinner every night either. We still managed to enjoy our planned 3 nights at the speciality restaurants.