Zuiderdam April 8th report

[Bobby Dee]

Just got home and spent a day recovering. I want to say thanks to the CC members for including me as a party crasher at the meet and greet. It was great meeting you.

My wife and I were traveling with three other couples and we had a great time, but that was more because of the fun these people always have when we get together. We probably won't be cruising on HAL again too soon. Celebrity is still our favorite. It's a real shame what CCL has done to HAL. I haven't been on Princess in three years and I hope there is some way for them to fight off Carnival's concept of specializing in mediocrocy.

Quickly though...Embarkation was quick and painless. Disembarkation was slow and poorly handled. Food was good, not the best I've experienced, but still generally good. Entertainment was disappointing. Main Office was disappointing. Casino staff and deck stewards were particularly friendly. On several nights drinks were two for one, and that made for a happier time. The AquaSpa was expensive, but as much use as we got out of it, it was worth it.

It picked up after a really bad start. We arrived at the pier and they handed us a notice that the cost of the cruise was increased by $26 per person, in the form of additional port charges. Then when we brought our own wine to dinner that night, the corkage fee which had been published as being $15 was raised to $18 without a word. Actually I'd checked with the wine steward before he'd opened the bottle and he said it was $15 but when the bill came it said the higher price. And then the very first thing I ate on the ship was that evening's appetizer, a tasteless array of sea scallops which I tasted and pushed away. Then we went to Half Moon Cay the next morning and came back mid afternoon and the room wasn't cleaned yet. It was a heck of a way to start a cruise. I got the corkage charges worked out, and the food and cabin service got much better, but I was begining to become concerned.

Until we meet on another cruise...

Bobby Dee