Review from Zuiderdam 12/11 sailing page2

[cooldaddyd]

Spa/Gym- Neither I nor my wife spa. The couple joining us do and had a good overall experience although they thought it was pricey. (WEIN) when it comes to cruise ship spas.

 

I regularly used the gym. It is well equipped for a cruise ship. Very underutilized which is a plus. In fact, I never had to wait in line for any machine and there were at least two if not three treadmills that were "out of order" for the entire cruise. One spot of poor design of the ship: the upstairs running track, which has direct access to the gym, has wind barriers placed on both sides of the ship turning the track into a mini obstacle course. You also must jog in between chaise lounges, shuffle board games and viewing decks. You can however jog on the main promenade on deck 3. It gets very little use in the early mornings and late evenings and is a perfect place to run. The problem is after you are sweat drenched from running, but, still want to finish off your workout with some weight training, there is no access to the gym without going inside the ship and taking either stairs or elevators to the gym. My solution was to first visit the gym, take one of the huge ( and very luxurious)spa towels from the mens changing room, and then go to the promenade to jog. Just drop the towel on any of the dozens of always empty chaise lounges and when you are done running, wrap the spa towel around your neck before taking the interior stairs or elevators. With the right deoderant and proper distance kept, people might think you just stepped out of the sauna as opposed to heading for the gym.

 

SPA/GYM

 

HITS: Equipment; space to passenger ratio; spa treatments

 

MISSES: Poor layout for running; pricey spa

 

With that said, I still think the Zuiderdam's design and decor is unfairly criticized. Because it is a big ship, many expect it will have the big ship features. It does not. Instead it carries the small ship intimacy to the extreme. Ceilings are low, there is no huge atrium soaring five to seven decks to the ceiling. On the contrary, there are seemingly endless lounges and rooms many which must be entered to be seen. The majority of them are tastefully done, some of them brilliantly so. As for the cleaniliness and wear and tear for which it is so often criticized, the Zuiderdam while it needs some help is not completely at fault. The materials chosen, while beautiful, just will not stand up thousands of people touching and abusing. For instance dyed leather handrails in the elevators are an awesome feature but wear out quickly. Solid royal blue carpeting, anyone with children? Enough said. The crew is vacuuming non stop... but a simple grain of sand will stand out on the carpeting like an ant on a wedding cake.

 

There is one item on which I must agree with other critics. The sewer stench on decks 1,2,& 3 is inexcusable. Thankfully it is not near the dining rooms and in fact was somehow not present when we went to dinner at 8:30pm. It was extremely noticeable during the day.

 

Ports and excursions are one of the biggest reasons we cruise Holland.

 

This cruise however is causing me some skepticism. Our port time in St. Thomas was cut by two hours. Even our cruise docs said 11:00pm depature, however, once on board it is 9:00pm supposedly "due to opeartional reasons". This is a shameful trick that is becoming increasingly common with Holland and other lines owned by Carnival Corp. It seems every possible reason is used to keep ships at sea with the casinos going, bars flowing and no anchorage fees.

 

Half Moon Cay on this trip was cancelled due to weather. High winds.

 

This was a huge disappointment! Another day at sea. Our traveling companions on the other hand were relieved. It was another day of needed rest.

 

St. Thomas is one of our favorite ports. ( 8th visit) This time we took a Seaborne Airlines seaplane ($107 US roundtrip/pp) to Christiansted, St. Croix. Worth every penny. Some ship excursions cost more and deliver less. Saint Croix offers just as nice although less redundant/plentiful shops as can be found on St. Thomas. The plane ride is spectular with views of St. Thomas and the entire virgin islands. It takes off from downtown Charlotte Amalie and lands in Downtown Christiansted. We (more like we joined my wife) did shopping in Christiansted, had lunch at Rum Runners Restaurant where the tables are so waterfront that blue crabs come up from the water and join you! My 13 year old son and I left my wife and daughter to do more shopping while we took a three minute/three dollar ferry ride over to Hotel on the Cay. It is a rustic hotel with a rustic although quiet but well equipped beach that is free to use. There is even a changing area in the restrooms. Chaise lounges are $3/day, wave runners 55/30 min (none were being used during the two hours we spent there). Let me add the beach provides an exquisite view looking across the bay at Christiansted and St. Croix.

 

If spectacular sand/beaches/snorkeling is what you're looking for this is not it. Stick to the ferry ride to St. John and then rent a car. For solitude/snorkeling... take the road to the Anendale(?)plantation at the end of the road on St. John. Then walk along the beach trail about a 3/4 of a mile... to the far side of the lagoon where you will see an atoll aprox. 1/5 mile off shore. The lagoon is great for snorkeling, the atoll is even better. Only experienced swimmers and snorklers should make the swim to the atoll. Currents can be tricky!

 

Tortola is an absolutely beautiful island where there is absolutely nothing to do! Be forewarned. Make your plans in advance. My wife, daughter and our friends took the Sea and See tour which they all gave high marks. It was almost four hours long, covered the island top to bottom. They loved it!

 

My son and I booked a private tour with Patouche! This is an excellent outfit who's owners (Joe Standish and his wife) are hands on and know how to deliver a tour. We first took a well equipped and up to date catamaran (15 on board including crew) to the baths at Virgin Gorda. The crew spent the entire 45 minute trip fetching drinks, snacks and gear without once me having to ask. All the time answering every question about the islands and sights we passed by. Once at the baths the guide took us on a tour of the park. To me the baths are one of those places you visit once in your life an that's quite enough. The rock formations are beautiful, intriguing in fact, but just too many people. We often had to wait in line just to pass from one "cave" to another.

 

The crew at Patouche then let us have a moment on the beach ... then it was back on board for a pleasant lunch as we sailed to Cooper Island where our guide "Pearce" took us for an hour snorkel and then let us go on our own for another a hour. I saw my first sea turtle which swam with our group for at least ten to fifteen minutes. Straight out of "Finding Nemo". Joe got us back on board, where each guest got a warm fresh water rinse off, and then headed for Roadtown. Patouche gave all the guests a door to door drop off back at the Zuiderdam at 4:15pm. It was an excellent all day experience! Book on line and save ten bucks. Total for two $180.00

 

Nassau is another port where we have visited many times and not being beach/casino/party people, have left disappointed more times than not. The dolphin experience we did on a previous cruise, and that was with mixed emotions due to the treatment of dolphins in captivity.

 

It was nevertheless an enjoyable experience especially for my son who was 10 years old at the time.

 

On this cruise my family and our traveling companions ( six of us total) opted for a bike ride with an environmentalist on the island. Her name is Carolyn Wardle. The fare was $55 per person including bike rentals, gear, water, snacks, pick up and drop off from Nassau.

 

Carolyn takes her guests to the southside of New Providence Island, away from the hubub of Nassau. The half hour drive over and around New Providence (in each direction) is alone worth the price.

 

But, this trip is not for everyone, including my wife (who shop till ya drop is for wimps... shop till you bleed is more like it) who was miserable, my son who was bored, our traveling companions who were politely interested and my daughter who by this 6th day of our vacation had her mind on the minutes until she could see her boyfriend. Carolyn I believe does a fine but quirky job of showing guests her side of the island. You visit her middle class on a canal in the Coral Harbour community where you gear up. Because of the mixed biking ability of the group she took us on a ride around an abandoned golf course that bordered the coast line. It was a lovely ride in good weather. We stopped in the mangroves where we were able to walk a football field's length into the ocean and still be just knee deep. All the time looking at crabs and fish scurry about our feet. Carolyn makes it no secret throughout the trip her politics on the environment especially as it relates to New Providence and the development boom in Nassau. We tried to do some bird watching but no birds were to be found that day. She also took us on a small ride through an adjacent neighborhood just to get an up close feel for the people of the island and that was truly unique. But, I will say it again this trip isn't for everyone. You must be very open to what you see and get, this is very off the beaten path, and Carolyn is as much the entertainment as is what you see. She is a wonderful person, dedicated, informed and very vocal.

.... more to follow

[DoctorFeelgood]

Great, helpful review!

[riz]

Again.....agree with your reviews exactly. We did notice significant sewage stench on the lower parts of the ship. Thankfully it was not in the dining areas...we actually noticed it more so towards the end of the cruise increasingly. We were always commenting on the "poopy" smell. Patouche I agree was great (now I know who you are !!) The four of us really felt it made our week. I am seriously considering doing a week charter with them.

[Tak8]

Sorry to hear St. Thomas was cut short and you lost HMC. Did the itinerary stay the same? St. Thomas on Tuesday and Tortola on Wednesday.

[drk]

Enjoying your review. We were also on the Patouche trip with you and agree it was the highlight of the trip. Haven't read the part 1 yet...just getting back on the boards. Tak8 we did do St. T on Tuesday and Tortola on Wednesday. Thanks.

 

Kevin & Cathy

[Capt. JC]

I would avoid Seaborne Airlines after my experience with them. I checked in my luggage and the agent said that my credit card was denied (visa says that it never denied the charge) and made me pay $50 cash. When I got home there was a Seaborne charge on my visa for $50. Clever way to double charge for luggage. I am working with visa to get the charge reversed. Fortunately I had the agent write a receipt for the cash.

[PathfinderEss]

Enjoying your review, sorry about missing HMC. Looking forward to more of your report.

[jimmy2x]

This review is from 2004!