HAL Zaandam in Alaska

Item: Zaandam
Rating: 4
Author: DougS2

Zaandam Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

DougS2

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 18

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Alaskan Explorer (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 22, 2006

Ship: Zaandam

Cabin type: Oceanview

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 14 years ago

Review summary

The ship was very clean and well-maintained. Food was excellent, entertainment delightful. Staff was very attentive and helpful; we were always greeted with a smile.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Excellent food, presentation, quality. Very comfortable ambience. Pinnacle Grill not to be missed.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Zaandam dancers and singers were out of this world!!! Best I have seen after cruising on five different cruise lines. Soloists and ensemble all strong and worked together to perform entrancing shows. Favorite was H2O.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Very friendly staff, accommodating, unobtrusive but always near. Waiter from dining room recognized and assisted us in Lido at other mealtimes. Sommellier also recognized and greeted us by name outside the dining room.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Spotlessly maintained.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Stateroom on deck 3, very near atrium and just a few steps out to the wrap-araound Promenade. Nice outside view, conveniently located. Would book this one again.

Ports of call

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

Superb natural history Discovery Center very close to the dock. Nice walk around town to Creek Street. Great shopping deals due to being last ship of tourist season. Took private tour to Totem Bight for taste of native culture.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Discovery Center

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5

Took commercial shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier for most of visit. Had a great time despite rain. Good beer nice atmosphere at Red Dog Saloon right next to the pier.

Thumbs Up 1

Don't Miss: Mendenhall Glacier

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5

Took commercial shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier for most of visit. Had a great time despite rain. Good beer nice atmosphere at Red Dog Saloon right next to the pier.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Mendenhall Glacier

Sitka, Alaska

5 out of 5

Enjoyed Sea Otter and Raptor Center tour. Tour boat met us alongside at anchorage, so we started the program immediately upon leaving the ship - very convenient and saved time. Lots of humpback whales, sea otters, eagles. Raptor Center interesting, but might have enjoyed walking around town more.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Wildlife in Sitka Sound

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Discovery Center

Victoria, British Columbia

3 out of 5

Four hours late at night does not do Victoria any justice. Most sights closed, some shopping, but limited mainly to tourist shops. City is beautifully lit at night, and Empress Hotel is always impressive.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Inner Harbor

Victoria, British Columbia

3 out of 5

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Inner Harbor

Sitka, Alaska

5 out of 5

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Wildlife in Sitka Sound

Pros: Level of service and entertainment

Cons: Age demographic of passengers