Disappointed

We went on this cruise along with some friends. First encounter we had, the muster drill yelled many times, like we were in the military. He was such a show off, scaring some children on the deck.

The public toilets were a mess, mostly clogged and toilet papers littered the ladies washrooms.

The heritage food (Indonesian and Filipino dishes) were nothing compared to the real things. Like those chefs did not make it real Indonesian and real Filipinos, meeting only the palate half-way to their countries. Think of this: the world is no longer ignorant about authentic oriental food. It's all over. Even fast foods can produce good stuff. Now, in Zaandam, it was short of anything but, just calling it some names. 

The tour director was alright with her entertainment announcements. She was not the type you find anywhere in the ship.

The shore excursion male and female team were there only to get bookings and stand by the hauling buses carrying signs. They opened the Shore Excursion late and they don't answer their phones.

The Lido, during the unattended days had some children sneeze and still hold the serving spoons. There were people who would stand next to the coffee makers holding a conversation as though no one else behind them waited to get coffee. 

In comparison, Royal Caribbean:  this ship is huge but there's enough space for everyone and the entertainments were just great; the activities were just exciting; food, great with lots of different selections and several restaurants; embarkation and disembarkation, a breeze.

No go back to Zaandam. The toilet we had was old, with tiles on the bath tub chipping away. The service crew could hardly manage. Their tired faces make me feel bad asking them to do this or do that. The gratuity a day for this ship was about $12. They said, those will go to the people "behind the scene". The office people said those crew members hardly ever get paid well so the passengers had to chip in.. Apparently, the money we pay will still have to go to the share holders. 

The worst: 

The shore excursion staff

The muster drill man ( yeller or "yodele-ler")

The lack of overseeing the unattended buffet trays at the Terrace and the Lido

While we were still at our stateroom during final disembarkation, the crew began washing our balcony already

There was disorganized crowded line up, no defined line to follow during disembarkation.

Cruise staff looked stressed and worried.

The cruise director you couldn't find when you're in a bind,except when she appears on stage, seemed to be her best time. 

The noisy Lido from the basketball court noise happening just above the Lido, occurring all day long, no matter what tie of the day it seems.  You can eat you lunch or snack and get the vibrations from upstairs.

The best about the ship:

The servers at the dining, both the Indonesians and Filipino crew and did their best to please almost anyone.

The cabin clean up, both patient and over worked men.

The office staff who took the blame intended for the shore excursion staff

The photography people

The buffet table servers and cleaners who smiled all the time and tirelessly served the guests