Zaandammmmmn I'm Dehydrated!

Zaandam Cruise Review to Alaska - Gulf of Alaska

snspeyer

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Experience: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 33

Overall Rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Glacier Discovery Southbound (Seward To Vancouver)

Sail Date: June 21, 2015

Ship: Zaandam

Cabin Type: Oceanview

Cabin Number: 3300

Traveled As: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 3 years ago

Review Summary

I couldn't decide between 2-3 stars for this one...This was the first cruise I have ever taken and everyone I know who has gone on a cruise tells me they can't wait to go again. Unfortunately, I can't say the same. I heard Holland America was one of the better cruise lines so I picked them. Pros: The scenery of the trip was phenomenal, good food selection (included), and friendly staff. Cons: 1) We chose the 'oceanview' room deal that was advertised (they don't tell you that THAT price is for the 'obstructed' oceanview room, expect to pay more if you really want a 'view') - if you go, PICK your own room - not the 'guarantee' where they pick for you - we ended up with what no one else wanted! 2) Soda and alcohol are NOT included! I purchased a $50 "soda card" for only $25 on the first day that reduces the price of sodas to $1.75 each instead of $3.50. Plan on bringing your own soda and water bottles with you, then stocking up at each port! (Note: can't bring alcohol on the ship.) 3) the cruise price does NOT include the $11 PER PERSON PER DAY they charge for cleaning your cabin. This cost is tacked on to your on-board tab which you will get the morning you arrive for debarkation. (Note: ask for a copy of your bill the night before to review so you can get over the shock before you leave the next day!). 4) Any worthwhile shore excursions are expensive and could end up doubling the price of your trip should you decide to take them. 5) Wifi is NOT free and is NOT included! They charge 55 cents PER MINUTE! If you have a smart phone, wait until you are in port and find a free wifi hotspot. 6) This was one of the smaller cruise ships and not what I expected (you know, like what you see on all of those glamorous cruise ship commercials! If that is what you are looking for, pick another one). Overall, I am glad I finally got to do the 'inside passage' to Alaska, but I think next time, I'm going to skip the cruise and find a nice "ALL inclusive" resort where I can actually relax and enjoy the trip instead of worrying about what my final bill will look like.

Ship Experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

There were a lot of choices for food. Room service, buffet (daily varieties), and dining room were free (sans soda/alcohol). There were a couple of other restaurants to choose from for a higher price. The salmon bbq on the pool deck was pretty neat one night.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

This was a smaller ship than I expected, which didn't lend for much onboard activities. Each night you get a plan of the next day's activities. How do I say that there was a full schedule of activities, but not much to choose from?!! Especially for days 'at sea.' (Bingo was fun, but at least $25 just to play.) They did have a HUGE selection of DVDs you could check out for free if sitting in your cabin and watching t.v. is your idea of a fun cruise! There was a small pool, but honestly it was too cold (Alaska trip, remember?!).

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Nightly entertainment was provided: mostly the song/dance group provided by the cruise line. There was a funny comedian one night and a so-so ventriloquist another night. Nothing spectacular, but not bad.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Everyone on board was friendly and helpful.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cleanliness was good. Our room attendants were awesome and friendly. The bathroom started to smell like an outhouse towards the end of the cruise. I don't know if each cabin has a holding tank or if our cabin was just near the holding tank. Some of the lights in our cabin (and the one next to us) also went out for awhile one night, but they promptly fixed it (flipped a circuit?) soon after we notified them.

Cabin / Stateroom

Our cabin was closest to the exterior door which closed with a loud bang every time someone went through it. Very small, confined space, but clean.

Ship Tip

Expect to pay a lot more for your trip than just what you paid for the cruise. Room service, buffet, and dining room food is free including water, coffee/tea, etc., but ALL soda and alcohol are extra ($$). NO free wifi - 55 cents per minute!!!!! Cell service only in ports (calls ~$10/minute!)

Ports Of Call

Seward (Anchorage), Alaska

5 out of 5

Sealife Center was good. Seward has a free shuttle service that runs approximately every 30 minutes.

Cruise Glacier Bay

5 out of 5

Haines, Alaska

3 out of 5

Will have to pay $$$ to go to Skagway. We chose to go kayaking instead ($$) - fun, but not worth the cost (the included lunch was a small sandwich, chips, and soda that we ate while sitting on the beach looking at the cruise ship (thinking about the buffet on-board) AFTER the kayaking trip.

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

Look for 'locally' or 'Alaskan' made symbols when shopping. Otherwise everything was made in Chine sold by foreigners there for the summer season. The Tram up the mountain was fun, but eat lunch before you go! The restaurant at the top NOT worth it! (we got 3 'fish stick' sized pieces of halibut with fries and coleslaw for $22).

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

Free around-town off-and-on shuttle - thank you Ketchikan!

Cruise Inside Passage, Alaska

5 out of 5

Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia

5 out of 5

Be ready to pay ($$$) for transportation if not included in your trip

Traveler Photos

7 Comments

CrusinTim 3 years ago

With all due respect, everything you complained about could have been avoided with some research prior to booking. Also, you mention you have friends that have cruised before, did they not explain any of these things to you? I'll reply by the numbers as you have posted in the review...1) Unfortunately you found this out the hard way. And I agree, ALWAYS book your own room and don't rely on the "Guarantee" booking hoping for an upgrade. I found out in 3 mouse clicks that your cabin HH3300 on the Lower Deck as a fully obstructed view. 2) I would have thought your friends would have enlightened you on this WELL known fact. Soda and alcohol are never included unless you are sailing with an upper scale line that offers it as part of the cruise. 3) The $11 a day they charge are for gratuities for not only your cabin steward. The money is shared amongst many crew members including your Dining Room staff. You could have adjusted the amounts at any time by going to the pursers/customer service desk onboard. Before auto-tipping became policy on cruises, the passengers would hand out money envelopes to the crew on the last night of the cruise to such crew as the cabin steward and dining room staff. 4) No, WiFi is not free and this could have been known if you had done some research. It isn't free on most cruise lines. 5) Again, research in the form of past cruisers on that ship in forums. The Zaandam holds a little over 2000 passengers and crew. Although not what I would call a small ship, the public areas may have caused you to feel enclosed. I also get a print of my cabin charges every two days just to make sure I'm staying on budget. Don't give up on cruises based on just one. Just do a bit more research prior to booking next time. You already have a lot of pertinent info to sail on.

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Zaandammmmmn I'm Dehydrated!

Overall Rating:

Review Summary

Ship Experiences

Ship Tip

Ports Of Call

Traveler Photos

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