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Great trip - comfortable ship

Zaandam Cruise Review to Alaska - Gulf of Alaska

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 55

Overall rating:

3.7 out of 5
Zaandam

7 Night Glacier Discovery Northbound (Vancouver To Seward)

Sail date: July 09, 2017

Ship: Zaandam

Cabin type: Inside

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

For a first cruise experience we were quite happy. The inside cabin was spacious for the three of us. We were always out and about in the ship or excusions so being inside was never issue. MDR food was good and we found a wonderful table/waitstaff on day 3 so made reservations for same the rest of cruise. Liked the comfortable feel of the Zandaam. Not a ship for kids needing something to do, they will get bored. We brought our own wine on board and paid corkage fee as onboard selection/price ratio offered were not good.

Embarkation

3 out of 5
Delayed due to ship cleaning from Noro outbreak

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5
MDR very good service and food. Did not eat at specialty restaurants. Lido "Distant Lands" usually had good eats, rest of buffet predictable but included a variation of what was on offer from MDR and specialty restaurants.

Rotterdam Dining Room

4 out of 5

We at majority of meals in the MDR. Service was good but we did find an excellent table and wait staff under open dining. We then made reservations to sit at the same table afterwards. Food always good to very good. It's nice not to fight the Lido crowds.

Explorations Cafe

4 out of 5

We got our coffee here as the MDR/Lido coffee left a lot to be desired. Also small bites were always good.

Ocean Bar

5 out of 5

We loved the jazz trio that played here. Great spot to chillout, watch the view and listen to good jazz after dinner. Hopefully it continues to be the same in 2018....

Explorer's Lounge

5 out of 5

Another great place to lounge in big comfy chairs. Games, library to keep your mind busy.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5
Not a whole lot to do. Too many sales presentations. Redemption was Greenhouse Spa which we had to ourselves on several occassions.

Thermal Suites

4 out of 5

We enjoyed the forward looking floor to ceiling glass windows view while relaxing in the thermal suite. We had this area to ourselves on three occasions which was special. Couples pass was good value.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Crow's Next

5 out of 5

At time of sailing (2017) Crows Nest was great. Big comfy chairs and seating where you could sit and just look at the view, read a book. At night the band was good. Wonderful place to hang out. Changes may have been made after drydock...

Service and Staff

4 out of 5
Staff on Zandaam were very good and very hard working.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
Loved the layout of this smaller ship, easy to get around. Crew kept common areas clean and maintained. Did show signs of aging gracefully so 2018 drydock hopefully gussied up the areas needing attention.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ship tip

Small ship experience is nice. You can get in your R&R with ease.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Ketchikan, Alaska

4 out of 5

Juneau, Alaska

4 out of 5

Skagway, Alaska

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5
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