Zaandam Tips

Read all the information left outside your door or on your bed - all worth the time to be up to date on activities etc. Request a statement the evening of the last night at sea, it gives you time to check for errors and have them corrected before the final statement is processed.

Leave notes in your room for the steward to get things you need (i.e. extra pillow, more paper)

Eat every meal you can in the dining room. The food is amazing. Especially dinner.

Don't miss 3:00 pm High Tea. Go for open dining instead of a specific seating time. Bring a couple of bags. Eat at the Canaletto Italian Restaurant at least once.

Take ship tour early on

A room with a balcony is the best way to cruise.

Go to the Lido for breakfast. Be early. Use the hand wash stations before you use the serving spoons of the trays. Go for omelettes Give a tip to a server to bring your food in your table; Go to the Rotterdam for forma dining;

Enjoyed all staff especially Lido deck. It was nice to have tacos and burgers around the pool for something different at lunch. Loved Happy Hour for drinks and appetizers.

When you first get on the ship, make sure to make a reservation for the Pinnacle Grill. It is a speciality restaurant with an added fee but is well worth the extra charge. They book up quickly, especially for popular times.

Get up Early for Short Lines

Opt for assigned dinner seating or get reservations as early as possible.

Always order your morning tea or coffee with room service to be delivered when you wake up. Always board as early as possible, spend time wandering the ship and getting a sense of where the areas you are interested in are. Read about all ship activities in the guide provided in your stateroom.

This 14 day trip on Zaandam is a very mature crowd, I would guess median age was past mid-60's. As such, much of what is offered onboard is geared towards the older crowd.

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

The ship is starting to show it's age. This was our third time on this ship.

When you get off of the elevators have small signs pointing the direction you need to go.

some common area's for seating are inside and next to the outside edge of ship. It gives you a chance to look over the edge of ship from inside.

Bring things to do on sea days, not many activities on the ship.

I love the Crow Nest Lounge , great view and Happy Hour

Get to the theater early for a good seat.