Best Cruise

Item: Zuiderdam
Rating: 5
Author: wilkepc

Zuiderdam Cruise Review to Caribbean

wilkepc

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 32

Overall rating:

5 out of 5

Verified Review

10 Night Panama Canal Sunfarer (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 05, 2016

Ship: Zuiderdam

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 6040

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

This cruise experience was the best by far. We really enjoyed the smaller ship and HOlland America went above and beyond. The service was truly outstanding, food exceptional, entertainment top notch (except for the singers) and the itinerary excellent. Every crew member greeted us no matter where we were on the ship, with a genuine smile and verbal greeting. We were entertained by an outstanding violinist and his pianist wife in the lounges, excellent blues band and piano man in the Piano Bar nightly....I could go on and on. The menu selections in the dining area were unique, delicious and presented well. Cabin stewards attentive without hovering and kept our cabin clean and supplied with fresh towels. We had to cancel our Costa Rica port because of rough seas but Holland America took us to Grand Cayman and it was lovely. I talked with a couple from the Princess cruise line in Grand Cayman and they also had to cancel Costa Rica but they ended up at sea an extra day. They were hoping to have 2 days in Grand Cayman but did not get it. We felt extra special that HA gave us a replacement port and not just stay at sea to use up time. Looking forward to our Alaskan cruise with HA in July!!!!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Honestly, every group was great except the singers.....sorry to say that but true....off key...songs just didn't seem like they were suited for some of the voices. Loved the dancers and costumes.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Excellent.

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

5 out of 5

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

5 out of 5

Oranjestad, Aruba

5 out of 5

Willemstad, Curacao

5 out of 5

Enter Panama Canal At Cristobal

5 out of 5

Cruise Gatun Lake (Inside Panama Canal)

5 out of 5

Cruise Gatun Lake (Inside Panama Canal)

5 out of 5

Cruise Gatun Lake And Panama Canal

5 out of 5

Exit Panama Canal At Cristobal

5 out of 5

Colon, Panama

3 out of 5

5 Comments

gmacruzer 8 years ago

We are looking at HA cruise in July. Which one are you doing? Nancy

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japo60 8 years ago

We were on the Rotterdam last december going to the Canary Islands. One night at dinner lady at our table is complaining about outside temperature, too hot, and movement of the ship. Turns out she can't stand warm weather and even gets sick in a car. Who's fault? right, HAL. Go figure.

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Deejay43 8 years ago

I am somewhat confounded when reading the reviews about cruise experiences. In some cases passengers on the same ship at the same time post comments that run the gamut from "Never again" to "One of the best cruise holiday I have ever had". The sad part is some of the negative reviews are based on things beyond the control of the cruise line - such as weather related changes to the itinerary.

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jessicalauderdale 8 years ago

This is such a great comment to read!! We're going on our honeymoon in 8 days and after seeing some iffy comments about the zuiderdam, I was beyond excited to read yours!!

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enjoyurdaysmile 8 years ago

Oh wow..That is great. You had a good time and to go to Grand Cayman instead of being at sea was a good call. I will be on the Westerdam from February 20-27. It will be our first time with HAL. Thanks for the review.. :)

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