Information for wheelchair guests.

Zuiderdam Cruise Review to Caribbean

bjsanders

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 114

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

10 Night Panama Canal Sunfarer (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 26, 2016

Ship: Zuiderdam

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 6108

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Don't book cabin SS6108 which is advertised to be a handicapped accessible room if you are in a wheelchair 24/7 until it is refurbished. It was not properly equipped for wheelchairs. Shower in bathroom and ramp to veranda had to be worked on in order for them to be used. Room is not laid out properly for a wheelchair guest and room was not in good condition. Bathtub had holes in bottom enclosure and it was advertised to have dual sinks but had only one. Bathroom floor overflowed first time shower was used. We were given towels for us to clean it up!

The front office did recognize problems and did what they could to help us. And we appreciate all that was done for us. This was a 50th wedding anniversary cruise. Traveling through the panama canal locks, seeing it with our eyes and hearing the story of how it was built was a most chilling memorable experience.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Food in Lido and dining room could be better and more variety. Dive In was good and the Pinnacle was excellent.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Alice was great and Guest Chef Johnson had great recipes.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

B B King Band and Singers were excellent.

Children's Programs

Did not have any children to participate.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Sherrell in the front office.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Public areas were nice and attractive but our room was old and needed to be refurbished.

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Needs to be refurbished and made more convenient for wheelchair guests. Front office took photos of our room.

Ship tip

The 24 hour room service is great, great, great!!!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

3 out of 5

Holland America, to our knowledge, had no excursions available for wheelchair guests that had booked air flights and transfers with them, so we had to sit in airport for 5 hours on our way back home.

Thumbs Up 0

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

1 out of 5

Tenders are not equipped to transport wheelchair guests. We weren't aware of this until got ready to board and go ashore. We were also told by staff that there were no sidewalks there for wheelchairs even if we could be tendered. Later we talked to guests that went ashore and was told there were sidewalks.

Thumbs Up 1

Oranjestad, Aruba

5 out of 5

Shopping is good in all ports that wheelchair guests can go. People there are vey friendly and helpful. Beautiful buildings in all ports.

Thumbs Up 1

Willemstad, Curacao

5 out of 5

Enter Panama Canal At Cristobal

5 out of 5

Cruise Gatun Lake (Inside Panama Canal)

3 out of 5

Cruise Gatun Lake (Inside Panama Canal)