PANAMA DISAPPOINTMENT

Item: Zuiderdam
Rating: 4
Author: CRUISEAHOLIC50

Zuiderdam Cruise Review to Caribbean

CRUISEAHOLIC50

Contributor Level: Cruise Director

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 4

Helpful Votes: 119

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

10 Night Panama Canal Sunfarer (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 15, 2017

Ship: Zuiderdam

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 4038

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

My reason for cruising the Panama Canal for the 6th time was to see and hopefully experience the completed new locks. We were not previously informed that due to the astronomical over-budget cost to complete the canal and the nearly 2-year delay, the Panamanians are charging triple the cost to pass through the new locks vs the old locks. Needless to say, the new locks sit virtually unused, causing the usual delays and back-ups getting through the old locks. Be prepared to be disappointed if you had hopes of viewing the completed and costly project.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Lots of rust and dirt all over the ship. Room furnishings need to be updated and replaced.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Very little room to maneuver with three people in the cabin. Smaller that balcony cabins on other sailings. Furnishings were old and in need of replacement. Balcony was filthy and rusty.