In general, I enjoyed my trip. I only need to come to Fort Lauderdale once, and visited three places on my bucket list: Bahamas, South Caribbean islands and the Panama Canal. I think their Itinerary is the best in the Caribbean area, the food and entertainment is getting better and better, it suits the adult guests who want to relax and rewind, doesn't want to see drunk people partying.
The only thing I would suggest to Holland America line is to build/ increase solo traveler cabins. People like me, well educated middle age professionals, we can afford to travel, and we know how to enjoy life. This is a big market and some cruise lines have wonderful programs for us with NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT. Some staffs of HAL don't understand solo travelers are not odd, we are just independent and we know how to enjoy life by our own.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
great.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
It seems the Lido market has the same dinner menu from Dinning room, and much more. The main difference is the presentation is better at Dinning room with good service. Some guests and I didn't go to the Dinning room during the whole trip. Simply because we like to eat at our own time, choices are more, we don't feel like to dress up... I cruised at Zuiderdam twice in last 3 months, I really like this change.
I am a big fan of Asian food, so I would love to see they have an Asian food restaurant.
Lido Market
4 out of 5
While the Main Dinning room and Specialty restaurants are focus at Western food, the Lido buffet has an Asian food counter. I basically chose all my lunch there. Now they have fresh made Sushi, I saw many people like that.
The Lido restaurant manager Mahrub has great management skills, helped me with my special request, and resolved my concern immediately.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Fitness program, such as yoga. I enjoyed it. I wish there are more on-board activities are for younger(40-50 years old) guests. It seems is engough for the older folks.
I love the new library/ tour info / observation center. All the bookshelves were setup nicely with lots of chairs and sofa for a relax reading spot, while look out for the endless sea view.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
After the first time I cruised with Zuiderdam, I left a feedback: " your entertainment sucks!" I couldn't even stand the Zuiderdam singers of Main Stage for more than 2 songs, I stayed for 2 songs because the dancers were good.The Piano Bar was too small, I had to listen outside of the Piano bar.
This time I cruised with Zuiderdam, they added a Billboard lounge with two pianist/ singers, they are good. The Piano Bar changed into Lincoln Center and played Classical music. They were amazing! The BBKIng Blue Club also was extended into a bigger and better location with a bar. This Band was amazing as well. I just wish their volume of speaker was a bit lower. Those two guests performers at Main Stage were excellent. People can't stop clapping from the magic tricks and those jokes.
The new flat TV at all the Cabin has programs with newer movies, popular TV programs and love news. That was a excellent change!!! you also can view the menu of the day, and order food to your cabin for free.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
The representatives at the Front desk during this trip were wonderful!!
Room Stewards are good.
Few staff at the Lido market need more training though. It seems other guests were happy. Maybe just because I am a really picky person.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The carpet at public areas were changed recently, it looks great to me.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
It was a nice and quiet inside cabin close to mid ship. It helps a lot for my sea sick issue. It is a regular cabin for two person, so it is quiet big for myself. Since i also have insomnia issue, inside cabin suits me perfectly.Also, I like the bathroom has thoughtful design to dry your hand washed clothes.
Ship tip
Number goes up when you walk to the end of the ship,
I chose a island tour with the tour guy outside the terminal. He was good, tell us a lot of history etc about the island. But the light house and Rock Foundation was not worth visiting in my opinion. The Beach was beautiful, and NO BEGGARS AND SELLERS. I was impressed.
There are lots of watches and jewels shopping there, but I didn't go.
I went for an excursion, took a boat trip, went through the whole Panama Canal all the way to the Pacific Ocean. I thought it was worthy the money. $169.99 USD. We got a very close look to this Canal, and learned about the history and fun fact about it from the tour guy.
It is all about the Rain forest to me. I went for an excursion and took a tram in the rain forest. The feeling was absolutely amazing, I touched the plants and flowers on top of trees, and had the view of above the whole rain forest. It was a little pricey, $125 USD.
The shop at the side was good. I bought some coffee...
I made a mistake by sending my not-so-big luggage the night before disembarkation, and letting the cruise ship staff moved it out of the ship. I had to wait for very long time to pick up my luggage.
Going through the US immigration was a headache. Many lines for US residents, and only ONE LINE for non-US resident. As a Canadian, I got a little previlege to bypass many European guests and got through the immigration counter faster, which I am sure that I was hated by over 100 Dutch guests...but I think this has nothing to do with the Cruise ship itself.
I have just read that cruise lines are adjusting their 200% single rates if you go to vacations to go you can set all single rates and you will see the % rate great tool
@rideaLot58,thanks! good to know. The newer ships have smaller cabins for solo travelers, which usually the first ones be sold out. The demand is there.
Rooms are based on double occupancy with royal Caribbean if you go solo and pay 200% but with their loyalty rewards going solo will earn twice the points
I am thinking just the opposite.:) I will still take HAL when I travel with a friend to share the cost,but travel solo with any cruiseship which has solo cabins and solo traveler program. I gave my last cruise with Zuiderdam 5 stars, I like the mid size ship and their initeray, but still, I wish HAL has a better solo program so people like me can continue cruising with HAL
I think it depends on what you’re looking for in a cruiseline. I would pay the premium 150% for a solo cabin to cruise on HAL vs. paying only single price on less expensive cruise lines. You do get what you pay for, and with HAL you get exceptional service, food, and entertainment, and they do have great itineraries. I agree that it would be better if they came up with better pricing for solo travelers, but I’d still choose them over other lines if I was traveling solo. And that’s probably why they haven’t done much to improve solo traveler pricing. 🤣🍸
i was on the zuiderdam after thanksgiving on the 10 day cruise and i also a solo traveler have found that if you shop your cruise on the Hal website that you will find that Hal doesn’t always hit the solo 200%. In fact on all my holland cruise (4) now that as booking solo they on certain cruises will only charge 150%. I have never paid double. Plus on this cruise Hal sent an email with phone number 2 days before the cruise and being that i was stuck in traffic i called and for 99 dollars took a balcony upgrade from inside cabin. That’s 10 bucks a day.
Seriously??? That’s ridiculous! I agree with your comments. There’s no way they should be charging double for a solo traveler! Unless of course you eat as much food as two people! 🤣🍸
@majmom96, my dear, the quote I got for Baltic cruise, the solo cabin is more expensive than paying two fees on a double cabin! I am not impressed at all!
Love your comments about solo travelers! I know HAL has started putting solo traveler cabins in their newer ships, but I’m not sure how the pricing is. Maybe they heard you! 🍸
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