Geat Panama Canal Cruise

Zuiderdam Cruise Review to Caribbean

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 45

Overall rating:

4.6 out of 5
Zuiderdam

10 Night Panama Canal Sunfarer (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 06, 2019

Ship: Zuiderdam

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 5134

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Very nice trip. Great time with family and friends. Typical HAL ship with good food, great friendly service, and quiet areas to relax and enjoy. Well worth the money. Will go again.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Very quick process

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5
Good food everywhere, buffet did not have as much variety as i would like. Service was outstanding.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5
Fitness center was very well equipped with ample cardio equipment, free weights both light and heavier, and weight machines. Hydrotherapy pool was wonderful. Would have taken advantage of more activities if offered.

Fitness Center

5 out of 5

Well equipped with cardio machines, free weights, both light and heavier, and weight machines.

Hydro Pool

5 out of 5

Super relaxing. Not crowded ever.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
Steel drum band was awesome. The classical group were incredible musicians and wonderful performers. The handbell group was very entertaining.

Children's Programs

No children of the right age.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
As typical with HAL, the servers are very friendly and easy to talk with. Every server goes out of their way to make sure your needs are met. Cannot say enough good things about the service and the servers. Wonderful people.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5
The Zuiderdam is a little older and smaller ship than many but the layout is good and the entire ship was clean and well maintained. I would absolutely sail on her again.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Excellent storage space both hanging and drawer. Suitcases easily fit under the bed. Balcony is narrow as is every ships balcony i have been on. Bed and couch were both comfortable.

Ship tip

Expect an older crowd, great service and a laid back atmosphere.

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

3 out of 5

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

5 out of 5
Nice beach with ample chairs

Oranjestad, Aruba

5 out of 5
Very friendly stop. Rented three wheel motorcycles and toured the island. Very fun.

Willemstad, Curacao

5 out of 5
Very pretty community and dock area. Easy community to explore on your own.

Enter Panama Canal At Cristobal

5 out of 5
Canal is very fascinating. Recommend either getting on the bow or in the Crows nest for viewing.

Cruise Gatun Lake (Inside Panama Canal)

5 out of 5
Sailed in, dropped anchor and sat for a few hours.

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

1 out of 5
Very poor area around the dock. Only stop i did not feel 100% safe. Not worth getting off ship.

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

5 out of 5
Did a Tortugurra Canal excursion. Very fun, saw great wildlife and beautiful country.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
Very quick and painless. Less than 15 minutes from calling our color, we were off the ship. Our luggage was waiting and easy to find. The buses to the airport were waiting for us. Very smooth process.
Was this review helpful? 45

2 Comments

cruisellama    5 years ago

Shh813    5 years ago

We were on Nieuw Amsterdam last March. Loved it. Food absolutely delicious. Very nice ship. Staff in buffet always smiling and friendly. Cabin steward always greeted us by name when he saw us and asked how our day was at the different ports. Room always spotless. Would definitely go on Nieuw Amsterdam again.

Other reviews of this sailing