Zuiderdam Cruise Reviews - Reviews

It was bigger and more crowded than we like, but the only way to see the Med on this itinerary. The staff was wonderful, as usual, and everything was kept "ship-shape" and orderly throughout.

A nice cruise that could/would have been excellent if the entertainment and lecturer were up to Hollands normal standards.

Had awesome 1st time on a Cruise ship. Will Certainly return to HAL. Food was great, entertainment was top notch. Nice pool, even has good shopping on board. Didn't miss home at all. Crew & staff were superb!

My husband and I have taken several cruises, but this was our first on Holland America. We decided to ask my step-daughter and her roommate to go with us, seeing how much we love cruising. Going on the Zuidedam was the biggest mistake. My step-daughter had bed bugs in her stateroom. She plus her roommate were really bit up. Housekeeping did change the bed out and sent in an exterminator. But they only did the bed area. The night before we were to leave, there was more bed bugs, coming from the little sofa. Obviously they didn't do too good of a job taking care of the problem. When the girls needed something for the bites, we were sent to (what I call) sick bay areas. The (so-called) head nurse just handed the girls some lotion for the bites, didn't even look at them. I mentioned for her to look at the bites and she in no uncertain told me she was the "Head Nurse", she knows what she is doing. Needless to say the two girls she was suppose to be treating were also in the medical field, one an oncology nurse, the other working in the cardiology area. She kind of backed off then. Now I'll go to the dining area. The last formal night the linens looked like they were taken out of the dryer and put on the tables and the chairs. They were so wrinkled. I would never have my table look that disgusting at home. When I was brought dinner to my stateroom, because I got motion sickness, the placemat and napkin was still wet. Now do you call that CLASS. I doubt it. I rest my case.

The ship was lovely--emphasis on was. It really took a beating since 2002 when it was commissioned. Too many items were worn out. Still, it had a nice traditional sense about it.

they had a lot of activities for the kids .. clubs for teens where fun ... food was amazing service was great. employes didnt give anybody trouble everything was just perfecr to be honest..

We have cruised on more than 25 ships, but this was our first Holland America cruise and we were very impressed with the service, culinary efforts, entertainment variety, friendliness, and easy layout of the ship. Even though we sailed around hurricane Noel, we enjoyed the trip immensely. The Captain and staff's prime concern was the safety and the passengers. The important decisions about routes were shared in a timely fashion with all passengers and we were able to enjoy long days of sunshine. We had a balcony room and it was by far the most spacious that we have had with the exception of the room we had on Premiere's Big Red Boat - our first cruise! My husband enjoyed the ambiance of the casino and the interaction with his fellow players. I also enjoyed the extensive library and the current television shown rotating movie selection. We did venture up to the crow's nest one night, but found that the cigar smoking permeated the entire floor; we stayed only long enough to share a cocktail. The internet connections are way too slow and extremely expensive compared to other major lines such as Carnival, NCL, and RCCL. It was not worth the expenditure as I was constantly cut off in the midst of responding to important work related materials - very frustrating for those of us who combine vacation with a bit of work. The auxiliary showroom, The Queen's Lounge was much too congested and small for well attended events such as the Not so Newlywed game, etc. Be aware that the main entertainment showroom fills rapidly following dinner. The magician had a very easy going, humorous manner. The comedian was funny, entertaining and clean a rare combination in todays entertainment world. Some of the furniture and carpeting is beginning to show the wear and tear of entertaining hundreds of guests monthly. The fresh orchids in the Lido dining area were a very tasteful touch. We will definitely book another Holland America cruise.

Zuiderdam is a typical Holland America ship, very tastefully appointed, 2 formal dinner seatings, good food, prime rib, steak were excellent, portions of some dishes (ravioli) were small, but service was excellent and 2nd orders of lobster were readily available. Holiday week (thanksgiving) so many families with kids were on board, made for crowded pools and a little more noise than usual on a H-A cruise.

Embarkation was effortless, the excursions great. Fun things to do on the ship. Our room kept clean. We can't say enough about the food, it was top notch. The service made us feel like royalty. We absolutely hated leaving the ship. Even the disembarkation was very quick and smooth the way they have it set up. A memorable experience! We've already booked another cruise with Holland America. They are tops with us.

The ship was like a work of art-elegantly gorgeous. The food was excellent-THE most delicious and exotic food imaginable. The islands-especially Half Moon Cay- were the most beautiful places I've ever been to- it was breathtaking. The best part was the service- I made friendships for life. The room stewards, dining room stewards... were some of the most friendly, humorous, and hard-working people I've ever met... they were outstanding! I will never forget the week I spent on the ms Zuiderdam- one of the most wonderful weeks of my life.

It took about an hour and a half for us to get on the ship, which wasn't too bad. The first night in the dining room, our waiters/waitresses seemed like they didn't want to be there at all. No, "Enjoy your food," or, "Have a nice meal," or anything. Although the Maitre' D was very friendly. Then, one of my relatives complained that the air in her stateroom was broken and it was extremely hot in there. They gave her a fan and a bottle of champagne. Not very professional. There was a storm, so we didn't get to go to Key West, as scheduled. Overall it was ok, but the service needs more work. I really wouldn't recommend this one.

Being in our mid to late 20's, this boat wasn't really our age group. We thought there would've been more younger people. Our style of partying and laughing didn't seem to fit the criteria of the boat. When I was puking over the side of the tendor, the old people below us didn't find it very funny. This boat defintely was a great time!

We had never been on a cruise before and found that it can be a little overwhelming with the check in process that I thought I had done everything ahead of time to make the process go smoothly...But they had a "first timer" checking us in..Oh, brother, she needed to be trained a little more before checking people in. There was a confusion about the rooms and it made it a little upsetting in the beginning but we dealt with it. Putting all that behind us, we did enjoy the cruise and learned alot about what to do if we do "cruise again". It was very beautiful...Really enjoyed the "chocolate extravanganza" WOW! what a display and all in all we had a really nice time. The shows were great! and our cabin steward was so helpful....since the "room problem" caused us to have four people in one room which made it a little cramped for 7 days! but he really seemed to help make things seem more spacious.

Enjoyable cruise. Would have liked a little more info on individual sightseeing prior to arrival in the ports. There was ample info on the tours they were selling. Of course, sightseeing info was available on land upon arrival.

The Zuiderdam was very clean, very friendly ship, we would highly recommend a cruise on thid ship. The Cruise director was great and he shows very professional and entertaining. A very well thought out itinerary.

Booked full package...transportation to the ship and back home were disaterous. Suite was nice although color choices questionable. Front Office staff and Stewards were excellent but do not make up for major shortcomings. Food was good at the beginning of the Cruise became not as enticing after day 4. The Cruise Director probably a descent guy had many corny activities the entertainment was a hit and miss.

Beautiful ship. We have been on over 15 cruises many of which were on HAL. This is the first in which the food and choices were not up to the standards of this cruise line, The first four days the food was just so - so, on the last three days it was far better, On some nights the choices were difficult to make because they have all the "Good Stuff" on the menu and the next night it is bland choices. So much for that. A couple years ago, all seven days were great dining, Six months previously we were on "Celebrity" and all seven days were excellent, but HAL has fallen down here, Also, the islands of Tortola and Turk, I feel they are a zero It is time for the cruise lines to offer better ports. It is still great to cruise for a vacation, but I feel the cruise lines are opting out and cutting costs at the expense of the customers.

Ship was beautiful but there were no nonsmoking lounges /bars or staterooms. Thecasino was unusable to us due to smoking lingering even on 2 nonsmoking times in the entire 7 days. Even our balacony was smokey due to the adjoinuing room were with heavy smokers. Would not rec / for nonsmokers or children. Our cruise was first and lastg on HAL the unhealthy criuse line. Marc h 2007 cruise

Sailed in Oct-06. Enjoyed the cruise and the way in which the staff made you feel welcomed. The outside stateroom was great and the size was just right for two. Although it was a relaxing atmosphere, there was not enough activities on the ship to keep one occupied unless you enjoyed gambling, sun bathing or bingo, but that didn't take anything away from having a great time. Grank Turk was not worth having as a port of call. There was not much time at the stops to really get a feel of what the islands had to offer, but if you plan your excursions well you get a taste of it. Extremely hot, so if you do book an excursion make sure it is an air-conditioned vehicle, unless you like the hot sun.

My husband and I sailed the Inside Passage to Alaska on the ms. Zuiderdam from August 19 to 26. Holland Americas efforts to appeal to a younger crowd were evident from the Welcome Aboard party with live music and themed cocktails to the smorgasbord of party hearty activities laid on throughout the week. After sunset, the Crows Nest observation lounge morphed into a nightclub with live bands and DJs. In addition to the standard yoga, Pilates and aquafit classes, the on board Fitness Centre offers Cardio Ki-Bo Circuit Training which combines aerobics and kickboxing. We frequently saw people in their mid-twenties to early thirties, alone or with young children, playing volleyball, watching satellite TV in the sports bar, or grazing at the Taco Bar beside the Lido Pool. But you dont have to be a hipster to find a comfortable niche on the Zuiderdam. In the cutting-edge Culinary Arts Centre, I learned fifty ways to cook salmon then indulged in a pampering deep tissue muscle massage in the Greenhouse Salon, a luxuriously appointed spa with a decadent Roman-style hydro pool and convenient juice bar. Value-added talks (both live and pre-recorded) by local experts greatly enhanced our appreciation of Alaskas scenic cruising. As we navigated shores that were covered in ice just 200 years ago, a witty park ranger spoke about bear activity in Glacier Bay and a Hoonah interpreter gave a insightful talk on culture and customs of the Tinglit tribe, Glacier Bays historic inhabitants. Our state room was elegant and surprisingly roomy. Without a verandah however, the air quality tended to be stuffy. A series of whimsical animals fashioned out of bath towels appeared on our king size bed each night. (Elephant, Snake, Lobster and Manta Ray.) There are data ports in every stateroom for Internet and email access. This feature would have been invaluable for my creative writing practice had I stayed in my stateroom for any length of time. Between listening to live Mozart piano sonatas in the cozy Piano Bar, reading Jack London in the elegantly appointed Erasmus Library, enjoying the Las-Vegas illusionist in the Vista Show Lounge, and hot- tubbing as glistening icebergs and jade green water drifted by, my travel journal never saw the light of day.