Zuiderdam Cruise Reviews - Reviews

This was our first cruise on Holland America, previous cruises have been on Royal Caribbean, Princess and Radisson.Embarkation was smooth - the main elevators were very busy with two of them closed off to passengers for baggage transport. However, we headed to the forward elevators and found our own way to our room - we arrived to find our baggage already there - this was a first on any cruise.Room steward was the best we have had... always a smile, always responsive and prompt with every request. We had an A Level veranda stateroom on the Rotterdam deck - essentially the same size as we have had on Royal Caribbean. While our rooms did not have robes, our steward supplied us with them within moments of our request. Room service was excellent. Unlike the previous reviews listed here we found the Main Dining Room service to be superb - prompt, excellent service staff, food was certainly up to Holland America standards. There was a vibration and prop shaft noise - we were told this will be corrected when the ship goes into dry dock.Bar staff was great - always remembered our names and our choice of beverage.The age group was mixed - around 40% were of retirement age. This is not a ship for small children or teens - something we were grateful for.... families would be better suited to Royal Caribbean or Carnival.We prebooked our excusions - did the ATV tour in St. Kitts - excellent. The excursion to Sting Ray cove in Nassau would have been great had it not been for the number of people in the water at the same time (how many times do you want to get kicked in the head?).The ship is maintained within an "inch of its life - never saw trash or overflowing trash barrels ( saw this alot on R.C. ships). Attention to detail is excellent.Ship decor is a departure from "normal" Holland America style - brighter and more trendy.Overall, a great vacation.

We traveled with 4 other couples, all in our forties. There were all ages on the ship, mostly older, but everyone was young at heart. Embarkation went a little slow but the ship had been late arriving and we still were on by 1:30pm. The food service was wonderful, there was lots of delicious food available at all times during the day and night. The Dover Sole was worth getting a second order of. The ship was really full and our waiter had an extra table, so we saw a lot of the head waiter who was making sure that we had great service. There was a strange vibration that was very noticeable in the aft especially in the dining room. For entertainment, we had a comedian who was really funny. The dancers and singers were very good, and a piano player who was unbelievably good!!! Our cabin size was SS, which was very nice, smaller than we had expected, but otherwise great. The cabin steward couldn't have been better. Over all, the cruise was wonderful and we are ready to go again.

Weather was great. Nicely spread out with sea days and ports.

All staff members maintained the highest level of cleanliness from stem to stern! The stewards were professional in all aspects of performing their duties. The suite is well appointed. Loved the World Stage and Music Avenue performances!

It was great. Very port intensive with really only one sea day.

I highly recommend his cruise. Wish we had done the full 36 days. Wonderful crew and staff on this ship for this cruise. Would definitely do again.

Ireland was everything I hoped for Iceland was neat. Loved Rotterdam and Norway too many stops in Newfoundland and Canada

Very worthwhile cruise with great range of stops. Ship was a little dated but given its size we were very happy to put up with the few defects.

Really loved the cruise and the ship. Food was fabulous and the staff was exceptional. Only downfall with HAL is their entertainment.

Excellent cruise! Totally enjoyed it but could have done without the unruly kids on board.

The cruise was what we wanted although the leaves had not yet turned. Ports and shore excursions were super. The only port we did not enjoy was Boston. Everything was under construction and torn up. Took the HOP ON bus and never got off due to conditions. Enjoyed the Beer and Mussels and Lobster Bake excursions. Zuiderdam is a superior small cruise ship. The Z is not overwhelming in size and is easy to get around on.

HAL is always reliable with good food and an excellent crew. We have sailed with many times and have always enjoyed our time.

Awesome trip thanks to the many staff and helpful people along the way. We ate in our room ordering anything we wished and that was awesome too. Dinner without shoes! Tees instead of tuxes. I loved it

Some of our favourite things about this cruise was the service, food, weather, were amazing. The aft pool was 85° and the midship pool was 76° hot tubs were generally between 102 and 104°. And there is a co-Ed sauna located midship on the ninth floor and it was the nicest sauna that I’ve ever experienced on any of my cruises!

Many itinerary changes. The stop in Maloy was a waste as was the stop in Nanortalik. Huge mess with CBP in Portland.

We flew in to fory lauderdale a few days before embarkation ,once on the ship only good experiences

Trip of a lifetime! Loved every minute and was never homesick or bored!

This was only my second cruise and my first time on Holland America. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience as did my husband and son. I chose Holland America because I wanted a more quiet and laid back atmosphere and that's exactly what it was. My 16-year-old loved it. He's not one who has to be entertained non-stop, so he was fine without pool slides and rock climbing walls that are offered on other cruise lines. He was happy relaxing and looking out at the ocean, going to the gym, hanging out in the pool, and playing games in the crow's nest. We booked an Alaskan cruise on HAL for July because we enjoyed our experience so much. Also, I didn't feel this was an "old person's" cruise. (Or maybe I'm older than I feel. LOL) I know that's what many people think about Holland America. Maybe because it was over New Year's, but I felt very much in place. My husband and I are in our late 40's. Most adults were in their 40's and older, though. I didn't see any young travelling groups (20 and 30 somethings). Those who were in that younger age category were with family groups. In all, my family and I had a great time and I highly recommend this ship as well as Holland America.

Staff great, main dining was basic, lido was the same foods everyday, the ship looks its age.

This was not a good spend of $25,000 this year as the weather was mostly so hot and humid you couldn’t breath of it was overcast and raining.