This was our first time on HAL, but we have been on 7 other cruises. We had heard wonderful things about HAL since my parents who were accompanying us had sailed with Holland America before and enjoyed it in the past. We chose HAL because of it's Alaskan itinerary included Glacier Bay, a service call at Tracy Arm a and had long port times.

We embarked around 11a in Vancouver which was a beautiful city. We asked where to go, and once we realized we had to go down into the garage area of Canada Place, there were HAL staff to direct us. We checked our bags easy enough. Then we stood on 2 snake lines for the customs/border control line. It took us about an hour to get through the line since the Zuiderdam and a Princess ship were embarking at the same time. There was no line to get our seapasses. Then we were instructed to wait in a seat until directed when we would be able to board the ship. When we were cleared to go, we had to wait in another line for a picture which we passed on. We were invited to lunch in the Vista Dining room which was very enjoyable and sure beats the crowds in the Lido where it was impossible to find a seat. Our bags were waiting for us in our cabin when we arrived. We unpacked and went to muster.

The Zuiderdam was an older but beautiful ship unlike some of the reviews I had read that described a tattered unkept ship. The only place we saw minor work needed was in the Vista Dining room where part of the ceiling's molding was taped in 3 spots with duct tape. Read more