Zuiderdam Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,028 reviews

An inauspicious start, that turned for the better

Review for the Panama Canal & Central America Cruise on Zuiderdam
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kcscrapper
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Dec 2012
Cabin: Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom

We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale a day early, rented a car and stayed at the Vistamar Villas. It is an older motel style inn, just off the beach. It was very clean and comfortable, though a bit difficult to find, and had free parking. We planned an airboat ride in the Everglades for the next morning, departure day, so had only a very brief interaction with the owner.

Had dinner at Bimini Boatyards. Outdoor seating, too dark to read menu, nicely done fish, their special Bimini bread wasn't all that special. We learned, with the kind help of some citizens, where Total Wine could be found (essentially around the corner!) and had a pleasant time learning about inexpensive wine from the sales staff (who seemed just as knowledgeable about inexpensive wine and eager to help us as if we'd been buying the expensive stuff!)

The next morning with maps and directions in hand, we headed out to Sawgrass Mills Recreation area to ride an airboat. Our directions and maps were accurate, the traffic was all going the "other way" and we arrived by 9 AM without incident ... and it was already getting hot! We had a great, informative airboat ride, seeing a couple of crocs and a turtle, had some time to pick up really fun Santa on an airboat Christmas ornaments, and were headed back to drop off the Alamo rental car before 11AM.

Cabin Review

Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom

Cabin VC

Poor layout made this small balcony cabin seem even smaller than it is. The closet configuration is odd at best. The shelving lifts up but in then ruins the hanging closet part -- a passenger can't have a dress or longer jacket hanging without getting crushed by the shelf. Without the shelf in place, there is only one shelf in the closet.

Bathroom is adequate, except for storage. Most of the bathroom storage is on the one under shelf

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