Zuiderdam Review
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This was my 20th cruise. The first and last on Holland America Line. After a certain number of cruises (about 5) you are able to differentiate what is real value from the crap. This was the most expensive, valueless, cruise I have ever taken.
The muster drill was quite unusual. Everyone queued up first in groups by the assigned lifeboats and answered "here" as the cabins were called. It was an inefficient way to check for accuracy. On previous cruises the seapasses were scanned electronically, as individuals arrived. There were people in my group that yelled "present" for anyone appearing to be absent, simply because they were tired of standing around waiting.
For 2 days everything we ate or drank (any entrees, bacon, potatoes, juice, etc.) was rationed and served to us by the staff. This slowed the process down considerably. The reasoning behind this rule is suspect.
Cabin Review
Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom
My cabin(a single balcony) was laid out so that the bed was positioned close to the doorway blocking access to the rest of the space. The cabin had the smallest sofa, positioned as to be unusable, that I had ever seen. The bathroom had a tub (two small to bath anyone other than a baby or a Cirque du Soleil performer) with a clogged drain. During a shower, I would end up standing in a foot of water, I reported it. It was never repaired.