This was my 8th cruise, 3rd with HAL and 2nd time on the Zuiderdam. I found the Zuiderdam was clean, and in good condition, not worn as others had previously posted. No problems with air conditioning or toilets. The crew often cleaned/polished throughout the cruise and were very pleasant, polite and friendly. I noticed a faint sewer smell a few times and one day they must have cleaned the carpet in the casino as there was a strong almost gasoline-like smell. But overall the ship was in good repair.
It is an older ship and I’m not sure the designer could decide on a theme ... Swarovski crystal seahorse in the Atrium, Venetian mural and life-sized Venetian mannequins with masks behind a large window on the 2nd floor, two polar bears in the mid-ship pool, and a cartoon-like throne in the aft pool area.
They could have been more inventive regarding the naming of various areas:
We had a deluxe verandah oceanview (VC) room on the 5th floor near the front of the ship. Spacious enough, clean with adequate storage. Our room attendant Irwin was attentive and quick.