Zuiderdam Review
One in a Lifetime Trip on the Canal's Centenary
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We sailed on the Zuiderdam to Half Moon Cay, Aruba, Curacao, Cartagena, Panama Canal, Costa Rica and then home. We took the last cruise that made a partial transit of the Canal in April; the next trip repositioned from Florida to Vancouver and made a full transit. The only rain we encountered was a tropical squall coming out of Puerto Limon that lasted all of fifteen minutes. Our cabin was a "partly obstructed view" on deck 4, and we took part in several excursions (see below).
Like many northerners, we foolishly thought that we wouldn't sunburn if the clouds were obscuring the sun, and so we managed to cook ourselves bright red on the first excursion. My wife is allergic to vitamin E, and a facial at the spa left her all broken out. I got seasick one night, and my wife suffered a bronchial spasm when she inhaled seawater on a snorkeling excursion. All this paled by comparison when the US Coast Guard helicopter showed up one morning to airlift another passenger who had suffered a heart attack. We put another passenger off in a land ambulance on Curacao. We were beginning to look at one another with that "Is this the voyage of the damned?" look.
Things got better after that. Thankfully, the Zuiderdam shops sells cortisone cream for rashes; Aruba grows and processes the world's best aloe vera for sunburn; and I found those acupressure wrist bands really do work to block seasickness. The ship's infirmary is marvelously well staffed and equipped (thanks to Dr. Winner and Nurse David for their kindness), including an x-ray machine. Sometimes when you’re traveling, you just have to make the best of things, and sure enough things soon began to go better.
Cabin Review
Entering the cabin felt like coming home. HAL's standard is always high and this did not disappoint. The bathroom was clean and efficient. Storage is ample -- but don't forget to stow empty suitcases beneath the bed and to use the under-bed drawer units for things like dirty clothing. Suggested improvements: 1.) The vanity desk tends to get cluttered. HAL could improve this by adding a small corner shelf under the flat screen TV, using the space liberated by the replacement of tube TVs. 2.) The light switches are confusing. Labels would help a lot. 3.) The shower needs an overhead light. It is rather dark with the curtain drawn. 4.) Why not show the daily schedule on the ship's TV network? 5.) Add a magnetic board to post invitations. One other point: HAL could embed in the carpets or floors at each elevator landing an arrow indicating "Fore," "Aft," Port'" and "Starboard." This would prevent loads of confusion.