I just got off the Zaandam yesterday. I am sure every cruise has satisfied and unsatisfied passengers aboard based on their expectations and experiences. I guess my expectations were too high for my group of 8 we just traveled with.
After sending our parents on this same cruise last year on the Maasdam and hearing the rave reviews, we all felt compelled to cruise with HAL aboard the Zaandam. My wife and I, both in our 30s traveled with our two children ages 7 and 5 as well as our parents on this cruise. Our parents stayed upstairs in a suite while we opted for an ocean view on the Dolphin deck.
Embarkation: Last year we had all heard the stories of the horrible embarkation process at Vancouver but we were pleasantly surprised to find the process swift and orderly. Other that the usual security lines we found no difficulties getting aboard before 1:00pm. Once aboard, we found a lunch buffet waiting as we prepared to depart for the inside passage.