Zuiderdam Review

Life of Luxury on the Zuiderdam

Review for the Panama Canal & Central America Cruise on Zuiderdam
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ndavis7515
First Time Cruiser • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Feb 2009
Cabin: Pinnacle Penthouse Verandah Suite

HAL ZUIDERDAM 2/7/2009-2/17/2009

DAY ONE

Since we live in Florida we drove south and parked the car in Park N Fly. We got to the port around 11:30am. We were escorted to check in since we were in a Penthouse Suite. After we checked in (12n), our escort brought us to a seating area and told us the ship is not boarding until 1:00pm. We found out later that there had been a case of the norovirus from the previous cruise. Our escort came for us about 12:30pm and brought us on board where we met the Hotel Manager, Stan Kubbins, who brought us to the Neptune Lounge to wait for our stateroom to be ready. The wait wasn't very long and we had some finger sandwiches and coffee while we waited. We met Bong & May, our concierges. May brought us to our suite when it was ready, and boy we were impressed. I will try to post photos later when I get organized. We met Sakti & Yanto, our cabin stewards. I always bring something from my home state (which is MA though we winter in FL) to give to our cabin stewards. This time I gave them a Patriots shirt and red sox hats. They were very thankful for the gifts. I then went up to the Spa/Gym and toured the thermal suite and the gym. I registered for the Abs & Back seminar for Day Two and bought a pass to the suite/hydro pool for $150. They charge $40 for a day pass. Not to be greedy, but the one thing that Celebrity does that HAL doesn't is include the thermal suite pass with the purchase of a suite. HAL should consider this, especially in the Penthouse for the price that is paid. At this time I went to the casino and registered my key card so I could play the slots. (The machines don't disperse money, so you need to register the card to receive any credits you earn.) The lifeboat drill was at 4:15pm and it was tedious as usual (they all are). Though Princess & Celebrity bring you to lounges and explain the procedure instead of making you stand outside on the deck under the lifeboats as HAL did. During our sail away it was announced that we had to turn back to Fort Lauderdale because of a medical emergency. Later on I found out a crew member had a heart attack and the ship medical facility wasn't adequate to treat him. I think he is ok. Instead of trying to decide on dinner, we went up to the Lido and ate there, since we had a reception in the Neptune Lounge at 7:30pm. We went to the reception and met Captain Werner Timmers, Hotel Manager Stan Kubbins, other officers, Matt Capp, the Cruise Director, Richard Dietrich, the port lecturer, & Michel Gardner, Future Cruise Consultant. Michel and Jon (my husband) hit it off and we enjoyed talking with him. After this (8:15pm) we went to the casino and then I went to the 10pm show "Let Us Entertain You." Matt hosted the show and introduced the singers & dancers (who previewed), Richard the lecturer, Kelly, the Party Planner, & Travis the DJ/Bingo Host. And at 11pm, I was off to bed. All and all, the first day was great.

Cabin Review

Pinnacle Penthouse Verandah Suite

Cabin PS

We were in one of the 2 penthouses. If we didn't have to we really didn't need to leave the room. I have seen mobile homes that were the size of this penthouse.

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