Our journey to Alaska on Holland America's Zuiderdam, July 25 - Aug. 1, 2009

Departure day: (day before cruise) We decided to fly from Toronto to Vancouver Friday night, partly to have some time to see Vancouver Saturday before leaving, and partly so we wouldn't have to worry about missing the cruise if the flight was late. It was a good start to the trip: the Westjet flight left on time, and in fact arrived 30 minutes early! So, after 4.5 comfortable hours flying, watching a movie, relaxing, etc, we arrived about 1030 pm Vancouver time, and took a taxi to our hotel, L'Hermitage, downtown near Robson st. We had booked the hotel based on internet reviews and the cost being reasonable (the hotels right at the cruise dock at Canada Place were a lot more expensive). For about $170 plus tax we had a beautiful room, with a king bed, balcony and large bathroom. It was one of the nicest hotel rooms I've ever stayed in! Apparently it opened only a year ago, after they renovated the building - it has condos on lower floors and hotel rooms above. So, we settled in to sleep excited for the adventure to come.

Day 1: After walking around downtown Vancouver, including the dock area (where we got to see our ship docked), and having some breakfast, we checked out and arrived by a very short cab ride to the cruise dock at about 12:00. The embarkation process couldn't have been easier. The baggage handlers took the luggage from the taxi; we already had our cruiseship's tags on them, but they had tags there as well if you needed them. There were 2 ships leaving Canada Place that day, and cars were directed to 2 separate lines, one for each ship. Next, we went through security - metal detectors, bags x-rayed, just like in an airport. That was very quick, and then there was a line for US customs. It looked like about a half hour lineup, perhaps more, but we were brought to the front - my wife had broken her foot and was in a wheelchair. More about that later, but once through customs, there was one final spot: Holland America check in. No significant lines there, just smiling helpful attendants and the excitement of being handed our room keys. Then, up on the gangplank (easy to get up, even pushing a wheelchair), and since rooms weren't to be ready till 1:30, they directed us to lunch in the dining room. I wasn't sure if everyone was directed there - but I'm pretty sure most eat lunch that first day at the LIdo buffet. I'm not sure if you can choose, or if they figured, seeing the wheelchair, that we'd be better off in the dining room. Anyway, we had a nice lunch, chatted with the couple from New York city (comparing notes about raising teenagers!) and before we knew it, it was time to enter our room. Before, we toured the ship a bit. It was our first ever cruise, and I really got a sense of how large the ship is - the walk from bow to stern is quite a hike. We saw the 2 pools (aft, uncovered, and mid-ship, partly covered, with retractable roof), the spa (which my wife immediately signed up for - $130 for the week gives you unlimited access to the facilities, including hydrotherapy pool, sauna, hot ceramic chairs, etc.), the Lido buffet and the outer decks. The bags got to our room fairly quickly (around 3 pm) and after unpacking, we went to the lifeboat drill. After that, there is the chance to have some free hors d'oervres on deck while we leave port, and of course to purchase alcoholic drinks if wanted. I didn't feel any hard sell as some on discussion boards have complained. Leaving Vancouver is magnificant - seeing the city start receding, and watching the mountains by north Vancouver, and then passing under the Lion's Gate bridge. A bit about our room: we had originally booked an outside room (with obstructed view) as it was the most economical. It would have cost us $1000 more ($500 each) to move up to a room with a balcony, so we didn't consider it. However, a few weeks before the cruise, our TA called and said that for $159 each, we could have a balcony room. So we decided to grab it, and I'm very glad we did. We had a VA cabin, which is the most basic and least expensive of the verandah cabins - I believe they go from VA to VH, and I think each class up is a little better location. Anyway, we were very happy with our room. It had a very comfortable queen size bed, a sitting area and a desk, so there was a lot of room. We were near the back (aft, or stern) of the ship, but not all the way back - we were right buy the aft elevators, and so very close to the dining room. The cupboards and storage areas are well designed, so that after unpacking 4 full suitcases (which all then stored under our bed), everything was put away. In fact, I only found out 4 days into the cruise that there are also 2 larger drawers under the beds! There was a mini fridge, and a small plasma TV with DVD player. The balcony was small, but had two chairs, a foot rest and a little table. The view, and the freedom to go out to sit there whenever we wanted was well worth it. The only downside is that I think it's spoiled us - we right away thought we'd never want to cruise again without a balcony! We had dinner in the dining room, having reserved the late seating (745 pm), at a table for 8. We met our tablemates, who were a diverse and friendly group (3 other couples), and enjoyed a nice dinner. Was the food spectacular? No, but I wasn't expecting it to be. I'd read descriptions on internet forums of cruise food being like at a big wedding - they are feeding over 1800 passengers a day, after all. I'm a foodie, but not too picky, and I found the food quite decent. I had a french onion soup that was quite tasty, and a very good salad of frisee, pear, and pistachios. My sirloin steak came closer to well done than the requested medium, but I don't mind that, and the steak was nicely seared, with very good mashed potatoes. Portions were not huge, which was good, considering it was a four course meal, with bread and rolls on the table too. Our servers were friendly and ready to help with any request. In fact, throughout the cruise, we experienced the often mentioned HAL graciousness. We often were greeted by smiling staff, even just walking the halls. When dining, they immediately offered to help with my wife's wheelchair. I liked how our wine steward explained we could order a bottle of wine and if we didn't finish it, they would cork it and keep it for us until our next dinner. We didn't attend the show - we were so tired and jetlagged, that we crashed and fell asleep by 11 pm. I was shocked I slept till 9 am the next day - the bed was very comfortable, and with the blackout curtains pulled, the room was totally dark, which I like for sleeping. Read more