Zuiderdam Review

Zuiderdam - Eastern Caribbean

Review for the Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Zuiderdam

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Sail Date: Dec 2004
Cabin: Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom
Traveled with children

First, a little background. We were a group of nine people ranging in age from 6-70. I am 40, my wife 41, and our children 6, 9, and 11. I have been on about 30 cruises, mostly with the former Home Lines (to which, IMHO, there is no comparison), and several with Holland America, Princess, Cunard, Carnival and Celebrity. We also traveled with my mother and a few other relatives. We had several category VC rooms midship on Verandah Deck (standard outside with balcony).

To me, the worst day on a cruise is better than the best day ashore! Unless the ship is truly horrid, I cannot imagine a bad cruise. I have been on a few ships I did not care for, but still had a good time. We enjoyed the Zuiderdam very much, and I would definitely cruise on her again. However, this was the most unattractive ship I have sailed on. Bright colors do not bother me, but when they are juxtaposed so a bright orange is next to a bright pink and bright red, it is just plain ugly. The ship definitely did not have a classy decor. Even the ceilings in the public rooms were generally low and several rooms without bright colors just plain dark (i.e. Queens Lounge). The various colored vinyl chairs and sofas in the lounges just seemed cheap. There was no one public room that I would call beautiful. Even the Explorer's Lounge, which is classic and elegant on other HAL ships lacked appeal. The ship, although only 2 years old, is in great need of refurbishing. Many materials were worn and paint peeling or chipped. The elevator controls were all scratched.

The cabins were very nice, except again for the worn items. The beds were the most comfortable we have had on any cruise. The cabin was well tended and clean. HAL does not require passengers to vacate their cabins while waiting to disembark at the end of the cruise. However, when the cabin steward came in to clean my mother's room, he did not change the blanket! The next occupants of the cabin were going to be using the same blanket she had used all week! Unfortunately, it was too late to mention this in the comment forms as they had already been turned in.

Cabin Review

Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom

Cabin VC
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