Zuiderdam Review
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The Oct. 25 Zuiderdam sailing was enjoyable. The weather was mild, the food and crew were typical Holland America excellent. Ship's singing and dance company was very weak, but the comics and the steel band made up for it... Very good.
We took Amtrak from our home to Ft. Lauderdale and stayed in the Rodeway Inn. Cab from Amtrak ripped us off with a spiel about mandatory fares to motels, but the hotel was nice, clean and inexpensive. Breakfast was decent and the shuttle to the port was comfortable and free. The hotel manager regales you with jokes - some actually good - while you wait for the shuttle.
Boarding was smooth - although we took advantage of the accessible lines - and we got to our room quickly. Balcony was large, room was comfortable, bed was good. Zuiderdam is up for a renewal in the docks, and feels like it around the edges. Carpets are a bit worn, and some seats - as in the Queen's Lounge, are actually patched with duct tape. But it is clean and overall in good shape.
Cabin Review
Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom
5054 - Nice cabin with big balcony. 110 outlets are few, but the bathroom is large and comfortable. This is an accessible room with easy access. We put two big bags under the bed and the closet was adequate. The few drawers are a bit restrictive. They have cabinets instead of drawers in a few places that make storage awkward.
The TV is a little far from the bed and the handles on the balcony door are corroded and loose, but all is serviceable. Overall we liked the cabin and its proximity to elevators and the front of the ship. The slanted balcony was particularly good going through the Panama Canal with forward and aft views.