We initially booked this cruise with Priceline.com a month or so before our March 19th embarkation date. Big mistake. We will always book directly with the cruiseline from here on out simply because our " great price" dropped another $200 each within a week of booking. Priceline couldn't help us with the price difference; there were lots of phonecalls back and forth and unkept promises on their part. Luckily, once we flew into Ft Lauderdale, however, everything changed for the better.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn Airport North in FLL, yes, the one with the plastic flamingos sticking out of the roof on their free airport shuttle. Even though we got in after 1 am, there was no problem calling their front desk and getting the flamingomobile to pick us up at the United concourse. It was just a short drive to the hotel and the room was clean and adequate for what we needed. The bed was comfy and breakfast was typical of any Hampton Inn---the earlier you wake up the better the breakfast experience is. We had signed up for the 11 am shuttle when we checked in so we had enough time to walk next door to pick up a few things we forgot at home and also chose an assortment of a dozen bottles of champagne and wine to bring onboard with us. Also, we brought on a case of bottled water and a case of Pepsi. We taped our cruise baggage tags on them and then were off to the Zuiderdam. Our driver, Arkim, was quite funny and an interesting person to talk to, and Pierre and Sheila, a Canadian couple who also rode with us, became our friends and we were thrilled each time we'd see them during the next eleven days.

The whole process of both boarding and disembarking the ship went well. HAL certainly has it all figured out. Our last experience was with RCCL's Liberty of the Seas and either RCCL hasn't got a clue or the size of the ship turns both of these processes into a nightmare. Both my husband and myself with so pleasantly surprised with how painless both arriving and leaving the ship were with Holland America. The ship isn't a new one and it doesn't have a rockclimbing wall or an iceskating rink or even a Starbucks but... The service was exceptional, the rooms neat and tidy, and not even once did either of us see an employee that wasn't smiling. Our veranda stateroom on the Deck 6 was roomy enough for us and that's a big plus, being residents of Wyoming. We don't do crowds very well and we like our space. All of our luggage made it safely to the room (including our wine) within about three hours. We had eaten a leisurely lunch in the Vista Dining Room and had a chance to stroll the decks and met some great employees (Aisling at the spa gave us a great little tour! Such a bubbly, happy girl!). Unfortunately the really nice large whirlpool right off the spa has a surcharge, I think it was around $100 a person for the duration of the cruise. They throw in the use of the steamroom and sauna for that price. Midway through the cruise, they reduced the rate and I really wish we would have paid the extra. The other whirlpool tubs were relatively small and not very hot at all. Both pool areas were quite busy during the days, especially the ones at sea, so be sure to stake your claim on the lounge chairs mid-morning if you want to spend your time there. Read more