Cruise reviews are very subjective as folks have different likes, dislikes and expectations. What follows is our experience sailing a back-to-back cruise on the Zuiderdam. Both weeks are Eastern Caribbean itineraries. After doing many cruises the ports are not as important to us as the ship itself, we simply enjoy a vacation at sea. So you'll know where we're coming from my husband and I are in our late fifties, have done twenty-five cruises on Celebrity, Princess, RCI and one other on HAL. We're pretty much self-contained so don't do shore excursions nor participate in pool games, bingo, etc. We enjoy the ship's ambiance, dining, dancing, good entertainment and just getting away to relax and enjoy time with one another.
We made our own air and hotel arrangements and after arriving to warm temps and blue skies, much of a contrast to what we left behind, we were off to the Renaissance Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. We feel it's a choice hotel and close to the pier for a couple of nights, the staff is friendly and pleasant, comfortable accommodations delighted us. We also enjoyed a pleasant stay at this hotel last year, there's a courtesy van that will take you to and from the airport.
HAL's check-in is somewhat different from others. After receiving a number you must wait to be called before boarding the ship. Think this is unnecessary as folks get backed up, just not as efficient and it appears to make for a later boarding time. We were escorted to our cabin, I know some folks like this but to us it doesn't matter, just point us to the elevator.