Zuiderdam Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We're experienced cruisers having sailed with Princess (16 times), Royal Caribbean (3 times) and Carnival (once and never again). I had heard good things about HAL and, since I was offered a very good rate, we thought we'd give it a try.
Our mistake was obvious as soon as we arrived at the embarkation terminal. We were handed numbered cards, then herded like cattle into an ugly holding area. After about half an hour, our number was called and we joined a very long, snaking line in a second room in order to check in. That took another half hour.
Finally got on the ship and were stunned by the tackiness of the interior. I thought HAL was supposed to be classy!? I couldn't believe the cheesy decoration - everything from the bench seating by the elevators to the lighting in the dining room was laughably ugly.
Cabin Review
Signature Superior Verandah Suite
Nice room although a little dated. There was a strange, spongy dent in the floor at the foot of the bed with a square of carpet patched over it. The bathroom seemed large however the shower was tiny; we're both very slim and just barely fit into it. We would have used the shower in the tub but found there was no hot water there. There was a slight "outhouse" smell coming from the toilet. Too much furniture in the room; we put one of the chairs on the balcony and that made a big difference. Nice teak balcony with comfortable faux wicker furniture.