I had canceled a mid-December booking for the Koningsdam when I learned that the new ship did not have deck chairs on the Promenade Deck. Therefore I was very happy when I received an email from HAL with a last-minute deal on the Zuiderdam for almost the same dates and with a more interesting itinerary. Since I had spent 21 days on the nearly identical Oosterdam a year ago, I felt right at home on the Zuiderdam. There were a few changes in the HAL experience since last year. On the plus side, they changed entertainment companies and, judging from the first production show, things are looking up. They have put the Navigator, the ship's daily newspaper, online so that you can check the day's schedule, including dinner menu, and make reservations for shore excursions, spa treatments, alternative restaurants, all on your smartphone. It was very convenient. On the other hand, the dining room dinner menu itself now looks cheap and unattractive and offers fewer choices than last year. The presentation of the food on the plate has gone downhill too. The afternoon tea has been downsized from the dining room to a bar. Breakfast and lunch in the dining room continue to be excellent. The shipboard activities could use some updating. There were too many trivia quizzes and too few interesting lectures. The service from the cabin stewards remains at a high level. All staff were friendly and helpful. In a highly competitive market, HAL continues to trim around the edges, but so far has not lost its unique advantages. All in all, it was a classic cruise and a good deal.