This was cruise number 40 (22nd with Holland America)and my third time on the Zaandam. We live in Palm Springs and drove down to San Diego. It's about a 2 1/2 hour trip, but we like to get to the port the day before we sail to be on the safe side and also to extend our vacation by an extra day. We stay at the Holiday Inn Bayside on North Harbor Drive about a ten minute ride to the pier. The hotel has a cruise and park package with transportation to and from the pier. I think that it is a good deal.

We checked in at the pier with no trouble. It was about 11:15 am but there were very few people checking in at that hour. Instead of boarding we left the pier and went to a nearby seafood restaurant. When you will be eating HAL's fare for 11 days, we deserve some variety even pre-cruise.

We had booked a mini-suite but were able to purchase an upgrade to a Deluxe Verandah suite the day prior to sailing. I think that HAL's large suites are second to none. Lovely big room and a wonderful large, deep and private verandah with room for two lounge chairs to spread out plus a table for four -- and room to spare. ALERT! HAL has done away with the little individual bottles of shampoo and conditioner. They now use dispensers. Another tradition gone. An added benefit is access to the Neptune Lounge with all the good available all day and two wonderful attendants to help with any requests. Read more