My wife and I have completed over twenty cruises. In most instances we take our children as we did this year. Our daughter is now 24, our son 13. Another couple joined us, however, without their children. Both couples are "forty something" professionals , ie. professor, corporate director, journalist, administrator. We chose the Zuiderdam because of the price! We previously had excellent cruises with Holland America and despite the negative comments about the Zuiderdam, the deal for an S category deluxe verandah suite on the December 11th, 2004, sailing was too good to pass up.

In my opinion the Zuiderdam gets an undeserved bad rap. Keep in mind, however, I am speaking from the perspective of the S category. I am though comparing apples to apples or should I say suite to suite, as we regularly book suites when we cruise.

The Zuiderdam's suite accommodations and service is on par with Celebrity, better than Royal Caribbean and light years ahead of Princess which in my opinion has no suite service, only suite accommodations. Read more