My mother and I have just returned from a 10 day Panama Canal cruise on the Holland American Ship Zuiderdam. It has been many years since I sailed with HAL, and have sailed on three other lines. I had read many reviews - some good, some okay and some bad about the Zuiderdam. I guess that I have mixed emotions about the ship and the service. It reminded me of a sailing with Norwegian on a ship that needed to be retired or put on a three day cruise schedule where people just don't expect as much.Although we were in a "suite", I would classify it as a mini-suite in the terms of other cruise lines. As far as the cabin steward and his helper, they did an okay job and were friendly. However, I think that more and more the cruise lines are doing more with less people. Hardly saw the steward - except when he needed to clean the room and my mother was still getting ready (she is a little slow - but then she was on vacation!!I was really startled to find that my sheets were worn and had holes in them. That kind of put me off. Also, a very think blanket on the bed with sheets on top and bottom of it. Many times it was hard to control the temp, so it was chilly with just that blanket and sheets.On the plus side, there was plenty of storage and the bathroom is the best I have ever had on a cruise.Room service was good for breakfast and some late lunch or dinner items. However, the bread is always cold, cold, cold. Not just room service, but at the buffet or in the dining room - no warm rolls, bread, whatsoever. The only way to get warm bread is to have toast - done right there - at the buffet.I thought the food was very good otherwise in the dining room and buffet. The one night that was not well done was when we were sailing out of a port and they only had barbeque around the pool. It was not well organized and sparks were flying on people. Too many people for this kind of set up. No plates at the salad bar and when they did bring some they were burning hot - not something you want to put your salad on or that you could even hold with your bare hands.The As you Wish Dining is somewhat complicated and needs work. Norwegian has it down very well and I am not sure you can really do it well the way HAL has it formatted. I guess I feel that if you can't do something well, just don't do it. I expected more from them. The service was good - not complaints.The coffee served throughout the ship is really not great - except maybe where you pay for it. I didn't try it there, so can't say. However, they do keep it hot and serve it hot with room service.The front desk service was hot and cold. Not very helpful nor friendly sometimes, but okay others. The embarkation and dembarkation were the best I have encountered. They definitely have this down pat.The Spa was very well run and a great place to relax or get a massage or facial. The staff didn't hard sell you after a treatment. I was really impressed with it - I just would have a little more separate area for the men and the women in the relaxation and/or thermal suite.So, my final assessment is that we had a good cruise, ate good food, met many nice people and saw some wonderful places. The ship needs a facelift and the staff needs it too - they reflect the quality of the ship - which is slightly worn and tired.