We were in need of some R & R, after completing a strenuous house reno. A cruise fit the bill, and since Vancouver is easy driving distance for us, we chose HAL, which departs from Vancouver. We'd been on HAL for the first time in January on the Nieuw Amsterdam, and had been impressed with the experience. We've been on four previous Alaska cruises, so for something different we decided to do two back to back cruises, northbound, and then southbound on the Zaandam. We knew it was an older, and smaller ship, but we much prefer those to the present day monsters.

Embarkation was quick and efficient, and after dropping off our bags in our room (we travel only with carry-on luggage),we were having lunch in the Lido. HAL does have their embarkation/disembarkation procedures down pat! That night we had the first signs of trouble brewing. Shortly after going to bed around 10:30, the noise above us began. Thumping, banging, slamming-it would start, stop, then start up again. We got about 3 hours of sleep. The next night was a repeat of the first. It turned out we were under the tail end of the dining room kitchen. So if you've booked 3402, or anything in the immediate vicinity, you'd better be deaf if you want to get any sleep! We discovered that calls to the front desk were never answered, regardless of time of day or night, so that always meant going there in person. We asked to be moved, and were given the standard answer, "Sorry, but the ship is completely full". After 20 plus cruises, we have learned that a ship is never 100% full, and that there are always empty rooms kept for emergencies. After numerous visits to the front desk at all hours of the night, numerous visits to the dining room kitchen by several officers,we were eventually moved-to 7083. That room, while it has a lovely view out the aft end of ship, is next to a large, noisy fan running 24/7! At least the noise was consistent. If you're in that room, bring industrial strength ear-plugs! We were moved again at the beginning of the second week, to a much quieter room on Deck 3. So much for unpacking once!

On to the food: it was consistently good, and we had all our meals in the Lido. We gave up on the dining room several cruises ago, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Lido, as well as being able to complete our meal in a decent amount of time. Besides, the menu was the same each night as the dining room. Unfortunately, something in the food gave me an upset stomach after the very first meal we had on board, and after 3 days, we figured out it was the water.It didn't bother DH nearly as much-he's a big guy, and has a tougher stomach! So we loaded up on bottled water in port, and that was all I drank for the entire two weeks. Even poached eggs, which are cooked in water, would set it off. Coffee and tea, too. Something tells me they need to clean out that holding tank more often. In all our cruises, we have never encountered this problem,and it was definitely not the noro-virus. I did go to the dining room one afternoon for their much touted 'cupcake tea', and received the worst service, and had the most inedible cupcakes ever. Read more