Holland America Zuiderdam Cruise Review - Caribbean Cruise on the Zuiderdam
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With eleven passenger decks and 924 cabins/suites for 1848 passengers, the Zuiderdam II is the first of five planned Vista Class ships, which HAL will be putting into service. Named for the cardinal points of the compass, her sisters are/will be, the Oosterdam (East), Westerdam (West), Noordam (North) and ?-dam.
HAL has begun a program to change their image (?the old folk?s line? and ?rest home at sea? were the most common tags applied).
They now actively markets to singles, couples and families; with ages ranging from the 20-somethings to the post-retirees (70+). There were about 100 or so children on board, but other than one baby (2 months old) who cried one evening in the Vista Dining Room, they weren?t that noticeable (i.e., it wasn?t like Carnival, RCCL or Princess, where children tend to run amok, up and down the passageways, at all hours). Without exception, every young person we met was very well behaved and a pleasure to be around (even the unhappy young fellow that one night).
A good deal has been said about the décor of the Vista class ships. Heavy, audacious colors have been liberally used. Reds, greens, blues, yellows and violets predominate. There are still the hallmark HAL touches, highly polished brass, holy-stone rubbed teak decks, oiled walnut, oak, and other hardwood paneling. And ? the flowers. Everywhere, the flowers! Bold, vivid and striking are the best descriptors I can think of. Every table, alcove and bar.
What a nice touch!
The amidships glass elevators provide a stunning panorama and appeared to be the elevators of choice for most of the passengers. I can certainly understand why, but I do recommend using the stairways to work of a few of those calories.
OK. The layout of the ship ? Working from mast to keel (top to bottom) ?
Sports Deck (11) ? Forward is the Observation Deck, above the Crow?s Nest Lounge. Excellent views and a tall glass windscreen to protect passengers. Two stairways connecting to Observation Deck (10), one of which has a carrier for wheelchairs. Aft are the volleyball and half-basketball courts. Enclosed by a net to keep the balls from polluting the oceans, they got a lot of use.
Observation Deck (10) ? Forward is HAL?s signature Crow?s Nest Lounge. The music is hot and the view is spectacular! Live contemporary music every evening during cocktail hour. Theme nights, dancing and team contests/games. HAL has a bank of about a dozen adjustable recliner chairs forward. The perfect spot for relaxing with a Frozen Thingie and watching the world unfold. There are two private areas off the sides of the Crow?s Nest (Oak Room ? starboard; no name ? port). Perfect for little get-togethers or quiet time. Working aft, there is plenty of deck space and HAL?s famous teak deck chairs. A spiral staircase leads down to Lido Deck (9). Be careful. It?s twisty (go figure). Passing the mobile pool cover you?ll find Club HAL (youth center) and the golf simulator (a computerized system which allows you to play golf courses of the world, without leaving the ship ? neat).
Lido Deck (9) ? Forward is another observation deck. To reach it, you?ll have to enter the GreenHouse Spa area from the port side, go forward to the desk, cross to the starboard side, pass the gym and you?ll find an unmarked glass door. On the other side you?ll find a quiet secret of the Zuiderdam ? an observation deck directly above the bridge and almost never used. It is a bit windy, as there is no glass shield as on Observation Deck (11). Moving aft, you?ll come to the Gym. Very nice aerobic and strength training equipment that was seldom, if ever, used. A fitness trainer is on site, so if you have any questions, ask away. They?ll be glad to help you loose the pounds you?ll pack on in the restaurants! The GreenHouse Spa. OK It?s another Steiner operation, so be warned. Prices are higher than what you?re used to back at home (about double) but the staff is very knowledgeable and well trained (4 years). The spa?s Hydropool (is that redundant, or what?) is very relaxing and children are not permitted.
Guarded by a mama polar bear and her cub, the Main Pool is next. An average sized cruise ship pool, with a wide splash section (2?-4? deep) No diving! Three hot tubs and a shower (for rinsing, not bathing ? please!). There are also a couple ping-pong tables, which got a lot of use during our cruise. Something new is a tattoo parlor. Relax parents. This is an air-brush tattoo parlor. The tats are sprayed on (with an air stylus) and last about a week. So, if junior wants a tattoo, here?s their chance. Heading on back, the next section is the Lido Dining area. I?ll cover this fairly well later. On the stern is the Aft Pool and hot tub. Not very large, but apparently sufficient. This area saw a lot of activity, as children are not permitted during the mid-afternoon. There is usually a portable bar set up, so you can have plenty of Frozen Thingies without waiting.
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With eleven passenger decks and 924 cabins/suites for 1848 passengers, the Zuiderdam II is the first of five planned Vista Class ships, which HAL will be putting into service. Named for the cardinal points of the compass, her sisters are/will be, the Oosterdam (East), Westerdam (West), Noordam (North) and ?-dam.
HAL has begun a program to change their image (?the old folk?s line? and ?rest home at sea? were the most common tags applied).
They now actively markets to singles, couples and families; with ages ranging from the 20-somethings to the post-retirees (70+). There were about 100 or so children on board, but other than one baby (2 months old) who cried one evening in the Vista Dining Room, they weren?t that noticeable (i.e., it wasn?t like Carnival, RCCL or Princess, where children tend to run amok, up and down the passageways, at all hours). Without exception, every young person we met was very well behaved and a pleasure to be around (even the unhappy young fellow that one night).
A good deal has been said about the décor of the Vista class ships. Heavy, audacious colors have been liberally used. Reds, greens, blues, yellows and violets predominate. There are still the hallmark HAL touches, highly polished brass, holy-stone rubbed teak decks, oiled walnut, oak, and other hardwood paneling. And ? the flowers. Everywhere, the flowers! Bold, vivid and striking are the best descriptors I can think of. Every table, alcove and bar.
What a nice touch!
The amidships glass elevators provide a stunning panorama and appeared to be the elevators of choice for most of the passengers. I can certainly understand why, but I do recommend using the stairways to work of a few of those calories.
OK. The layout of the ship ? Working from mast to keel (top to bottom) ?
Sports Deck (11) ? Forward is the Observation Deck, above the Crow?s Nest Lounge. Excellent views and a tall glass windscreen to protect passengers. Two stairways connecting to Observation Deck (10), one of which has a carrier for wheelchairs. Aft are the volleyball and half-basketball courts. Enclosed by a net to keep the balls from polluting the oceans, they got a lot of use.
Observation Deck (10) ? Forward is HAL?s signature Crow?s Nest Lounge. The music is hot and the view is spectacular! Live contemporary music every evening during cocktail hour. Theme nights, dancing and team contests/games. HAL has a bank of about a dozen adjustable recliner chairs forward. The perfect spot for relaxing with a Frozen Thingie and watching the world unfold. There are two private areas off the sides of the Crow?s Nest (Oak Room ? starboard; no name ? port). Perfect for little get-togethers or quiet time. Working aft, there is plenty of deck space and HAL?s famous teak deck chairs. A spiral staircase leads down to Lido Deck (9). Be careful. It?s twisty (go figure). Passing the mobile pool cover you?ll find Club HAL (youth center) and the golf simulator (a computerized system which allows you to play golf courses of the world, without leaving the ship ? neat).
Lido Deck (9) ? Forward is another observation deck. To reach it, you?ll have to enter the GreenHouse Spa area from the port side, go forward to the desk, cross to the starboard side, pass the gym and you?ll find an unmarked glass door. On the other side you?ll find a quiet secret of the Zuiderdam ? an observation deck directly above the bridge and almost never used. It is a bit windy, as there is no glass shield as on Observation Deck (11). Moving aft, you?ll come to the Gym. Very nice aerobic and strength training equipment that was seldom, if ever, used. A fitness trainer is on site, so if you have any questions, ask away. They?ll be glad to help you loose the pounds you?ll pack on in the restaurants! The GreenHouse Spa. OK It?s another Steiner operation, so be warned. Prices are higher than what you?re used to back at home (about double) but the staff is very knowledgeable and well trained (4 years). The spa?s Hydropool (is that redundant, or what?) is very relaxing and children are not permitted.
Guarded by a mama polar bear and her cub, the Main Pool is next. An average sized cruise ship pool, with a wide splash section (2?-4? deep) No diving! Three hot tubs and a shower (for rinsing, not bathing ? please!). There are also a couple ping-pong tables, which got a lot of use during our cruise. Something new is a tattoo parlor. Relax parents. This is an air-brush tattoo parlor. The tats are sprayed on (with an air stylus) and last about a week. So, if junior wants a tattoo, here?s their chance. Heading on back, the next section is the Lido Dining area. I?ll cover this fairly well later. On the stern is the Aft Pool and hot tub. Not very large, but apparently sufficient. This area saw a lot of activity, as children are not permitted during the mid-afternoon. There is usually a portable bar set up, so you can have plenty of Frozen Thingies without waiting.
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