Zaandam 4/12/03

Just checking if anyone out there will be on the above cruise. This is my first and my husband's 3rd. Looking forward to getting away and relaxing.

Please respond if you are on this cruise.

Thanks.
Bill and Brenda

[FLAPR]

We're going! Are you folks Floridians? Always wanted to try HAL, and when I saw the last minute deal, we went for it.

We live in Orlando -- short drive to Port Canaveral!

Regards,

Jose & Linda

shatwil
how about a review of the Zaandam now that your cruise is just a great memory?
thanks
we are going June 5
maril

How about a trip report on your 4/12 Zaandam trip?
thanks
maril

Joe and Linda,

Hey fellow Floridans...I usually sail out of the port of Caniveral myself and especially enjoy DCL. Though I have done Carnival once out of there. Anyway, I am thinking about sailing in Dec. on HAL instead as it is out of my port here in Tampa so it would be more convient for me. So, I too would greatly appreciate your feedback on this Zaandam ship.

Hope you had a great trip...

Mmketeer@aol.com

Short takes on our 4/12/03 cruise. Cabin 6221-wonderful-Lido food wonderful-entertainment-good. Shore excursion in Bahamas-Rip-off. Dining Room Food and Service-Average to below average. Marco Polo Resturant not worth the 20.00 per person charge. Ship was full but you didn't know it except at late breakfast.. Cabin Steward very good. May return to Zandaam next year for 7 days. I think you are short changed on the four day cruise. Also Half Moon Cay reminded me of Myrtle Beach crowds once everyone got off the ship. Get there early!

We were also on 4/12 Zaandam sailing. First of all this was the week prior to Easter and spring break for many schools up north. We are from Florida and in our mid-40's loonking for R&R. There were many kids on this sailing and therefore I don't think it can be compared to other HAL sailings for this ship at a different time of year and for a longer cruise.The kids of course took over the pool areas, hot tubs and dining areas but most were well behaved. We just would have liked it to be a little more low key. Probably would have been a much older crowd. The ship itself was very nice-clean and you really didn't feel crowded. The food and service was very good . Marco Polo restaurnat was excellent-food and service well worth the $20 pp fee so Our cabin was a larger balacony cabin # 7048 and it was spacious-I don't want to be petty but there are a few major inconvienences with the cabin. 1) On balcony there is a heavy door that opens out onto your balcony space-with the door shut you can't hear if anyone enters your room. If you like to sit outside with door open it eats up half your space. (On RCCL balcony cabins there is a glass slider that makes a lot more sense. )Also if you are on your balcony you can hear "everything" in the adjoining cabins .There is a big space below the partition 2) In room TV shows only a couple of channels and some Edited Movies are repeated all day and night. I would have preferred the option of pay-per-view and had a larger selection of viewing should we wish. (RCCL and other lines have this option instead of going to an on board movie theater) The ship's public areas are nice especially Crows Nest make sure you take in a sunset in the comfy recliners and enjoy the hor's duevors. The only downside is that the Atrium area is somewhat closed in compared to RCCL. This was our first HAL cruise and I don't think I would return .Although RCCL had a lot more positive aspects the food on HAL was definately better. One last note entertainment on HAL needs to be updated a bit- shows were OK but music in lounges was more for the 60+ crowd. The lounge act was happy to take requests and did a great job with contemporary music There is also a confusing no tip policy

[wendyandbarry]

This is from there web-site and is in your paperwork, just what part is confusing????

"Exceptional service is part of the Holland America cruise experience. Because you are our guest, it is our goal to make sure you receive the finest service possible. Our "tipping not required" policy ensures that the professional and gracious service you receive on board is truly sincere; that we are dedicated to providing the most relaxed cruise vacation, not simply providing service in return for tips. You are free, however, to extend monetary recognition if you wish-it's entirely up to you. (Company policy prohibits us from suggesting how much.)

Please remember that this "tipping not required" policy does not extend beyond the ship. In terminals, airports, ports of call and on special shore excursions, you should tip consistent with customary local practices."

It is just like in the real world, you tip for good service.

Barry