I am a first time cruiser on the Zaandam in July to Alaksa. Can anyone that has been on her tell me about her? What is your favorite thing about her and or your least favorite? What should I expect? What is your favoite food? Can I use cash in the Casino? Can we take pop on board?
We loved the Zaandam. She was a beautiful ship. We sailed her to Alaska 2 years ago. We liked the covered pool. When the weather was nice, the top was open and when it rained or was chilly they could close it. Heated fresh water was nice too.
There is an uncovered pool aft with cow status (couldn't figure that out) and we never saw anybody swimming in it.
Our favorite food was actually in the Marco Polo restaurant however that's been replaced by another type restaurant with a cover charge (I believe). Too bad because the Marco Polo had awsome food.
But the main dining rooms had great food as well. I enjoyed the buffet for early breakfasts in the morning since I'm an early riser usually.
She has a musical theme to her. Signed guitars by the Rolling Stones, Queen, David Bowie, Clapton. Bill Clinton's sax.
The atrium has a giant organ which we thought was a bit silly.
The decorations are very tasteful and sedate. There is a lot of fine art hanging plus some sculptures.
I'm sure you'll love the ship. We wouldn't hesitate to sail her again.
We were on the Zaandam out of Cape Canaveral in Feb. It was fabulous. Adult, quite, clean, everything was 5 star. Ate in the Pinnacle Room EVERY night. it was so terrific. See Laszlo , Mater D' in Pinnacle Room. He'll treat you like a king. Have a ball.
We loved the Zaandam. We felt like the main deck with the casino and shops was a long living room filled with quiet little spots to sit and a piano bar, plus other little bars.
auj1fan--what is your departure date??
we are looking forward to our first cruise on the 24th--also on the Zaandam.
will we see you there?
Thanks for asking your ??'s--I would like to know as well. Is the soda card worth it??
SP
We took the Zaandam on an Eastern Caribbean cruise in March and loved it.
The Marco Polo is now the Pinnacle Grill, which was excellent. Our favorite lounge was the Explorer's Lounge where a string quartet played nightly. The Crow's Nest is also an excellent lounge. I had no luck in the casino.
Just came back from a 16 day trip to the Panama Canal ( transfer) We boarded in San Diego and debarked in Cape Canaveral. Great ship ,good service and a lot of poorly dressed people. Unfortunately our cabin was very cold and could not be adjusted to make it any warmer. I brought it twice to the stuarts attention and also spoke to the captain about it. No change We got very sick and my wife had to spend 2 days in bed . The Doctor in the infimary had no medication left to sell,except some Tylenol freebees. ( Doctors visit $ 87.00 US) We both picked up a very nasty Flue which lasted 3 weeks Many( many)other passengers got sick as well and complaint about the ship beeing kept to cold. We hope they will make some changes when this fine vessel goes into drydock next year in Febr.
I find most ships to be too cold. I always bring clothes with long sleeves and am ready for winter (because the air keeps me so very cold) when I board.
Sailing on the Zaandam in two weeks and looking forward to sailing on her. Cruised on the Zuiderdam in August 2003 and really did not like that ship at all. Awful decor and the service was the worst I have ever had on a cruise. I am trying HAL again and hope that the Zaandam will make up for it.
Hope you and your wife are feeling better Gunter. About the poorly dressed people...........I think the cruise lines should stick to the dress code. I have seen folks on formal night coming into the dining room without a tie and often even without a jacket. No one says a word!!!!!!!!
We've just returned from our 1st HAL cruise on the Zaandam (4/16/05), we found it to be a beautiful ship. As another person wrote...mostly adult, very elegant surroundings. Not as many activities on board as other ships, probably due to her size (only 63,000) but that made way for lots of rest and relaxation. We've cruised at least 10 (Carnival & Royal Carib) and found the service and the little things on this ship to be better than most. For example, there was always a staff member to escort me to a table at the buffet. Upon boarding of the ship, someone escorted us to our room. The linens were fresh smelling and they obviously use a higher thread count sheets (makes them much softer), pillows were big and fluffy, unlike the flat ones you usally get. Basically, we liked the ship very much, as a couple. We have 2 kids though and I wouldn't recommend taking them, I don't think there were enough places for them or enough activities. Our kids would have been bored after the 2nd day. But if you want a getaway.. you'll love the Zaandam, and Half Moon Cay is absoultely Beautiful.
There will be plenty of kids aboard for an Alaskan cruise. Kids shouldn't be bored at all. My son had a terrifice time on the Zaandam in Alaska. Club Hal was always full of kids of all ages and they provided activities that were age appropriate.
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