ZUIDERDAM 3-11-06

straycat · #1 (**permalink**) January 15th, 2006, 08:43 PM

Anyone been on this trip...... 7 days....Leave Ft. Lauderdale. Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, St. Thomas, Tortola, Bahamas, and Ft. Lauderdale. Staying on the ROTTERDAM Level, back of ship Room 7002 , I beleive. Deluxe Verandah Outside (VA) Planning on excursion to ride the "swimming" horses at Half Moon Cay. What age crwod should we expect? Hope the rooms are spacious and deck also. This is our second cruise........the first was on an older ship, the Carnival Holiday. Can anyone help with a little info on this cruise and ship. Celebraating our 20th annivesary. [/b]

MaryLou · #2 (**permalink**) January 16th, 2006, 06:03 AM

Tell me more about that excursion, please.

straycat · #3 (**permalink**) January 16th, 2006, 08:14 AM

It last for 1 hr 45 minutes. You get your horses at the corral. They are trained horses. You ride them up a trail up into the mountains where you can see the island and other islands from the top. A scenic ride. Then after desent you go to the corral and the horses saddle is removed. A water blanket is put on ( no saddle) and then you ride to the beach and into the water. The horses are trained to swim with these blankets on. There is a video of this on Holland Americas website. The cost is $79 each. I have always wanted to ride horses on the beach. Thats all I know so far.

ToKathy · #4 (**permalink**) January 18th, 2006, 05:53 PM

Straycat.......cabin 7002 is the very front of the ship. We sailed on the Zuiderdam last September in cabin 7133 (the very back corner of the ship) Unfortunately the weather did not permit us to stop in Half Moon Cay, so I can't help you with any info on the horses, but we totally enjoyed our excursion to the Baths while in Tortola. We booked online privately with Patouche Charters and had a fabulous day. Zuiderdam was wonderful and the food and service was very good.

venice · #5 (**permalink**) January 18th, 2006, 08:17 PM

was on the Zuiderdam 11/04 and loved it...you'll love half moon cay we just hung out on the beach and did not do any excursions..we were in cabin 6142 (forgot what the deck name was)

contrary to popular belief, when we were on the "Z" we found a wide age range (but very few kids due to the time of the year) and really enjoyed the ship

have a great cruise..do the private dining experience if you can on the first night when it's 50% off