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As our taxi dropped us off at the Seattle cruise terminal, I saw what seemed like hundreds of people waiting in a line in the rain. Luckily, during the embarkation process, Holland America has many employees ready to assist anyone who needs help with paperwork and provides paper itineraries throughout the cruise. Passengers also have an impressive number of choices when it comes to destinations.
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Holland America Line Zuiderdam Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of Holland America Line Zuiderdam - Cruise Critic
Holland America Line Zuiderdam Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of Holland America Line Zuiderdam.
Posted: Tue, 12 Sep 2023 12:49:25 GMT [source]
We immediately advised HAL through our Neptune concierge about our flooded room - the beginning of our journey - and got $500. Really.Beyond the age of the Noordam and Westerdam we found so many issues that we made a very long list of items during the two back-to-back cruises. There ARE some good things such as the spa staff, the generally excellent entertainment, and the guest lecturers....And don't get us started on the shore excursions (consistently overpriced and underdelivered). This review is about Holland America’s “Have it All” package. There is MUCH fine print with this package you should be aware of before buying it. Drinks - HIA includes only drinks up to $11 (US) in cost.
Where does Holland America Oosterdam sail from?
Not to mention, their website is a total rubbish errors, access denied errors, non working phone numbers, you cannot even pay for a WIFI package. In recent years, HAL has earned a well-deserved reputation for offering some of the best and most varied food at sea. Holland America Line let travellers explore the places they visit and do exciting activities with a variety of excursions they offer with each destination.
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Bathrooms are equipped with either roll-in shower, transfer shower (providing maneuvering clearance and a shower bench), or an accessible bathtub. Ambulatory Accessible cabins are for guests who do not require use of a wheelchair or scooter but offer some accessible features. Elevators and accessible restrooms are available for all public (non-cabin) decks. Transfers to shore can be accommodated at most ports, and tender boats have a lift system allowing guests to roll on and off tenders. More than half of the ship’s accommodations are Verandah cabins, which start at 228 square feet, including balcony, and located on decks 4 through 8. Several different sizes of suites are available, ranging up to the Pinnacle Suite, measuring 1,290 square feet.
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There are many Alaska itineraries to choose from, and they all offer scenic cruising with some variation in the stops they make. The food was certainly “passable,” but not as good as the dining room on the Princess cruise I had gone on in September. It’s big compared to the much smaller ships we’ve sailed on, like Windstar Cruises’ ships (148 to 342-passenger ships) and Seabourn (458- to 600-passenger ships). The smaller older ships tend to do the longer, destination-focused itineraries. It’s also covered and shaded, so even at noon in the Caribbean, we could comfortably walk around the deck when at sea, without getting sunburned. On our previous Nieuw Statendam cruise, we tried to reserve a cabana for our second sea day; sadly, they were all gone.
Additionally, when you want to watch the sunset from your patio, you can have your dinners delivered from the main dining room. For a more casual dining experience, the Lido Market is open often. Most like a buffet; however, passengers do not serve themselves. Check with the attendant on duty in The Retreat on the first day of your cruise to book.
That does make things cost a bit more, but it really does make this a bucket-list trip. I think with a veranda, excursions, and some of the higher-end dining, as well as making use of the ship amenities that appeal most to you, will make for a wonderful experience. Although I might never be the type to cruise-hop in the Caribbean, I have a feeling this won’t be my last scenic cruise in some of the more mountainous, glacier-topped destinations. A high point on this ship is service, which is prompt and consistent. Whether the matter is room repair requests, dietary restrictions in the dining room or mingling with the talent onboard, interactions were positive and genuine.
The line's ships generally offer excellent food, tastefully designed decor and an impressive variety of music as entertainment. I have to be honest that the size of the ship (2,500 capacity, one of Holland America’s largest) made me hesitate. I know for sure I’m not the kind of person who would enjoy the huge ships that have 5,000+ passengers, those big slides, and bellyflop competitions. But the Koningsdam was classy, with some shared areas we loved, particularly the Crow’s Nest on the 12th floor, with a fantastic view all around the front of the ship, coffee, and couches for Felix to crawl on. Although they had a kids’ menu, my son tends to just eat the healthier food that we eat, and we could get other food for him in the restaurant and Lido Market, and share what we ordered in the specialty restaurants.
Lido Market Buffet
One additional new change that Holland America-loyal cruisers are likely to welcome is the return of Oosterdam's library. This is part of a Vista-class to reintroduce a separate library and have the Crow's Nest return to its previous use, as a bar and lounge, rather than a lecture and shore excursion area. And finally, the Music Walk entertainment complex has revolutionized Holland America ships.
Like a fine steakhouse, the staff moves to meet every need from when you walk in, to when you leave. Check out our cruise director’s enthusiasm as we came around the deck for a lap count. The areas to relax are plentiful on board the Westerdam. Finding a spot to sit and enjoy a drink or view is not difficult.
You can get everything from made-to-order eggs for breakfast to sandwiches, salads, Indian curries and warm bread pudding with vanilla sauce (a crowd favorite) for lunch. The grilled lamb chops served during the Captain’s welcome dinner on the second night were a hit with us. There are three courses, with meat, fish and vegetarian options. It’s an elegant space to dine in – think white table cloths and blue-and-white Delft china. It could be that HAL has seriously upped its culinary game across all ships.
Crow’s Nest is located above the bridge, a popular spot when scenic cruising is underway. Tamarind Bar has a roster of martinis on offer—watch for happy hour specials. So many excellent workers, with such genuinely sweet temperaments. In comparison with other cruises I've taken, I would not sail Holland America again. Cruise ports were ill planned, with absurdly short layovers.
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