This being our 56th cruise may seem to many that we could not possibly get excited AGAIN, doing the SAME OLD, same old, Caribbean cruise we have done so may times. Well, we always get excited when we step on board a ship, and the excitement of the priveledge to sail on the brand new ZUIDERDAM was almost too much to bear!!

We often cruise with friends and family, however, we did not this time. I must also note, that we have had many wonderful cruises with Princess, and we had a serious problem with our booking for Coral Princess, and decided to cancel our Coral P cruise. We booked NCl, and canceled that due to reviews here at cruisereviews.com - so, we booked the Z-dam.

We drove to Pt. Everglades from Virginia (yes, we used to live in Vermont),. and the drive was ok, BUT, book motels BEFORE you set out, wherever you may drive from to ANY port, as more and more people are taking auto vacations, rather than flying.

Parked the car at Mid-Port Garage, $12.00 per day, cash only, right opposite the ship, pier 26.

Security was VERY TIGHT. We were mere days into the war, and the security was obviously beefed up. BEFORE YOU GET THE PIER - have all paper work filled out, signed et cetera...security check points and trunk checks were done randomly. Documents were scutinized. You will proceed through baggage x-ray, and metal detector, then more doc checks and finally (HA HA ) the ships photo as you embark.

We sailed full, if 1870 pax is full. The age mix was very different for a HAL. Lots of teens, and kids, and infants. The age for adults was heavily 30's to 50's. There were seniors, more on seniors later.

Princess used to let you board when you arrived, and that was great. HAL made you wait, with a number in your hand, at the passenger terminal. AC, comfy chairs, snack stand, and a great place to view fellow paxs. However, the bathrooms are located in an unsecured area, and you must go through a "lame" form of security to use the toilets! It is so lame, anyone could filter in and out. NOT GOOD.

Our number was 13. Boarding was to begin a 1pm. At 2;40 number 13 was called. HURRAY! So, we go through security, pose for the picture, and were greeted by white gloved staff, who took our carry ons, and escorted us to our stateroom. This was indeed a very impressive touch. This gentleman gave us a run down about the cabin, the TV, fridge and how to operate the safe. We assumed he was Indonesian. His English, as was every crew member we encountered, was superb. Shortly our cabin steward arrived, all smiles, and bubbling with the warmth of a million welcomes. Our steward was Filmar, and he was tops.

Our cabin 5016, was spotless beyond belief, and kept that way. Everyone wants to know about the bathroom. It is small, yet complete. It is one molded unit, without tile flooring. The tub is small, yet deep. The shower curtain heavy, not the clinging type. Delft (faux) tiles decorate the mocha walls. There is a clothes line in the tub. Medicine cabinet and shelf space was adequate for our needs. The electrical outlet is for razors only - no hair dryers please! We have had many vac-toilets over the years, however, this one was special - when you flush, it sounded like Godzilla.

The stateroom was very nice, although smaller than a comparable stateroom on the Grand or Sun class of Princess ships. We were offered a huge upgrade, for a price, by HAL, and declined, prior to sailing. There were two handsome tulip prints and a Venician print in the cabin, gold, orange and saphire blue fabrics, pumpkin leather chair and ottoman, small tv, mini bar, fully stocked with nips of liquor, soda, water, wine and sparkling wine
from Germany, Prices ranged from $2.00 to $5.25, and replaced as used, and charged to your ships account. It also must be noted, HAL will let you buy liquor in the ships shop and consume as much as you want in the cabin. The prices, and the "deals" were good at the ships shop.

The hair dryer in hidden on the right lower side of the desk, the closets are quite adequate, extra drawers are obvious, and there are extra drawers in the base of the beds AND love seat. The queen bed configuration was comfortable, and the mattresses were real, not a four inch slab of foam, as is often the case on some other ships. There are only emergency announcements made in the staterooms, and the only one we had was for the boat drill.

Life boat drill is ON DECK, where it should be. Roll is taken. Kids 13 years and under, wear a color coded wrist bracelet or anklet, to alert the crew of their parents and muster station in the event of an emergency. We were due to sail at 5pm, and docked at 6pm..
Our seating was goofed up, however, we kept the first seating, and table for two. Sure, we missed the gala sail-out with the condo people saluting the ship, but, we were sailing, they were not. We did have a sail-away drink on deck, long before we sailed, and if it had any booze in it, I would be shocked. Worst drink ever.

Ran around the ship, all too quickly to drink the beauty of this elegant ship in. First night dinner, sailing out of port, was the start of something gastronimically superior to ANY ship in recent years. Dodo, our dining room steward, his assistant, Antwin, our head waiter, Iwan endeared themselves to us instantly. We were in the gorgeous Vista Dining Room 5 minutes, and they made us feel as though were had been on the ship a week. Then along comes Alphonso, our wine steward, a fine asset to our superb dining experience. We had table 164, lower level in the Vista. Usually first night dinner stinks, I mean it, on other ships, not so Z dam. It was a grand prelude of fine dining to come. Great food, excellent staff. Food and dining will only be critiqued as needed, or for special mention.

We made many friends during this cruise, the pasengers were indded friendly. At the next table to ours were two "condo" people, the ones that wave as you sail from Port Everglade, Irmgard and Hubert, as regal and cordial as one could hope.

ENTERTAINMENT - may as well just lump it all together - Comedian Bernie McGenahan was stupendous. Caribbean Magic, the steel band, entertained poolside, and once during the cruise, poolside, at night, very nice. Paul Pappas, pianist, very good. The "Cast of the Zuiderdam", dance troup, lively and ablaze with handsome costumes. Friday nights show was very special. The cast performed the not so usual Hollywood/B'way musical numbers, from Judy Garland to (not exactly Hollywood or B'way) Donna Summer, with every thing in between. Songs very diverse for a ships troup, and refreshingly different. The disco numbers brought down the house.

Now, here is where I get excited! We have seen this wonderful performer only once before. BARNABY - juggler/comedian extrodinare! If you should chance to have this kind man on your ship, you are in for a real treat. The Indonesian Show is NOT TO BE MISSED. The Z dam's cruise director is tops for every resason a cruise director must be, HE IS EVERYWHERE - his name is John Challenger. This is one fine, caring, good humored and thoughtful man. There are many, many venues for enjoying music, although there is no "big band" on this ship, which for HAL is unusual.
LIDO RESTAURANT - a busy, not pushy-not crowded place. This is a run-down of the Lido:
WOK - top-notch Asian specialties, including sushi, pad thai, et cetera, stir fries and so forth - wonderful.
ITALIAN - what more can be said about a perfectly made Bolognese sauce, or pesto? Each day the made on board pasta shapes change. Garlic bread, al fredo sauce yum!
BISTRO - I can not recall roasted breast of veal on a ship being offered, yet it was here, rotisserie chickens, an extravagance to be sure.
SALADS - fresh, make your own.
DELI- all manner of sandwiches made to your liking on breads and rolls to die for(breads and rolls on this ship the best in recent memory).
GRILL- hot dogs, disappointing burgers, and checken, bbq'd.
TACO - did not try this one, looked "messy".
SWEETS - from cookies to pies, and ice cream, creme brulee, AND NO SUGAR ADDED gooey-tasty desserts, superb. Make your own sundaes, too, with all the toppings, AND ALL FREE!

Now, for the ship itself. To describe every public room would be impossible, and I have my own pics and bought some interior shots on board as well, so all I will say is that this ship is absolutely elegant. There are not enough adjectives in English to describe the Z dam. There is a richness, and a warmth, a soul that is evident everywhere on this magnificently decorated and fitted out ship. Not one area lacks for beauty. The works of art are treasures, and respect for the artist is a must. Take time to appreciate what is around you, what HAL has provided for you visionary pleasure. And, then there are the flowers, floral arrangements that would do a Ritz Carlton proud. Not to mention the smiles of every crew member, no matter where you encounter him or her. The cleanliness on board. This is a magical, sensory ship, and there will be more of them coming.

Now, there were horrendous complaints, at first, from the seniors on board. No big band, kids on board, too young a crowd on board. Well, those complaints vanished quickly. Imagine a couple in thier 80's clapping and enjoying Grace Jones "Pull up to the Bumper," as performed by the "Cast of the Zuiderdam".

NASTY - OH SO NASTY - this is the biggest complaint from this entire cruise: infants wearing diapers in the ships pools. Enough said.

PORTS - hate Nassau, did not get off the ship. Ocean Breeze was there, looking way nicer than before. Nasty in the pool, so could not use it, nasty the whole trip, too.

ST KITTS - took to catamaran shore excursion, worth every penny ($109.00 per). The once beautiful beach at Nevis has been severly damaged by hurricanes, however, it still is loverly!. BBQ lunch - eat the chicken. The dogs were truly "dogs". If you love booze, this is the trip for you.

CAPTAINS COCKTAIL PARTY AND DINNER - the party was lovely, with hot/cold hor'doerves (sp?) and pre-made drinks. We ordered our own drinks, as pre-made are not to our liking, try a Wnag Wang, awesome.

The dinner was a feast beyond compare. New England lobster, crepes, all the goodies. Each evening a different flambed dessert is offered. When I was 20 years old I sailed on the SAGAFJORD, a 21 dayer, my 4th cruise, and to this very day I remember that wonderful captains dinner, and finally found its near duplicate on this ship. Amazing.

ODYSSEY RESTAURANT - a must for anyone that enjoys outstanding dining.
Bvlgary china, Rosenthal Crystal, Frette linens, heavy Wm-f hotel service and a room that sets the mood for culinary excellence. I will not spoil one calorie of this grand dining excursion for you - It is worth the paltry $20.00.

ST THOMAS - shopped, and shopped, our usual past time. Had lunch at the oddly named "Friends of Bo Peep" one street back of Front Street. Clean, freindly place. Good island food, and American style as well. Ask for Diego.

HALF MOON CAY - poor weather, call cancelled. Bummer. Too make up for that, our gregarious Captain let the champagne flow that night at dinner!

WELCOME PARTY - we kept with the bloodies, as they were good, and being made fresh. We had passengers celebrating 100, 300, 500, 700 days with HAL, and one 902! There was a lady on board, from the maiden cruise in December!

I could go on and on about this ship. We consider the ship as our destination, not the ports of call. So, from the smiling pursers, and deck hands, stewards, entertainers, the wonderful cruise director, John, and the good humored captain, the beauty of this ship, and all that sail her, this was one very fine cruise. If you know HAL, you know who the YUM YUM'S are, and we can't wait to see them again!