Holland America Cruise Line
HAL Zuiderdam Cruise Review
Eastern Caribbean

Nancy Vice
Age: 59
Occupation: housewife
Number of Cruises: 15
Sailing Date: January 7th, 2006

Until this cruise, Holland America was our favorite line. The Zuiderdam's decor is GAUDY - garish colors in a retro/art-deco kind of motif. This was certainly one the most UN-classy ships on which we have sailed. Whomever designed the cabin reading light should be shot....it is located ON the headboard of the bed (NOT above)...so whenever you prop up the pillows to read the light is covered completely.

The only way to read at night is with the overhead lights on, which makes it very annoying for anyone else trying to sleep! Unbelievably, the ship ran out of the following foods: On the 5th day of the cruise the ENTIRE ship ran out of lemonade; on the 5th day the ENTIRE ship ran out of limes; on the 4th day the dining room ran out of Pinot Grigio wine; on the 6th day the Lido ran out of sugar; went to the grill for nachos and they were out of cheese sauce. The Mariner's party (get-together for past Holland Am. passengers) was at 11:45 AM - not a 5pm cocktail party like every other cruise line we had been on. The AC went out in our cabin one afternoon and was not repaired until 2AM the next morning (they did supply a fan, but it was still very HOT). The dining room is very noisy, especially since it is on a lower deck directly over the engines. The service was good - our room steward was great. I didn't think that the food was up to normal Holland Am. standards - good but not excellent like other cruises. I would not recommend this ship to others.
 

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