Hi everyone I'm new to this whole thing so please understand. Last year my wife and I went on our 1st cruise aboard NCL Majesty. It was terrible. We discussed that we would never cruise again. Well, never say never! We are traveling on the Zuiderdam Feb. 11-18, 2006. However, some of the reviews have been unfavorable. We are in our early thirties but love being around people older than us. Please help set our minds at ease. Thanks

Zuiderdam is a newer ship than Majesty, and has not been sailing the shorter cruises (5 days or less) that Majesty has, which should mean less wear and tear on the ship. I guess it all boils down to what expectations you have for your cruise. If you expect perfection, you will be disappointed on virtually any cruise, but if you are willing to overlook a few less-than-perfect details, and decide you will have a good time, then you will.

I haven't been on NCL in quite a few years, but sailed on Holland America ("HAL") about 3 years ago, and was quite pleased with it. You're right, the clientele will be largely somewhat older, but if you're fine with that, it should work out well.

I'm glad you're giving it another try. Hope this time turns out to be a much better experience for you!

My husband & I are sailing the Zuiderdam in October. I would love to hear your impression of her and the cruise. HAL is our favorite cruise line. Our first cruise 10 years ago was on Carnival, and we vowed never to sail with them again. However, we didn't vow not to sail again.... we're eagerly awaiting our fifth.... The bad Carnival experience did not diminish our enjoyment of cruising. HAL is elegant, the service is exceptional and the food was always wonderful (especially my favorite, the bread). So, please do let us know when you get back, what you thought of your HAL experience and the ship.

For my family, there is no better ship to sail. We booked the sister ship, Oosterdam for our trip to Alaska this summer. I must say that for the two Zuiderdam sailings we took they were both in the month of August. I have heard that during the school year the cruisers tend to be older. Not that thats a bad thing. I just thought I would throw it out there. The Zuiderdam has a number of participation activities. Each day they have team trivia in the Crows nest and most evenings at about 9:45 or so they have music trivia. Needless to say, my wife is a music nut and with that we have a collection of mugs key chains and Hats from the Zuiderdam that she has won for her team. If you have any specific question regarding the ship, feel free to ask. Oh one more thing, I hope Julie Barr will be on the ship when you sail. One heck of a funny woman!

We sailed on the Zuiderdam August 2005 and loved it. Out of over 12 cruises, it was my first cruise on HAL and also the first time we had booked an interior stateroom. Both were great. The service was exceptional, the staff was wonderful. We loved the dining room service and we were seated with a great group of people for our dinner. We of course love the late dining. My husband and I are in our VERY early 50's and another couple that went with us were about the same age. We did meet quite a few 30 somethings on the ship and they were having a great time. There were even quite a few children on, which amazed us since this was a late August/early September cruise. You will have a great time. One bit of advise, don't be shocked when you walk in the disco....cow print everywhere..lol...
Have a great cruise!!

LOL regarding the cowprints. What was up with that. That area of the ship (Queens lounge to the showroom is a bit of a maze cutting through the Diso and Casino. We were on the August 19 in 2005 and the August 20, 2004 sailings and had a wonderful time. Did you catch Julie Barr's late night comedy? My wife and I enjoy the afternoon daily trivia along with the music and game show triva' each eveing. My 8 year old enjoys Club HAl over the other clubs because of the personalized attention offered to the children. Michelle Davey ran a terrific program.

Oh Yeah we caught Julie Barr, she was a blast, in fact there was standing room only at the show we caught. My teen daughter wasnt on this sailing with us, but I did see quite a few kids and teens on the ship. We were on her August 27th 2005 so we were boarding as you were leaving. In fact Katrina had just hit Ft. Lauderdale a couple of days before and the ship was later arriving in so by the time we boarded it was well after 2:00 pm, we tried to get to the port around 11:30 like normal but were turned away.

I don't know what was with the cow prints, we did go to the disco a couple of the nights, but it was always so crowded and not many tables to sit at. The maze was different for sure...lol..my husband wanted to be in the casino the most..in fact on that sailing he won over $1200.00 on the slots..so it pretty much took care of all our extra expenses and gratuities.
I would sail her again if I get a chance. I loved the ship.

Carol,

I remember being late arriving back to Fort Lauderdale. I was concerned about the 11am flight we had. We got off the ship at 10 and struggled to make our flight. I look forward to the Oosterdam in August as we will feel we are on the Zuiderdam. Now if only Julie and Michelle can switch ships!

My family and I (s.o., daughter (14), son(11)) are booked on Westerdam March 19,06. 2 years ago we cruised Zuiderdam and loved it. We've been on 12 cruises with R.C.C.L. Princess and Holland and our Zuiderdam experience was the best. We always travel as a family and last year we went as a couple and chose the Oosterdam. We were not disappointed. The kids prefer R.C.C.L. so they aren't too happy with me for booking Holland in March. I hope it works out o.k. for them. Atleast I know my husband and I will be happy. The rooms are incredible, the food is great and the service was almost perfect.

Amen to everything you just said. My son does enjoy club HAL and being on a cruise. The entertainment provided for the adults is exactly the type my wife and I enjoy! We are now looking at the Zuiderdam again for April 07 with a group of friends. That would make it 3 Zuiderdam Cruises of the 12 we would of sailed by then!

arkack
Please let us know how your X cruise compares with HAL. Just curious. Tom

Hi Tom,

Im not expecting much from the X cruise. I booked it cause my son (8) will be off from school that week and the price was right. X will be hard pressed to compare with the HA but I will let you know how it was when I sail X

I honestly don't think it would be fair for you to even begin to compare the two. I sailed on the Zenith last August to Bermuda. The first thing that stuck out when I walked onto the ship was no atrium. Now, I haven't been on a ship in a long time that didn't have an atrium. But I am an avid cruiser, and I just plain love cruising. The entertainment was good, and the food was good. I had one of the best wait staff Eduardo from Peru, and Felix from Honduras. The Zenith is 10 years older than the Zuiderdam, and the Zuiderdam is not quite twice the size. 81,769 vs 47,255. Honestly, your son probably won't enjoy her as much as the Zuiderdam. But as you say, for the money she has been having some good prices, (kills me to see $300-$350 for 4/5nts on her right now and can't go!). So don't be too harsh in your comparison of Celebrity based on the Zenith. The Millenium class would be a better comparison.

Hopefully, my son will enjoy just being with us, having Ice cream on demand and as long as he can toon into the cartoon network he will be fine. He loves the beach and we will go to them in Cozumel and GC. Celebrity got off on the wrong foot with us regarding this cruise as when I first booked it, it was a 7 night cruise then they dropped Key West when Key West was the main reason for booking the cruise. My wife loves to fish in KW. Now it is a 6 night cruise with the first and last days at sea. I dont mind days at sea, just not the last day. I have had nothing but wonderful experiences on the Zuiderdam and will be booking another Zuiderdam Cruise for April, 07 with other 2 other couples. My only Hope is Julie Barr, the comedian, will be on the Ship. again. As for the Millenium class ships, I agree it would be a better comparison. However, the cost of the Millenium cruises are a bit high.