Zaandam Review

Disappointing.

Review for South America Cruise on Zaandam
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Grappagourmet
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Sep 2017
Cabin: Neptune Deluxe Verandah Suite

That was our second cruise with Holland America, out of tens of cruises with 10+ cruise companies over the last 20 years or so. First Holland America cruise was aboard the Maasdam, years ago, and it was a pleasant experience. We choosed this second one based upon our prior experience and because we wanted a cruise back home, from US, along South America's Pacific coast - the 34-day San Diego to Rio cruise.

Embarkation process was straightforward. Ok, as suite guests, we had a dedicated line, but the ordinary line was also empty by the time we arrived at San Diego Cruise Terminal.

Stateroom condition, on the other hand, wasn't that good. The deck that runs along the windows was dirty and greasy. TV remote was greasy, as well, so that we had to point it to the steward and ask him for a thorough cleaning. Cereal remnants under the bed and chocolate behind the curtains were also not very nice findings.

Cabin Review

Neptune Deluxe Verandah Suite

Cabin SA

We have been cruising aboard Suites over the last years, so it's easy to compare them. We had been in a Neptune Suite, aboard the Maasdam, years ago, and it was exactly like this one, aboard the Zaandam... years later. What I mean is: these suites are largely outdated - furniture is old, decoration is poor and - oh my God - they still feature a 22-inch flat screen TV !!!! Seriously, I cannot imagine what's the point in keeping a so small screen TV in a suite that is, at least, twice the size of a standard stateroom.

This stateroom now features an espresso machine, complimentary. The tray with machine, cups and capsules lies on a side table, by the entrance... where there's no power outlet to plug it !!! Guests must relocate the espresso machine to the bar counter and route the power cord to an outlet at the vanity desk. Very clever.

Another feature is a Bose Mini Soundlink bluetooth speaker, located by the bed table. It's not the best place to install it, for it's close to the wall that divides the adjoining stateroom. Of course, guests can always remove the speaker from the charging dock and put it elsewhere...

But the worse is yet to come.

If you are the kind of person who loves to sleep 'till late - specially on sea days - or likes to take a nap in the afternoon, DON'T BUY THIS STATEROOM ! Suites 7020 and it's adjoining suites lie just beneath the Lido Deck, between Lido Market Dishwasher Station and Portboard Pool Towel Station. We had to cope with the strong noise of heavy service carts, running back and forth, from 5:00AM until late, all day long, all cruise long. Of course we knew that this suite was just below Lido Deck. What we didn't know was that Holland America simply don't care about that - they do nothing at all to solve this long running problem. Shame.

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