Zuiderdam Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,028 reviews

Fine cruise overall

Review for Canada & New England Cruise on Zuiderdam
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Editz68
2-5 Cruises • Age 50s

Rating by category

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Additional details

Sail Date: Sep 2019
Cabin: Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom

I see there are a few other reviewers of this particular cruise that didn't like the fact we couldn't anchor in Charlottetown, PEI. Them's the breaks, folks. You can't control the weather. I thought we were very fortunate overall with the weather given the timeframe, with Sydney, NS being the only problem spot.

My only gripe with this is that the printed itinerary (which I booked a month out) said we'd be at pier and not anchored. Because of this I took a chance and booked a third party tour, which of course didn't have a refund policy. When confronted with this discrepancy, HAL Guest Services stated that they have no control over where the ship is assigned in port. I guess I don't understand how that works as I thought these itineraries are planned months if not years in advance. Don't cruise lines pay ports for docking privileges?

Anyway, this is only my second cruise, the previous being a 9-day Alaska cruise on Westerdam, another Vista class sister ship to the Zuiderdam. I found virtually everything to my satisfaction, including the food. All dinners were taken either in the MDR or the specialty restaurants. Pinnacle Grill was nice, though it seemed like staff was stretched thin on the night I attended. The Cellar Master's Dinner was spectacular. Didn't bother with the Lido other than for breakfast, which was fine and really not much different from MDR's offerings, with the exception of better service.

Cabin Review

Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom

Cabin VD6152 was in good shape, though the shower floor had some evidence of a failed repainting job. Didn't notice any bothersome inside ship noises other than guests deliberately letting their cabin doors slam shut. On the outside, the verandah deck divider doors had a tendency to rattle in high winds. Took a port side cabin thinking there might be some advantage to views of the coast, but I don't think it made much of a difference unless you really wanted a nice sunrise to greet you in the mornings.

Ivan and Toto the cabin attendants were absolutely the best. Can't say enough good things about the both of them.

Port Reviews

New York (Manhattan)

The night sailing out of the harbor was spectacular.

Newport

Could spend several days here just doing mansion tours. Nice city.

Halifax

Easily walkable city. Would consider spending a few days here.

Sydney (Nova Scotia)

Remarks are in my main review. If this port could be skipped in favor of an extra day in Quebec City, that would be awesome.

Quebec City

Easily walkable for self-guided tours. Remarks are in my main review.

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