| Overview
A sister to the Volendam, which launched a new generation of HAL ships in 1999, the new Zaandam rocks with a stylish and lively decor that boasts a musical theme and warm colors. Life aboard this mid-size ship is sedate and contradicts the old saying, "they don't make things the way they used to." The Zaandam proves they do indeed -- she embodies a graciousness that recalls the early days of sailing: a classic ship with all the modern comforts -- and a vessel that continues HAL's longstanding tradition of excellence, with a laid-back, rich-in-culture ambiance, a high degree of personal service, and interiors graced with art, antiques and fresh flowers. A moderately-priced premium product, the Zaandam features such free extras as cappuccinos and espressos in the Java Cafe, popcorn at the Wajang Theater, and a souvenir canvas bag. Her guests, generally well-traveled middle-aged Americans, are appreciative of quality and value and prefer a dignified ambiance that emphasizes bridge and ballroom dancing rather than knobby knee contests and disco.
Cabins
Staterooms are among the roomiest afloat and are attractively decorated with quality woods, fabrics and art. Those who wish to splurge, may opt for one of the 28 suites -lavish accommodations measuring 563 square feet and appointed with a king-size bed, whirlpool bath, dressing area and verandah plus some sweet suite extras including complimentary personalized stationery, afternoon hors d'oeuvres, free dry cleaning and disembarkation at leisure. Verandah mini-suites, 168 of them, measure 284 square feet and boast queen-size bed, whirlpool bath, sitting area, VCR, mini-bar and refrigerator. The large outside doubles, Categories C through H, are a good value: 197 square feet with convertible queen-size bed, bathtub/shower, TV, music system and telephone. Cabins on Lower Promenade are next to the wraparound deck that may be frequented by walkers early in the morning and some have partial sea views.
Fitness and Recreation
An expanded Ocean Spa, operated by Steiner, features, like on the Volendam, six treatment rooms with private shower and toilets. Two of the six rooms accommodate wet treatments such as hydrotherapy baths, seaweed wraps and mud. The ocean-view gym has 11 treadmills, eight bikes, and an assortment of stairsteppers, rowing machines, Cybex weight training machines and free weights; aerobics area; dual sauna/steam rooms and a jogging track one deck above (10 laps equal one mile). The wraparound deck on Lower Promenade is available to walkers (three and a half laps equal one mile).
Deck space is ample with plenty of chaises with striped cushions lining the outdoor pool and the main pool covered by a retractable dome. Other facilities include two whirlpools, practice tennis/volleyball courts, ping-pong and shuffleboard. A Passport to Fitness program provides stamps for each activity that can be traded for sports apparel.
Dress Code
There are two formal nights during a seven-day cruise; three during a 10-day sailing. About half the men wear dark suits.
Family
Kids are kept busy with supervised Club HAL crafts, parties, and games for three age groups 5-8, 9-12 and 13-17. The number of counselors depends on the number of kids on board. Children's menus are available. Baby-sitting is featured on request (at sea, when available) for $7.50 per child, per hour.
Entertainment
The main lounge presents variety shows, a lavish Broadway-style revue and a high-energy production themed to dance. Other entertainment includes a "specta-crew-lar" show presented by the ship's own staff, featuring folkloric songs and dances. The evening lineup also includes a harpist in the Explorer's Lounge and a quartet in the Ocean Bar. Those who wish to tempt Lady Luck have a casino featuring an array of slots and five tables for blackjack, two for Caribbean Stud Poker, one for roulette and one for dice. The Wajang Theater presents first-run films every afternoon and evening. Live sports broadcasts can be viewed in the Casino Bar. And for those who don't want to call it a night by midnight (many do, however) the beat goes on in the Crow's Nest disco until the wee hours.
Fellow Passengers
HAL has been attracting younger guests in recent years thanks to expanded spas, beefed up children's programs, and the addition of alternative dining, late comedy and other features. Average age is in the mid-50s in the Caribbean and mid- to late 50s in Alaska. The Zaandam, with her Caribbean itineraries, is attracting many families during summer sailings.
Dining
There are tables for two, four, six and eight in the two-level Rotterdam Dining Room, an opulent restaurant featuring good food, sea views and romantic lighting including a twinkling, fiber optics-lit ceiling. The tables are set with Rosenthal china, sparkling crystal and crisp linens. Menus are among the most extensive at sea featuring six appetizers, two soups, two salads and six entrees for dinner. Vegetarian and low-fat selections are available for those not willing to throw their diets overboard for a few days, or saving room for the midnight spread -which one night is a dessert extravaganza. Service is attentive and friendly.
Zaandam now features, as its alternative restaurant, The Pinnacle Grill (which is gradually expanding across the HAL fleet). The cozy and intimate restaurant is gorgeous -- and menus feature mostly Northwest-inspired cuisine. Such as? Chicken Thai soup, Dungeness crab legs, grilled salmon, and duck breast with pickled Walla Walla onions, among others. Chefs also will cook up the basics -- filet mignon, lamb chops and cioppino are always offered. There is a $20 per person charge to eat at The Pinnacle Grill.
For casual meals, the relaxed, buffet-style, Lido Restaurant, with an outstanding selection and presentation, is a popular place for breakfast and lunch every day and informal dinners every evening except the last one of the cruise. Help with trays was spotty.
Other dining treats include free hot hors d'oeuvres in the cocktail lounges every evening and a delightful Royal Dutch High Tea one afternoon on each sailing featuring sandwiches, petit fours, cookies and cakes (including Dutch specialties) to the soothing strains of strings. An expanded room service menu includes such favorites as shrimp cocktail, sauteed sirloin minute steak, salmon steak, grilled chicken breast, chocolate cake and warm apple pie. A mid-afternoon order came within a half hour.
Public Rooms
The three-level atrium at the heart of the ship has as its focal point an impressive 22-ft.-high Dutch pipe organ with mechanical sculptures. It is connected to a Yamaha player piano for numbers for piano and orchestra. The 110-seat Ocean Bar is one of the most popular passenger hubs, conveniently located amidships, near the showroom. It offers sea views by day and music by a quartet in the evenings - some tables spill onto the atrium and are great for people watching. The 89-seat Explorer's Lounge, located near the Rotterdam Dining Room, is a quieter venue: the traditional spot - as on other HAL ships - for after-dinner drinks and chocolates while enjoying ear candy: a harpist playing light classical music and other selections.
Favorites for pre-dinner cocktails are the Piano Bar and adjacent Sea View Lounge (around the corner is a sax on display with a mouthpiece signed by Bill Clinton), while a wonderful spot to toast the sunset is the 250-seat Crow's Next Lounge, the ship's observation lounge with panoramic views on three sides. The two-level Mondriaan show lounge has a glittering appearance - decorated in silver and white with furniture in contrasting darker tones. It has a wide stage and half-moon shaped sofas and chairs arranged next to small cocktail tables; balcony seating is in the form of comfortable banquettes. Sightlines are excellent.
Other public spaces include a well-stocked ocean view library with inviting chairs and ottomans, an inlaid marble table, and writing tables; an Internet center (eight terminals; open 24-hours, basic charge is 75 cents a minute), and four self-service launderettes (a wash is $2, a dry is $1).
Gratuity
For years and years, Holland America Line distinguished itself with its "no tipping required" policy, the objective of which was to prove that the cheerful and accommodating staff worked for the love of serving their guests, not for tips. Unfortunately, many passengers took this to mean "tips are included," or "tipping not allowed," so as Holland America hopes to attract a more diverse clientele and more first-time cruisers, the tipping policy has been specifically addressed.
According to a statement from Holland America president Stein Kruse, the tipping policy -- fleetwide -- is as follows:
"For your convenience, a gratuity of $10 per guest per day, for dining and stateroom service, will be automatically posted to your shipboard account. We are confident you will find the service on board exemplary and, should you wish to make adjustments, you may do so at the end of the cruise by visiting the Front Office. Also, a 15 percent service charge will be automatically added to your bar and beverage purchases."
|
