| Overview
Wait a minute. Is this a Holland America Line ship? Some passengers will likely ask that very question upon embarking the Zuiderdam. The fact is, this is Holland America, albeit a newer version actively in search of a younger clientele. The ship is about 40 percent larger than the popular Statendam-class vessel and is the first of its new Vista Class. So you might be forgiven for wondering if Holland America is undergoing an identity crisis. "The general idea was to make Holland America younger," the ship's designer, Frans Dingemanns, said. "The whole baby-boom market is coming onto the market."
The Zuiderdam features cobalt blue leather chairs, cowhide barstools in a disco, and a fancy bubbling seawater pool. But many of Holland America's standard features -- the Ocean Bar, Explorer's Lounge and even a few elaborate art pieces such as the impressive display of Venetian masquerade costumes -- are here, although the layout is not the familiar one from the Statendam class. But the Zuiderdam is deployed year-round in the Caribbean, which always attracts a younger passenger base than other destinations. And more families cruise in the Caribbean, so it makes sense to provide more amusements for children and teens. Adults are likely to appreciate the fancy new spa operated by the famous landside Greenhouse Spa company and the upscale alternative restaurant. In short, baby-boomer and younger families who aren't long-time devotees of Holland America will likely like the ship. Loyalists of the traditional Holland America will either find the decor and size less appealing or as a breath of fresh air. Everyone will still find those extras Holland America is famous for -- free appetizers at cocktail hour, an abundance of fresh flowers, chilled beer glasses and a "tipping not required" policy. Oh, and pronounce it "zye-der-dam" not "zwee-der-dam."
Public Rooms
The Zuiderdam has a three-deck-high atrium that encircles a Waterford crystal seahorse suspended in the center. Note the nearby elevators doors -- the scenic lifts have etched glass doors while the regular elevators have poured aluminum with etched with 1920s floral and curlicue patterns. The Vista Lounge is a Broadway-style theater that takes up the space of five decks although there are only three seating levels. One deck above stores scenery and one below houses the orchestra pit. The decor is tomato red with a large parachute of red and white providing accent. There are oval boxes on each side of the stage, and whimsical scenes of reclining women and such made of gypsum. Don't miss the beautiful view boxes outside the Vista Lounge on the Promenade Deck. Each features a tiny scene of a tightrope walker, scenery painters or an art salesman.
Curled around the atrium, the Ocean Bar has several bay window booths that almost make you feel like you're outside on the Promenade Deck, but you're actually inside, nestled in a cozy booth with cushions and chenille pillows of purple, turquoise and orange. The floor and bar are bleached wood. Up on the Observation Deck, the Crow's Nest features potted palm trees, silver-blue and cobalt leather chairs, as well as wonderful recliners overlooking the bow of the ship. The semicircle Queen's Lounge on the Lower Promenade Deck is used for cabaret-style entertainment and recently released movies. A cigar lounge features a special ventilation system and a tin model of the Robert E. Lee steamboat. There's also a sports bar, nightclub, library and shops.
Family
In its quest to attract younger clients, Holland America has greatly expanded the children's and teen's facilities on the Zuiderdam. KidZone, designed for youngsters age five to 12, is the center of the Club HAL supervised activities such as arts and crafts, computer, movies and parties. The KidZone features inside and outdoors play areas with safety matting. There is one counselor per 30 children.
WaveRunner, the teen center, has a dance floor with sound and light systems, video game room, a big-screen TV for movies, and a pantry with soft drinks and juices.
The Club HAL activities continue on Half Moon Cay, the line's wonderful and pristine private island. Kids engage in sandcastle building or treasure hunts while teens can snorkel and play Frisbee.
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."
Fellow Passengers
The Zuiderdam will be positioned year-round in the Caribbean, where Holland America attracts its youngest passengers. The average age on seven-day Caribbean cruises is 52 and that goes down even more in the summer, to 44 years, when families travel. In fact, the line regularly carries 150 to 200 children on Caribbean cruises during summer and holiday breaks. In all this year, the Zuiderdam expects to carry 30,000 children.
Dress Code
There are one or two formal nights per week, when women wear gowns or cocktail dresses and men tuxedoes or business suits and. However, the line says men will be perfectly appropriate in a jacket and tie. Suggested informal attire is jacket with tie optional and dresses or pantsuits. The casual attire is simply comfortable clothing; however, no T-shirts, jeans, swimsuits, tank tops or shorts in any dining room or public area.
Cabins
Holland America continues its tradition of large, comfortably designed staterooms; the standard inside and outside double rooms measure 185 square feet while Large Outsides are 194 square feet. All cabins feature twin beds convertible to a queen-size, a bathtub and shower, TV, mini-bar, dataport, telephone and multichannel music. A few have a shower only, so check if a tub is important to you. The Zuiderdam offers more balconies than its fleetmates; about 66 percent of all accommodations have them. Moving up, the 254-square-feet Deluxe Verandah Outsides also feature a balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows and sitting area; Superior Verandah Suites are 392 square feet. The top-level suites - Penthouse and Deluxe Verandah Suites - have access to a private lounge with concierge service, as well as extra features like sofa beds, dual-sink vanities in the bathrooms and DVD players.
Dining
Holland America expands its dining options with the reservations-required, 130-seat Odyssey Restaurant, a lovely room of silver and white horseshoes around the atrium. The chairs are especially noteworthy, with spindly arms and legs that look like silvery bones with little hands. The steel-reinforced aluminum chairs were heavy to move around, but the line said the next batch will be much lighter. The ceiling is ethereal, with transparent light fixtures that look like glowing, floating lily pads. (Or jellyfish, depending on your perspective.) The walls are covered with prints of old-time food spreads, taken from paintings in Boston and New York museums.
The menu in the Odyssey is centered on Pacific Northwest flavors of Holland America's home, Seattle, Wash., and neighboring states. Think salmon, premium beefsteaks, Dungeness crab cakes, venison carpaccio and other items featuring Washington apples and Oregon blue cheese. The wine list includes selections from some very good regional wines, including Chateau St. Michelle and Willamette Valley. The Odyssey includes a bar for pre-and post-dinner drinks. Some diners didn't like noise emanating from tables near the atrium; ask for a booth inside for a quieter spot. The Odyssey includes a $20 cover charge.
For main dining, the two-level Vista Dining Room features a lipstick-red decor with ebony-colored wood chairs with floral upholstery. Floor-to-ceiling windows line three sides of the room, and there are two grand staircases with a bandstand in between from where live music emanates during dinner. Food on Holland America remains as good as always; rarely inspired, but tasty. But a full galley on each level is sure to speed up service and help ensure that the food is hot when served.
New is the Windstar Cafe, named for Holland America's sail-cruise sister company. It's near the main atrium, done up in a nautical motif, with blond wood and marine blue furniture. The coffee served is Torrefazione Italia, the upscale brand of Seattle's Best Coffee. It's open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.; there is an additional charge for fancy coffees and pastries. Free coffee is always available in the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Java Corner, right outside the meeting rooms and near the Internet Center on the Promenade Deck.
The Lido Cafe is designed to be more efficient, with buffets offering different items to minimize the length of the lines. Holland America always does a great job with the buffets, and the favorites are still here: pizza, pasta, Asian stir fry, deli sandwiches, salad bar and, at breakfast, made-to-order omelets. And, of course, the always popular ice cream bar. The Lido decor is very bright, with the color scheme set by a mural of yellow, purple and orange tulips. Right outside the Lido Restaurant poolside is the Terrace Grill serves up burgers and hot dogs in a new location, right outside the Lido Restaurant and closer to the Terrace Bar.
Entertainment
A wide variety of entertainment is available, from splashy Vegas-style revues and Broadway shows to comedians and vocalists. There's usually a crew show and a 1950s and '60s style party.
Fitness and Recreation
New to the line is The Greenhouse Spa and Salon, affiliated with the popular landside spa found in 15 cities. The menu includes a variety of innovative treatments, but they are still administered by the ubiquitous Steiner Group. But it's 54 percent larger than those on Holland America's other recently launched ships, and boasts a staff of 23, twice the complement in most shipboard spas. A new addition is the glass-enclosed, 18-by-22-foot seawater hydrotherapy pool, which has jets to soothe sore muscles. Treatments include a Swedish massage, $99 for 50 minutes; Silk Booster Facial, $119 for 75 minutes; Frangipani Body Nourish Wrap, $182 for 45 minutes; and Sole Delight Foot Treatment, $55 for 45 minutes.
The adjacent fitness center has ocean views and treadmills, stair-step machines, stationary bikes, free weights and Cybex weight machines. Exercise classes include water and step aerobics, and a specialty program charges $11 for spin, Pilates or yoga classes.
The ship has two swimming pools, one with a moveable roof and the other in a quieter aft location. It also has a basketball court, volleyball court and golf simulator.
The full, covered promenade deck is always ideal for strolling.
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