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Classic nautical finishes, modern amenities and a spectacular art collection make Zuiderdam a continued favourite. Numerous enrichment and entertainment activities keep guests going from the moment they wake on this cruise ship. BBC Earth In Concert features a live concert played to a massive backdrop of wildlife footage. Explorations Central makes every journey more meaningful with local insights. Music Walk® venues, such as Billboard Onboard, brings the best tunes to the sea. When it comes to dining, there are options for everyone, from steak at the Pinnacle Grill to burgers and fries at the Dive-In to exquisite Italian cuisine at Canaletto.
We recently completed a 15-day cruise on the Holland America Zuiderdam. We are ages 79 and 80 and have been on over 40 cruises. We typically prefer Celebrity but chose this cruise due to its itinerary (Fort Lauderdale to Quebec City) and wanted to try HAL. The Zuiderdam is one of Hal’s older and smaller ships. The ship is attractive, but it lacks a wow factor. The Crow’s Nest, 10th floor Observation Room, is probably the ship’s most popular and unique area. We had an ocean view room, which was adequate. The bathrooms are small and come with a bathtub. Space could have been better allocated to a walk-in shower. The guests were primarily Senior Citizens with a sprinkling of younger singles and couples. There were a few families with preschool-age children. Activities were geared toward older people. Evening activities started around 4 pm with the first dinner seating at 5 pm. The buffet closed at eight or 8:30 pm. We preferred to eat after the 7:30 show at 8:30 pm. The main dining room was almost empty at that time, and staff members were busy setting up for breakfast and conversing with one another. The service was poor and not very attentive. The exception was Conaletto, where we ate at 7 pm and experienced excellent food and service. Lines at the buffet for breakfast and lunch were long, primarily due to the ship's poor design. Additionally, food was served mainly by staff, a real positive, but which also served to increase waiting times. Entertainment on the World stage and around the ship was very good. Performances by Singer Stephen Berry and concert pianist Elliot Finkel were outstanding. We enjoyed the pre-dinner violin and piano concerts, as well as the piano bar later in the evening. Drink and bar services were good. The extra-priced coffee was not much better than the free coffee available in the buffet. Ship staff need to be commended for their hard work. Many staff members remembered our names and our preferred coffee and drinks. Our cabin stewards were among the best we have experienced on our many cruises. Despite frequent rain and cold temperatures, we had an enjoyable cruise and booked our next HAL cruise while onboard. We booked on the Rotterdam, which is a larger and newer ship.
Just spent a magical week on the Zuiderdam. This was the smallest ship we've sailed on, and it made it easy to get from place to place while onboard. Public areas never felt crowded, and aside from one night, we never had much of a wait to be seated in the dining room although we didn't have reservations. We never had trouble finding a spot to sit for World Stage presentations. The only times we found large lines were for coffee at the Explorer's Cafe and for the arts / crafts sessions, which were super popular and limited in capacity. The smaller size also meant that we were more likely to run into people we'd met onboard, which was nice. This was the first cruise we had taken as a twosome rather than a larger group, and so we opted to share tables in the MDR. We met so many interesting people from all over the world that way and those meals were very enjoyable. The wait staff in the MDR made sure to inquire about allergies at each meal, which isn't an issue for us, but I know would be a relief to those who do have allergies. That was indicative of the care we felt onboard--the crew genuinely wanted us to have a pleasant, safe trip. We also ate in the Lido sometimes, which was decent, ate burgers at the Dive In, and took advantage of the free room service for breakfasts when we had early shore excursions. My only quibble with dining was that there was no walk-up option for late night snacks. After the 9 pm show in the World Stage one evening, we wanted to get a snack and ended up ordering room service because the food venues were all closed by that point. One of the reasons we sail on Holland America is for the relaxed, mellow vibe it has, so there were no roller coasters or belly flop contests and that was perfect for us. We played a round of bingo, took advantage of the puzzle / game area, used the hot tub, attended Q & A sessions to get to know entertainers on board and also learn about upcoming ports of call, watched presentations on the symbols of Canada and commercial fishing on the Atlantic Coast, enjoyed music by a Celtic drummer, and enjoyed the nightly entertainment on board, which included music, dancers, a comedian, and a magician. Breton Thunder, the Celtic band, was a highlight of our cruise! They performed two different shows, and both were absolutely outstanding. We also spent a lot of time in the Crows Nest, playing cards and enjoying the views. Loved walking around the promenade deck to appreciate the sea air and get great views of each port. The onboard library was fantastic, with multiple copies of popular new titles as well as a space to exchange personal books with other cruisers. Our cabin was mid-ship on deck 4, which made it easy to get to the dining room and the World Stage. We had an obstructed ocean view, meaning there was a lifeboat in front of our window, but also meant it was spacious, with floor to ceiling windows and less expensive. There was tons of storage space for clothing & our large suitcases still fit easily under the bed. The bathroom was a little dated, with a shower curtain rather than a glass door, but it also had plenty of storage space. Our housekeeping attendants, Tina and Riston, were the most attentive and thoughtful of any cruise we have been on. They tidied the room twice a day, immediately helped us when we needed something, and were always available but never intrusive. We really enjoyed getting to know them over the course of the cruise. Bernie, the cruise director, was enthusiastic and genuine--his port talks were full of helpful information for each stop and his positive attitude established a friendly vibe for the sailing. We just disembarked yesterday, and I already miss his sign off for announcements, "Ciao Ciao for now!" Both embarkation and debarkation were a breeze, and made this a wonderfully relaxing cruise from start to finish!
We had a great time on our repositioning cruise on the Zuiderdam. The crew was the friendliest we have met in our 30+ cruises. Iwan and Ruben kept our room spotless with all our needs met. We enjoyed the free room service and would often have a late night snack delivered. We used the buffet for most meals. The food was great and Rusty made some great pasta for us each day. The evening music was great each time we stopped by to listen. If there are any downsides it would a lack of variety in the buffet. THe ports of call were fun and the ship had a very relaxing vibe. Definitely and older crowd on board. The embarkation and debarkation were well organized. The crew made this trip an amazing adeventure. The price we paid was very reasonable. We would love to sail the Zuiderdam in the furture..
We recently completed a 15-day cruise on the Holland America Zuiderdam. We are ages 79 and 80 and have been on over 40 cruises. We typically prefer Celebrity but chose this cruise due to its itinerary (Fort Lauderdale to Quebec City) and wanted to try HAL. The Zuiderdam is one of Hal’s older and smaller ships. The ship is attractive, but it lacks a wow factor. The Crow’s Nest, 10th floor Observation Room, is probably the ship’s most popular and unique area. We had an ocean view room, which was adequate. The bathrooms are small and come with a bathtub. Space could have been better allocated to a walk-in shower. The guests were primarily Senior Citizens with a sprinkling of younger singles and couples. There were a few families with preschool-age children. Activities were geared toward older people. Evening activities started around 4 pm with the first dinner seating at 5 pm. The buffet closed at eight or 8:30 pm. We preferred to eat after the 7:30 show at 8:30 pm. The main dining room was almost empty at that time, and staff members were busy setting up for breakfast and conversing with one another. The service was poor and not very attentive. The exception was Conaletto, where we ate at 7 pm and experienced excellent food and service. Lines at the buffet for breakfast and lunch were long, primarily due to the ship's poor design. Additionally, food was served mainly by staff, a real positive, but which also served to increase waiting times. Entertainment on the World stage and around the ship was very good. Performances by Singer Stephen Berry and concert pianist Elliot Finkel were outstanding. We enjoyed the pre-dinner violin and piano concerts, as well as the piano bar later in the evening. Drink and bar services were good. The extra-priced coffee was not much better than the free coffee available in the buffet. Ship staff need to be commended for their hard work. Many staff members remembered our names and our preferred coffee and drinks. Our cabin stewards were among the best we have experienced on our many cruises. Despite frequent rain and cold temperatures, we had an enjoyable cruise and booked our next HAL cruise while onboard. We booked on the Rotterdam, which is a larger and newer ship.
Just spent a magical week on the Zuiderdam. This was the smallest ship we've sailed on, and it made it easy to get from place to place while onboard. Public areas never felt crowded, and aside from one night, we never had much of a wait to be seated in the dining room although we didn't have reservations. We never had trouble finding a spot to sit for World Stage presentations. The only times we found large lines were for coffee at the Explorer's Cafe and for the arts / crafts sessions, which were super popular and limited in capacity. The smaller size also meant that we were more likely to run into people we'd met onboard, which was nice. This was the first cruise we had taken as a twosome rather than a larger group, and so we opted to share tables in the MDR. We met so many interesting people from all over the world that way and those meals were very enjoyable. The wait staff in the MDR made sure to inquire about allergies at each meal, which isn't an issue for us, but I know would be a relief to those who do have allergies. That was indicative of the care we felt onboard--the crew genuinely wanted us to have a pleasant, safe trip. We also ate in the Lido sometimes, which was decent, ate burgers at the Dive In, and took advantage of the free room service for breakfasts when we had early shore excursions. My only quibble with dining was that there was no walk-up option for late night snacks. After the 9 pm show in the World Stage one evening, we wanted to get a snack and ended up ordering room service because the food venues were all closed by that point. One of the reasons we sail on Holland America is for the relaxed, mellow vibe it has, so there were no roller coasters or belly flop contests and that was perfect for us. We played a round of bingo, took advantage of the puzzle / game area, used the hot tub, attended Q & A sessions to get to know entertainers on board and also learn about upcoming ports of call, watched presentations on the symbols of Canada and commercial fishing on the Atlantic Coast, enjoyed music by a Celtic drummer, and enjoyed the nightly entertainment on board, which included music, dancers, a comedian, and a magician. Breton Thunder, the Celtic band, was a highlight of our cruise! They performed two different shows, and both were absolutely outstanding. We also spent a lot of time in the Crows Nest, playing cards and enjoying the views. Loved walking around the promenade deck to appreciate the sea air and get great views of each port. The onboard library was fantastic, with multiple copies of popular new titles as well as a space to exchange personal books with other cruisers. Our cabin was mid-ship on deck 4, which made it easy to get to the dining room and the World Stage. We had an obstructed ocean view, meaning there was a lifeboat in front of our window, but also meant it was spacious, with floor to ceiling windows and less expensive. There was tons of storage space for clothing & our large suitcases still fit easily under the bed. The bathroom was a little dated, with a shower curtain rather than a glass door, but it also had plenty of storage space. Our housekeeping attendants, Tina and Riston, were the most attentive and thoughtful of any cruise we have been on. They tidied the room twice a day, immediately helped us when we needed something, and were always available but never intrusive. We really enjoyed getting to know them over the course of the cruise. Bernie, the cruise director, was enthusiastic and genuine--his port talks were full of helpful information for each stop and his positive attitude established a friendly vibe for the sailing. We just disembarked yesterday, and I already miss his sign off for announcements, "Ciao Ciao for now!" Both embarkation and debarkation were a breeze, and made this a wonderfully relaxing cruise from start to finish!
With refined amenities and Holland America Line signature Mariner’s Dream bed gracing each elegant stateroom, the ship offers six grades of staterooms. Most are ocean-facing, many featuring teak-lined verandas for dining alfresco or private sunbathing.
Holland America Line invites you to dine "As You Wish". To savour Italian cuisine one night and a perfectly grilled porterhouse steak the next. To take your place in the Dining Room at a specific seating time or be spontaneous, following your desires. Onboard, there are restaurants to suit every mood, along with the flexibility to choose the dining style you prefer.
Boasting an expansive range of enrichment facilities and opportunity, Holland America Line's ships are bound to offer something you'll want to know more about. Why not have a go at the Digital Workshop powered by Windows and learn how to enhance your holiday picture or how to easily share them.
Every day aboard a Holland America cruise ship brings a wealth of cruise activities and indulgences, along with the freedom to partake in as many- or as few- as you please. It's an opportunity to try something new that surprises you, every day. Dabble, discover, daydream- do everything, or do nothing at all.
Whether you want to workout in the Fitness Centre, learn yoga, pamper yourself with a massage and spa treatment, or enjoy a game of basketball, there's a perfect onboard activity for everyone.
Holland America Line's youth activities program, Kids Club, offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17, supervised by a full-time, professionally trained staff. They'll have an opportunity to join other kids their age for arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games and themed parties.
Note: Kids Club is not offered on cruises of 25-days or longer, including all Legendary and Grand Voyages. We will offer a selection of children’s activities throughout these longer voyages for any children who may be onboard.
Safety Comes First
Safety is our primary concern and strict policies are in place for effective supervision. Adult guests are not permitted to remain in Kids Club unless attending to a special-needs child.
Please note: During voyages with a high number of families onboard, we will make all efforts to accommodate interested parties. However, participation in our program cannot be guaranteed. Hours of operation may change to better serve our guests.
