Sail Away with Me
By Stacey Zable
Sail Away with Me
By Stacey Zable
My voyage on Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam was like returning to a family friend.
A late summer Canada and New England voyage on Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam was the third sailing for my husband and I on this classic ship in the Holland America Line fleet. Our first was a Caribbean itinerary followed by a Bermuda sailing a few years later. This time, we decided to travel north on the seven-night UNESCO Sites & Quebecois Nights itinerary and we were happy to see that the ship proved worthy of our wonderful memories.
Time Well Spent
Zuiderdam is a relatively smaller mid-size ship compared to today’s mega-ship standards with a maximum guest capacity of 1,964. And it is because of this size, perhaps, that we enjoyed a relaxing week sailing from Boston to Québec City. No, you won’t find the bells and whistles, like slides and ice-skating rinks, of other larger ships on board. However, we certainly didn’t miss them and found plenty to do with a lovely variety of entertainment and activities, plus two swimming pools, including one with a retractable roof in case of inclement weather, and plenty of lounges and nooks to enjoy a good book, the scenery, and each other and meet other guests on board.
Off the ship, we enjoyed an itinerary that included stops in Portland, Maine; Halifax and Sydney in Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and two days cruising the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Saint Lawrence River. Among the wide offerings of excursions featuring different interests and levels of activities, our favorite was seeing the live stage show that has been running for 22 years in Charlottetown, “Anne & Gilbert: The Musical” based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s books.
“Among the wide offerings of excursions featuring different interests and levels of activities, our favorite was seeing the live stage show”.
On Board Activities
Navigating the ship was fairly easy, with a three-story atrium that includes a winding staircase connecting the decks that hold many of the public areas. We spent a lot of time on Deck Two, which is entertainment central, making it easy to hop between live music venues. The intimate Billboard Onboard at the Piano Bar featured a talented singer who took requests from the audience each night as she sang and played her tunes on a grand piano. One night, the singer even had a dedicated The Sound of Music singalong that was full of fun and very popular. The Piano Bar is also where trivia and bingo were held. We didn’t win at trivia, but we met teammates who soon turned into new friends. The casino was right next to the Piano Bar for those who wanted to try their luck at the tables or slots.
“We spent a lot of time on Deck Two, which is entertainment central, making it easy to hop between live music venues. “
Nearby is also the Rolling Stone Lounge, another wildly popular spot. The house band performed theme shows including 70s, 80s, and Classic R&B and encouraged everyone to come out on the small dance floor. It was also the spot for the main Orange Night Party, the weekly celebration where guests are encouraged to wear orange. Shows throughout the week held at the World Stage, which is Zuiderdam’s two-level theater, featured talented singers and dancers, a guest magician/comedian, and Breton Thunder, a Nova Scotia music experience to offer a true sense of the destination. Other live music shows took place in various lounges and included a string ensemble, Celtic instrumentalist, and The Dam Band playing Jazz selections.
Elsewhere on the ship, and for quieter activities, the Library offered a large selection of books to borrow during the cruise. The Art Studio was filled with guests during painting classes. The Crow’s Nest proved to be the ideal spot to curl up with one of those good books while facing one of the best views on the ship through floor-to-ceiling windows facing forward. One side of the lounge was also the dedicated Game Room, for those seeking to play Mah Jongg, Rummikub, and cards, as well as take on the challenge of puzzles. Massages and other treatments were available at the Spa & Salon, as well as passes to enjoy the Thermal Suite that includes a hydro pool, heated loungers, sauna, steam room, and experience showers. There is a nearby fitness center, but we preferred getting our steps in by walking Zuiderdam’s covered deck that goes completely around the ship. There is also a pickleball court at the top of the ship.
Dining Options
The food on board was excellent, starting with the two-floor Dining Room open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We had open seating here and never had to wait for a table at dinner time. There was always plenty of choice for appetizers, entrees, and desserts, with the ability to order more than one dish or turn an entrée into an appetizer. Also open for three meals each day was the Lido Market buffet offering a choice of regional cuisine including Asian and Italian favorites, as well as pasta, carving, and sandwich stations. The dinner buffet offered much of the same entrees available in the Dining Room for those who wanted a casual, quick option. The Dive-In poolside grill was another casual choice for lunch or dinner. Room service was available 24/7. We also had the “Have it All” package which included Wi-Fi, a Signature Beverage Package, $100 towards a shore excursion, and one specialty dining option.
Specialty Restaurants
Zuiderdam’s specialty restaurants provided a more intimate dining experience for dinner at an extra cost and required reservations. The Pinnacle Grill, the steak and seafood restaurant, is also open at lunch. My steak of choice was Filet Mignon, and the Clothesline Candied Bacon was a popular appetizer at many tables. We went with the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and Table-Side Caesar Salad.
As lovers of Italian food, we chose to dine at Canaletto, tucked into a corner of the Lido Market, on multiple nights during the cruise. We were there so often that the wait staff welcomed us back each repeated night. The veal meatballs were our go-to for appetizers and we enjoyed a variation on their fresh-made spaghetti with shrimp and clams, replacing the clams with scallops, and the Herb & Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Breast.
“We were there so often that the wait staff welcomed us back each repeated night.”
A Room with a View
Our verandah stateroom was a comfortable size, but the favorite part of it was that as it was located at the back of the ship we benefitted from a large verandah. We took full advantage of this special quiet area all our own. It featured adjustable chairs with foot rests and a nice size table, and of course, one of the best views from the ship. Our stateroom attendants were another highlight of our space, with service that truly stood out. The stateroom was always spotless, with any request handled immediately. It would seem that as soon as we left the stateroom in the morning and evening, they were in there cleaning and straightening right away. Their positive attitudes and superior service were replicated throughout the ship from other crew members, especially in whatever dining venue we were in.
“Our stateroom attendants were another highlight of our space, with service that truly stood out.”
Guests of Pinnacle and Neptune Suites do receive extra service perks. Not only do they get additional space but priority boarding/disembarkation, priority check-in, priority seating with Club Orange in the main Dining Room with an expanded menu, breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill, and access to the Neptune Lounge—an exclusive lounge with complimentary snacks, honor bar, and dedicated concierge.
An Evolution to Come
Zuiderdam is slated to undergo a major enhancement project in Spring 2028 as part of the Holland America Line Evolution program. Accommodations will be refreshed throughout the ship and more will be added with a reimagined Pinnacle Suite, two new Bridgeview Suites, 14 Vista Suites and 32 Solo Verandah staterooms, creating more options for guests. Also to debut on board is a popular venue from other Holland America ships, the Grand Dutch Café. Here, guests will be able to enjoy Dutch treats including specialty coffees, beers, and light bites.
Perhaps once the enhancements are complete, we can use them as a good reason to sail on Zuiderdam again for the fourth time.
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