Cruise Talk: On-Line Zuiderdam Tour

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Topic: On-Line Zuiderdam Tour

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-10-2003 02:51 PM

Another web site (yes there are others

) has an interesting piece about HAL's new Zuiderdam:

Click Here

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Ðraikar
First Class Passenger
Member # 1153

posted 01-10-2003 03:33 PM

Thanks Malcolm, this seems to be one of the best so far of Zuiderdam.

Ðraikar

[ 01-10-2003: Message edited by: Ðraikar ]

Posts: 1710 | From: USA, New York | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 01-10-2003 05:03 PM

Just got another reader review of the Zuiderdam and it is consistent with the other feedback we have heard - there is a lot of room for improvement in the service on board.

Click here for the review.

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 01-10-2003 05:58 PM

Oh dear

It's worse.
"The fourth night we ate in the Odyessy Specialty restaurant which ran out of white and red wine. They had one bottle of each left that were $89 each. Again, service issue. Matre d didn't seem to care or offer an explanation."
AGAIN? This was the cruise following the last report. I make the 4th night, New Year's Eve, unbelievable!
Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 01-10-2003 09:38 PM

Maybe Carnival is converting HAL to Carnival- style, except for the Camp Carnival program.

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

nycruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 960

posted 01-10-2003 09:50 PM

I see more Carnival influence on this ship. The decor looks unattractive to me. Maybe it looks better in person.

Posts: 665 | From: Westchester County, NY | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

empressport
First Class Passenger
Member # 2511

posted 01-11-2003 06:37 PM

I'm sure those "funnels" will inspire a lovely line of souvenir wastebaskets to be sold in the gift shop.

Posts: 464 | From: Vancouver, BC | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 01-11-2003 07:36 PM

That reminds me .. Ernie did you get your Cunard wastebasket from Santa?
Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 01-21-2003 10:26 PM

I found more pictures.

Here

[ 01-22-2003: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 01-21-2003 10:55 PM

The Internet Center would appear to have the most comfortable seating!

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 01-21-2003 11:24 PM

These pictures really shows the difference from other HAL ships. The elegance is gone and replaced with futuristic looks. Hope this design is only for the Caribbean market and the Oosterdam will have better interior designs.

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

jeffrossatsea
First Class Passenger
Member # 2962

posted 01-22-2003 04:28 AM

i would have to agree with most of the posts....the "zuiderdam" does have the carnival influence and the comfort from other previous holland america ships is gone....colours are too bright...but have to remember she is based in the caribbean year-round....gone are the days of large tapestries, wood panelling and that warm comfortable feeling sourounded by centuries old artifacts from the dutch seafaring history....is it farcus that did the interior designing?...if so...he has to STOP vacationing in vegas.....if he likes to gamble...he should get his ideas from the great casinos in manaco. for the odyssey dining room....it looks like a wedding reception waiting for it's guests.....whew...sorry for the negative info, but if this is what HAL has planned for the new ships.....i'll cruise with the older HAL ships......jeff

Posts: 1118 | From: vancouver | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged

Britanis
First Class Passenger
Member # 2912

posted 01-22-2003 09:28 PM

Suprisingly, Joe Farcus had absolutely no hand in Zuiderdam's interior design. Frans Dingemans, HAL-Westours's resident designer, was responsible for the whole thing, and was taken aback when members of the media asked if he had input from Farcus. Dingemans was simply trying to streatch his creative muscles, try something new, and conform to HAL's wishes to attract a younger crowd.

The furnishings and decorative objects are, for the most part, quite attractive. The problem lies in the overwhelming mix of intense colors. This ship would look 100% better in black and white. Perhaps the colors and patterns on the walls, fabrics, and carpeting will be replaced by less offensive designs during the ship's first few refits. If enough of Holland-America's loyal passengers object to this new idea, it will probably not be extended to other ships.

Cunard attempted a strikingly modern decor on Saxonia and Ivernia in 1954-55; their passengers were appalled, the the final two ships in the class, Carinthia and Sylvania, recived more traditional interiors.

Of course, the general public (especially the youth market Zuiderdam is targeting) may end up liking the ship, in which case we'll probably see more of this. Only time will tell.

[ 01-22-2003: Message edited by: Britanis ]

Posts: 944 | From: Philadelphia, USA- former home of International Merchantile and Marine Co. | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

BTF
First Class Passenger
Member # 2024

posted 01-29-2003 10:46 PM

Even if Holland America and Frans Dinglemans felt they made some errors in the basic interior design of the new Zuiderdam (too much bright colours, too Farcus-like interiors etc,) it is probably too late to make any substantive changes in time for the Oosterdam which is due out this July. Material such as carpets, chairs etc, have already been ordered and are being installed now on the Oosterdam. Any design changes will only be apparent in the Westerdam, the third in the series.

Hopefully the Zuiderdam is only one of a kind (based upon the reaction so far).

Posts: 287 | From: Ottawa, Ont. Canada | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 01-29-2003 11:16 PM

For example, Carnival's Destiny-Class, Conquest-class and Spirit-class each have a different theme. Maybe HAL is doing it too. The Zuiderdam for a younger market theme and the Ooosterdam a more European feel.

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Britanis
First Class Passenger
Member # 2912

posted 01-30-2003 08:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Keitaro: For example, Carnival's Destiny-Class, Conquest-class and Spirit-class each have a different theme. Maybe HAL is doing it too. The Zuiderdam for a younger market theme and the Ooosterdam a more European feel.

Fingers Crossed!! I wonder if it wasn't a huge mistake getting HAL involved in megaships.

BTW, does anyone know why Amsterdam and Rotterdam are still listed as HAL's dual flagships? They are no longer the largest or newest in the fleet, and why are there TWO flagships in the first place? Always struck me as odd. Seems more logical to transfer that honor to Zuiderdam, then to Oosterdam when she enters service.

Posts: 944 | From: Philadelphia, USA- former home of International Merchantile and Marine Co. | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

Keitaro1
First Class Passenger
Member # 3567

posted 01-31-2003 01:35 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Britanis:
BTW, does anyone know why Amsterdam and Rotterdam are still listed as HAL's dual flagships? They are no longer the largest or newest in the fleet, and why are there TWO flagships in the first place? Always struck me as odd. Seems more logical to transfer that honor to Zuiderdam, then to Oosterdam when she enters service.

I think the word "flagship" means the best rated ship for the cruise line. I read somewhere that HAL's passengers rated the Rotterdam the most favorite. Only time will tell from feedbacks from their passengers

Posts: 98 | From: Washington State | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 01-31-2003 01:09 PM

quote:
I think the word "flagship" means the best rated ship for the cruise line. I read somewhere that HAL's passengers rated the Rotterdam the most favorite. Only time will tell from feedbacks from their passengers

Conde Nast's recent readers poll showed the Ryndam outscored the entire HAL fleet, and ended up right at the top, so I can't see that that is the reason. The Rotterdam always was HAL's flag ship but when they brought along the Amsterdam and started using her for World Cruises, they dubbed her the "flagship" along with the Rot. Who know why they did this.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

titanicsteve
First Class Passenger
Member # 2142

posted 02-02-2003 10:34 AM

Forgive me but I have come to think that HAL's ships apperar to be very glitzy and well tacky! Carnival symptoms!?

Posts: 510 | From: Ireland (near Titanic birthplace!!) | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

PBryn
Just Boarded
Member # 3654

posted 02-09-2003 07:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by titanicsteve:
Forgive me but I have come to think that HAL's ships apperar to be very glitzy and well tacky! Carnival symptoms!?

No, Britanis hit the nail right on the head. People constantly accuse Carnival of 'Carnival-izing' other brands.

Carnival's brands, unlike RCCL, are run independently. There is a corporate purchasing effort where brands with similar purchases will benefit from the economies of scale of splitting purchases between lines, but aside from that, the brands compete with each other more than anything.

Now, this isn't to say that the corporate people don't often get involved in the affairs of the brands, and sometimes Micky's tough emphasis on numbers does result in cutbacks, which is unfortunate. But it's important for people to understand the company and how it operates before spitting out accusations.

Posts: 5 | From: Webb Institute, NY | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

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