Supplement to Travel Trade
January 2003

HAL's Zuiderdam:

Expanding the Market

By Ethel Blum

From the outside, the Zuiderdam appears to be the traditional Holland America vessel, with the recognizable dark blue hull and white superstructure. Different, however, are the twin stacks side-by-side, which distinguishes Vista-class vessels. Moreover, on the inside, Zuiderdam is not your father's Holland America.

As one agent put it, 'The Zuiderdam is a market expander."

The Zuiderdam's brighter color palette, its menu of activities, amenities and one-week Caribbean itineraries are aimed at lowering HAL's passenger age from 55 plus to the 45 and below range, as well as to increase its share of the multi-generational travel market, according to spokespersons.

The brighter and lighter colors, contemporary designs and artworks that mix traditional with contemporary are a dramatic change from what we have become accustomed. The two decks of public rooms with familiar names are located in the same general areas, but the new lounges and other public rooms have taken on a contemporary look. As the first in the five-ship Vista-class fleet, the Zuiderdam incorporates the new without sacrificing Holland America hallmarks.

This mighty 85,000-gross-ton ship is awesome. First time Holland America passengers will form an instant love affair, while HAL Mariner Society members — who make up about 40% of the manifest — might need a little time to adjust. By the second or third day, they will invariably have found their favorite rooms, albeit in slightly different configurations. They’ll also find new rooms that don’t exist on other HAL ships, plus and new routes to take them to old and new favorite venues.

Vista-class vessels are HAL’s first major design and facilities change in 10 years. According to Mark Kammerer, marketing vice president, “Guests realize early on that they are not on the Amsterdam. We’re purposely presenting a fresher, more contemporary image.”

Additional tonnage allows for more choices in dining experiences, more staterooms with verandas, more personal space, an expanded spa and fitness center, more intimate areas within larger public rooms and a doubling of space in the children’s facilities.

With accommodations for 1,848 in double cabins accounting for a 40% increase in space, and only a 25% increase in passengers, the space ratio is a hefty 44.37.

The three-deck atrium is small, as ship atriums go these days, but true to HAL tradition, it is one of the most beautiful at sea. Dominating the area is a magnificent revolving Waterford crystal seahorse suspended from the dome above. This leaves the atrium area open for additional public bars and lounges. The atrium is the center of the ship, also the heart leading to every lounge and public room.

Architect-designer Frans Dingemans said the ship was designed to give passengers the impression of being on a stylishly elegant small ship with lots of surprises. Extra space has given him a chance to create what he calls "a path through the woods, with little spaces here and there to explore." Dingemans said that colors are similar to the Amsterdam, "but bolder and more aggressive, although they come from the same palette."

Signature HAL rooms include the Explorers Lounge, Ocean Bar, which has been expanded to virtually encircle the atrium, the unobstructed Promenade deck that encircles the ship, the Piano Bar, the Half Moon, Crow's Nest, Lido, the Library and card rooms. The Wajang Theater is gone, replaced by the multi-purpose Queen's Lounge. The popular Java Cafe has been replaced by the designer coffee and snack-serving Windstar Café. Also gone are the self-service laundry rooms. In their place is a new program that offers a daily wash and fold service for a weekly charge of $15 per person. Still in place with no changes planned in the foreseeable future is the “no gratuities required” fleetwide policy.

The famed HAL onboard art collection has become more contemporary, while still retaining some of the features we have come to expect. Susanna Holt’s giant bears dominate the swimming pool and add a bit of whimsy on a Caribbean-based ship. Both are bronze sculptures covered with a special white patina.

At the top of my list are the ship models scattered throughout the vessel, the bronze sculptures recessed in major areas and the ship paintings on stairwell landings. The traditional bronze bust of Dutch Queen Beatrix in the main lobby has given way to an original Andy Warhol impression of a queen (Queen Beatrix is in a less visible position at the entrance to the Queen’s Lounge); and fine antiques have given way to contemporary artworks.

Signature spaces have changed in size and décor, but not in ambiance. Some of the new spaces are attracting the most notice. The Queen’s Lounge, for example, is a chameleon, hosting everything from meetings to bingo, to dance lessons and lectures. When the sun sets, the lights dim for pre-dinner dancing and late night adult entertainment. And, yes, there’s still a popcorn machine for the daily afternoon movie.

The Vista Lounge is the five-deck main show lounge forward with seating through entrances on Decks 1, 2 and 3. There’s an orchestra pit, hydraulic lifts for the stage and three decks for storage of scenery and equipment. This room is probably the most dramatically different from anything on any other Holland America ship. Seating is on comfortable chairs and lounges and sight lines, except directly behind the narrow poles, are excellent, even from the last row in the balcony. Two major alcoves house large white reclining alabaster figures, but everything else is in shades of red, except for the ceiling, which is an unusual canvas-tent like design with lighting that changes colors.

The large stage and state-of-the-art lighting and acoustics, plus an increased budget have resulted in more elaborate, fast-paced and lively production-style entertainment. There was standing room only at the late night adults-only comedy performance in the Queen’s Lounge, an indication that the Zuiderdam is giving passengers what they want.

The two-level Vista dining room reflects a more sophisticated look. The large space is broken up by two gracefully winding center staircases and varying elevations that allow sea viewing. There are two small atriums in the center, and the bandstand is on the top of the center staircase columns. Chairs have high backs printed with a 17th century painting of flowers, giving them a rich look and feel.

Attention is drawn to the unusual ceiling from every seat in the dining room. There are perhaps a dozen large flowers that look like stingrays, each a single work of art that appears to float. Produced from a synthetic material to reduce weight, color is achieved through multiple layers of red and gold. Each conveys a feeling of movement.

Menus have been tweaked, and food rates high with passengers. Served in two traditional seatings, there are wide choices including five starters, a choice of salads and soups, five main courses and it seemed like a dozen desserts. There are also low fat choices. Holland America excels at special dietary requests.

The Windstar Café, overlooking the atrium on Deck 2, is the place for late breakfast, mid-morning or afternoon coffee and pastry. Charges are reasonable, with a giant cappuccino priced at $1.75 and other concoctions similarly low priced.

Another first for HAL is Zuiderdam’s dedicated nightclub cum disco — The Northern Lights. The central sculpture represents a huge block of ice, complete with melting effects and dramatic lighting.

Also tweaked is the Lido, which is much larger than on other HAL ships. The space is broken into smaller, more intimate areas. There are four serving lines, Asian food, pizza and pasta stations and a deli. There’s also deck service for hot dogs, hamburgers and the like, as well as a small salad bar and a make-your-own taco bar. Casual self-serve supper is available every evening. The famed ice cream bar features make-your-own sundaes. It’s the best ice cream at sea, served generously without a surcharge.

There is a Crow’s Nest on every HAL ship; each seems to surpass the last one. There’s a dedicated smoking area with comfortable seating just outside where drinks are served. The Crow’s Nest has sloped angled floor-to-ceiling window walls on three sides. The center area has a large bar, dance floor and orchestra area. Starboard is the informal area, while the more traditional aft section can be virtually closed off from the rest of the room for private parties.

In deference to the growing multi-generational market, Holland America has doubled children’s facilities on the Zuiderdam. Located aft topside away from adult activities, KidZone, with both inside and outside play areas, can be separated for kids from five to 12 years. The “WaveRunner” teenager facility includes a dance floor, sound system, lighting effects and video game room

KidZone includes supervised daily activities, computer learning and game section, movies and special parties. Babysitting is by special arrangement for about $8 an hour. Caribbean cruises have kids’ programs on Half Moon Cay featuring everything from sand castle building to treasure hunts.

On my cruise, a couple from Alabama with a five-year-old raved about the program. The highlight was an evening “sleep-away” with cartoons on a formal night where the kids are cared for until midnight.

Not the least of the Vista-class ship’s features is the plethora of veranda cabins. On the Zuiderdam, 85% of accommodations feature private balconies, as compared to the Statendam, where only suite passengers have that luxury. Of the 924 staterooms and suites, 461 feature private verandas in a new category of accommodation known as “deluxe veranda,” which represents an excellent value in today’s marketplace. Only 15% of the rooms are inside.

Most desirable (and most costly) are the two Penthouse Veranda Suites that are 20% larger than the penthouses on HAL’s other ships. Including 318-square-foot verandas with a private hot tub and outside dining area, the penthouses measure 1,000 square feet.

There are only two of these super suites on board, however there are 60 Deluxe Veranda Suites (S category) — my favorite accommodations. They measure between 510 and 700 square feet, including the veranda, which is 130 square feet or larger, depending on location. Even standard outsides are comfortable, starting at 194 square feet, while standard insides measure 185 square feet.

All of the accommodations are pastel colored, have twin beds that can convert to queen-size and are decorated with commissioned artwork. Amenities vary between suites and standard accommodations, but all come with robes, plush towels, fine amenities (including shower caps), double closets, sofa, minibar, a safe, hairdryer, telephone with voicemail and wake-up service and color television.

The suites have the exclusive use of a concierge lounge and special perks. There are 28 cabins specifically designated for disabled travelers, and they are in every category ranging downward from Deluxe Veranda Suites.

Operated by the Steiner Group, The Greenhouse Spa and Salon is the largest of its type on Holland America ships. The beautifully designed facility is fashioned after The Greenhouse Day Spas located in 15 U.S. cities. The spa offers a wide range of exotic body, skin and hair treatments, but the most unusual is the “four hands massage.” There’s a unisex thermal suite and new treatments like sensory dry floats and detoxifying wraps. The most popular is the hydrotherapy pool which carries a $15 charge if you don’t have any treatments. The gym is well equipped and offers some complimentary classes, but charges $11 per session for pilates, yoga and spinning.

The medical facility, staffed by two doctors, two nurses and a dentist on every voyage, is a working clinic with a good range of pharmaceutical supplies. There is communication between the ship and shoreside facilities and X-ray machines. Three examining rooms, one treatment room and an ICU room make up the facility.

A highlight of our evenings on board was the one spent in the Odyssey Restaurant. This restaurant sets a new high standard that will be hard to beat. The expanded restaurant partially wraps around the atrium on one side and features Northwest cuisine. If you're like me and don’t know what that means, you're in for a real treat. There's a wide choice of seafood and meats and select vintages from Northwest vineyards. Reservations are required and there is a $15 per person charge. HAL is working on a system that will allow agents to pre-book their client both in the Odyssey and in the Spa.

Other public rooms and facilities worthy of mention include the Internet Cafe (75 cents per minute), data ports in all staterooms (connectors available at no charge; 50 cents per online minute), a large casino with all the bells and whistles, basketball court, golf simulator, suite lounge with concierge services, open shop area and two swimming pools.

With a 130-year history behind it, Holland America is in its most aggressive growth mode in which it will expand the fleet by five ships and 11,000 berths by 2006. The second ship in the Vista-class, Oosterdam, debuts in Europe this summer, the Westerdam is due in 2004 and two as yet unnamed ships are due in 2005 and 2006.