We sailed on the 7-Day Holiday cruise on Holland America’s ms Zuiderdam to the Eastern Caribbean.
The cruise was a terrific way to ring in the New Year.
What made our cruise extra special? These eight hospitality superstars who delivered superior service to ensure that we had a great cruise.
Deny and Suko are some of the best room stewards that we’ve ever experienced on a Holland America cruise, and that is a high bar. Our cabin was always cleaned quickly, twice a day, when we were out. Our daily laundry and pressing was picked up and returned speedily. Deny and Suko took care of any special requests that we made. Although we could tell that they worked long hours, this team always greeted us with a friendly smile.
Gede (left in the photo above) was our assistant waiter in the main dining room and Gusti (right in the photo above) was our waiter. They made a great team. In addition to being a terrific waiter, Gusti entertained his tables with magic tricks, all while he keeping an eye to ensure that no one was needing his attention. This made for a very enjoyable dining experience in the main dining room.
Elwood was the bartender in the Crow’s Nest while we were on the Zuiderdam. As mentioned, this was a New Year’s cruise, and more than 700 guests had the Signature Beverage Package as we did. Needless to say, the bartenders and bar staff were busy on this cruise. Elwood not only provided superior service. He remained calm as a cucumber when the crowd was stacked two deep wanting a drink. He managed to get everyone’s drinks to them, and kept his good humor intact.
Alpe was one of two stellar attendants in the Retreat Private Cabana area.
Mel was the other Cabana attendant. He and Alpe both worked all day long, every day, in the Retreat, providing excellent service to those who rented a private cabana.
This gentleman was the Pinnacle Grill Manager on the Zuiderdam. Because our sailing was both a Holiday sailing and part of the Explore4 promotion, the Pinnacle Grill restaurant was heavily booked, even before anyone boarded the cruise. This Pinnacle Grill manager kept providing great service, despite an overrun of guests. He didn’t just manage, he pitched to help the servers change tablecloths, clear tables, fill water glasses, and serve food when they needed assistance.
We are certain there are more hospitality superstars throughout the Zuiderdam, as the ship’s hotel operations appeared well-run by Hotel Director Frank Ulbricht. These eight folks, however, are the ones that made our cruise something special.
Have you sailed on Holland America’s Zuiderdam? Who provided superior service for your cruise?
Check out these other posts from our Zuiderdam cruise:
- All of the “Fine Print” Details of Holland America’s Signature Beverage Package
- 5 Steps to Faster Disembarkation from a Holland America Cruise Ship
- A Look Around Holland America’s Zuiderdam Cruise Ship
- Exploring Grand Turk Beyond the Cruise Center
- The New Pinnacle Grill Lunch Menu on Holland America
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