Thread: Zaandam Thanksgiving 2007 Hawaii

Is there anyone who was on the Zaandam over thanksgiving of 2007?
We had to sail under "Condition Red" and felt that we did not get our moneys worth. Have contacted HAL for a refund and all they offered us was flowers.
I would really like to hear from anyone who feels that they were ripped off.
I would love any suggestions as to what I can do to get some compensation.

Thanks,
Terry

We were on this cruise, and sent HAL a letter giving detailed observations and complaints. So far we have received a note saying the letter was received and they will be contacting us. We will see what happens.

We have been on quite a few HAL ships that were in Code Red:

Amsterdam - 2002 -- 22 day repositioning cruise
Ryndam - 2003 -- 14 days Alaska
Amsterdam -- 2006 -- 15 day Hawaii
Statendam - 2006 -- 7 of 14 days Alaska
Ryndam - 2006 -- 10 of 20 days Mexican Riviera & Sea of Cortez
Maasdam - 2007 -- 10 of 20 days Caribbean

That is to name just a few.

These things happen and we never bothered to write a letter to HAL requesting any kind of a refund.

What were your specific complaints?

Hi,

Thanks for getting back to me.
Our main complaints were, HAL knew that we were going to be sailing under code red before we left because they came in sick.
I realize that they did everything to keep the illnesss from spreading, which was good . We just feel that since we were spending so much for this cruise we should have been given the chance to cancel and reschedual . We would have done this if we would have been told ..... the pools would be closed, the spa would be closed,the library would be closed, the computer were off limits, the arcades were closed,no one would be eating with us at the dining room, rubber gloves had to be worn in the casino, we were not allowed salt and pepper at tables, we were not allowed to touch anything at the buffet, there was no outdoor food at the pools ( even though the pools were closed we could still sit there and play cards with our party but not strangers), we could not play basketball, golf, ping pong or anything else that shared equiptment.This lasted for 15 days and nights and there is a lot more little things.
HAL has contacted us and said they are sorry we didn't get out $10,000.00 worth( we have a big family) but they will give us some flowers on our next cruise with them.....Fat Chance.

Thanks for letting me vent,

Terry
terrypage@cableone.net

Originally Posted by terrypage

Hi,

Thanks for getting back to me.
Our main complaints were, HAL knew that we were going to be sailing under code red before we left because they came in sick.
I realize that they did everything to keep the illnesss from spreading, which was good . We just feel that since we were spending so much for this cruise we should have been given the chance to cancel and reschedual . We would have done this if we would have been told ..... the pools would be closed, the spa would be closed,the library would be closed, the computer were off limits, the arcades were closed,no one would be eating with us at the dining room, rubber gloves had to be worn in the casino, we were not allowed salt and pepper at tables, we were not allowed to touch anything at the buffet, there was no outdoor food at the pools ( even though the pools were closed we could still sit there and play cards with our party but not strangers), we could not play basketball, golf, ping pong or anything else that shared equiptment.This lasted for 15 days and nights and there is a lot more little things.
HAL has contacted us and said they are sorry we didn't get out $10,000.00 worth( we have a big family) but they will give us some flowers on our next cruise with them.....Fat Chance.

Thanks for letting me vent,

Terry
terrypage@cableone.net

Those are the same conditions that we have had when the ships are in Code Red.

We also have arrived at the terminal only to find that the ship arrived in Code Red.

One time I had just gotten out of the hospital only 6 days before the cruise and was in a weakened condition. But that didn't stop us from taking the cruise.

Only once were we given the opportunity to cancel a cruise at the pier -- we didn't -- with a full refund.

Think how we feel -- we always book SA's and spend really big bucks just for the 2 of us and then we can only amuse ourselves on sea days. We always carry our own books, cards and scrabble game.

Have a good day.

Originally Posted by terrypage

Is there anyone who was on the Zaandam over thanksgiving of 2007?
We had to sail under "Condition Red" and felt that we did not get our moneys worth. Have contacted HAL for a refund and all they offered us was flowers.
I would really like to hear from anyone who feels that they were ripped off.
I would love any suggestions as to what I can do to get some compensation.

Thanks,
Terry

Would you believe I just got off the Zaandam today and THEY WERE AGAIN ON CODE RED!!! What a horrible experience. On the third day after setting sail, we went onto full Code Red. We were told there were 140+ passengers ill during the cruise and 13 employees ill.

The problems with our Code Red:

• No Hottubs. I have a broken back and neck that have healed wrong and I NEEDED that hottub at least twice daily,
• no self service at the buffet,
• employees not speaking English doing the serving at the buffet, not understanding what you want,
• long lines at the buffet,
• couldn't get your own beverages, coffee, tea etc.
• Community gathering discouraged

Interestingly enough, our toilets would not flush for days at a time. Even the public toilets wouldn't flush and the staff merely put an "Out of Service" sign on the door. With a CODE RED, why were the toilets not fixed immediately? Passengers were using the toilets even though they were posted. Why was this not the greatest priority on the ship?

It's my understanding the Zaandam is sailing again TODAY although there were 5 new cases of illness yesterday and the captain didn't give us the info on how many were ill today.

Absolutely NO COMPENSATION was offered of any kind. I will NEVER cruise with Holland America again.

Thanks, Phyljones

phyljones

Sorry that you had a bad cruise on the Zaandam. Many of us who cruise a lot have been on ships that are often under Code Red. This happens on all cruise lines - not just on HAL.

We always take along our own Scrabble game and books to read knowing that even the library will be closed.

The Norvo virus happens in hospitals and schools and nursing homes.

Hopefully whatever cruise line you choose to sail on next won't be in Code Red.

Have a good day.

Here is the latest news article about it:

100 Passengers On Hawaii-Bound Cruise Ship Sickened (NBC 7/39 San Diego)

More than 100 passengers and crew members aboard a Holland America Line cruise ship that returned to San Diego Thursday are sickened by a gastrointestinal illness during a 15-day trip to Hawaii.

Link To Original Article

It says 99 passengers and 12 crew were sickened.

The problem in the FIRST place is people get ON the ship SICK ! Secondly they never wash their hands or use the anti bacterial stations set up before dinner and buffet etc. I have seen the old foggies always scouffing at having to disinfect their hands and they purposely by pass these staions even though the crew insist they disinfect ! They go to the bathroom without washing their hands etc. It is the people that cause these problems. Not the cruiseship.

We have been on quite a few HAL ships where the virus was already on the ship or it broke out during the cruise.

And we have watched many people not use the dispensers.

And we know of some people who did not stay in quaranteen.