Holland America Zuiderdam Western Caribbean Cruise Review – Day 3: November 10, 2025

Day 3 on Zuiderdam was spent at sea as we continue our journey toward our next port of call, Ocho Rios, Jamaica — our second stop on this seven-day Western Caribbean cruise. Our first stop, of course, was Holland America’s private island, Half Moon Cay, which I covered in detail in yesterday’s Day 2 report.

I’ll have more to say about Jamaica — one of my least favorite ports in the Caribbean — tomorrow, along with what’s happening there post-Hurricane Melissa. Zuiderdam is one of the first cruise ships to visit Jamaica since the storm, as the port just reopened to cruise traffic this week. But I’ll save all that for the next report.

Today was all about what sea days are meant for — doing nothing.

While folks back in South Florida were shivering under “falling iguana” warnings as temps dipped into the 40s, we were enjoying bright sunshine, smooth seas, and perfect mid-80s weather. The seas have been calm and glassy since we left Half Moon Cay, making for a comfortable, easy ride.

Sea days on any cruise bring most people out on deck, soaking up the sun and enjoying the ship’s pools. Zuiderdam happens to have two of them.  The main Lido Pool, located on Deck 9 midship, is the larger of the two and features a retractable glass roof, which can be closed when the ship sails in cooler climates or rainy weather. Since Holland America ships aren’t based year-round in Florida — many spend their summers in Alaska or Europe — these retractable roofs make a lot of sense. You can still enjoy a swim or soak in the hot tubs even when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Surrounding the Lido Pool are plenty of loungers, tables, and chairs, along with a full-service bar, so it’s easy to grab a drink and settle in for the day. If you get hungry, you’re just steps away from the Dive-In, Zuiderdam’s poolside grill (more on that in a minute), or the Lido Marketplace, the ship’s buffet.

At the aft of Deck 9, you’ll find the Sea View Pool, which is slightly smaller but has more space for sun bathing. This one doesn’t have a retractable roof, so it’s fully open to the elements. It’s also lined with tables, chairs, and loungers as well as hot tubs. This is where you’ll find one of the ship’s best views: an open deck that overlooks the ship’s wake.

One side of the Sea View Pool area doubles as the ship’s smoking section, since there’s no smoking anywhere else onboard — not even in the casino. So, if you’re looking for a smoke-friendly zone, that’s where to go, but it gets VERY crowded and I love getting dirty looks when I light up a cigar.

For those who prefer a little extra privacy and pampering, head up to Deck 11, where you’ll find The Retreat — a private, cabana-style sun deck. There are 13 standard cabanas and two larger family cabanas available for rent, either by the day or for the entire cruise. Prices vary depending on whether it’s a sea day or a port day, and how long you want to book it for. Each cabana comes with butler service, snacks, lunch delivery, and access to a shared private sun deck.

It’s a peaceful, adults-only space, and while I didn’t rent a cabana this time, I have on other HAL ships in the past and it’s definitely a great option for those looking for a little more tranquility than what you’ll find by the main pool.

Overall, Zuiderdam’s outdoor spaces were busy but not overcrowded today. There was always somewhere to sit, whether you wanted full sun or shade. For me, one of the best places onboard is still the Promenade Deck, which wraps fully around the ship. It’s lined with padded loungers and perfect for sitting back with a book, sipping a Coke Zero, or just watching the world go by.

Dining on Zuiderdam

Zuiderdam, isn’t loaded with a ton of options for dining, as she is a small ship with only 2,000 passengers. But there are some very solid choices, and HAL always knocks food out of the park. Let’s start with the Lido Marketplace, which is the ship’s buffet — though not your typical self-serve setup. Most stations are staffed by friendly crew members who’ll plate your food for you. They’ll make you a fresh salad exactly how you want it, pile your breakfast plate high with eggs, bacon, and all the fixings, and serve up carved meats or hot entrées for lunch and dinner. It’s a far more hygienic (and honestly, smarter) way to run a buffet, especially post-pandemic. There are still a few self-serve stations — pizza, sandwiches, and desserts — but most of the serving is done by the crew.

Holland America bills the Lido as “a world of intriguing culinary possibilities,” with multiple themed stations: Breadboard (freshly baked breads and pastries), Wild Harvest (salads and healthy picks), Homestead (comfort food favorites), Distant Lands (global cuisine), Sweet Spot (ice cream and desserts), Roasting Pan (hand-carved meats and hearty entrées), Perk (freshly brewed coffee and juices), and Rise (savory quiches, croissants, and sandwiches).  It’s open all day — breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon snacks, and even a light late-night menu — and the selection changes daily.

Just steps from the main pool, you’ll find Dive-In, the go-to for burgers, hot dogs, and fries. It’s open only a few hours midday and is always one of the busiest spots on the ship. Their official description pretty much nails it: “Enjoy a grilled burger on toasted brioche or savor a Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dog with golden fries.” There’s also grilled chicken and a vegetarian burger. It’s casual, quick, and pretty good.  Honestly, better burgers here than those grease bombs from Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival Cruise Line ships.  Everyone seems to love them, but they’re actually pretty gross.

The Main Dining Room remains the centerpiece of the Holland America dining experience. On Zuiderdam, the MDR is a beautiful two-story restaurant — nearly identical in layout to the one on Queen Elizabeth — with ocean views and elegant décor. Breakfast, brunch (on select days), and dinner are all served here. Breakfast and brunch menus stay the same each day, but dinner menus change nightly and often feature themed evenings such as Dutch Night or Gala Night. Seating is offered in both Anytime Dining (on Deck 2) and Traditional Early and Late Seatings (on Deck 3). Holland America describes it as: “On crisp white linen, course after course arrives. For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable dinners, the Dining Room is your destination for elegant dining aboard.”

Now let’s talk about the ship’s signature specialty restaurant — the Pinnacle Grill, which I actually dined in tonight. In my opinion, it’s one of the best steakhouses at sea. On sea days, it’s open for lunch ($25 per person + 18%) and dinner ($52 per person + 18%). The atmosphere is classy without being stuffy, the service is excellent, and the menu features traditional steak and seafood options. They offer a stellar wine list, and the service is always top-notch. Kids 12 and under eat half-price or free when ordering from the kids’ menu.

Once per cruise, the Pinnacle Grill transforms into Morimoto by Sea, a special three-course dining experience designed by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. It runs $55 per person + 18%. On this voyage, it’s scheduled for Day 5 in Grand Cayman, and I’ve already got a reservation — stay tuned for that review later in the week.

If you’re craving Italian, there’s Canaletto, tucked into a small section of the Lido Marketplace. I’ve eaten at Canaletto on several HAL ships and it’s consistently great — and a fantastic value at $25 per person + 18%. It’s described as “an intimate Italian dinner” inspired by the 18th-century Venetian artist it’s named after. Expect antipasti, handmade pastas, and entrees like veal or grilled fish.

Once per cruise, the Lido also hosts a Seafood Boil, which will happen on this sailing during our Ocho Rios stop (Day 4). It’s $35 per person + 18%, and is billed as: “Savor the fresh, local flavors at our exclusive Seafood Boil in the Lido Market. Space is limited for this one-night event, so reserve your table today.”

And of course, there’s room service, which Holland America continues to do right. It’s available 24/7, and yes — they still offer the classic hang-tag breakfast order form you can put on your stateroom door before bed. It’s one of those simple cruise pleasures that hasn’t been replaced by an app.

All in all, Zuiderdam offers a nice lineup for a ship of her age and size — from casual bites to fine dining, everything I’ve had so far has been consistently excellent.

Drinks, Packages, and Whether They’re Worth It

Let’s be honest — when it comes to cruising, one of the most important decisions you’ll make (right after deciding which specialty restaurant to book) is whether or not to buy a beverage package. Holland America Line offers several, and each one caters to a different kind of drinker — from those who just want a morning cappuccino and a Diet Coke by the pool, to those who like their martinis starting shortly before noon.

There are three beverage packages available on Holland America: Quench, Signature, and Elite. The Quench Package, priced at $17.95 per day (+18%), is the non-alcoholic option for those who don’t drink or prefer to stick with soft drinks and coffee. It includes sodas, Red Bull, bottled water, smoothies, juices, and specialty coffees like cappuccinos and lattes. It even covers mocktails such as the Cool as a Cucumber, Virgin Daiquiri, and Pina Not-A-Colada. Keep in mind that even those non-alcoholic drinks count toward your daily 15-drink limit, so if you’re ordering coffee, soda, and juice throughout the day, you’ll hit that cap faster than you might expect.

The most popular choice is the Signature Package, priced at $60.95 per day (+18%), which includes everything from the Quench Package plus beer, wine by the glass, spirits, and cocktails priced up to $11 each. That covers nearly the entire standard bar menu and a wide range of cocktails — martinis, mojitos, margaritas, you name it. Beer lovers will find options like Heineken, Blue Moon, Dos Equis, Guinness, Stella Artois, and Truly hard seltzers. Spirits include Grey Goose, Tanqueray, Bacardi, Jameson, Maker’s Mark, and Johnnie Walker Red, while wine drinkers get a nice mix of reds, whites, and rosés from familiar names like Santa Margherita and Murphy-Goode. The Signature Package also includes all zero-proof drinks — smoothies, mocktails, juices, and sodas — and those count toward your 15-drink-per-day limit as well.

For those who prefer top-shelf spirits or higher-end wines, there’s the Elite Package at $65.95 per day (+18%). It includes everything in the Signature Package but raises the drink limit to beverages priced up to $15 each, unlocking access to premium brands like Patrón Reposado, Casamigos Blanco, Belvedere, Hendrick’s, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek, and Johnnie Walker Black. The wine selection also gets an upgrade with Duckhorn Decoy Cabernet, Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay, and Frescobaldi Chianti, just to name a few. Another nice perk is that while the Signature and Elite packages both cap alcoholic beverages at 15 per day, the Elite Package allows unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, meaning your morning cappuccinos and afternoon Red Bulls don’t count against your limit.

A few important things to know: an 18% service charge is added to all package prices, and everyone of drinking age in the same stateroom must purchase the same package. The beverage packages do not work on Half Moon Cay or at Dive-In, and you can only order one drink at a time. Sharing drinks or trying to “split” a package is against policy, and trust me — the bartenders can spot it a mile away. Once purchased, the packages are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Now the big question: is a drink package worth it? To help answer that, I created a free Holland America Drink Package Calculator The calculator is simple to use. Just plug in what you typically drink in a day — maybe two cocktails, a few sodas, and a specialty coffee — and it will show you exactly how much you’d spend paying à la carte versus what you’d spend with a beverage package. The results might surprise you, and it’s an easy way to see whether you’ll actually save money or end up spending more than you need to.

Holland America Drink Package Calculator

Overall, Holland America’s beverage packages are among the most straightforward and well-priced in the cruise industry, offering solid brand selections and transparent limits. Personally, I think the Signature Package hits the sweet spot for most cruisers. It covers almost everything you could want without feeling restrictive. But if you enjoy higher-end spirits or wines, upgrading to the Elite Package for a few extra dollars a day is absolutely worth it.

Now, to complicate, or simplify your beverage package research, I’m going to toss in a bundle that Holland America offers, called the Have it All package – and it’s the one I purchase everytime I cruise on HAL.

Instead of purchasing individual add-ons, this bundle combines several of HAL’s most popular upgrades into one convenient package for a flat daily fee. The price varies depending on your cruise length and when you book, but on average it runs about $60 per person, per day when added before your cruise — $70 if you wait until you’re onboard.

Have It All includes the Signature Beverage Package, Wi-Fi Surf Plan, a shore-excursion credit, and specialty dining nights, all rolled into one. On a 6- to 9-day cruise like this one, you’ll receive one night of specialty dining at either Pinnacle Grill or Canaletto, a $100 shore-excursion credit per person, and Wi-Fi access for the full voyage. The drink portion is the same as the Signature Beverage Package, which means you can enjoy up to 15 drinks per day priced at $11 or less each, including cocktails, beer, wine, coffee, and mocktails — and the service charge is already included.

It’s a great value if you plan to take at least one paid excursion, visit a specialty restaurant, and enjoy a few cocktails each day. You’ll end up saving compared to buying those items individually, and it keeps your onboard account from turning into a surprise at the end of the week. On the flip side, if you’re not much of a drinker, don’t care about specialty dining, or prefer to explore ports on your own instead of booking excursions through the ship, the bundle might not make as much financial sense.

Holland America markets it as a stress-free, all-inclusive option — and honestly, that’s what it is. For many cruisers, it’s nice to know everything is already taken care of before stepping onboard. Personally, I think Have It All is a solid choice for anyone who plans to make full use of what’s included. But for those who prefer flexibility, or who already know they’ll skip the extras, it may be better to pick and choose your perks individually.

Dinner in the Main Dining Room

All that talk about food and drinks naturally leads us to dinner, which tonight was at Zuiderdam’s Pinnacle Grill. I didn’t have a reservation, but after a few rounds of cocktails at the Ocean Bar, I decided to take my chances and see if they could fit me in. I showed up around 8:15 p.m., asked if there was any availability, and was happily accommodated.

The Pinnacle Grill has that classic steakhouse feel — dim lighting, white linen tablecloths, and dark wood accents. Right after my server introduced himself, a large basket of warm bread hit the table, and I’ll admit, it was a major distraction while I was trying to read the menu. I messaged Jason, who’s writing his own reports this week from the Disney Magic, and told him that at this rate, I’ll need to start Ozempic in January with the way I’ve been eating on these cruises.

One thing that instantly made me happy was seeing that the Pinnacle Grill offers a proper gin and tonic — the real deal. It’s made with Holland America Line’s own De Lijn gin, their house tonic (not that awful Seagram’s stuff used elsewhere on the ship), and finished with an assortment of botanicals — lime, cucumber, cloves, peppercorns, and more. It’s beautifully presented — truly a step above what you’ll find at the other bars onboard. Let’s just say I enjoyed more than one as the evening went on.

For starters, I went with the Clothesline Bacon, which is always a showstopper. Crispy strips of thick-cut bacon are hung from a miniature “clothesline,” glazed with a sweet-and-savory maple pepper coating. It’s one of those dishes that never disappoints. But then, who can complain about bacon? I also ordered the Beefsteak Tomato Salad. Both starters were fantastic.

For my main course, I went with the Beef Short Rib, braised for 24 hours and it was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The portion was generous, the flavor was rich, and it was a perfect comfort food. Every bite reminded me why I consider Pinnacle Grill one of the best steakhouses at sea — consistent, elegant, and always worth the upcharge.

When it came time for dessert, I couldn’t resist the “Not So Baked Alaska.” This isn’t your traditional baked Alaska — it’s a massive slice of cherry ice cream encased in dense cake and topped with a toasted meringue shell. It’s over-the-top delicious. I couldn’t finish it, but it’s perfect for two people to share if you’re feeling generous. Definitely not diet-friendly, but what a way to end the meal.

After dinner, I made my way to the casino, which was packed! I played for a bit, didn’t win big, but had fun before calling it a night. We’re sailing smoothly toward Jamaica, where we’ll arrive tomorrow morning. More on that — and the post-hurricane recovery efforts in Ocho Rios — in the next report.

As always, thanks for following along.

Daily Schedule

Personal Day-By-Day Zuiderdam Cruise Review: