The Zuiderdam has a three-deck-high atrium that encircles a Waterford crystal seahorse suspended in the center. Note the nearby elevators doors the scenic lifts have etched glass doors while the regular elevators have poured aluminum with etched with 1920s floral and curlicue patterns. The Vista Lounge is a Broadway-style theater that takes up the space of five decks although there are only three seating levels. One deck above stores scenery and one below houses the orchestra pit. The decor is tomato red with a large parachute of red and white providing accent. There are oval boxes on each side of the stage, and whimsical scenes of reclining women and such made of gypsum. Don't miss the beautiful view boxes outside the Vista Lounge on the Promenade Deck. Each features a tiny scene of a tightrope walker, scenery painters or an art salesman.

Curled around the atrium, the Ocean Bar has several bay window booths that almost make you feel like you're outside on the Promenade Deck, but you're actually inside, nestled in a cozy booth with cushions and chenille pillows of purple, turquoise and orange. The floor and bar are bleached wood. Up on the Observation Deck, the Crow's Nest features potted palm trees, silver-blue and cobalt leather chairs, as well as wonderful recliners overlooking the bow of the ship. The semicircle Queen's Lounge on the Lower Promenade Deck is used for cabaret-style entertainment and recently released movies. A cigar lounge features a special ventilation system and a tin model of the Robert E. Lee steamboat. There's also a sports bar, nightclub, library and shops.

Entertainment

A wide variety of entertainment is available, from splashy Vegas-style revues and Broadway shows to comedians and vocalists. There's usually a crew show and a 1950s and '60s style party.

New to the line is The Greenhouse Spa and Salon, affiliated with the popular landside spa found in 15 cities. The menu includes a variety of innovative treatments, but they are still administered by the ubiquitous Steiner Group. But it's 54 percent larger than those on Holland America's other recently launched ships, and boasts a staff of 23, twice the complement in most shipboard spas. A new addition is the glass-enclosed, 18-by-22-foot seawater hydrotherapy pool, which has jets to soothe sore muscles. Treatments include a Swedish massage, $99 for 50 minutes; Silk Booster Facial, $119 for 75 minutes; Frangipani Body Nourish Wrap, $182 for 45 minutes; and Sole Delight Foot Treatment, $55 for 45 minutes.

The adjacent fitness center has ocean views and treadmills, stair-step machines, stationary bikes, free weights and Cybex weight machines. Exercise classes include water and step aerobics, and a specialty program charges $11 for spin, Pilates or yoga classes.

The ship has two swimming pools, one with a moveable roof and the other in a quieter aft location. It also has a basketball court, volleyball court and golf simulator.

The full, covered promenade deck is always ideal for strolling.

Activities

Family

In its quest to attract younger clients, Holland America has greatly expanded the children's and teen's facilities on the Zuiderdam. KidZone, designed for youngsters age five to 12, is the center of the Club HAL supervised activities such as arts and crafts, computer, movies and parties. The KidZone features inside and outdoors play areas with safety matting. There is one counselor per 30 children.

WaveRunner, the teen center, has a dance floor with sound and light systems, video game room, a big-screen TV for movies, and a pantry with soft drinks and juices.

The Club HAL activities continue on Half Moon Cay, the line's wonderful and pristine private island. Kids engage in sandcastle building or treasure hunts while teens can snorkel and play Frisbee.

Fellow passengers

The Zuiderdam will be positioned year-round in the Caribbean, where Holland America attracts its youngest passengers. The average age on seven-day Caribbean cruises is 52 and that goes down even more in the summer, to 44 years, when families travel. In fact, the line regularly carries 150 to 200 children on Caribbean cruises during summer and holiday breaks. In all this year, the Zuiderdam expects to carry 30,000 children.

Dress

There are one or two formal nights per week, when women wear gowns or cocktail dresses and men tuxedoes or business suits and. However, the line says men will be perfectly appropriate in a jacket and tie. Suggested informal attire is jacket with tie optional and dresses or pantsuits. The casual attire is simply comfortable clothing; however, no T-shirts, jeans, swimsuits, tank tops or shorts in any dining room or public area.

Gratuity

For years and years, Holland America Line distinguished itself with its "no tipping required" policy, the objective of which was to prove that the cheerful and accommodating staff worked for the love of serving their guests, not for tips. Unfortunately, many passengers took this to mean "tips are included," or "tipping not allowed," so as Holland America hopes to attract a more diverse clientele and more first-time cruisers, the tipping policy has been specifically addressed.

According to a statement from Holland America president Stein Kruse, the tipping policy fleetwide is as follows:

"For your convenience, a gratuity of $10 per guest per day, for dining and stateroom service, will be automatically posted to your shipboard account. We are confident you will find the service on board exemplary and, should you wish to make adjustments, you may do so at the end of the cruise by visiting the Front Office. Also, a 15 percent service charge will be automatically added to your bar and beverage purchases."