Last Updated on October 6, 2026
Our ship for a week-long Boston-to-Quebec City cruise was the 1,900-guest Zuiderdam. Built in 2002 as the first Vista Class vessel in the Holland America fleet, it features a weekly Morimoto at Sea pop-up Asian/Seafood restaurant, sharing space with the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse.
Holland America has become one of our favorite cruise lines, mainly because of the fish. The premium, adult-oriented sister brand of Carnival Corporation introduced its “Global Fresh Fish Program” three years ago with 60 worldwide ports certified to provide 80 different kinds of fresh seafood for guests.
The unique initiative is now fleet-wide, with celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto serving as Global Fresh Fish Ambassador.
Embarking From Boston
Like most cruisers, we arrived in Boston a day before embarkation. We stayed at the Seaport Boston Hotel, which the cruise line recommended. It was in an ideal harbor front location close to the cruise port and many restaurants.
For dinner, we chose nearby Ocean Prime, a large, very busy upscale seafood specialty house. We’d give it five stars. Our miso cod and Chilean sea bass main courses were among the best seafood dishes we’ve ever had. Highly recommended if you’re visiting Boston.
The next morning, we took a quick Uber to the cruise port and waited in a very long line to board Zuiderdam. Security was even more arduous than at most airports. But once aboard, we relaxed and started admiring the classy cruise ship interior, with lots of brass and chandeliers. The artwork was stunning, and fresh flowers were positioned throughout the ship. It was obviously well maintained and rarely showed its age.
An impressive Library and Stateroom
Our first stop was the impressive library on Deck 3. Bright and spacious, with books divided into categories, it included a large section with a passenger favorite: “Leave a book; take a book.”
Our stateroom on Deck 4 was equally impressive, with a large Queen bed, plenty of storage space, excellent lighting, a bathroom with a shower and tub (quite rare in a non-suite), and a balcony with plenty of room to stretch out in comfortable chairs. The main deficiency was the lack of an electric outlet on either side of the bed.
Fresh fish was delivered to Zuiderdam in both Boston and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, so we were looking forward to the dining venues, especially since seafood was included on all menus.
Even breakfast in the main dining room was a treat with linen tablecloths and attentive servers. The extensive menu featured nine international breakfasts, including Asian congee, Indian aloo masala, and English kippers. You can order Eggs Benedict with lobster or crab.
A splendid Seafood Boil on one evening (lobster, salmon, mussels, clams, and shrimp in a rich broth) was followed on other nights by fresh haddock, branzino, and Mediterranean sea bass. A spicy highlight at the Morimoto pop-up was Angry Lobster Pad Thai, the most interesting version of the tasty crustacean we’ve ever enjoyed.
Not Only Fish…
It wasn’t all fish, of course. In Canaletto, the Italian specialty restaurant, we enjoyed burrata and tomato salad, veal with sage meatballs, and perfectly prepared Ossobuco. Pinnacle Grill, the ship’s popular steakhouse, had outstanding beef tenderloin. But the American wagyu beef (extra cost) was uncharacteristically tough and chewy. There was no problem exchanging it for tenderloin.
The large buffet (Lido Market) on Deck 9 was well organized with one of the best salad selections we’ve seen at sea. It was quite crowded at times, mainly because the counter staff served most of the food rather than guests using common tongs. It was good to see hygiene prioritized.
Shipboard Entertainment A Priority
Entertainment is also a priority with Holland America. The three main stage shows in the theatre featured a talented ensemble of singers and dancers in creative productions.
Our highlight was Breton Thunder, a group of five singers and Celtic-inspired musicians the cruise line put together for these Canada-New England itineraries. The lead singer and fiddler were especially effective in belting out toe-tapping melodies that reflected the unique music of Cape Breton Island.
We also enjoyed classical music every day from a well-trained cello-and-piano duo. Several bars, including the popular piano bar, featured lively tunes each day and evening. Trivia, cooking classes, wine tasting, shuffleboard, and pickleball were also attractions for many guests.
Halifax, Peggy’s Cove, and More
Our attractive Zuiderdam Atlantic Canada itinerary included visits to Halifax (the impressive waterfront boardwalk, Victorian Public Gardens, Peggy’s Cove, and Titanic memorabilia got high marks), Sydney (the Cape Breton Fossil Centre is a must-see), and Charlottetown (The Anne of Green Gables tour is a favorite).
Most guests on this cruise from Boston were American, with a strong contingent of Canadians and several from Britain and Australia. Claudia and Bruce Perkins from Salem, Oregon, were on their first Atlantic coast cruise. “We’re glad we came,” they told us. “We didn’t realize all the history we’d be experiencing.” Linda and Bill McManus of Brandon, Mississippi, particularly loved “the nature, the beauty, the clean air.”
New Orleans natives Jane and Robert Smith were a bit skeptical…at first. “With all the friction between the U.S. and Canada we were a little anxious and self-conscious as Americans,” they said. “But everyone was very nice to us. It was wonderful. A really good experience.”
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