TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Zenith cruise from SXM

Just got back from our Pullmantur Zenith cruise from Phillipsburg and back. Zenith is almost identical to the Horizon for those who are familiar with it. Took it 2015 and 2016. It's been replaced with Zenith. We had a jr suite w/balcony. Very nice. Suites get the 'Waves" service. Personal concierge and treatment. Bottled water in room and snacks at night in room. Private cocktail party with 'Waves" crew. We were the only 4 Americans on the ship! Entertainment good. Daily activities left a lot to be desired.
Food was HORRIBLE! What they had for dinner the evening before was served for lunch the next day. I understand they want to conserve food but it was really horrible. Tasteless, not served warm, unattractive. Ala carte breakfast was good though but we had to complain since the dining room staff didn't want to do the ala carte. The 2nd day, we did get it and were served with "white gloves".
The staff for the most part was excellent. Any questions, please ask.

Wow. That food situation just doesn't sound good!! Regarding the lunch situation, you were in port almost every day, right? I would have just eaten lunch in port somewhere every day. Was the evening meal good or not?

Regardless, I guess I won't be interested. You said you were the only Americans. Did the crew speak English? Was all the entertainment in French or Spanish, etc?

We were in port every day except one. We managed to "pick" and find food to eat (salads, etc) We did go to a lovely restaurant in Santo Domingo (Il Neptuno) which we've gone to for the last 3 yrs. Very upscale and excellent food. Right on the water so they have lounges and swimming. Most evenings I had a ceasar salad. Most crew spoke English. Entertainment was in Spanish/French but music was mostly English. Abba, Rock Tribute After going 3 yrs in a row, I think that's it for now.

OK, thanks for the info.

Been there -done that-we're finished too

This isn't related to Zenith cruise at all but it's a funny story I have retold a couple of times. When we were in Norway a few years back, we quickly learned how expensive alcoholic beverages are there, and they don't take any American money. You had to use their currency. I found out that there is a very popular cruise there that Norwegians love to take, for the sole purpose they stop somewhere that doesn't have tax on alcoholic purchases. They load up for a year's supply, or as close as they can. The cruise is not about the food or entertainment, although I think that would be a fun cruise to be on. They save all year to send a family member on the cruise, and they have cryptic notes on how many bottles of what to buy.