Help on choosing best aft cabin/suite??

[CanuckCruizer]

Hi,

Never been on HAL. Have done a few searches to get the lay of the land but am in a time crunch for securing a good cabin. On the Oosterdam - what would be the best aft cabin - would it be 4181 or 4179 or any of those ones in the row - are they different sizes - looking for the biggest balcony that gets sun and the biggest cabin too. (Gee - I don't ask for much, do I?:)) After reading a bit - it seems like the Upper Promenade deck has the deepest balconies, the Verandah deck is now almost fully covered and Decks 6, 7 and 8 (sorry - haven't learned their names yet) are shallower balconies - is all this correct? I am assuming that the refit has been done on the Oosterdam as well as the Westerdam?

What would be the best SC corner suite - one on the Upper Promenade/Deck 4?

Would these same cabins be the best on the Westerdam or is it different from the Oosterdam?

Trying to pick between these two ships and there are not too many cabins left.

Can't find any pictures of what the view down to the water is like - anyone know where I can find one? If you are on the Upper Promenade deck - do you see straight down to the water or are there any obstructions in your way? I did see a couple of photos from the side that looked like they may "park" some equipment there - I don't know if it is window washing equipment or what - but whatever I saw - does anyone know if it sits on the outside railing of those corner suites permanently?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thank you!

Canuck

[Duck Duck Cruise]

We just got off the Zuiderdam and had 7151, the starboard side corner aft SB suite. The veranda was wonderful. It was 330 square feet (yes we measured). It was a little over half covered at the aft section and fully covered along the side of the ship. The side measured 6 by 22 from the divider to the edge of the cabin. Across the aft it measured 9 by 22.

The equipment that was parked a couple of decks down from ours (we were on deck 7) was parked there all the time.

[CanuckCruizer]

Duck Duck Cruise - Thanks for the info. Unfortunately - I just checked and they don't have that cabin available - basically it is 4180 on the Oosterdam and the ones on Decks 4, 5 and 6 on the Westerdam so wondering which ones are better? Is it better to be higher - is 4180 not good because of that equipment and too low down or is it better because it has an unobstructed view of the water? Anybody have any thoughts? Is it worth the extra money for the corner suites (it is quite a BIT) or is one of the aft balconies (VA) just as good?

Thanks!

Canuck

[CanuckCruizer]

Okay - now the Westerdam is out of the picture - too expensive. Looking at the Oosterdam corner suite 4180 (although it is a LOT more money than a VA - like about $1200 more EACH, but that balcony looks soooo good but my DH says now that we know there are no free drinks in the Neptune's Lounge - he doesn't think the price difference is worth it:)) and VA 4181 or 4179.

Also looking at the Zuiderdam 4181 VA. HAL told me that the Oosterdam has just been in a 21 day drydock doing updates, adding the new Italian restaurant etc. Does anyone know the last time the Zuiderdam has been drydocked or if there is an upcoming one?

Still looking for photos of the view down to the water on the back of Deck 4 - anyone have any?

ANY help or thoughts would be appreciated as we have to make a decision today!

Thanks!

Canuck