CrabbyHarper
November 22nd, 2004, 07:33 PM
Well, we finally achieved our dream. Less than week before we sailed, our TA called us reporting a fax from HAL that offered upgrades to a Cat S Suite for what seemed to us a reasonable price.
We were able to book adjacent suites for ourselves, and sister and BIL, Suites 003 and 005.
The location was perfect for us - very near the elevators and the forward ladders (Staircases).
The size of the suite and the balcony was incredible. There was a large dressing room with a separate sink just outside the bathroom - and this area was quite handy when DH wanted to shave and I wanted to curl my hair.
The perks were nice, too, once we got used to them.
We really took advantage of the free laundry and dry cleaning - arriving home with almost everything clean. One could make do with about half of the clothes we took!
The steward, Rachmat "Rocky" was incredible and we gave him a generous tip even though HAL deducts a daily gratuity on the bill. The first day I told Rocky what we required in the way of ice and club soda and he never failed us. I also gave him a small tip the first day, the fifth day, and completed the tip the last day.
Other perks included priority debark, priority tender service.
The best service was the lovely concierge, Kathleen, in the Neptune Lounge. virtually anything we needed from the Front Desk or Shore Excursions Kathleen could - and did - take care of for us. Cash a travelers check? No problem. Change a shore excursion? No Problem. Order evening hors d'oeuvres? No Problem.
And there was always food in the Neptune. Although I did not care for the coffee machine, there was always something good there - including fruit and cereral and tempting pastries for breakfast, little sandwiches for lunch, chocolates in the afternoon, etc.
There were binoculars and deck blankets in the suite, as well as five pillows on the truly king-size bed. The deck blankets came in handy for naps.
A/C was not a problem, although it could get a little stuffy at times.
There were two evening receptions for suite passengers and one luncheon. All very nice and a chance to meet other suite passengers.
The size of our suite and balcony allowed us to get together several evenings. At the very last minute, my youngest sister booked the cruise - she was in the smallest stateroom - CAT NN - I have ever seen! So she spent a lot of time with us and with my other sister in the next door suite.
Would I book a suite again? Well, maybe, depending on price. On our previous Maasdam cruise we had a balcony stateroom, and found it terrific. I liked being pampered and having a lot of room, but we spent much more time in the suite and I found I missed some of the activities through sheer inertia!
For our next cruise in April 2005 we have booked a balcony stateroom.
Gerry
We were able to book adjacent suites for ourselves, and sister and BIL, Suites 003 and 005.
The location was perfect for us - very near the elevators and the forward ladders (Staircases).
The size of the suite and the balcony was incredible. There was a large dressing room with a separate sink just outside the bathroom - and this area was quite handy when DH wanted to shave and I wanted to curl my hair.
The perks were nice, too, once we got used to them.
We really took advantage of the free laundry and dry cleaning - arriving home with almost everything clean. One could make do with about half of the clothes we took!
The steward, Rachmat "Rocky" was incredible and we gave him a generous tip even though HAL deducts a daily gratuity on the bill. The first day I told Rocky what we required in the way of ice and club soda and he never failed us. I also gave him a small tip the first day, the fifth day, and completed the tip the last day.
Other perks included priority debark, priority tender service.
The best service was the lovely concierge, Kathleen, in the Neptune Lounge. virtually anything we needed from the Front Desk or Shore Excursions Kathleen could - and did - take care of for us. Cash a travelers check? No problem. Change a shore excursion? No Problem. Order evening hors d'oeuvres? No Problem.
And there was always food in the Neptune. Although I did not care for the coffee machine, there was always something good there - including fruit and cereral and tempting pastries for breakfast, little sandwiches for lunch, chocolates in the afternoon, etc.
There were binoculars and deck blankets in the suite, as well as five pillows on the truly king-size bed. The deck blankets came in handy for naps.
A/C was not a problem, although it could get a little stuffy at times.
There were two evening receptions for suite passengers and one luncheon. All very nice and a chance to meet other suite passengers.
The size of our suite and balcony allowed us to get together several evenings. At the very last minute, my youngest sister booked the cruise - she was in the smallest stateroom - CAT NN - I have ever seen! So she spent a lot of time with us and with my other sister in the next door suite.
Would I book a suite again? Well, maybe, depending on price. On our previous Maasdam cruise we had a balcony stateroom, and found it terrific. I liked being pampered and having a lot of room, but we spent much more time in the suite and I found I missed some of the activities through sheer inertia!
For our next cruise in April 2005 we have booked a balcony stateroom.
Gerry