S or SS on the Westerdam

[Gardendog]

Right now we have booked a cat. SS, on the Navigation deck. We are 3, DH, DD (17) and me. What are the benefits of S over SS? I know about the Neptune lounge and the priority tender. Is there something else? Is it worth the extra money? What does a "no-host" minibar mean? I have never encountered a host in any minibar anywhere, so I cannot imagine what a minibar without one is like.:)
Greta

[bepsf]

"No-host" = "You pay"


SS's are 3/4 the size of S's (although the bathroom itself is exactly the same) and don't get most of the suite perks.

They are nicely sized and if the 3 of you travel lightly, you may be perfectly happy in an SS...

[General Max]

In November, we booked a category "S" cabin on the Westerdam for a 15 night transatlantic cruise. The price was $3854.28 per person. This will be our second cruise. Our first cruise was an Alaskan one on the Ryndam and we had a suite on that one. Once you book "S" you never go back.

Cheers

General Max

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Once you book "S" you never go back.

General Max
AMEN, I can testify to that one:D General Max, we too just had our first Suite on the Ryndam and it was wonderful I am just a bit concerned that the Suite on the Ryndam or any S or R class ship is just a bit better than the Vista Class ship and we may have gotten spoiled on the Ryndam. I love the size of the dressing area and with the seperate sink, then there is the very big balcony and chaise lounge chairs. But you know what? we will still be on a cruise and it will be so wonderful:p I am sure we will still love our Suite on the Westerdam.

Greta, to be honest other than some of the Suite perks I would bet that the SS would work just fine especially since the bathroom is the same size. Yes, we really did want a suite again but the main determining factor to change is we needed to be able to be on the first tendor off in Grand Caymans to catch a private Sting Ray City Tour. If we would of stayed in our SS cabin we would not have Priority Tendoring. But we also enjoyed all the Suite Partys:D

[anngie]

We just stayed in an SS on the Westerdam Dec 5 cruise. In consideration of an S vs an SS we did not think that we would use the laundry or the Neptune Lounge. We do not care to go to the cocktail parties or luncheons and embarkation is not really that much of a hassel anymore. Since we had such a long wait on the morning of debarkation I wondered if the perks include an early departure.

[thulewx]

I stayed in a PS on Zuiderdam and was told I could leave whenever I wished, once the all clear was given - I'm pretty sure S had the same info... helpful now that we can stay in the cabins until we leave the ship.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We just stayed in an SS on the Westerdam Dec 5 cruise. In consideration of an S vs an SS we did not think that we would use the laundry or the Neptune Lounge. We do not care to go to the cocktail parties or luncheons and embarkation is not really that much of a hassel anymore. Since we had such a long wait on the morning of debarkation I wondered if the perks include an early departure.
Anngie, yes, being in a Suite you can leave as soon as they give the All Clear for Debarkation, same goes for Embarkation.

[anngie]

Well, that and no waiting for tenders would make the suite worth the difference.

[Gardendog]

Thank you all for your replies. I don't even know if there are any S cat. left on our trip. I also need to check how much more it would be. I do like extras in life. Priority tendering, free laundry, priority embarkation and disembarkation sound important enough for me. Thanks Brian for the advise regarding the "missing host" in the minibar. Personally I'd prefer a suite with a host in the minibar.:)

We travel very light. We have been on European spring break trips the last 3 years of 4 (DD went to Europe the last 4 years for spring break). We usually don't even check luggage then, just carry on, since we don't want to lose the stuff or drag big suitcases on metros etc. in Europe. For the cruise though, we will bring more, one regular size suitcase pp and snorkeling gear and special wines.

In fact, I'd probably impress some by sharing that I have traveled to Europe on 2 to 3 week trips with just one carry on. Laudry in the sink at night in the hotels. It sure beats carrying heavy suitcases up staircases in small hotels off of cobble stone streets. I have a small Wheeley, DH, DS, DS, DD all have soft back packs (convertible to respectable "suitcases").

Travel to one destination is of course different, and that's what a cruise essentially is. Thanks for the responses.