Westerdam Cat VH w metal Balcony

[red919]

Am considering a VH guarantee on the Westerdam.

I love balconies and am usually not picky but just realized the VH category means metal, not plexiglass. Major reason I book balconies is for the wonderful views so I'm guessing metal barrier is too high to see over while seated?

Price is not much more than oceanview but is it worth it? I'm considering it due to my chance of being upgraded to a plexiglass balcony but see that there are many VH cabins on the Westerdam so am guessing my chances are less on that particular ship.

Anyone else been in this situation? Did you still enjoy the metal balconies? Would you book the VH or save a few bucks and stick with an oceanview?

Thanks in advance for you input!

[u511arw]

The first balcony my DW and I had was a metal balcony. It's certainly better than an oceanview cabin and worth a few extra bucks. The plexiglass balconies are certainly nicer and, if not much more money, are worth the upgrade. We got the metal balcony because we picked the specific cabin because I didn't really understand the guarantee process. The next time I booked a metal balcony, but did the guarantee option and ended up with a great cabin with the plexiglass balcony. I don't know if we were just lucky or because we booked so early or because we've cruised HAL a number of times. The next time we go for the balcony, I'll buy a guarantee on a metal balcony and take my chances.

[Krazy Kruizers]

You are right when you say that you can not see the ocean or anything else when seated.

As for getting upgraded to a better cabin -- that is iffy.

I know some people who have well over 300 days and done guarantees and have only been upgraded a couple of times.

[Oceanwench]

If you book a VH guarantee with the attitude that you may indeed get a VH cabin, then do it. That way you won't be disappointed.

I would much rather have a balcony than not, if only to be able to step out for some fresh air or to watch coming into a port.

[red919]

I've decided to go ahead with the VH guarantee.

If any of you have a photo of a Westerdam VH balcony to share, that would be very helpful.

Thank you all for your input! :)

[jmps]

If you are doing the March 28th cruise, we have a roll call going.

[CruisinManiac]

I've decided to go ahead with the VH guarantee.

If any of you have a photo of a Westerdam VH balcony to share, that would be very helpful.

Thank you all for your input! :)

Check the following thread out. I have posted my VF (near the VH's and similar, but I believe the VF verandah is not quite as deep.)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=946754

[cadburysmom]

Great pics. What a gorgeous view of the volcano.

Was wondering the same thing. Thanks! :)

[jtl513]

... but see that there are many VH cabins on the Westerdam so am guessing my chances are less on that particular ship.There's just four on all four Vistas and the Eurodam. However all the VFs up to 4042 also have the steel-wall railing.

I have posted my VF (near the VH's and similar, but I believe the VF verandah is not quite as deep.)The VFs on deck 4 are 7.5 ft deep, same as the VDs, while the VFs on deck 5 are 4.5 ft deep.

[red919]

Check the following thread out. I have posted my VF (near the VH's and similar, but I believe the VF verandah is not quite as deep.)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=946754

Exactly what I needed to know...thank you!

Btw, what island were you passing when you saw the volcano?

[tuppermern]

I'm new to HAL---and booked a VH guarantee. The agent said it was my best bet for a verandah---and I couldn't go wrong. I got my cabin assignment today for my March 7 cruise on the Westerdam....and it's 5016. The chart shows it very close to the "front" of the ship--which concerns me....and it's labeled VC5016. What's the difference between VH and VC----I couldn't find any VH cabins! Any help will be appreciated---thanks!

Mary Lou

[kura]

We booked a VH on the Oosterdam in the Mediterranean last year and got upgraded to a VA...a great cabin!

[jmps]

red919 - You got a nice upgrade. The VHs are very far forward and limitied in number. They have steel railings and no tub.

[ricok987]

This is the first time I have booked a guarantee cabin so forgive me if my question is a little "simple"

How do you know if HAL has assigned your cabin number? I can only see on the "Make/View Payment" booking tab that my booking shows: Cabin: GUAR

Is that where I need to check. I see other people are starting to received their guarantee cabin assignments on the same cruise as me and I want to make sure I am looking in the right place.
Thanks,
Rich

[jtl513]

How do you know if HAL has assigned your cabin number? I can only see on the "Make/View Payment" booking tab that my booking shows: Cabin: GUAR

Is that where I need to check. Yes, that is the right place. Sometime between 21 and 0 days before sailing that GUAR will become a number. Some people have said it showed up in the "print bag tags" section before appearing on the top of the page.

[CruisinManiac]

Exactly what I needed to know...thank you!

Btw, what island were you passing when you saw the volcano?

That was the island of Stromboli in the Mediterranean. The ship did a "drive by" on the way to Dubrovnik, Croatia from Civitavecchia, Italy. :) The volcano was erupting with lava flowing on our return to Rome.

Confused

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm new to HAL---and booked a VH guarantee. The agent said it was my best bet for a verandah---and I couldn't go wrong. I got my cabin assignment today for my March 7 cruise on the Westerdam....and it's 5016. The chart shows it very close to the "front" of the ship--which concerns me....and it's labeled VC5016. What's the difference between VH and VC----I couldn't find any VH cabins! Any help will be appreciated---thanks!

Mary Lou

The VH is near the bow of the ship on Deck 4. The verandah is encased in steel, but it is slightly larger than the VC verandah. The VH also does not have a bathtub. Other than that, the VH and VC are the same. The VC is on a higher, more desirable deck and also has a Plexiglas balcony. You did good! :)

[tuppermern]

That was the island of Stromboli in the Mediterranean. The ship did a "drive by" on the way to Dubrovnik, Croatia from Civitavecchia, Italy. :) The volcano was erupting with lava flowing on our return to Rome.



The VH is near the bow of the ship on Deck 4. The verandah is encased in steel, but it is slightly larger than the VC verandah. The VH also does not have a bathtub. Other than that, the VH and VC are the same. The VC is on a higher, more desirable deck and also has a Plexiglas balcony. You did good! :)

The saga continues because my HAL agent called today offering an S category verandah for $199 pp more! It would be more mid ship---and I'd love to take it but hubby needs convinced. We weren't home, so she left a message. I hope it's still available by the time I call tomorrow!

[EbayCruiser]

I would take that offer in a heartbeat!! Come on HAL ..... call me!! LOL :)

[CruisinManiac]

Gosh yes...take it! :eek: What a deal and you will love the cabin!

Ebay - We must be on the wrong sailing. I would think a March sailing would be more full than ours. This sort of upsell seems to happen more with first time HAL cruisers, too. ;) Even so, I am kind-of afraid to leave my house today in case I miss a call. :D Though, I have told my TA to accept anything around $200 pp to upsell.

tuppermern - Let us know what happens. :)

[ricok987]

for the 3/7/10 Southern Carribean cruise aboard the MS Westerdam!:D I booked a VF Guarantee and got cabin VA8110! This is a pretty good upgrade!

[tuppermern]

The saga continues because my HAL agent called today offering an S category verandah for $199 pp more! It would be more mid ship---and I'd love to take it but hubby needs convinced. We weren't home, so she left a message. I hope it's still available by the time I call tomorrow!
Final cabin update-----After much deliberation---I told my PCC that was more than I wanted to spend at this time. Drove myself nuts all weekend thinking I could kick myself for not taking it! She called back today---and they offered the same upgrade for only $99 pp! Now I'm doing the happy dance!

[jtl513]

---and they offered the same upgrade for only $99 pp! Now I'm doing the happy dance!You're very lucky! Usually you won't get that second call, because they find somebody else that will take the first offer. Congrats! :)

[carribeansol]

WHAT A DEAL!!!

I can only hope for the call. I only want a C to lowest balcony. Higher will be nicer but I will take any balcony!!!!

Copngratualtions!!!

Upsell Fairy.....I am still waiting, I do believe.

[PathfinderEss]

Final cabin update-----After much deliberation---I told my PCC that was more than I wanted to spend at this time. Drove myself nuts all weekend thinking I could kick myself for not taking it! She called back today---and they offered the same upgrade for only $99 pp! Now I'm doing the happy dance!
Hey I would have taken it at 199, knowing it was a great deal, but at 99 it's a steal. The OP who said you usually don't get two chance at it, was right, lucky you. Have a great cruise.

[Boytjie]

We had cabins VF 4041 and VD 4043 on the Eurodam last week. These pictures will give you an idea what the difference was:

http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/43832/2995376880102790654S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2995376880102790654FTusPq)

http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/44116/2889069070102790654S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2889069070102790654gKOPoE)

We were in VD 4043 but I did sit on the balcony with the steel railing and I have to say there was not a big difference while out at sea: you either saw the sky and ocean (and it was pretty much the same all the time) or you saw only the sky (which was also pretty much the same!)

[catl331]

We were in VD 4043 but I did sit on the balcony with the steel railing and I have to say there was not a big difference while out at sea: you either saw the sky and ocean (and it was pretty much the same all the time) or you saw only the sky (which was also pretty much the same!)But when you were on the 4041 balcony did you wonder if you were missing seeing ships or islands that might be out there? :D

[tuppermern]

Hey I would have taken it at 199, knowing it was a great deal, but at 99 it's a steal. The OP who said you usually don't get two chance at it, was right, lucky you. Have a great cruise.

Thanks, everyone----I appreciate all your input! Can't wait for this cruise----we've had 40" of snow this month & are expecting 5 more this week! HAL-------take me away!!

[Boytjie]

But when you were on the 4041 balcony did you wonder if you were missing seeing ships or islands that might be out there? :D

Not too much! All you had to do is stand up. Scenery doesn't pass all that fast. ;)

[CruisinManiac]

Excellent comparison photo! :) This should be archived.

Should I bring my own Windex to clean that Plexiglas? :eek:

[jtl513]

Excellent comparison photo! :) This should be archived.I agree! I didn't realize that the VF railing was a couple of inches lower than the VD.

[Boytjie]

Excellent comparison photo! :) This should be archived.

Should I bring my own Windex to clean that Plexiglas? :eek:

You can but you may be cleaning windowns all cruise long - that sail spray seems to be around all the time. Ship happens ;)


I agree! I didn't realize that the VF railing was a couple of inches lower than the VD.

Relaxing on our VD balcony I realized that I was in a good position to take a photo for Cruise Critic: a steel and plexiglas railing side-by-side with the divider opened. I too was surprised that the steel railing was a bit lower.