lower promenade deck on Zaandam

[joanfred]

Looking at pictures on cruise critic of Zaandam the lower promenade deck does not appear to be open all the way around. Can anyone explain the layout of the outside area as I am considering a room on this deck because of what I thought would be easy access to outside area.:)

[Bill S]

You can walk completely around the ship on the lower promenade deck. As far as viewing the outside, most of the port and starboard sides are open for viewing. Towards each end of the ship on each side, there is some superstructure that blocks viewing. Also where the deck goes from side to side at the forward end of the ship, that area is enclosed pretty much, and is the only place where you cannot see to the outside.

Cabins on the lower promenade deck do offer relatively easy access to the outside. Some of the outside cabins have fully obstructed views, some have partially obstructed views and the remaining outside cabins have unobstructed views.

The Zaandam is a very nice ship-we've been on her twice and enjoyed our cruises each time. Hope this helps. :)

[liketraveling]

I was on the zaandam last month and I walked all around the lower promenade deck every day.

[joanfred]

Thanks.

[RuthC]

Every HAL ship has an outside deck that completely encircles the ship. On S- and R-class ships it's the Lower Promenade. On Vista and Signature classes it's the Promenade Deck.
Even the Prinsendam has one. IIRC, it's the Promenade Deck on that ship.

[boards]

RuthC we really enjoyed your Cat. J cabin on the Zaandam. Could make a quick trip to our balancy (promenade deck) to catch the sights.

[RuthC]

RuthC we really enjoyed your Cat. J cabin on the Zaandam. Could make a quick trip to our balancy (promenade deck) to catch the sights.
Are you the reason I couldn't get "my" cabin the last two times I tried??? Shouda kept my big mouth shut about it. ;)

[boards]

I am very much looking forward to the day I can be on the same cruise with you, but I cannot take credit for taking you cabin away from you. We were looking looking at Mar.13, 2011, but the agent on the Zaandam said is going well and a cabin may be hard to find. We have to finish with our next cruise in August before we will book for 2011. But some day we may meet you and the Rev.

[RuthC]

I am very much looking forward to the day I can be on the same cruise with you, but I cannot take credit for taking you cabin away from you. We were looking looking at Mar.13, 2011, but the agent on the Zaandam said is going well and a cabin may be hard to find. We have to finish with our next cruise in August before we will book for 2011. But some day we may meet you and the Rev.
I'm looking forward to it. :) And 3/13/11 is one of the cruises where I had to "settle" for my second choice cabin! (the Rev will be bunking next door---good chance for you to get both of us on one shot.)

[joanfred]

Please explain to me about category J on Zaandam lower promenade. I continue to find cabins 3302 thru 3310 available on almost all dates which makes me think no one wants these cabins for some reason. Any ideas? I am looking a month of June 2010 on Zaandam. Thanks.

[RuthC]

Please explain to me about category J on Zaandam lower promenade. I continue to find cabins 3302 thru 3310 available on almost all dates which makes me think no one wants these cabins for some reason.
Cave dwellers don't know what they're missing?

The J-category cabins on Lower Promenade between the atrium and the mid-ship staircase are my first choice cabins on the S-class ships, and my second choice on the R-class (Zaandam). They are excellent! The size is generous (they are larger than the outsides across the passageway), location is perfect. You can get to anywhere on the ship easily, and outside is but steps away.
The bathrooms are a good size; there's sufficient closet and drawer space. They are quiet.

[navybankerteacher]

3302 through 3310 on Zaandam are outside, while J cabins are inside-- the inside cabins are as roomy as outside, but I find them claustrophobic. The problem with the outside cabins on Lower Promenade Deck IS the Lower Promenade Deck - it does go all the way around the ship -- and people on it can see into your cabin - unless the curtains are closed or it is bright outside and dark in your cabin -- lack of privacy sort of diminishes the plus of the outside cabin.

[Mary Ellen]

Actually, the outside cabins on the Lower Promenade Deck are smaller than the insides across the hall.