Zuiderdam S Suites question

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Are there any S suites with larger than average balconies?

Thanks
Bill

[doone]

I have been told the cabin I have for March has an incredible large wrap around balcony, its suite 5187. That's why we booked it.

[jp8088]

Been checking all kinds of sites for Volendam ship info since I learned that my wife and I are "cruisin" ( my 1st time) March 20. Will I need a passport for this cruise?? Have read many mixed reviews (mostly positive) about this cruise line. Just how good is the food??

[doone]

GREAT, see you onboard. The Volendam is a beautiful ship, sailed her two years ago and she quickly became one of our favorite HAL ships. I am sure you will be happy. It will be interesting for me, I will sail the Zuiderdam the week before the Volendam (the Zuiderdam is where I have the suite, the Volendam, I am on Main Deck, inside cabin). I am curious to see the differences between the two ships. I'll give you an ear full onboard.

For this cruise, I don't believe you need passports, but I would highly recommend you get them. At the very least, you will need a certified copy of your birth certificate (the one with the raised seal) and a government issued picture i.d. Check with your travel agent to be sure.

[TedC]

Bill,
The S cabins on the stern of the Vista ships have larger than average verandahs, and the corner ones have wraparound verandahs that reportedly are larger yet.

But the S suites on the stern are somewhat smaller than the standard side S suites. Many people like the larger verandahs, and others prefer to be on the side, closer to the Neptune Lounge.


Check out the deck plan on the HAL website and you should see what we're talking about

[Whiskeyman]

This help you any??? These are pics I have gotten off the net and other sites searching for pics of the aft verandahs... :rolleyes:

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Thanks for all the great answers from everybody.
Whiskeyman that suite sure looks suite and it's still available on my cruise.
I'd have to talk to the boss and see if she's prefer midship with the bigger cabin or the cabins in the aft.
First time on HAL so it's going on our first cruise again. :)

Bill

[Shippy]

We had one of the corner s suites last year. The balconys are incredibly large. We had 2 lounge chairs with table. 2 regular chairs with table and a dining table with 4 chairs. PLUS there is the side of the ship !
It is great having a view off the back and the side. The way the ship is designed, you also have sun and shade areas all the time. I would take one of those rooms back in a minute.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I was just looking at them online and it looks like you can only book 3 in there. We need a quad. There are also some other S suites that have the circle on them signifying a triple. On Hal's website when you input 4 it gives you the option to book some of the cabins with the crcles on them. I'm confused which isn't a first or maybe I just misinterpret the legend that identifies the cabins.

Bill

[Kelfly]

I have been told the cabin I have for March has an incredible large wrap around balcony, its suite 5187. That's why we booked it.

Doone: We also have 5187 booked, but not until December 2005! Make sure to put in a review when you get back. The pictures Whiskeyman attached look great.

[cruznon]

Oh, WOW! Thanks for the picture of 5187, Whiskeyman! That's where I'll be in 33 days!!! :D It looks fabulous!
We had an aft cabin in November and loved it. It's great being at the back--quieter and the view is spectacular!
If you look at deck plans, you'll see that some aft suites are larger than others, if cabin size is an issue. The large wrap around balcony is worth the longer walk to other parts of the ship.
Doone, we'll do our part to keep 5187 shipshape till you arrive.:)

[jp8088]

Are the eletrical outlets on board 120 volt or do I need an adaptor( Im from the U.S.). I'll be re-charging batteries for camcorders and digital cameras.
Also Ive noticed many questions about whether lemonade and Ice tea are still free. Is soda (coke, ginger ale etc...) free on board. Is there a one time fee that can be bought instead of paying for every individual drink?? (My young son consumes diet soda all day!)

p.s

my cruise is in March on the Volendam.

thanks to all for the great advice on this board!!!!!!!!

[peaches from georgia]

You don't need an adaptor on any HAL ship. Lemonade and ice tea are free and there is an unlimited soda card available to purchase as there is a cost for all sodas.

Which March Volendam cruise will you be on?

[ekerr19]

Been checking all kinds of sites for Volendam ship info since I learned that my wife and I are "cruisin" ( my 1st time) March 20. Will I need a passport for this cruise?? Have read many mixed reviews (mostly positive) about this cruise line. Just how good is the food??

jp8088- We are also on that cruise, we will be cruising with our children. Our son is 16 and our daughter is going to be 12 next week. Look forward to meeting you on board. We are on Main Deck - an outside quad cabin - they are pretty spacious, we were in the same one on the Amsterdam several years ago. Plese look for the Roll-Call thread for those of us on this cruise.

[jp8088]

Leaving March 20th and I can't wait to get out from this New england(mass.) weather. How much is this soda pass?? Does it cover the entire family??

[ekerr19]

Leaving March 20th and I can't wait to get out from this New england(mass.) weather. How much is this soda pass?? Does it cover the entire family??

The cards are one per person - not sure of the current cost. I think the last ones we peurchased were on the Maasdam last spring, the kids wanted the refillable cup and it was about $28 - for unlimited fountain sodas. On the Noordam last month, they had cans of soda with the card - there were a certain amount of sodas per card, but I can't remember how many.

[jp8088]

Ekerr 19...I think we are in the boiler room downstairs! ;) Actually I believe were on the "dolphin" floor w/ a window (I hope!!) My son is going to be 4 in Feb. I hope he won't get board on the ship but I'll try my best to keep him entertained...speaking of which, what kind of t.v service do we get in our rooms?? Noggin I PRAY!!!

[ekerr19]

Ekerr 19...I think we are in the boiler room downstairs! ;) Actually I believe were on the "dolphin" floor w/ a window (I hope!!) My son is going to be 4 in Feb. I hope he won't get board on the ship but I'll try my best to keep him entertained...speaking of which, what kind of t.v service do we get in our rooms?? Noggin I PRAY!!!

I just read on another thread that the soda card is now $40.75 for unlimited refills - it sure has gone up in less than a year. :eek:

I don't know about noggin, but I am pretty sure there is a cartoon channel - I will have to ask my kids, they will know. If you have an outside cabin, it will have a pretty decent sized window.

Have you been to the Roll Call thread for this sailing? We can answer specific questions and talk all about this upcoming cruise - I am really excited to get out of the cold weather too!

[doone]

JP8088, don't worry, they have, or had, cartoon network on the in-cabin TV's, your son will be fine, I am sure they still have it. Where in Mass are you from? I am from just outside Worcester. Flying on Jetblue out of Boston.

I am on Main Deck as well, Ekerr19, cabin 2613, inside.

Looking forward to meeting you both onboard.

[jp8088]

Ekerr 19 - I will chk out the Roll call area soon and thanks for the soda info..$40.00 doesnt sound terrible for 10 daqys worth of soda.


Doone - Im in the Milford area and Im not sure what airline we are taking yet..great Patriots game yestday!!! Its good to be a Bostonian when it comes to our sports scene! Jet blue had good rates I assume??

[ekerr19]

JP8088, don't worry, they have, or had, cartoon network on the in-cabin TV's, your son will be fine, I am sure they still have it. Where in Mass are you from? I am from just outside Worcester. Flying on Jetblue out of Boston.

I am on Main Deck as well, Ekerr19, cabin 2613, inside.

Looking forward to meeting you both onboard.

doone- we are in 2681... come on over to the Roll call, I want to ask both of you about your flights... we haven't booked air yet. :(

[doone]

JP8088, I found Jetblue to have good rates, but I booked it last June, $192 round trip, non-stop. I am doing back to back cruises, March 12th on the Zuiderdam, then March 20th on the Volendam. I will be in Ft. Lauderdale the evening of the 19th, ready to board the Volendam on the 20th. Mom, dad and my god-mother are meeting me in Ft. Lauderdale on the 19th. Are you flying a day ahead or same day as sailing?

Put your snuggies on tonight, going to be COLD!!!!

[jp8088]

Doone - arriving in FLL the day before to avoid the stress of flying/making it onboard in one shot. The next few nights are gonna be more typical of Jan. weather for sure!!

[doone]

We're staying at the Marriott Hotel and Marina, compliments of priceline.

I agree, going to be darn cold. Isn't it great to have a cruise to look forward to???

[jp8088]

Doone -

[jp8088]

HAve never vacationed this early (march) in the year and LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!!! I just hope the cruise is smooth because I've never been on a ship this large for this amount of time (small fishing boats for half a day @ most).

[doone]

I always do 10-day cruises now, 7 just isn't enough. Don't worry, it will be smooth as silk.

[dinscoe68]

I just read on another thread that the soda card is now $40.75 for unlimited refills - it sure has gone up in less than a year. :eek:

I don't know about noggin, but I am pretty sure there is a cartoon channel - I will have to ask my kids, they will know. If you have an outside cabin, it will have a pretty decent sized window.

Have you been to the Roll Call thread for this sailing? We can answer specific questions and talk all about this upcoming cruise - I am really excited to get out of the cold weather too!

Hi,

We are going to be on the Z in a few weeks with a 10 yo. Wondering if they do have Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon or something?

Thanks

[peaches from georgia]

..... Don't worry, it will be smooth as silk.
DOONE!!! Aren't you afraid of being sued??? You made a promise in writing! :D

[ekerr19]

Hi,

We are going to be on the Z in a few weeks with a 10 yo. Wondering if they do have Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon or something?

Thanks

If I recall correctly, there is one cartoon channel - but I can't remember which it is... you can also check out DVD's from the Neptune Lounge, they usually have a pretty good selection.

[dinscoe68]

Great, thanks!!:D

[FoxyTerrier]

I just read on another thread that the soda card is now $40.75 for unlimited refills - it sure has gone up in less than a year. :eek:



Nope it's $27.50 according to the Gift Pre-order form and that includes the 15% tip.

I do have a question about the Neptune - what all can you get or do in there. Our last "S" was on the Maasdam for there was a Sig of Excellence or Neptune.

Joni

[ekerr19]

Nope it's $27.50 according to the Gift Pre-order form and that includes the 15% tip.

Joni

I have read on several of the reviews (recently within the past two weeks) that the cost onboard had increased. One gentleman posted it was almost $60 with the gratuity and no one seemed to argue with him - so I'm wondering if it's cheaper to order in advance... also, those "pre-order" prices are subject to change as I found out a few weeks ago. I ordered my parents a wine package for their upcoming cruise and the cost of the package had increased $24.

I just found the review - it was by SailonH2O - his Maasdam cruise...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=144151

[FoxyTerrier]

I have read on several of the reviews (recently within the past two weeks) that the cost onboard had increased. One gentleman posted it was almost $60 with the gratuity and no one seemed to argue with him - so I'm wondering if it's cheaper to order in advance... also, those "pre-order" prices are subject to change as I found out a few weeks ago. I ordered my parents a wine package for their upcoming cruise and the cost of the package had increased $24.

I just found the review - it was by SailonH2O - his Maasdam cruise...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=144151

I believe all the Maasdam cruises out of Norfolk are 10 or 11 days cruise so the price is more.

This is right from the HA web site:
http://www.hollandamerica.com/pdfs/onboard/Gift_Order.pdf

I'm ordering my son's tonight before the price goes up!!

[dakrewser]

I do have a question about the Neptune - what all can you get or do in there. Our last "S" was on the Maasdam for there was a Sig of Excellence or Neptune.

Joni

FACT SHEET
Neptune Lounge
The “Suite Life” gets even sweeter in Holland America Line’s Neptune Lounge, which provide an intimate and
relaxing retreat exclusively for suite and penthouse guests. The Neptune Lounge features a private place
where they can relax, socialize with other suite guests and enjoy personalized service for making reservations
for shore excursions, car rentals and the ship’s Pinnacle Grill alternative restaurant. Holland America Line’s
“Signature of Excellence” initiative will further expand the Neptune Lounge concept to all the ships in the fleet.
The Neptune Lounge is a private room solely for suite and penthouse guests. This comfortable room provides
a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy such refined pleasures as reading magazines, newspapers and books, viewing
television on a wide screen or simply enjoying coffee or tea while socializing with other suite guests. The
Neptune Lounge is open on sea days from 7:30 am until 8:00 pm and from 7:00 am until 8:00 pm on port days.
Neptune Lounge Concierge Services
In addition to serving as an oasis of privacy, the Neptune Lounge also offers a variety of concierge services to
make suite guests’ trip even more enjoyable and hassle-free. The following concierge services are available to
our guests:
▪ Reservation requests for the Pinnacle Grill, Holland America’s popular alternative restaurant, which features
the best of Northwest cuisine served in an upscale atmosphere. Reservations may be placed up until 1:00
pm for that evening. This dining venue is also open to all guests on board.
▪ Assistance with all shore excursion reservations for the ports of call during your cruise. For express shore
excursion bookings, kindly return your completed Shore Excursions Request form to the
Neptune Lounge as soon as possible. Your vouchers will be delivered to your suite.
▪ Any other inquiries, such as car rentals or restaurants in ports of call.
▪ All Front Office transactions and billing account services may be settled in the Neptune Lounge.
▪ Enjoy continental breakfast, morning coffee or our tea selection served daily until 11am. We also serve
espresso and cappuccino throughout the day.
▪ Cookies, small pastries and sandwiches are served daily from 11am to 5pm.
▪ Lounge is not available for Private Functions.
11/03