S Suites on the Rotterdam questions

[winher]

We are contemplating booking on the "Romantic Rivieras - Venice to Lisbon on the Rotterdam - Oct. 24, 2005. Having previously sailed on the Zuiderdam in the S Suites, we wanted to book one for this voyage as well.

Looking at the deck plans, it would appear that the only S Suites are on the Navigation deck directly under the Lido deck. We travelled on the RCI Legend recently in one of their Owner's Suites ( somewhat comparable). However, the fact that these suites were all located directly under the Windjammer Cafe meant the we were constantly awakened in the middle of the night, while the crew was preparing for the next day. It was extremely noisy.

Can anyone tell us whether this is a concern on the Rotterdam? Are there any suites that someone can recommend or Stay away from? Sailing from Venice to Lisbon, is Starboard preferrable? How about suites 7005 - 7011? Any experience?

We would also be grateful for any feedback concerning a similar cruise - ie. weather in late October, favourite ports or tours, etc.

My thanks to Cruise Critic for this excellent forum. We met so many wonderful cruisers on this site for our last cruise. I gained some very excellent information that really helped us enjoy our cruise experience to the fullest.

[localady]

Hello! We have been in Suite 7007 on the Rotterdam and 7006 on her sister ship the Amsterdam. We heard very little noise from above from either of those suites. Because the Lido is more aft of this, we prefer these cabins. If the Suites weren't under the Lido, we prefer to be farther aft generally. You will love the cruise, as the Rotterdam is so classic, as are the cities you will visit. :cool:

[garydm]

We have had S suites on both the Amsterdam and Statendam and noise from the Lido Deck has been an issue both times. The best places on these ships is under the beauty shop, but in looking at the Rotterdam Deck Plan, it looks like the Penthouse Suites take all of that space. On one occasion we were under the ping pong table, and I can attest that people were still playing at 1 am. Also remember that the herd will be heading for the late feeding across the Lido Deck about 11 pm so you will have that noise.

Gary

[Krazy Kruizers]

On the Rotterdam we had Penthouse 7004 - very quiet.

But on other ships we try to be no further back than 006 because from that point on, the crew begins to hose down the area around the Lido Pool and move the lounge chairs very early in the morning and it can get noisy. Also you can hear people moving chairs and tables around during the day.

[Sage]

S7007 and 7011 should be fine. We have been on the Rotterdam in both S category and PS categories and have enjoyed the Rotterdam. In fact, the Rotterdam was our favorite ship until we found the Volendam.

[CruiserBruce]

We were in Suite 7011 in Dec 04 on the Rotterdam. It was very quiet, no noises I noticed.

The only problem was it is only a suite or so away from all the good foods in the Neptune- way too easy to gave in to weakness and grab another plate!

Bruce

[debsea]

We have been in 7019 and 7021 on the Rotterdam. Minimal noise from the Lido (chairs moving around) but nothing to cause me to avoid those cabins in future. 7021 has a bit of a leak from the pipes that run along the side of the verandah, making the teak deck wet a lot of the time, so we preferred 7019. Besides, they are in perfect proximity to the Neptune Lounge. I'll trade a little bit of noise for that convenience!

[raydon]

We sailed in 7026. It was quiet and comfortable.

[winher]

Thanks for the rapid response! It is very helpful - especially while we still have a choice. Any preference for Port or Starboard - Venice to Lisbon? Also can anyone recommend nice hotels in Venice and Lisbon(convenient to the cruiseports - and if possible, close to sites of interest that one can see in either the day before or after the cruise)? Any tours or excursions that HAL offers?

Again, thanks for the support.