Zaandam booking question!

[LAX]

I am trying to book a category B verandah cabin on Zaandam for an October cruise in Southern Carribean/Panama canal. I guess I am kind of late in the game and I can't book a pre-assigned category B verandah cabin now. The only option I have for a category B cabin is via a "guaranteed" cabin booking. My question to you all is whether there are any category B verandah cabins that one should avoid! My biggest fear is getting "stuck" with a cabin that everyone try to avoid. My TA offered the option to upgrade to a pre-assigned cabin in category A for ~$80 more per person. Should I try my luck with the "guaranteed" booking or cough up some cash for a sure thing? Thanks in advance.

LAX

[grannynurse]

is great, you'll love her. The only difference in the B cabins is the location... forward and aft. A cabins are either on the veranda or the Navigation decks and they are better located midship. If you have any issues with motion you would be better served choosing an A, if not go with the B cabin, it's identical to the A. None of the B's have obstructed views but the verandas on the 6th deck are above the tops of the tenders when they are swung out to be lowered. It doesn't pose any problems tho. We were in an A on the veranda deck of the Rotterdam to Europe and back and it never bothered us.

If you were asking about BB or BC which are really at the extremes of the ship, I'd say, definitely go for the A.
You'll be fine in a B cabin.
GN

[jhannah]

The B would be fine. But if you can swing the extra $80 pp for an assigned A cabin then that's the way I would recommend. That way you know where you'll be. Midship is good not only for minimizing ocean motion, but it puts you in a more central location on the ship, thus making getting places easier/quicker.

[arzz]

Not all the A's are mid-ship -- on the Navigation deck they are in the aft half of the ship and go all the way to the rear -- We were in 7077 on the Zaandam at Christmas (4 cabins from the stern, port side, deck 7) -- we had a BC guarantee and that is where they put us. I was concerned before traveling about the motion since we would 1) be rather high up and 2) be almost at the stern

It was no real problem for us. Most of the cruise was smooth as glass but the last afternoon and night we were getting the 20'+ waves and even where we were at the stern and high up the ship rode very well. Though I am an experienced cruiser and have done several small crewed sail boat charters I do have to take bonine for high seas. On a sail boat I am a bonine junkie -- but I only needed bonine the last night of our cruise and was fine with only a small amount.

If you can pick your A cabin and can get a mid-ships cabin that is great. Keep in mind that on deck 6 you have the life boat issue and on deck 7 the lido deck overhangs the verandahs. For me that is great because I am extremely sensitive to the sun and I was able to really enjoy the verandah as the overhang tempered the direct sun most of the time.

In my opinion since the modern ships are so well stabilized, from B category up there are no real bad cabins.

[soccerfootballmom]

We're on the Verandah deck on an upcoming Zan cruise...does that mean we have the life boat issue or the lido deck issue?

[LAX]

Thanks everyone. My TA's response (this is my first time working with her) to my concern is that she would only label 4 cabins of all the category B cabins as "less desireable" because they are directly above the show lounge. She said it can get noisey when the show is on. My initial thought is when does the last show end (am I going to have trouble getting a good night sleep)? Also, how good is the sound-proofing of the cabins? Anyone with experience in those cabins? I really don't mind swinging the extra cash for the category A (it's really not that much more in light of what I will end up spending), but if there isn't that much of a difference, I would rather spend that some where else. Thanks.

LAX

[grannynurse]

and on which deck?

The shows end shortly after 11pm except for the crew shows which start at 11:15 and end near midnight, there would probably be 1 on a 7-day and 2 on a cruise longer than 11 days.

Really there is no down side to a B or above which was stated earlier.

These "mini-suite" cabins are much larger than those on ther lines and have a lot of closet and storage space. Please don't worry, I'm sure you'll be happy with the A or the B.

I'm sorry that I even mentioned the tenders, they are not an issue at all. Out to sea they do not obstruct views, and it is fun watching crew launch them while the ship is moving. I didn't mean to open a can of worms. It's not a problem.
GN

[soccerfootballmom]

I'm sorry that I even mentioned the tenders, they are not an issue at all. Out to sea they do not obstruct views, and it is fun watching crew launch them while the ship is moving. I didn't mean to open a can of worms. It's not a problem.
GN

lol...okay ;)

[LAX]

Anyone else can comment? Thanks in advance.

LAX