Newbie Questions (Zuid and Crib Prince).

[zdude]

I have never been on a cruise, but want to do something cool for the 80 or so y.o. parents. My S.O. and I are 40 something and can still have a great time at present our choice is pretty much nailed down to the Zuid. and the Carib. Princess. Two different lines. If anyone can comment/compare, that would be really cool.

Otherwise I have a ? or two on the zuid.

1) If you book S class you get a great room, you get into the Neptune and Concierge, fine, what does that get you? Does the Neptune/Concierge help a lot? What is the Neptune like? Still pay for drinks?

2) Where do you get the best deal on a HAL/Zuid cruise? I have seen S class for about $1600 in 4/05 is that a good deal? Best I can get?

I absolutely love fine wine. The wine lists that I have seen on Zuid seem OK, but nothing like what I could put together. Any possible way to bring on 3 or 4 bottles of wine?

Thanks!

[KSCnCA]

Regarding wine: you may bring on wine and champagne for consumption in your cabin or pay corkage ($17.50 l think) if you want to bring it to the dining room or Pinnacle.

I will let others tell you about S deals/perks as I have only experienced a verandah cabin.

[jaguarstyper]

I have never been on a cruise, but want to do something cool for the 80 or so y.o. parents. My S.O. and I are 40 something and can still have a great time at present our choice is pretty much nailed down to the Zuid. and the Carib. Princess.


zdude,
Im not sure if I entirely understand what your saying about 80 or so something...but, I think I can answer your questions.

The Neptune Lounge is not a bar and only serves coffee and juices. They do have cappuccinos and espressos, as well as a variety ot tasty treats to eat throughout the day including a continental breakfast. All are free of charge. The Concierge is there to attempt to do for you what ever your heart desires. As a suite passenger, you'll never need to deal with the front desk or the hotel manager. The Concierge can take care of most anything you need. It really depends on what you want. On one cruise, we hardly ever bothered them. On another cruise, we were hosting guests and bothered the Concierge continuously. They helped arranged a cocktail party in our suite, arranged for appetizers for sailaways and were just very helpful, in general. They also can arrange all of your shore excursions for you.

The S suite also comes with full laundry and drycleaning service, priority tendering, Pinnacle Grill preferred reservations, and a bunch of other little perks I cant even remember. Its well worth the price of admission.

As for the price, we have always booked through cruisedirect.com and have been quite satisfied. Our April 2004 cruise on Zuiderdam was right around $1600 per pax for an S Suite, and I felt that was a decent price. We booked three suites. We just booked on the Zuiderdam for October and were able to get an S suite for just over $1000 per pax. This is for an S suite with 3 pax. It would have been about $1300 per pax with only 2. You may be able to shop around for a better price, but $1600 sounds about right to me.

As for the wine, you could bring 3 or 4 cases aboard if you want to. Its no problem bringing wine and champagne, just no beer or liquor. Screwy, but thats the rules. There is a corkage fee for serving your own wine at dinner. $17 sticks in my mind, but dont quote me on that.

I highly recommend an S Suite. Its the only way to go. if your a sunlover, I would recommend an aft S suite, preferably 5186 or 5187. The verandahs are better than you'll find on any ship, anywhere.

I cant really compare to Princess, since I've not been on Princess. But, I am totally sold on HAL.

Tim

[zdude]

Thanks. I mean 80 or so year old.

[jaguarstyper]

Oh, now I get it. I think taking your parents on a cruise is a great idea. Not something I could ever deal with, but thats a-whole-nother thread.

What a nice thing to do. I'm certain you'll enjoy the Zuiderdam. My wife and I are in our early 40s and we love HAL and the Zuiderdam. Especially the aft corner suites with the huge wraparound verandah.

Tim