First cruise on HAL- Zaandam cabin question

[ndrh20]

Hi Everybody:) ,
My Fiance' and I just booked our first sailing on a HAL ship. We got a great deal on a Dec 2005 sailing of the Zaandam. We are booked in cabin 1814 on Dolphin deck and was just wondering if anyone has any experience in this cabin. My agent said she could switch us to a guarantee if I decide we didn't want this cabin, so I am just trying to get some info. We want an outside cabin but we want to keep costs down because we are also going to try and take a SCUBA trip this year. We are in our late 30's and normally cruise with Princess and just love them but have heard alot of praise for HAL so we are going to give them a shot. Any other advice or hints for HAL would also be appreciated. We can't wait and have started our countdown.

Patrick

Sun Princess Inaugural '95
SeaWind Crown '96
Bonaire Dive trips '96, '97
Costa Victoria '98
Dawn Princess '98
Grand Princess '99
Cozumel Dive trips '99, '00, '02, '04
Sea Princess '01
Grand Princess '03

[ndrh20]

Thanks

[arzz]

Don't know 1814 -- but we do know 1839 and had a wonderful cruise in that cabin. As an outside it was virtually the same as all other outsides and the ride from there, even in rough seas with the stabalizers out (yes, we did experience some 20' waves with faulty stabalizers on the ship a couple of years ago) she rode very well (FYI- we have been on the Zaandam since then and have never experienced the stabalizer issues again -- it was a one time occurance and was fixed -- in fact the mechanics were on board with us working to get them fixed on the cruise in question) -- from the deck diagram looks like 1814 may have a curved wall and therefore be a little smaller or differently configured but not by much since it is the first cabin with a slight curve of the bulkhead.

If it were me, I would take a guarantee. We have not yet been disappointed in an HAL guarantee and have 3 out of 3 times ended up with a cabin in a higher category (that luck, however, could leave us at any time as it is clear from reading this Board that the upgrade fairy is fickle and unpredictable) I am happy in almost any cabin as long as I am at sea, and the only place to go from 1814 is up -- if you are picky, however, stay with the assigned cabin as you could end up with one in the same category but one of the ones that are smashed right up in the bow and definitely look a little smaller. I would say that this is definitely your call

[ndrh20]

Thanks for the repsonse- I normally would take the guarantee, however I do not want to get an outside cabin on the Promenade deck- don't really like the idea of people walking past my window all day/night and worry about who is looking in???

[the2ofus]

There's really not a problem with people looking into Lower Prom cabins. The windows have a mirror coating on the outside. If you press your nose to the window you can still only see vague shapes inside. Just keep the sheer drapes drawn during the day and draw the heavier drapes when you are in the cabin at night with the lights on.

There is not a lot of traffic on the Lower Prom anyway, except early a.m. and late afternoon when people seem to walk their mile.

The big plus is that you have the wrap-around verandah right outside your cabin. :D

[ndrh20]

Thanks for the responses- after reading about the mirrored windows on the promenade deck we had our agent switch us to a guarantee. This will be our first cruise on HAL so any other insight would be greatly appreciated. Is the Pinnacle worth trying?
Thanks again for the responses.
This is the first forum board I have ever joined and have spent several hours each evening since- just reading through all the posts. Very informative and entertaining-- THANKS EVERYBODY

[jima53]

Dont' forget the ice cream man on the lido deck. Love that coconut ice cream and toppings.

Jim

[southern_yarddog]

If you change to a guarantee you are also likely to recieve an obstructive veiw or porthole. On the pinnacle Grill subject, you will really want to eat there. Very nice indeed. Hope you have a great cruise.