Ooosterdam Guarantee Suite?

[InTheCruisingYearsOfLife]

Up-to-now loyal NCL cruiser thinking of scoring a quick getaway to Mexico on the Oosterdam on Dec 3rd. Quick question for those in the know: If I book a Guarantee Suite ("Superior Verandah, SZ"), can I go badly wrong? I.e., do they have "Suites from hell?" I generally aschew "guarantee" staterooms when there are some lemons in the fruitbowl, as those are the inevitable assignment one can expect to get. (It's like trading my oceanfront view timeshare condo through Interval International, who seems to think that "equivalent value" means it's okay to trade me into dumpsterfront view.) But at the suite level, I would think there wouldn't be any, and they are quite a bit cheaper.

Thanks in advance!

InTheCruisingYearsOfLife

[Homala]

First, there are (I believe) only two SZ suites on the "O" so odds are pretty good you'll get upgraded to an SY or SS (or better!). If not, from what I can tell of the deck plans, the two SZ suites are pretty good, too, so that wouldn't be bad.

Second, there are some people who think that just about any cabin would be less than desirable for any number of reasons. For instance, on my last cruise (on the Oosterdam) I had an SZ and got assigned an SY. It was on deck 8 and we loved it. I've read some complaints about some of the cabins on deck 8, though, because that is directly below the Lido deck - we were underneath the pool area. Had no problem whatsoever, but some people hate that location.

Finally, I have an SZ guarantee on the "O" for my upcoming cruise in November. Although I'm hoping for an upgrade, I am fairly confident that I'll be happy with anything I get in that category or above.

Best of luck to you and happy cruising!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

First I must warn you Suite life on HAL is no where close to Suite life on NCL if that is what you normally booked with NCL.
Second a SZ category Superior Vernadah Suite is not a FULL Suite. It is kind of like booking a Mini Suite on NCL but the cabin is WAY Better than any NCL Mini Suite:) This is an area where HAL really shines. These cabins a very large as well as the balcony. The Bathrooms are exactly the same as a Full Suite with the double sink and shower tub combo and a seperate shower. This is an extremely nice set up and is actually about the same sq ft of an aft SF on the Gem Class. But with the SZ you do not get priority embarkation or access to the Neptune Lounge.

OK locations you could get you will either be assigned deck 6, 8 or Far Forward handicapped on Deck 5. 95% of the locations are excellent mostly mid ship. Some poeple do not like the Deck 8 Navigation Deck cabins because the feel they heard noises from the Lido Deck above. You will most likely be assigned an SS on Deck 8 because the SY cabins are normally taken. I really do not think any are really that bad and worth taking the risk :)

[Homala]

Lisa - you jogged my memory. We got an SS on deck 8, not an SY. Still loved it, despite a tiny bit of noise some evenings. We never lost any sleep.

[InTheCruisingYearsOfLife]

Thank you Holly and Lisa. Still mulling it over.:)

[LynnObie]

We only book the SZ Guarantee on the Oosterdam and now on her sister ship Westerdam. Lisa's description is very accurate. I doubt if there are any truly lousy locations. We've always been assigned either SY or SS, including on 2 bookings not shown on our list below that were cancelled for illness. We've never been lucky enough to get the full suite upgrade. These SZ-SY-SS cabins are spacious & comfortable..... just under 400 sq. ft. including balcony. If you haven't already looked at the room schematic & video on HAL's deck plan, you should check it out.

[scopewest]

The SS room is great size-wise but we were under the Lido deck and a few times heard chairs being dragged. But it wasn't enough to wake us up or really bother us as it didn't last very long. Love the bathroom!

[George'sGal]

If you want to really treat yourself, book an SB, specifically 8140. This stateroom is fabulous, with a huge veranda outfitted with a dining table to seat four and two chaises overlooking the stern. Additionally there is a wrap-around side veranda area with two club chairs, ottomans and a small table. What space! not to mention the size of the stateroom..... But these suites are not technically a suite,but an oversized stateroom, about 500 sq ft, with a marble topped bar at the entry and marble floor there as well, outfitted with a very large, angled sofa, a full sized coffee table and two club chairs opposite the beds.

When we were in this suite, we hosted the CC MnG party there - the beverage manager was very happy to do so, arriving at about ten a.m. to start set-ups for champagne and mimosa, including delicious horsd'ouvres and two attendants to do the serving! Now how accommodating is that?!?! We had about 40 people in attendance, and the veranda was not at all crowded

Donna:D (I grin just thinking about it!)