Pacific Coastal aft cabin on Zuiderdam?

[canadianbear]

Thinking of doing the 4 night Pacific Coastal aboard the Zuiderdam from San Diego to Vancouver in May. We've tried a deluxe verandah suite, a superior verandah suite and now thinking of trying an aft (possibly deck 5 regular balcony). I'm wondering if there will be a lot more "movement" if the seas are rough or would it be "fun"! Touch wood, but I haven't gotten sick from rough seas yet but have always been mid ship.

Another reason I want to try this 4 night cruise is because of all the complaints about the ship lately-especially the washrooms. We have booked a 22 day Panama Canal cruise for 2013 on the Zuiderdam and thought maybe we'd get a feel for this ship and then make a decision on whether to cancel the 2013 and book something else.

[Barrick]

We had an aft cabin on Celebrity Millenium cruising from Hawaii to Vancouver and it was awesome. Didnt feel any extra movement, and will always try and get an aft cabin from now on. In fact we are on the Oosterdam cruise Vancouver to Hawaii and back in April, and we booked an aft cabin. It's a great view, and the balconies tend to be much larger.

[DaveOKC]

Thinking of doing the 4 night Pacific Coastal aboard the Zuiderdam from San Diego to Vancouver in May. We've tried a deluxe verandah suite, a superior verandah suite and now thinking of trying an aft (possibly deck 5 regular balcony). I'm wondering if there will be a lot more "movement" if the seas are rough or would it be "fun"! Touch wood, but I haven't gotten sick from rough seas yet but have always been mid ship.

Another reason I want to try this 4 night cruise is because of all the complaints about the ship lately-especially the washrooms. We have booked a 22 day Panama Canal cruise for 2013 on the Zuiderdam and thought maybe we'd get a feel for this ship and then make a decision on whether to cancel the 2013 and book something else.

I am on the same costal, so I was wondering how you are able to select your cabin on this cruise? I was only able to get a "guarantee".

DaveOKC

[canadianbear]

Thanks Barrick-I have read people either love them or hate them. I would hate to be on a long cruise and hate it!

DaveOKC: have you done this Pacific Coastal before or is this your first? You are right-it's only guarantees available but I thought I might ask our TA to put in a request for an aft-whichever deck instead of a request for midship. I was dreaming....a girl can dream can't she!

[startwin]

Thanks Barrick-I have read people either love them or hate them. I would hate to be on a long cruise and hate it!

DaveOKC: have you done this Pacific Coastal before or is this your first? You are right-it's only guarantees available but I thought I might ask our TA to put in a request for an aft-whichever deck instead of a request for midship. I was dreaming....a girl can dream can't she!


It is possible.... I'm on the ship for the whole 22 days, and some who have the aft cabins booked are leaving in San Diego. So you just never know! A few people doing the coastal have joined our roll call... come on over.

[DaveOKC]

Thanks Barrick-I have read people either love them or hate them. I would hate to be on a long cruise and hate it!

DaveOKC: have you done this Pacific Coastal before or is this your first? You are right-it's only guarantees available but I thought I might ask our TA to put in a request for an aft-whichever deck instead of a request for midship. I was dreaming....a girl can dream can't she!

I have been on two coastals from San Diego to Vancouver. The frist one we somehow were able to pick our cabin (it was about 5-6 years ago). The second (2 years ago) we could only get guarantees (but ended up with a great location for our S). That second one was a 6 day and I sure wish they had that option again!

DaveOKC

[jankn]

We have started getting aft corner cabins and have learned that is a big mistake....because now thats all we want....also have found that we would prefer to be on the 5th deck aft corners as the decks and suites are larger than the others but the others sure arent anything to complain about. :rolleyes: We are doing a Panama Canal cruise again soon and cant wait to enjoy .... We havent noticed any more motion or noises in the aft than other areas...

[Roz]

I'm booked on the same coastal cruise, and have an SC guarantee. I know the conventional wisdom here at Cruise Critic is to select a mid-ship cabin, but I've loved every aft cabin I've had, regardless of ship or cruise line.

Roz

[canadianbear]

Thanks for the opinions everyone....we have in fact canceled our 4 day cruise at this point but if it turns out we can go it would be last minute and would join the roll call for sure. Thanks again and maybe see you on the ship if things work out for us.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Thinking of doing the 4 night Pacific Coastal aboard the Zuiderdam from San Diego to Vancouver in May. We've tried a deluxe verandah suite, a superior verandah suite and now thinking of trying an aft (possibly deck 5 regular balcony). I'm wondering if there will be a lot more "movement" if the seas are rough or would it be "fun"! Touch wood, but I haven't gotten sick from rough seas yet but have always been mid ship.

Another reason I want to try this 4 night cruise is because of all the complaints about the ship lately-especially the washrooms. We have booked a 22 day Panama Canal cruise for 2013 on the Zuiderdam and thought maybe we'd get a feel for this ship and then make a decision on whether to cancel the 2013 and book something else.
Curious how you think you may get one of those corner aft cabins on the Zuiderdam:confused: Every single cabin category for the 4 day repo is Guarantee, I know because I am already booked on this and also doing the 7 day Alaska as a B2B. A few weeks ago if you placed in that you needed a triple cabin for a SC then there were three different cabins showing available but as of today they are all gone and if you state there are three people it states there are no cabins available.

But back to your original questions we were on deck 8 SB Corner aft for the Hawaii cruise on the Oosterdam and we thought it was great with very little movement. I have sailed in the corner afts more times than I can count and have never felt that there was any more movement.

[canadianbear]

Curious how you think you may get one of those corner aft cabins on the Zuiderdam:confused: Every single cabin category for the 4 day repo is Guarantee, I know because I am already booked on this and also doing the 7 day Alaska as a B2B. A few weeks ago if you placed in that you needed a triple cabin for a SC then there were three different cabins showing available but as of today they are all gone and if you state there are three people it states there are no cabins available.

But back to your original questions we were on deck 8 SB Corner aft for the Hawaii cruise on the Oosterdam and we thought it was great with very little movement. I have sailed in the corner afts more times than I can count and have never felt that there was any more movement.

It wasn't a corner one it was a VA guarantee and was hoping just to have the TA put in that we'd like to try an aft if possible-it's like any other request-they can ignore it or some times the magic fairy happens. Doesn't hurt to ask but we have had to cancel now anyway.:(

I was asking opinions because we are booked for the 22 night Panama in 2013 and was trying to decide between the VA aft (currently we have an SY booked) and had hoped just to try out a VA aft if possible for the 4 nighter. I am happy with the cabin we have chosen for 2013 but am really interested in trying an aft on a short cruise first. Will try it another time I'm sure.

[lorekauf]

I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth on this type of cruise. I've done a few of them and they all have been very rough so it wouldn't matter what type of cabin you were in. One time we had 30 foot waves. If you do decide to take this cruise go into it knowing that you could possibly have a rough go. I'm sure others will tell you it can be smooth as glass. This has not been my experience.

[canadianbear]

Lorekauf: Thanks for your honesty-I have heard that before and I guess it's hit or miss with the weather-I don't mind a bit of rough seas (have had 25' but nothing more thank heavens). We shall see what happens closer to the cruise if we can go and if there is still space available.

[lorekauf]

25 feet is bad enough:eek:. I just like to mention it in case some don't know. The 2nd from the last last time I did it was the 30 foot waves. There were newbies on that cruise. I felt so bad for them because I'm pretty sure that was their first and last cruise. Thankfully, in my 26 cruises that's as bad as it's been.

[startwin]

25 feet is bad enough:eek:. I just like to mention it in case some don't know. The 2nd from the last last time I did it was the 30 foot waves. There were newbies on that cruise. I felt so bad for them because I'm pretty sure that was their first and last cruise. Thankfully, in my 26 cruises that's as bad as it's been.

It was like that in September. Usually it's really calm then - we always do Alaska at the end of the season, but this year was a real adventure, LOL.:eek: You just can't tell what it's going to be like. I'm on all the way from FLL to Vancouver, and I already know, thanks to this year's Alaska cruise, that we can handle rough seas. We've never had it bad between Vancouver and LA or San Diego before...... but that's not to say it won't be:(.

[canadianbear]

We are back and can go on this 4 day cruise-just found out today and went ahead and booked it-signed up on the roll call too! Yahoo...I can hardly wait.
I just wanted a chance to check out the Zuiderdam before our 2013 cruise. Doesn't even matter to me if the seas are calm or rough-bring it on!

[O2B@C]

Enjoy your cruise! Please come back and share your thoughts on the Zuiderdam. DH and I are booked on her trans-Panama repo going the other direction in October, and I'd love to hear what your experience was like.

[IRL_Joanie]

We are back and can go on this 4 day cruise-just found out today and went ahead and booked it-signed up on the roll call too! Yahoo...I can hardly wait.
I just wanted a chance to check out the Zuiderdam before our 2013 cruise. Doesn't even matter to me if the seas are calm or rough-bring it on!

YES!!!!!!!!! Awesome to read this my friend!!!!!!! You need it and will truly enjoy it:)

Joanie

[canadianbear]

O2B@C: I will certainly come back and let you know how we liked it. I'm pleased that we got our VA aft that I wanted to try. Figured I could survive a 4 day cruise to try an aft just in case I hate it :rolleyes:

Joanie: You are so right-we need just a little break in more ways than one :o

[startwin]

O2B@C: I will certainly come back and let you know how we liked it. I'm pleased that we got our VA aft that I wanted to try. Figured I could survive a 4 day cruise to try an aft just in case I hate it :rolleyes:

Joanie: You are so right-we need just a little break in more ways than one :o

You got an aft? Well done - I thought they were sold out and here was I waiting and hoping for an upsell:(- been booked for the past 14 months for the full 22-days cruise! Hope to see you onboard at the 2nd M&G.

All categories are saying "call for price and availability" so I guess that means its not sold out after all.

[canadianbear]

You got an aft? Well done - I thought they were sold out and here was I waiting and hoping for an upsell:(- been booked for the past 14 months for the full 22-days cruise! Hope to see you onboard at the 2nd M&G.

All categories are saying "call for price and availability" so I guess that means its not sold out after all.

On the website it showed a couple of VA afts available (not a deluxe aft!!) ...at least it did last time I checked-guess some people weren't continuing to Vancouver so they finally opened up the cabins for sale for the 4 day trip.

I will be going to the M&G-never been to one before and it sure sounds like there are a lot of you that are staying on board the whole time....Can I hunt you down and pick your brain?!!

[startwin]

On the website it showed a couple of VA afts available (not a deluxe aft!!) ...at least it did last time I checked-guess some people weren't continuing to Vancouver so they finally opened up the cabins for sale for the 4 day trip.

I will be going to the M&G-never been to one before and it sure sounds like there are a lot of you that are staying on board the whole time....Can I hunt you down and pick your brain?!!


email on it's way to you.:)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

On the website it showed a couple of VA afts available (not a deluxe aft!!) ...at least it did last time I checked-guess some people weren't continuing to Vancouver so they finally opened up the cabins for sale for the 4 day trip.

I will be going to the M&G-never been to one before and it sure sounds like there are a lot of you that are staying on board the whole time....Can I hunt you down and pick your brain?!!
Question are you requesting a Triple cabin?

[canadianbear]

Question are you requesting a Triple cabin?

No...we booked a cabin for my husband and I. It's a VA-regular balcony cabin. Does it make a difference? I'm not quite understanding your question.

[santanna]

My sister and I were in an aft cabin on the Crown Princess from Quebec to Ft. Lauderdale and then to the Caribbean - 21 days. We liked it enough that we have aft cabins on our upcoming Vancouver - Hawaii return cruise in April on the Oosterdam.
The only difference that we noted that was because of the configuration of the cabin, your bed rocks from head-to-toe rather than side-to side as in a port or starboard cabin. We were bucking gale force winds almost as far as NYC so there was some extra motion, but it wasn't much of an issue.
I understand the seas can be rough across the Pacific for the first few days so we'll see. I had the same cabin for an overnighter with my grandson last year and because the balcony was so deep, we were able to enjoy being outside without getting wet.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

No...we booked a cabin for my husband and I. It's a VA-regular balcony cabin. Does it make a difference? I'm not quite understanding your question.
No I apologize it was sounding like you knew exactly which cabin/location you got for the Coastal and that is NOT possible :o They are only giving cabins numbers for the 4 day Coastal if you wanted a triple or quad. Selecting a VA Guarantee does not mean you will be on the Aft, there are many Forward VA cabins unless you needed a sspecific H/C cabin then they do make exceptions.

[canadianbear]

No I apologize it was sounding like you knew exactly which cabin/location you got for the Coastal and that is NOT possible :o They are only giving cabins numbers for the 4 day Coastal if you wanted a triple or quad. Selecting a VA Guarantee does not mean you will be on the Aft, there are many Forward VA cabins unless you needed a sspecific H/C cabin then they do make exceptions.

Ok...I was kind of confused! We have, in the past, traveled with 3 in a Superior, and 4 in a deluxe, but this time it's just hubby and me and trying a VA...one day hope to get a penthouse to try! :rolleyes:

[canadianbear]

Santana: We have been warned that the seas can be very rough on the Pacific Coastal. We had 25' when on the Canada/New England and I did really well. I am up for the adventure whether we get calm seas or high seas....just need the brief getaway. Bed rocking a different way-hmmm:cool:

I hope you get calm seas in your aft for your Hawaii trip-that sounds like a great one to do. It does sound like people either love or hate the afts.

[CanuckCruizer]

No I apologize it was sounding like you knew exactly which cabin/location you got for the Coastal and that is NOT possible :o They are only giving cabins numbers for the 4 day Coastal if you wanted a triple or quad. Selecting a VA Guarantee does not mean you will be on the Aft, there are many Forward VA cabins unless you needed a sspecific H/C cabin then they do make exceptions.

LAFFNVEGAS - you were right in thinking that canadianbear knew where the cabin was going to be:) If you look at post #19 and #21, you will see that canadianbear does indeed have an "assigned aft VA". Lucky them!:D

Canuck

[startwin]

LAFFNVEGAS - you were right in thinking that canadianbear knew where the cabin was going to be:) If you look at post #19 and #21, you will see that canadianbear does indeed have an "assigned aft VA". Lucky them!:D

Canuck


Yes indeed - lucky thing! Something happened in the last few days where some cabins in various categories opened up, as I know of someone else who just got an assigned cabin for the coastal portion. It's all in the timing.:D

[CanuckCruizer]

Startwin - yes, timing can be good or bad. I once had the coveted corner aft balcony on RCCL for a Hawaii cruise - had the agent on the phone - was told I had it - 10 minutes later - they told me "sorry, someone took it while we were talking"!!!!! It is like Ticketmaster! Cabins being snapped up everywhere! I almost had an aneurysm:eek: screaming at them! They obviously did not "secure" it right.... Canadianbear did good.:)

Canuck

[canadianbear]

No I apologize it was sounding like you knew exactly which cabin/location you got for the Coastal and that is NOT possible :o They are only giving cabins numbers for the 4 day Coastal if you wanted a triple or quad. Selecting a VA Guarantee does not mean you will be on the Aft, there are many Forward VA cabins unless you needed a sspecific H/C cabin then they do make exceptions.


Actually, we have been assigned a VA aft cabin. Our PCC from Holland America knew I wanted any VA aft even though when he booked it the cabin was the same price as a superior-I did not want another superior, I wanted to try a VA aft. The window of opportunity was very small-it was like: now you see it now you don't! Booked and paid for within minutes. I was very impressed that our PCC kept his eyes open and grabbed it for us when it became available.

[startwin]

Does anyone know when, approximately, they start assigning the cabins for the 4-day portion? I would have thought they could do it quite early as they know who is getting off in San Diego. I have a friend joining us onboard for the SD - Van portion, and she is anxiously waiting, she has a C guarantee, I believe.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Does anyone know when, approximately, they start assigning the cabins for the 4-day portion? I would have thought they could do it quite early as they know who is getting off in San Diego. I have a friend joining us onboard for the SD - Van portion, and she is anxiously waiting, she has a C guarantee, I believe.
Normal is 18 days prior to sailing sometime a few days earlier but in a case like this where there are two disembarkations one for San Diego the other for Vancouver and the fact they already closed both for new bookings unless you get on the wait list. I would say they could start at about 4 weeks prior. You could see cabins get assigned then see it open back up to sell what they could have remaining.

[startwin]

Normal is 18 days prior to sailing sometime a few days earlier but in a case like this where there are two disembarkations one for San Diego the other for Vancouver and the fact they already closed both for new bookings unless you get on the wait list. I would say they could start at about 4 weeks prior. You could see cabins get assigned then see it open back up to sell what they could have remaining.

Thank you, I'll let her know to be patient awhile longer.

[DaveOKC]

Does anyone know when, approximately, they start assigning the cabins for the 4-day portion? I would have thought they could do it quite early as they know who is getting off in San Diego. I have a friend joining us onboard for the SD - Van portion, and she is anxiously waiting, she has a C guarantee, I believe.

The last Coastal we were on we thought the same thing - that as soon as the previous segment sailed we would be assigned. However, it was about 10 days out before we knew. I do not know why it is that way, it does not make sense to me, just seems to happen.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

The last Coastal we were on we thought the same thing - that as soon as the previous segment sailed we would be assigned. However, it was about 10 days out before we knew. I do not know why it is that way, it does not make sense to me, just seems to happen.
Dave 99% of the time it all has do to with how fast the sailing is selling and what is being sold.
Because we are sailing the following 7 days in Alaska and I do have a cabin number but do not have it marked "Do Not Upgrade" I know it is very possible I could get moved and assigned fairly early since the Alaska sailings are selling quite well and they do attempt to try to keep me in the same cabin for the full 11 days.