Looking for info on handicap cabin 5137, Westerdam

[Gramsk]

Can anyone tell me anything about Cabin 5137 on the Westerdam, is it much bigger than a regular cabin and what about the balcony, is it accessible for the wheelchair. Any tips on this cabin would be appreciated. We are booked for May 28th to Alaska.

[Oceanwench]

We've not stayed in that particular cabin, but we have sailed on the Westerdam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam.

HC cabins are generally bigger, to accommodate a wheelchair or scooter. They have wider doorways, accessible closets, roll-in showers, raised toilets, grab bars, etc.
There is a button by the bed that controls the drapes.
Many HC cabins do not have a tub.

Yes, the balcony is accessible. There will be a ramp going up to it from the room, and a small ramp on the other side. From looking at the deck plans, I think you have a larger-than-usual balcony due to the location of your cabin.
We had a similar balcony when we were in an SS cabin on the Zuiderdam, and it is lovely.

Have a wonderful cruise! HAL does a great job accommodating people with handicaps. If you have any questions, call the Seattle office -- they have staff who deal exclusively with HC issues.

[the2ofus]

We stayed in 5139, the verandah cabin just aft of 5137. Your verandah is slightly larger and longer because of the configuration of the ship at that point. We peeked in the doorway of 5137 one day when the steward was making up the cabin. It appeared larger than ours by quite a bit. The bed was made up as a queen size and there was a lot of space for a wheelchair to maneuver in the cabin. Did not see the bathroom, of course.

[Gramsk]

We stayed in 5139, the verandah cabin just aft of 5137. Your verandah is slightly larger and longer because of the configuration of the ship at that point. We peeked in the doorway of 5137 one day when the steward was making up the cabin. It appeared larger than ours by quite a bit. The bed was made up as a queen size and there was a lot of space for a wheelchair to maneuver in the cabin. Did not see the bathroom, of course.
Thank you for the info, I thought the balcony would be quite a bit larger from the looks of the deck plan. We are so looking forward to our cruise and to know my DH will be comfortable with the cabin accomodations and access to the balcony. We are traveling with our cruising buddies and they will be in the cabin next to us, so having the larger balcony will be really nice. Thanks again, it is so wonderful to be able to get our questions answered on Cruise Critic, everyone is so helpful (do you think cruises make people nicer? I DO)

[blue whale]

My sister was in 5140 on the Noordam, the comparable stateroom to the one you are considering on Westerdam. It was twice the size of our cabin, 5138, which was the one next to it. The bathroom in her room was wheelchair accessible, with a roll in shower that had a pull down seating bench. And yes, there was a ramp up to the balcony, which was considerably larger. Interestingly, because we also were at the "bend" in the ship, our balcony was just a tad larger, too. The handicapped cabin my sister occupied had a round table near the window area, with two chairs. She loved having tea at the table, looking out through the sliding glass doors. She did not have a couch, as we did. But you will love your cabin, if it is anything like hers. By the way, although HAL has wheelchairs, my sister always brings her own. That way she never has to wait for one to become available. Enjoy