To sheebah.. please help!!

[ayalond]

hello,

we were on the same crusie last year.
my husband is actully in one of your pictures on that boat on the way to the baths.
anyhow i was wondering if you can help me?
we are booked again on the westerdam the wes. car. on oct 22 and i have the vb4178, i see that you stayed in vb 4183, will that be the same layout? did you like it? i can still change so just really wanted to know your opinion.
thanks aya!:confused:

[Sheebah]

Ayalond!
How crazy! I can't believe we were on the same cruise...oh dear...what photo was your husband in? I hope he doesn't mind that he is in the photo. You'll have to point it out to me. Where are you sailing this time?

I just checked the deck plans for your cabin, and yes, the layout is the same. The only different is that the one we stayed in is the ONLY triple cabin back there....funny thing is...we didn't NEED a triple. I think the cabin might be a tad wider than yours, but it won't make a difference. The room was very spacious, and very long compared to the other cabins in similar categories.

Yes, we liked the cabin, but will likely not sail on that particular deck level aft again. Here is why: 1) Ash does fall from the smokestacks on your deck. It is dirty. 2) There is very little breeze, it is totally exposed to the sun and quite toasty. We love the exposed balcony mini suites on the Princess ships, so it wasn't the sun that was the issue...it was the lack of airflow.....3) The engine vibration is extremely strong back there. Stuff would shimmy across our tables (i.e. a glass of rum and coke a'la jurassic park if you catch my drift!). It never goes away, and can be quite pronounced at night and in the morning...when you are trying to snooze. The wake view is lovely, but sometimes, the vibration from the engines is just too much. There is also something mystical about watching the ocean waves crash against the SIDE of the ship that is much more dramatic than watching in wake in my opinion. You can feel sort of isolated out back. But, if you are an optimistic person and you make the best of every cruise, you may want to try your aft cabin one time...you may love it. Many people on these boards rave about them. If I could afford an aft corner suite, I would cruise it in a heartbeat because of the wrap around decks...that would be a little slice of heaven. On the other hand, there are perks to that deck and that cabin. The hallways are extremely quiet back there...it is GREAT for privacy. Also, you are real close to the dining room...great for those high heeled evenings when you aren't up for the big trek.

Honestly, I would sail aft again, just much higher on the ship for a better view and less motion. The beauty of this cabin was the HUGE balcony. It was an experience we are glad we had because our cabin was larger than the standard ones (in length, not really width) and the large cabin was lovely for enjoying breakfasts and afternoon cocktails. I think I would just prefer more of a breeze in the future. We are booked on HAL again...next trip to Canada we got a steal on an S suite. We won't be able to afford that again, but we chose this cruise JUST because of the sweet suite deal. In December, we are sailing in a regular starboard midship cabin on the Oosterdam...I'll have to see how that goes and let you know.
hello,

we were on the same crusie last year.
my husband is actully in one of your pictures on that boat on the way to the baths.
anyhow i was wondering if you can help me?
we are booked again on the westerdam the wes. car. on oct 22 and i have the vb4178, i see that you stayed in vb 4183, will that be the same layout? did you like it? i can still change so just really wanted to know your opinion.
thanks aya!:confused:

[ayalond]

wow thanks for all that.
do you think should add money and go for a va still sft but higher deck?
last time we were on a regular side va i think it was 7020 loved it but wanted an aft so badly , and i have to say i think we got this way to cheap even cheapier then last year. weird.
but mabey i should get a va higer up just bec. its so low????

thanks again im goin to search ur picks and point out my husband...:D

[ayalond]

ok if this will work:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/slideshow?a=67b0de21b333bb3105ce&auto=0&idx=19&m=1&d=1154832446460
hes the one on the side standing white and red shirt.

plus this time were going to:
Fort Lauderdale 5:00 P
2 Mon, Oct 23 Half Moon Cay 8:00 A 4:00 P
3 Tue, Oct 24 Bahamas/Grand Turk 10:00 A 6:00 P
4 Wed, Oct 25 At Sea
5 Thu, Oct 26 Grand Cayman 8:00 A 4:00 P
6 Fri, Oct 27 Costa Maya 10:00 A 7:00 P
7 Sat, Oct 28 At Sea
8 Sun, Oct 29 Fort Lauderdale

[Sheebah]

Yes, I'd spend the $ and go higher....ours was a steal too...that is why we booked on that deck. In hindsight, we would do a higher aft (say deck 6 or 7 maybe?) any day....
Are you going back to the Caribbean...same itinerary but with Grand Turk?

[Sheebah]

Oh yes, I see him! Wow, that is quite a closeup. Tell him we owe him royalties!
The VA decks on 6 and 7 look good...I don't know if I would personally book on Deck 8, Navigation because I would fear the pool noise...but I am sensitive to that. Although those balconies look completely covered, and if they hose down the pool deck, having an exposed balcony could be an issue. I've also heard of cigarettes being dropped into them....

You'll do well either way. Have fun at the aft and share your photos when you return!

[Sheebah]

Ooh, sorry. I see your itinerary now. Wow, that is going to be a good one. All the good stuff and no Jamaica...Grand Cayman was pretty when I went there 10 years ago....I hear Costa Maya is gorgeous too.

[ayalond]

hey my husband loves being in pictures so hed take royalities any time...hehheh;)

anyhow yah i think ill call my guy monday and see what is the diif, for a va aft on 6 or 7?

i cant wait alredy to get on the ship now i hope these next 2 months will go by fast........

yah we were in the Grand Cayman a few years ago and loved the beach there but havent see the turks or costa maya yet so that should be cool.

if you wantthe phone number for that online agent i used ill give i to you he was cheapier then tons of sites i called un real how much cheapier.
if you dont mind me asking how much did u pay last year?????

[Sheebah]

I just looked and we paid Total: $1,694.76 for the two of us. That included taxes, fees...you name it. a STEAL compared to the fact that we EACH paid that for Alaska... Can you share the agent info? We can't do that on these boards right? You can email me at sherigriffiths@gmail.com

[ayalond]

so not bad we paid $1495 for both with all taxes and stuff.
ill send you his info rigt now on email

[Sheebah]

Yeah, you got a steal. Anything under $1000 is good if you have to book a flight along with the cruise...I'd say you did GREAT. Have a wonderful trip.