WESTERDAM: Cabin #5185 TELL ME I DIDN'T MAKE A MISTAKE

[many cruises]

We are booked on the Westerdam in November in Cabin #5185 (in our first AFT Balcony). Please tell us that we didn't make a mistake. We read about ash falling from smokestacks on the deck 4 aft balconies...will it be a problem on deck #5 aft balconies? Also, I read about much engine vibration on aft balconies on deck 4...does this also affect aft balconies on deck 5? We like the movement of the ship, but I'm not sure how we feel about the engine vibration.

Thanks for your help!

[Atomica]

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

As for ash from the smokestacks falling on balconies, I don't think that's possible - or at least, I've never seen it. The exhaust is diesel smoke, which shouldn't result in ash dropping on any part of the ship. As I say, I've never seen it on any cruise ship. I doubt that will be a problem.

Engine vibration - you will barely feel any at all. Will you feel more than a cabin all the way forward? Sure. But I don't think we're talking about anything extreme. There are some people on this board who cruise almost exclusively in the aft balcony cabins, so they must be good to get people to come back to them again and again.

In short - don't worry! You didn't make a bad choice.

[drmusic]

We were in cabin 5184 on the Zuiderdam back in April. I never saw any ash from any smokestacks, and never even thought about it. Never felt any engine vibration other than what you generally feel while on the ship.
We loved the cabin and the spent a lot of time out on the balcony watching the dophins playing in the wake of the ship.
Have a great trip.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We have been on the Oosterdam in 3 times, two of those times in cabin 5187 right next door. Never once did we have any ash on our balcony or chairs. We also never had any debrie from above. I can understand that it could happen but in both times our balcony was always extremely clean. We also do not think there is a problem with others seeing you. Never once did I feel that. Yes, there is motion in the aft but we are on a ship the "Ocean has motion" Yes it had a ever so slightly different feel than mid ship but you very quickly adjust to it. We never felt any type of vibration that was different than any other place on the ship.

The only thing with this cabin is you will get your exercise if you frequent places at the front of the ship but then a little walking never hurt anyone:D I think you will love it and will want to return. We did and have it booked again.:)

[many cruises]

Thanks everyone for all of your help. We were hoping that the answers would be positive.

[fcorey]

We read about ash falling from smokestacks on the deck 4 aft balconies...

I'm realy surprised to read that, diesel particulate in the exhaust is quite small, it is somewhat dirty producing a soot, but I've never seen ash spewing from the exhaust on a ship. Ash is usually caused by the burning of lubricating fluids with the combustion of fuel. If there is visible ash it probably is the result a maintenance condition. I wouldnt worry about it chances are very slim.
Its a fantastic room choice, hope you have a great trip

[Navy_Chief]

Hmmmm....no ash from the ship's propulsion, maybe from an uncaring smoker....but not from the stacks. The modern cruisers as pointed out are diesel and gas turbine powered which burn very clean these days.

[lougee1043]

The only thing with this cabin is you will get your exercise if you frequent places at the front of the ship but then a little walking never hurt anyone:D I think you will love it and will want to return. We did and have it booked again.:)

why didnt you use the elevator that goes to the front of the ship???--or was it still broken????

[doone]

I had 5185 as well on the Zuiderdam, LOVED this cabin as I am sure you will as well. No, we never had any soot or trash on our balcony, other than the occassional napkin or so, but nothing that would ever deter us from ever booking that cabin again. Go and enjoy.

[Charliesmom]

You are in the best location in the ship. You will LOVE your aft balcony. Also, that room is a bit larger than the aft balcony staterooms on higher floors. We had 5187 and had about two feet more space (by the width of the cabin) than the 7133 we had the year before (same location two floors above). The balcony is very large. Plus, being lower down, there is a bit less motion than higher up.

Roberta

[shonuf]

I hate to be the lone dissenter BUT we did notice ash/soot or somesuch when we were in an aft suite on the Zuiderdam. We didn't notice it until we had walked out on the deck barefooted and then got in the shower and there were black footprints everywhere! The occasional straw wrapper or sugar packet found their way to our balcony but were cleaned up by the steward each morning.

Was it enough of a problem to not want to book that area again? No way. We were on the O in Laffnvegas' favorite #5187 and will be on the Zuiderdam in January, again on the aft. Love that view of the wake.

Now, when we were on the Galaxy last year, in a mid-ship Sky Suite, ash was a real problem. We couldn't leave anything out on our deck while anchored or docked because we would find it covered in ash when we returned. When the ship was underway, there wasn't a problem for us, maybe the folks in aft cabins.

[Crazy]

We are booked on the Westerdam in November in Cabin #5185 (in our first AFT Balcony). Please tell us that we didn't make a mistake. We read about ash falling from smokestacks on the deck 4 aft balconies...will it be a problem on deck #5 aft balconies? Also, I read about much engine vibration on aft balconies on deck 4...does this also affect aft balconies on deck 5? We like the movement of the ship, but I'm not sure how we feel about the engine vibration.

Thanks for your help!


We were in #4185 in June. Yes, there was engine vibration, but it didn't bother me. My girl friend commented on the vibration -- I guess I was so excited about this cabin and the wrap around balcony I didn't notice. Also, we didn't experience any ash falling and we spent a good deal of time on that wonderful balcony. It is going to be hard going back to a regular balcony since I experienced an "aft".

Emily

[ortrud]

Hello Many Cruises,
I Am Sure You Will Enjoy Your Aft Balcony, The View Is Great And So Is The Size. I Never Heard About This Before But We Had An Aft Suite Balcony On The Costa Magica. We Where Happy Until We Went To Sea, After That Our Aft Balcony Was Covered With Black Oily Soot Every Morning. Forget About Breakfast Outside. Our Steward Cleaned Every Day And Always Covered The Chairs With Fresh Towels. No Use, Just A Small Drop Of This Stuff, You Wipe And It,s Smeared All Over.could'nt Go Out Barefoot, Feet Always Black.
We Where Very Unhappy With Costa, Won't Go With Them Again.
Ortrud

[fcorey]

many cruises, I'll put my money where my mouth is... I just upgraded my room on the oosterdam on 10/7 from vc5028 to va5182 :D , it will only be our 2nd cruise, first veranda, first HAL cruise

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Here is a picture of breakfast out on the aft balcony. This was our first full day/ Sea Day. It was definitely clean out there.


http://p.webshots.com/img/clear.gifhttp://p.webshots.com/img/clear.gif
http://image62.webshots.com/162/8/37/22/478583722LETsao_ph.jpg (http://community.webshots.com/photo/478479805/1478583722028362306LETsao#)

[Scrumpy]

I hate to be the lone dissenter BUT we did notice ash/soot or somesuch when we were in an aft suite on the Zuiderdam... .

We also had some debris - if not ash, I don't know what it was. Tiny black bits of stuff. It was on the furniture and on the deck. Seemed worse in the morning for whatever reason. Was it bad enough to stop us booking an aft balcony again? No way. Not even close! It was wonderful and we only had to be a little careful about sitting down out there. It's not exactly a hardship for me to lean against the railing :) It wasn't the kind of thing I commented on at the time; it was notable only because I'd read various accounts about it on CC. Not something to complain about to the staff. I figured it went with the territory and was unavoidable. Some folks never seem to have the problem, so perhaps it is from other passengers :confused:

[Dog Mommie]

It's been about 10 years ago, but we were on a Royal C. ship, standing on the back of the ship waiting for a table to clear....looked down and had quarter+ size of black soot/ash all over my white blouse! :eek:

About that time a number of others noticed it "raining" this stuff!

Their laundry couldn't get it out of our clothing...'course all they did was refund us the laundry bill.:(

Don't know if there is just a particular time that this occurs, but we do think back on that experience when we book now!

[JaiOfChi]

We were in #4185 in June. Yes, there was engine vibration, but it didn't bother me. My girl friend commented on the vibration -- I guess I was so excited about this cabin and the wrap around balcony I didn't notice. Also, we didn't experience any ash falling and we spent a good deal of time on that wonderful balcony. It is going to be hard going back to a regular balcony since I experienced an "aft".

Emily
Hello Emily,

I've been waiting for your review of #4185. I'll be on the Westerdam in October in the same room. Please either post your review (did I miss it?) or email me your review (jaiofchi@yahoo.com). Hope you're feeling better!

Joey

[Grumpy1]

Under certain conditions, any diesel engine can have some particulate matter in the exhaust. Whether it will land on a particular deck will depend on wind direction, ship speed, humidity and probably a few other factors. I've seen soot on balconies on the side of the ship when conditions are just right. If there is a soot problem or vibration problem on Westerdam aft, we'll know about it at the end of October. We're booked in 5187.:D

[fcorey]

Under certain conditions, any diesel engine can have some particulate matter in the exhaust. Whether it will land on a particular deck will depend on wind direction, ship speed, humidity and probably a few other factors. I've seen soot on balconies on the side of the ship when conditions are just right. If there is a soot problem or vibration problem on Westerdam aft, we'll know about it at the end of October. We're booked in 5187.:D

Grumpy1, i've seen soot also, thats common with most diesel plants, they didnt call old diesel submaries "pig boats" for nothing :) also some of those old tubs like the one NavyChief used to serve on. I was surprised about ash, ash usually isnt produced in noticable amounts unless there are problems in combustion of lubricant or high sulfur fuels. However its probably made worse by environmental conditions and while the ship is at idle.

In any case I cant wait until 10/7 for our trip on the O'dam in 5182

Seems like 5187 is the cabin of choice with the veteran CC members here :)

[RedmondCruiser]

Aft cabins are great. They have hugh verandas and you'll enjoy what will seem like your own private deck. The soot issue can be visited by all cabins aft of the stack. Have a good time.

[RedmondCruiser]

Aft cabins are great. They have hugh verandas and you'll enjoy what will seem like your own private deck. The soot issue can be visited by all cabins aft of the stack. Have a good time.