Air Conditioning REALLY cold?

[Songhee]

I am planning clothing for Zuiderdam's Panama Cruise in October and wonder whether the a/c is kept so cold I need to bring a coverup for all of my summer clothes? I always find this quite a challenge going from tropical to a/c places. Any experiences or suggestions would be appreciated. TIA

[RevNeal]

That's an excellent question.
I went to and through the canal on the Zaandam in October 2004 and found the ac to be adequate to, sometimes, a little bit weak. In our cabin I found it to be too warm for much of the time and the ac never really did manage to cool it down enough.

Around the rest of the ship I fond the ac to be functioning much better ... a NICE relief from the very hot and very very VERY humid conditions on the outside decks. Of course ... keep in mind that what one person finds comfortable and a relief will be too cold for others. I'm a guy ... and a large one ... and, hence, it's really rare that I find the ac to be "too cold." If, in general, you find yourself prone to being too chilly when in the ac, I suggest bringing a wrap.

[May4]

Songhee, I have always packed a light sweater just in case the inside air temps are too cool, but only need it occasionally. For me, a light wrap in the evenings during and after dinner is welcome.

(Somehow I haven't gotten so cold because of A/C since reaching, shall we say a certain milestone in a woman's life.) :p :rolleyes:

[Copper10-8]

Just a heads up, the A/C in the main show lounge on HAL's ship can be on the cold side at times. I know my wife always brings a light sweater and, on formal nights, some kind of shawl dohickie contraption (:o sorry ladies, don't know what that thing is called and she's at work) if it's one of those bare shoulder dresses:) . Also have taken off my jacket at times and have given it to her. But then again, she was born on a tropical island and gets cold easily. Bottom line is you never know about that A/C in the main lounge

[Juanita462]

We were on the Veendam through the Panama Canal in April and the room air conditioning could have been better but the dining room was freezing - we all had to bring sweaters and jackets every night. The first night some folks went back to their cabins for sweaters - now, it may have been only our part of the dining room but it certainly wasn't fixed in spite of many complaints. That is a first though as all in all other cruises the dining room was fine. The bottom line is that from now on I will always bring a light sweater and/or shawl even on a warm weather cruise.

[gizmo]

I have never found it cold. In most cases it has been too warm.

[RevNeal]

I have never found it cold. In most cases it has been too warm.

Thanks giz ... that tends to be more my experience. I never never been too cold. I have, sometimes, found it "just right." In such cases, however, I've noticed that some of the ladies think it's "too cold." That's why I indicated that opinions will -- obviously -- vary on the subject.

On the Noordam in Feb I found it horribly, oppressively hot in the main dining room ... and I wasn't alone in that impression. Our area of the dining room was awful. I understand they fixed the ac problem after we disembarked, but for our cruise (the maiden voyage) it was terrible. Other areas of the ship tended to be nice, and my cabin was excellent aboard her. But I was NEVER "too cold." My mother, however, I've seen FREEZING while I'm sweating. So ... again ... such experiences will vary.

[gizmo]

The dining room is usually the worst ! :eek: At times we can't wait to get out of there just to cool down.

[cruisecache&squash]

I froze on the Westerdam. My mom and I were playing trivia games just to try to win a HAL sweatshirt. We ended up winning a beach towel in a different activity and my mom, already having a few beach towels, traded hers for a sweatshirt that another woman had won in the trivia. My mom is the best! But I will always bring a jacket/sweatshirt on a cruise from now on! Better be safe than sorry since you just never know. But I'm easily chilled anyway so I should have known better.

[happy cruzer]

oooooops I can't edit my title, I am so embarrased, I don't even know what a seatsuit is?? don't want to guess.

I have two nice sweatsuits (for lack of a better name) one is solid black and the other is black and white ( I believe it is Liz Claiborn). The jackets of those are usually what I use if the ac is too much. And the suit is good for casual night or afternoon tea. so I don't pack an extra wrap, just use one I was taking anyway.

FYI In my opinion the days in the Panama Canal were some of the hotest and most humid I have ever experienced on a cruise ship. The ship does not sail at a speed to generate the breeze that is so wonderful on most at sea days. The canal is also a mechanical marvel. I always recommend finding a paperback on its history and learning a bit before hand to really enjoy what you are looking at. There will be a speaker on board most likely to tell you about the canal but the more you know ahead the more you notice. I've done the transit and the half transit where you turn around and come back out; both are wonderful. I'll probably do it many more times, can you tell I really enjoyed it???:p

[Copper10-8]

oooooops I can't edit my title, I am so embarrased, I don't even know what a seatsuit is?? don't want to guess.

I have two nice sweatsuits (for lack of a better name) one is solid black and the other is black and white ( I believe it is Liz Claiborn). The jackets of those are usually what I use if the ac is too much. And the suit is good for casual night or afternoon tea. so I don't pack an extra wrap, just use one I was taking anyway.

FYI In my opinion the days in the Panama Canal were some of the hotest and most humid I have ever experienced on a cruise ship. The ship does not sail at a speed to generate the breeze that is so wonderful on most at sea days. The canal is also a mechanical marvel. I always recommend finding a paperback on its history and learning a bit before hand to really enjoy what you are looking at. There will be a speaker on board most likely to tell you about the canal but the more you know ahead the more you notice. I've done the transit and the half transit where you turn around and come back out; both are wonderful. I'll probably do it many more times, can you tell I really enjoyed it???:p

Yes, we can Happy Cruzer! Agreed and good for you!:)

BTW, seat suits are specially configured Anti-G pressure suits used in the comode making industry to verify that the aforementioned sanitorial devices function and operate properly and as advertised and don't exhibit any unwanted leakages and other less desirable major malfunctions. It's a stinky job but someone's has to do it! No need to be embarrased;)

[Songhee]

Thanks all for the info. I realize it is a personal preference and with men in jackets and women in skimpy cocktail dresses it is hard for everyone to be happy. I will certainly make sure I have an all-purpose wrap. And, I appreciate the comments about the heat and humidity in the canal -- I will make sure that we have the lightest possible clothing for this portion of the trip. There is nothing like voices of experiences. Thanks again.

[happy cruzer]

Yes, we can Happy Cruzer! Agreed and good for you!:)

BTW, seat suits are specially configured Anti-G pressure suits used in the comode making industry to verify that the aforementioned sanitorial devices function and operate properly and as advertised and don't exhibit any unwanted leakages and other less desirable major malfunctions. It's a stinky job but someone's has to do it! No need to be embarrased;)

Thanks Copper, I had imagined even worse possiblities of what a seat suit would be. At least, this would be a service to all mankind.:p

Songhee, you have the right attitude and will have great cruise!!

[TedC]

Generally, it's not cool enough for me - however it always seems to be too cool for CathyC. But, somehow, we survive.