the dreaded cabin!

[jrogers03]

Hi everyone,

We're booked on the Amsterdam for the 5/25 Alaska cruise out of Seattle. We booked an HH guarantee and got an updated confirmation 2 weeks ago showing that we've been assigned to cabin 7056.

There's been a lot of negative feedback about this cabin, so I was wondering if anyone has any advice about what to do. Is this cabin really that bad? Should I cancel and rebook (final payment isn't due for 2 more weeks) hoping that we're assigned a different cabin, or is it not that bad and worth sticking with it. Any chance we'll get moved again between now and May 25?

Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions. I really enjoy reading these boards and have gotten lots of helpful information.

Jim

[jtl513]

There's been a lot of negative feedback about this cabin, so I was wondering if anyone has any advice about what to do. Is this cabin really that bad? Should I cancel and rebook (final payment isn't due for 2 more weeks) hoping that we're assigned a different cabin, or is it not that bad and worth sticking with it. Any chance we'll get moved again between now and May 25?
I'm not familiar with the complaints about that cabin, but personally I would NOT cancel and rebook because you could well end up with something worse.

I don't think your chances of a further free upgrade are very good (not zero, but close to it), and I think I would try to BUY an upgrade to a C cabin. I just looked at your cruise, and there are C's available, and the upgrade will cost you $30 per person.

...................................... w/air ... w/o air
C - Large Avg 197 Sq Ft $2,151.51 $1,501.91 Available

D - Large Avg 197 Sq Ft $2,121.51 $1,471.91 Available

[Sailorgirlseattle]

Gosh, what's wrong wiht it? :confused:

[Jemima]

Confused. Your cruise isn't until the end of May and is not sold out. I wouldn't expect you to have a cabin assignment until May. People reporting here on cabin assignments seem to receive them somewhere between a few weeks up until sailing day. Is this coming from HAL or from your TA?
We regularly book guarantees and have never received an assignment more than 2 or maybe 3 weeks before sailing. 10 days is most typical. We also haven't been on a cruise that sold out way early, but your cruise is not sold out.

[arzz]

Keep in mind that category C cabins are on the promenade deck and they are a little smaller than other outsides -- some are a lot smaller as we experienced a few months ago on the Volendam. They also open to the promenade rather than directly on to the water. Be careful what you choose.

[Love Cruises]

Maybe your travel agent can help you with HAL to get another cabin. That is, if you booked with one.

[grannynurse]

According to Hal's deck plans 7056 is an aft D cabin on the navigation deck so you got an upgrade. Just exactly what are you concerned about? I don't understand....
GN

[Jade13]

Can anyone please explain to me what is a "guarantee cabin"? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but when I have booked a HAL cruise I am given a cabin assignment and then asked if I want to be considered for an upgrade to which I say "yes". So, what is the advantage, if any, of not getting a cabin number and asking to be on the upgrade list?

[jrogers03]

Jemima,

I too was surprised to get a cabin assignment so early, as it doesn't look like this sailing is selling especially well. I booked directly with HAL, so the confirmation came from them, and this is the room number showing up on my online immigration form. I'm wondering if because it's selling so slow, they know they'll have cabins open in the higher categories so they're assigning cabins now?

[jrogers03]

According to Hal's deck plans 7056 is an aft D cabin on the navigation deck so you got an upgrade. Just exactly what are you concerned about? I don't understand....
GN

Hi Grannynurse,

I was initially excited about it too because it seemed like an upgrade, but I then came across a thread called Cabins to Avoid and saw some negative reviews...I guess it's the price you pay for taking a guarantee?...

[jtl513]

Gosh, what's wrong wiht it? :confused:

According to Hal's deck plans 7056 is an aft D cabin on the navigation deck so you got an upgrade. Just exactly what are you concerned about? I don't understand....
GN
bepsf/Brian has pointed out a couple of drawbacks:
Yes, it's smaller than most outside staterooms and has a very strange layout with a seating area that is practically useless. The window faces the stairway to the aft-lido, and the doors to the open deck can be very loud when they close - however, the location is super and the price is a fair bit lower than a standard outside which helps make up for it.
Can anyone please explain to me what is a "guarantee cabin"? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but when I have booked a HAL cruise I am given a cabin assignment and then asked if I want to be considered for an upgrade to which I say "yes". So, what is the advantage, if any, of not getting a cabin number and asking to be on the upgrade list?When you book a guarantee cabin, you do not select a specific cabin at the time of booking. You agree to pay the price of a type of cabin, say E, and tell HAL they can put you anyplace they want that is an E or higher. If you don't like the assignment you get you have no choice but to take it or cancel the booking. (Or, sometimes you can buy your way higher.)

If you choose a specific cabin at booking time and agree to be "considered for an upgrade", your chances are far lower for getting one than someone who books the unspecific guarantee, and therein lies the advantage of guarantee.

[pms4104]

Interesting that on the Volendam, cabins on the Nav deck in that same location are classified as a large inside, category I.

On our recent Volendam trip, one of the couples we dined with had one of those aft cabins, and they loved it. They invited us to visit their little piece of heaven ... the cabin was a bit squarer than the mostly rectangular cabins on the ship, and I'm not sure there were as many drawers and closets as we had in our verandah B cabin. Nice sized window overlooking the aft deck and the wake ... coated to preserve your privacy in the cabin. Also, not a lot of other passengers come back to that little deck area outside the cabin window, so it may feel more like your private space than a public area.

But ... if you have any misgivings, see if your TA can un-upgrade you ... you want to be happy with your accommodations.

[bellebaby]

When my mother travels with us to Alaska on the Volendam, and this year on the Zaandam, we book a suite for us and this cabin for her. She absolutely loves the view and her "private" deck. We like the fact that she is on the same floor as we are. I don't know about the Amsterdam, but on the Volendam and Zaandam, the stairs block the view of 7055, but not 7056 (7083/7086 on the V and Z). We feel it is a super value as a Category I. I think you will like the location of the cabin as an upgrade from a Category HH guarantee

In my opinion, I would gladly accept the assignment and enjoy!

B

[jrogers03]

Thanks for your feedback everyone; I really appreciate it!

Jim

[KAKcruiser]

I have seen this cabin on the Amsterdam. I would take it over an inside cabin in a minute. It is a little on the small side but the location is fantastic. You are right under the lido restaurant so you just have to run up the stairs for a snack anytime. It is in the back of the ship so you might have a bumpy ride if the seas are rough. Also, it is a long walk to the front of the ship. I still think it is good cabin.

[RuthC]

Interesting that on the Volendam, cabins on the Nav deck in that same location are classified as a large inside, category I.
Hush. Sush. Quiet down. This is something we don't talk about. It's a secret.

[Starr Mtn]

I'd recommend keeping that cabin.
We were in the Handicap Accessible across the hall,
and that is a great cabin for the price. An Inside but
with a window and as others have said - access to an
almost private outside balcony that few know about.
That location didn't seem rough to me - except one night
in the Pacific from Hawaii when we hit a serious storm.
The cabin is a little small . But for Alaska where most passengers
are off the ship in ports it seems perfect. Also - you are so
close to getting to the outside to see something quickly when
it might be announced.

Personally we've been in the cabins on the Promenade Deck and
do not care for them because the overhang over the outside deck
keeps the cabin too dark.

[boxer2]

Would be interested to know how you liked Cabin 7056. We have it booked for our Dec. cruise. Hope you have a great trip to Alaska.

[jrogers03]

Would be interested to know how you liked Cabin 7056. We have it booked for our Dec. cruise. Hope you have a great trip to Alaska.

We had a great time on this cruise and were very happy with our cabin. The layout was odd as some previous posters have mentioned. That said, we weren't in our cabin all the often, but when we were, we enjoyed looking out the window (aft).

In addition, the balcony that some folks have mentioned was seldom used by others and did feel like our own private space. Our room steward was also fantastic...we were also conveniently located one short flight of stairs to the Lido!

This is our first time in an "outside" though, (I've been in insides on previous trips) so I don't really have any other outsides to compare it too.

Enjoy your cruise (and the countdown to it!)

[Krazy Kruizers]

jrodgers03

I am so glad that everything worked out for you and you did enjoy your cabin .

Hope you will be writing a review.

[razman]

Enjoy your cabin. I booked both 7083 and 7086 on the Zaandam for Hawaii 4/08 and cannot wait to sit out on the almost private deck! I am hoping to arrange to enjoy my breakfast out there!:D

[TonitheTiger]

Keep in mind that category C cabins are on the promenade deck and they are a little smaller than other outsides -- some are a lot smaller as we experienced a few months ago on the Volendam. They also open to the promenade rather than directly on to the water. Be careful what you choose.

My TA said this is a good choice for the money. Can anyone let me if this is so, if I should buy up.

Thanks,
TJ

[boxer2]

Just wondering, did you experiance any noise in this cabin and does it have a refrigerator? We usually book a balcony cabin, but 7056 was less money. We have a lot of ports on our cruise, so I figured we would not be in the cabin much anyways. The money we saved by booking this cabin will pay for our on board account!!

[Tinknock50]

My TA said this is a good choice for the money. Can anyone let me if this is so, if I should buy up.

Thanks,
TJ

It think you mean HH....there are no H cabins on Lower Promenade.
I did an analysis of the good and the bad HH cabins while on board the Zaandam (sister to Volendam). The reults are contained in my review of the Zaandam.

My review was called:

"Mom and her Sidekick Sean's Zaandam Sept 8th Alaska cruise"

[haligonian37]

Enjoy your cabin. I booked both 7083 and 7086 on the Zaandam for Hawaii 4/08 and cannot wait to sit out on the almost private deck! I am hoping to arrange to enjoy my breakfast out there!:D

I'm with ya there razman! I'm booked in 7086 on the Zaandam's sister ship Volendam this December and can't wait to enjoy my "deck". My friends have a veranda cabin and even they're jealous!

[razman]

I've had the opportunity to enjoy a PH and Sky Suite before but I am actually looking forward to these quaint little cabins, they sound like they are in the ideal spot to rest and relax which are two major activities I plan to do!

And we are just a deck below the pool and food! What more could one ask for?

I'd love to know your opinion on the cabin when you return.

[haligonian37]

Don't forget that we're also one deck below drinks as well! Not that my friends and I plan on being sauced out there on "my" deck, but we do enjoy the odd chi-chi or four. :)

Have you seen pictures of these cabins? I did a search and found a thread with about 6-7 pictures that give you a great idea of the layout, they were a great help. There seems to be more open space than the oceanview cabin I had on the Westerdam, but that could just be my excitement clouding my perception.

I'd love to hear about your experiences in the PH and Sky Suite. Just the thought of it sounds wonderful.

I'll be posting a review when I return for sure....I'm going to try to take notes this time, wish me luck.

[TonitheTiger]

It think you mean HH....there are no H cabins on Lower Promenade.
I did an analysis of the good and the bad HH cabins while on board the Zaandam (sister to Volendam). The reults are contained in my review of the Zaandam.

My review was called:

"Mom and her Sidekick Sean's Zaandam Sept 8th Alaska cruise"

Sorry - I should be clear on what ship. It is a H on the Noordam.

Thanks,
Tj

[razman]

Our PH on the Oosterdam was for our 25th wedding anniversary, the hot tub on the huge balcony was an awesome hit. Being that it was a cruise to Alaska made the hot tub even more appealing. We live in Wisconsin so the average temp then was 50 degrees and rainy. Great hot tubbing weather. The bathroom was the size of an average balcony cabin with a 2-3 person whirlpool bathtub with a statue of Atlantis with water streaming out of his mouth. It had double sinks and a circular shower with an attached room with a toilet and bide' (?sp). The "walk about" closet was connected to the bathroom. We hosted many a party in the PH with friends we met on CC. The Neptune lounge was nice although we didn't go in there much because we had our own Butler at our disposal along with the asst. hotel manager who catered to our every whim. If only this could last more than 7 days.

I must tell you that when I began planning this anniversary trip my DH was rolling his eyeballs most of the time. But we opted to spend our anniversary by ourselves instead of throwing the customary reception for family and friends so "I" was going to enjoy myself. Let me tell you that the morning we had to leave and step out of that PH for the last time my DH actually had tears in his eyes and said this was the best thing "we" have ever done! We've been planning a cruise every other year since although not in a PH.

After being in the PH, I talked DH into a sky suite knowing no matter how "nice" I was I would not be able to sweet talk him into another PH. The sky suite was small in comparison but had plenty of room and the Bulter was a great addition as well. No complaints at all. We were on the sky deck on the Galaxy and had a huge balcony and had a great time cruising the Panama Canal.

Now we look forward to our cabin 7083 on the Zaandam. Our friends will be in 7086. You can probable guess that the "balcony" will be our hangout spot.

[tiger1938cb]

We spent 10 days in this cabin in January 2007, in the Caribbean. It was in a super location for us - close to the Lido restaurant for early morning coffee (or other time coffee) and the pools (only one flight of stairs to deal with). It has one less closet than an outside cabin on Main Deck. The bathroom has a shower only (no tub). The seating area is strangely configured, but halfways useable. The rear balcony is readily accessible from it. It is also close to the rear elevators that will take you almost to the Dining Room doors. It is a bit smaller than a main deck outside cabin as other posters have said.

All that said, we would accept this cabin,again, on a future cruise if we could not get a veranda cabin. Hope this helps. By the way, it was our ninth cruise with HAL and Cabin 7056 in no way spoiled our cruise.

tiger1938cb & spouse