Cabin Selection Zuiderdam 8/25/2007

[DebDenC]

Hi everyone - My sister-in-law just called me yesterday to say that she and her husband have booked this cruise, and don't we want to go with them. Well, of course we do. My brother in law has cancer, so I can only hope he will be able to make this trip. I think we can be of great help to her. At least that is my rationalization to my husband-it's his big sis. So I have immersed myself in planning - just what I need when my daughter is getting married in three weeks!! I do, however, need a relaxing vacation.

Today's question involves cabin selection. We definitely want a verandah cabin. I've read that for this particular cruise, port side cabins are best for viewing. Okay my REALLY dumb question is....in looking at the deck plans, is port on the left or the right? Even cabin numbers or odd cabin numbers? I think it is the left, but for some reason, that isn't making sense to me - I just keep thinking that the right side of the ship (odd numbers) will be facing land and would have the best views. HELP!

I'm sure I will have many more questions as our planning progresses - right now, just trying to get it booked so I can go back to wedding stuff.
Thanks - Deb

[grannynurse]

Port is left, remember it by correlating it with 4 letters in port and 4 letters in left. Port side cabins have even numbers, better not wait too long to choose a cabin, August is a popular month for Alaska.
Good Luck,
GN

[DebDenC]

I'm starting to narrow down to specific cabins now!! Is there any reason I would not choose 5006? Our last cruise (on Princess) we stayed near the bow and enjoyed it - we liked being able to go out the door to the front of the ship - does anyone know if there is access to the front from the hallway by 5006? The other options are 5146, one of the aft cabins on the upper promenade deck or on the upper verandah deck, or a forward port cabin on the verandah deck.

I know a lot of you LOVE the aft cabins - I'm concerned about lack of privacy, and I'm pretty sure I like to see where I'm going, not where I've been!! Now if we could get (and afford!) one of the wrap around aft cabins, I think that would be the best of both worlds!

Also a question from my sister in law - they are in cabin 5054, a handicapped cabin, at their request. It looks like the balcony is slanted - is that good or bad? My brother-in-law will probably spend a lot of time in his cabin, or sitting on the balcony watching the scenery.

[jtl513]

I just keep thinking that the right side of the ship (odd numbers) will be facing land and would have the best views. Whenever you do a round-trip, half the time one side will face land and the other half time the other side will. :D On the Zuiderdam route r/t Vancouver, most of the time both sides will face land ... except between Ketchikan and the north end of Vancouver Island.

Besides, in Alaska, we spend very, very few daylight hours in our cabin, so IMO ship side is not that important there ... unless we're on a one-way cruise.

[Tinknock50]

I'm starting to narrow down to specific cabins now!! Is there any reason I would not choose 5006? Our last cruise (on Princess) we stayed near the bow and enjoyed it - we liked being able to go out the door to the front of the ship - does anyone know if there is access to the front from the hallway by 5006? The other options are 5146, one of the aft cabins on the upper promenade deck or on the upper verandah deck, or a forward port cabin on the verandah deck.

I know a lot of you LOVE the aft cabins - I'm concerned about lack of privacy, and I'm pretty sure I like to see where I'm going, not where I've been!! Now if we could get (and afford!) one of the wrap around aft cabins, I think that would be the best of both worlds!

Also a question from my sister in law - they are in cabin 5054, a handicapped cabin, at their request. It looks like the balcony is slanted - is that good or bad? My brother-in-law will probably spend a lot of time in his cabin, or sitting on the balcony watching the scenery.

I think 5054 is a good choice......angled toward the back like that may protect it from the breeze the movement of the ship creates. Also you can look toward the front if you stand by the rail.

You can access the forward decks from the hallway.....the door is sealed shut while the ship is underway, but is opened for scenic viewing by the glaciers and while in port.

Hope you all enjoy your cruise and your brother-in-law stays well enough to make the trip.:)

[Atomica]

I agree with Sean - 5054 is an excellent choice. Balcony is slanted, so they'll get a view down the entire length of the ship. We were just up the hall in 5036 last September to Alaska, and loved the cabin and location, particularily for Glacier Bay & Tracy Arm viewing - just walk up the hall and out the door to the forward observation deck. Very handy!

[DebDenC]

Thanks so much for all of your replies. When I called yesterday to book, an SZ guarantee was actually cheaper than the VC category I was prepared to book - so I grabbed it. We have done a guarantee in the past and while we didn't get a huge upgrade, we were very pleasantly surprised with our cabin, so we are hoping for the same this time. It doesn't look like there are any bad choices in the superior suite category!

Debbie

[jtl513]

Thanks so much for all of your replies. When I called yesterday to book, an SZ guarantee was actually cheaper than the VC category I was prepared to book - so I grabbed it.And since there's only 2 SZ on the ship, you stand a very good chance of getting an upgrade! :)