Help Please - Zaandam K inside Cabins

[Melianne]

I've been reading all the details on the Zuiderdam inside cabins under a separate thread, so now I'm getting concerned.

Does anyone have info re: an inside K cabin on the Zaandam??? My husband and I have a guaranteed K reservation. Any thoughts? We don't spend much time in the cabin at all.

[sail7seas]

What are your concerns? Have you ever had an "inside" before and did it suit you okay?

[doone]

On the S and R style ships, as is the Zaandam, I book category K and its fine. I heard on the Vista Style ships, the Zuiderdam, the K category is a bit smaller. Does this help??

[Melianne]

Doone, yes it helps to know that a K cabin on the Zaandam won't be quite as small as a K cabin on the Zuiderdam.


I gather from your answer that you don't think this size cabin will be claustrophobic for two people?

[Melianne]

Sail7Seas, I had an inside cabin a few years back on my first cruise and it seemed OK. After that initial cruise we always booked a verandah suite.


I guess my concern is that the comments about the Zuiderdam inside K cabins seemed very negative. I guess this same class of cabin on the Zaandam will be a little bigger. Have you ever stayed in an inside K cabin on the Zaandam or another ship about the same size?

[sail7seas]

No, I haven't Melianne. My reason for asking the questions was to sort of direct what issues you hoped would be addressed by someone who had stayed in that type cabin.


I wasn't sure what it was that was concerning you. Whether generally that you would be "inside" or the size of it or something else altogether.

Zaandam is a great ship. We have enjoyed a number of wonderful cruises on her. Hope you enjoy her as much as we did.

[doone]

My parents and other couples that sail with us usually always book category K, inside cabins as we don't tend to spend alot of time in there. If you don't plan on spending alot of time in your cabin, a category K should be fine. I usually get a cabin to myself and do get category K, for me its great. Although I have shared inside cabins in this category in the past, its been fine for me.

[RevNeal]

On the S and R class ships the K category cabins are the same -- in terms of size -- as the J category cabins ... the only difference is location. In terms of size, I find these cabin to be just fine for two people who don't plan on hosting receptions for a half dozen or more fellow passengers or who don't want to go dancing at the foot of their bed :). If what you want to do in your cabin is sleep, rest, change clothing, and perhaps eat an occasional breakfast prior to shore excursions and the like, a "large" inside cabin, like the J and the K categories on the lower promenade or main deck, are perfectly fine -- pretty much the same as the outside cabins.

One of the things I don't like about inside cabins is the lack of a tub. Now, I don't often use a tub ... on S class ships they're usually too short for me to really relax in one and I'm too big and fat to really enjoy bathing in one ... however, it's nice to have the option. The trade-off is that I find it much easier to get into the shower rather than having to climb into the shower/tub, as is the case in outside and verandah cabins.

In terms of location, the Js are amidships on the lower promenade deck ... in my personal opinion the very best location for insides on the entire ship. Ks on the lower promenade deck can be found in the stern, aft of the rear elevators/stairs, while on main deck they're amidships. Given the importance for ease in accessing the the outside promenade (the ship's largest verandah), either category on the lower promenade deck is preferable. I don't mind having to climb one deck from main, but it's nicer to not have to do that.

[Melianne]

Revneal, thanks for the info on inside cabins. You are a wealth of information.

My DH prefers aft cabins so he can feel the ship move more. Go figure! But I'm hoping for something midship on either the main deck or lower promenade.

I'm not counting on the upgrade fairy being very good to use -- we booked at a rock-bottom rate. I hear that sometimes that is taken into consideration when upgrades are given. Is that true?