Westerdam Aft Cabin Experience

[beyerfred]

My partner and I booked an aft cabin on the Westerdam, March 16th sailing to the Southern Caribbean. We're excited about it. The aft cabins have intrigued me. Anyone stayed on one on HAL? What was your experience like? Thanks! Ron

[doone]

We had a corner aft suite on the Zuiderdam. We loved this suite and I would definately book it again if I ever had the chance. One drawback is that its a long walk back from the Crowe's Nest, the good thing is, I didn't gain any weight with all the walking we did on this cruise.

Enjoy, I am sure you will.

[Charliesmom]

We have had corner suites on the Westerdam. We loved them. In fact, they are our favorite place to be on the ship. We have booked a corner suite on the Eurodam for December 2008.

Roberta

[Sprocket]

We had an aft cabin on the Oosterdam and absolutely loved it. Being able to lay out on the balcony and just watch the wake, helped make that cruise one of the most relaxing we've ever taken. My one regret is not having dinner on the balcony at least one night.

Some have reported ash on their balcony, we never encountered that, nor did the fact that others could look down and see us bother us in the least. Hey, they're on vacation, why would they want to watch us:eek:

Enjoy your cruise and your aft cabin, I'm sure you'll love it.:D

[cinann]

This past March, we had aft cabin 8129 on the Westerdam. We loved it! We never had any trash or ash from above fall down on us. We also never heard any noise from above, chairs moving or people talking. Since the re-fit we're pretty sure we have booked the same cabin next March. We go the week before you. Have a nice trip.

[alonzo14]

The Laffinlasvegas aft suite is on the Osterdam 5187. If you go to her profile she has pics there of all her cruises. You can see what the suites and wraparound balconies look like. I don't know whether you are talking about a regular aft balcony or aft wrap around suite, but if you are you should get excited when you see the pictures. We are sailing in our first wrap around suite in December. Can't wait!!!!!

[O2B@C]

You might want to take a look at some of the recent threads on this board about the effect of Westerdam's refit last spring on the aft cabins. Bottom line is that the ones with the most sun exposure on the verandas are now deck 4. The ones on deck 5 still have very large verandas, but they are completely covered by deck 6. Decks 6 and 7 have large verandas, but not as large as they used to be, with partial sun. Deck 8 verandas are pretty much covered by the Lido deck.

[beyerfred]

Wow. I can't believe that I posted my question this morning and already have all these responses! Thank you all so much. One day soon we'll get a corner suite, but just not there yet financially. Q2B@C, I held my breath as I went to check what deck we are on and breathed a sigh of relief to find out it's 4. I'm very happy that we'll be getting sun! I'm looking forward to gazing out at the wake. Doone, I think I'll appreciate that calorie burning walk as much as you! Happy sailing everyone! Best, Ron

[alonzo14]

02B@C: Yes, I am aware of the refit. I cannot be in the sun too long so this deck 5 suite will be just fine. I do like the fact that they did not make this deck more shallow and the cabins are a bit larger although it is not exposed as it once was and this is a down for many people. However another man's trash is another man's treasure!!!!!!!

[sailorbill]

Was in aft stateroom 5181 on the Westerdam for a 2004 transatlantic cruise, and the balcony was both good and bad. The good was the generous size, the furnishings and the soothing effect of watching and listening to the wake. The bad was that the balcony was completely open to the sky. As we approached the caribbean the balcony was way too hot mid morning to mid afternoon. It was only after there was partial shade later in the afternoon that the balcony was enjoyable. With the retrofit now covering most of the balcony I assume that the balconies on deck 5 are much nicer for those of us that are heat sensitive. A peculiarity of that balcony on my cruise is that some of the kitchen exhaust wafted down to the balcony, and in the morning I could smell bacon frying and in the afternoon I could smell bread and pastries baking. Not good for the waistline.