Loss of Veranda Sun -- Vista Class Aft Corner Suites

[Barrel_Proof]

The wife and I are very, very disappointed about the changes to the Vista class aft corner suites. Our favorite cabins afloat will soon be a thing of the past.

After staying in SC5186 on the Oosterdam last year, we booked SC5186 on the Westerdam, only to discover that our favorite cabin afloat became SC5190 and -- although it still has that enormous veranda, as the Veranda Deck cabins were not changed -- it is now entirely in shade as a consequence of the extension of the decks above. We paid for sun, not shade. Breakfast on the veranda will just not be the same.

We will try to book the remaining sunny suites on the Zuiderdam and/or Oosterdam another time or two before these cabins, too, completely disappear from the fleet.

A final question for the other aft corner suite lovers -- I see that a few of you continue to book them, even though the sun has disappeared. Without the sun, I would prefer to stay in the SA's on the Rotterdam deck, but would like to hear why you still prefer the SC's in the corners, even though the verandas are no longer sunny (and no longer enormous, except for the two Veranda Deck corner suites). I'd like to hear your thoughts.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sorry for your disappointment in what HAL has done to your special cabin -- but JMO -we prefer the suites near the Neptune Lounge.

[sail7seas]

We, too, prefer the SA's near the Neptune. If you are traveling with a group and want to have parties, the huge verandas of the corner Suites are fabulous. I understand your disappointment about the loss of sun but some folks will be happy about that. Some love to tan and sun bathe, some prefer the shade to read and rest on their lounges.

[O2B@C]

Try the corner SCs on deck 4, post-retrofit - they may not be quite as big, but they still have plenty of sun. :)

[nurseblissful]

we have sc5190 booked on the noordam. i rewarded myself for quitting smoking for one week. no, i am still not smoking, but i am still tickled with a big balcony and a suite. just think, how great is this? smiling, lauri

[Charliesmom]

We're booked in SC5190 on the Noordam for a year from February. What I liked about this suite was the fact that it was NOT all in sun.

We are also booked in SC 5191 on the new Eurodam for a year from December. I have no idea of how sunny or shady it will be.

I'm looking forward to our next trip on the Westerdam (not yet booked) and hope to get either 5191 or 5190 precisely because it is shaded.

Both of us have fair skin and spend very little time in the sun. DH loves to watch the wake of the ship, so now he can do it in shaded comfort.

Roberta

[Charliesmom]

I need to correct an error. The suite we have on the Eurodam is SC5183, not 5191 or 5190, which are VA staterooms. It is the corner aft suite on the Verandah Deck.

Roberta

[spcl4cs_gal]

I'm with Roberta on this one. When sailing in the Caribbean, I tend to find direct sunlight a bit too hot for balcony use, so being in the shade with 5191 doesn't bother me one bit. I don't think it's a matter of not getting any sun...afterall, since when is the ALWAYS directly overhead anyway? :rolleyes:

[bepsf]

I'm extremely disappointed in the new aft configurations too.

If I had known that the aft verandahs on Eurodam were going to be fully shaded, I'd have booked accommodations elsewhere...
:(

[alonzo14]

I've booked 5191 on Westerdam for December. I am tickled to have it!! It is a suite!! It cost less than the SA's or SB'S but you get the suite perks. It has full loungers and your get a side AND a back view. It can get hot at certain times of the day in the Carribean so we can be out even at the hottest times. Also if it rains we can at least stay out on some parts of the balcony if is is fully covered. We have plenty of time to be in the sun at the ports or go up by the pool to swim.


However you can't always have everything perfect. Although larger than the other aft suites it is still somewhat smaller than the SA's and SB's

[capnjoe]

I am booked in 5190 this weekend on the Noordam! I don't think the lack of over head sun will be a problem at all, the sun I prefer the late afternoon sun or morning sun, depending on which direction the ship is heading.
Also the bonus's are, more privacy from above decks, not near the soot, and nothing blowing down from the lido.
I will have a full report upon our return;)
Capn

[Scrumpy]

Like some others, we do not like a lot of sun, especially in a hot climate. I overheat easily, burn easily, etc., so I prefer at least some shade. I am sorry that the ones who do like sun will lose it. It is a shame they are making these changes, IMO. But, business is business... I just like to be on the wake. We would never purposely take a cabin with a sunnier veranda; we would much rather they go to someone who wants them.

[Tinknock50]

........Also the bonus's are, more privacy from above decks, not near the soot, and nothing blowing down from the lido.
I will have a full report upon our return;)
Capn

I remember when the Zuiderdam first came out. Many complained about the problems you mentioned. So basically those problems are fixed with the the new configuration of the covered verandas in some aft cabins. I guess it really isn't possible to please everyone all the time.:)

[teachergal29]

I too am very disappointed in the new aft configuration. I booked back in Oct'06 the port corner aft SB suite #7142 purposely for the large wraparound veranda for our upcoming cruise on Nov. 25, '07 . At the time I knew nothing about the upcoming retrofit. I see that they have indeed decreased the depth of the veranda aft without doing anything to the side wraparound deck, thankfully. We have purposely booked 5186 on the Oosterdam(Mexico-4/19) so we can actually see the difference of pre and post retrofit on the aft corner suites.
My main hope is that they do not do the same when the Zuiderdam('08) and the Oosterdam('09) when they go in for their retrofits in the future. I feel it is a shame that they covered the largest of all the decks on the Vista ship(this time the Westerdam). The present side profile of the aft section just looks strange, not pleasing to the eye at all.
Just my thoughts...

[hotzej]

Looking at the new brochure, the Zuiderdam shows the extra rooms added. Post April 08 Retro-Fit. Hope that helps....

Bill