Oosterdam - CaT SS

[Cruishappy@aol.com]

we have reservations to sail on the Oosterdam in a Cat SS and were a bit disappointed to learn that the Cat SS - suite did not have the amenities of a suite ---- sailed on the Zuiderman and all amenites were available --- including priority boarding ----concierge service ===do you think we will be dissappointed???? hope not

[Cruishappy@aol.com]

Okay --- here I go again --- hopefully this one will go through --- not accustomed to the new boards ---- well --- this is my question --- we have made reservations to sail on the Oossterdam in a Cat SS --- and were a bit disappointed to learn that the Cat SS did not offer all the amenities that we thought the suite would have ---- we recently sailed on the Zuiderman and received the early boarding --- and the concierge service ====is there that great a difference between an SS and an S category --- and do you think that we will be disappointed ---- a response from you fellow cruisers would be appreciated
thanx a bunch
cruishappy@aol.com

[etrainer1]

i have not sailed on the hal line yet. we booked a category ss, and it looks to be pretty nice. although you do not share the same amenities as the s and ps folks do, the cabin and the verandah look larger than most on the other lines, and you still can have a most enjoyable time! :D

[peaches from georgia]

The difference in the SS and S are the larger cabin with the S and the amenities. You do not receive the amenities- concierge service, Neptune Lounge, free laundry and dry cleaning, priority boarding and tendering, etc.- in the SS category. These amenities are S and PS only. You didn't say exactly, but it sounds like you must have had an S on the Zuiderdam as it appears you had the amenities? I am confused as to what category you had on the Zuiderdam and if you had an SS why you received the S perks.

Whether you will be happy or disappointed cruising on the Oosterdam in an SS w/out the amenities of course depends on your personal desires of what is necessary or important to you.

[ASM]

How odd. We were in an SS on the Zuiderdam and did not receive concierge services. Larger cabin, wonderful bathroom, robes, personalized stationary, yes. Neptune lounge, free laundry, no. We did receive priority tendering, disembarking, etc. because of shore excursions and a little luck, not because of suite priviliges.

[Randyk47]

ASM and Peaches pretty well nailed it. We had an SS on the Oosterdam in March and did not get the same amenities as S and PS. An SS is a great cabin but, regardless of the name, it is not a suite in the HAL sense of the word for suite privileges. We knew that going in and weren't disappointed. Having had an S on the Ryndam we did miss some of the amenities but considering it was only a 7 day cruise on the Oosterdam it was no big deal. Did have some fellow SS cruisers who were very disappointed that they weren't getting full suite privileges.....some of their disappointment traced back to their TA who gave they the wrong information.

[Jacqueline]

WE booked an SS nearly a year ago and had no intimation from any source that their would be any suite amentites.

[Randyk47]

One of the many reasons it's good to be a CC'er is that you can get the straight information....at least most of the time. :rolleyes: I know that I pointed my long time TA to Cruise Critic and she now sends her computer savy clients here.

[jazzsea]

I have sailed in both and they are both really nice. Access to the Neptune Lounge is a wonderful perk. Having free laundry and dry cleaning is also a great amenity.

Given the funds I would always book a deluxe suite, at least on the "S" class and the non-vista class ships.

We sailed on Oosterdam last March in one of the aft suites. It was great but was an awfully long walk to the Neptune Lounge. I believe we will opt for a more midship suite next time.

We had an SS cabin on Zuiderdam and we were surprised at how comfortable it was. We missed the other amenities from a deluxe suite but had a great time anyway. Sometimes the category you want is not available and you have to look for the next best thing.