Talk me into it...thinking of upgrading to a suite

[dlbaqua]

We are booked for an SZ guarantee on our July Alaska cruise on the Westerdam. More and more I keep wondering if I should surprise dh by upgrading to a full suite. I've read all the threads comparing the two and I just can't make up my mind. I need a push to spend the extra money.
This may seem crazy but one of the main things drawing me to a full suite is the dressing area. See, dh snores, and some nights even ear plugs just don't help. I will never forget the night I ended up on the floor of our bathroom on the Carnival Ecstacy, just to try and get some sleep. My dh is a dear man and he tries not to snore but I'm a light sleeper and it just doesn't work for us all the time. We have separate bedrooms at home for this reason. Anyway, I was thinking if the worst happened and I just couldn't fall asleep, I could always make up a pallet in the dressing area and that might block me from some of the noise. What do ya'll think?

[jhannah]

The dressing area is not all that large. You could sleep on the floor, but it would be close quarters. Also, there is no door to close. You'd just be a little farther away.

The bathrooms in the SS/SY/SZ are nicely large. If you're up to sleeping in the bathroom, that could be your answer.

Have you ever used a Sound Soother or other type of white noise generator? They help some people sleep better by masking other sounds. You could place it on your nightstand, close to your ears.

[dlbaqua]

thank you! that helps to know
I haven't tried/seen a Sound Soother, off to google now

[ybarber]

Have you tried earplugs dlbaqua? I am a snorer due to a medical condition and my husband just puts ear plugs in before bed and sleeps fine, I do have to give him a shake or two when the alarm goes off though!;)

[dlbaqua]

I have earplugs, several varieties. I HATE them. They make it even harder for me to fall asleep. I usually have to take a Benadryl and stick in the earplugs and pray for sleep but some nights it just doesn't work. I think I'm going to try one of those sound machines, it's a lot less expensive than the difference in price to upgrade!

[ANSalberg]

One of the medical conditions my husband acquired after retirement was HEAVY snoring that was literally earth-shaking. A friend suggested he be checked for "Sleep Apnia" because he wasn't feeling all that RESTED-he was exhausted after waking himself up! He is now on a C-PAP machine and sleeps better and doesn't snore at all and is RESTED! He SWEARS by the C-PAP machine and LOVES it [ something I never thought he would do] You might look into this!
Anne

[dlbaqua]

thank you, Anne
My dh did go for testing and it was determined he has "mild" sleep apnea. The Dr. at the sleep clinic told him that the machine would be hard to get used to and if he was doing it just for me he'd probably hate it, so basically the Dr. talked him out of using a machine. That was several years ago, though, maybe I should send him to a different place!

[Sea King]

The bathrooms in the SS/SY/SZ are nicely large. If you're up to sleeping in the bathroom, that could be your answer.



totally agree with Jim:rolleyes:

bathroom makes much sense than booking another room:eek:

just hope DH doesn't need to use the facilities at night:D

[dlbaqua]

You guys are doing a lousy job of talking me into an upgrade. I could just use dh's snoring as an excuse, though.
Thanks for all the advice

[LAFFNVEGAS]

If you were in a VE or VC or some type of V cabin then I would say go for an upgrade but to be honest if your reason to go to a S Suite was for an area to get away this is not the answer. The SZ guarantee you have will get you for sure in an SY or SS. Those are great cabins, I was in one last year on the Noordam to Alaska. The price difference is significant to go to a SC, SB or SA and wanting the Neptune Lounge, and some of the other Suite perks have to be important to you. These cabins are slightly bigger than the SZ but not drastically and several of the SC cabins are actually the same size. Now with all that being said 90% of the time we do book these S Suite and love them but with the pricing in Alaska we actually step down so that we can comfortably do 4 cruises a year.
Here is a picture of the dressing area, it definitely is not very large. You would be far better to sleep on the couch in your SZ or better yet just request to have the seperated. Even as singles they are quite large.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i308/laffnvegas/NoordamAlaskaSeptember2007284-1.jpg?t=1206036536

[dlbaqua]

thanks for the picture, you're right it isn't very big

I guess it would be nice to have the extra perks but not $2,000 worth of nice!

[sassyredhat]

I have the same issues with Mike. I DO use the dreaded earplugs, but I also takeTylenol PM on the nights when he is louder than normal. Gives me an edge on sleeping more soundly.

I also have a white noise machine that I bought from Solutions catalog. It has 2 settings and costs about $49.00. Sometimes, I even put it directly on my pillow, so I get the vibration and the sound.

I take it with me on cruises, but alot of times, I am so tired I don't need it. We're in regular balocny cabins. Maybe splitting the bed into twin beds will help. At least you won't FEEL him snore.

Sheesh~~~~what we do for love, right ?? :)

Pat

[LAFFNVEGAS]

thanks for the picture, you're right it isn't very big

I guess it would be nice to have the extra perks but not $2,000 worth of nice!

That is my exact comment, like I mentioned we always have a S Suite in the Mexican Riviera or Caribbean but Alaska prices are just drastically higher so we step down and are still paying more but... if the HAL Upgrade Fairy wanted to call to see if we wanted to upgrade for say $299 Per Person, we would jump:D Oh who am I kidding I would probably jump for $399 PP;)

[dlbaqua]

me too!
My last HAL cruise was in 1996, my (ex)dh, mom & I were in a "suite" on the Niew Amsterdam. It was the highest catagory cabing but had an obstructed view and no balcony. We were treated like royalty on that ship!

[caviargal]

Why not roll the dice and hope for an upsell offer? Jump on it as soon as it is offered if it does come and then it is not such a leap. We did this on the Noordam last year, booked an SZ GTY at a great price because the differential was just too much - almost double - and then 1 week prior to sailing we were offered an upsell to an SA for $399 each. I called and we were able to snag our favorite SB for that price. We were thrilled and we so love those cabins!

[sail7seas]

I never try to talk people into booking the "S" suites. They sell out so fast now as it is that sometimes we have to book very far in advance to get the cabin location we want. ;) Totally selfish on my part. :)

I don't think you would be happy you spent that much extra if you are doing it only for relief from the snoring noise.

Hope you have a great cruise.

[CocoKai]

As a light sleeper who needs a full 8 hours, I would suggest saving the money on the Suite and investing in 2 adjoining VB's or something. Otherwise, pack a blow up bed and place the husband out on the balcony at night.....throw him an extra blanket since it's Alaska :)

[kryos]

You guys are doing a lousy job of talking me into an upgrade. I could just use dh's snoring as an excuse, though.
Thanks for all the advice
Wouldn't it be a lot cheaper, assuming this snoring is really that bad, to just get TWO standard cabins, perhaps connecting ones. This way you could close the connecting door at night and hear NO noise from hubby's snoring. True, you'd lose the balcony, but the size would be about the same when the two cabins are combined. And, you'd also acquire a second bathroom in the deal.

Sounds to me like this would be the smartest way to go.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[RuthC]

My dh did go for testing and it was determined he has "mild" sleep apnea. The Dr. at the sleep clinic told him that the machine would be hard to get used to and if he was doing it just for me he'd probably hate it, so basically the Dr. talked him out of using a machine.
Yes, a CPAP can take some getting used to, but that is not impossible.
The thing is, if your husband does have sleep apnea, he won't be using the machine just for you---it's also for him. And it's more than just his getting a good night's sleep to it, too.
There's greater health implications for him than restful sleep alone.

He needs to check with his doctor. And you need to "encourage" that he does.

[countrygal52]

If your hubby wasn't satisfied with the first Dr. at the sleep clinic, get a second opinion!! Sleep apnea isn't just about snoring - my DH stopped breathing 46 times per hour on his sleep test. I wasn't getting much sleep either, thought it was his snoring and jerking in his sleep that kept waking me up. After he got his machine I still wasn't getting the rest I needed and woke up tired every am. DH said I was jerking and snoring too and after being tested found out I ALSO have sleep apnea!! I stopped breathing 54 times per hour on my test. People actually die during bouts of sleep apnea. It can also cause strokes and heart attacks. PLEASE check into it!! There are SEVERAL different mask styles available; DH wears one that looks like a small tube that just fits under his nose and is strapped around the head. Mine is a small nose cone that covers my nose (similar to a fighter pilot mask but smaller). You are physically UNABLE to snore while wearing a CPAP. The noise is not much more than a "white noise" machine would make. It was NOT hard for me to get used to DH's machine when he first got it. :D

[dlbaqua]

Thanks for all the tips, I never even thought about 2 cabins. Duh, it's probably cheaper to do that than the suite anyway. I'm going to have to crunch some numbers.
On the snoring, I know sleep apnea is bad, it's just that dh has several other more pressing health issues and he gets pretty sick of going to the Dr.

too funny about the blow up bed on the balcony, don't think I haven't been tempted in the past, why is it that it's the non-snorer who has to get up and find somewhere else to sleep? Oh yeah, because the snorer is sleeping already!

back again to ask: if I were to book 2 cabins, wouldn't I have to pay the single rate for each cabin? That could be more expensive

[jhannah]

Yes, if you were to book two cabins you would have to pay the single supplement. The suite would be cheaper!

[barbon2]

As for the upgrade to an SA, SB, or SC, we have done several SB's and recently an SY. Unless you take full advantage of the Neptune (we do not and are not impressed by it), then the SS/SY/SZ will certainly be quite comfortable size wise. We have booked a SS for the Eurodam.
Barbara

[Sale Away]

I second on both issues. The SZ/SY/SS isn't going to be that much smaller of a cabin and if it's a $2,000 difference, I wouldn't do it. If it was $500, it would be a different story.

On the other, have your husband get tested by a different doctor. Mine was also diagnosed originally with "mild" sleep apnea. Well, he had a stroke a few days before his 46th birthday and with testing found out that he had more than mild sleep apnea. The neurologist believed it was a huge cause of the stroke. He couldn't get used to using the CPAP machine and wasn't using it regularly. Fourteen months later and he had a second stroke. Now he uses it every night. It's still not the most comfortable thing to use and the air blows on me which sometimes makes it hard for me to sleep but it's better than another visit to the hospital. And it's rare that he snores now at all unless he's sick and really stuffed up. Like you, I've used every ear plug out there.

[kryos]

back again to ask: if I were to book 2 cabins, wouldn't I have to pay the single rate for each cabin? That could be more expensiveYes, you would. But HAL has some very attractive single supplements. Like you said before, you'd have to crunch the numbers, but it may very well work out that the two standard cabins (insides or outsides) would come out cheaper than a balcony, and at least you could be assured of getting a good night's rest. The other advantage of the two cabins, as I said before, is that you would have a second bathroom to work with ... something that can come in very handy when rushing around to get ready for formal nights.

HAL has lots of connecting cabins. Just see if your TA can hook you up with connecting cabins which you can leave opened up during the day, but close at night.

I honestly think this would be your best bet. True, you lose the balcony, but hey ... isn't a good night's sleep worth it?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

Yes, if you were to book two cabins you would have to pay the single supplement. The suite would be cheaper!
Not necessarily. HAL offers some very generous single supplements and depending on the particular cruise the OP is taking, I think at the very least two connecting standard cabins (no balcony) might work out the same. And, besides, the OP was thinking of upgrading to a luxury suite. Clearly two connecting cabins would be a lot cheaper than that ... and at least the OP would be assured of very restful nights of sleep with the connecting cabins. The suite ain't gonna give her that.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[cruisecrasy]

If u still want a balcony - I suggest u book it and then book an inside closeby or preferably right across the hall..
Sure works for me.....especially with the peace & quiet at nite & as a bonus - the extra bathroom....!!

S Suites on the Ryndam are 374 sq ft w/ 189 sq ft balcony totalling 563 sq ft.
No SS+ category.

Eurodams S are 380 sq ft with 136 sq ft balcony totalling 516 sq ft.
SS+ are 289 sq ft w/ 100 sq ft balcony totalling 389 sq ft.

Differences on the Eurodam between those categories amts to 91 sq ft extra interior space & 36 sq ft more balcony for an S over the SS+ category..
Amts to just over 9.5' x 9.5' extra inside..& 6' x 6' extra on the balcony..

Whatever decision u make I wish u a great cruise.. :)

[cruisecrasy]

Sorry double post again - thought they fixed this problem...!!

[dlbaqua]

thanks again, everyone! I've got some thinking to do for sure. I'm sorry about your husband's strokes, Sail Away, that must be very hard for both of you. My dh has been pretty ill lately, it's one of the reason's we're going on this trip. It's something he's always wanted to do and who knows how long any of us have on this earth, so we're going for it!

[jhannah]

It's something he's always wanted to do and who knows how long any of us have on this earth, so we're going for it!
What a great attitude! And SO true. We met a lady on the Rotterdam who told us she was on the cruise because she and her late husband always wanted to sail that itinerary but just never got around to it. It was sad, but provided us with a good life lesson.

[kryos]

My dh has been pretty ill lately, it's one of the reason's we're going on this trip. It's something he's always wanted to do and who knows how long any of us have on this earth, so we're going for it!And I hope this cruise proves restorative for the both of you.

You've got the right attitude. I watched a good friend at work years ago ... model employee, he would do anything for the company and he was sure valued. Yes, he took vacations, but nothing really elaborate. Always planned to do his main traveling after he retired.

Well, just as he's nearing 65 he was diagnosed with lung cancer. It was an aggressive cancer and within less than a year he was gone. Never got to do all that traveling he was planning on, and God knows what else he had wanted to do "when I retire."

That's why I won't wait until I retire. I'd rather have less money in retirement (because I spent more of it now) and at least know that I got to do some of the things I wanted to do in this life.

We are promised nothing on this Earth. And, death is not the only threat. We can wait until some far off day to do the things we want to do, and then when that day finally comes, we are too sick or decrepid to enjoy it. So it is up to us to try and grab a little bit of happiness when we can. Personally, I'm with you. Enjoy some of the fruits of your labors ... while you both still have a chance. That's sure what I'm doing.

You both have a wonderful cruise!

Blue skies ...

--rita

[jhannah]

... and then when that day finally comes, we are too ... decrepid to enjoy it. That hasn't stopped some HAL cruisers! :eek: :D

[ILoveScotland]

Another idea if you were going on a cruise in a warm climate: sleep on the balcony. I did that in late January by making a bed out of a couple of chairs plus the table/bench. I put pillows on top and brought a blanket out of the cabin plus the pillow on my bed. I'm only 5' 2" so had plenty of space. I suppose you could also just make a pallet on the balcony floor.

I slept on the balcony just for fun, but DH snores so I know the problem quite well. I've used ear plugs, and they did help, but I was so aware that there was something in my ears.

[dlbaqua]

we tell the kids we're spending their inheritance
but actually dh's father passed away last year and he left a bit to his children, he never spent anything on himself so we're spending it for him!

I've never tried sleeping on the balcony, but that probably wouldn't work for Alaska anyway...brrrrrrrr

[KAKcruiser]

It would be easier for me to try to talk you into a suite if you were on one of the older HAL ships. The suites are much nicer than the mini-suites. But on the vista class ships, the SS category is almost as nice as the S. There are a few things you are lacking -- Neptune Lounge, free laundry, a couple of cocktail parties, but those come at a much higher price.

[dlbaqua]

just an update
I got a sound machine, it was about $20 on Amazon
used it for a quick out of town trip this weekend and it was wonderful
we had separate beds, of course
I put it on my pillow and it really covered the snoring (had to turn it all the way up)
dh is concerned, though, that it might be loud enough for the people in the cabins beside us to hear
I told him if they can hear it they can also hear his snores and will be glad I brought it along!