Westerdam - VD Rooms

[dawny429]

I am booking on the Westerdam to Alaska, and wondering if anyone has been in any of the VD rooms? I am specifically looking at 4164 and 4166 - they look like they are next to the stairs - does anyone have any advice or recommendations regarding this? Is it a problem? Are the balconies bigger, etc...?
Thanks!

[fann1sh]

Sorry you haven't had a reply sooner....although I've never stayed in these cabins, I'll try to answer. They're prized for the "double wide" balcony, due to that crew stairway. I can't recall any noise complaints, but maybe someone else will post once this is "bumped up".

Here is a recent thread, with some balcony photos -

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=748070 (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=748070&highlight=4164)

Westerdam, Oosterdam, Noordam and Zuiderdam are all Vista ships, so have the same cabin layouts.

[RustaRoo]

I've stayed in both of these rooms, there is no noise. The verandahs are fabulous - grab 'em when you can:p they don't last long!

[harryjr]

The VD balconies are about 1.5 ft. deeper than the higher categories. We stayed in 4136, which was just a few steps from the elevators. No noise and very convenient.

[localady]

On the Oosterdam you do get the marvelous smells of bread baking at different times of the day and night in 4164. We have that cabin booked for our next 2 cruises!:D

[LADYLAYLA]

I am booking on the Westerdam to Alaska, and wondering if anyone has been in any of the VD rooms? I am specifically looking at 4164 and 4166 - they look like they are next to the stairs - does anyone have any advice or recommendations regarding this? Is it a problem? Are the balconies bigger, etc...?
Thanks!


We stayed in 4166 on our last cruise on the Westy. Absolutley loved it! No noise, great balcony. Only difference in the 2 is 4166 is shower only.

We are planning on trying for these rooms on all our upcoming cruises!

[Marie321]

We stayed in 4169 and loved the room! It is very close to those you are considering.

[Moriah]

Can someone tell me why the VDs have larger balconies? Looking at the picture of the Noordam, the side of the ship looks flush going up... so is the extra space taken from the cabin itself? I had a VA on deck 7 on Westerdam, and in 3 weeks I'll be in a VD on deck 4 on Noordam. Will I notice a difference? I realize there are several categories in between, but if I don't see any disadvantage to being on a lower deck, is there really any other difference between VD and VA? (we have 4046 on Noordam)
Thanks in advance for explanations...

[fann1sh]

Can someone tell me why the VDs have larger balconies? Looking at the picture of the Noordam, the side of the ship looks flush going up... so is the extra space taken from the cabin itself? I had a VA on deck 7 on Westerdam, and in 3 weeks I'll be in a VD on deck 4 on Noordam. Will I notice a difference? I realize there are several categories in between, but if I don't see any disadvantage to being on a lower deck, is there really any other difference between VD and VA? (we have 4046 on Noordam)
Thanks in advance for explanations...

It's all about how the inside space is configured. While verandah cabins are all quite similar, there are minor differences on each deck. The VD cabins are on upper promenade deck where, because of the lifeboats, the midship obstructed view cabins are "squashed" and shallower. A few design tricks have been used to make the corridors flow. If you study the deck plans, you may be able to see what I mean. The VD cabin size is virtually identical to a VA, so the extra 18 inches or so gives a deeper verandah.

Some people can't even put their finger on why the balcony seems "nicer". There are a few "compact" verandah cabins, but 4046 isn't one of them. VA's are only more expensive because of the higher deck (which is no prize, in my opinion, if you're under the lido pool). Aft VA's are another matter - much deeper balconies.

I've taken a long time composing this, and am not convinced I've "explained" anything. Maybe someone else has already posted something clearer, or will after I hit the "submit" button.

[RustaRoo]

The two cabins in question, VD4164 and VD4166 have larger (wider) balconies because of a crew stairway between them. Look at this photo and compare the width with balcomies above for example. My friend in the circle is in VD4164 and VD4166 is to the right, when you're looking at the picture.
http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/7988/2830629050086199872S600x600Q85.jpg

[Moriah]

Thank you so much for attempting to explain... I confess I'm still confused though. I did understand about the two particular cabins having a larger balcony because of the crew stairway, but I've also heard that ALL of the VDs on deck 4 have *deeper* balconies, and I wondered if that meant the inside of the cabin is smaller. I guess I'm still not understanding about the "squashed" cabins.. but you did say 4046 is not one of them.. does that mean 4046 is the same size as the VA we had on deck 7? And the balcony is not deeper?
Sorry to be so thick.. and not that any of this is vital to my enjoyment of the cruise - I'm just very curious! :)

[fann1sh]

You are NOT thick...I'd just make a lousy teacher!

4046 will be the *same size* inside as your VA. Outside, it will have a slightly deeper balcony ( I think around 18 inches).

Let me try to go at it anther way....take a look at the deck plan of upper promenade, aft, where your cabin is. Take a look at the middle of the ship, where the while space (crew areas) and inside cabins are. Use a ruler and measure across this area, including the corridors. Now, take a look at the deck plan of navigation deck, aft, where some of the VA's are. Measure across the plan here. See how much more stuff is in the middle? It's wider. That leaves less space for the VA cabins and balconies.

They kept the cabins the same size, but made the VA balconies narrower (or the VD balconies deeper, depending how you look at it).

I think the reason there's "less going on in the middle" on upper promenade is due to the lifeboats already taking up width in the middle of the ship.

I that's still not any clearer - it's because I'm dumb at 'splainin'. Just know you've got a great balcony, and the same size room you had last time. :)

[SarahQ]

Moriah, if you look at the photo that RustaRoo posted you can actually see that Deck 4 "sticks out" (for lack of a better term) further than the decks above.

When you're out on your VD balcony, if you look up or across the length of the ship you can clearly tell that your balcony is deeper (what a lovely feeling ;)

Its true that the cabins are exactly the same size, its just that the entire deck itself is wider than the ones above.

Hope that helps (at least a little!),

Enjoy your cruise :)

[Moriah]

Thank you SarahQ!! I'm excited now! We got this cabin as an upgrade from VF Guarantee...

[jerseygirl3]

Also, when you look at Rustaroo's photo, if you look at the side privacy panels separating the balconies, you can see where the ones on deck 4 are deeper. We've always stayed on VD cabins on Deck 4 and love that the balcony is deeper. It may be only 18 inches, but that seems to make a huge difference. The cabin itself is not a bit smaller. Enjoy!

[Rosydee]

Do you think the VD cabins will also have a bigger balcony where the stairwell is?? Which rooms would have the bigger balcony?

[dawny429]

Thanks so much to everyone for the info!!:p

[marcyjane]

The two cabins in question, VD4164 and VD4166 have larger (wider) balconies because of a crew stairway between them. Look at this photo and compare the width with balcomies above for example. My friend in the circle is in VD4164 and VD4166 is to the right, when you're looking at the picture.
http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/7988/2830629050086199872S600x600Q85.jpg


Just checking is this a photo of the Oosterdam balcony cabin 4164. Just found this thread and was wondering, because I just got upgrade from D to VD 4164 and I'm so excited.
Thanks,
Marcy

[Boytjie]

Just checking is this a photo of the Oosterdam balcony cabin 4164. Just found this thread and was wondering, because I just got upgrade from D to VD 4164 and I'm so excited.
Thanks,
Marcy

I believe those cabins' balconies are the same for the Vista ships, for the Eurodam it seems to be 4166 and 4168.

[jtl513]

Looking at the picture of the Noordam, the side of the ship looks flush going up... Here are a couple more pictures showing how deck 4 extends out about 18" further than the higher decks. The first one was taken on deck 5. In the second pic the two people are standing on deck 4.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=31973&d=1163375327

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=60199&d=1192653555

[marcyjane]

Anyone stayed in cabin 4164 on the Oosterdam that have their vacation photos posted or can post here of the balcony close up and inside of cabin.

Thanks
Marcy