S cabin question

[20165]

We are trying to decide on a S cabin either on the Rotterdam deck or the Upper Promenade deck on the Oosterdam. The one on the rotterdam deck has the Concierge lounge, however, the cabin we are looking at on the upper promenade deck is in the back corner 4180 and we believe it has a wrap around deck.

Any opinions which one would be the better cabin?

Thanks

[Krazy Kruizers]

We had a suite on the Rotterdam Deckon the Oosterdam and booked suites on that same deck for our up-coming cruises on the Westerdam and Zuiderdam.

We like to be handy to the Neptune Lounge since we do use it a lot.

If you think that you won't be using it much and want a larger verandah, then 4180 would be better for you.

I wouldn't want to be carrying food down several decks either by the stairs or elevators and along the hallway.

[20165]

Thats a good point about the lounge. We will be traveling with our 18mo son so that might come in handy. Do you know what type of food they have in there?

THanks

[sail7seas]

We much prefer a mid-ship location and always like being near the Neptune Lounge.

[Krazy Kruizers]

For breakfast there is a choice of cereals, pasteries, fresh fruit, cheeses, meats, rolls, Muesli, coffees, teas, juices. Served from when the Neptune Lounge opens until around 11 AM.

Then small tea sandwiches are put out along with juices, cookies, chocolates. The sandwiches are made from one half of a small bagel. Others are wraps with various stuffings. Offered from 11 AM until 5 PM.

At 5 PM cold vegetables and appetizers are put out.

Tea, coffee, expresso, and capacinnos are available all day.

[tommy]

If you enjoy the balcony go for the stern they are awesome,otherwise go for midship.The Neptune Lounge wasnt that big of a deal for us. TOM

[peaches from georgia]

It strictly is a personal choice, but for us the Neptune Lounge and Concierge Service is the most important amenity of an S suite, so we always book a midship cabin near the NL. We pop in there all the time, so we would never book an aft S suite- too far away.

I think one serious misconception is that if you like a balcony you should book the aft, giving the impression that the midship verandah is very small. Not true at all- there are 2 loungers or 2 comfortable chairs w/ ottomans depending on the ship, a cocktail table between these lounge chairs, and a dining table with 4 dining chairs. So to us the midship suite gives us easy access to the NL, a more central location no matter where we are going on the ship, a spacious balcony, AND a larger cabin as the aft S cabin size is smaller.

[tommy]

We have had both The balcony is much more important to us You get more sun seeing as all the chair hogs take the chairs by the pool And the night time views are spectacular on the back of the ship

Deb

[Spot]

Deb - what aft suite have you been in? We will be on the Z this upcoming weekend and have a corner aft. Would like your thoughts.

Thanks

[tommy]

4180 and we will be in the same one for b2b on Oct. 16th & 23rd I love the wraparound balcony When I get too hot in the sun the side is usually in the shade

[Spot]

We will be in 6158 and our first aft suite. Neither one of us are sun worshipers but we love being out on our verandah especially in the mornings and at night.

What was your opinion of the Z and the service you got as a suite passenger?

[debsea]

If it were my choice, I would want to be near the Neptune Lounge.

[tommy]

debsea,Have you ever had the stern suite?They are so relaxing and the view is outstanding.Anyway you cant go wrong with either. DEB

[cruzlover56]

We were on Oosterdam's sister ship Zuiderdam with 2 different mid ship
S class cabins 7055 and 7060 (BtoB) we were also friendly with a couple who were in 4180. Proximity to the Neptune lounge was a plus. The ability to stop in for a snack was worth its weight in gold. If I had a young child with me I could have had them fed with the little bits and pieces they like to eat right away without waiting in line in the Lido. The proximity to the conscierge service was also invaluable. They took care of traveler's check cashing, excursions and pretty much anything that you would normally have to go down to the front desk for. If I had had to run up from 4180 for this, I might have well gone and waited in line at the front desk.

Our friends in 4180 were less than happy. They liked the bigger deck, but didn't like the additional vibration of being on a lower deck over the engines. Also I think that because there are only two S class on that deck they missed out of some of the S class perks. No champagne in the cabin, no corsage, boutineer on first formal night. Also their stewart forgot their Mariner tiles and on one day even forget to clean their cabin. Now this may have been a problem with their particular stewart, but it also could have been out of sight out of mind.

[tommy]

I didnt think it was that hard to get something to eat anywhere on a ship,and all you have to do is pick up the phone and call conscierge if you want.There was vibration not that bad,and we recieved all the amenitys everyone else did.They are both excellent side or stern.For us it comes down to the balcony,and the great view. TOM

[viennacruiser]

Oh my goodness now I am conflicted..we have aft Suite for March 05 on the Zuiderdam, I hope I am not makig a mistake not being midship near NL!!! MY DH does not like to spend to much time in the sun but likes to sit outside...will I be unhappy in either place??
Nancy

[tommy]

How anyone can be unhappy on a cruise ship is beyond me I really don't know what all the fuss is about the Neptune Lounge It's just a room with food and a person to answer questions If you don't like sun you won't like the aft cabins We pick them for that reason

Deb

[20165]

We went with the cabin on the Rotterdam deck close to the Neptune lounge mainly for the reason someone mentioned regarding traveling with a child and having snacks available close by which will be nice. We also think it may be a little quieter on that deck given it is made up of mostly suites and there are probably less people given fewer cabins.

Thanks again for the comments.

[viennacruiser]

20165,
We are neighbors in Va...we live in Vienna, when are you going on your cruise?
Nancy

[20165]

We are going Dec 12th on the oosterdam. The price was too good to pass up. We are paying less for this suite than we did for the same room 4 years ago and we are traveling with our son now. We were trying to go on RCL or Disney because they are geared more toward kids, but this price was way too good to pass up and he is too young to participate in the kids programs anyway.

thanks

[TedC]

If you want the larger verandah take it. Keep in mind that the cabin itself is somewhat smaller on the stern S suites, however.

As for being farther from the Neptune Lounge, you can always call room service for meals and snacks.

(We found the cookies in the Neptune were better than in the lido. Which, for me at least, would be a good reason to be farther from the temptation.)

[Spot]

The Neptune Lounge is okay for those that will use it's services but for me, if I have a great room steward (and I make sure he/she knows what I expect from the gitgo), the suite cabin amenities and the size of my verandah is what really counts for us.
Sure there is a longer walk being in an aft cabin but I welcome that distance when one of my favorite past times while cruising is eating - shouldn't do one without the other :)

Each cruiser needs to take their own wants and needs into consideration when booking a certain location, catagory, ship.
Each cruiser is different and thus another reason for cruising - you get an opportunity to meet a wide variety of people and personalities.

[mick70]

Go for the S near thr lounge, It is worth it.

[iowacruiser]

One other thing to consider....
The aft suites aren't quite as big as the midship cabins..Probably a tradeoff for the bigger balcony.
Aft suites 5186 and 5187 have the most square footage of all aft suites but they are still about 30 sq feet smaller then midship suites.
We have these two cabins booked for January and can't wait..

[tommy]

I would take the aft cabin for the balcony alone.You get room service and if the NL is that important it only takes a few minutes to walk there. TOM

[sail7seas]

We much prefer being mid-ship. We had an aft Suite once (on a Princess ship) and we did not care for just looking at the wake. I like more of a view when in port. Because we were in the center/aft, we could barely see port or starboard.


We like being near the Neptune Lounge.

[tommy]

We much prefer being mid-ship. We had an aft Suite once (on a Princess ship) and we did not care for just looking at the wake. I like more of a view when in port. Because we were in the center/aft, we could barely see port or starboard.


We like being near the Neptune Lounge.
The suites on the aft have wrap around balconies you get the best of both worlds,but if that 2 minute walk to get to them cookies in the NL is that difficult and the MUCH larger balcony doesnt matter then you are better off midship.

[CHRIS3169]

We are booked in a side suite on the Rotterdam, and I am wondering if there will be any sun on the balcony. Is the sun enough to lounge in or not? Is the aft very noisy, bumpy or bad in any other way than being far from the Neptune Lounge?:)

[tjcletsgo]

Hi, everyone. I booked a Deluxe Varandah Suite on the navigation deck of the Ryndam, for the October 30th Sea of Cortez cruise. It's cabin number S011, right across from the Neptune Lounge.

I've never cruised Holland America before and have so many questions for you all, I'm so excited to have found this forum!!

Champagne in S suites? ALL RIGHT!!! We were going to bring our own, now we'll just have more! It that on the Ryndam cruise as well?

Has anyone been on the Sea of Cortez cuise w HAL? Please tell me everything! What should we see in port? Excursions? The pool on our deck looks so inviting, we'll probably hang around there most of the day when we're at sea.

Is the food good on HAL? Entertainment? How's the Lido as an alternative to the main dining room?

Thanks all!

Janie

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Janie, Welcome to the Cruise Critic's HAL Board. I actually have never been on the Ryndam but will be boarding her just 2 weeks after you board her doing the cruise to the Sea of Cortez. I have been on 2 other HAL Cruises and love HAL. The food is better than RCL which is the only other cruise line I have been on. I find HAL cruises to be extremely relaxing. We are also getting a suite and will be in cabin 043 closer to the pool.
There are lots of very informative people on this board and several that have been on the Ryndam and the Sea of Cortez. Right now we are looking at only booking one excursion and that is in Cabo. We are interested in the "Deluxe Coastal Tour" That will probably be it. Unless some one tells us of one we should not miss.

Again Welcome to the board.

[20165]

We picked the suite close to the lounge becuase I think we will be using those services more given we are traveling with our son and I didnt want to give up any cabin space for the same reason.

Thanks for everyones help

[sea-n-me]

tjcletsgo:

We did the Sea of Cortez cruise in February of this year. Really enjoyed it! Loved all of the ports. The weather wasn't the greatest and we had a virus outbreak on the ship, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the trip. Would definitely do it again.

We were also in an "S" suite and yes, there was champagne in the cabin. You will certainly enjoy the Neptune Lounge....love those Cafe Latte's!

If there are any specific questions I can answer for you, I would be more than happy to.

Renee

[hotzej]

My wife and I are booked on the Oosterdam, 10/24/04, S Suite 7053. Our first time on HAL. Our eighth cruise overall. Late dinner seating. We picked this cabin as it is Midship which we always find to be the best. The NL will be just across from our Suite. This is important as we do like to use the services of the Concierge.

Hope everyone has wonderful cruises. No matter what cabin you are in a cruise is terriffic......

Bill/Jane

[CruisinNana]

My wife and I are booked on the Oosterdam, 10/24/04, S Suite 7053. Our first time on HAL. Our eighth cruise overall. Late dinner seating. We picked this cabin as it is Midship which we always find to be the best. The NL will be just across from our Suite. This is important as we do like to use the services of the Concierge.

Hope everyone has wonderful cruises. No matter what cabin you are in a cruise is terriffic......

Bill/Jane

Hi Bill and Jane,
Take good care of Oosterdam's cabin 7053 as we will be in it on 11/7/04. :D ....We sailed the O in an S suite in January 2004, and it was wonderful! Loved stopping in the Neptune for some good lattes and snacks! Happy Sailing!
Dee

[tjcletsgo]

tjcletsgo:

We did the Sea of Cortez cruise in February of this year. Really enjoyed it! Loved all of the ports. The weather wasn't the greatest and we had a virus outbreak on the ship, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the trip. Would definitely do it again.

We were also in an "S" suite and yes, there was champagne in the cabin. You will certainly enjoy the Neptune Lounge....love those Cafe Latte's!

If there are any specific questions I can answer for you, I would be more than happy to.

ReneeHi, Renee!

I do have questions!

What night was Dutch night? We want to book the Pinnacle that night!
Is the aft pool salt water of fresh?
Did the Pinnacle offer the wine tasting winner (for an extra $50.00)?
If so, what night was that?

What was your favorite port and why?

Renee, I'm sure I'll think of more questions! Thank you so much for your reply!

Janie, who cruises in 6 days!!

[mick70]

Hey 7053 We have the same one on 29 Jan 05. Hope to see what you have to say. HAVE A GOOD TIME!!!!:) :) :)