Zuiderdam Balcony Room Question..... Aft?

[Chris-n-Cheryl]

Hello to all,

I'm hoping someone can offer advice on category VB Balcony rooms. We have our choice of forward, middle and aft rooms. As far as I can tell, the only two aft cabins for this category are located on the Upper Promanade deck (room VB4178 or 4183). Here are my questions:

1) These aft balconies look slightly larger than the balconies mid-ship. Is this true in reality? The rooms aren't corner units, but would there be lounge chairs in addition to table and chairs here?

2) Are the aft cabins balconies less private? Can you see into the balcony from above on the Veranda deck? Are there partitioned walls separating cabin balconies?

3) I believe the aft cabins balconies have a transparant wall as opposed to a solid opaque wall. Can anyone confirm/deny?

4) WE also have our choice of VB 6006 at the very front of the ship. This cabin is one back from a suite. From this balcony, could we see where the ship is going or are the balconies separated by an opaque wall?

5) Anyone have experience with both aft and forward cabins? Would you recommend one over the other or perhaps mid-ship over these choices?

6) Finally, any photos out there of these cabins (or any aft/forward cabins?).

I swear you'd think I was making a life altering decision when it comes to making a cabin choice! :)

Thank you kindly in advance,
Cheryl

[Marie-Claude]

Hi Cheryl:

We were in an Aft Cabin (8122) on the Zuiderdam last August. This was on the Navigator Deck, just below Lido. I'll try to answer your questions in sequence:
1) The Balcony is quite a bit larger in the Aft cabin. We had 2 teak loungers, 2 wickers chairs and a table. It is very spacious.
2) The balconies are staggered from deck to deck - therefore, you can see on the balconies below - except for where we were on Navigator deck where nobody could see us as we were below Lido, so even people on the Lido could not see us. There is a wall between all balconies.
3) The partition wall is completely opaque - the balcony railing is clear so as to not obstruct your view.
4)5)6) The view on the side balconies is limited to that one side, unless you are really close to the front. You have a great view from the Aft as you see both sides of the ship. Great sunsets!!

This was our first time on an aft balcony - we've done a few more balconies in various location. We really enjoyed it, first because it is quite a bit larger, then for the view.
Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll love having a glass of wine before dinner on the balcony while watching the see, the wake and the sunset!
Have a great cruise.

[Giorgi-one]

I always book aft balconies if they are availble. Usually have to book at least one year in advance to get one. I could care less about people above looking at me. Just wave and maybe even meet some new friends. Aft balconies on Zuiderdam are huge - at least 3 times bigger than standard balconies. The only drawback to an aft balcony on Zuiderdam is that you will have full sun most of the day. We were on Z in August and my wife never used the balcony. You might have more shade during the Winter when sun is lower in the sky.

Had a balcony facing forward on another ship last year. Like trying to sunbathe in a hurricane. Never again!

[rdy2cruz]

We were on the Z Oct 2 and loved the location - would do it again if given the choice.
The sun shines on your balcony all of the time but the view is fantastic and it was always great to see where you had been when leaving the ports - it was great for pictures. We
did not mind the folks being able to see us from the Lido or the other decks.

[tommy]

If people watching you is a problem tha 4th deck is preety concealed,and we had little to no thrash on balcony. TOM

[sail7seas]

They have found a solution to the problem of debris blowing off Lido Deck to the verandas below.


When we were at aft pool, we noticed they installed a shield which is about a foot high all around the stern area of Lido deck. Below the first 'rung' of the railing, they installed a solid piece of either plastic or rubber or whatever which blocks cups, napkins etc from blowing onto the verandas.

[tommy]

Cigar ashes,and cigarette butts are still a priblem on the back. TOM

[sail7seas]

I can understand about butts but don't ashes blow away on a moving ship.....even a docked ship? Wouldn't take much breeze to blow an ash away, would it?

[Giorgi-one]

Cigar ashes,and cigarette butts are still a priblem on the back. TOM

I can't imagine someone being dumb enough to throw a cigarette butt into my balcony.

[Chris-n-Cheryl]

Thank you to everyone who replied :).

We have just reserved cabin 6165 for Easter week (March 26-April 2nd). We went for VA as opposed to VC because in VC there's a chance we could end up with one of the balconies that aren't opaque if we got bumped out of 4183 for whatever reason (and the cost difference between VA and VC was only $50.00). This move puts us one category below a SS for the grand game of "upgrade roulette".... worth it in my book :).

There are aft cabins available in our category (VA) located on decks 5 also. Would you advise me to go one deck lower? We choose 6165 because the balcony looks so big (33 ft to the stern I believe). If privacy is an issue, I'm willing to take a smaller balcony, but I suppose my very long winded question is: How much more private could deck 5 be when compared to deck 6?

Thanks in advance,
Cheryl :)

[Giorgi-one]

Thank you to everyone who replied :).

We have just reserved cabin 6165 for Easter week (March 26-April 2nd). We went for VA as opposed to VC because in VC there's a chance we could end up with one of the balconies that aren't opaque if we got bumped out of 4183 for whatever reason (and the cost difference between VA and VC was only $50.00). This move puts us one category below a SS for the grand game of "upgrade roulette".... worth it in my book :).

There are aft cabins available in our category (VA) located on decks 5 also. Would you advise me to go one deck lower? We choose 6165 because the balcony looks so big (33 ft to the stern I believe). If privacy is an issue, I'm willing to take a smaller balcony, but I suppose my very long winded question is: How much more private could deck 5 be when compared to deck 6?

Thanks in advance,
Cheryl :)

The balcony is not 33 feet deep. I believe the distance to the stern is measured from the outside of the cabin to the farthest point at the water line. I believe I had this same cabin in Augsut. Balcony is about 12 feet deep.

[sail7seas]

I can't imagine someone being dumb enough to throw a cigarette butt into my balcony.

I don't think they purposely throw their cigarettes onto the balcony. I think perhaps they blow out of dirty ashtrays left sitting on the deck by pax who don't lift the top and deposit them underneath as the ashtray is designed to be used.

At least I certainly HOPE that is the case.......what a fire risk if they are conciously flicking off lit cigarettes.

[Giorgi-one]

I don't think they purposely throw their cigarettes onto the balcony. I think perhaps they blow out of dirty ashtrays left sitting on the deck by pax who don't lift the top and deposit them underneath as the ashtray is designed to be used.

At least I certainly HOPE that is the case.......what a fire risk if they are conciously flicking off lit cigarettes.

I wasn't referring to the fire risk!

[Chris-n-Cheryl]

Gorgi-one,

Thank you for the clarification. Balcony looked deeper than 12' in the photos I saw given that the chaise lounge is 6' and there's a whole lotta room left over, but I positively believe you! :).

Did you have any issues with privacy in this cabin? In your opinion, would the same category on deck 5 be a better choice?

Thank you again in advance,
Cheryl

[Giorgi-one]

Cheryl:

As I remember aft balconies on decks 5 and 6 were identical. I believe deck 4 balconies were slightly smaller. My daughter was on deck 4 for her honeymoon and she said there were no lounge chairs on her balcony.

One tip. Watch your head on the TV. The TV is right above the vanity and my wife hit her head pretty good about 3 times.

[tommy]

I meet people that said they had cigarette butts,cigar butts and ashes also an occasional pop can.They were on decks 7 and8.We had none on ours we were in 4180. TOM P.S. I dont think it was intentional,but I did see a lot of people throwing thiers butts over the side especially on the promenade deck a lot of smoking there.

[Giorgi-one]

Another good reason to ban smoking on all ships.

Duck!

[JeffCoud]

Hey all...seriously thinking about booking a Zuidy aft balcony (aka, Cat S on the corner) for December. What deck is better? Sounds like deck 4 might be a little smaller, should I go up to 5 or 6? Lots of availability in that category. Could sandwich myself nicely between cabin decks but not go too high to be near the public deck? Any thoughts on this to share?

And....the Cat S cabins aft....it does appear the balcony wraps around to the side of the ship....this is true??

Thanks all!

Jeff

[tommy]

Jeff,We had 4180 for 2 weeks it was great.The balcony is awesome and does wrape around.The good thing about deck 4 is it is a lot more private than the upper decks.If you use the balcony alot take a corner on the back any of them you wont be sorry. TOM

[swmichigan cruiser]

Hard to go wrong with one of the S wraparound suites aft. We've been in three so far and repeating S5187 in about 3 1/2 weeks. We've also been in S7133 and S5186 but have never stayed in one on deck 4. I would recommend 5186 or 5187 if they are available. But there all good. The reason we go first for 5186 or 5187 is because they have the most cabin space compared to the other wraparound S suites. 5186 and 5187 have about 360 sq. ft. space in the cabins and the one on deck 4 are about 325 sq. ft. No matter which one you can get in my opinion there all good. And the balconies are unbelievable. Bob

[JeffCoud]

Thank you Tommy and SWMichigan for the good advice. There is tons of availability the week I am looking at in December before the holidays...so I'm thinking either S-4185 or S-5187, both of which are aft on the starboard side. Figuring the first day at sea there I'll get some good sunshine if the weather is nice?

Is the 4th floor more private or the fifth? Sounded like the 5th floor is a bigger cabin, the 4th a bigger balcony? Advice please! :) Are there any advantages to going higher on 6 or 7?? I guess 7 is the same floor as the Neptune lounge.

Actually, I'm sure I'd be happy either way! And I'm sailing solo so probably the cabin space isn't an issue, and I do love my big balcony!

Thanks much for all your advice -- truly appreciated!

Jeff

[tommy]

Jeff,Deck5 is a little bigger,deck4 is more concealed. TOM

[swmichigan cruiser]

I haven't been on deck 4 but I bet the balcony on 5 is at least the same size or bigger than the one on deck 4. And your right deck 7 has the Neptune lounge but its still long walk from the aft suites either way. I think deck 4 is more private than deck 5 but remember your side portion of the balcony is covered on all the wraparound S suites. Hard to go wrong.

[JeffCoud]

Thanks again to you both -- so the wrap around part on the side is pretty well secluded regardless of what deck your on....that's what I'm hearing? Sounds good to me! I am thinking there are several places I can scoot my lounge chair around to! I think I might just go with deck 4 since I don't need a bigger suite since it's just me!

Thanks thanks thanks!!!

Jeff

[KSCnCA]

I just found this web page with a couple pix of the Zuiderdam aft cabins. Check it out:

http://homepage.mac.com/tlassek/PhotoAlbum22.html

[doone]

WOW, I can't believe how big those corner aft balconies are. I have Cabin 5187 and next door 5185 on the Zuiderdam March 12th, now I really can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JeffCoud]

Wow, thanks for that link. Perfect pictures! Very helpful to have....leaning towards the 5th floor now!

Jeff

[swmichigan cruiser]

Looking at the pictures that were posted it sure looks like deck 5 has a bigger balcony than deck 4 and the cabin itself is about 30 sq. ft bigger on deck 5. Were looking forward again to 5187 in a little over 3 weeks. Either choice is good and you can't go wrong.

[Little Feet]

Hi Jeff:
We do seem to like the same type of cabins! I have the port corner aft suite on the Westerdam December 5 & 12! It is #5186. I think the verandah will be awesome! We will make a toast to you and your verandah once on board! What week are you going? Enjoy your cruise!

Margaret & Bob

[JeffCoud]

Hi Margaret and Bob -- going on December 11th....and went ahead and booked the aft corner suite! Woohoo!!!! I cannot wait!! Thankfully, I won't have to wait very long lol!!!

Jeff

[SueOverend]

Just booking one week on the Westerdam for 4th December 05. We have been offered

4180
4185
6084
6086
6088
6097
6156
6167
6169
7049

Not sure which would be the best deck. We've never cruised on HAL, nor have we ever had an aft cabin. Help!!

[KSCnCA]

I would go for 6169. Deck 4 verandahs aren't quite as deep as deck 6. Next choice would be 4180 & 4185. The aft verandahs are awesome! We didn't feel too much motion and the size of the verandah and the view was worth the distance you will have to go to the Neptune Lounge.

[JeffCoud]

I really liked the cabin on Deck 5. It had a nice comination of sheer balcony size, as well as distance from the lido deck up above. I went up to the lido deck to look down, and really due to the angle of the ship I felt it was about 1/2 private. Worked for me. That balcony was the best thing about the entire cruise!

Jeff

[S.S.Oceanlover]

hard to believe that as big as 5187 is that it is only a triple.
I was thinking about booking it as a quad but alas, the cruise Gods frowned down upon us.

Bill

[cruznon]

5187 here we come in 33 days. Each new picture I see makes this cabin look better!:) The view from an af balcony is wonderful---the stars at night and the wake ofthe ship!!!


Can't wait...I look forward to breakfast on that balcony!!:D

[Kelfly]

Cruznon:
Please post your review of the ship, cabin, and itinerary. We will be in the same cabin the first week of December. Thanks!

[cruznon]

Will do , Kelfly.:)

[babyg]

We are on the Zuiderdam on 12/30/05. Any thoughts on Cabin 8069?

[rustytdog]

We just booked the Zuiderdam for 12/3/05 and assigned cabin 5108. Does anyone know anything aobut this cabin? This is our first time on HAL. Have sailed with Carnival the past few times. Any help would be appreciated.

[airmanship]

I,m looking at booking two VA aft cabins on the Zuid this summer. This will be for me, DH and our 2 boys. My question is .. I know these are not connecting cabins but can the dividers between the 2 cabins be opened for 1 large balcony and a pass thru for the kids?

[KSCnCA]

Sure, they will unlock the dividers and you will have a small passage to get between the two verandahs. It doesn't make one big verandah, but will make the two cabins easier to get between. What lucky boys to have an aft verandah!

[seabourndt]

reading these posts about balcony cabins as you said you had 4180- for 2 weeks extra interested any pics you could send me or info what the cabin and balcony looks like i have cabimn for short cruise 4th may.
david

[seabourndt]

Iam In 4180 But Can't Get Any Pics I Can Print Out. The Only Ones Were On Webshots But Cant Get The Puictures Apart Frombuying Them Any Ideas?

[seattlecruiser]

Seabourndt, not positive this will work but...under the pic in Webshots it will say "view full size"...click on that and it will open another window that will show the picture in a .jpg format. If you then save that file, you should be able to print it from Windows.

[seabourndt]

will try that

[seabourndt]

any pics of the cabin 4180 as iam in that one inmmay

[popcorngal]

Can anyone tell me if these aft cabins have a partitioned off bedroom? We just got off the Carnival Legend and our aft cabin did have a separate bedroom. Between that and the wrap around balcony, it was fantastic! Thanks!

[seabourndt]

how do,you get the pics bigger, tried clicking on opic but nothin happened