Any categories on HAL with sun deck/balcony with lounge chairs and sun ?

[Luckybee]

We've booked the penthouse on Zuiderdam for Alaska in May which we're looking forward to. We're now also considering a panama canal or caribbean cruise but we definitely want sun on our balcony for this type of itinerary and we want a suite. I looked at some of the pictures of the large balconies before the refit(I dont remember which ship they were) but that would have suited us perfectly. Right now we're leaning toward Celebrity and the penthouse on the Millenium ships(we have looked at NCL since they have some great suites with private sundecks but not the itineraries that we want...lol but X is going to kill me ...since dh and I will have to try to quit smoking if we're going to go that route) ....but Im wondering if there is anything on Hal that we're missing given that we are relative cruise newbie's and definitely dont know all the ships or cabins.

[jtl513]

Originally Posted by Luckybee

I looked at some of the pictures of the large balconies before the refit(I dont remember which ship they were) but that would have suited us perfectly.

You can still get those very large and very open stern balconies on deck 4 (only) of the Oostedam, Zuiderdam, or Westerdam. This picture is the stern of the Zuiderdam, but the other two are the same. (The fourth Vista, Noordam, does not have the extra large balcony on deck 4.)

click to enlarge

[fann1sh]

There are still large sunny balconies on the Vista class ships, even after the "aft lifts". Deck 4 aft balconies were unchanged by the upgrades.

Zuiderdam also does a partial Panama Canal 10 day cruise. Although far from the wonderful Neptune Lounge, take a look at the aft wrap cabins 4180 and 4185.

(...and once again, J posted above while I was typing....sorry for the duplication....)

[jtl513]

Originally Posted by fann1sh

(...and once again, J posted above while I was typing....sorry for the duplication....)

But you added info!

Have you seen pics of what your deck 5 corner SC looks like now? Only book that if you love shade!

[IRL_Joanie]

Originally Posted by Luckybee

We've booked the penthouse on Zuiderdam for Alaska in May which we're looking forward to. We're now also considering a panama canal or caribbean cruise but we definitely want sun on our balcony for this type of itinerary and we want a suite. I looked at some of the pictures of the large balconies before the refit(I dont remember which ship they were) but that would have suited us perfectly. Right now we're leaning toward Celebrity and the penthouse on the Millenium ships(we have looked at NCL since they have some great suites with private sundecks but not the itineraries that we want...lol but X is going to kill me ...since dh and I will have to try to quit smoking if we're going to go that route) ....but Im wondering if there is anything on Hal that we're missing given that we are relative cruise newbie's and definitely dont know all the ships or cabins.

If it helps to see actual photos taken by a fellow CC member here is a link to the Zuiderdam's Page, the Penthouse is PS 7045 on the Rotterdam Deck: http://joanjett2000.topcities.com/HA...dam/index.html

Also for views of one of the Aft Cabins (SC 6166 Deluxe Verandah Ocean View Stateroom Deck 6 Upper Verandah Deck (probable former SC 6158, now SC 6166) http://joanjett2000.topcities.com/HA...dam/index.html

Joanie

[cmdchiefthom]

I've done SB 7151 on the Westerdam last April, and have booked the same cabin on the Zuiderdam for the Panama Canal curise at the end of March 2010. Having done a similar two week cruise aboard the old Noordam, I found that having some shade was absolutely a great idea, simply because of the oppressive, and I do mean the oppressive sun and heat that is typical making even a partial transit of the canal. Having even a small overhang as these suites offer, is a prudent feature, considering the intensity of the sun, in those climes. Believe me, a sun worshiper can get cooked, especially while just floating around Gatun Lake, after the passage through the locks.

[Luckybee]

Joanie...am i correct that in the photos you showed me the only staterooms that have the uncovered large balcony would be deluxe Veranda oc V stateroom ? I havent been able to find any photos showing any suites that do ?

Cmd....dh and I are quite used to the heat in these climates. We've been all over the place when temperatures hit 100 + and we're still looking for the sun.

We've deposited on a Celebrity cruise for the Caribbean now in a penthouse for 2011(omg...now we have to quit smoking...lol)...but if there is anything out there that Ive missed let me know.

Good thing is at least this way we'll be able to compare the cruiselines. So far we only have Regent(when it was still Radisson) and RCCL to compare