Zaandam "S"--location advice (about to book)

[DrFUN]

DH and I are about to book an "S" on the Zaandam's 01 April 2012 22-day sailing from Kobe (Japan) to Vancouver -- and although we've sailed on the Maasdam and the Rotterdam, we know the Z-dam is a bit different even though it's the same class.... It's just been announced -- so we can get practically any "S" we want.

 

We'd be extremely grateful for your advice, dear CC friends!

 

Our questions/concerns are:

 

• As the ship goes up the coast of Japan and down the coast of Alaska and Canada, we're presuming the ideal side for seeing some coast is

STARBOARD

(realizing we're often too far out to sea to see anything). Are we correct about preferring starboard?

 

• As the sailing is early April AND includes a far-North trans-Pacific crossing, we're thinking we're better off

mid-ships?

 

• We don't want to be RIGHT across from the elevators and stairway crosswalk (too noisy and congested sometimes).

 

• We've always been at some distance from the

Neptune Lounge

-- but we're wondering if it's better to be right across for easy access or a bit further away. (Also, the HAL deckplan shows Neptune entries only on the PORT side, but photos on Joanie's wonderful website seem to show entries on BOTH side--?) Suggestions?

 

• Are we correct in

assuming the "S" balconies on the Navigation Deck (directly below the Lido Deck) are completely covered?

Given the above, THANKS for advice about what YOU think would be the best "S" -- and why. (It's a bit of a stretch $-wise to do an "S" on this sailing, so we're extra-cautious.) ;)

 

Appreciatively,

Mary-Lou

 

P.S. I already searched this forum -- but can't find any info.