Club Orange on Nieuw Statendam - Upgrade from VA?

[singleflyer]

I booked a Verandah Room on the Nieuw Statendam for this July out of Copenhagen.  Sailing solo.  

 

I'm currently assigned a "VA" level room.  I am debating upgrading to Club Orange (it would be a total of $175 as it is just me).  Dining in Club Orange would be a benefit, probably not worth the $175.  

 

It looks like the Aft Verandah rooms are all sold out.  I'm not going to get the thermal spa access pass; so don't really care about having a Spa room.  

 

Does anyone know what the best Verandah (non-aft facing) level room I could ask for if I get Club Orange?  I have heard some have larger balconies; are there other stateroom upgrades I should consider?  I'm new so I don't know if there is something above "VA" I could ask for that would be good for me.  

 

Thanks!

[waiting2retire]

Did you book your VA room specifically or is it a guarantee?

 

I personally love the larger balconies on Deck 4. They are “VB” level, but I prefer the larger balcony to the VA balcony locations. I also prefer aft to forward, so if it was me, I would choose cabin 4193 if you decide to purchase Club Orange. 
 

Others have said they received onboard credit instead of a category upgrade if none were available. 
 

Enjoy your cruise, whatever you decide to do!

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

You are on vacation $175 is a lot BUT your dining experience for Breakfast And Dinner every day will be worth it. 

[leerathje]

13 minutes ago, waiting2retire said:

Did you book your VA room specifically or is it a guarantee?

 

I personally love the larger balconies on Deck 4. They are “VB” level, but I prefer the larger balcony to the VA balcony locations. I also prefer aft to forward, so if it was me, I would choose cabin 4193 if you decide to purchase Club Orange. 
 

Others have said they received onboard credit instead of a category upgrade if none were available. 
 

Enjoy your cruise, whatever you decide to do!

 

I did a video of our room on the Koningsdam, number 4191.  We had 3 rooms side by side by side, so you can see what the balcony of 4193 looks like!  lol....  The rooms on the Nieuw Statendam will be pretty much identical, as they are sister ships.

 

L.

 

 

 

[singleflyer]

26 minutes ago, waiting2retire said:

Did you book your VA room specifically or is it a guarantee?

 

I personally love the larger balconies on Deck 4. They are “VB” level, but I prefer the larger balcony to the VA balcony locations. I also prefer aft to forward, so if it was me, I would choose cabin 4193 if you decide to purchase Club Orange. 
 

Others have said they received onboard credit instead of a category upgrade if none were available. 
 

Enjoy your cruise, whatever you decide to do!

 

Honestly not sure; I booked through a casino promotion (from a land based casino).  In my account it is showing up as VA61XX (actually have the last two digits but didn't know if posting it here for an upcoming cruise might be iffy).  

 

I might just call in and see if they can tell me what my options would be for Club Orange.  It looks like there are Veranda Spa rooms available but I have heard those have small balconies.  So I don't think I'd be eligible for the onboard credit.  The large balcony (which @leerathje posted a video of below) does look quite nice, especially if I could get a lounger out there!.  

 

9 minutes ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

You are on vacation $175 is a lot BUT your dining experience for Breakfast And Dinner every day will be worth it. 

 

Thanks for this.  I've heard recently that there have been long lines to get into Club Orange so I wasn't sure if that would be worth it.  What do you think makes Club Orange worth it?  I thought it was basically the same as the Main Dining Room just with an extra main course option?  I also prefer to have my own table (traveling solo) rather than be put with others.  

 

New to HAL so trying to figure this all out and appreciate your input! 

 

8 minutes ago, leerathje said:

 

I did a video of our room on the Koningsdam, number 4191.  We had 3 rooms side by side by side, so you can see what the balcony of 4193 looks like!  lol....  The rooms on the Nieuw Statendam will be pretty much identical, as they are sister ships.

 

L.

 

 

Very nice!  I do like that large balcony.  How did you like Deck 4? Any problem with being right above the Promenade Deck?

 

Thanks everyone for their help!  I tend to over-research (but that is part of the fun!)

[Florida_gal_50]

Its nice to have the smaller dining room.  There may or may not be a line for club orange.  I've had both situations.  I believe that 4191 is a VB so that wouldn't be an option.  Sometimes in the MDR they really like you to sit with others.  I've never felt that pressure in club orange.  There is only one extra entree in club orange. I find the food is much hotter in club orange.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Since you are in a VA category, they will not downgrade you to a VB category with Club Orange you must move up if you want to move your choise would be V, VS or VQ. There is a very good possiblity that those staterooms are not a better location despite them being called a higher category. The VQ staterooms are a very small balcony and the staterooms are narrower V or VA may or may not be better. Some of the V's have slightly larger staterooms or much larger balconie but generally those would have been taken before now with your sailing in July. Your benefit if the Club Orange is even still available for you sailing would be for the dining. You cannot get the ship board credit by not moving unless every single category above what you already have is sold out.  

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

The first day ask the manager of club orange what time is good for me to come to breakfast and what time is good for dinner. Tell them what type of table you would like.

[billydog]

In a similar vein on the Statendam are most Vista Suites much the same or are they in categories? Which are the best and where?  I'm guaranteed Vista and like the OP am considering Club Orange. Aft facing Vista suites are booked out. 

 

Thanks

[leerathje]

1 hour ago, singleflyer said:

 

Honestly not sure; I booked through a casino promotion (from a land based casino).  In my account it is showing up as VA61XX (actually have the last two digits but didn't know if posting it here for an upcoming cruise might be iffy).  

 

I might just call in and see if they can tell me what my options would be for Club Orange.  It looks like there are Veranda Spa rooms available but I have heard those have small balconies.  So I don't think I'd be eligible for the onboard credit.  The large balcony (which @leerathje posted a video of below) does look quite nice, especially if I could get a lounger out there!.  

 

 

Thanks for this.  I've heard recently that there have been long lines to get into Club Orange so I wasn't sure if that would be worth it.  What do you think makes Club Orange worth it?  I thought it was basically the same as the Main Dining Room just with an extra main course option?  I also prefer to have my own table (traveling solo) rather than be put with others.  

 

New to HAL so trying to figure this all out and appreciate your input! 

 

 

Very nice!  I do like that large balcony.  How did you like Deck 4? Any problem with being right above the Promenade Deck?

 

Thanks everyone for their help!  I tend to over-research (but that is part of the fun!)

 

We liked the aft area of Deck 4. No problems whatsoever from being above the Promenade.  You are only 2 floors above the MDR (Or Club Orange, if that's the direction you choose to go) and as I vape and my husband smokes, it is convenient for the aft pool on deck 9, which is the smoking section and where we spend some time.

 

Leanne

[kazu]

1 hour ago, singleflyer said:

Thanks for this.  I've heard recently that there have been long lines to get into Club Orange so I wasn't sure if that would be worth it.  What do you think makes Club Orange worth it?  I thought it was basically the same as the Main Dining Room just with an extra main course option?  I also prefer to have my own table (traveling solo) rather than be put with others.  

 

Having your own table is no problem in Club Orange.  Is it worth it?  For me, yes.  I had one dinner and lunch in the MDR and it was one and done.  Service in Club Orange was far superior and the extra entree they offered was very good most nights.  I asked the best time to come and only encountered a 5 minute wait once.

 

Lineups can happen - it varies depending on your timing.  I found most lineups were people who wanted to eat there that did not have Club Orange on my sailings - LOL.

 

I have it booked for my Rotterdam cruise in October and looking forward to it and already had my room of choice (aft deep balcony) so no upgrade involved.  I’m doing it for the dining and the CO guest services line.  

[oakridger]

On a Pinnacle ship I will consider Club Orange next time even for the dining alone.  I would like to add that since I usually travel solo, I have always been able to get a table for one.  They ask if I want to share and when I say no, they sometimes say there will a bit of a wait. When I tell them "I'll wait!" then there suddenly has appeared a solo table available!!  😉

I never had to share a table if I didn't want to.

 

~Nancy

[Florida_gal_50]

2 minutes ago, oakridger said:

On a Pinnacle ship I will consider Club Orange next time even for the dining alone.  I would like to add that since I usually travel solo, I have always been able to get a table for one.  They ask if I want to share and when I say no, they sometimes say there will a bit of a wait. When I tell them "I'll wait!" then there suddenly has appeared a solo table available!!  😉

I never had to share a table if I didn't want to.

 

~Nancy

That’s how they try to get you to bite with the old wait excuse.

[oakridger]

2 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

That’s how they try to get you to bite with the old wait excuse.

 

Exactly @Florida_gal_50!!  That's why Cruise Critic is so helpful for the inside suggestions!!

 

~Nancy

[Florida_gal_50]

1 minute ago, oakridger said:

 

Exactly @Florida_gal_50!!  That's why Cruise Critic is so helpful for the inside suggestions!!

 

~Nancy

I think they even tried to get me to share in the pinnacle one night but I looked at him like he had 2 heads and a tail.  I’m pretty sure that what he said anyway.  I didn’t ask what he said again and he didn’t say it again.  I did notice people at the next table were eating together and asking questions of each other like they just met, and they probably did.  I didn’t notice anything like that again after that night.

[oakridger]

I prefer meeting new people on a ship in other venues such as the bars, on an excursion or elsewhere for example.  If we have a good time together then we may decide to later eat dinner together.  That's what works for me!

 

~Nancy

[singleflyer]

5 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Its nice to have the smaller dining room.  There may or may not be a line for club orange.  I've had both situations.  I believe that 4191 is a VB so that wouldn't be an option.  Sometimes in the MDR they really like you to sit with others.  I've never felt that pressure in club orange.  There is only one extra entree in club orange. I find the food is much hotter in club orange.

 

5 hours ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Since you are in a VA category, they will not downgrade you to a VB category with Club Orange you must move up if you want to move your choise would be V, VS or VQ. There is a very good possiblity that those staterooms are not a better location despite them being called a higher category. The VQ staterooms are a very small balcony and the staterooms are narrower V or VA may or may not be better. Some of the V's have slightly larger staterooms or much larger balconie but generally those would have been taken before now with your sailing in July. Your benefit if the Club Orange is even still available for you sailing would be for the dining. You cannot get the ship board credit by not moving unless every single category above what you already have is sold out.  

 

Thanks for this.  I didn't realize I was in a "high" verandah room level.  What are V and VS rooms?  (I think VQ is spa verandah).

 

EDIT: Looks like VS are aft facing verandah rooms.

Edited May 30, 2023 by singleflyer

[Florida_gal_50]

10 minutes ago, oakridger said:

I prefer meeting new people on a ship in other venues such as the bars, on an excursion or elsewhere for example.  If we have a good time together then we may decide to later eat dinner together.  That's what works for me!

 

~Nancy

I like that too.  Usually I meet peeps in the cabana or just organically like you say.  It's just better when it's not forced.

[Florida_gal_50]

7 minutes ago, singleflyer said:

 

 

Thanks for this.  I didn't realize I was in a "high" verandah room level.  What are V and VS rooms?  (I think VQ is spa verandah).

 

EDIT: Looks like VS are aft facing verandah rooms.

Yup I think you've got it.  It's hals arbitrary decision of what it considers a better location.

[singleflyer]

Thanks everyone for the help.  I ended up upgrading to Club Orange.  For my 7 day cruise I was told I'd get $50 OBC if no room upgrade was available. 

 

Originally booked in VA, was upgraded to my choice of V rooms.  I ended up booking V5048 as it has a huge verandah plus it is a "sideways" room and looks like it has a large picture window in addition to the door to the balcony.  Seems like that plus the Club Orange dining room makes it worth $175.  

 

I don't see anywhere on my reservation that I have Club Orange (but the stateroom has changed).  Does it ever show up before boarding?

[Florida_gal_50]

31 minutes ago, singleflyer said:

Thanks everyone for the help.  I ended up upgrading to Club Orange.  For my 7 day cruise I was told I'd get $50 OBC if no room upgrade was available. 

 

Originally booked in VA, was upgraded to my choice of V rooms.  I ended up booking V5048 as it has a huge verandah plus it is a "sideways" room and looks like it has a large picture window in addition to the door to the balcony.  Seems like that plus the Club Orange dining room makes it worth $175.  

 

I don't see anywhere on my reservation that I have Club Orange (but the stateroom has changed).  Does it ever show up before boarding?

It should show up on your confirmation from hal under special services I think it’s called.  

[canadianbear]

This is what ours looks like on our statement 

[singleflyer]

13 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

It should show up on your confirmation from hal under special services I think it’s called.  

 

10 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

This is what ours looks like on our statement 

Thanks!  It is there; at least in the confirmation email.

[canadianbear]

2 minutes ago, singleflyer said:

 

Thanks!  It is there; at least in the confirmation email.

Glad you found it!

[mcl082182]

We booked ocean view guaranteed on 6/18 Niew Amsterdam1-2 weeks ago. I called today and asked about upgrades and they offered V5140 for $299/p and I did it. 

What is club orange? Should I call and ask about it? What #?