traditional steamer chairs - which ships?

[Dena]

We like to lounge on the promenade deck because it offers both shade and ocean views and we wonder which HAL ships offer a promenade deck with steamer chairs so we can put our feet up. They don't really need to be traditional teak; any chaise type lounger would do.

 

We have sailed with Princess and while some ships offer traditional steamer chairs on the promenade deck, some of the newer ships do not. Instead they offer upright chairs. This is probably because while these new ships have essentially the same "foot print" as others in the fleet, they also have an extra deck of staterooms. So exterior space is sacrificed for interior space in the bars and restaurant. I don't like this trend and have begun to look elsewhere (I need shade). HAL sounds pretty good so far.

[bepsf]

All of them...

[Bill S]

Yep, Brian's succinct reply is right on! I have yet to be on HAL ship that didn't have them. Have a great cruise and enjoy the chaises!

[jhannah]

And they are teak.

[RevNeal]

Dear Dena,

 

You means these?

 

 

As Brian and others have said, you will find these, and wrap-around promenade decks, on ALL of the Holland America Line's Damships. And ... they are LOVELY to sit back in, relax, and enjoy the day. :)

[jhannah]

That looks like the Noordam. Three weeks from Thursday I'll be able to recline and relax in one of those chairs! Ahhhhhhh.

[RevNeal]

That looks like the Noordam. Three weeks from Thursday I'll be able to recline and relax in one of those chairs! Ahhhhhhh.

 

Close enough ... it's actually the Oosterdam. :)

But, from that location you wouldn't be able to tell the difference by just looking at the promenade and the deck chairs. :D

[Dena]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. Yes, that picture shows exactly what I have in mind. I've posted the same basic question on Princess boards with no reply. My personal experience tells me that the Princess Sun class ships have these chairs and so do the Sapphire and Diamond. Photographs show me that the newer Caribbean and Crown do not and the Emerald which is being built will not. I believe there are also other Princess ships that lack these type chairs.

 

Strange as it may seem the lack of such chairs is nearly a deal-breaker for me. I am quite pale and need to be in the shade. Even having a balcony can't guarantee shade because the overhand is not very deep. But the promenade deck virtually ensures shade. And it provides a view of the ocean. I'd much rather view the ocean than, say, someone stuffing a pineapple down his bathing suit or a giant movie screen showing kids movies complete with blaring sound.

 

DH and I are considering trying HAL. On the plus side we believe (based on these boards) that HAL offers: better beds, larger staterooms, better service, quieter atmosphere, fewer children, and the ability to order from the full menu for room service (Princess only provides this option for the suites).

 

On the other hand we have three concerns.

First, DH has celiac disease and needs a gluten-free diet. Someone posted that HAL will do a wheat-free diet, but not gluten-free. This is strange, and I will contact HAL for clarification. But we pretty much know what to order to avoid gluten.

 

Second, HAL will almost surely have more smokers. I saw a post on these boards in which HAL essentially states that it has more smokers than other lines. I don't like smoke, but a little is OK - I'm not allergic or anything. My mother has asthma and she loves HAL, so how bad can it really be?

 

Third, DH and I prefer a table for 2. On Princess I can be assured this with Anytime Dining. The trade off is explaining DH's food allergy to a different waiter each night (although this really hasn't been too difficult). I understand that on HAL I have a reasonable chance of getting a table for 2 if we book early. And it is nice to know that if we want a quiet dinner for two in our stateroom (or a hot breakfast or lunch), HAL will provide this. Princess, generally, will not.

 

So on balance we are leaning toward HAL. Also, based on the designs of some of the newer ships, it seems Princess is edging closer to an RCCL atmosphere. I've never sailed with them, but I've read enough on these boards to believe RCCL is not for us.

[bepsf]

Dena--

I'm borderline Celiac - have rarely had issues negotiating the menus and avoiding foods containing wheat. One of my favorite places to get lunch is in the Lido at the Wok. Stirfry & rice: Yum!

I agree - for dinners it's best to have your own table and set waiters who will be responsive to your needs. Be sure to contact Ship Services before you sail to let them know what your needs are so they can take care of you.

Smokers haven't been an issue for me - they tend to stay on their side of the ship... ;)

I have the feeling that HAL will be your next favorite cruiseline...

[Dena]

Dena--

 

 

I have the feeling that HAL will be your next favorite cruiseline...

 

I think you may be right!

[Bill S]

Dena: DW and I are non-smokers and we find smoke to be irritating. In 11 HAL cruises, we have been bothered only once by a smoker --- he was smoking in a non-smoking area where we were seated. Once it brought to the attention of a crew member, the problem was solved. But for that one incident, we have had no problems with smokers--99.9% of them have been extremely considerate.

Whicheve line you choose, I hope you have a great time!

[Dena]

Dena: DW and I are non-smokers and we find smoke to be irritating. In 11 HAL cruises, we have been bothered only once by a smoker --- he was smoking in a non-smoking area where we were seated. Once it brought to the attention of a crew member, the problem was solved. But for that one incident, we have had no problems with smokers--99.9% of them have been extremely considerate.

 

Whicheve line you choose, I hope you have a great time!

 

Thanks for the input. I think it will be okay too. Do you know if one side of the promenade deck is reserved for non smokers?

[K&RCurt]

Thanks for the input. I think it will be okay too. Do you know if one side of the promenade deck is reserved for non smokers?

 

I believe the port side of the ship is the "smoking" side, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

BTW, there are also shaded lounges in the mid-ship pool area. And you are not likely to see hairy chest contests, pinapples down swim trunks and surley no movies by the pool on HAL!

 

Turn to the Dark (painted Hull) Side, you'll love HAL.

[Atomica]

Ahh, the deck chairs...they're wonderful.

 

I've noticed when looking at the Princess ships that come here to Vancouver that the Sun/Dawn/Diamond/Sapphire are the only ones with the 'traditional' wooden steamer chairs. Coral/Island all seem to have the white plastic ones.

 

One of the nice things about HAL is that if you feel like having dinner in your stateroom, you are able to order directly off the dining room menu during dining hours. I thought that was pretty cool.

 

With regards to smoking, I only really noticed it on the Veendam - probably because the sports bar/casino are right next to each other, and they both back onto the corridor leading from the Atrium to the Explorer's Lounge. On the Oosterdam, I can't recall ever being bothered by it (or smelling it for that matter!).

 

I think you'll enjoy HAL a lot. It's a great experience!