First time cruise - upgraded but have a question

[zone8grandma]

So we will be going on our first cruise next month (Alaska on the Statendam). I got an email last night offering to upgrade to a Neptune suite (from our Veranda suite) for $349 pp.

 

I called and got it, but all of the available cabins were on the port side. We will be sailing north. Will we lose out on the scenery? Did I make a mistake?

Edited July 25, 2014 by zone8grandma

[BeardieMom55]

I think you will be fine. During the time that you are not in the inside passage you would most likely not be able to see land from either side of the ship. However, once in the inside passage there will be beautiful scenery on both sides of the ship. Enjoy your cruise and Alaska!!

[POA1]

We were on the port side in Alaska and it was fine. There's always something you're not going to be able to see, regardless of which side you're on.

[Lizzie68]

It will be beautiful both sides. But the major thing with an Alaska cruise is to get out and view from all over the ship. The Statendam is a small ship, so moving around the promenade deck or cutting through from side to side is an easy option. My favourite place - regardless of having a balcony - is the aft Lido deck when we are in Glacier Bay. Have a wonderful cruise.:)

[Sage]

There will be beautiful scenery on both sides of the ship. I think that you will enjoy the benefits of the upgrade and have a wonderful cruise.

[sail7seas]

We were on the port side in Alaska and it was fine. There's always something you're not going to be able to see, regardless of which side you're on.

 

 

Ditto for us.

 

Have a great cruise.

 

[DaveOKC]

So we will be going on our first cruise next month (Alaska on the Statendam). I got an email last night offering to upgrade to a Neptune suite (from our Veranda suite) for $349 pp.

 

I called and got it, but all of the available cabins were on the port side. We will be sailing north. Will we lose out on the scenery? Did I make a mistake?

 

What area of the deck is your cabin in? We were on the Statendam last Oct in a Neptune suite just aft of the Neptune Lounge (033 or 035 as I recall) and the engine vibration was very noticeable. Others in the area of our cabin (Starboard and Port) reported the same problem, but most of the Neptune passengers did not, so it was quite localized.

 

DaveOKC

[djg541]

Look at it this way, what views you may miss on your outbound leg, you'll see on the return.

Alaska is a series of stunning visual scenes day after day. Youll see mountains that no human hes set foot on.

Regarding your upgrade, your gonna be spoiled for anything less after the trip.

Statendam was our first HAL ship and we're loyal fans ever since.

Regards to the Neptune Lounge!

[DaveOKC]

Look at it this way, what views you may miss on your outbound leg, you'll see on the return.

Alaska is a series of stunning visual scenes day after day. Youll see mountains that no human hes set foot on.

Regarding your upgrade, your gonna be spoiled for anything less after the trip.

Statendam was our first HAL ship and we're loyal fans ever since.

Regards to the Neptune Lounge!

 

The OP is traveling NORTHBOUND only (Vancouver to Seward). That is why most folks picked Starboard.

[zone8grandma]

What area of the deck is your cabin in? We were on the Statendam last Oct in a Neptune suite just aft of the Neptune Lounge (033 or 035 as I recall) and the engine vibration was very noticeable. Others in the area of our cabin (Starboard and Port) reported the same problem, but most of the Neptune passengers did not, so it was quite localized.

 

DaveOKC

 

Our cabin is SA014 - a bit forward of the Neptune lounge.

[PathfinderEss]

There will be great scenery on both sides of the ship, not to worry. You won't be missing anything and now you have a super great cabin to cruise in, congratulations on your great up sell.

[jtl513]

I called and got it, but all of the available cabins were on the port side. We will be sailing north. Will we lose out on the scenery? Did I make a mistake?

The ship will be 12 miles or more out to sea whenever possible (in order to keep the casino open) and land will be a low bump on the horizon for the most part. When the ship is in the Inside Passage/Glacier Bay, or College Fjord (if you go there), get out of your cabin and sit someplace where you can see both sides. The forward-center recliners in the Crow's Nest are ideal in cool or wet weather, but outside is best in good weather. IMO. Edited July 25, 2014 by jtl513

[DaveOKC]

Our cabin is SA014 - a bit forward of the Neptune lounge.

 

Good - you should be fine. Check out the vibration if you will near the 033-035 cabins (you should feel it in the hallway).

 

DaveOKC

[Lizzie68]

The ship will be 12 miles or more out to sea whenever possible (in order to keep the casino open) and land will be a low bump on the horizon for the most part. When the ship is in the Inside Passage/Glacier Bay, or College Fjord (if you go there), get out of your cabin and sit someplace where you can see both sides. The forward-center recliners in the Crow's Nest are ideal in cool or wet weather, but outside is best in good weather. IMO.

 

Sticking my neck out here, but perhaps someone will correct me politely if I am wrong:rolleyes: - but I have cruised the Inside Passage multiple times, and although I never use the casino, I am sure it is open on those days, which cannot possibly be 12 miles from land.

[theloo]

Just my two cents, but we were in Alaska 3 weeks ago (coincidentally, also on the Statendam) and we were socked in with fog on our "inside passage" day between Vancouver and Ketchikan. So you never know what kind of view you will have from either side!

[catl331]

Sticking my neck out here, but perhaps someone will correct me politely if I am wrong:rolleyes: - but I have cruised the Inside Passage multiple times, and although I never use the casino, I am sure it is open on those days, which cannot possibly be 12 miles from land.

I think Canada allows the ships to have the casino open when in their territorial waters. IIRC the casino closed at least 1/2 hour before arriving at any AK port (1 hour for Ketchikan) and didn't open again until 1/2 hour after leaving. That's how long it takes to get out of US territorial waters. Edited July 25, 2014 by catl331

[Crew News]

I think Canada allows the ships to have the casino open when in their territorial waters. IIRC the casino closed at least 1/2 hour before arriving at any AK port (1 hour for Ketchikan) and didn't open again until 1/2 hour after leaving. That's how long it takes to get out of US territorial waters.

 

The casino closed at 2:00 PM as we sailed into Victoria, BC for an arrival time of 6:00 PM last week on the Westerdam so it must be closed in Canadian waters.

[Typhoon1]

For Alaska, either side is fine. As long as you have a verandah, you won't miss a thing.

[Lizzie68]

I think Canada allows the ships to have the casino open when in their territorial waters. IIRC the casino closed at least 1/2 hour before arriving at any AK port (1 hour for Ketchikan) and didn't open again until 1/2 hour after leaving. That's how long it takes to get out of US territorial waters.

 

Yes, that was my thinking too, but as I don't use the casino at all, I cannot be 100% sure. As we usually spend two "sea days" in the Inside Passage, I was almost certain the casino was open during sea days.

[jtl513]

The casino closed at 2:00 PM as we sailed into Victoria, BC for an arrival time of 6:00 PM last week on the Westerdam so it must be closed in Canadian waters.

Or maybe the ship is on the US side at least part of the time while coming down the Juan de Fuca Straight and therefore they have to close so early?

 

Yes, that was my thinking too, but as I don't use the casino at all, I cannot be 100% sure. As we usually spend two "sea days" in the Inside Passage, I was almost certain the casino was open during sea days.

In any case, I stand by my statement that "The ship will be 12 miles or more out to sea whenever possible (in order to keep the casino open)" thus making the land view on the starboard side less than great. Edited July 26, 2014 by jtl513