Cabin Selection on Zuiderdam

[dibel]

Hi All,

 

We're just getting ready to book the 12 day Baltic Cruise on the Zuiderdam for May 9th. So far the cabins we've looked at (and available) are either towards the front or the back of the ship. For those of you who've cruised this ship, which location would be preferable. None of them are totally forward or back but just not in the center as I would prefer. Any suggestions? Are there any locations/cabins that must be avoided at all costs? Thanks!!

[TAD2005]

We were booked in a guaranteed VD cabin on the Zuiderdam. They finally gave us a VA grade cabin, which, seemed on the surface like a nice upgrade. We got deck 5 midships. When we looked at pictures of this, and similar midships cabins, we were very disappointed. Because of the lifeboats that are suspended directly below on deck 4, you have what we considered a partially obstructed view. Yes, sitting in your cabin, looking straight out the balcony door, you don't see any lifeboats. But standing on the balcony, trying to look down at a school of dolphins, or the entertainment on the dock for your sailaway, all you see is the top of a big orange lifeboat. This is very evident on deck 5 and progressively less as you go up. We complained to HAL that this VD to VA "upgrade" was actually a downgrade. They relented and put us in a VD cabin on deck 6 forward. It was a TransAtlantic and it was wonderful.

Edited March 16, 2016 by TAD2005

[jtl513]

If you're prone to seasickness you don't want to be high and forward. For such people I suggest the deck 4 VB and VC in the aft section, 4133 and above, which have 7.5 ft deep balconies (compared to the standard side balconies of 6 ft.) If you can snag 4164 or 4165 they have 18 ft wide balconies.

 

We were booked in a guaranteed VD cabin on the Zuiderdam. They finally gave us a VA grade cabin, which, seemed on the surface like a nice upgrade. We got deck 5 midships. When we looked at pictures of this, and similar midships cabins, we were very disappointed. Because of the lifeboats that are suspended directly below on deck 4, you have what we considered a partially obstructed view.

In addition those deck 5 midship balconies are just 4.5 ft deep. Edited March 16, 2016 by jtl513

[pbnjrockette]

Definitely prefer aft to forward if you are prone to the rock and roll of the ship. We were just aft of the mid-ship elevators and it was comfortable...would not have wanted to have been forward on the one night it was rocking!

[JPH814]

Hi All,

 

We're just getting ready to book the 12 day Baltic Cruise on the Zuiderdam for May 9th. So far the cabins we've looked at (and available) are either towards the front or the back of the ship. For those of you who've cruised this ship, which location would be preferable. None of them are totally forward or back but just not in the center as I would prefer. Any suggestions? Are there any locations/cabins that must be avoided at all costs? Thanks!!

 

First of all - if seasickness is a concern, I would be less concerned about this trip...the Baltic is typically a pretty calm ride. (But of course, there is always a possibility of a storm. If you are still concerned, as others have said, keep low and as far back as possible.

 

We were on the Zuiderdam recently. It is not a huge ship...you can get from one end of the ship to the other in not much more than a 2 minute walk. And with three sets of elevators, you are no further than a 30 second walk to one set or another.

 

If you want to get really particular and if walking is an issue, consider these things:

 

The Fitness center, spa, casino and theater are all very forward.

 

The main dining room is in the back.

 

The adults only pool is in the back, although in May in the Baltic you might not be doing much swimming/sunbathing and there won't be a lot of kids on board.

 

Most of the other public areas are generally mid ship.

Edited March 16, 2016 by JPH814

[Lady Chew]

Just don't get one of the "bolt-on" cabins on Deck 10. They are tiny ... and I do mean TINY!! There's not a lot of storage, in the cabin or the bathroom.

[Lizzie68]

If you're prone to seasickness you don't want to be high and forward. For such people I suggest the deck 4 VB and VC in the aft section, 4133 and above, which have 7.5 ft deep balconies (compared to the standard side balconies of 6 ft.) If you can snag 4164 or 4165 they have 18 ft wide balconies.

 

In addition those deck 5 midship balconies are just 4.5 ft deep.

 

I think you hit the wrong number key there, jtl - it's actually 4164 and 4166 with the double-wide balconies.

 

There is a little bit of vibration back there, but not bad. Much preferable location to being far forward.

[SonnekeH]

If you're prone to seasickness you don't want to be high and forward. For such people I suggest the deck 4 VB and VC in the aft section, 4133 and above, which have 7.5 ft deep balconies (compared to the standard side balconies of 6 ft.) If you can snag 4164 or 4165 they have 18 ft wide balconies.

 

In addition those deck 5 midship balconies are just 4.5 ft deep.

 

I was in 4166 (4165 must be a typo) on the Zuiderdam on the Jan 25 11 day Panama Canal Cruise and it was absolutely fabulous! Extra deep and extra wide balcony, aft, above the MDR, very quiet and close to the aft elevators. I would highly recommend this cabin, or 4164, which has the same size veranda.

Enjoy your Baltic Cruise. The Zuiderdam is a great ship!

[Stratheden]

We have had VA5098 and SS6101 and they were both great. Both are very close to the central glass elevator. We really like having a Verandah - I spend quite a bit of time sitting on the Verandah.

[jtl513]

I think you hit the wrong number key there, jtl - it's actually 4164 and 4166 with the double-wide balconies.

 

I was in 4166 (4165 must be a typo) ...

And you're both correct of course! :o :o 4165 is an Inside on the other side of the ship. :)

 

We have had VA5098 and SS6101 and they were both great.

And you didn't find the 5098 balcony very cramped? Edited March 16, 2016 by jtl513

[Stratheden]

And you're both correct of course! :o :o 4165 is an Inside on the other side of the ship. :)

 

And you didn't find the 5098 balcony very cramped?

 

Not when we sailed. That was our first cruise. We now would not book anything less than a Signature Suite.

 

We are in a SS next week on the Noordam.

[dibel]

Thanks to all...we've now decided on a suite for the extra room....looking at deck 8.

[Stratheden]

Just be aware of what is above you on deck 9. You don't want Lido deck chairs being moved around early in the morning when the deck is washed.

[JPH814]

Thanks to all...we've now decided on a suite for the extra room....looking at deck 8.

 

If you are on deck 8, you are probably looking at a Signature Suite. Fine rooms with a few extra perks.

 

You might want to consider a slight step up to the Neptune Suite. The additional perks of the Neptune over the Signature is - in my opinion - well worth it. With the Neptune, you can have breakfast every day in the Pinnacle Grill - a marvelous experience. You have access to the Neptune Lounge for a quick snack or a lighter breakfast. You get free laundry - which we used 4 times on our 12 day cruise. And a few other things. If you do, get on deck 7 - it is the same deck as the lounge.

[piper]

This is our first time for sailing on HAL so we have no "status". We have a guarantee SY category suite but the only cabins available are on Deck 8 below the pool (none available below the restaurant). I am a fairly light sleeper - any experience with the noise levels from the moving of pool furniture in the morning? What time do they usually start cleaning and moving it around?

Any thoughts on the odds of 2 cabins being upgraded to a better suite? I know there are no guarantees but I'm just asking opinions.

Thanks

[OlsSalt]

We have had cabins all over any number of HAL ships and we honestly don't think there is a material difference in any of them or their location. There are differences in details but not in substance.

 

If you are prone to sea-sickness you are better off with a sea-sickness remedy that works best for you - I like Bonine myself -- than worrying about any cabin location. Stabilizers protect rocking side to side, but nothing including cabin location protects against the pitching and yawing. You simply have to ride it out because ocean swells are simply part of sea travel.

 

That said they best cabins on all HAL ships are the S-XYZ (Mini-suites) on the Vista ships - generous in size but without the high costs of the Neptune suites which are almost too large, particularly for shorter cruises. The sea is a powerful mistress and one needs to face her with awe, not misguided plans to ignore her.

 

If there is any personal preference, i would stay away from lower deck cabins close to large blank spaces on the deck plans. They are closer to the engines and you can get some electrical smalls and vibrations near by, which are far more chronically annoying than the occasional sense of an unruly sea.

Edited March 21, 2016 by OlsSalt

[piper]

OlsSalt, have you ever been under the pool deck section?

[pbnjrockette]

Speaking as one who gets motion sick, I do not do well in forward cabins. Although you do can feel the rock and roll anywhere if the seas are rough, the forward cabins have made me extra nauseous! I cannot be in the Crow's Nest on a rough day (that's about as high and forward as you can get!)---but reading in a mid-ship lounge was just fine!

[KCHawks]

Can someone tell me about the I series cabins? Are they noisy?

[SusieKIslandGirl]

We chose one of aft cabins that had a shower only on the Zuiderdam. More counter space in the bathroom was a plus. Very smooth cruise through the Baltic and around Iceland.

Edited October 6, 2018 by SusieKIslandGirl
delete please just saw how old the original post was

[ellieanne]

I know most posters here are all over "you need a balcony!" but I am the voice of dissent. The forward cabins on Deck 1/Main Deck are my favorite. I want to be as low down and as far forward as possible. They are quiet, even with the elevators and Main Show Lounge and they are incredibly convenient to everywhere I want to go on the ship. The walk from them to Mid-Ship elevators/Front Desk is not long, and it's a quick ride up to get a bedtime Hot Cocoa from the Explorations Cafe.

 

Don't discount Main Deck Cabins. Sometimes you get an experience those in the balcony cabins can't. I saw the ship scrape the side of the walls of the Panama Canal. I can always see the action on the docks, and often the out the window is a lot closer to the action than the balconies can get.

[DaveOKC]

We have been on the Zuiderdam several times and really love her. Best part is the great crew and second best is how well organized it is. I understand that the ship recently underwent a "remodel" and is very attractive.

 

We are booked on her or next week and picked a Signature Suite on deck 8, aft of the mid-ship elevators (which makes it easy to run up one flight of stairs to the Lido buffet for coffee or a quick snack). Plus, it is under the carpeted area of the Lido dining area, to reduce noise from above (Neptune Suites are below us).

 

We also were able to get one of the "bump out" cabins, in which the cabin and balcony angles out. This should give us a bit more space in the cabin, but more importantly will allow us a better forward view.

[Anne76]

Can someone tell me about the I series cabins? Are they noisy?

 

Looking for this as well!!! :confused: