Aft Suites

[tennispretzel]

We got assigned one yesterday with a small upgrade from an SC to SB Aft Corner. The balcony looks fabulous but my husband never wanted an aft so we never booked one. Kind of glad to try it out this way. Do most of you like them? He gets seasick with the slightest provocation, can't ride backwards on a train, can't do amusement rides(even the Merry Go Round)etc. I had to drag him on our first cruise in 1994 because he thought he'd be sick the whole time. Now he brags that he sleeps like a baby...better than at home LOL.

 

I'm sure there's two opinions on Afts....

[Tom O.]

There is another recent thread about aft cabins you might be interested in. It is not about suites but it should give some good info.

 

looking-at-aft-facing-cabins-on-nieuw-amsterdam

[DaveOKC]

We have mixed feelings on the aft-wraps (SB).

 

Pros - very large balconies on most ships but size varies alot by deck.

          - great views for secenic cruises, especially the Panama Canal (locks appear to be right outside your cabin.

 

Cons - I THINK the cabins are a bit smaller than the other Neptunes (even the SC).  

         - there will be more motion in heavy seas

         - long walks to most places on the ship and the Neptune Lounge (likely different deck)

         - sometimes the cabin attendents are not as well versed in Neptune procedures/perks/notifications

 

[DivotMaker]

I've always been intrigued by the aft cabins and we almost selected one for our first HAL cruise, but, like your husband, I don't do so well with motion sickness.  I'd love to hear how he does and your overall thoughts on it.

[canadianbear]

We had an aft cabin only once and my husband got sick from the motion.  It’s unfortunate because I loved it.  Now we have to always book a specific cabin in the mid ship area so can’t do the guarantee ones.  

 

I hope your husband loves it and doesn’t get sick from any motion.

[seagarsmoker]

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

We have mixed feelings on the aft-wraps (SB).

 

Pros - very large balconies on most ships but size varies alot by deck.

          - great views for secenic cruises, especially the Panama Canal (locks appear to be right outside your cabin.

 

Cons - I THINK the cabins are a bit smaller than the other Neptunes (even the SC).  

         - there will be more motion in heavy seas

         - long walks to most places on the ship and the Neptune Lounge (likely different deck)

         - sometimes the cabin attendents are not as well versed in Neptune procedures/perks/notifications

 

Exact same experience. We've had a Neptune aft/wrap 4 or 5 times and really enjoyed it.

[3rdGenCunarder]

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

We have mixed feelings on the aft-wraps (SB).

 

Pros - very large balconies on most ships but size varies alot by deck.

          - great views for secenic cruises, especially the Panama Canal (locks appear to be right outside your cabin.

 

Cons - I THINK the cabins are a bit smaller than the other Neptunes (even the SC).  

         - there will be more motion in heavy seas

         - long walks to most places on the ship and the Neptune Lounge (likely different deck)

         - sometimes the cabin attendents are not as well versed in Neptune procedures/perks/notifications

 

 

I agree with all of this. I haven't been on Eurodam, but I've been on the Vistas and the K. I didn't mind the hike to the spa on the Vistas, but on the K, I remember saying to DH that we didn't need to actually go into the gym because the walk to and from it was sufficient exercise! On the plus side, you're close to the dining room. 

 

Yes, the cabins are smaller inside, but they're still plenty big and IMO the larger balcony makes up for it. 

[Crew News]

Aft-wrap suites are a photographers dream and nice loungers for relaxing out of the wind created by the moving ship.  Great place to have dinner and don't forget the LED candles to create ambiance.

[Tom O.]

3 minutes ago, Crew News said:

Aft-wrap suites are a photographers dream and nice loungers for relaxing out of the wind created by the moving ship.  Great place to have dinner and don't forget the LED candles to create ambiance.

I am with you. I love having dinner on the balcony, even the smaller ones.

Several people have said that the aft is rockier, but I have never noticed that. I know that the aft is less rocky than the far forward cabins.

[qoap24]

We love cruising in an aft cabin. Our last cruise the waters were rough, but we never felt like our cabin was worse than any other parts of the ship. 

 

The only negative for us it that you literally have to walk the entire ship when you want to go somewhere that is forward. 

[Roz]

I've had 3 aft Neptune cabins and never experienced any extra motion, even going up the Pacific coast.

[alwaysonaship]

I booked an aft suite on a September Alaska cruise. Was that a bad choice. Fortunately we don’t get sea sick, but I am concerned about all the walking. I have bad knees, and am normally fine if I stay away from steps. 

Edited January 23, 2020 by alwaysonaship

[DaveOKC]

1 minute ago, alwaysonaship said:

I booked an aft suite on a September Alaska cruise. Was that a bad choice. Fortunately we don’t get sea sick, but I am concerned about all the walking. I have bad knees, and am normally fine if I stay away from steps. 

I have a bad knee as well and lately have avoided booking the aft-wraps.  Had a Neptune near the mid-ship elevator and it was fine for my knww.

 

[boom_boom]

Had an aft corner on a Pacific Coast cruise aboard the Eurodam last year. On 1 day some of the outside decks to closed due to weather, but we never felt anymore motion in the cabin than in other parts of the ship.Our absolute first choice of cabins.

[Tom O.]

2 hours ago, alwaysonaship said:

I booked an aft suite on a September Alaska cruise. Was that a bad choice. Fortunately we don’t get sea sick, but I am concerned about all the walking. I have bad knees, and am normally fine if I stay away from steps. 

Well it depends where you are going. If you're headed to the theater, it is a long walk. If you are headed to the  MDR  - it is right below you. The walk to the Lido is a medium walk. You may only walk to the theater once or twice during the cruise, but you will probably walk to the MDR at least once a day.

There are plenty of elevators, so you shouldn't need to go up steps, except at the safety drill at the beginning of the cruise.

Edited January 23, 2020 by Tom O.

[RuthC]

1 hour ago, Tom O. said:

... you shouldn't need to go up steps, except at the safety drill at the beginning of the cruise.

People who can't easily do stairs can use the elevator to get to muster drill. 

[Djptcp]

We had a guarantee Neptune Suite on the Oosterdam last year and was given one of the aft Neptunes on Deck 4. Hated it. It was smaller than the regular Neptunes with the same amount of furniture so we were always bumping into something. It was so far from the Neptune Lounge that we hardly ever went there. I had some mobility issues at the time and when I made the reservation (had to book a guarantee in order to get a nice casino deal) I mentioned the mobility issue. Agent said she would alert Inventory. I also sent an email to the Special Needs Dept. - all to no avail. As soon as we received our suite assignment I called HAL and was told to fax the inventory dept. right away and explain the situation and that it was my third request. Never heard from them. It was a very uncomfortable and painful cruise for me because of all the walking even with a rollator. The deck was nice, didn't feel any movement. Just hated the location and the small Neptune Suite.

[nickel-and-dime-me]

We had the oppourtnity to book an aft wrap on our Alaska cruise but went midship instead.  Reduced motion and proximity to the nl were priorities for us though.

[tennispretzel]

Thank you all for your replies. We'll know next week!! I love being near the DR and Club Orange. It is our first time in a Neptune so I have no means of comparison so the size too should be OK.

(This was a casino offer so no choice of cabin even when I first booked)

[DaveOKC]

26 minutes ago, tennispretzel said:

Thank you all for your replies. We'll know next week!! I love being near the DR and Club Orange. It is our first time in a Neptune so I have no means of comparison so the size too should be OK.

(This was a casino offer so no choice of cabin even when I first booked)

Those casino offers are great, until you get to the guarantee part (in all categories).  Plus, as I understand, you do not qualify for upsell offers!  One option it to have your TA check into the CASINO RATE for your cruise.  This way you get to pick your cabin and get a % discount instead of a fixed price for a guarantee cabin.  Yes, you will pay a bit more than the great CASINO OFFER, but you avoid a cabin you dislike PLUS, you may get an upsell offer just prior to sailing.  

[WisRiver]

We have had aft Neptunes three times, twice on transatlantics and most recently on the Eurodam to Alaska.  The wraparound balcony is the most important feature of the suite.  The room is smaller than other Neptunes.  You are close to the Lido and MDR via the elevator.  It is a long walk forward to the Crows Nest, casino and theater.  There is more movement than a midships cabin, but we are not sensitive to motion sickness. 

[tennispretzel]

I promised that I would report back on the Aft Suite we were assigned. We travel with casino offers so don't get to choose our stateroom. We were in 4211.

My husband did not experience any motion sickness! We loved the balcony size and the fact that one side could be in the sun and the other in the shade depending on what you wanted. Loved the loungers and the padded chairs with footrests. It will be hard to go back to a balcony cabin after having all that space. Yes, it was a long walk to the casino and the theater which we did almost nightly; there were some aches and pain but we survived. The proximity to the dining venues was important to us so we felt the location was perfect. Thank you all for your responses.

[Crew News]

3 minutes ago, tennispretzel said:

I promised that I would report back on the Aft Suite we were assigned. We travel with casino offers so don't get to choose our stateroom. We were in 4211.

My husband did not experience any motion sickness! We loved the balcony size and the fact that one side could be in the sun and the other in the shade depending on what you wanted. Loved the loungers and the padded chairs with footrests. It will be hard to go back to a balcony cabin after having all that space. Yes, it was a long walk to the casino and the theater which we did almost nightly; there were some aches and pain but we survived. The proximity to the dining venues was important to us so we felt the location was perfect. Thank you all for your responses.

 

As many of us have declared, "Once you go aft, you will never want to settle for less."

[molemaui]

Also assigned an aft  (SC to SB) on my guarantee. All the comments have been helpful and if we don't like it, we'll simply pay for an SA or get an SC assigned next cruise. Our SC in November (Zuiderdam) was as perfect a location one could ask for. Near lounge, 2 different elevator banks, etc. Have always done well with guarantees so I hope this doesn't break the streak. 

[bluesplayer]

Bring a sea band bracelet.  I always bring mine but have never used them.   Cost is about $8.00 on Amazon.  People seem to have success wearing them..  for me seems to ward off bad seas (so far)..