Prinsendam: any difference between cabins 197 or 196?

[momK]

Is there any reason to choose one of these cabins over another, or does it really matter?

(I know that 197 is a few steps closer to the hot tub!:) )

 

Thanks!

Karma

[trubey]

If it's like the rest of the boat, odd numbered cabins are on the starboard side, even numbers on port.

 

You could get into a big thing about your itinerary and the "posh" concept if you really wanted to . . .

 

lane

[lizf]

There have been a few other threads about these two cabins. They are quite a bit larger, as is the balcony, than the other AA cabins and are different because they were added after HAL bought that ship. I haven't sailed on the Prinsendam yet, but those that have sailed in these cabins swear by them. I wouldn't hesitate to book one if it were available and I was travelling in that category.

Someone even posted pictures of the views from those balconies. Really super. Just the space would make it better. This is just what I remember reading here on those other threads.

[Bill S]

momK: we had cabin 197 and localady and DH had 196 on the same cruise. We saw 196 and there was no apparent difference between the two, other than 197's closer proximity to the spa.

As a result of that, there was a bit more "traffic" outside our window at times, but the folks outside could not see us inside, until it was dark and then we had the curtains closed!!! :)

My wife loved that cabin due to the huge picture window, large verandah and walk-in closet.

Also, both cabins are located on same deck as the casino, gift shop, Explorer's Lounge, front desk, photo shop and Queen's Lounge (showroom)--it was so very convenient. I don't think you can go wrong with either cabin.

Localady booked 196 first and told me about 197: THANKS, Sher!

[localady]

Your quite welcome Bill!!:D

DH and I both enjoyed that cabin too!! So much, that we plan to book it again, God and HAL willing!

As far as vibration, yes there is some. Did it ever really disturb me or cause me not to want to be in that cabin???

No Way Jose!!!

Oh I mean yes it did, lousy cabin, please don't book it!! :( Please don't book it so I can!!:D

[momK]

Thanks, all. We booked 196 for 12/2/06 a month ago; at that time, 197 was booked already. This AM, I saw that 197 was open, and figured I'd ask here if the change was worth it. I decided to stay put -- good thing, as someone else noticed that 197 was open, and it was booked again within a few hours. I'm happy where I am!!! (Sorry, localady -- if I remember correctly, you were the one that talked me into booking that "lousy" cabin! :D )

 

Karma

[Grumpy1]

MomK, HeatherinFlorida got 197 while you were hesitating... I see a CC meet and greet happining in the hot tub...

[localady]

Thanks, all. We booked 196 for 12/2/06 a month ago; at that time, 197 was booked already. This AM, I saw that 197 was open, and figured I'd ask here if the change was worth it. I decided to stay put -- good thing, as someone else noticed that 197 was open, and it was booked again within a few hours. I'm happy where I am!!! (Sorry, localady -- if I remember correctly, you were the one that talked me into booking that "lousy" cabin! :D )

 

Karma

 

Karma-

I know you will love that horrible little cabin!!!:D

[HeatherInFlorida]

Karma, it was thanks to you that I jumped on Cabin 197!!!:) Believe it or not I had been looking at that cruise for us and happened to see your post! I'd never even considered 197 until I saw BillS' remarks here and I did a "search", read further, and jumped on my TA begging them to hold it for me!

 

He did and I booked within minutes! So I'll see you on 12/2 at the hot tub:D ! I owe you one!!! Generally I like the port side, but it makes little difference from what I can see.

 

BillS, if you come back on ... could you tell me about the railing on the verandah? Is it clear or solid? I looked at your pictures that you'd posted on another thread in January and they confuse me a little. The verandah is totally private, right?

[localady]

Heather-

I am not BillS, but the railing in those cabins in my recollection is not solid. I don't believe it was plexiglass either, just a regular metal and wood railing.

I attempted a couple of times to cut the image of it down to CC spec, but I am technically challenged:rolleyes: , so I recommend you visit Shipcafe's website, as he has great pics of the aft of the Prinsendam. I think you will enjoy the cabin, we sure did!:D

[HeatherInFlorida]

Thanks, Localady! I did visit shipcafe's website last night and sat here for ages awestruck by the magnificence of this ship. I saw the railing on the main part of the deck where the hot tub is, but was wondering about the cabin's verandah; hoping it wasn't solid. All the better, actually if it isn't plexi ... I like resting my feet on the railing:) .

 

But the verandah portion of the cabin is private, right? In Bill's photo it looked like he was standing on the verandah and taking a picture of the aft deck. But in the picture looking the other way I see a white partition.

[localady]

Heather-

Actually the railing is solid to a point and then is metal. The balcony itself is private and pie shaped and very large We had a table and wood loungers out there with room to spare. From the window at the back of the room, you can look out onto your "back deck" which is a general but very under-utilized portion of the Ship.:D

[HeatherInFlorida]

Fantastic! I did a Google search and found some pictures of the aft so I have a pretty good idea. It looks wonderful. Thanks so much, LL!!:)

[Bill S]

Heather: congratulations! I hope you will enjoy the cabin as much as we did! I recal that verandah did not have a solid railing.

I will be happy to email you more detailed photos of the cabin/verandah from both inside & outside, if you like. I have your email address and will shoot some photos to you. As localady said, the verandah is private, and pretty big, too.

One thing we did observe, is that each morning two crew checked the spa with a chemical testing kit-we were pleased to see that HAL monitors the state of the spa water. We were never bothered with any noise from the outside deck either, but it was SO convenient to just step outside on covered the aft deck to watch the scenery. .

This is funny: another pair of CCers in the same opposite, and unique cabins on the Elegant Explorer--sorry I didn't carve my screen name in the closet wall!!:D You won't believe how much storage space you will have, either!

[Grumpy1]

 

This is a shot that tells it all. The railing on the right is the same as the railings on the cabin balconies... Solid up for about 1-1/2 ft then open with two mid rails below the top rail. ( In other words, no plexi panels on Prinsendam.) The white panel to the right is the end of the balcony for 197. The stairs going up go to the aft pool, the stairs going down take you to the lower promenade. The ropes you see are no longer there. They were used to keep people from stopping on that deck when it was private for those cabins. The windows behind the hot tub are the aft facing windows for 197. To the left of those windows is a doorway leading into the hallway that goes along the starboard side cabins. the smoked glass windows on the left are the "verandahs" for the two aft facing cabins.

[Bill S]

OK Heather: check your email!!!

Photos have been sent. Let me know if they got to you OK!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Bill S, nothing in my Inbox unless you have another address. Did you send them to HeathersIsland@aol.com? I would love to see them!!! Please try again.

 

Grumpy, for some reason your picture didn't come up for me. Can others see it?

[Cristiano]

Heather how wonderful that you are cruising on the impeccable Prinsendam, you will fully enjoy her.

If only I were on her also at the same time then I could meet you in the spa :) and sit there and admire that wonderful smile of yours.

Have a wonderful trip.

Cristiano.

[Grumpy1]

Hmmmm, sometimes the picture is there and sometimes it is just the red x box.:confused: try this link. http://community.webshots.com/photo/400030670/1400260830074544281LhWuzd

[HeatherInFlorida]

Thanks, Grumpy! Great shot. I saved one for myself:) .

 

Thank you, Cristiano! I'm sure it will be amazing. Book it!!!

 

Karma, I hope I didn't grab 197 from you!!! I haven't seen you back here!!! And it is your thread after all!!! I think we're going to love our cabins. We can bring all our clothes with the walk-in closet:) .

[momK]

I'm not bothered in the least! I have my original 196, and that is great!! I'm glad you were able to also get in on those "lousy" aft cabins with the big verandas, walk-in closets, hot tub close by --- all those yucky things that make cruising merely tolerable! :D

 

Karma

[HeatherInFlorida]

Yes, Karma, it's really a shame that those are the only cabins we could get. We're going to be miserable;) . Last one into the hot tub is a rotten egg!!!:)