Westerdam:Alaska - Oceanview or Verandah??

[stefhef]

We are looking at Alaska on the Westerdam in August. Our choice is oceanview or verandahs (we need two cabins). The itinerary is roundtrip Seattle. The oceanview is on the Main Deck (which we have never been on). The verandahs are on the 5th Deck. The problem is that the price differential is so great - approx. $465/person. Will we be okay with an oceanview? How is the Main Deck (category C)? Or is the verandah that critical? Also, when we are cruising Glacier Bay, will there be room/chairs/chaises for us to enjoy the scenery and listen to the narration? Please advise! Thanks.

[WindyCity]

Why not do one of each? an oceanview and a verandah. The people in the oceanview can spend time on your verandah. A verandah is not really necessary on an Alaskan cruise, but it is very nice to have. Don't know about room, chaises, etc on deck -we spent our time in glacier bay on our verandah - when we got cold - heat was just a step away. They do serve hot chocolate & coffee on deck in glacier bay and you can purchase glacier baileys (hot chocolate and baileys) in thermal mugs.

Enjoy your Alaskan cruise no matter which category you choose! Alaska is awesome, so is the Westerdam!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Once you get into Glacier Bay and start to watch the glaciers calving, the open decks do get crowded. So you won't be ab;e to sit on a lounge chair on the Promenade deck and expect to see past those standing at the rails.

We have also gotten hot green pea soup around 10:30 at the aft pool.

[dakrewser]

It's our opinion (after 3 Alaska cruises) that a verandah is more useful in Alaska than in the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera or Meditteranean. You're simply so close to land so much of the time that there's endless vistas to enjoy. Couple that with the longer days and its no question that its the best way to go.

[TravlinFun4Me]

Two necessities on an Alaska cruise: a verandah and high quality binoculars.

[bepsf]

Oh, a verandah is an absolute necessity on any cruise where there is amazing scenery like Alaska...

 

And as someone else suggested - why not book a verandah w/ an inside across the corridor, or w/ an outside obstructed on Deck 4? As long as you dont have one of the tiny midship balconies on Deck 5, all 4 of you can stand out there together for a while before you join the others on deck later in the day.

 

But you won't stay in your stateroom all morning while in Glacier Bay, I guarantee you - it's so nice seeing Alaska in a Vista where you can see the scenery from the glass elevators and in the Lido while picking up nibblies, etc.

 

Enjoy!

[Sueseb]

A veranda definitely, for reasons stated by others. But, also for the most spectacular Aurora Borealis, not visible from the public decks becasue of all the lights. Enjoy Alaska. It is incredible.

[stefhef]

Thanks for the advice!

[sonocruiser]

just off the westerdam-same itinerary as you will have (rt from seattle)- i watched more from our balcony than any where else. crow's nest was good too. we had 2 cabins next to each other and opened the partition btw them for more space-it was great.

[Williebill]

My DW and I were on the same cruise as Sonocruiser and I agree with everything she said. A Veranda is a must! We also had friends who traveled with us and we had the partition opened between our two Verandas and enjoyed the larger space.