Cabins to avoid

[Lvteks]

1841 on the Volendam ??? We have friends in that cabin. Any comments...poems, essays.. or ? would be most welcome. Thanks,

Blessings, Gail

[bepsf]

7055 and 7056 on Amsterdam, Zaandam and Volendam are either the best inside staterooms or the worst outside staterooms ever...

[RevNeal]

7055 and 7056 on Amsterdam, Zaandam and Volendam are either the best inside staterooms or the worst outside staterooms ever...

 

Now now, Brian ... they are the ONLY "Inside" cabins to have windows!!! So ... of course they GREAT. :)

 

And ... they're just a few steps away from a LARGE aft Verandah that I will guarantee you 3/4 of the passengers do NOT know is there. :D

[Copper10-8]

Hey sunshine - RCCL has stripper poles? Was that in a suite or steerage or somewhere in between? Wonder if HAL would consider adding those to their cabins.......... :D

 

What's a stripper pole?

[Sunshine91]

Copper - You the sargeant-at-arms, just guarding the paper clips? Do you ever get out of the office? :D

[MacD]

have just secured an upgrade on the Noordam from a VF to a VC can somebody pleae tell me the difference, if any. Or is it just a question of location?

 

 

 

 

MacD:)

[WNYCRUISER]

Location, Location, Location

 

Although I don't think there is a bad verandah cabin (unless it is the ones with the steel railings)

[Willem Ruys]

In the S class ships avoid the 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310 and 311 unless you enjoy hearing the reverberating musical instruments and percussion from the two nightly shows (if you're out of the cabin, no problem), the crew show performed from 11:30PM one night each week on most cruises, and the 1:00AM show rehearsals. We once had 309 in the RYNDAM for a 10 day. Never again. Other lower prom deck cabins to avoid are those below the galley - see deck plans.

 

In the R class 2500, 2501, 2502, 2503 and 2504 are diabolically small. Avoid them at all costs. Take a different sailing if you have to. Hardly enough room in them to get to one side of the bed, no sitting area, not much closet space...and WAY forward. They should be regraded as singles.

 

In the Vista ships - the forwardmost cabins also hear the shows and rehearsals in the Vista Lounge. That might not be enough reason to avoid these rooms.

[Chivalrygirl]

Yes lower promonade on Statendam, cabin 333 right opposite the damn laundry, did not bother me particularly because I am a fowl so up with the flying fish, but sure as hell bothered some other people as there were some very rude and ignorant people on board who could not read English or the notice on the door for that matter, that read, please keep this door closed between the hours of 10pm and 8 am.

[Marie321]

We have booked a VH guarantee for an upcoming cruise in December. I can only find 4 cabins with this designation on the upper promanade deck, front of the ship, above the casino. Would there be a lot of noise from the casino? Do they allow smoking in the casino? These also have the steel balcony. Is that a huge problem? I don't underestand what a steel balcony is. We got a really good price on this.

[woody14h]

Just returned from 10 days on the Volendam on Tuesday -- We had a great time on the cruise and the Volendam is still the lovely ship that I enjoyed last year....but.....we had taken a EE oceanview guarantee and were granted an "upgrade" to a C cabin -- I do think this is one to avoid if you can -- We are still not sure why this cabin is considered to be a higher category than the D and E cabins on decks 1 and 2.

 

The only particular advantage to this cabin is that it was located EXACTLY at our lifeboat station.

 

It was cabin 3319 -- it is the first cabin forward of the crew exit to the lower promenade deck, forward of the atrium (starboard side). We were treated to the banging of the doors to the outside deck at virtually any hour, we endured the lack of privacy that a window opening to the promenade offers (yes, I know that during the day no one can see in, but when one is considering laying about the cabin in one's whatevers and one can constantly see people walking right in front of the window it is rather intimidating) -- for us the most difficult part was the size of the cabin. All of the C cabins on the lower promenade deck are smaller than the oceanview cabins on other decks, but this cabin was literally what Ruth C would call a "cabinette" -- it reminded me of those inside cabins on the Vista class ships -- I am not sure that it was even 150 square feet -- we had a love seat rather than a couch that was positioned against the bathroom wall facing the window (rather than perpendicular to the window). It barely fit and there was maybe 24 inches between the couch and the foot of the bed -- with the table in between the couch and the bed there was not really adequate clearance to get to the bed, let alone have more than one person stand at a time. It rather reminded me of our cabin on an RCL ship.

 

We did approach the front desk about moving to an "adult size" cabin, but they were clearly only interested in considering a change if we wished to pay for an upgrade rather than just move downstairs. They kept saying that we were number one on the list and that they would call us and let us know if there was a cabin available -- either our phone was broken, or, as we suspect, they never followed up.

 

We did not let it ruin our cruise.

 

 

 

We are booked in #3327 on the 23rd Nov. Now we are concerned that your estimate of 150 sq ft size will be a real downer. Brochures state outside cabins are 197 sq ft. C category is the top of the outside cabins. How can it only be 150 sq ft. Can anyone help on this matter? Cunard was the only other ship that we have been on that has approx. that size cabin. Also any other negatives on this besides the promenade being outside (not a concern)?

[CoconutFish]

No one has mentioned staterooms near the hospital area.

 

On the S and R class ships these are outsides on the port side forward on the lowest passenger deck.

 

Anyone ever have a stateroom in this area? One can imagine that these might not be the greatest staterooms on the ship!

[jtl513]

These also have the steel balcony. Is that a huge problem? I don't underestand what a steel balcony is. We got a really good price on this.

 

See thread http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=429420 , in particular the picture in my post #3. The steel-wall railing instead of the plexiglass means that you can't see anything but sky when you're sitting down on the balcony.

 

Also, those balconies are smaller than anything from VF on up because of the curve of the bow.

[etsumom]

No one has mentioned staterooms near the hospital area.

 

On the S and R class ships these are outsides on the port side forward on the lowest passenger deck.

 

Anyone ever have a stateroom in this area? One can imagine that these might not be the greatest staterooms on the ship!

 

We were in H1810 on Zaandam, almost directly across from the reception area. We never saw anyone in there other than the staff, of course we were away from our room most of the time. Very quiet out of the way room without alot of hall traffic yet very convenient to the elevators and laundry facility. The only noise encountered was when the anchor was lowered. They did provide warning the night before so no one would be alarmed at the noise. My DH slept thru it, never heard a thing, and in all honesty, had I not already been awake I would have probably have slept thru it also. No complaints with this room from us.

[ezcheezy]

We've got 7088 on the Westerdam for a January cruise. I'm excited about being in a suite and having a large balcony but concerned about it being windy or catching smoke if there are smokers in cabins in front of us. Anyone ever stay in one of these? (it where the balcony juts out) I was thinking it will be great to be able to see forward and out. Thank you!

[ejbmorr]

We had this suite on the Oosterdam and it was very nice. The verandah is longer than those for other similar suites which is great. It is definitely more exposed to the wind, but that was only a problem when out on the open seas. As you guessed, the views were wonderful from this verandah. I would say that the only minus to it was that others on verandahs forward could not miss seeing you out on your verandah. I imagine that smoke would easily drift from the verandah just forward from you and maybe from the one below and forward. We are smokers, so I would not have noticed that. You will love the extra room if you entertain on the verandah. Enjoy it.

[VeniceLady]

I was recently looking for the first time at another board (Celebrity) and noticed they had a really interesting thread on cabins to avoid. >>

 

Your travel agent should supply you with a deck plan of any ship you plan to sail on. It's clear what is above and near the cabin you've been assigned, so you can choose or switch before you board. Still, there can be noisy neighbors, and those pleasant "verandahs" can be a pain. The scraping of deck chairs and outside cleaning kept me from enjoying a late sleep or afternoon siesta on the lovely Carnival Glory.

As for "smooth sailing" the Carnival Miracle was smooth as can be...smoking allowed in too many areas for me. When are ship owners ever going to learn!? Great ship for "fun" and families.

Lady

[Standiego]

Correct about elevator noises being heard in the cabins.

 

Also the elevator juts out further than the verandas and blocks some of the forward (if cabin is behind the elevator) or aft view (if cabin is forward of the elevator).

 

It happened to us!

[cruisefrk]

Our diner mates had cabin VA8032 on the Zuiderdam. I felt horrible for them. It is a handicapp room - with a roll in shower. There have removed the storage in the room to make room for a wheelchair - they only had the 2 nightstands and a drawer under the bed to use. The shower had a seat in it that can not be removed so the only way to take a shower in your cabin is to sit. A new experience ?? They used the shower in the spa the entire week! The cruiseline said this was an "upgrade" and refused to compensate them at all. The ship was full (Thanksgiving week) so there was no where to move them. They did say the balcony was nice.

[MSPCUBS]

Given a choice of location for an E cabin on the Volendam, I chose the Main deck (2656) over the lower Dolphin deck. Now I am reading about the problems of noise from people "jogging" or walking on the lower promenade above this deck. Do I really need to be concerned? Should I call my TA and move to an E cabin on the Dolphin deck?

[ekerr19]

We have been on Rotterdam Deck more often than not for the past few cruises...

 

No problem with smokers, drinkers, party'ers, loud music etc.

 

Our biggest complaint has always been little kids crying/yelling on the verandah of the S cabins - this has happened to us twice - we had people locking their kids/toddlers out there...

 

One cruise (a few years back) I complained to the concierge - the kids were crying/sobbing and kicking the door to their parents cabin.. too sad, imo. :(

[bepsf]

Our biggest complaint has always been little kids crying/yelling on the verandah of the S cabins - this has happened to us twice - we had people locking their kids/toddlers out there...

 

One cruise (a few years back) I complained to the concierge - the kids were crying/sobbing and kicking the door to their parents cabin.. too sad, imo. :(

 

You have GOT to be kidding!

Sounds like they needed Nanny 911...

:cool:

[ekerr19]

You have GOT to be kidding!

Sounds like they needed Nanny 911...

:cool:

 

I wish I were kidding... worst cruise ever - Zuiderdam, Summer 2003.

 

We should have just stayed home... :cool:

[cruznon]

If I were to go on an S class again I wouldn't book a main deck room--constant sound of the walking on the Lower Promenade above.

We had 551--convenient, BUT the door was open to the elevator and stairway landing. The first week we seldom heard noise, the second week, constant noise, kids jumping on steps, teens congregating on stairs late at night to talk, kids playing on the escalator just down the hall, people talking loudly in groups.

My suggestion avoid booking a room that opens onto an open area (We didn't choose this room--it was an upgrade.)

[AmberTeka]

We have never had a bad cabin. The only two categories we have never been in are Suite and Inside. Carnival owns both Carnival and Holland America and I think they have the best cabins on the seas. More room. Nice sofa. We had an obstructed balcony on the Legend and loved it. The view was OK, I mean we live in Florida and do not seek the sun too much, and the quiet was wonderful. Those cabins are sort of an untalked about secret too. VERY NICE. Like having a private deck or something.

 

We have a guarantee on the Volendam for one of the Obstructed Promenade Cabins. Frankly, if someone threw a blanket and pillow on the deck, I would be happy to just be on that ship. NO COOKING. BINGO. TRIVA. GOOD SHOWS. TEA. ICE CREAM ON THE LIDO DECK. INTERESTING STOPS. THE RAIN FOREST. BEAUTIFUL ST. THOMAS. MAYBE THIS TIME I WILL WIN AT THE CRAZY, QUARTER EATING MACHINE SWEEPING MACHINE IN THE CASINO. THE ONE WHERE THE QUARTERS ARE PERCHED ON THE EDGE AND LITTLE BROOMS SWEEP THEM WHILE THE MACHINE TOOTS A LITTLE TUNE.

 

It could happen. And $20 bucks last a long time at those enchanting gizmo things. Not much chance of losing the mortgage on the house there. And darned if it is not fun. Nice people, who are also enthralled by it, hang out there too.

 

I Can't wait. Is anticpation not a big part of enjoying any trip or vacation?