is it worth it?

[meadds]

We are considering an Alaska cruise on the Noordam in August 2007...are the Deluxe Verandah Suites worth it? Does the Neptune Lounge have any value? What is a "fully stocked no host mini bar? It will be our first cruise...

[Old As Dirt Mom]

We are considering an Alaska cruise on the Noordam in August 2007...are the Deluxe Verandah Suites worth it? Does the Neptune Lounge have any value? What is a "fully stocked no host mini bar? It will be our first cruise...

 

"Value" is a subjective noun. It all depends on what you find valuable. For me, the SA, SB, and SC suites on HAL are indeed a good value. Others will differ. The Neptune Lounge offers concierge service, a wireless hot spot, a selection of non-alcoholic beverages and finger food available all day long, tables and chairs for reading, working, relaxing, or socializing, as well as reading material in the form of books, magazines, and newspapers. There is a very excellent espresso/cappuccino/latte machine.

 

The Noordam is a large ship (by HAL standards). If you want easy access to the Neptune Lounge, I would recommed a Deluxe Verandah Suite in the SA category. The SBs and SCs are a bit of a hike.

 

A "fully stocked no host mini bar" means a fridge full of sodas and alcohol that you pay for if you take any.

 

Enjoy:)

 

ps Meadds, I see that this is your first post. Welcome!

[sail7seas]

I agree with M-O-M.......

what is it worth to you?

 

To us, it is very worth staying in a Category SA Suite and we have done so a number of times. We love the added space, the location, the dressing room and extra closet space, the larger verandah and access to the Neptune Lounge as well as the amentities which attach to these cabins. It makes our cruises that much more special.

 

Everyone must decide for themselves what anything is worth monetarily and if it is worth that much money to them?

 

The Category "SB" cabins are further forward and slightly less costly and the "SC" further aft. We like the mid-ship location.

 

You might wish to think about the "SS" cabins. They are very nice; very comfortable and again, somewhat less pricey.

 

Welcome to HAL CC......Hang around. Nice to 'meet 'ya'.

 

[twinkletoes4445]

IMO, it was worth the extra money, but it just depends on what your needs and wants are.

 

We were just a few doors down from the Neptune Lounge and we found that we used it more than we thought we would. I'm not sure if we were elsewhere on the ship if we would have used it as much, but being across from the NL made it easy to just pop in for a minute or two.

 

What we LOVED about the room...

 

The extra closet space.

The larger cabin space (there's a lot of room between the chairs/couch area and the bed).

The vanity area (next to the bathroom).

The larger balcony.

 

The perks were also nice...

 

Checking in was a snap as was getting off the ship.

 

 

We just had a wonderful experience on our cruise, and my only wish right now...is that we had another cruise planned!!!

[localady]

For us, although we have had suites more than a few times, and enjoyed the benefits very much :D , we have chosen to spread our "cruise budget" a bit farther, and generally will now book a verandah cabin. Sometimes for the difference in price between a veranda (V cabin) and suite (S cabin), we could almost take another cruise, so we do that instead!;)

[meadds]

Our friends are the ones saying that the SA we're considering isn't worth the money...since it's our first cruise, I'm concerned about being claustrophobic!!! Maybe they are trying to talk us out of it because it's not worth it to THEM!;)

[Typhoon1]

Don't let them talk you out of it. But, be forewarned, once you are in a Suite, you won't want to go back to a standard Verandah. I always like the convenience of the services offered in the Neptune Lounge.

[dww]

I agree with the others. What does "is it worth it" mean to you? Only you can answer that question. From my point of view, yes it is. Yes the SC Aft corner Suite is far from the Neptune, but the sq ft of the deck WAS WORTH IT FOR US. I didn't really mind the "hike" to other areas of the ship. I will say this, if this is your first cruise and you opt for a SA, SB or SC cat, expect to be spoiled and you probably will never settle for less ( that is what happened to me with my DW )!!

[seasideny]

I really really loved the coffee machine in the Neptune and could drink cafe latte all day - but I'm not sure if I would book it again. If it was up to my husband - yes but I feel that I didn't spend enough time in the suite to warrant the extra price. I also didn't need the concierge for anything -except coffee and juice. We had 4 in the suite and still didn't use all of the drawers, and cabinets. We used the jacuzzi once (have one at home) and used the laundry bi-daily but you can always buy an unlimited package for laundry. We had brought our wine and didn't need the comp. champagne. Also I had expected a new towel animal everynight but only had 5 on an 11 night cruise- I know it's dumb to think of them but I had a new one every night on Celebrity and we only had an outside cabin.

 

Next time I'll book two adjoining verandahs, with unlimited laundry ($75) and a coffee card. This way I could spend more at the casino and at bingo without getting the bad eye from my husband.;)

[MercedMike]

My Dear Aunt Ruth loves to travel in luxury. When we travel with her, we stay in deluxe verandah suites and book early so we get the ones right next to the Neptune Lounge. It is indeed a wonderful way to travel and we love the pampering in the Lounge. Here are some pictures:

HAL Deluxe suites

 

BUT -- to be honest with you, I can't really say it is worth the price. The suites usually cost at least double what a regular outside cabin would, and in the long run we would rather take two cruises that way than one in a suite! There are many wonderful public rooms around the ship, and while they may be a bit longer walk than just across the hall, they serve very well. The only thing we do in out cabin is shower and sleep so it really doesn't make sense to us to pay all that much for the extra roominess. When we cruise without Aunt Ruth, we usually book the least expensive outside cabins and are very happy with them.

 

Like any other consumer decision, you have to decide what you are willing to pay for.

 

Have a GREAT cruise!

[josephone]

Hello

 

The only thing not mentioned was the fact that the Neptune Lounge will provide (free of charge) the hors doevres for a cocktail party. We had this level of suite on the Maasdam in January and entertained our Cruise Critic friends in the suite with a BYOB. No one ate dinner in the dining room that night!

 

We thoroughly enjoyed the suite and would book it in an instant. However, we are crossing the Atlantic and decided we wanted to be low to the horizon. We still are discussing which way to go.

 

Be sure to register on your roll call, once you decide what to do.

 

Happy sailing!!!

 

 

Josephone

[Tricia724]

sail7seas made an excellent suggestion.....give some thought to the "SS" cabins. They are not considered full suites (even though the literature calls them SS suites), but if space is your main consideration, they offer much more space than a regular balcony cabin but are less costly than an SC, SB, or SA suite. It might be a nice solution for you for your first cruise.

[madelinerose]

Our first HAL cruise is in December and I chose to book an SY because I prefer being on a deck between 2 passenger decks. For an 11-night cruise, we will enjoy the square footage and larger bathroom in the SY versus a VA.

 

I check regularly on the SA,B,C rates versus my SY. Today, the difference between an SA and my SY price is $3600!

 

I would consider an SC for the verandah, but an SC is still $1300 more right now. Walking is a non-issue for us.

 

The only thing I can imagine we would use the NL for is the espresso/cappuccino machine. We always purchase specialty coffees, so we will buy coffee cards. If we use the laundry service, we will also do a la carte. Canapes, non-alcoholic beverages and reading materials are at the bottom of our priority lists.

 

Another opinion, if the SA,B,C suites had larger, more luxurious bathrooms, separate living/sleeping areas or something "special" in the cabin other than more square footage and a vanity (I bring my own lighted magnifying mirror), perhaps my opinion could be swayed. From every photo I've seen and everything I've read on CC, the bathrooms in the SY and the SA are identical. (Please correct me if I'm wrong).

 

So, for 2 adults, our midship SY will be just fine, unless we're offered one heck of an upgrade. ;)

[Sueseb]

Hi Meadds, Welcome to the boards and to cruising. You will love it. I, too am claustrophobic but have sailed in a cabin with just a porthole with no problem -- I just have to be able to see outside.

However, I much prefer a veranda but, but not a suite. I find the Explorer Lounge and library are more than sufficient to meet my needs. Also, if you are traveling with friends who are not in a suite, they will not be welcome in the Neptune. Which ever you choose, have a wonderful time. Sue

[Sale Away]

My 2 cents.. we've traveled balcony and outside on other lines. Our first suite was a Deluxe Verandah on HAL. It's really hard to go back to a smaller cabin. These are the closest to a "normal" hotel sized room on land. We travel as 2 adults and a tween and we like the extra room to spread out. I agree with the others in that you have to decide what's important to you about the additional amenities or if they're important.

 

What we use the Neptune Lounge for:

• Anything you'd have to go to the front desk for
  • Booking shore excursions
    
  • Getting your card key re-magnetized
    
  • Breaking bills for tips/small change on shore

  [*]Free lattes & espressos through out the day

  [*]Continental breakfast in the Lounge

  [*]Hors d'oeuvres in lieu of a late lunch in the lounge

  [*]Standing orders daily for either afternoon tea or hot hors d'oeuvres to be delivered to your cabin

  [*]Deluxe Suite passengers get a copy of the next day's dinner menu in the cabin the night prior so you can order dinner to be delivered to your cabin and enjoy dinner on your larger verandah.

Differences between the 3 Deluxe Suite CATs:

• SA - closest in location to the Neptune Lounge. All located from the mid-ship elevators toward the fore.
  
• SB - either mid-ship just back from the mid-ship elevators or aft. Main difference is what deck you're on. Best SBs for actual space in the cabin are the ones 2/3 back from the Neptune Lounge in the "odd" shaped part of the deck plan. You lose out on some verandah space but gain in actual cabin space.
  
• SC - all aft. These are actually really popular for the wrap-around verandahs on the corners. Also available as a SB on a higher deck. SCs are on decks 4-6. There are a few SCs that aren't on the corners. The corner cabins on Deck 5 are really reviewed well by CC members who've stayed in them. Me included!

The aft verandahs are absolutely huge in comparison to anything mid-ship. We were actually discussing how much we'd like it on an Alaskan cruise for the views.

[hammybee]

All pax share the same cruise, eat the same food and have the same entertainment available to them, regardless of cabin. For this reason, the least costly inside cabin is the best value based on out of pocket expenditure.

 

Having said this, on a per square foot basis, suites are the better value, compared to other cabins. And then there are the perks, as previously described.

[TV Dad]

I'm your contrarian. I have traveled in suites, balcony, outside view and inside cabins. We spend so little time in our cabin, we found a suite is NOT worth the money charged. :eek:

 

 

We will be cruising to Alaska on HAL this June and booked an inside cabin. The money we saved, is going towards shore excursions. In fact, we will spend more on shore excursions than on the cruise itself! :D

 

It's all a matter of preference and budget. If you've got the money to spend. . . spend it. If you don't, book a lower grade cabin. You will still have a ball and be treated like royalty by the staff.

[Krazy Kruizers]

JMO - we definitely feel that it is worth the extra money to book a full suite. To be able to grab a quick snack or a quick breakfast in the Neptune Lounge when we don't have time to go to the Pinnacle is worth it to us.

As for the mini bar - we have never used it. The refrigerated is filled with sodas, a couple of beers and 6 small bottles of alcohol -- you use them -- you pay for them along with a 15% gratuity.

[madelinerose]

oops.

[Sale Away]

I'm your contrarian. I have traveled in suites, balcony, outside view and inside cabins. We spend so little time in our cabin, we found a suite is NOT worth the money charged. :eek:

 

And we're the contrary to that which is why we spend the money on a suite. We actually do spend a lot of time in the cabin and on the verandah. For us, the ship is as much a destination as the actual ports. I'd agree though that if you spend more time on shore excursions or in the public spaces, you'd probably be just as happy in a lower CAT cabin.

[Shippy]

We just got back this morning from the Oosterdam. We had booked a SC grty for $1200pp plus port. Also got $50 cabin credit and Pinnicle dinner from the Travel agent.

We were upgraded to an SA room.

These rooms are the best. I have coffee delivered to the room very early every morning. My hubby sleeps in for a bit. I have a very nice seating area away from the bed. They also have been showing great movies on the TV. It is nice to have a couch and chairs for that.

I do not know if the SS have the dressing area. This is a large counter with makeup mirror and hairdryer. There are drawers and a seat. There is a full closet area in this 'mini room'. This is aside from the other closet area!

Our balcony was not one of the larger ones in the back of the ship, yet it was large enough for a round table with 4 chairs plus 2 arm chairs with hassocks.

[madelinerose]

Shippy, that's a great price! Today, for the Dec. 1 Noordam, that's the rate for a VF or VE. The SC is $2449 pp.

 

 

We just got back this morning from the Oosterdam. We had booked a SC grty for $1200pp plus port. Also got $50 cabin credit and Pinnicle dinner from the Travel agent.

We were upgraded to an SA room.

[Shippy]

We booked that cruise only about 6 weeks agoi.

I want a high end room and it seems you need to wait for a great price. I don't think you can find one more than 60 days out.

I know that is a bummer when trying to make plans way ahead of time.

I want to go the Carribean in June. I will probably find the best price in about 2 weeks but will start searching now.

[dolls4sell]

To us it is worth every penny! We do not stay in our cabin alot but when we do we enjoy the size of the room and balcony. As for the perks. The best perk to us is the Neptune Lounge; not having to go down to the lobby desk to book tours or change money, or for anything you do it all at the Neptune Lounge.Then there is the unlimited dry cleaning a big plus less to pack.

We always book a suite 2 doors down form the Neptune Lounge. In the morning my husband goes and gets the cappacinno for us while we wait for our breakfast to be dilvered. We love eatting breakfast on the balcony. We have had parties in our cabin before and the Neptune Lounge put it all together for us. As for the suite we enjoy the extra room, especially on a 10 day or longer cruise.

[meadds]

Thanks for all of the input..I'm convinced...I booked an SA cabin! Can't wait...4 more months! Thanks again for all of your help.