Anyone ever book a PS? Did you enjoy it?

[PoseidonGodoftheSea]

It's hard to find reviews from when people have cruised in a penthouse. If anyone has cruised at this level of accomodations please share your story and what did you enjoy about it?

[CruiserBruce]

Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Every second of it.

 

Would we do it again? (We have done it twice.)

 

Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

It was just too pricey on the next cruise we are booked on. However, 1 of the PS are still available. We may make an offer.

 

There is a lot of nice features. Building a relationship with a couple of people- your cabin steward, the maitre'd, the hotel manager-can make it even better.

 

The roominess is awesome. The ability to dine in a variety of manners is great- again, work with the maitre'd. In the S class ships, there is really pretty lighting. 1.5 baths. One huge main bathroom. As we prefer 10 day or longer cruises, the closet space is immense.

 

If you like to bring your own sodas and adult beverages, there is a pantry with a larger fridge to help with that.

 

On the Vista class there is a hot tub on the very large balcony. But it doesn't look too private, tho.

 

If you have specific questions, I will try to answer them.

 

Bruce

[KAKcruiser]

I have tried making an offer in the past at the last minutes to upgrade from a suite to the penthouse suite and I've always been told no. Maybe they are getting more flexible?

[RuthC]

On the Vista class there is a hot tub on the very large balcony. But it doesn't look too private, tho.

I thought the hot tub on the Noordam's penthouse veranda was private (had a nice invite :D). It's on the forwardmost section (out of three) of the veranda; there is a wall at that end. Then the veranda angles inward, then further back.

People in the next cabin aft can't see the outer portion of the PH veranda. People in the next cabin forward have the wall.

People on the ship at the next dock have a good view. :rolleyes:

[Copper10-8]

We were lucky enough to have been invited for coctails there on Rotterdam in FEB 05 by our table mates. Only one word (well two, sorry) big and luxurious! Lots of room and lots of buttons!:eek: Seperate bedroom, diningroom, huge balcony. Pretty awesome but definitely out of our budget range! Nice experience though!;)

[CruiserBruce]

RuthC:

 

I have seen the PS on the Oosterdam. (Our two PS stays were on Ryndam and Statendam. On the "O" the hot tub was on the section of wall where the ship jags back. Seemed semi-private, but not totally. The Westerdam (our next cruise) looks the same.

 

KAKcruiser:

 

We are doing a FLL-SEA repo. Seems to be selling slowly. Prices have dropped slightly. One PS has been booked- just recently. Not sure if they will discount the PS if it doesn't sell or not. The worst that happens is they say no when we ask! We already an SB, so we will survive somehow :-)))

 

To P God of the Sea (boy you have a long screen name)!

 

Hopefully you will get the PS. Yes, it is expensive. But you will definitely enjoy it. We did. In fact, I want to book it every time. DW keeps me in touch-barely- with reality!

 

Bruce

[RuthC]

RuthC:

 

I have seen the PS on the Oosterdam. On the "O" the hot tub was on the section of wall where the ship jags back. Seemed semi-private, but not totally. The Westerdam (our next cruise) looks the same.

Sounds like this is one more little thing that got "tweeked" on the Noordam, then.

Wonder where it is on the Zuiderdam? Betting in the same place as on the Oosterdam and Westerdam.

[Sunshine91]

I have seen the PS on the Oosterdam. (Our two PS stays were on Ryndam and Statendam. On the "O" the hot tub was on the section of wall where the ship jags back. Seemed semi-private, but not totally. The Westerdam (our next cruise) looks the same.

 

From the Observation Deck on Noordam, one can look down & see the angled part of the PS balcony - BUT, you have to know that that is the PS balcony. ;)

 

As RuthC writes, the hottub is on the forward part of the balcony & is quite private. It's large enough to accomodate several people - I have pics (but somehow don't know how to post them) of a certain chocoholic enjoying a glass of bubbly this past January. I too was there by gracious invite. :)

 

The PS has a living room, dining area large enough for a table for 8?, separate bedroom, sumptuous bath with King Neptune on the wall to dispense water into the tub, a guest powder room, kitchen, several TVs. It's lovely.

 

If you're someone who spends lots of time "at home" instead of in the public areas onboard while cruising, it might really be something to consider.

[razman]

Been in the PH on the O for our 25th. My only complaint was that is was only for one week! Hubby loved to enjoy a cigar in the hot tub on the veranda. Needless to say, we didn't come out of the suite much! We did host 3 cocktail parties in the PH that week for CC friends that were on that cruise.

 

The very best part for me was soaking in the huge jacuzzi tub in the monster bathroom.

[PoseidonGodoftheSea]

Actually I'm already booked in a PS on the Amsterdam next September to Alaska and I'm pretty excited about it. I decided I could either take a couple of cruises, one long cruise or a 7 day super luxory cruise. Since I don't get a lot of time off I chose the latter. I was pleased a PS was still available.

 

CruiserBruce-I do have a couple of questions. Do PS/SA/SB pax get to dine in the King or Queens Room at dinner? Do these same categories get free access to the thermal suite? I read a story a while back about a couple that was personally escorted onto the ship by a cruise director because they were booked in the penthouse; but this was on another line. Does HAL do anything special of that nature?

 

Razman-I'm also looking forward to the monster tub. Especially since the Amsterdam does not have one outside.

[OldCodger73]

It's hard to find reviews from when people have cruised in a penthouse. If anyone has cruised at this level of accomodations please share your story and what did you enjoy about it?

 

Check this thread out. It's posted by KK, who is presently in the PH of the Maasdam.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=616080&page=2

[KAKcruiser]

On the Amsterdam, PS/SA/SB passengers can have breakfast and lunch in a special section of the lower dining room. The wait staff is from the Pinnacle Grill. Dinner is served with everyone else in the dining room. However, you will have a big table in the penthouse suite and can have dinner delivered there.

 

I don't think there is any free access to the thermal suite for anybody.

[bepsf]

Sounds like this is one more little thing that got "tweeked" on the Noordam, then.

Wonder where it is on the Zuiderdam? Betting in the same place as on the Oosterdam and Westerdam.

 

 

Ruthless--

 

The PS's on all the Vistas are identical but for the interior decor (fabrics/colors/artwork).

[CrystalLady]

I have to admit that I'm addicted to the Penthouse Suites on the S- and R-class ships. I've sailed in the PS on Ryndam (twice), Statendam (twice), Rotterdam (once) and have lost count of the number of times in the PS on Volendam. I'll be "home" again in Volendam's PS in November. Last year, I was blessed with 25 glorious days in the PS on a b2b aboard Volendam - Hawaii/Alaska.

[RuthC]

Ruthless--

 

The PS's on all the Vistas are identical but for the interior decor (fabrics/colors/artwork).

Now, I'm confused, Brian. :confused: CruiserBruce indicated the PH hot tub is on the mid-section of the veranda on the Oosterdam and Westerdam; I know it's on the forward most section of the veranda on the Noordam.

Which is it? Either the PH verandas are identical, or the placement of the hot tub is different.

Not that this matters so much to me---after all, what are the chances I'll ever stay in a PH---but for the sake of accuracy, doncha know.

[turnin50]

Excuse my ignorance but can you tell me what a thermal suite is? Also I'm new to HAL (new to cruising actually) how does one go about "making an offer" for a PS? We're booked on the Oosterdam Oct 27th in an SB suite but a PS would be nice for my 50th B'Day cruise. Thanks in advance. :)

[CruiserBruce]

I could be wrong, but when we toured the "O", I thought the tub was in the sloped back section. Hopefully I will be able to give you a report after our April trip on the W'Dam.

 

Turnin50 (very funny- did that earlier this year)- you have your TA check if they will accept an "offer" on the upgraded cabin you want. Usually this is done if you are already booked on the ship, but I suppose you could do it even if you weren't. This is usually done close to sailing date, and the offer is less then what they are currently charging. Sort of bargaining.

 

Can't tell you how successful it is. But the worst they can say is no.

[takemewithyou]

Turnin 50...

Recently there have been quite a few threads on the thermal suites including pictures and past costs. If you do a search of this you will come up with quite a few threads to read. The thermal suites are something I plan to make full use of on my next cruise based upon what I have read here. :D

 

Enjoy!!!

[Jade13]

RuthC:

 

I have seen the PS on the Oosterdam. (Our two PS stays were on Ryndam and Statendam. On the "O" the hot tub was on the section of wall where the ship jags back. Seemed semi-private, but not totally. The Westerdam (our next cruise) looks the same.

 

KAKcruiser:

 

We are doing a FLL-SEA repo. Seems to be selling slowly. Prices have dropped slightly. One PS has been booked- just recently. Not sure if they will discount the PS if it doesn't sell or not. The worst that happens is they say no when we ask! We already an SB, so we will survive somehow :-)))

 

To P God of the Sea (boy you have a long screen name)!

 

Hopefully you will get the PS. Yes, it is expensive. But you will definitely enjoy it. We did. In fact, I want to book it every time. DW keeps me in touch-barely- with reality!

 

Bruce

 

Well, I can tell you if you nab one on the Westerdam anytime soon you will probab have the same cabin steward we did (we were forward on that same deck) and he was the best thing about our cruise.

 

 

I was always curious. I saw a "name" on the PH door. Do they place the name of the passenger? If so, it looked nice but not private. Just curious what I was looking at?

[RuthC]

I was always curious. I saw a "name" on the PH door. Do they place the name of the passenger?

That's what it is. Because it's so high up, and with the fancy font, had I not been told what it is I wouldn't have figured it out! :rolleyes:

[turnin50]

Turnin50 (very funny- did that earlier this year)- you have your TA check if they will accept an "offer" on the upgraded cabin you want. Usually this is done if you are already booked on the ship, but I suppose you could do it even if you weren't. This is usually done close to sailing date, and the offer is less then what they are currently charging. Sort of bargaining.

 

Can't tell you how successful it is. But the worst they can say is no.

 

Thank you Bruce, we didn't use a TA booked online and since I hate to be told no :D maybe I'll just wait and see if they offer us an upgrade or an upsell. I'm very happy with the suite we have so I won't mind if they don't.

 

Found it takeme, thanks :)

[Sunshine91]

I was always curious. I saw a "name" on the PH door. Do they place the name of the passenger? If so, it looked nice but not private. Just curious what I was looking at?

 

That's what it is. Because it's so high up, and with the fancy font, had I not been told what it is I wouldn't have figured it out! :rolleyes:

 

I think the 2 PS on Noordam each have their own "names". They are on plaques on the doors. Sort of like the Oak Room, the Half Moon Room, the Ocean Bar, the Queen's Lounge, etc.

 

I don't recall our hostess's name on the door???? :confused:

 

Unless it was the CC poster Greg made for everyone on our rollcall.

[clogaltocruise]

Hi ~

We were invited to the penthouse on the Zuiderdam. The hot tub is located on the side. In fact, we were in a SA further back and could see their hot tub from our balcony. It's nice that the Noordam has improved the location for the PH guests.

Kathy

[RuthC]

I think the 2 PS on Noordam each have their own "names". They are on plaques on the doors. Sort of like the Oak Room, the Half Moon Room, the Ocean Bar, the Queen's Lounge, etc.

 

I don't recall our hostess's name on the door???? :confused:

 

Unless it was the CC poster Greg made for everyone on our rollcall.

I passed by later in the cruise and saw what it was, now that I knew what to look for. Otherwise, as I said, I was oblivious.

[jleck]

On the Noordam, March 19, 2008 sailing. My husband and I are taking his children (will be 16 & just a couple weeks shy of 11) and originally had booked a lesser suite.

 

The more I thought about it, the more I realized we would be unhappy not having separate sleeping quarters ... after having such arrangements on our last cruise (ph, ncl dawn). We also like to spend a lot of time in our cabin and on our veranda.

 

So I called our TA and booked the ph!!! I've kept it a secret since March ... my husband won't know until we board :D. He won't be able to stay mad once he sees the cabin.