Gigi1977

Just in an aft cabin on Westerdam in April & May - Japan + TP.   Love the aft views but as mentioned, there is certainly vibration especially at higher speeds and also when in higher seas.   It is definitely not a ‘white noise’ thing as it is not even.  We also experienced the banging noises especially on the TP.  
 

No smoke issues ever.  

Motion might be one issue for those sensitive- we are not but I’ve ’heard’ that those balconies catch more wind, are smaller and not really useable when sailing.  This is hearsay as we have not sailed in one of those.   I would not choose it.  

Not sure what you mean by the push for 3/4 persons.  
 

Neptune suites are very nice.  I would not choose one on deck 11.   I believe those are very forward.  None of the rest you listed  are on deck 7 - the ‘Neptune’ deck so I think they must be aft cabins which we love.   You will not be close to the lounge in any of those.   The lounge offers snacks throughout the day and concierge services with no need to ever go to guest services  and they will make dining reservations etc for you.   
 

A Neptune suite includes Club Orange where you can have breakfast and dinner.  It is a smaller dining venue close to the MDR and has the same menu as the MDR with one additional entree offered.  

Correct.  All are non refundable. Also non refundable is stock OBC, teacher, first responder, military…   Most OBC is not refundable unless it comes from an ‘outside’ source. 

It will be cool on the crossing. At least that has been our experiences. 

HAL, unlike other lines,  does not allow you to apply OBC to purchases prior to boarding.  However, you may have OBC applied to pre purchased items and they will credit your cc for that amount after your sail date as Mary 229 stated. 

Haven’t experienced the restaurant but you shouldn’t miss much with a 7:30 reservation.  

I have not seen King Crab on any menu including Pinnacle in a long time.  Most recently the Pinnacle had crab legs (not King) for an up charge but even that was prior to shutdown.   Rudi’s which is no longer onboard, at one time had King Crab.   Your best bet is to find them shoreside depending on your cruise destination.  

15 minutes ago, julia said:

The Have It All should not be included in the insurance, as it's refundable (like port fees,and taxes).  You might want to shop around for insurance.  The price for HIA is $10 more per day if purchased onboard.

I agree - it should not be included.  But HAL does include HIA in cruise fare and thus their insurance goes up based on cruise fare.  HAL is the only line where we have experienced this.   They really should not include any ‘package’ in cruise fare imo.  

9 hours ago, I like vacation said:

We are on the Westerdam next week for the 14 day Japan Explorer cruise.  I just received an email from HAL at 10:53 PM with some new to me requirements.  Has anyone had a similar experience?  Is this a requirement for Japan?  We have surrendered our passports to HAL on other itineraries before.  Here is the text from the email:

 

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION
In order to streamline our embarkation process, all guests must bring two photocopies of their passports which will be collected at check-in for your cruise. While color copies are preferred, black and white photocopies will be accepted. In addition, guests should also keep a photo of the passport photo page on their personal device to ensure a digital backup is available. Copies should be clear, good quality images on letter-sized or A4 paper.

 

As a reminder, all guests on this voyage are required to present a passport book that is valid for six months after the completion of travel at cruise check-in. Please ensure the name on your passport matches your name as it appears on your booking. Your passport must contain at least three blank pages for entry and exit endorsements and any required visas; guests with insufficient blank passport pages may be fined by shoreside authorities. To expedite your embarkation, please register your passport via Online Check-In or in the Navigator app.
Ships'

We got this email several months ago.  I immediately made copies as it was not a part of my ‘normal’ routine to get ready to cruise….   Think it maybe HAL saving a step/and or paper.  

I would keep a deck 7 veranda over a spa veranda.  Some of the spa verandas have a ‘Juliet Balcony’ that you can step out on but no real room to sit.  Deck 7 isn’t that far from the spa which is on deck 9 forward.  

The vista is nothing more than a veranda.  You do receive double cruise credits and a few other things but I would never call it a suite.   If you want, need more space - book the Neptune.  

Love the Ocean Bar on this size ship.  It’s large with plenty of seating. 

If you are booking aft on Zuiderdam - veranda cabin, they all have the bathtub/shower combo…..unless you book one of the corner Neptune suites which have a separate shower with the dreaded shower curtain that attacks you and wraps you up! 🤪. The tub in the Neptune is a jacuzzi.  I don’t believe there are any showers on Z with the glass doors (yet).  The handicap rooms have an open shower only and should be reserved for the guests who need them.  

I would go to Tamarind.  

We avoid deck 8 because of pool and lido.  We try to pick a cabin sandwiched between decks with cabins.  We have had connected cabins and only once was there a problem.   We were onboard for 42 days and only 7 were a problem with LOUD folks next door.   We knew all sbout their marriage problems, their kid ‘s issues, how much they disliked Americans (we are 🤣), what they liked or disliked about the food …. You get the just - they were LOUD.  We were very glad when they departed!   
 

Just be sure you look above and below - oh and we have never had elevator noises either.  

Yes, they are happy to accommodate that as the other posters have stated -But there have been a lot of changes recently so be sure and consult an up to date brochure before purchasing.  

I hate it.   Already voiced my opinion with HAL.   My 30 day voyage is 78 pages and my 35 day voyage is 50 something and will grow as we add activities.   I like to print a copy to leave with housesitter, family and for our on use onboard.   It’s impossible to do so without buying multiple ink cartridges!    Give me the old printable version!! 

9 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Depends what your preferences are. The cabin itself will be larger on deck 7, but the balcony smaller. The aft Neptunes are smaller, sometimes by a fair amount, but the balconies are huge. Discussed here frequently. 

Agree totally.   A personal choice.   

Occasionally.   Especially on early bookings when a cruise first comes out.  

It will be on your room key if you have set dining.   We always go check ours out.  

1 hour ago, CruiserBruce said:

sparkling

Champagne - no.  Sparking something- yes. 

I know they have Tito’s (Texas girl) and Skyy, Stoli and Gray Goose.. 

The Pinnacle is open everyday for breakfast and will ‘match’ the dinning room hours.  
 

Yes, there was a bottle of some bubbly stuff in the ice bucket.   It’s definitely not champagne. 
 

The hours were always posted but not the same and imo they have always closed too early.  
 

The conceirge is generally excellent.  But then we’ve had a few that were not…..
 

They have a small area next to the liquor area.  Don’t count in choices and be prepared to pay premium prices.   It’s hit or miss.