kaswife Posted August 8, 2012 #1 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Hi Seasoned HAL CC'ers - We are a couple in our late 30's/early 40's, traveling to Alaska's inside passage next week (Wed Aug 15) on the Volendam with our toddler daughter, 3 years old. We have a guaranteed A category verandah stateroom reservation (cabin #7048) on the Nav deck. I've received 2 "limited upgrade offers" within the last 2 days. The first offer (received Aug 7) was for an S category Deluxe Verandah at additional $399 pp, and now in the second offer I received today, the price has dropped to $269 pp. Questions: Will we likely receive another offer at yet an even lower price if I wait? Is the $269 pp a good price for the upgrade? Are all S category rooms located on the Nav deck (meaning near the Neptune lounge)? Can I assume this upgrade comes with all the perks of a Deluxe stateroom? Concierge, Neptune access, etc? Does $269 pp include our daughter as well (meaning we would pay $269 x3)? We only paid for taxes and fees for her with our original booking, so basically she was "free" as a child/third person in our room. Our daughter is generally well-behaved/polite, but she is 3 and we can't predict her behavior at all times. We do consider ourselves sensitive to others' comfort and experience while out and about with her. We would certainly remove her from situations if we felt her presence was causing discomfort to other travelers (i.e. tantrum in public). That being said, would she be an "unwelcome surprise" in the Neptune lounge? Any other considerations I should be making? I've seen some similar threads on this subject that suggest this is a good opportunity, but not this exact situation/price. I know you will give me some great advice! Thanks All! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted August 8, 2012 #2 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Hi Seasoned HAL CC'ers - We are a couple in our late 30's/early 40's, traveling to Alaska's inside passage next week (Wed Aug 15) on the Volendam with our toddler daughter, 3 years old. We have a guaranteed A category verandah stateroom reservation (cabin #7048) on the Nav deck. I've received 2 "limited upgrade offers" within the last 2 days. The first offer (received Aug 7) was for an S category Deluxe Verandah at additional $399 pp, and now in the second offer I received today, the price has dropped to $269 pp. Questions: Will we likely receive another offer at yet an even lower price if I wait? Not likely. They are probably taken. Is the $269 pp a good price for the upgrade? Not bad, i would take it. Are all S category rooms located on the Nav deck (meaning near the Neptune lounge)? Yes Can I assume this upgrade comes with all the perks of a Deluxe stateroom? Concierge, Neptune access, etc? Yes Does $269 pp include our daughter as well (meaning we would pay $269 x3)? We only paid for taxes and fees for her with our original booking, so basically she was "free" as a child/third person in our room. Don't know Our daughter is generally well-behaved/polite, but she is 3 and we can't predict her behavior at all times. We do consider ourselves sensitive to others' comfort and experience while out and about with her. We would certainly remove her from situations if we felt her presence was causing discomfort to other travelers (i.e. tantrum in public). That being said, would she be an "unwelcome surprise" in the Neptune lounge? No Any other considerations I should be making? I've seen some similar threads on this subject that suggest this is a good opportunity, but not this exact situation/price. I know you will give me some great advice! Thanks All! Take it if still available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaswife Posted August 8, 2012 Author #3 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Thanks CruiserBruce! Now to convince the hubby.:o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted August 8, 2012 #4 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Thanks CruiserBruce! Now to convince the hubby.:o Don't waste time convincing him - take it before it's gone:D I doubt it will be there for long:) You can always surprise him or convince him later;) edited to say the S suites on this class of ship are quite nice.!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CtheW0rld Posted August 8, 2012 #5 Share Posted August 8, 2012 $800 (if you have to pay x3) would be better spent on excursions, IMHO. to some people that much money is chump change, though. four years ago i took a 16-day transatlantic on carnival for $800 (inside cabin, though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaswife Posted August 8, 2012 Author #6 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Yet even more good advice....on the line with HAL now :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CtheW0rld Posted August 8, 2012 #7 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Don't waste time convincing him - take it before it's gone:D I doubt it will be there for long:) You can always surprise him or convince him later;) edited to say the S suites on this class of ship are quite nice.!!! how much are marrige counselors? :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaswife Posted August 8, 2012 Author #8 Share Posted August 8, 2012 We only had to pay for the 1st and 2nd passengers ($538 total). I switched us from Port to Starboard, now we're in #7031. The extra room will be great for us as we are still on a nap schedule with our daughter, so we'll spend considerable time in the cabin. Not to mention the laundry service and 24 hour concierge! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjgertz Posted August 8, 2012 #9 Share Posted August 8, 2012 You will love the unlmited laundry. We are of a similar age and took a similar offer last summer when travelling with our then 11 month old (inside passage on the Zuiderdam). The laundry and the space were lovely. And the staff treated our daughter amazingly including in the Neptune Lounge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted August 8, 2012 #10 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Great!! That is a great Upsell. You will love the Deluxe Suite. You will also have use of the Neptune Lounge from 7 AM to 8 (8:15) PM -- lots of snacks there -- Continental breakfast -- and you will have use of either the Kings Room or the Upper level of the dining room for breakfast. You are going to be spoiled with all the perks and the extra room. Congratulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted August 8, 2012 #11 Share Posted August 8, 2012 We only had to pay for the 1st and 2nd passengers ($538 total). I switched us from Port to Starboard, now we're in #7031. The extra room will be great for us as we are still on a nap schedule with our daughter, so we'll spend considerable time in the cabin. Not to mention the laundry service and 24 hour concierge! :D I think you will like this cabin, as it is right by the mid-ship elevators. No noise from them (at least we never heard any) and it is SO convenient to use these elevators to get anywhere on the ship. They really come in handy during busy times, as most people use the other two banks mostly, forgetting about this bank. The cabin is also not too far from the Neptune Lounge. Not right next to it, but just a short ways - not an issue IMO. One more thing - your cabin is below the dining area of the Lido buffet. This way you do not hear the lounge chair scraping noises others get from being below the pool area. Only thing - once you experience sailing in a deluxe suite on HAL, you will not want to go back to a lower level cabin! DaveOKC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
startwin Posted August 8, 2012 #12 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Well done! It's a great upgrade, great cabin and a great location:) You won't regret it. Have a fabulous cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVSue Posted August 8, 2012 #13 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Kaswife, you will LOVE this cabin, convenient to Neptune and steps from midships elevator, which you can take right to the Lido! You will love it for nap time, since you have tons os space to move around. What a great upgrade--don't think you'll need a marriage counselor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaswife Posted August 8, 2012 Author #14 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Wow, can't help but love all the insights and validation, I feel like we have hit the lottery (even though I paid for it :eek:)! Thanks all! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaswife Posted August 8, 2012 Author #15 Share Posted August 8, 2012 You will love the unlmited laundry. We are of a similar age and took a similar offer last summer when travelling with our then 11 month old (inside passage on the Zuiderdam). The laundry and the space were lovely. And the staff treated our daughter amazingly including in the Neptune Lounge Sjgertz - looks like you have come full circle over the years; from HAL through all of the other comparable lines and then back to HAL. Would love to know your thoughts, any notable comparisons/differences? We considered Princess and Celebrity for this trip (our first cruise ever) and went with HAL not only for its itinerary/reputation in Alaska but also because my parents were supposed to come with us and we thought they would appreciate HAL's classic oceanliner aesthetic the most. I would have chosen the more contemporary feel I got from Celebrity if not for the lack of permit to visit Glacier Bay. My husband is active and probably would have appreciated a ship with a rock climbing wall etc. but I admit, it felt like a "downgrade" to choose one of the more glitzy lines like RCCL or Carnival that has these types of activities. I already know we are going to love this cruise to Alaska and will be looking forward to another cruise vacation in our future. If not to Alaska again, perhaps someplace more tropical or exotic (like New Zealand) and so I wonder if you would lean towards HAL again or to one of the other lines (perhaps depending on the cruise destination)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted August 8, 2012 #16 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Check out Joanie's site here to see what a Deluxe cabin looks like -- your cabin 7031 is shown: http://abqreunion2008.com/Volendam/Deck-7.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaswife Posted August 8, 2012 Author #17 Share Posted August 8, 2012 $800 (if you have to pay x3) would be better spent on excursions, IMHO. to some people that much money is chump change, though. four years ago i took a 16-day transatlantic on carnival for $800 (inside cabin, though). We already have some amazing excursions booked (dogsledding on Mendenhall, White Pass Rail trip, flightseeing/bearwatching) but I see your point. $800 is not chump change to us by any means, but we are definitely willing to splurge on this trip. An extra $500 for an amazing stateroom that otherwise would have cost thousands more when we booked is totally worth it, even at the $800 price point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typhoon1 Posted August 8, 2012 #18 Share Posted August 8, 2012 We only had to pay for the 1st and 2nd passengers ($538 total). I switched us from Port to Starboard, now we're in #7031. The extra room will be great for us as we are still on a nap schedule with our daughter, so we'll spend considerable time in the cabin. Not to mention the laundry service and 24 hour concierge! :D You will love it. Keep in mind, once you cruise in a Deluxe Suite, you will want one every time you cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaswife Posted August 8, 2012 Author #19 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Check out Joanie's site here to see what a Deluxe cabin looks like -- your cabin 7031 is shown: http://abqreunion2008.com/Volendam/Deck-7.html Thank you! Funny, I have actually visited that page several times during the last 6 months. Little did I know I was staring at photos of our future stateroom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PathfinderEss Posted August 9, 2012 #20 Share Posted August 9, 2012 We only had to pay for the 1st and 2nd passengers ($538 total). I switched us from Port to Starboard, now we're in #7031. The extra room will be great for us as we are still on a nap schedule with our daughter, so we'll spend considerable time in the cabin. Not to mention the laundry service and 24 hour concierge! :D Congratulation on the GREAT up sell. You will love it. Please come back and tell us how much fun you had in your wonderful cabin. :D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare erewhon Posted August 9, 2012 #21 Share Posted August 9, 2012 kaswife, All staterooms on the Volendam were refurbished last year, so the rooms have a more "modern" look. On the Volendam, Breakfast for Penthouse and Deluxe Suite passengers is served by the Pinnacle Grill Staff in the Kings Room. Have a wonderful Alaskan cruise and enjoy the benefits of staying in a Deluxe Suite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted August 9, 2012 #22 Share Posted August 9, 2012 Congratulations - I am happy for you:) you will absolutely love this room. (I hope your dh isn't mad at us):D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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