MR NW GUY Posted September 29, 2013 #1 Share Posted September 29, 2013 I have reserved a corner aft wrap around on the Zuiderdam, but I am wondering if something larger and mid ship would be better for a Panama Canal experience? I don't think I would use the Crows Nest when traveling through the Canal as I like to be outside. So.... Port or Starboard? Midship or Stern? Any thoughts, opinions or advise? Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the2ofus Posted September 29, 2013 #2 Share Posted September 29, 2013 I think the wrap-around balcony is a great choice. It gives you good views to the side and aft, which you will appreciate as you go through the locks. Do plan to spend some time on a forward viewing deck so that you can also watch the opening of a lock. This is such an amazing experience, to watch the functioning of these structures which were built over 100 years ago, without modern engineering techniques and equipment and yet still function perfectly. Excellent and timely maintenance have their role, of course, but the age and the very different conditions under which the canal was dug and the locks built makes them awe-inspiring. Read up on the Canal before you go. It will enhance the actual experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alwaysfrantic Posted September 29, 2013 #3 Share Posted September 29, 2013 I have reserved a corner aft wrap around on the Zuiderdam, but I am wondering if something larger and mid ship would be better for a Panama Canal experience? I don't think I would use the Crows Nest when traveling through the Canal as I like to be outside. So.... Port or Starboard? Midship or Stern? Any thoughts, opinions or advise? Cheers! Absolutely, 100%, keep the corner. We never even went upstairs during the transit...we could see everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyk47 Posted September 29, 2013 #4 Share Posted September 29, 2013 I have reserved a corner aft wrap around on the Zuiderdam, but I am wondering if something larger and mid ship would be better for a Panama Canal experience? I don't think I would use the Crows Nest when traveling through the Canal as I like to be outside. So.... Port or Starboard? Midship or Stern? Any thoughts, opinions or advise? Cheers! In my mind and experience you have the best right now. We were forward in a suite and got the recommendation to go aft for the transit. Thought that was a weird suggestion but it turned out to be perfect. We had pretty much a full and unobstructed view. Friends of ours that tried the bow then upper forward decks had issues getting to the railing to see anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted September 29, 2013 #5 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Many will agree you already have a great location. Keep it. Some reading would also reveal the place to be, at least for one set of locks, is the bow. Very interesting view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaofami Posted September 29, 2013 #6 Share Posted September 29, 2013 I agree with Cruiser Bruce. Your location is great, but viewing from the bow and seeing the ship enter the locks is a great place to see what's happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted September 29, 2013 #7 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Absolutely, 100%, keep the corner. We never even went upstairs during the transit...we could see everything.Except the best view of all, straight forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colakid Posted September 29, 2013 #8 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Just off the Zuiderdam for the second time and we had room 4180 each time. It is the wrap around balcony. Having had this room take it without hesitation. There are I think 8 of these rooms available and they go fast. Just my thoughts. Colakid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted September 29, 2013 #9 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Read The Path Between the Seas... by David McCullough to get the full story of what went into the building of the canal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted September 29, 2013 #10 Share Posted September 29, 2013 I agree with Cruiser Bruce. Your location is great, but viewing from the bow and seeing the ship enter the locks is a great place to see what's happening. Except the best view of all, straight forward. I agree. Next to being on the bridge, :), the best view is the Bow. Your aft view will be fine for sure but you may wish to leave for a little while and enjoy the view from the bow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted September 29, 2013 #11 Share Posted September 29, 2013 April 18 -- full Panama Canal cruise -- wonderful!! We have done quite a few of those repositioning cruises on various ships. have another one coming up on the Amsterdam next spring. We much prefer the port side for this cruise. JMO -- we can sit out on the verandah -- sometimes we get to see the train. Wave to the people as you pass through the Miraflores Locks and see the people there watching you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feathersandnananose Posted September 30, 2013 #12 Share Posted September 30, 2013 We have had an aft cabin once, and it was my FAVORITE. It sort of didn't matter where we were! Just loved listening to and watching the wake. BUT...for anyone doing the canal with a "lesser cabin", don't feel left out! We REALLY enjoyed having an ocean view cabin on the lowest deck.......it's a kick watching the walls rise past your window. We went from bow to sides to our room and back around again. The glory is that there are several locks to go through, so you can watch them from all sorts of angles. It's a kick! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR NW GUY Posted September 30, 2013 Author #13 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Thank you all for you advise. I am very happy to keep the corner aft. The DW wants the larger cabin.... I let you know if she wins out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZNative2000 Posted September 30, 2013 #14 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Read The Path Between the Seas... by David McCullough to get the full story of what went into the building of the canal. Couldn't agree more Scrapnana! A long read but it added so much to our experience once there. I have reserved a corner aft wrap around on the Zuiderdam, but I am wondering if something larger and mid ship would be better for a Panama Canal experience? I don't think I would use the Crows Nest when traveling through the Canal as I like to be outside. Any thoughts, opinions or advise? Cheers! Congratulations MR NW GUY!! We had 5191 aft-wrap for our Panama Canal visit in 2010 aboard Zuiderdam. As others have said, the view from the bow is good to start with as you move into the first lock. After that you can't see well from there because of the other 1000 people trying to see.;) AS IN THIS PHOTO: After getting into the lock, we retreated to our aft-wrap for the rest of the morning going through the locks. From the back you will watch the lock workings and from the side you can see everything and even converse with those driving the "mules" (the electric train engines). Room service will bring food and beverages.:) Cheers! VIEW FROM THE STERN: (no crowds) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thebes Posted September 30, 2013 #15 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Just off the Zuiderdam for the second time and we had room 4180 each time. It is the wrap around balcony. Having had this room take it without hesitation. There are I think 8 of these rooms available and they go fast. Just my thoughts. Colakid. Was that a port side suite ? Now are those aft wrap considered signature suites or do they have other name ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted September 30, 2013 #16 Share Posted September 30, 2013 I agree.Next to being on the bridge, :), the best view is the Bow. If you mean down on the bow proper, I disagree. :) I like to be up on one of the forward decks above the bow so I don't have a lot of people in most of my view angles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thebes Posted September 30, 2013 #17 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Just wondering if the aft wrap suite exist on the Veendam ? I was interested in same itinerary but the 15 day in 2015 is on the Veendam ? Damn it :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZNative2000 Posted September 30, 2013 #18 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Aft-wraps are Neptune Suites ... SC or SB and depending on the date of travel they will become all SB.:( Only thing changing is price and letter designation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted September 30, 2013 #19 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Just wondering if the aft wrap suite exist on the Veendam?No. On the Veendam the corners are public deck. http://book.hollandamerica.com/pdfs/fleet/next/ve_n.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thebes Posted September 30, 2013 #20 Share Posted September 30, 2013 April 18 -- full Panama Canal cruise -- wonderful!! We have done quite a few of those repositioning cruises on various ships. have another one coming up on the Amsterdam next spring. We much prefer the port side for this cruise. JMO -- we can sit out on the verandah -- sometimes we get to see the train. Wave to the people as you pass through the Miraflores Locks and see the people there watching you. KK, Is this one on 4/18/14 on the zuiderdam or Veendam ? And which ship you prefer ? The aft wrap seems be only on the Z- dam. Also have you done the one that goes half way and back ? And if yes, how did u like it ? What suite would you recommend on the Veendam for a good view. Thanks much :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fm6175 Posted September 30, 2013 #21 Share Posted September 30, 2013 We sailed the Z last Jan in a aft suite . Never left our balcony . Room service , drinks , nap before the rerun through the locks . Magic . We had our tv on with the bow cam . We were not about to walk to the front on the ship to be crowded and get a glimpse . We saw it all from our veranda . Awsome . Book it . Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted September 30, 2013 #22 Share Posted September 30, 2013 KK,Is this one on 4/18/14 on the zuiderdam or Veendam ? And which ship you prefer ? The aft wrap seems be only on the Z- dam. Also have you done the one that goes half way and back ? And if yes, how did u like it ? What suite would you recommend on the Veendam for a good view. Thanks much :) MR NW GUY is the one who will be on the 4/18/14 Zuiderdam Panama Canal cruise from Ft Lauderdale to Vancouver. We have done the repositioning cruises from Ft Lauderdale to Seattle as it is easier for us to fly home from Seattle than Vancouver. We have done the cruises on the Westerdam and Amsterdam as well as on other cruise lines. I would not go on the Veendam any more. She has had too many problems with air conditioning not functioning and that is a big factor for us. There are Zuiderdam cruises that do 10 and 11 days round trip from Ft Lauderdale that do partial Panama Canal cruises. You only go through the Gatun Locks. And that cruise is really just an introduction to the canal. We have done it a couple of times -- it is a nice cruise. It isn't really "halfway" through the canal. If you do decide on the Veendam -- we like cabins 002, 004 and 006. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted September 30, 2013 #23 Share Posted September 30, 2013 The best place to enjoy the Canal is to be out on the open deck so don't worry about the cabin. To enjoy the canal you want to see it from all four sides of the ship and also from different elevations on the ship. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thebes Posted September 30, 2013 #24 Share Posted September 30, 2013 MR NW GUY is the one who will be on the 4/18/14 Zuiderdam Panama Canal cruise from Ft Lauderdale to Vancouver. We have done the repositioning cruises from Ft Lauderdale to Seattle as it is easier for us to fly home from Seattle than Vancouver. We have done the cruises on the Westerdam and Amsterdam as well as on other cruise lines. I would not go on the Veendam any more. She has had too many problems with air conditioning not functioning and that is a big factor for us. There are Zuiderdam cruises that do 10 and 11 days round trip from Ft Lauderdale that do partial Panama Canal cruises. You only go through the Gatun Locks. And that cruise is really just an introduction to the canal. We have done it a couple of times -- it is a nice cruise. It isn't really "halfway" through the canal. If you do decide on the Veendam -- we like cabins 002, 004 and 006. Thanks much. So it is " less than halfway" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted September 30, 2013 #25 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Thanks much. So it is " less than halfway" ? It has always been called a "partial" transit. No implication is was halfway thru the Canal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.