R class vs Vista class?

[Bean na mara]

I am sailing on the Zaandam May 23rd to May 30th 2014 (Alaska Inside Passage). Looking forward to another visit to Alaska but all my 4 cruises have been on Vista ships (Alaska and the Caribbean.) What differences, if any, can we expect? I have always sailed in verandah staterooms but this time we are in an OV. I know there will be physical differences in the stateroom but how about the rest of the ship? How do the two classes compare food wise, types of entertainment, activities etc...I am assuming they will be comparable to the Zuiderdam but thought I'd ask

By reading other threads I found out that the Zaandam has the magnetic strip type safes still even after dry dock last fall. Do they work with your ship card? And if there are two guests per stateroom, will both cards work? :confused: Thanks Spazzsmom

[nana51]

I was on the Zaandam last year and have been on the oosterdam twice. The biggest difference I noticed was the spa, much smaller. Otherwise I didn't notice much. I spent my time in the crows nest. It was laid out a bit different but seemed the same size. I didn't have that great of cruise because of some silly little things. We had an insect ? infestation in our room, the pool was heated to the temperature of the spa and was unusable, had a gentleman collapse behind me in the MDR. None too terrible but they added up. We never saw our stewards and our waiter seemed so stressed and worried he made us uncomfortable. the ship however seemed in fine shape.

[catl331]

The thing you'll notice first about the R-class is shorter walks!

 

They tell you not to use room key cards for the safe, although I'm not sure why. I don't think two different key-cards would work anyway. We bring any old card with a mag stripe (store "loyalty" card, auto club card, old hotel room card, etc) and hide it someplace in the room so that we can both have access to the safe. Or I should say we used to do that, as we haven't been on a ship with a card stripe reader in many years.

[DaveOKC]

The thing you'll notice first about the R-class is shorter walks!

 

They tell you not to use room key cards for the safe, although I'm not sure why. I don't think two different key-cards would work anyway. We bring any old card with a mag stripe (store "loyalty" card, auto club card, old hotel room card, etc) and hide it someplace in the room so that we can both have access to the safe. Or I should say we used to do that, as we haven't been on a ship with a card stripe reader in many years.

 

Agree on the MUCH shorter walks. The midship elevators are a great convenience (vs. the S class ships), plus of course the ship is smaller than the Vista class.

 

We take one of our casino cards (one for each of us) for the safe. That way both work and no big deal if we lose one.

 

I also think that the cabins and balconies are a bit larger on the R class than the Vista. Of course this may vary by category.

 

DaveOKC

[visagrunt]

Having the public decks sandwiched between the accommodation decks means there is vertical proximity, as well.

[RuthC]

I had cruised a lot on the S- & R-class ships before I sailed on a Vista. One of my first reactions was that the Vista "felt" like a HAL ship, in spite of the fact that the layout was different. Going in the other direction, you should still have the same feeling.

 

The style of décor, flowers, cloth towels in the public restrooms, and the food and service will all feel familiar.

 

The Zaandam is a very pretty ship, one of two in the fleet with a theme (music on the Zaandam). It's fun to walk around checking out the items used to create that theme.

 

Cabins on the R-class ships are larger than comparable categories on the Vista ships, but you may not notice that since you are going from a balcony to an outside. Still, your cabin will feel spacious for a ship.

 

The Zaandam has lots of open deck space that comes in handy when viewing the splendors of Alaska.

[DaveOKC]

Forgot to add:

 

If you are interested in the thermal spa/hydro pool package, keep in mind that the hydro pool is really only the size of a normal ship's hot tub on the R and S class ships. Nowhere near as nice as the ones on the Vista ships (but the fees are generally lower as well).

 

DaveOKC

[Bean na mara]

Thanks so much for all your replies. An expired Tim Hortons card has been added to the "must take" list!

I lived in the thermal suite on the last two Alaska trips on the Zuiderdam--so much so that I feel I missed some of the ships activities :( No heated loungers this time as I hope to do trivia, watch cooking demos, art auction (just because I have never attended one) game shows, spa seminars, reading in the Crow's Nest etc...

The shorter walking distances may be put to good use as I always say I am going to walk around the Promenade deck on a daily basis ;) Is it 4 laps to equal a mile?

[catl331]

Is it 4 laps to equal a mile?

On the R-class it's about 3.5 laps per mile. I forget what the signs say.

[igraf]

We have been on the Vista-class cruses several times, and lately have been on R and S class ships. Going from Vista to the smaller ships, you will notice that you can't walk directly from the lower theater seating in the bow to the lower dining room in the rear, there will be no Queen's lounge, discotheque or external glass elevators. Also, the shows and the HALcats lead singer tend to be better on the larger ships.

 

You will also notice that the deck numbering system is different.

 

The smaller ships have their advantages, mostly having to do with fewer passengers.

 

igraf

 

 

 

 

 

I am sailing on the Zaandam May 23rd to May 30th 2014 (Alaska Inside Passage). Looking forward to another visit to Alaska but all my 4 cruises have been on Vista ships (Alaska and the Caribbean.) What differences, if any, can we expect? I have always sailed in verandah staterooms but this time we are in an OV. I know there will be physical differences in the stateroom but how about the rest of the ship? How do the two classes compare food wise, types of entertainment, activities etc......

[DaveOKC]

We have been on the Vista-class cruses several times, and lately have been on R and S class ships. Going from Vista to the smaller ships, you will notice that you can't walk directly from the lower theater seating in the bow to the lower dining room in the rear, there will be no Queen's lounge, discotheque or external glass elevators. Also, the shows and the HALcats lead singer tend to be better on the larger ships.

 

You will also notice that the deck numbering system is different.

 

The smaller ships have their advantages, mostly having to do with fewer passengers.

 

igraf

 

Yes - i do not like the fact that you cannot go on the same deck all the way, but with the midship elevators its not a big deal.

DaveOKC