Vista class: why were Verandah cabins regraded on Navigation Deck?

[gphb]

We are looking at a Navigation deck Verandah cabins (8xxx) on a Vista class ship (Noordam, Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam) and noticed that they are currently graded as bottom category VE/VF but were launched and for many years were sold as the top category VA.   Deck plan old and new attached.

 

We understand the balconies may be a bit smaller than on deck (4) but wondered if HAL regrades their cabins based on passenger feedback (e.g., noisy under the public areas above, more motion on rougher seas), based on inability to sell them to 100% occupancy at the higher price, or if they are less refurbished than other cabins?

 

Would you avoid these cabins or consider them good value now?

 

[frankc98376]

Most likely due to Lido deck above and chance of noise depending on location. The SS staterooms switched also.

[catl331]

Economics. There was a mass reclassification across the entire fleet about 5 or 6 years ago. Locations that sold well (e.g. deck 5 mid-ship) were upgraded to the top, while slow sellers (high and far forward and aft) were downgraded. 

Edited December 30, 2018 by catl331

[catl331]

p.s.  - I forgot to answer your second question. We prefer deck 7 or 8 aft of the aft elevators and love that we now get them for a VE or VF  price! Except for cabins on the stern that are a little longer, almost all V/VA to VH cabins are configured the same inside. Some are HC or shower-only, and some have "spa amenities" but other than that you can't tell them apart.

[gphb]

Many thanks indeed.  Makes sense, and we've gone ahead and booked a couple of cabins on Westerdam "aft of the aft".    Much appreciated.