Neptune ?Suite Questions

[jpfshaw]

Hello Everyone,

Preparing to order a cruise on Zuiderdam. It has been a couple of years since our last cruise and that was on Koningsdam. We're looking at the 11 day Southern Carib incl Panama Canal.

We've done a similar itinerary before. Mrs is wondering how good the ship is in 2019? Last drydock was a year and a half ago. Suite amenities which count for us...dry cleaning, expedited embarkation, Bose stereo system still there? How about gratuities? We've been exposed to both systems...in advance and at the end? Other questions will abound but I just want to get some opinions from the audience...thanks

[Djptcp]

We had a Neptune Suite on the Zuiderdam's 10-day Panama Canal cruise 2 years ago and loved it. We were just a few doors down from the Neptune Lounge. The ship was in great condition, friendly crew, and the food was excellent. You will still have the priority embarkation/dembarkation, free laundry, and coffee maker in the suite. We sat on our verandah while going through the Canal into Gatun Lake and back again and there was a woman giving a travelogue on the loudspeakers that was fascinating. Her husband had been responsible for collecting the ship Canal passage fees for many years, so her knowledge about the Canal was extraordinary.  Have a great cruise!!

[DaveOKC]

If at all possible, select an aft-wrap Neptune cabin for this itinerary.  Deck 5 is my favorite with its HUGE balcony.  This is a fantastic way to view the Canal - you will not regret it!

 

We were just on the Z in Oct and the ship was in very good condition IMO.  The Neptunes were all redone and now have huge TVs hung on the wall and there is a coffee maker in each Neptune (they use pods, so you do have some selection).

[WOWJr1]

On 1/27/2019 at 3:56 PM, jpfshaw said:

Suite amenities which count for us...dry cleaning, expedited embarkation, Bose stereo system still there? How about gratuities? We've been exposed to both systems...in advance and at the end? Other questions will abound but I just want to get some opinions from the audience...thanks

 

We just returned from the 10 day Panama Canal on Zuiderdam, in Neptune Suite #7084. Yes, the Bose system was there. Coffee pod system as well, and I thought its coffee was better than the regular restaurant coffees. Hotel Service Charge (gratuities) was paid by HAL, but our statement still showed $16/day/person with a offset $16 credit each day. Overall, we thought the ship was in good shape and we were very pleased with the Neptune Suite (1st time for us) and the concierge service in the Neptune Lounge. The free laundry was especially good - always back and in perfect condition in 24 hours. If we were deciding to take this cruise knowing what we know now, we WOULD take it in a heartbeat!