Did I just make a big mistake in booking this cruise & room on whim?

[OR_Cowboy_1952]

Here are the picts.  I hit send too fast.

[DaveOKC]

57 minutes ago, OR_Cowboy_1952 said:

The above information is correct. The rear deck is huge and the side deck is just a bonus.  

 

Here are a couple additional pictures of the Westerdam.  The 1st is of the port side rear of the ship. You can see the window washing platform along side cabin 4180.  The 2nd is the same platform in the stowed position.  You can decide if it bothers you.

 

I’d be more concerned about having a NS so far from Deck 7, all the supplies and services for your suite are up on deck 7.  As well there are only 2 suites on this deck, so the steward is not used to serving suite passengers.

 

Additionally the stern SB suites are narrower than the SA cabins on Deck 7.  The rooms are less spacious feeling, BUT (and it’s a big but) you get that huge balcony and special view of the window washing platform.  🙂. 

 

Good point about the stewards not being used to all the Neptune perks and MAIL.  We have had several times where we did not get invitations, announcements, etc. that the other Neptune passengers got (when we were on a non-Neptune deck aft-wrap.  I now make a point to alert the Neptune staff and my cabin steward to this the first day.

[Himself]

Just go and enjoy the cruise.  You will have great views.

[SempreMare]

@OR_Cowboy_1952 thanks so much for the additional pictures

@DaveOKCthank you for your insights, and @Himself thank you for the sentiment which I totally agree with.

 

New news and 2 quick questions: 

 

My cruise buddy is a former colleague and dear friend who I haven't seen in eons but stay in contact with all the time.  However, I just learned that his schedule might be affected by a corporate acquisition to occur this summer...  I knew this was a possibility when I booked but now it looks more like a probability.

 

I will go on this cruise (in a NS) regardless.  I've always wanted to see Alaska via a cruise, and I love the vision of doing it on a chill cruise.  I admit the idea of doing it alone is scary. 

My first thought "if I fall into a glacier will anyone know?"

My second thought  "what will I do on that big deck?  cartwheels?" 😉

 

Question: 

If I were to rebook to a different room or another NS on a different cruise, should I use a travel agent? 

 

I am only on page 4 of HAL for Newbies thread.  I know there is a penalty for cancellations from reading the fine print.   Is there a $ penalty if I rebook to an earlier cruise?  (my preference if there is a NS available)

Edited March 20, 2019 by SempreMare

[*Miss G*]

Somewhere in your email confirmation for your booking should be the name and contact information of your Personal Cruise Consultant.  I would discuss the situation with them.  If the information is not there then use THIS CONTACT PAGE.

[OlsSalt]

HOW TO USE YOUR LARGE SUITE AS A SOLO: 

 

Do you know about the "Roll Calls" for various cruises on the Cruise Critic website - a great way to use your balcony as a solo would be to offer to have the "Meet and Great" in your Neptune Suite - everyone always loves to see the special cabins and the deck apparently is made for larger parties - or you could offer to have your own "sail away" event once you make contact on the Roll Call with some fellow cruise members.

 

Let us know if you need more information about your cruise "Roll Call" and the whole idea of "Meet and Greets".

[GreenMermaid1]

I booked the very same room (4180) on the Westerdam - we are sailing Alaska southbound this August 18. So glad I found your post to find out more info and the beautiful photos - so excited about having that huuuge balcony!  I also booked it because there were no other balcony cabins on the port side - and I thought, why not, it's our first cruise so I want to make sure it's great! Maybe we should both try to make a better video of the room (possibly it now has updated furnishings?) to post on YouTube!

[Djptcp]

We had a Guarantee Neptune on the Oosterdam in February and got one on the aft deck 4 like the one the OP booked. We were very disappointed because of being so far away from the Neptune Lounge and the Suite was smaller than the usual Neptune Suites. Same amount of furniture in a smaller space and we were always bumping into something. Had to take a Guarantee in order to get the cheap casino rate with Fun Play and our HAL agent said the Guarantees get the least desirable assignments over those who pay regular price. It was our 5th Neptune Suite and a disappointment, although it was certainly better than an inside or ocean view.

[DaveOKC]

44 minutes ago, Djptcp said:

We had a Guarantee Neptune on the Oosterdam in February and got one on the aft deck 4 like the one the OP booked. We were very disappointed because of being so far away from the Neptune Lounge and the Suite was smaller than the usual Neptune Suites. Same amount of furniture in a smaller space and we were always bumping into something. Had to take a Guarantee in order to get the cheap casino rate with Fun Play and our HAL agent said the Guarantees get the least desirable assignments over those who pay regular price. It was our 5th Neptune Suite and a disappointment, although it was certainly better than an inside or ocean view.

In my experience, Neptune guarantees are assigned after HAL completes the upsell process (where people in lower level cabins are offered the chance to pay a bit more to step up to a Neptune).  Because of this situation, it seems that the guarantees for Neptunes do end up getting assigned the less desirable locations.  On the smaller HAL ships (R and S class) this is much less of an issue as the Neptunes are fairly well clustered together.

 

[SempreMare]

Hi there @GreenMermaid1

 

=== Update

When it looked more like I would be going solo on this cruise, I switched to a 7'th floor NS near the Neptune Lounge just to make sure that I would have some opportunity to socialize so I wouldn't just be lonely and sad since my father has passed and I know he would have SO loved just sitting on the deck watching the ocean go by.

 

If I were traveling with someone else I would have stayed put the massive balcony + Alaska scenery would make a great combo.  The video of that room seemed to look big enough on the inside;  Maybe it's a little bigger on the westerdam than oosterdam?.  And YES definitely please do create a better video with smooooooth, sloooooooooow pans.

 

=== 4180

To mitigate the downside that @OR_Cowboy_1952 described on page 1:

"As well there are only 2 suites on this deck, so the steward is not used to serving suite passengers."

I was planning on having a chat with my room steward to ask / test them on  "What are the differences for the NS benefits that I've paid for?"

 

I admit I don't know how I was expecting him/her to answer my question just yet 🙂.  This is my first cruise with HAL, and I'm prioritizing figuring out excursions first!   I was planning on searching here and inferring it from a list of Neptune Suite benefits.

 

Question for all you HAL Mavens to help GreenMermaid1: 

how to ask this...

 

What are the specific responsibilities of the room attendant that change given their guest is in a Neptune Suite? 

 

What should @GreenMermaid1's room attendant remember to do differently for them given they are NS guests? 

 

One thing I thought of was... Giving you the correct breakfast card.

For in-room dining at breakfast, i believe 2 of the menu options are extra for non-NS but included for NS.  So you might be charged for something you shouldn't. ??

 

Regardless, I think that is the type of thing that once you know to be aware of it, it's a very manageable risk. 

 

 

 

[Laminator]

We have always booked a corner aft after out initial Alaska cruise. It allows you to see both starboard and port sides. Important for both whale and wildlife viewing. Also when you are at Glacier Bay the ship will spend an equal amount of time on both the starboard and port sides for viewing. With that corner aft you will see the glacier the entire time. I do agree on with DaveOKC on the 5th floor aft. That deck is more covered offering protection from the rain. 

 

 

[DaveOKC]

On 3/19/2019 at 12:11 PM, OR_Cowboy_1952 said:

The above information is correct. The rear deck is huge and the side deck is just a bonus.  

 

Here are a couple additional pictures of the Westerdam.  The 1st is of the port side rear of the ship. You can see the window washing platform along side cabin 4180.  The 2nd is the same platform in the stowed position.  You can decide if it bothers you.

 

I’d be more concerned about having a NS so far from Deck 7, all the supplies and services for your suite are up on deck 7.  As well there are only 2 suites on this deck, so the steward is not used to serving suite passengers.

 

Additionally the stern SB suites are narrower than the SA cabins on Deck 7.  The rooms are less spacious feeling, BUT (and it’s a big but) you get that huge balcony and special view of the window washing platform.  🙂. 

We had some "issues" with being in a deck 4 aft-wrap Neptune, just as you mentioned.  Not getting some Neptune specific notices and coffee maker supplies to name two.  Plus it is a long walk to the Neptune Lounge if you have any sort of walking issues.

 

[cruisin'mama]

We are going to be on the Westerdam for our Alaska cruise in NS 5191.  Our friends decided to join us and are directly below us in 4185. Now 7151 has become available. Should I recommend to my friends to move ? 

[Roz]

On ‎3‎/‎19‎/‎2019 at 12:11 PM, OR_Cowboy_1952 said:

I’d be more concerned about having a NS so far from Deck 7, all the supplies and services for your suite are up on deck 7.  As well there are only 2 suites on this deck, so the steward is not used to serving suite passengers.

 

I think having the wrap around balcony far outweighs the small bit of inconvenience of not being on the same floor as the Neptune Lounge.  You're also less apt to drop in their every 5 min. for a "snack" if you have to walk up 2 floors. 😉

 

I've never thought I received sub-par steward service when I was in a NS on a different floor from the Lounge.

 

Roz

[sail7seas]

On 3/18/2019 at 10:04 AM, Jolokia said:

1st of all, you never go wrong booking a cruise and never booking a NS, and a wrap around aft, is my favorite cabin always my first choice. I am in 4180 on the Zuiderdam in 2 weeks. Enjoy your cruise, John

 

On 3/19/2019 at 1:11 PM, OR_Cowboy_1952 said:

The above information is correct. The rear deck is huge and the side deck is just a bonus.  

 

Here are a couple additional pictures of the Westerdam.  The 1st is of the port side rear of the ship. You can see the window washing platform along side cabin 4180.  The 2nd is the same platform in the stowed position.  You can decide if it bothers you.

 

I’d be more concerned about having a NS so far from Deck 7, all the supplies and services for your suite are up on deck 7.  As well there are only 2 suites on this deck, so the steward is not used to serving suite passengers.

 

Additionally the stern SB suites are narrower than the SA cabins on Deck 7.  The rooms are less spacious feeling, BUT (and it’s a big but) you get that huge balcony and special view of the window washing platform.  🙂. 

 

 

 

IMO, You did not make a mistake,.  Hope you are happy in it and have a wonderful cruise.

 

Fair Winds and a following sea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[QARandy]

We had deck 4 aft corner and LOVED it! If the service was sub par in any way we didn’t notice. Being able to view and photo for much longer times was more beneficial to us than the loss of Neptune Lounge conveniences. We were there to enjoy the scenery and that’s what we did. Enjoy your trip.