Veendam South America 11/2010 cruise planning

[DS Voyager]

My mother and I are planning/hoping to go on a 12-day South American cruise on the Veendam on 11/14/2010 (Buenos Aries-Valapariso via Cape Horn). This will be our first cruise since 2002 :D, and our third time on the Veendam :p (Our two previous cruises on the Veendam were in May 1997 and May 1999, before all of the SOE refits).

 

I am wondering which cabin we should go for, as price is a bit of an issue (We're both paying for our own ways) :confused:. The lanai cabins look interesting and different, however, I would like to book a verandah suite (the previous two Veendam cruises, we had a verandah suite each time, so 3-for-3). As well, I am curious as to the Spa suites, as I think my Mother would enjoy that. Should we book a lanai, or for a verandah guarantee? (I'm leaning more towards the guarantee since our last cruise on the Zaandam we booked a N inside guarantee and got a D outside on Lower Promenade Deck, I wouldn't mind a similar repeat :cool:).

 

As well too for getting down there and back, should we book our flights through Vancouver or Seattle? It may be less expensive for us to fly out of Seattle, but I am worried about all of the customs/immigration hassles.

 

Any help or information would be much appreciated.