Our Deluxe Verandah Suites
Category S (SA, SB, SC)
on Holland America Lines
May 2004, May 2005, July 2006, February 2007

My dear Aunt Ruth likes the Deluxe Verandah Suites (category S, now category SA, SB, SC) on Holland American Lines. For my birthday celebration at sea in May 2004, my dear Aunt Ruth booked us into two Deluxe Verandah Suites on Zuiderdam. We had suites 7052 and 7054 on the Rotterdam deck, just forward of the Neptune Lounge and not far from the famous outside elevators of the Vista class ships. Then the next year we had similar suites on HAL Maasdam for the New England cruise. In 2006 we had suites 7057 and 7059 on the Zuiderdam for Alaska, and in 2007 the same rooms on Westerdam for the Southern Caribbean The suites were truly luxurious and make for a wonderful cruise experience. On this page are some pictures from each of those trips.

The category S suites include:

The suites include great kingsize beds with lots of pillows and a down comfortor. There is a nice sitting area with a couch and two easy chairs, and a desk with the TV, mini-bar and writing area. A window overlooks the balcony, and a door opens out onto it.
The sitting area is very roomy, and curtains can close it off from the entry door for privacy. There is lots of closet space. The room can also be made up with twin beds.
The bathroom features a dressing area separate from the bathroom, which also has quite a bit of storage and full length mirrors on the door. There are double sinks, a whirlpool bath and a separate shower stall.
The Neptune Lounge is reserved for the suite passengers. That magical little dome is kept filled up with goodies. You can get breakfast, then afternoon snacks and before dinner hors d'oeuvres. There is a juice bar and an espresso machine too. There are two concierges from the Purser's staff, and they will happily do anything you want. They take care of all your reservations, make change, and at the end of the week will settle your shipboard account. Aunt Ruth loved to have them help her with her breakfast!
With two adjoining suites, you can open up the door between the balconies and have lots of room to relax. Complimentary breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill is a nice experience for suite passengers.
The balcony is a wonderful place to have breakfast. You can have it delivered by room service ... or just go across to the Neptune Lounge and bring it back. There is plenty of room for 6 to have breakfast.
Aunt Ruth loves the balcony for just watching the sea go by. Here on the Maasdam she had a beautiful sunset. In Alaska Renée had to bundle up a bit more but she enjoyed sitting on the balcony watching for whales and orcas.
The sitting area is a great place to entertain. Hors d'oeuvres are available every afternoon. For my birthday we had a party in the suite with jalapeno poppers, fish nuggets, chicken strips, shrimp, cocktail sandwiches, and caviar!
Ordering lunch from room service allowed us to watch the Alaskan scenery go by from the comfortable suite. It is luxurious to sit in your sitting room and see the glaciers of Glacier Bay right outside!
All in all, the suites are the epitome of luxurious cruising. The many little perks are very pleasant and make one feel special. The Captain's brunch in the topside lounge is an elegant experience, and they serve the caviar with a liberal hand! The priority tender passes make it easy to get to Half Moon Cay, and priority disembarkation is very convenient if you have plans for post cruise. For those who can afford the very best, they are a great way to cruise!

Email us at thehalls@bully4.us if you would like to talk about this trip.

Back to  HAL Zuiderdam Caribbean trip report.

Back to  HAL Maasdam trip report.

Back to  HAL Zuiderdam Alaska trip report.

Back to  HAL Westerdam Southern Caribbean trip report..

Back to  Cruising With The Halls

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