Suite or Just a Place to Sleep? A Stateroom for Every Taste
Day 15, 2024 Majestic Japan
Monday, Sept. 16, 2024; At Sea, Northern Pacific Ocean
For every cruiser, there’s an opinion about the preferred stateroom. Many people never sail in anything without a balcony. Others stretch the budget and double their cruising days by picking an inside cabin, considering it simply a place for sleeping and dressing. One size does not fit all.
Today was the fifth of five consecutive sea days on our way to Japan (I counted wrong in my last post and said six sea days, for the eagle-eyed among you). Some of us got to see how the “other half” lives, so to speak. Fellow cruiser Mary Anne hosted what I consider the best organized cabin crawl I’ve ever attended. The idea is to travel between a variety of staterooms to see sizes, layouts, personalizing and organizing.
Mary Anne broke the group into hosts (those who opened their cabins for viewing), guides (who each led one of six tours to keep the numbers manageable), and tourists (who simply participated). The hosts made up the first group, and as each of us arrived at our cabin, we stayed for the subsequent visits, leaving with the last tour to see the final cabins. I managed to put about a mile on my fitness app walking back and forth from one end of the ship to the other to see the 11 cabins.
It was good to see a couple of signature suites – similar to my verandah but noticeably wider. Holland America offered me an upsell to one at an excellent price, but I passed as the TV is behind the sofa and I don’t like watching it from the bed. But if I were I sharing a cabin, the two desks would be ideal.
Of course, I drool over the large Neptune Suites. I enjoyed one many years ago when my parents booked it. They let my sister and me visit it from our inside cabin across the hall. Today’s tour included a standard Neptune as well as a one with a wrap-around balcony.
My preferred cabin on these Vista class ships is the obstructed ocean view – with big windows but mostly blocked by tenders and lifeboats. Sometimes, like on this cruise, I get a reasonable offer to upgrade to a balcony. That’s particularly nice when my sisters are on the cruise and we can open the balcony door between our cabins. But it really has to be a good deal. The smaller inside cabins aren’t too bad for a single cruiser, but if I were sharing it, I would miss a second chair. But when the price is right, I’m glad to compromise, especially if it stretches my cruising dollar.
Many people don’t realize that on these Vista Ships, the standard ocean-view cabin comes with a full-length sofa instead of the typical love seat, as well as a longer desk with more storage.
The daily programs for these sea days have been filled with activities – lectures about Japan and World War II in the Pacific; classes in all sorts of arts and crafts, bridge, pickleball. Each afternoon features a movie, as well as some evenings. As a result, the World Stage entertainment has been a bit light.
I’ve mostly been lazy. I deleted a bunch of photos from my phone and hundreds of emails. I researched upcoming ports, following along on Cruise and Travel Director Karlijn’s talks on each one. I have a few excursions booked, but mostly I plan to continue exploring and painting on my own.
The 4- and 5-star Mariners (200-plus points for past cruises) all are invited to a wine tasting, this time with Cellar Master Fernando kicking it off and Sommelier Paulo leading us through the four samples.
Last night was the Orange Party – an event on each cruise celebrating Holland America’s Dutch heritage. I went incognito in my neon orange wig and sunglasses. Everyone from
Capt. Mark Trembling on down seemed to enjoy themselves.
The seas have been relatively smooth, as the captain skirted a couple of weather systems. We passed fairly close to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. In 2018 I enjoyed our stop at Petropavlovsk — it’s probably the last time I will ever visit Russia.
Loved the two desks in the signature suite when we were on the 2023 world. Ian could do his blogging at one while I painted at the other. Unfortunately no signature suites on the Volendam on the Pole to Pole next year.
Great so see a variety of cabins. Hope they do this on the 2025 World Cruise. I agree with you about the signature suites, considered it but didn’t like the TV over the couch forcing you to watch TV from the bed.
You mentioned in a previous blog from your World Cruise 2024, you had a World Map on the wall. What size map? Thanks.
What an interesting post, enjoyed seeing the different cabins on the different class of HAL ships. Thanks.
I have a question that I am hoping may bring about a blog post or if you have one from years ago you might share a link.
I aspire one day to cruise often as you do. It seems to be a great way to live and see the world for sure not too mention meeting different folks.
Do you purchase travel insurance and if so what is your process for doing so? Do you book directly with HAL or go thru an agency? I know Pete Inside Cabin uses an agency as do several other 4-5 * Mariners. I know some of the TA’s have folks on the cruise with you, but I am sure there is a supplement for that as well.
Like everything else in life there is a lot to learn about cruising, but we sure love it. Before retirement we were limited to 7 days cruises. Now we are retired and we took an 18 day to Hawaii last year and this coming winter we are doing 35 day Hawaii-Tahitti on Koningsdam. My other half doesn’t fly so right now that limits my choices but some day I hope to do a TA as well.
Your watercolors are beautiful!
Very interesting and helpful to see the different types of cabins. I have never had the opportunity to do a cabin crawl but I sure would like it!
It is true everyone has their own preference for what works for them.
Thanks for doing this blog. Very enjoyable.
In the past your emails would arrive from “Writer on Deck.” Now they say “TJR Cruises” which is the same as another blogger. Why is that? ~ ~ Loved the photos of the various cabins on the ship.
Mine came from “Writer on Deck” today.
Thanks for letting me know. I’ve sent you an email to check this out.