For longer than I can recall, I've wanted to honor a long time friend. So for his 79th birthday, I invited him to sail to Alaska. Wanting to celebrate the birthday while on board, I looked at the last weekend in July for a departure. There were several from the west coast, I began the search back in late December 2012 and was close to booking on Norwegian when I read a review here on Cruise Critic with the headline saying something like "I would NEVER go on HAL". In reading this I learned that it was due to his being s student as was his sister. This lead me to an understanding of a mature cruisers oriented ship. Called HAL and began to build the journey.
Choose the Oosterdam leaving on a 7 day Seattle round trip on July 28th. I originally booked a veranda cabin (5032). Two months out, the price for a SS category superior suite dropped to what I'd paid, when I called about this, I was immediately offered the upgrade, the final room assignment wasn't set until two weeks before departure.
It was a big special weekend in Seattle so the hotel prices were up there for the night before stay. HAL suggested I stay at the Sheraton which was convenient ad the room was standard.
Cabin 8082Deck 8 - port side close to mid ship elevators. Convenient to dining on Lido. Room had a good sized bathroom with a shower and a tub with a shower. Double sinks. Lots of closet space and the under bed storage was large enough for my super sized luggage. Room had two desks, two chairs, a sofa, minibar, flat screen television.Balcony large enough for four chars and a table with room left over.Electrics all worked and the steward room nijas kept it very clean and in order. I anticipated some noise being right under the Lido restaurant but only once heard a chair being scrapped along the floor. Did not hear anything from the cabins next door while inside. Conversations on the balconies could be hear d on the balcony.