Westerdam January 31, 2010 7 day Western Caribbean.
This is our second trip on the Westerdam and our sixth cruise. We booked direct and picked a VE category and had to take a GTY even though we booked in October. It took till about 10 days before the trip before we got our assignment. VE looked great because they are mostly amidships around deck 5. We wound up with a VA cat on deck 8 just under the Lido dining room, near the aft elevators. Cabin 8096. It turned out great because we were just steps from the pool area or to grab a cup of coffee while waiting for the DW to get ready.
Trip down: We flew down Saturday PM on SW from Chicago. Watched for one of their Tuesday sales and got a set of seats for $79 each way. Stayed at the comfort suites which has a shuttle from FLL and to the ship. Hotel is not the greatest but was clean and about $200 because it was football week with the Pro bowl 1/31 and Super bowl 2/7 in Miami. Everybody was charging a little more for things. Had dinner at Outback Steakhouse. They lock the door at 9:30.
8096 VA category located near aft stairs and just under Lido deck dining room bathrooms. 18 inches from bed to wall. 24 inches from bed to other wall. 7 1/2 feet between bed and veranda doors. couch is a love seat size. tub is 4 1/2 feet. Co-ordination required for two people to move around in the room. Ample closet.