Regular balcony vs Aft Balcony

rsumrow79 · #1 (**permalink**) September 18th, 2010, 11:53 PM

Hello Cruisemates!! Just wanting some advice on Aft Balconies, ie pros, cons, stories, etc... We have only had standard balconies in the past, but for our upcoming cruise on the Destiny we are considering an Aft Balcony, or the 9C corner Aft Balcony.

So what are the pros v cons of an Aft Balcony?

Are the Corner Aft Balconies worth the extra $$? And how big is the wrap around balcony?

Hanks for any help.

Randy and Heather

johnthed0g · #2 (**permalink**) September 19th, 2010, 06:17 AM

Can't help with the individual ships, but we always try to get an aft balcony if possible, in my view the best position. Some cabins on "grand class" ships have the ''obstruction'' to consider.

john_galt · #3 (**permalink**) September 19th, 2010, 08:47 AM

I've been in 7448 on the Conquest and 7427 on the Victory. These match up to 7330 and 7327 on the Destiny. I thoroughly enjoyed both rooms. The balconies are much larger than the standard port and starboard balconies which I find too shallow for comfort. I have also been in aft rooms on the Fantasy (no balcony) and Celebrity's Centrury. These are great rooms for the money.

Trip · #4 (**permalink**) September 19th, 2010, 09:05 AM

What used to be sort of the hidden secret, is out, and gets booked quickly. I had a corner cabin on the Freedom of the Seas, and, it was huge and wonderful! I have another coming up next month, and, I cannot wait to "sea" where I have been

We have never felt any unusual movement either, so I say go ahead and book it.

Mike M · #5 (**permalink**) September 19th, 2010, 09:54 AM

These cabins are terrible. If you book one of these cabins you'll have soot on your balcony, noise and a giant sea squid will climb up the side of the ship and eat you.

Seriously: These are great cabins and while you may experience a bit more vibration when the thrusters are engaged (going in and out of port) they are one of the best cabins on the ship. The balconies are usually larger. Many of them wraparound from aft to port or starboard and many of the cabins cabins are a bit larger.

As Trip let said, the secret is out and many more people are booking them and most of the cruise lines have recategorized and raised the prices on them to a higher level than the standard balcony cabins.

It's hard not to book one if they are available. I had one for upcoming Epic cruise but upgraded because of the reports of small cabin size for the BA cabins. There will be three of us and I'll need as much room as possible.

Book one and you'll never want anything else.

Take care,
Mike

CruisesForFood · #6 (**permalink**) September 19th, 2010, 07:54 PM

We absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the aft balconies - had one for the first time on our Glory cruise this past May, and we loved it so much that we booked one for our European Cruise on Magic this coming May (May 2011). What's nice about it is that you have a large area that is covered, and the rest of it is exposed. The only negative is that the people above your cabin can see into your exposed area, but that's okay - makes it a good way to meet new friends!

Dotte · #7 (**permalink**) September 20th, 2010, 05:26 PM

We absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the aft wraps. Had aft wrap 6373 on the Destiny. The room was a nice size and the balcony was HUGE.

Snoozeman · #8 (**permalink**) September 20th, 2010, 07:35 PM

Stay away.

People have been known to get adjoining aft cabins and have big aft balcony parties, lots of drinking, champagne corks flying, laughing, eating, etc. Beware!

sexy ty · #9 (**permalink**) September 22nd, 2010, 09:40 AM

Hi, I am about to book my first cruise on the Glory and I was considering the aft balcony. I am sooo scard of being sea sick(which always hapen to me on other boats). The planner stated that I would not feel any vibrations or movement and I would not hear any noises. How true is this? Did you feel any movements? alot of noise? What were your experience with the aft balcony?

Should I just play it safe with a midship ocean view cabin?

Any help would be great. Thanks

Snoozeman · #10 (**permalink**) September 22nd, 2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sexy ty

Hi, I am about to book my first cruise on the Glory and I was considering the aft balcony. I am sooo scard of being sea sick(which always hapen to me on other boats). The planner stated that I would not feel any vibrations or movement and I would not hear any noises. How true is this? Did you feel any movements? alot of noise? What were your experience with the aft balcony?

Should I just play it safe with a midship ocean view cabin?

Any help would be great. Thanks

Everyone's experience will be different because the weather and seas will be somewhat different from cruise to cruise. If it's smooth it won't matter that much from an aft or center cabin. If it's a bit rough there can be a lot of difference, the aft will certainly go up&down more than the center cabin.

Bob M · #11 (**permalink**) September 22nd, 2010, 02:04 PM

Looking to book the Spirit for a Nov. 2012 cruise...
Never had a balcony, had a Window a two times (nothing special)...
May do the Spirit 5 day cruise that has a couple days in Cabo...
The aft balcony cabins can be had for $459 per person verses $279 for the base inside cabin....
Very tempting...:-)

Anyone been on the Spirit (also Pride, Legend & Miracle) in one of these Aft Balcony cabins??
Thanks

AKcruiser · #12 (**permalink**) September 22nd, 2010, 10:29 PM

The corner aft cabins are our absolute favorite. I even preferred it to the suite I had on the Holiday. We had a rear facing cabin on the Destiny for her inagural (sp) sailing and loved it.

AKcruiser

tigercat · #13 (**permalink**) September 22nd, 2010, 10:41 PM

I am glad to read these answers. We have an Aft wrap balcony on the Glory in Jan for a B2B . I have been worried as the only reviews I have read have been that they have been terrible.
tigercat

Truck Cruiser · #14 (**permalink**) September 26th, 2010, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoozeman

Stay away.

People have been known to get adjoining aft cabins and have big aft balcony parties, lots of drinking, champagne corks flying, laughing, eating, etc. Beware!

Yes Snoozman....we have had some great party's in the aft balcony area....Kinda like a small community there. We love em....only way to cruise is AFT!!

Happy Sailing
Tim

Truck Cruiser · #15 (**permalink**) September 26th, 2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sexy ty

Hi, I am about to book my first cruise on the Glory and I was considering the aft balcony. I am sooo scard of being sea sick(which always hapen to me on other boats). The planner stated that I would not feel any vibrations or movement and I would not hear any noises. How true is this? Did you feel any movements? alot of noise? What were your experience with the aft balcony?

Should I just play it safe with a midship ocean view cabin?

Any help would be great. Thanks

My DW gets seasick easily but it didnt really bother her much with the aft cabins compared to mid ship or fore ship. I personally think the ride is much smoother. I don't think you would regret an Aft balcony

kelzbelz77 · #16 (**permalink**) September 28th, 2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob M

Looking to book the Spirit for a Nov. 2012 cruise...
Never had a balcony, had a Window a two times (nothing special)...
May do the Spirit 5 day cruise that has a couple days in Cabo...
The aft balcony cabins can be had for $459 per person verses $279 for the base inside cabin....
Very tempting...:-)

Anyone been on the Spirit (also Pride, Legend & Miracle) in one of these Aft Balcony cabins??
Thanks

Yes i will be in 5270 leaving 10-17-10. I am sure it will be great. Had one on the Conquest and it was fabulous!!! It is true what Snoozeman said!!

Ojos · #17 (**permalink**) September 29th, 2010, 03:29 PM

I booked one once, for the extra balcony space, but ended up upgrading to a stateroom with a bathtub/jacuzzi combo, and now am addicted to tubs as well as balconies.

Unless you're the kind of person who only needs a room to pass out in between activities, I would definitely stay away from the interior rooms, although they're cheapest!

Aerogirl · #18 (**permalink**) September 29th, 2010, 06:28 PM

Once you go with a balocny you will never go without one again!!!

Grandy · #19 (**permalink**) October 3rd, 2010, 05:25 PM

We just got back yesterday from sailing on the Dream... Had aft cabin 9479 and it was wonderful. We have had aft cabins before but this one was better than most..much bigger. It had an overhang so when the sun was shinning on us we had some shade on the deck.

rsumrow79 · #20 (**permalink**) October 14th, 2010, 12:33 PM

Just wanted to say thank you for all of your responses. We decided to go ahead and book the corner aft room, 7325, for our cruise on the Destiny next year. Looking forward to having some of those aft balcony parties with the neighbors!! Now the only problem is waiting untill a year from Sunday to leave. Thankfully the trip to Mexico I booked last year is in 3 weeks. Thanks again, as always you guys have been very helpful in making our decision.

Randy and Heather