You will *love* the mini-suite! Art and I raved about it, and insisted that any long cruise we take (10 nights or more) it was a must due to the size of the cabin, and the extra space.
Emerald will be a great deck, because your cabin will have a half-covered balcony (I am almost positive on this). Dolphin deck is totally open (still no biggie).
Here is a gallery link to our mini-suite on the Diamond:
http://www.cruise-forums.com/gallery/view.php?id=2123
Only downside is that I am 6-4, and the tub would only allow someone 6-2 and under to stand up because it's raised off the floor. No biggie though.
Harry