Wishing on a star

if you are talking upgrade to a full suite, from a mini, then for me that might be a bigger factor than which deck. If you would be going from a forward Mini to a Forward facing Suite, then, of course, you would be forward either way. Which ship will you be on? Which decks have these forward suites. And, which suites that in that upgrade category are currently showing as available?

WillTravel, I am glad you posted. That angled balcony there does make other balconies very visible! And, I haven't seen that mentioned much. Thanks! This reminds me that the angled balconies on Lido, L301 AND L302 also makes the nearby balconies visible. While this shop does not have the tiered design which makes certain decks overlooked by others, there are these exceptions. Hope this helps this poster. DON, I would say "Hopefully something naughty!!!". But, doesn't have to any reason other than somebody isn't comfortable with the idea of numerous other strangers could always be there, overlooking.

The Royal does not have the stacked, tiered design with dolphin deck, with the larger balconies on Caribe, that extend further than the balconies above. On Royal, none are extended, uncovered, and visible. Of course, on those other ships, the Caribe deck has extended balconies where they are deeper than others, so they are partially covered with the end of the balcony extended out, uncovered, and visible. The one issue might be balconies that are on the mid-ship bumpout under the sea-walk. Especially those on the starboard side. Those balconies on the upper decks do not have any privacy. Aft wake-view balconies will be different, I am thinking that some of them are only partially covered and visible from above. But I am not familiar with the details.

I am not an expert. But, with no clear answers here, I will try to help. I believe that the Ocean View cabins on Emerald deck are laid out like standard balcony cabins. The bed is on the side wall. With the curtains and a window where the balcony door would be. As shown above. On Plaza deck, they can be the smaller Inside cabin layout, with the window above the bed on the back 'outside' wall. I know there have been exceptions to this. I do not know if there are exceptions to this. I have seen some cabins with the balcony cabin layout on Plaza deck on other ships. But, I do not know if there are these exceptions on Plaza deck on the Crown/Emerald/Ruby. You can search online for cabin photos and cabin tours to see what comes up.

In a mini, the sofa is there at the balcony and the sliding door. (not to mention that in standard balconies, which are very small, the bed is just inches away from the sliding door.) I would not ever want to put the pillows at the bottom of the bed, because they would certainly fall land hit the floor almost immediately. Couldn't imagine wanting to sleep on a pillow that had been on the high traffic area of a cruise ship cabin!!!! Just seeing the sticky mucky stains that should have been cleaned with a good carpet cleaning steam machine. I believe it is quite safe to say that this poster has cruised before (multiple lines) and is very aware and has their reasons for choosing the cabin that works for them. moomsh, I hope you were able to make the cabin change!

I have heard that lost and found is not good at going out of their way to find and notify the passenger. At some point it goes off the ship into a huge mountain of stuff. If it isn't something like that passport where the owner has already advised staff immediately, before the ship embarks that evening, that they need it back, I don't know what the odds are. Might be interesting to hear from posters here who have had luck thru Princess lost and found services.

The OP might be talking about something a little different. But I will take a shot at this. It isn't quite the same as motion issues like motion sickness because of higher seas, which might be felt more on forward and higher decks. And can be caused by the rising and falling up and down motion. I have Vertigo. I don't have motion sickness usually. I think this is more connected to a visual thing. It is not like motion sickness linked to the inner ear, or what is sometimes referred to (very incorrectly) as fear of heights. When one is there at a window or cabin sliding door, when the ship is underway at a good speed, that feeling and visual of everything just whizzing by backwards can be an issue. It is hard to describe. But it is a unique and tricky neurological thing. This isn't set off by the balance system in the ears, but in the visual system. Here is an example... We had so much fun at a waterpark on one of the big family/group rafts that goes around and around the big 'bowl' before plunging 'down the drain'. Second time I did this, the raft was turned to where I ended up going down backwards the whole way. WHOA!!!! didn't want to it again after that..

Yes, Good Luck! Should be no problem with a switch. Enjoy cruising on Regal Princess!

C401 should be facing forward. C402 should also be facing forward. Cabins, in almost all cases, will alternate, back-to-back, with the electricity and bathroom/plumbing in the shared wall. There will not be electricity and plumbing thru a firewall (where you see the little doorways in the hallway) So, I think it would be 100% that C401 and C402 would have the bath, and bed, on the Aft wall, thus facing forward. : ) The deck plans that show the door hallway indentations should confirm this. Both should be great mid-ship and mid-deck cabins. They are not adjoining cabins, and should have no noise from C336 or C337. I don't know if this is true, but the only thing I have heard about having a cabin that is directly on a firewall is that there should be threshhold there in the hallway across the firedoor , and room service carts, like in the morning with all of the breakfast and coffee orders, might clank and rattle a bit as they roll over that, and maybe can be heard inside.

I am happy to help! I looked at the deck plans, and caculated, by counting back and forward from the fire-doors shown on the deck plans, and believed that this cabin has the bed facing backwards, not in the direction that the ship is sailing. Once you have your category and cabin assignment, you should be able to move to any AVAILABLE same-category Mini, with no problem. You will find an excellent video of this cabin, at sail, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8Kua53dbmE&t=157s PS: yes, 'stock' photos and graphics will not be specific.

It is nice to see that sparkling Moscato. Wine experts would think we are just awful, but we like moderately priced white wines. We usually bring some onboard. Years ago, when DH asked for a sweet white, they brought Rex Goliath!!! Seriously... Uggghhhh! Probably as much for that glass of wine as that cheap stuff is on the shelf by the bottle. I think it is pretty much thought that the wines are not the reason to get the drink package. Maybe Premium, IF they will find some good ones onboard?

Thanks ScottCA! I have not cruised Carnival, but had posted above. You named many of the choices better than I could have. I hope this poster has had some time to weigh out the differences and make a good choice for their cruise!

Sandy, I do know that the sofa can be made into a bed without pulling it out. I have never done this, but when thinking about traveling with a third passenger, I had looked it up and found photos. I believe they remove extra cushions, and can place a mattress from a pull-down berth on the sofa. Also, I am not sure. Maybe you will get more first hand info here. But I think if you look for a mini suite for four (assuming you have three?) The fourth berth, which could be used by a third person, would pull down above the sofa. So, this would leave the sofa undisturbed. And, would not fully block the access to the balcony.

Hi! It sounds like you might not be familiar with the cabins on Princess. The standard balcony cabins (BA,BB,...) and the standard size balconies on this class of ship are pretty small. In, fact, the standard balconies are considered to be very small. The difference between a standard balcony cabin and a mini would be really considerable. You can look up cabin tours, online. The mid-ship cabins that are mid-ship on the bump-out will have a bigger/deeper balcony than standard. Also, 'Premium' balcony and deluxe balcony cabins will have a larger/deeper balcomy. I am thinking that you have not found a way to book a Deluxe Balcony for the two of you. I do think that can be done. Does it show Guarantee only when you search for two passengers? Do some Deluxe balconies show up if you search for three or four passengers. For us, a deluxe balcony meets our needs and expectations. We don't really feel that we need a suite, but the bit of extra room and seating in a deluxe balcony is great. We like to find the ones with bigger/deeper balconies. If you will be spending a lot of time enjoying relaxing in your cabin, room service, etc. Then a Mini might be the best cabin for you. It all comes down to your expectations and preferences!

Full disclosure... I have not sailed Carnival. But, I think it all comes down to some of the details. I might consider a new Carnival ship. They do look VERY nice! And, they have a lot more to offer in food venues, vibe, etc. A lot might be your preferences. What are you hoping for in a cruise. What are your favorite things about being on a cruise and a cruise ship. Which destinations/ports do you prefer. For me, just myself, I would have to say I would never sail Carnival if it were a shorter itinerary, and older ship, or if it were during a time when a lot of young adults and families sail. Think middle of summer, spring break, holidays. I think the demographics would make that decision for me. As always, that is personal preference. (Edited to change this... I now see that you have sailed Royal Princess. So, that is a sister ship, and very very similar to Regal. Regal has the Aft pool.) Personally, I really love Regal. And these are the factors that explain why. 1. Central Piazza hub. International Cafe and Coffee bar, Entertainment, etc. 2. The adult retreat pool area, which on Regal has not been enclosed by cabins like it has on newer ships. 3. The Sanctuary 4. The vibe, which decidedly is not really what I would think of on a Carnival 'fun ship' party cruise. What Carnival might have that would be different or better??? The casual dining venues and offerings. A more 'fun' active vibe. Standard balcony cabins, and the actual standard balcony size on Regal are small. That would be another thing to look at and compare, which cabin you would be getting on the ships. Start a paper with a plus and con side for each cruise. Sleep on it. And the one that fits best might become an easier choice!

Perfect! Great minds think alike! (I will decline to mention that my husband has sometimes been MY 'packhorse' Hahahaha!)

Lizabu, what size is that little Princess Cruises bag. So perfect for cruising! (unless it is bigger than needed for cellphone)

Some are Club Class, and some are not. If this poster is booking for next year, and sees one of these Minisuites that they like, and that is club class or not, I would suggest that they book that cabin while available. The number of these with larger balconies is limited!

Yes, mid-ship, with the angled balconies. If you don't absolutely have to have the mini, then look at Premium Deluxe Balconies. You will find these on the Aft wake-view cabins. And, on Deck 9. On the mid-ship mini suites, be aware that you might not want to be on a higher deck, with the overhand and the Sea Walk just above you. On the Aft wake-view cabins, note that the balconies on some decks are larger than the balconies on other decks. As always, be aware of what is just above or below the cabin. Happy Planning!

Often, the system will not let two passengers choose one of those deluxe balcony cabins. It might just say GUARANTEE. You can see which of these are actually available by putting three, and maybe even 4, passengers in the stateroom when you pull up the sailing. I have heard of people booking the GTY and then calling Princess or their TA to get a cabin assignment. I have also heard of people booking with a third 'extra' passenger, and then later cancel that person. I don't have any details, but that is what seems to be going on. Good Luck! Also, note, just to be sure you are aware, not all Aft Wake View cabins are equal. Some, on some ships, some decks might have bigger, deeper Aft balconies than on other decks. And, as always, look at what might be above or below.

If it is the Christmas holiday cruise, is it already almost sold out? That could be an issue. Those cabins might be getting heavily booked. If you do different searches with different number of passengers in the room, and still none show up for you to choose from, then I wouldn't know anything you could do. Some TAs are better at knowing how to go into their system and get the cabins and rates and perks. And, some are not. If you do see cabins that are showing for more guests than you are booking for, people have talked about making the booking with a so-called extra passenger, and then just cancelling that passenger. I have also heard of people calling and having their TA or Princess Planner go ahead and assign their GTY booking to a cabin. I would assume that if you book a BA or DA or MA, which are usually those mid-ship locations, you would get, AT LEAST that assignment. But, remember, they can also assign, for example, a good BA guarantee to a non-prime location deluxe balcony. At least I think it might work that way. It is true that Princess has been choosing which cabins to offer to different number of passengers. And, I have seen several times where no deluxe balcony cabins will show up. Only GTY. This can happen even when almost all of them are still actually available on the sailing. Not when the number available are limited. but all of them seem to be marked for larger parties. Don't know if Princess has their system this way on purpose, if there is a problem or glitch, or what.

Hopefully Princess learned their lesson with the Curtis Stone thing, and has a limited contract with this so-called 'celebrity' brand. Are they not seeing this as competition for their Gelato? Even the name SMIZE doesn't sit well with me. Where did that come from?

Thanks everyone! I have another question about Crown Grill. About the seafood. If you order the lobster tail, as the entree on the seafood menu, do you get one or two? Has the Sea Bass been available? I think I am seeing that it hasn't been available lately. At least on some ships. My husband has wanted to try the beef chop. I think it is like a prime rib steak??? And, that would definitely be enough for the two of us to share!

To the post just above that quoted me. Ummmmm..... all-righty then. No further comment.

And, if we are talking about enticing families onboard, let's look at the very limited kid's menu. I hear that they do not even offer the spaghetti and meatballs any more?