Caribbean Princess - Aloha or Baja Balcony?

We're looking at a Panama Canal cruise on the Caribbean Princess and balcony rooms are available on both Aloha & Baja decks -- Is one better than the other? Are either or both partially or fully covered?

On a side note - the cruise details says "Historic Locks" for the Panama Canal portion - wouldn't the CB have to go through the new locks?? We were on the Island last year for the Canal & it barely fit in the old locks.

You said it--it barely fit. Like many ships from the late 90s and early 2000s, I was made just a little smaller than the maximum for the old locks. And yes, she can go thru either the old or the new locks.

Our Baja balcony from several years ago was not covered. I can't say whether that applies to all the balconies, but it was true for us. I can't speak to Aloha--never stayed there. Our balcony had 2 straight chairs and a small table. We asked about a stool (we could see them on Caribe deck) and were told it was not possible.

We're looking at a Panama Canal cruise on the Caribbean Princess and balcony rooms are available on both Aloha & Baja decks -- Is one better than the other? Are either or both partially or fully covered?

 

On a side note - the cruise details says "Historic Locks" for the Panama Canal portion - wouldn't the CB have to go through the new locks?? We were on the Island last year for the Canal & it barely fit in the old locks.

The balconies on both the Aloha and Baja decks are fully covered on the CB. The balconies on the Caribe deck are 1/2 covered and larger. Either floor would be fine.

Just be aware they made 87 balcony rooms connecting (with a door across from the closet) If you can avoid those I would. Just had one on the Royal and we could hear EVERYTHING going on next door!

We're looking at a Panama Canal cruise on the Caribbean Princess and balcony rooms are available on both Aloha & Baja decks -- Is one better than the other? Are either or both partially or fully covered?

 

On a side note - the cruise details says "Historic Locks" for the Panama Canal portion - wouldn't the CB have to go through the new locks?? We were on the Island last year for the Canal & it barely fit in the old locks.

The Caribbean transits the new Aqua Clara locks. There are tours to the old locks, maybe this is what historic locks means.

Regarding cabins both Aloha and Baja decks have 9'x5' balconies that are fully covered. We just did this cruise and we chose a Caribe deck cabin with a 9' x 9' balcony which has 5' of cover and 4' uncovered. All of these decks are fairly equal. Make sure you check the deck plans on the Princess website. Many cabins are connecting with interior connecting doors.

I have been through the PC 5 times, 2 full and 3 partial. In my opinion the best views are from the upper open decks and not from the balcony.

The CB does the transits via the new locks. She will not fit thru the historic locks..

Baja and Aloha decks are both great and covered.

 

Our Baja balcony from several years ago was not covered. I can't say whether that applies to all the balconies' date=' but it was true for us. I can't speak to Aloha--never stayed there. Our balcony had 2 straight chairs and a small table. We asked about a stool (we could see them on Caribe deck) and were told it was not possible.[/quote']

Looks like I may have a faulty memory. We had the Baja balcony several years ago.

 

We did a partial Panama transit Apr 1-11. I will warn you that the port times were generally very short. In Panama, if you did not do an excursion (in which case you tendered off in the morning), we were allowed less than an hour off the ship and couldn't leave the port area. It was scheduled longer than that, but that's what happened. Two other ports had port times that were short and began very early in the morning. One was 6:30am to noon. Only Limon had a full day in port, and Grand Cayman was very decent. I think All Aboard in Grand Cayman was 2pm.

 

So, if your interest is the ports, I'd forget it for this cruise. We did the new locks.

We've done 3 Panama Canal cruises - once on Dolphin cruiseline (years ago!), partial transit on the Coral and full transit on the Island (I agree about how they've chopped up the Island & wouldn't care to go on it again -- hated that they made the casino so small that you can't get past the tables).

I agree that the best views are from the deck, but always nice to have the balcony as an option. We're doing this sailing with my sister and BIL. They've never done any of the ports & they're most interested in Costa Rica. My sister loves having a balcony for reading days at sea (this one has 4 sea days). For us, we're interested in seeing the new locks since we've been through the old ones previously.

Thanks for all the great replies - will make it easier to select cabins.