New here with a question about balconies (m)

[NEHMAR]

We are planning our first cruise on the Legend in May 2010, the Western itinerary. We know we want a balcony room, and we know we don't want the 7A category with the obstructed view, I don't want to look at lifeboats, I want to see a view! So, we can book a balcony guarantee at a price, with the deposit being refundable OR we can book a specific balcony category and room for about 40-50 less, but the deposit is non-refundable. Which way would you go? Would you gamble that you wouldn't end up in a 7A room or would you just book a specific level/room and be unable to get your deposit back?

 

This is a vacation for just myself and my husband for our 10 year anniversary. We are leaving our kids (who will be 7 and 8) home with my mom, whom we are flying down to our home for the week. :p

[firefly333]

If you book a BL guarantee, you could get a 7A, so maybe you dont want to book a guarantee, if the view matters that much. It wouldnt to me, but it might to the next person like you. I personally dont care if there are some other things in my way, its all interesting to see. Some just want to see the ocean, nothing else. If you are a deck above the 7As, you will still see the muster boats somewhat so maybe it would be better to pick your cabin.

 

If you are very sure of the date, then ES might be for you, but be aware if you do have to change, you have to rebook within a year or lose the whole deposit. Im gambling with some ES bookings, because I can get price matches past final payment and you cant with other rates.

[hogtyde88]

Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary.

 

We've booked guarantees twice. Once was a BL on the Legend and we ended up on Panorama Deck. The next time was an IS on the Triumph and we were on the Main Deck. You just don't know.

 

We had a great cruise both times but if you are absolutely positively sure you do not want a 7A then you'd be best to book a specific cabin.

 

Good luck and have a great cruise.

[*Mach*]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

What a great idea for your 10th!!

You got some great advice from Fly so grab that and run with it!

Don't forget... there's TONS of reviews of yours ship available so do some reading!!!

:)

[Jen1000]

I just went thru this with the Spirit which is the same class of ship. Booking a large group so we do a lot of negotiating! My big problem is that you don't know where you will end up on the ship. I get very motion sick. Based on my first cruise I confirmed I would never want a cabin in front (cabin was mid ship but you spend time in the front). So the cost savings to me is not worth it. Also, you could end up in a noisy location. My aunts just had a cabin that did get noise at night (over casino/bar area). Many helped me pick my first cabin on my first cruise and their advice was great, cabins on all sides, under and above. With the guarantee, you get the cabins no one selected so they may not be the best ones!

 

Based on what I read on the boards, the people who book guarantees and are happy with the outcome state they truly are fine with anywhere on the ship. I have read several posts from disappointed people who decided to gamble, but really would not be happy with anywhere on the ship and they were disappointed in the cabin they got.

 

On your first cruise don't risk it!

 

Jen in SoCal

 

 

We are planning our first cruise on the Legend in May 2010, the Western itinerary. We know we want a balcony room, and we know we don't want the 7A category with the obstructed view, I don't want to look at lifeboats, I want to see a view! So, we can book a balcony guarantee at a price, with the deposit being refundable OR we can book a specific balcony category and room for about 40-50 less, but the deposit is non-refundable. Which way would you go? Would you gamble that you wouldn't end up in a 7A room or would you just book a specific level/room and be unable to get your deposit back?

 

This is a vacation for just myself and my husband for our 10 year anniversary. We are leaving our kids (who will be 7 and 8) home with my mom, whom we are flying down to our home for the week. :p

[dmdiver]

I always select my cabin, just don't want to be above or below a lot of noise.

[momofzeke]

You do have another option if you want.......you can book an 8A guarantee. That way, you will be placed in a balcony cabin for sure, with 8A being the lowest category they will put you in. You would not get a 7A.

 

Personally, I like to select my cabin, but that gives you another option to look at. You would need to call your travel agent or a Carnival PVP instead of booking online.

 

Good luck, and enjoy! :)

[Cuizer2]

We are planning our first cruise on the Legend in May 2010, the Western itinerary. We know we want a balcony room, and we know we don't want the 7A category with the obstructed view, I don't want to look at lifeboats, I want to see a view! So, we can book a balcony guarantee at a price, with the deposit being refundable OR we can book a specific balcony category and room for about 40-50 less, but the deposit is non-refundable. Which way would you go? Would you gamble that you wouldn't end up in a 7A room or would you just book a specific level/room and be unable to get your deposit back?

 

This is a vacation for just myself and my husband for our 10 year anniversary. We are leaving our kids (who will be 7 and 8) home with my mom, whom we are flying down to our home for the week. :p

 

I believe that you can book a category 8 (full balcony) guarantee. If not, then book a specific cabin. You can book the early saver rate and save some money, but the deposit is non-refundable, so make sure you can go.

 

I am on the Spirit (same class of ship). I booked specific cabin, because I wanted that cabin. However, I did book the early saver rate, so my deposit is non-refundable.

 

FYI, this class of ship has two different types of balconies in category 8. There is a standard balcony which is about 4x10 and a deluxe balcony which is about 6x10. Most (but not all) of the deluxe balconies are on the indent (above the lifeboats). The standard balconies are categories 8A, 8B, 8D, 8F & 8H. The deluxe balconies are 8C, 8E, 8G & 8I.

 

The 9A balconies are even bigger, but only on the starboard (right) side of the ship. The best balconies are the rear corner category 11 (suite) wrap-around balconies.

[kyrisong1]

For me I would choose something that I could pick the room. We did a Balcony Guarantee once, we ended up under the buffet and it was very noisy starting at about 6am. Big thumps and scraps of chairs really an unpleasant wake up call, I'm almost deaf but the vibrations woke me right up because it was loud and jarring.

I think a early saver is awesome if you are absolutely sure you're going to make the trip. It's a gamble either way.

Hope you find the comfort zone that works for you!!!

Congratulations on your 10th btw!!!

Cheers, Carole

[G'ma]

We are planning our first cruise on the Legend in May 2010, the Western itinerary. We know we want a balcony room, and we know we don't want the 7A category with the obstructed view, I don't want to look at lifeboats, I want to see a view! So, we can book a balcony guarantee at a price, with the deposit being refundable OR we can book a specific balcony category and room for about 40-50 less, but the deposit is non-refundable. Which way would you go? Would you gamble that you wouldn't end up in a 7A room or would you just book a specific level/room and be unable to get your deposit back?

 

This is a vacation for just myself and my husband for our 10 year anniversary. We are leaving our kids (who will be 7 and 8) home with my mom, whom we are flying down to our home for the week. :p

 

Personally, I would never want to be in an obstructed view cabin. AND, some folks on the ship will be in them.....but not me.

 

That's why I never book a guarantee balcony.

 

I'm willing to pay a little more or book ES to get exactly what I want.

 

Know that when you book a guarantee, you have no choices...

[CorvetteLady]

Did you check how much to just book the cabin you want without the ES? Do you qualify for any other discounts that could get you a better price on the cabin you want? There are many ways to book that will give you back your deposit before final payment.

 

Our first two cruises we did guarantee cabins and both were fine as far as location. I realized that I do care where my cabin is so was no longer willing to take a chance and now I book the cabin I want.

[vsp441]

I just booked an 8A early saver on the Legend for 2/14/10 and only paid $100 more than a 7A for three persons. After seeing the reviews on the 7A's I decided that since this was our first balcony I was willing to pay a little more to have an unobstructed view. I actually chose room 4224, port side aft, which is the last standard balcony room before a suite and there is a gap in between them.

[imacruiser2]

We've always booked an 8A BL guarantee, and have always had a beautiful view, no life boats, etc.... We have never been disappointed. We have been upgraded or was offered an upgrade for a very low cost on several of our cruises. I would book an 8A BL anytime.

[James in SA]

We just got back from a cruise on Conquest where we had a balcony mid-ship on deck 8 (Verandah). We did notice some scraping sounds from deck chairs on the side of the Lido deck above as others have mentioned, but this was not bothersome.

 

The balconies are great... with one caveat. It seems alot of people go out on their balconies and smoke, and the smoke is channeled down the balcony from front to back. Instead of going out on our balcony to get a fresh ocean breeze, what we got most of the time was smokier air than in the casino. That is the downside of a balcony. They are heavily used smoking areas.:(

[NEHMAR]

Thank you for all the responses. I hope, hope, hope it isn't smokey! That would be awful! We ended up booking at 8C level and getting a room (5206) on the ship. Of course, then my husband looked at the invoice and saw that she booked us for the wrong week! We wanted the 5/9 departure, not 5/9 return! UGH!!! I've emailed her and hope she can change it in the morning. I also hope we can get as good of a room. I wanted one, based on what I was reading here, with cabins above and below us and wanted to be more mid ship. Having never cruised before, but the fact that I do get motion sick riding in the back of the car sometimes and on fast and definitely spinning roller coasters, I was hoping to be mid ship.

Cross your fingers that she can change the date and get as good of a room (in my opinion)!