Thoughts on Aft cabins???

[hannawood]

We just booked a rear cabin on the Miracle for May 2006. Has anyone had a cabin in the back of the ship before? What did you think of it? Maybe there really isn't a difference compared to any other cabin. Pros/Cons? Also, we've never cruised in May before. Any thoughts on the weather? (sailing western caribbean) Annnnd my last question :) ...does anyone know how far the airport in Tampa is from the pier? We're trying to decide between getting our own taxi vs. using Carnivals airport transfer based on price comparability. Thanks!!!!

[James&Rob]

Hello

We have just returned on the Victory we were in an aft cabin 8435 looking stright out the back of the ship It was great The balcony was actually larger than the side cabins I do think i could feel a little more rocking back there than on our other cruises (caribbean Princess, Sensation, Fantasey) but not to bother me It just rocked me a sleep everynight actually it was nice. No noise back there from people in hall way only like 7 or 8 cabins back there so not much traffic now the cons, It is much further to the show lounges and casinos and to the front of the ship but the was an elevator right down the hall and the lido pool and buffett was just up a few steps I think you will love the aft cabins have a great day James

[cbreit]

I also had an aft balcony on the Victory on Verandah Deck, I think the same one as the poster above! Best room we've ever had, except for the next one on the Triumph!! Go for it! :)

[KenMo]

I've never had an aft cabin, but after what I've been reading on these boards...I will be booking one on my next cruise! I've heard they're wonderful as long as the possible rocking doesn't bother you!

 

I've always cruised in May. The weather has always been great....never any rain and the temperatures are nice. Not toooo hot, just right, in my opinion. Plus, it's right before the hurricane season. At least that's what I've been told.

 

Can't help you with the Tampa question, but if you can do it, I'd avoid going on the Carnival Transfer Bus. Just my opinion....but it's always crowded, have to wait for everyone else, you all arrive at the pier at the same time, etc. Much nicer if you can taxi, and the earlier, the better....but I don't know how far it is, so maybe it would cost too much.

 

Hope that helped some!! Have a great cruise!!!

[kjunea]

I'm going on the Miracle this May. We are taking a taxi from the Airport because it is a flat rate ($20) and it is only about 15 miles. Besides, we are going to get the driver to stop at a Circle K or something to pick up sodas for the ship.

 

I've had to wait for the shuttle before in Miami and I have sworn... NEVER AGAIN!! Here you are, excited to go on a cruise and they keep you waiting for 30-45 minutes till the bus fills up!

 

June

[hannawood]

Thank you so much for the information everyone! Great thoughts. :) Really helped a lot.

[serene56]

The balconies on the aft on the Victory are a bit bigger then the balconies on the Spirit class.

Here is your view from the aft on deck 6.http://community.webshots.com/photo/231082601/283585957lnziFZ

 

In my cruises on the aft- I didnt feel any more motion then elsewhere on the ship. Its a further walk to the elevator but its quiet back there as people tend not to go where they dont have to.

 

The laundry room is located across the hall from the aft cabins on deck 5. (which coul dbe very convenient to do laundry.

[surfrider]

the afts are good...

 

Going on Victory on 4/24, have cabin 7425, one of the ones with the wrap around balcony.

 

Could have had a suite for the same $$$, but from what I have read, we are better off with the big balcony, especially since we love to spend time there, more so than inside.

 

Just got off Fantasy, an inside cabin, with a smoking friend, thought I was going to gag..........

 

NO MORE insides for me.....

[Sisters of the Sea]

Just returned from the Legend and had an aft cabin, 4241, with an extended balcony. The room was the same size, just a bigger balcony. I loved the view and the extra room on the balcony. Well worth the extra cost and the extra walking, in my opinion. When we were on the balcony, it was noisier than a balcony off the side of the ship due to the engines and the rushing water, but tolerable and the room was quiet.

 

We were one floor up from the top floor of the dining room, so during first seating we could sometimes hear the staff making announcements, but this didn't bother us.

[avid]

we were just on valor aft 8450. it was great I set up my travel hammock and was out there practically thr entire time

http://community.webshots.com/photo/275463724/283001521hhzOrl

 

here is what it looks like

http://community.webshots.com/photo/93500067/93688204fdSKwi

[Boots013]

We just returned from the Valor on 3-13. We had aft cabin 2479. It was a main (2nd floor) cabin with a window. We liked it, however you can feel the rumble from the engines which kinda rocks you to sleep. The room shakes a little. We still did not mind it and had a great cruise. Hope this helps

[Brneyznfl]

I had an aft wrap around balcony cabin on the Miracle. Cabin 4228. It was awsome! I didn't have any problems with motion at all.

[tispwisp]

There is a little more rocking in the aft cabins - however, we book aft whenever we can! The rocking lulls us to sleep and the views can't be beat. We have a wrap-around on the Glory and we are really looking forward to it!

[Bassnote_1]

Save yourself some bucks (for the side trip in the taxi, they charge a bunch to stop), check your bags, then walk somewhere close and get your soda's.

[marktac]

We just booked a rear cabin on the Miracle for May 2006. Has anyone had a cabin in the back of the ship before? What did you think of it? Maybe there really isn't a difference compared to any other cabin. Pros/Cons? Also, we've never cruised in May before. Any thoughts on the weather? (sailing western caribbean) Annnnd my last question :) ...does anyone know how far the airport in Tampa is from the pier? We're trying to decide between getting our own taxi vs. using Carnivals airport transfer based on price comparability. Thanks!!!!

 

The airport is probably 10-15 miles from the port. Taxi will get you there quicker, and for probably about the same money.

 

Mark T.

[marktac]

Save yourself some bucks (for the side trip in the taxi, they charge a bunch to stop), check your bags, then walk somewhere close and get your soda's.

 

There is nothing close to buy sodas in Tampa. The port is in what once was the banana dock area. Lots of warehouses that are empty, with a major effort by the city to revitalize the area, but not much tangible progress yet except for the aquarium and the Ice Palace. Nothing within walking distance on a Saturday morning.

 

Mark T.

[GottaLuvCruising]

The one problem we had with our aft balcony was there you get no breeze. We were in the Caribbean the first week of September and it was HOT. If we had even a little breeze, our balcony would have been more enjoyable. Balconies on the side of the ship enjoy the air flow as the ship moves through the water - much less so in the back on the ship.

[serene56]

Mark: When was the last time you were in Tampa? That place is beatuifully built up. Nothing like it was back in 2000 when we first went on the Sensation. Just went there in Febraury- lots of stores and places to eat now within walking distance. I am sure there is some kind of store that sells sodas and water.

 

But on another note-- you can always ask your taxi driver to stop at the closest store to pick up needed items before he takes you to the port.

[khcamp]

We just returned from the Glory and had an aft cabin 7453. I would be disappointed if I was not in an aft cabin on every cruise. It was wonderful. Longer than the other balcony cabins. On glory the aft cabins are not as private. When you step to the railing you can talk with everyone around you. It made for a fun cruise... The views are wonderful.......

[marktac]

Mark: When was the last time you were in Tampa? That place is beatuifully built up. Nothing like it was back in 2000 when we first went on the Sensation. Just went there in Febraury- lots of stores and places to eat now within walking distance. I am sure there is some kind of store that sells sodas and water.

 

But on another note-- you can always ask your taxi driver to stop at the closest store to pick up needed items before he takes you to the port.

 

 

Sorry, Serene, I live there. I go by the port on Channelside about 3 times a week. Yes, there are some shops, and a couple of restaurants, but nothing that is really open before noon that has soft drinks and staples you might want to take aboard. For that you will need to travel some distance, and not by foot.

 

Mark T.

[bluehorizonlover123]

I have heard that these cabins have larger balconies. this is a plus.

[ToniH]

Last year we sailed the Destiny and booked a 9A and the L-shaped cabin right next to it on Deck 7. Deck 7 is between two decks of cabins so it cuts down on the noise from the Lido Deck, Restaurants and Clubs. And best of all, we were able to open up the partician and make one big balcony. We have now just booked the same cabins and same deck on the Valor for 4/06 but wanted to know for anyone who has been on the Valor, can you open up the partician?

Thanks

Toni