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Need pros and cons to help decide


twinkle toes

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Hi everyone. My DH and I are planning on going on the Crown in November but I am having trouble deciding which cabin. We have always stayed in an outside oceanview on plaza deck, but now I want a balcony. I love motion, so that isn't a problem. I have narrowed it down to either AD mini emerald deck (gty) or L246 balcony Lido Deck. I am not concerned about the rooms themselves, but want to know what the pros and cons or differences there are between the balconies, as well as the amount of motion each has. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Sue

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One possible con is that if you are booking the AD mini for the covered balcony on a GTY basis, you stand a very good chance of being moved to a Dolphin deck mini. Make sure you select a specific cabin if you want that AD. The difference in cost might be minimal, or even non-existent. Compare the price to a balcony and decide if the extra room and larger bathroom are worth the cost. Again, sometimes there isn't a lot of difference between the two.

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Good choice on the balcony. But once you have had one it will be difficult to cruise in the future without one. Have you considered Caribe deck with the larger half covered balcony? These are BA and BB category and I am assuming may not be available. Otherwise I would echo comments regarding the mini suite guarantee and the liklihood you would be moved up to a Dolphin (uncovered) balcony. While we enjoyed ours the covered or partly covered balconies are better in my opinion. Also would agree that the mini suite doesn't offer much upside for a one week cruise. I wish that Princess would offer something more for the Mini Suite guests such as enhanced room service, etc. Celebrity does that with the Concierge class and it is a nice touch and could bring more value to the mini suite category.

Good luck on your choices.

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Good choice on the balcony. But once you have had one it will be difficult to cruise in the future without one. Have you considered Caribe deck with the larger half covered balcony? These are BA and BB category and I am assuming may not be available. Otherwise I would echo comments regarding the mini suite guarantee and the liklihood you would be moved up to a Dolphin (uncovered) balcony. While we enjoyed ours the covered or partly covered balconies are better in my opinion. Also would agree that the mini suite doesn't offer much upside for a one week cruise. I wish that Princess would offer something more for the Mini Suite guests such as enhanced room service, etc. Celebrity does that with the Concierge class and it is a nice touch and could bring more value to the mini suite category.

Good luck on your choices.

 

I've always thought the mini suite should more accurately be called a deluxe balcony cabin, since there are absolutely no suite perks with a mini!

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I've always thought the mini suite should more accurately be called a deluxe balcony cabin, since there are absolutely no suite perks with a mini!

 

You mean besides a larger cabin, the sofa, the two televisions (but who needs two TV's), the larger bathroom and the bathtub? Also, don't forget the glass of champagne!

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The BA balcony on Caribe deck is about 9'x9', and the inner 1/2 is covered by the balcony above. also caribe balconies have 2 chairs with reclining backs, 2 straight chairs and a small table. other balconies are about 9'wide by 4-5'deep with 2 chairs. minisuite balconies are a little wider (because the cabin is a little wider) but still 4-5'deep, and i think they only have 2 chairs. We had a caribe balcony on the Ruby, and have one on the crown next winter.

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Hey Sue!

 

I have sailed in balconies and minis. If being uncovered would not affect you and the price is the same or just a few $$ more go for the mini suite. If you don't want to chance being uncovered and can't lock in a room on the Emerald deck then I would go with a regular balcony cabin. The Emereld deck minis are wonderful with the extra room and the full sized bath but if the price is a big difference then I would just go with a regular balcony cabin on the 7 night cruise.

 

As for motion we are not bothered so it doesn't matter where we stay. Enjoy the Crown!

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You mean besides a larger cabin, the sofa, the two televisions (but who needs two TV's), the larger bathroom and the bathtub? Also, don't forget the glass of champagne!
Right, and a balcony that's 9'x7' (approximately) vs. 9'x5' -- a big difference in reality. The BA on Lido will have room for just a couple of chairs and a small table; in the AD, you'll have two half-recliners, two chairs and a table.

 

The AD mini-suite is very quiet and private. You'll hear no one in the AD and you'll be right above the water so when you're on your balcony, you'll be able to hear the seas. For some people that's a plus.

 

Everyone's different but for me, I'd pick the AD every time.

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Thanks everyone for the advice. I went back on the Princess website just for kicks and AD724 had opened up so I grabbed it right away, YES! no more guarantee!!!! Lido sounded good, but with the mention of being closer to the water, I couldn't resist. Thanks again!!

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You mean besides a larger cabin, the sofa, the two televisions (but who needs two TV's), the larger bathroom and the bathtub? Also, don't forget the glass of champagne!

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking minis, a sofa and a tub could be of great importance to some. BUT, if you think because you're in a "suite" that you're going to get bar set-up, unlimited Internet access, full breakfast menu, room service from the MDR menu, breakfast in Sabatini's, you'll be sorely disappointed.

 

Now, to me personally, a sofa, an extra TV, and a tub (not mentioning the swill they call champagne;-) that would merely qualify as a deluxe balcony cabin.

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One possible con is that if you are booking the AD mini for the covered balcony on a GTY basis, you stand a very good chance of being moved to a Dolphin deck mini. Make sure you select a specific cabin if you want that AD. The difference in cost might be minimal, or even non-existent. Compare the price to a balcony and decide if the extra room and larger bathroom are worth the cost. Again, sometimes there isn't a lot of difference between the two.

 

A cruise specialist (the owner of Cruise Planners) told me AA (midship mini-suite on Dolphin deck) cabins are $150 more than AD mini-suites. I assume location is the only reason for this because except for Dolphin deck lacking roofs on its balconies (according to some posters here) the two categories are identical.

 

That said, I want to know is it worth $150 to get a midship mini-suite since I have selected Anytime Dining and the aft elevators would take me to the Traditional Dining room. If I wanted traditional dining, it would be an easier decision. No way am I going to permit a guarantee on my cabin. I will list a few numbers and tell my agent to pick one.

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A cruise specialist (the owner of Cruise Planners) told me AA (midship mini-suite on Dolphin deck) cabins are $150 more than AD mini-suites. I assume location is the only reason for this because except for Dolphin deck lacking roofs on its balconies (according to some posters here) the two categories are identical.

 

That said, I want to know is it worth $150 to get a midship mini-suite since I have selected Anytime Dining and the aft elevators would take me to the Traditional Dining room. If I wanted traditional dining, it would be an easier decision. No way am I going to permit a guarantee on my cabin. I will list a few numbers and tell my agent to pick one.

IMHO, there is no difference in actual value between a Cat AE mini-suite and a Cat AA mini-suite. The rooms are identical. Princess places a higher value (cost) on cabins midship rather that forward and aft. They also place a higher value (cost) on cabins higher in the ship. A balcony cabin in the same location on Baja Deck is cheaper than on Aloha Deck.

 

We personally place more value on a cabin near the aft elevators and lower so we gladly book a Caribe Deck balcony or Dolphin/Emerald Deck mini-suite in the lower Category 700 series cabins and use the money saved to enjoy our cruise more. We choose this location even though we do Anytime dining. Unless you are mobility challenged, the walk from the aft to the midship elevators is not bad and the exercise helps work off your food a bit. We usually eat breakfast and lunch in the dining room and the aft Traditional Dining Room is usually used for breakfast and lunch. In that case, a midship location would only be better for 1/3 of our meals. The ships are not that larg that a walk from one end of the ship to the other is not an issue unless, as I said before, you are mobility challenged.

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identical.

 

That said, I want to know is it worth $150 to get a midship mini-suite since I have selected Anytime Dining and the aft elevators would take me to the Traditional Dining room. If I wanted traditional dining, it would be an easier decision.

 

I have found that we often go to both ends of the ship for various venues and activities. Depending on the ship, the aft will have the buffet, the Vista Lounge/Club Fusion, Skywalker's, Adagio Lounge, etc. The forward part will have the Princess Theater, Spa, Gym, etc.

 

As a result, whether we have a cabin forward, mid-ship or aft, we end up doing a lot of walking which helps burn up those cruise ship calories. We have enjoyed cabins in all three areas.

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You mean besides a larger cabin, the sofa, the two televisions (but who needs two TV's), the larger bathroom and the bathtub? Also, don't forget the glass of champagne!

 

Hey Nina, those are all things I like about a mini over a standard - well except the two TV's as I rarely turn on one!

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Right, and a balcony that's 9'x7' (approximately) vs. 9'x5' -- a big difference in reality. The BA on Lido will have room for just a couple of chairs and a small table; in the AD, you'll have two half-recliners, two chairs and a table.

 

The AD mini-suite is very quiet and private. You'll hear no one in the AD and you'll be right above the water so when you're on your balcony, you'll be able to hear the seas. For some people that's a plus.

 

Everyone's different but for me, I'd pick the AD every time.

 

I agree. That bit of difference in size on the balcony does make a difference. I'd take that AD over a Lido anytime.

 

I'm probably one of the few CCer's that doesn't mind the other mini's (besides the AD). I have been fortunate enough to never have problems with neighbors above or to the side when I've sailed Dolphin deck mini's. I really, really love going out at night and sitting on my balcony and being able to stare directly up and look at the stars. I do have sleeping problems, though so I do this regularly on a cruise!

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