Grand Princess Suite Advice Please

[librarians@sea]

Hello!

 

We are thinking of booking a 10 Pacific coastal cruise out of Vancouver this September. The only suites left are one Vista (C751), 4 aft Penthouse suites (B748 & 9 and C748 & 9) and several mid-ship Penthouse suites on Caribe deck. We have never sailed Princess before and would like opinions, please, on any pros or cons of these various suites/locations.

 

Thanks so much!

 

/Christine

[spindrift]

Of course IMO 751 is the best. The other afts I believe one can look down on the Baja staterooms and it is under the Terrace pool area. Caribe for afts, I think would be better.

 

The best choice, other than 751, would be the Caribe's midship. You actually look down on the Dolphin minis.

[shredie]

I've never done one, but everyone raves about the aft suites.

[Once Upon A Time]

We've had 751 and it's wonderful.. Would book that one again without question.

[Colo Cruiser]

I would stay away from the mid ship suites due to possible pool deck chair noise from above.

This has been mentioned in a few reviews.

[freetocruise]

I would stay away from the mid ship suites due to possible pool deck chair noise from above.

This has been mentioned in a few reviews.

 

On the Grand Princess all midship PH suites are on Caribe Deck with huge half covered balconies with no obstruction. The only thing above them are cabins on Baja Deck.

 

These midship PH suites would be my first choice. My next would be the PH suites aft on Caribe Deck. I would not choose the Vista Suite C751 as it has a much smaller balcony than either C748/9 and it also has a substantial Beam.

[librarians@sea]

Thanks so much, everyone, for your replies! I am leaning toward the mid-ship penthouses, but my dear husband is eyeing the vista suite (probably because it's cheaper...:p)

 

If the Princess website is accurate, it appears that the aft penthouses are considerably smaller than those mid-ship (and also smaller than the vista suite). Per Princess, C748/49 are only 468 sq. ft. including the 155 sq. ft. balcony, so the cabin is only 312 sq. ft., while the mid-ships are a total of 536 with the 155 sq.ft. balcony, so those suites are approximately 381 sq.ft. -- a considerable size difference! Do you think that this is correct, considering that the aft penthouses are more expensive?

 

Cheers!

[Thrak]

I've never been in a suite but we did sail in C752 which is a balcony right next door. We loved that location and would book the room again in a heartbeat.

 

You not only have the wake for your view but there was no wind on the balcony since it was facing the stern. Of course it was covered and the Caribe balconies are larger than normal. My wife was so very happy with that balcony. :)

[cflutist]

I'm wondering if there is more vibration and motion in the aft (we sure felt it in the aft dining room on the Grand). This is one of the reasons that we are booked in a mid-ship PH suite on the Caribe deck on our next cruise.

[Thrak]

I'm wondering if there is more vibration and motion in the aft (we sure felt it in the aft dining room on the Grand). This is one of the reasons that we are booked in a mid-ship PH suite on the Caribe deck on our next cruise.

 

There was some vibration in C752. As I told my wife, "You used to have to put a quarter in the slot to make the bed vibrate you to sleep!"

 

We didn't mind the vibration at all. As I said earlier, we loved the cabin and would book it again in a heartbeat.

[TracieABD]

We are in midship PH C420 in less than 3 weeks! I can't wait!

 

I will probably do a live from of that cruise, so if you have specific questions that I can answer in real-time, I would be happy to do so.

 

Getting excited....:)

[bhopal21]

We have stayed in both several times and it really just boils down to location.

 

The Caribe midship suites could not be any more convenient. You literally step out of your cabin and there are the panoramic lifts where you can be at the dining rooms, the piazza, International Cafe, Theatre or Casino in less than 2 minutes.

 

On the other hand the aft suites have that great view of the wake; but they do come with a fair amount of vibration and quite a hike everytime you want to visit some other part of the ship.

 

Mike:)

[librarians@sea]

In case no one's told you today... you people are awesome! :D Thank you, again, for the very helpful information!

 

From our 2 previous cruises (both on HAL), I certainly understand the appeal of that wake view. I think for this cruise, however, based on what's been said here and based on the cabin sizes per the Princess website, we've definitely decided to go with the mid-ship PH...

 

Cheers,

 

:)

[bhopal21]

I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

Mike:)

[TracieABD]

I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

Mike:)

 

Here's hoping you are right, Mike!:):)

[jbobst]

We really liked the Window Suite. No balcony, but if budget is any concern, it was a good value with all the suite amenities. Only a few ships have the, the Grand being one of them.

[librarians@sea]

Thanks Mike -- I'm sure we'll love the suite!

 

Tracie -- Enjoy your cruise! To Alaska? I look forward to reading about your experience!

 

jbobst -- I read your review of the window suite and your photos were fabulous! We actually would have booked a WS for this cruise if one had been available. An excellent value indeed -- in fact we have F307 booked on the Grand to go to Hawaii next April...

 

/Christine :)

[Colo Cruiser]

On the Grand Princess all midship PH suites are on Caribe Deck with huge half covered balconies with no obstruction. The only thing above them are cabins on Baja Deck.

 

These midship PH suites would be my first choice. My next would be the PH suites aft on Caribe Deck. I would not choose the Vista Suite C751 as it has a much smaller balcony than either C748/9 and it also has a substantial Beam.

 

My bad, thinking about the ships with Riviera deck suites. :o

Thanks

Edited July 1, 2014 by Colo Cruiser

[Nancyquilts]

In case no one's told you today... you people are awesome! :D Thank you, again, for the very helpful information!

 

From our 2 previous cruises (both on HAL), I certainly understand the appeal of that wake view. I think for this cruise, however, based on what's been said here and based on the cabin sizes per the Princess website, we've definitely decided to go with the mid-ship PH...

 

Cheers,

 

:)

Good choice.:D