Aft extended balcony or bowling lane balcony?

[theriac]

So I have to option of upgrading to an aft extended balcony on the Victory for a total of $70. The bowling lane balcony is starboard aft and is next to the aft wrap on deck 6. I can move up to deck 7 and be in a real aft.

 

Which would you choose? The $70 isn't the big deal I just want the best cabin/balcony experience possible.

[KatPem]

I only have experience in an aft but have a bowling lane balcony booked on our next cruise. Depends on what you enjoy. Afts can be sunny and less private. They aren't covered much so not great in the rain. The room will have a couch. The bowling alley room only had a chair and the room isn't as big as an act but it is fully covered. I really enjoyed the aft, the view is amazing as is the balcony. I wouldn't hesitate to book one again. We are going with the bowling alley as it was the same price as a regular balcony for us. For $70, I would take the aft...it is typically a more expensive cabin and that way you can see how you like it without spending as much.

[BTromboneFrack]

When you say "bowling lane balcony," are you talking about the aft wraps, or is that something different?

[jayscore]

When you say "bowling lane balcony," are you talking about the aft wraps, or is that something different?

 

I believe the "bowling alley" would be a cabin forward of the aft wrap.;)

Edited November 3, 2015 by jayscore
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[Runaway Parent]

I would do bowling lane- the extended aft have little extra room since the additional floor space is under the slanted glass railing. Also, very little cover on aft, so constant sun and dripping if raining. Makes the balcony somewhat unusable in inclement weather.

[13cheermom]

We personally love the bowling alley balconies. Have had them on 2 cruises now, Sunshine & Conquest, however we ave always been on deck 7 where we were between other floors of cabins. When you mention being on deck 6, I would caution what is below you as far as noise concerns. Sounds like the aft on Deck 7 might be the better choice this time just because of that. But enjoy either way sounds like you have 2 great choices for cabins.:)

[theriac]

When you say "bowling lane balcony," are you talking about the aft wraps, or is that something different?

 

No it's just a really long balcony

[wantocruisemore]

Although I love extended afts, I would do bowling alley. They are more expensive than afts and a long balcony that's covered is more versatile. I've never had the bowling alley but have had 2 balcony rooms side by side where we opened the partition. That was really nice!

[lbow2006]

If it's the triple bowling alley I'd stick with it. If it's only double in lenght (one of the "L" shaped cabins) I would move to the extended aft. Our triple bowling alley balcony cabin on Legend was a normal balcony room with a couch, etc.

[jb1677]

What about one of the two wider aft balconies that are next to the wrap (on the other side)? They are not as wide as the bowling alley but much deeper. Basically 1.5 times the size of a regular AFT.

[theriac]

Thanks for all the answers. I have a lot to think about. Whichever I choose, I'm just happy to be going on my third cruise this year and am happy to be sailing over Christmas.

[theriac]

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I decided on the L shaped bowling alley cabin. I checked and it's the comedy club below the room which is fine because I go to all the shows anyway. I'd be nervous if it was the dance club. My PVP also said this is a much better cabin than the aft extended. Surprisingly I was also able to grab faster to the fun too which I didn't think I'd be able to since the cruise is in 48 days over Christmas. I was very lucky I got this cabin for $335 per person.

[ZeroLT1]

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I decided on the L shaped bowling alley cabin. I checked and it's the comedy club below the room which is fine because I go to all the shows anyway. I'd be nervous if it was the dance club. My PVP also said this is a much better cabin than the aft extended. Surprisingly I was also able to grab faster to the fun too which I didn't think I'd be able to since the cruise is in 48 days over Christmas. I was very lucky I got this cabin for $335 per person.

 

We had 6459 on our last cruise on the Victory and loved it. Perfect quiet retreat and the balcony was awesome.

[darth frosty]

What about one of the two wider aft balconies that are next to the wrap (on the other side)? They are not as wide as the bowling alley but much deeper. Basically 1.5 times the size of a regular AFT.

 

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

 

You do not want one of these they DO NOT HAVE A COUCH!!!

 

I made that mistake once I need to have the couch as an extra spot to laze about.

[jb1677]

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

 

You do not want one of these they DO NOT HAVE A COUCH!!!

 

I made that mistake once I need to have the couch as an extra spot to laze about.

 

Are you sure? I thought the ones on the sides just forward of the corner wraps had no couch, the "bowling alley" balcony rooms. The two on the actual back of the ship next to the corners have couches and larger balcony than the rest of the aft or any side balconies..... though now that I think about it, that may be a deck 8 thing only.....

Edited November 4, 2015 by jb1677

[theriac]

My PVP told me no couch in l shape balcony room

[ZeroLT1]

My PVP told me no couch in l shape balcony room

 

We had a couch.

[darth frosty]

Are you sure? I thought the ones on the sides just forward of the corner wraps had no couch, the "bowling alley" balcony rooms. The two on the actual back of the ship next to the corners have couches and larger balcony than the rest of the aft or any side balconies..... though now that I think about it, that may be a deck 8 thing only.....

 

I'm talking about the aft facing cabins next to the wrap, not the ones on the side with the bowling alley bal.

[wantocruisemore]

The wider aft extended on deck 8 next to aft wraps hold 3 and have a sofa.

[13cheermom]

We had a couch.

 

That can vary from ship to ship on the "L shaped balconies". On the Conquest no couch, just a chair and table, on the Sunshine we did have a couch but no table. But either way we really enjoyed that extra long balcony especially for the same price as a regular balcony. But I must say you got a great deal at $335/pp, was that a casino deal or something? But enjoy and glad you got it figured out! :)

[theriac]

That can vary from ship to ship on the "L shaped balconies". On the Conquest no couch, just a chair and table, on the Sunshine we did have a couch but no table. But either way we really enjoyed that extra long balcony especially for the same price as a regular balcony. But I must say you got a great deal at $335/pp, was that a casino deal or something? But enjoy and glad you got it figured out! :)

 

Not only ship to ship but also room to room on any given ship I've found. Fortunately I'm not too concerned about having a couch in the room. I am excited about the chaise lounge on the balcony.

 

And yes I got it with a casino offer. I couldn't believe the price for this sailing over Christmas so it had to be booked.

[kelkel2]

So I have to option of upgrading to an aft extended balcony on the Victory for a total of $70. The bowling lane balcony is starboard aft and is next to the aft wrap on deck 6. I can move up to deck 7 and be in a real aft.

 

Which would you choose? The $70 isn't the big deal I just want the best cabin/balcony experience possible.

 

I've cruised in both. If you made me choose right here right now, I would choose the aft view. The view is so magical and having your own private view of the aft of the ship is so special. Plus, sitting on the balcony and listening to the wake of the ship is really calming.

But, the aft cabins can be warmer, something we don't really mind because we sail in the winter and it's not as hot anyways. Although the bowling alley balconies are nice, you are getting plenty of space and a large balcony on the aft, just a different view.

It just depends on what you are looking for. Are you choosing the bowling alley balcony because you want the bigger balcony? Or are you going also choosing it because you like the side view view?

I think for $70 you should go for it! Personally, aft cabins, depending on the sailing can go for a lot more money and it sounds like a great opportunity to try one for not a lot of money.

[KatPem]

Not only ship to ship but also room to room on any given ship I've found. Fortunately I'm not too concerned about having a couch in the room. I am excited about the chaise lounge on the balcony.

 

And yes I got it with a casino offer. I couldn't believe the price for this sailing over Christmas so it had to be booked.

 

Sitting in the lounge, facing the front of the ship is what I am most looking forward to with our bowling alley cabin in March! That and the double windows! That is an awesome deal, I hope to one day sail over Christmas!