Grand Penthouse - Aft or Center cabin

[Ken the cruiser]

We have found a 30 day cruise on the Grand where we can actually afford booking a Penthouse. But there is a $20 per person per day difference between an aft-facing one and one found in the center of the ship. From what I can tell from the website description, the ones in the center are approximately 76 sq ft larger than the aft-facing ones. Are the views from the aft-facing penthouse suites really worth the additional cost or is there something else we are missing?

[jasbo49]

18 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

We have found a 30 day cruise on the Grand where we can actually afford booking a Penthouse. But there is a $20 per person per day difference between an aft-facing one and one found in the center of the ship. From what I can tell from the website description, the ones in the center are approximately 76 sq ft larger than the aft-facing ones. Are the views from the aft-facing penthouse suites really worth the additional cost or is there something else we are missing?

It's the balcony size that makes them way more attractive to me. The mid- ship ones have the same balcony depth as a standard balcony cabin, while the aft ones have much deeper ones. Check the deck plans to see relative size. 

 

There are people who are sold on the aft view, but I enjoy the side view just as much.

 

(Oops. Editing here. I see now that the Grand's mid-ship suites are on the Caribe deck, so have a 9-foot deep balcony, so they're not skinny at all.)

 

Jim

Edited September 18, 2019 by jasbo49

[Ken the cruiser]

One reason we’re thinking about choosing the aft facing one is because there shouldn’t be much of a breeze back there plus being on the aft is always a plus when leaving a port. Also, even though it appears to be covered, we'll be heading west the whole time so there should be plenty of afternoon shade. 

[Murray's Pop]

Yes, the balcony is larger, but there is also a lot more vibration in the aft cabin, especially when traveling at over 20 knots and really bad when coming into and out port using the side thrusters.  Just an FYI.

[riffatsea]

It is a personal choice. We do not like looking back at where the ship has been!

We prefer side and looking forward!!

[Colo Cruiser]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

We have found a 30 day cruise on the Grand where we can actually afford booking a Penthouse. But there is a $20 per person per day difference between an aft-facing one and one found in the center of the ship. From what I can tell from the website description, the ones in the center are approximately 76 sq ft larger than the aft-facing ones. Are the views from the aft-facing penthouse suites really worth the additional cost or is there something else we are missing?

What decks?

[azbirdmom]

We love the aft suites.  It's so private back there, and we don't mind the sound of the wake at all.

[c-boy]

C749 it's a honey  and it has a barrel chair.

[denmarks]

I would think the back would be noisier but I may be wrong. I know that when I walk around the ship on the promenade deck it is noisy in the back. 

[masterty]

Here is my 2cents. Any suite on any ship is wonderful. So count your blessings... In determining which suite to book on the Grand, here is what goes into my thought process. When in an aft suite you will have easy access to the Vista lounge, Horizon Cafe, and the Platinum/Elite/Suite party each late afternoon in the One 5. However breakfast lunch and dinner in Club Class will require you hike half the ship. Not a big deal for 7 days but may get old doing it 3 times a day for 30 days. Being mid ship you are just a couple easy steps to everything. Club class, Crooners, IC, Shops, Piazza, Casino and so much more are right there. You will only walk aft or forward when you want to vs when you have to. Since Club Class is midship deck 6 I would book a midship Penthouse on 10 or if available I love the S7 window suites on deck 6.

For me, when staying in an interior, oceanview, balcony or balcony plus (aka mini-suite) I often find myself out of my room for much of the day. However when in a suite located mid ship I find the easy accessibility and size inviting to just hang out between daily events. Other considerations are If I was traveling with friends or family and they wanted to stay in an aft balcony. Then would I get a Vista Suite or something close if they wanted so we could dine, or play games together on connected balconies.

As others have posted vibration from horsepower is noticeable in aft cabins. This vibration is not an issue for either of us but some do not like it.
If I was buying a full suite for a 30 day voyage for 2 on the Grand I would be a window suite on 6 first, a midship suite on Caribe second, and any other available suite 3rd.

[CineGraphic]

Nothing beats an aft view in my book.

[c-boy]

yep that aft view is great with morning coffee and evening  cocktails 😉

[Ken the cruiser]

3 hours ago, Colo Cruiser said:

What decks?

The Penthouse is on the Caribe deck and the Vista is on the Dolphin deck.

[Ken the cruiser]

2 hours ago, c-boy said:

C749 it's a honey  and it has a barrel chair.

Please tell me there is more than a funky barrel chair in a Penthouse suite.

[Colo Cruiser]

6 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

The Penthouse is on the Caribe deck and the Vista is on the Dolphin deck.

Thanks, we would take the Vista over all others.

Great location and in a dead end passageway.

 

[RSF Cruiser]

I know the original poster asked about Penthouse suites, but Vista suites have come up in the conversation, so... Vista suites on the Dolphin deck have a larger balcony with a beam that doesn't interfere with much, but slightly smaller sitting room with no desk (there is a desk in the bedroom). Vista suites on Caribe deck have a smaller balcony with a beam right in the middle, but a slightly larger sitting room with a desk. After going back and forth between these two aft suites, we've decided overall we prefer the larger room and tolerate the balcony on the Caribe deck. As many have said, it's a personal choice.

[Ken the cruiser]

4 minutes ago, RSF Cruiser said:

I know the original poster asked about Penthouse suites, but Vista suites have come up in the conversation, so... Vista suites on the Dolphin deck have a larger balcony with a beam that doesn't interfere with much, but slightly smaller sitting room with no desk (there is a desk in the bedroom). Vista suites on Caribe deck have a smaller balcony with a beam right in the middle, but a slightly larger sitting room with a desk. After going back and forth between these two aft suites, we've decided overall we prefer the larger room and tolerate the balcony on the Caribe deck. As many have said, it's a personal choice.

We originally booked the vista on the dolphin deck and now, thanks to your post with regards to the desk location and size differences, we're glad we upgraded to the aft Penthouse on the Caribe deck.

 

In a nutshell I was second guessing our decision today, as I usually do when $$$ are involved, and was wondering if we should downgrade our aft S3 cabin for a midship S4 cabin. But after reviewing all of your thoughtful inputs and since this will probably be the only S3 Penthouse we will ever book at $248 pp/day after all discounts, we decided to stick with the S3 as it is in a pretty cool location and we really don't mind walking everywhere.

[RSF Cruiser]

Happy I could help! We love the aft suites, and it took us a while to figure out what deck we preferred. I actually pretty much don't like the Vista aft suite balcony on Caribe, but I'm not willing to pay the extra cost to get a Penthouse suite 😕 My husband is not willing to give up the extra desk, so I've decided the inferior balcony is not a deal breaker for me. My husband is willing to pay for the Penthouse suite so both of us are happy, but I'm not... Guess life is full of compromises!

[Colo Cruiser]

1 minute ago, Ken the cruiser said:

We originally booked the vista on the dolphin deck and now, thanks to your post with regards to the desk location and size differences, we're glad we upgraded to the aft Penthouse on the Caribe deck.

 

In a nutshell I was second guessing our decision today, as I usually do when $$$ are involved, and was wondering if we should downgrade our aft S3 cabin for a midship S4 cabin. But after reviewing all of your thoughtful inputs and since this will probably be the only S3 Penthouse we will ever book at $248 pp/day after all discounts, we decided to stick with the S3 as it is in a pretty cool location and we really don't mind walking everywhere.

We try and book Emerald deck.

Balcony about 1 foot shallower but still awesome.

[jasbo49]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

...we're glad we upgraded to the aft Penthouse on the Caribe deck.

 

 

A Caribe deck aft penthouse for 30 days? Oh, my. That's bound to spoil you. Our first suite was either C748 or c749 ,can't remember, and it was one of the best we've had.

 

Jim

[compozer]

We book the aft suites and love the view the best but having to walk a distance is a plus - we have never gained any weight .

[jasbo49]

21 minutes ago, compozer said:

We book the aft suites and love the view the best but having to walk a distance is a plus - we have never gained any weight .

I agree. Lots of exercise without even having to think about it. 

 

Jim

[cjpj]

To me it is about what is directly above and below you. We've had midship suites with the pool deck above - never again. Stuff rolling back and forth early in the morning and late at night. I personally prefer the afts.

[Colo Cruiser]

2 hours ago, cjpj said:

To me it is about what is directly above and below you. We've had midship suites with the pool deck above - never again. Stuff rolling back and forth early in the morning and late at night. I personally prefer the afts.

I agree. Those ships with suites in the 400's under the pool areas are terrible for chair dragging noise starting very early in the mornings.

[vino100]

Is the vista suite d 726 on the Grand similar to the vista on Crown ? Also how covered is the balcony? We are looking at a Norway cruise and would like a covered balcony.