Grand Princess mini suite

[Tridhos]

Just about to book a Princess cruise on the Grand Princess, any tips as to what mini suite and what deck would be appreciated. 

[riffatsea]

Hi,

Have you taken a look at the deck plan yet?

https://www.princess.com/deckPlans.do?shipCode=AP

The typical advice is to book a cabin on any deck with other cabins above and below it.

On the Grand the mini suites on Dolphin Deck(9) look good to me.

I prefer mid ship not too far from an elevator(lift) but up to you where along the corridor you prefer.

 

[long cruiser]

Go for a fiesta suite on deck six.

long c ruiser

 

[riffatsea]

54 minutes ago, long cruiser said:

Go for a fiesta suite on deck six.

long c ruiser

 

It would be interesting to know the reason you are suggesting this location???

At first glance it doesn't seem to be a spot I'd like.

[Sea Hag]

1 hour ago, riffatsea said:

It would be interesting to know the reason you are suggesting this location???

At first glance it doesn't seem to be a spot I'd like.

I haven't actually stayed in one of these suites on Fiesta yet - we're in one for the 3/29 sailing. I booked it because the price for a full suite was great, and people here on CC say they're good. They don't have balconies, but they do have big windows. The location is said to be good, since they're in a separate hallway with doors on either side. People say that noise from the casino isn't a problem. We like top of ship and forward, but for this cruise we're making an exception.

[Cruiserkenn]

I like the minis on Emerald deck, starboard side.  Nicely sheltered and quiet.

 

Enjoy!

[riffatsea]

Thanks for explaining!

We don't sail these days without a balcony so are in a full suite on Deck 10 in May 2021.

I haven't been on that ship yet so was wondering about all this

[suekel]

I like the mini's on Dolphin.  Great size and open to the elements.  I love to sit out in the sun.  

[jondfk]

29 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

I haven't actually stayed in one of these suites on Fiesta yet - we're in one for the 3/29 sailing. I booked it because the price for a full suite was great, and people here on CC say they're good. They don't have balconies, but they do have big windows. The location is said to be good, since they're in a separate hallway with doors on either side. People say that noise from the casino isn't a problem. We like top of ship and forward, but for this cruise we're making an exception.

 

In my opinion, the Window Suites on Grand (Golden & Caribbean) are some of the best cabins in the fleet.  They typically sell for the price of a CC mini, they are HUGE and the central location is difficult to beat, they have full suite amenities.  The only downside is, no balcony, they are too close to the waterline for that.  We sail Friday, probably our last sailing before Grand repositions away from San Francisco, and we're looking forward to our beloved Fiesta suite.  Be aware that F301 is a bit smaller than the other cabins (still 2x larger than a normal stateroom though).  F315 is a handicapped cabin.  The others F303, 305, 307, 309 & 311 are identical aside from reversing layout cabin to cabin.  F301 is head of the bed towards the bow, alternating from there.

[Cruiserkenn]

14 minutes ago, jondfk said:

 

In my opinion, the Window Suites on Grand (Golden & Caribbean) are some of the best cabins in the fleet.  They typically sell for the price of a CC mini, they are HUGE and the central location is difficult to beat, they have full suite amenities.  The only downside is, no balcony, they are too close to the waterline for that.  We sail Friday, probably our last sailing before Grand repositions away from San Francisco, and we're looking forward to our beloved Fiesta suite.  Be aware that F301 is a bit smaller than the other cabins (still 2x larger than a normal stateroom though).  F315 is a handicapped cabin.  The others F303, 305, 307, 309 & 311 are identical aside from reversing layout cabin to cabin.  F301 is head of the bed towards the bow, alternating from there.

 

I would miss the balcony too much.  I know you mentioned that no balcony is a downside.  Different strokes...  I definitely need my balcony🙂⚓️⛴🐋🌈🐬🌠

 

[Sea Hag]

52 minutes ago, jondfk said:

 

In my opinion, the Window Suites on Grand (Golden & Caribbean) are some of the best cabins in the fleet.  They typically sell for the price of a CC mini, they are HUGE and the central location is difficult to beat, they have full suite amenities.  The only downside is, no balcony, they are too close to the waterline for that.  We sail Friday, probably our last sailing before Grand repositions away from San Francisco, and we're looking forward to our beloved Fiesta suite.  Be aware that F301 is a bit smaller than the other cabins (still 2x larger than a normal stateroom though).  F315 is a handicapped cabin.  The others F303, 305, 307, 309 & 311 are identical aside from reversing layout cabin to cabin.  F301 is head of the bed towards the bow, alternating from there.

Yes, I know that F301 is smaller. We have F303 and are looking forward to it very much. 

[Cruise Raider]

I second the attraction to those window suites.  We've only booked them twice but, they are wonderful!  They are usually less expensive than the Club Class mini suites with even greater benefits.  The location is absolutely perfect...so convenient to everything!  My DH was skeptical at first, as there is no balcony (and he "always" wants a balcony) but, he soon forgot all about that when we walked into one of these very special rooms for the first time.  Now, he's hooked!!  They are usually sold out pronto, though!!  Gotta grab one shortly after a sailing is released for bookings.  

 

If you still prefer a mini-suite, my choice would be those on the Emerald Deck on the Starboard side of the ship ... with the very end one having a huge balcony (E729)  These are really the only covered mini's on the Grand and like the window suites, they are very popular so usually have to be booked way ahead of time.  Club class mini's, which are midship uncovered balconies on the Dolphin deck would be my second choice....although, they are usually quite pricey and for the covered balcony, I'd much rather book a specialty restaurant for every single night with an Emerald deck mini than spend that much more for the Club Class mini's.  

PS ... the port side of the very aft portion on the Emerald deck is directly above the stage to the Vista Lounge.  Some have complained about noise from below on that side of the ship, worse as you go further aft.  We've stayed on the starboard side on several occasions and never experienced any problems with noise from below ... which is why I suggested this side of the ship.  

 

 

[PoohUnderstands]

4 hours ago, riffatsea said:

It would be interesting to know the reason you are suggesting this location???

At first glance it doesn't seem to be a spot I'd like.

The seven cabins on Deck  6 are called Window Suites and unless you absolutely must have a balcony, I would book a WS long before a minisuite or a CC minisuite.  Why?  The room is very large; the bathroom has a jetted tub and a separate glass enclosed shower and two sinks.  Many times a WS is less money than a CC mini and about the same price as a regular midship mini.  And you get all the suite benefits!!!!!  You just have two huge Windows to look out.  Location is great, especially if you have motion sickness problems and you have your own private hallway, and close to CC dining room.  But with only 7, you must book your cruise on the Grand and 2 sister ships almost as soon as the itinerary appears.  I have a cruise for June, 2021, that I booked in August, 2019!  For some lucky reason, I was able to get an S7 Guarantee, which is a WS guarantee.  At the moment, all WS's are booked, so if that continues, I will then be upgraded to one of the regular suites at my WS price!!

 

The perks I love the most, besides fresh fruit, candies, small alcohol bottles, wine, is the CC dining for lunch and dinner.  Then for breakfast you get to go to the specialty dining room for breakfast which is just for suite guests.  They make your breakfast in that kitchen, not the main one, and you can have almost anything you want, on the menu or not.  Also the free minosas are pretty good too.

If you want a WS on the newer ships(Sky, Enchanted, Discovery) you really have to book early as there are only two on each ship.  I have been lucky enough to secure a WS on the Enchanted, Sky, and Discovery.

Can you tell I love my WS's?  Grin.

 

Pooh

Edited February 18, 2020 by PoohUnderstands

[riffatsea]

Thanks all for explaining about the window suites on Deck 6.

We are booked on a cruise in May of 2021 and all of those suites on Deck 6 are booked already! I couldn't understand what was so special about them that they'd be booked before the mid ship suites on Deck 10.

Now I understand better.

We will stick with our Deck 10 suite as we don't sail these days unless we have a balcony!

Windows just don't work for us.

Thanks for taking the time to explain your thoughts.

[retrembl]

14 hours ago, Tridhos said:

Just about to book a Princess cruise on the Grand Princess, any tips as to what mini suite and what deck would be appreciated. 

We prefer privacy, so deck 8 mini suites are the only ones at are covered.

Deck 9 mini suites are fully exposes to the balconies on deck 10, every one above deck 9 can see every thing you do on deck 9 mini suites.

[Tridhos]

Many thanks to all those that replied they have been most helpful replies and I think now I am a bit nearer deciding.