Island Princess Aft Facing Balcony Question vs Midship Starboard Side Questions

[cruzin4us]

I have read and reread some the pros/cons of the Island Princess and I know for many of you it's not your favorite ship......So, we don't need to go there 🙂

What I'm looking for is some advice on the cabin selection.    I almost always book an aft facing balcony, but as many of you know on the Island, there are only a few of standard balconies, the rest are suites.  

 

 

I have 2 casino comped cruises that can be used on both of these itineraries.   So, we booked a B2B on the following cruises.

 

1.   16 day Iceland/Greenland - Aug 9, 2023. ---- Baja Deck - B519 (midship)

2.   14 day Scottish Highlands & Wales - Aug 25, 2023 ---- Baja Deck - B740 (aft facing)

 

I could only get the aft facing balcony on one of the segments of the cruise so I booked the other one midship.

 

Now for my questions:

    

1.  The aft facing balcony is not your typical aft balcony that I'm used to.   It looks like you are kind of in a box?    I don't mind some protection from the weather, because it will probably be cold.   But, is it weird feeling?   From someone that loves an aft, I'm having a hard time passing it up but I'd love to hear from someone that has had one of the aft facing cabins (yes, I Googled first).

 

2.  Is it a PIA to move cabins?   I already know the answer, but would it be worth the move if you love the aft balconies?

 

3.  I'm able to book any balcony or premium balcony cabin (not suites and not mini suites, etc).   There are lots of cabins to choose from, so if you have a better suggestion, please let me know.

 

The aft cabin is one of those holes above the Princess Head Emblem

 

Thanks for your input!

 

[duckey.l]

We had a regular aft balcony on deck 11 - B743 on the Island Princess in 2016 to Alaska. It had full views- we loved it and it got us hooked on aft balconies.

[cruzin4us]

2 hours ago, duckey.l said:

We had a regular aft balcony on deck 11 - B743 on the Island Princess in 2016 to Alaska. It had full views- we loved it and it got us hooked on aft balconies.

 

This is just what I needed to see and hear.    I'm an aft gal, but I was worried how it looked from a passenger perspective.    Seeing your pics makes me realize it will be worth packing up and changing rooms.   Thank you!!

Edited May 16, 2022 by cruzin4us

[Papa Yoda]

 

Moving cabins is worth it for an aft balcony.

Edited May 16, 2022 by Papa Yoda

[villauk]

Do any of the balcony cabins have a sofa, or is that only in a mini on Island?
 

[blondee419]

7 hours ago, villauk said:

Do any of the balcony cabins have a sofa, or is that only in a mini on Island?
 

No sofa in the aft balcony in 2019 on Island thru the Panama Canal.  

[Triptkr]

Go for it!   Aft facing is awesome and think of the privacy you'll have rather than thinking of it as being in a 'hole'.   Looks like a refuge to me!🙂