Meraviglia aft balcony, caveat emptors?

[marktwothousand]

I just switched my regular balcony on the side of the Meraviglia for no price change or re-fare, to an aft balcony in the middle of the ship on deck 11. I have always wanted to try an aft balcony, and most cruise lines charge extra for it, so I was pretty stoked to see this come up.

 

My one concern is how deep the balcony is, did anyone feel irritated by that? did it feel Too dark in the room with the curtains open?

 

It’s a different “large balcony” from some other large balconies on other ships such as deck eight on the Norwegian breakaway class, where some Large balconies aren’t covered. The aft balcony I have is almost entirely covered, except a few inches at the edge.

 

Am I missing anything here, or is this a good move? I figure that with a regular balcony cabin, I would have to stand on the balcony and look over the edge to see left and right anyway, so even though this one is deeper,  it shouldn’t make too much of a difference. I don’t mind a few inches of lost privacy above for the trade-off.

 

I’ve seen a few videos online of similar cabins, and I don’t really see any disadvantages. I don’t mind the noise. Not too worried about exhaust. Sure, it will be a much longer walk to the elevators, but that’s about it.

What do you all think? First time on MSC  

[JamieLogical]

I think that should be a great location. I had a solo aft balcony on deck 14 and loved it. The only downside of deck 14 was being right under the buffet. But that shouldn't be an issue for you on 11. The only other downside is the VERY long walk to the elevators, but that just means getting more steps in to work off all the food and alcohol!

[marktwothousand]

9 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

I think that should be a great location. I had a solo aft balcony on deck 14 and loved it. The only downside of deck 14 was being right under the buffet. But that shouldn't be an issue for you on 11. The only other downside is the VERY long walk to the elevators, but that just means getting more steps in to work off all the food and alcohol!

Jamie! Wassap honey! Did you give up NCL for good? Didn’t think I’d find you here of all places. Just got platinum on NCL but I might be a convert with these MSC prices. Something ridiculous like $1300USD including alcohol, less than double what I paid on the prima in April!!!

 

ya, the long walk home is a bummer, guess the heels just gotta come off right after you get off the elevator!

 

we shall see

Edited May 15 by marktwothousand
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[marktwothousand]

Also forgot to mention I’m beside one of the triple family cabin size suites (the two balconies plus the inside cabin). Could be noisy if a family has taken this. Still, first world problems I guess. I like playing music on my balcony as it is, so I’ll outsound em if I hafta🤣

Edited May 15 by marktwothousand

[JamieLogical]

10 hours ago, marktwothousand said:

Jamie! Wassap honey! Did you give up NCL for good? Didn’t think I’d find you here of all places. Just got platinum on NCL but I might be a convert with these MSC prices. Something ridiculous like $1300USD including alcohol, less than double what I paid on the prima in April!!!

 

ya, the long walk home is a bummer, guess the heels just gotta come off right after you get off the elevator!

 

we shall see

 

Yeah, I gave up on NCL a while ago... soon after the restart. I have mostly been cruising MSC the last year or so and have two more booked currently (October and January). My most recent cruise (just came back from it this weekend) was on Princess through a casino offer. It was my second Princess cruise, the first having been the worst cruise I have ever done. This one was better, but still not great. I have one more on Princess in August and then I will likely be back on MSC full-time unless I can get some sort of amazing casino deal from Princess. MSC is definitely my current favorite!

[TheBeardedCruiser]

On 5/14/2024 at 9:43 PM, marktwothousand said:

My one concern is how deep the balcony is, did anyone feel irritated by that? did it feel Too dark in the room with the curtains open?

I had a deep balcony on the Meraviglia and it was not dark in the room at all. You have nothing to worry about! Plus, if yours is like mine, they have a light for the balcony that you can turn on. I never needed it, but it's an option.

If anything, you'll love it like I did. I've never had such a huge balcony to relax on. It was so nice to not feel cramped when sitting on my balcony!

[Illbcruzn4life]

On 5/14/2024 at 9:43 PM, marktwothousand said:

I just switched my regular balcony on the side of the Meraviglia for no price change or re-fare, to an aft balcony in the middle of the ship on deck 11. I have always wanted to try an aft balcony, and most cruise lines charge extra for it, so I was pretty stoked to see this come up.

 

My one concern is how deep the balcony is, did anyone feel irritated by that? did it feel Too dark in the room with the curtains open?

 

It’s a different “large balcony” from some other large balconies on other ships such as deck eight on the Norwegian breakaway class, where some Large balconies aren’t covered. The aft balcony I have is almost entirely covered, except a few inches at the edge.

 

Am I missing anything here, or is this a good move? I figure that with a regular balcony cabin, I would have to stand on the balcony and look over the edge to see left and right anyway, so even though this one is deeper,  it shouldn’t make too much of a difference. I don’t mind a few inches of lost privacy above for the trade-off.

 

I’ve seen a few videos online of similar cabins, and I don’t really see any disadvantages. I don’t mind the noise. Not too worried about exhaust. Sure, it will be a much longer walk to the elevators, but that’s about it.

What do you all think? First time on MSC  

Did you have any problem with soot on your cruise? Pretty bad this week

[marktwothousand]

13 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

Did you have any problem with soot on your cruise? Pretty bad this week

Lots of Problems with soot at horizons but not on the balcony. My steward mopped the balcony every day, sometimes twice, and the windows were washed once, so no real issue on the balcony other than what you’d expect