caribbean Princess balconies

[VicKen]

I have heard the balconies are noisy, no shade, smoky and have no privacy - would really like to have a balcony for southern caribbean cruise next year but I want to be able to use it. Are they really that bad? Any particular cabins better?

[cherylandtk]

Take every opinion as just that. The Dolphin deck balconies (mini suite rooms) have no shade. The Caribe deck is half covered. All the others are fully covered, so you will get some shade, but that also depends on the direction the ship is going and the time of the day.

 

As for noise, it depends on your neighbors. As for smoke, it depends on your neighbors. As for privacy, well, it also depends on your neighbors. But there is very little true privacy on any balcony, there are fire watch officers on the bridge and security cameras, too. If you need true privacy, close your drapes. Otherwise, think of the balcony more as a front porch. :)

[keyguide]

I have heard the balconies are noisy, no shade, smoky and have no privacy - would really like to have a balcony for southern caribbean cruise next year but I want to be able to use it. Are they really that bad? Any particular cabins better?

That is true of at least Dolphin deck don't know about the others.But the room is nice.

[LuvTheGoodLife]

following refers to 'side' of ship balconies only, i.e. those on starboard or port sides of any ‘Grand’ class ship (Grand, Golden, Star, Diamond, Sapphire, Caribbean, Crown, Emerald etc) and not any balconies that face directly aft....

 

Baja deck balconies are sized 9 ft. wide x 5 ft. deep and have full ceiling overhang. Lido, Aloha, Riviera (found on Caribbean, Crown, Emerald, Ruby only) decks have the same balconies. You can stand at the railing of these balconies and look down on to part of the Caribe deck balconies and all of the Dolphin deck balconies.

 

Caribe deck balconies are sized 9 ft. wide x 9 ft. deep and have ceiling overhang over the first 5 ft. Standing at the railing, you will overlook Dolphin deck balconies below.

 

All of the cabin interiors/bathrooms of the balcony cabins are the same with respect to size (unless it is a handicapped cabin).

Dolphin deck balconies (all balcony cabins are actually mini-suites and thus bigger than regular balcony cabins on the interior with sitting area, 2nd TV and bathtub/shower combination instead of the small shower stall found in the regular balcony cabins). The balcony is sized 9 ft. wide x 7 ft. deep and has no ceiling overhang as protection from sun or rain.

 

Emerald deck has several mini-suites each side with fully covered balconies. The last mini-suite cabin towards aft end on each side has extra wide balcony – approximately 7 ft. deep x 18 wide, according to someone who stayed in one of these. Emerald deck also has some regular balcony cabins near the front that have the balconies set back under the roof and back from the railing. You look straight out to the water but cannot look down on the water. The walking track goes past these balconies and walkers can see you on your balcony. I do not have any measurements for these Emerald deck balcony sizes.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your cruise!

Below is a link of photos which helps explain the tiered balcony design from StuartM:

 

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/563286324HHwMgb

[sunsurf]

I have heard the balconies are noisy, no shade, smoky and have no privacy - would really like to have a balcony for southern caribbean cruise next year but I want to be able to use it. Are they really that bad? Any particular cabins better?

 

 

I agree with cherlyandtk...it all depends on your neighbours. We've had no issues with any of the above on our past sailings. Infact, it always seemed as though we were just about the only ones out on the balcony.

 

Don't let "what you've heard" discourage you from cruising the Caribbean Princess. She's a great ship and you may just be pleasantly surprised!

[loveJake]

We were on the sister ship, Emerald Princess in December. We had, at least to us, the best balcony cabin. We had a corner aft wrap C753, C752 woul be the other corner. The balcony was huge. Large table to eat at, and two reclining chairs. It was so quiet because no one came down the hall. We could see no one on their balcony and no one could see us. I lived on this balcony, we ate breakfast every morning there, lunch most days. My DH had to pry my fingers from the railing to get me anyplace else on the ship. MUTTS and my balcony were the only place I wanted to be.

[serene56]

i agree with the above poster- if your weeks are flexible see if you can get one of those coveted corner afts on the caribe deck.

I had to change my week of sailing in order to grab it.

 

because it is so highly sought after-- I suggest you grab it now and make decisions later.

 

because it is located on the corner you only have one neighbor.

[Livin4Real]

Wish they hadn't moved the CB up to NYC for 9 day cruises, we were so looking forward to cruising her again this summer. You'll have a blast.