if we can't get midships, which is better: fore vs. aft?

[buttah75]

My concern is motion. I don't mind it, but my DH wants as little as possible. The Princess rep said aft was more stable than fore, but I wanted to check here as it seems you people know far more!

 

We are getting a mini-suite regardless.

[cb at sea]

I'd go aft if that's what's available. Truly, unless the seas are really rough, the ship handles most things quite well. And if it's rough, you'll feel it even if you're midships! Go aft!

[buttah75]

Yay, that's what we got. It's the Diamond PRincess Alaska.

[Cruzman]

Been in forward and aft cabins; aft is much more stable! We have come to love aft cabins for many reasons.

[pmfan]

Definitely aft.:)

[ger_77]

We've been forward, mid-ship and aft; our preferences are mid-ship and aft. If I had to choose between forward and aft, aft takes it, hands down. I tend to get seasick, even with meds, but we were on the Coral Princess in the very aft cabin on the Baja Deck with 20 foot swells ... not a problem. I liked the motion and didn't feel sick even once.

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[chasetf]

Been in forward and aft cabins; aft is much more stable! We have come to love aft cabins for many reasons.

Just be aware that aft usually has more vibration from the engines and props. ;)

[Georgiagolfer]

Less motion in aft but as engines are aft, you can get the vibrations. DW and I always search for mid ship.

[bajanterry]

Aft is the only way to go! Had it for the first time 5 years ago and have chosen it ever since. Will not change for anything. We had an aft suite on the AOS last year and enjoyed it immensely.

[buttah75]

I've checked every option on both Princess ships in both Alaska directions. Because there are four of us (two teens) and we do not want to share one stateroom our two options are:

 

Diamond Princess Dolphin aft mini-suite with uncovered balcony across from interior room... or...

 

Island Princess w/ two Emerald aft balcony rooms (covered balcony; no mini suite).

 

And the latter is more expensive.

[UlvaZell]

Go aft. Its much more stable. Less pitching and rocking than eslewhere, however don't go too low. Depending upon the ship, the noise from the ships engines can be a problem if you go too low aft...

[buttah75]

Is Dolphin too low?

[G'ma]

The lower you are and the closer to midship, the less motion you will feel... That's the theory.

 

In fact, on today's super-giant megaships, it really doesn't matter. I'd be more concerned about not being under the casino or disco. For most cruises, you barely know you are on the water. The ships are simply too big to feel "cruisy".....

 

If you should hit rough water during the cruise, it really doesn't matter where you are, you will feel some motion.

 

That being said, if you are too far aft, you will get some vibrations from the rudders, etc. Too far forward and you may hear anchor noises, etc.

 

Pick the closes cabin to midship as you can....go and enjoy.

[kjunea]

I prefer aft to forward anyday. The vibrations from the engine remind me of those old "magic fingers" beds that we would find in Holiday Inns in the late 60's, early 70's and would beg our dad for a quarter to make it shake.

[buttah75]

check my post #10. It turns out all our options are aft. But we do have a couple of options if anyone wants to weigh in.

[forensic]

Pick as far aft as you can

[turs]

Put the teens in the inside cabin. They will not spend very much time in the room and can always visit your balcony. My teens spent all of their time wandering the ship with the other teens. I think you would be wasting your money putting them in a balcony. Spend it on something else.

[dforeigner]

Is Dolphin too low?

 

The Dolphin deck is not too low. We never experienced any engine noise on either the Emerald or the Dolphin deck. You may feel some vibration if the engines are ran at full speed or when the thrusters are used. The thrusters are normally used during docking operations.

[Putterdude]

I agree with the above poster, go aft and no you won't feel any vibration while cruising on the Dophin deck. We have been a low as Emerald with a vibration or noise problem. If you get cabin at the very stern of the ship you may be subject to some vibration but that varies from ship to ship.

[Sandytoes]

Cabins at the front of the vessel are great if you don't mind a bit of rocking when the ship is at sea.

 

Cabins all the way aft are nice, but sometimes feel a bit of vibration from the engine room below.

[AmoMondo]

The lower you are and the closer to midship' date=' the less motion you will feel... That's the theory.

 

Pick the closes cabin to midship as you can....go and enjoy.[/quote']

 

I found the theory to be spot on. I once was on a ship where the suites were top deck fore, we hit bad storms for 2 days and we definitely felt the motion there more than in any other pasrts of the ship. Mid ship is definitely best and aft next best. Also avoid the top decks. that said I've been on many cruises where the seas were very calm most of the time.

[vmom]

Go with the Diamond. Bigger ship and more for the kids to do and wander around. The teens will be fine with an inside across the hall and came come across into your room to enjoy the balcony.

 

Also, the lower the deck, the less motion you will feel.

 

Have fun!