aft balcony

[RIP27]

I have an aft balcony on Radiance, August 21, southbound Alaska. My husband thinks that with an aft you will not see as much as with a balcony on port or starboard. Any thoughts on the subject for those who know?

 

thanks

[nikkin]

I have an aft balcony on Radiance, August 21, southbound Alaska. My husband thinks that with an aft you will not see as much as with a balcony on port or starboard. Any thoughts on the subject for those who know?

 

thanks

 

I have heard it is not best to have an aft balcony for Alaska.. You don't see much sea life,..cause of churining water..and I forget the other reasons.. I am no expert.. though.. I am sure others will chime in to help you more..

[Putterdude]

It really is a personal choice, some people just love aft cabins and others don't care for them at all. On some ships you will feel propeller vibration in aft cabins; so that my be a consideration. For my part, even with a port or starboard balcony I like to look forward to see what is ahead and get a good long look at it and if a ship has a forward facing lounge I will often spend a good deal of time there.

[Alaskalovr]

We had an aft cabin on our May 29 Southbound cruise on the Radiance. When we were leaving Hubbard glacier we ran back to our rooms and got a final great look at the glacier and the seals laying on the ice. We also saw whales over near shore from our balcony as we left Hoona/Icy Point Straits. The sunsets from there were also great. This was my first cruise so I don't have anything to compare it to but we loved it!!

[McDebbie]

We booked the aft because we thought it would be warmer (not as much wind) but am wondering the same thing about the wildlife. I am thinking we may see enough on the tours anyway so it might not be an issue.

[Alaskalovr]

I think generally speaking your best chance at wildlife will be side excursions and not from the ship. Best chance on the ship is probably in the front as others have suggested.I realize we were lucky to see whatever we did. One time I happened to be walking through on open area on my way to the casino and as I looked to the right to look out the window I just happened to catch a whale as it was going back down. It was very close to the ship. Never saw anything else that close!!! You just always have to have your eyes open and be ready!!!

[Sailorgirlseattle]

From our aft cabin on this last trip to Alaska we saw whales and sea lions, a seal, a grizzly bear on the shore in Glacier Bay, and we had a raven land on the railing in Juneau. I LOVED the view from the aft, and will definitely book another.

[psblin99]

I love aft. You can see both directions.

[suzyed]

I have an aft balcony on Radiance, August 21, southbound Alaska. My husband thinks that with an aft you will not see as much as with a balcony on port or starboard. Any thoughts on the subject for those who know?

 

thanks

Ok...are you referring to "stern" balconies? We have had a stern balcony on both Alaska cruises we have sailed on....we love it!

There is no more vibration on the stern than on the rest of the ship....just the lovely, comforting sound of the wake! We sleep with the sliding door open all night and are just lulled to sleep by the sound of the wake and the very gentle rocking of the ship.

 

Our last cruise on the NCL Star, we had a corner balcony, with a narrow wrap around section...it was nice because we could see the starboard side as well as the back.

 

One morning there were about 50 dolphins swimming in and jumping over the ships wake...really great!

Also the panoramic view from the stern was just fabulous, especially on an Alaskan cruise.

 

Now as far as port or stern balconies....well obviously if you are on the port side...that's all you see, there is no starboard view.....and conversely on the starboard side....well ....you catch my drift. ;)

[tinkerbells.twin]

We just returned and had an aft balcony and loved it!! You can see both sides its great!

We also got to see a whale breeching one morning!

Go for it!

[RIP27]

thanks for all your input, I am keeping my aft

[COJOMAY]

Just returned and I had an aft balcony. It was great! You won't generally be seeing wildlife (whales and such) right next to the ship so the movement of the ship won't be scaring them. Nearly all the wildlife I saw were off to the side and at quite a distance. But it was so neat sitting in the aft balcony after returning from our port excursions and eating a piece of pizza or so other snack and looking with my binos at the eagles on the shore. I saw nests at both Ketchikan and Juneau and saw sheep and goats from my balcony in Skagway.

[98Charlie]

thanks for all your input, I am keeping my aft

 

 

DH & I had a stern balcony, smack dab on top of the wake, on NCL Star for our first Alaskan cruise. It was mid- Sept.

 

We ventured up to the Lido deck just once to see what was going on up on deck. We were in Glacier Bay at the time. People up on deck were wearing coats, mittens, knit hats and shivering.

 

We decided to retreat to our own balcony again where we could stand outside on our balcony in shirt sleeves to view the beautiful scenery.

 

My all-time favorite pic of my husband in 42 years of marriage is that of him sunning himself out on our balcony with the snow & ice of Glacier Bay behind him while he wore only bermuda shorts and his skivies. The camera reflected the glare of the sunburn on his nose.:D

 

Best cruise we've ever taken in 26 cruises, bar none.:)

 

Dianne

[kidnk9]

Just returned form our 6/7 - 6/19 Southbound Alaska cruisetour on the Radiance. This was our 4th cruise with Royal Caribbean but first time in an aft cabin (1104 which is dead center of the aft). We have previously been on port side and starboard side, also towards front of ship and towards back of ship. The aft cabin was awesome! We felt no more movement or noise from this location. The balcony was approximately 3 times larger than the "normal" balcony (very deep), & there is no wind on an aft balcony. It was awesome to be able to go back and sit on the balcony and still view the sights while still in port. We did see some wildlife from our balcony but obviously saw the bulk of it on our excursions. I also questioned my choice of an aft cabin and am more than happy we were located there!

Karyn :D

[monkeyinthemiddle]

Not that I have been second guessing myself, but I am glad to have in confirmed that the Aft is a good place to be.

I just finished packing and had to come back for one more look at CC. We are leaving for Vancouver in the morning, and boarding the Millie on Friday. We have an corner Aft Family cabin.:D I will tell you all about it when we get back in two weeks. Now if I can only get to sleep...

[mochuck]

We're booked on Radiance on 24th July southbound. We are in 1102 which is right next the one kidnk9 was in. I came across these photos of someone who was in exactly the same cabin but slightly different itinerary. Still it gave me a good idea of what we might see.

[morebeaches]

We booked the Aft on the Radiance for a couple of reasons. First of all the size of the balcony is much larger and we intend on spending a lot of time (provided we don't have noisey neighbors above us ;)) Secondly on the recomendation of our travelling companion Allie, who has done this cruise before and said the views were spectacular as you can see both sides of the ship as well as behind it.

 

Don't worry Robyn, I will keep an eye on your aft:D

[SEPyle]

thanks for all your input, I am keeping my aft

 

Very good decision! We LOVED our AFT in Alaska! Bye the way, someone mentioned you have more vibration...that is true on the first deck possibly the 2nd...but Balconies are high enough that vibrations shouldn't be a problem.

 

As I said; we loved the AFT however in Alaska make sure to spend time at the bow of the ship as well, where the synergy of the incredible sightings is an amazing experience. This is especially true on Glacier days; the Inside Passage; and when you're in areas known for prime wildlife sightings (ie whales).

[RIP27]

We booked the Aft on the Radiance for a couple of reasons. First of all the size of the balcony is much larger and we intend on spending a lot of time (provided we don't have noisey neighbors above us ;)) Secondly on the recomendation of our travelling companion Allie, who has done this cruise before and said the views were spectacular as you can see both sides of the ship as well as behind it.

 

Don't worry Robyn, I will keep an eye on your aft:D

 

Neale, One never knows about the noisy neighbors from above

[DisneyDestroyer]

We love aft balconies. They are much longer than regular balconies, enough for full chaise lounge chairs with plenty of room to spare.

 

As for Alaska, I think it's the best itinerary for an aft balcony. We did it last time, and we're doing it again this time. You're through the inside passage most of the time, so you're within sight distance of land and sea almost the entire time. It's the best for the glacier visit, because you can see the glacier for both showings (they let one side see the glacier, then turn 180 to show the other side), then you get to watch it the whole time as you're driving away. Much better and longer show, all within the comfort of your room.

 

For our Caribbean cruise, being on the aft meant that we could watch the port every time - see the last minute people running on, etc. Even if you're not backed into a port, like Ketchican when you're sideways, having an aft guarantees you'll see something.

 

Also, note that the aft balconies share a room steward with the corner suites on each floor (family suite, etc), so your room steward should be a bit better trained.

 

Enjoy!