Crew members can and do clean, do maintenance etc on these lifeboats while you are at sea. There is no guarantee that it will happen but it can. I just always made certain that I had the curtains closed when changing clothes. No one else should be climbing around there,,,but I have certain the crew has gotten more than their share of "interesting" sights! You can not walk past that clear partition and rail shown in the picture. But it is neat to open the door and sit on your bed and pretend it is a balcony!!
We were in this cabin on the Pride in March. (4194) It had what is called a partially obstructed view...since (as the picture shows) you can see some between the 2 lifeboats.
We always made certain our french doors were locked when we were not in the room, but did not feel like we had to lock them when we were in the room.
I love a 5A because you get more than just a window...but it is not as expensive as a balcony. We had a balcony on the Spirit for Alaska (and I loved it) but Alaska has a lot to see besides just water.
On the Miracle in October, we just did an interior room (since this was our 2nd cruise this year with another in December) and when you are paying for 4 folks, 3 cruises a year can run on up there.
I loved the Miracle. It was by far our best cruise ever (except for Alaska and there is just no way to beat Alaska). I love to sing karaoke and piano bar. Usually on most cruises the 2 run at the same time. On the Miracle, the piano bar ran until 1:30AM...so I was able to sing from 8:30pm to 1:30pm. I was in heaven. Michael (piano bar entertainer) is wonderful. Adam (karaoke host) is wonderful.
The Spirit class ships really suit me. I am 51 and don't gamble and drink only moderately...so this ship had the fun feel without the "party til you puke" aspect. I think the most drinks in a 24 hour period I have ever had on a cruise is 4. Generally, I will have a beer at lunch to go with my grilled reuben (wonderful deli BTW) and then a rum and coke after dinner while I am singing.
Other than that...it is water, water and more water.
You will have plenty of room in a 5A. We usually have our whole family of 4.
The Miracle there was only 3 of us (oldest son is in college and could not get away), so we did an interior room ...which is fine. In December on the Fantasy we are doing 2 interior rooms (since it will be the 4 of us again).
Food was consistant with Carnival. The past year or two, their chocolate desserts have gotten a little strong for my taste...but that is a personal thing.
Staff were friendly and the ship was clean.
We have a special needs son (age 15) and the staff really went above and beyond to cater to the special needs he has. I generally judge how good a cruise is by how much money I tip and I left that ship completely broke and they earned every penny of it!!!
If you do karaoke, tell Adam his cruise mom says HI! (He drinks Jack Daniels and coke) If you do the piano bar, tell Michael that Aretha Franklin said HI! (He drinks Heiniken)
