Emerald PrincesS Balcony 434

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Dystran

Guest
I would really appreciate any help on this. It's a honeymoon booking, so I want to try and get this right :eek:)

My partner and I will be going on our first cruise in the Med next summer (Emerald Princess). It's 12 days and we are looking forward to the sun so need the balcony.

Funds allow us either a balcony stateroom on the Caribe deck (Room 434), or a Junior suite on the Dolphin deck (managed to get a good offer of a junior suite).

Usually, I would go for the Junior suite, however I understand the Dolphin deck it is on is uncovered and we like our privacy. The Caribe deck for the standard balcony room I understand is half covered so I am assuming this is a good thing?? as we then have some privacy if we want it but can also take advantage of the extra 'openness' which will let more sun in?

(1) Am I missing anything bad about balcony stateroom 434 (its in a central loctaion which I feel is good as I have no idea if we suffer seasickness...although it is qite close to the lifts so perhaps a little busy...)

(2) Are these balcony staterooms confortable enough? Partner feels they look small, however I am thinking there is not that much different between the balcony and junior suite (an extra 6 foot or so with a sofa), and the semi covered balcony will offer us a lot more.

Any thoughts greatly received

#Rgds
 
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Beryl

Guest
The mini suite on Princess will offer you quite a bit of extra room in comparison with the standard balcony room. The bathroom of a mini suite is larger and has a full bathtub as opposed to a very small shower in a standard balcony room. The sitting area of the mini suite has a sofa and TV, extra chair and coffee table that you will not have in the standard balcony room.

I don't know exactly how private you expect your balcony to be but when we cruised on the Golden Princess last year I was able to look up into the Carib balconies from my balcony on the Dolphin deck. Having an exposed balcony on the Dolphin deck did not stop us from having our breakfast out there, sharing a drink in the evening or even sun bathing and reading a book! Most people do not sit on their balconys waiting for you to come out and "give them a show" :grin ! If you feel the need to do something that has to be "really private" ;) just leave the balcony door open! You will be able to see the sea, hear the wake and have all the privacy you could want. If it would not be too expensive to have a mini suite I'd go that route!!
 
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Hobsonm

Guest
Hi

we sailed on the emerald 12 day cruise last august its a fab ship but you are right to be conserned about some of the lower balconies (i think they were dolphin deck) as we spent time people watching from our balcony up above. People tended to sit there for a drink after a HOT HOT busy day. The balcony rooms we have used on other princess ships and found they are adequate in size and the previous guy is right about leaving your balcony room doors open its lovely with the sea rushing by. The beds are huge and plenty of space to store your stuff. Only one electric socket in the room.

the lower balcony rooms are larger but none of the balconies give you complete privacy as the partitions are not floor to ceiling and the front wall of the balcony is made of glass on this ship:- this is fab as you can sit down and watch the sea and world go by:- well when you are at sea during the day. Remember when the ship is in port it will be a container port and will be overlooked by someone / something except in istanbul if u r going there. The normal balcony rooms only have enough room for 2 chairs and a small table. Some of the mini suite rooms at the top of the ship can be walked past from the decks we commented how we would not have been happy paying a lot to have this happen.

I would get a high balcony and spend your money going to the sanctuary which is hardly used as it costs 10 dollars each for a morning or afternoon and there are no kids in there. you will have bed type sunbeds and there are even double beds up there. we just observed over the gate! but it looked so relaxing with a special pool massages on open deck and they even bring your lunch to you if you wish. Days in port you would almost have it to yourself and it tends to be cheaper those days. If I was honeymooning i would save my money for this as i have always been happy with a balcony room.My sons have always been in an internal room and regulary came and sat on our balcony. The inside room you never know what time of day it is or what the weather is like. Rooms are never huge on ships but they are very comfy and on emerald the room service comes as part of the deal.

The shower is only big enough for one person but great, room service excellent. loads of sunbeds,

enjoy your cruise:-

a huge ship
 
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Hobsonm

Guest
hi me again

i should have said the suites at the top of the ship will allow you to sunbathe BUT as i said SOME are walked past(so if you choose this choose carefully) and when in port im sure you wont feel comfortable sat there. the other balconies wont give direct sun .........have a look at the sanctury details.................... we have always gone up to the sunbeds for sunbathing

anyone good luck
 
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