This is the Caribbean Princess, a step sister of the Golden Princess (not exactly alike, but close enough for this issue) ...
Do you see the wide open balconies on the far right. Those are the balconies that belong to the mini-suites (which is what you have booked). Given how open they are, I don't think smoke will be an issue. However, in the future, if you are concerned about smoke, book closer to the front of the ship, since there will be less chance for a smoker to be up wind from you.
The lady in the bathing suit sunning herself is in a Caribe balconies. These are half covered and half not covered, with, as you can see, a clear view of the mini suite balcony below. This picture of the mini suite balcony was taken from my Caribe deck balcony ...
Would I book a completed open balcony for an Alaskan cruise, given that it might rain? No. However, that said, I would say you have an excellent cabin and as long as it is not raining, a great balcony. Is it perfect? No. Will there be 1000 other people on the ship who would love to trade with you? Yes. Do I think you picked a bad room? No.
Obviously, as you can see from this post, I opted for a Caribe deck cabin on my Caribbean cruise (actually it was more Atlantic than Caribbean). But then again I have no need or interest in a mini-suite. I should add that this was my first, and so far only (but probably not last) Princess cruise (I've been on sixteen other cruises with other lines, mostly Carnival and Royal Caribbean). So why did I pick the Caribe deck? Because I read, on a post similar to the one I am writing now, that the Caribe deck balconies are half covered and half not covered and that is what I wanted. So you came to the right place, a little late, but still the right place.
