Grand Princess Vista Suites on Emerald Deck

[Reeneea]

Hello, does anyone have information on the vista suites on the emerald deck? Particularly noise, balcony size (looks smaller than suite on dolphin deck on deck plans). My only frame of reference is RCLL and the corner aft balconies with the junior suite. The cabin seems about the same size, but the balcony does not seem to be on the "corner", should I go for a different suite? Any help greatly appreciated as the cabins seem to be going quickly.
Thank you
Reeneea

Sorry if this questions has been asked multiple times, but have tried seach over the last week w/o success.

Celebration 2001
Voyager 2002
Rhapsody 2003
Grand Princess

[Reeneea]

Please Anyone with any knowledge of this cabin! There must be someone, even hear say. This ship is filling up and I don't want to miss an opertunity.

Reeneea

Celebration 2001
Voyager 2002
Rhapsody 2003
Grand Princess 12/2004

[KATHIEH]

I hope I can be of some help. The most desired suites on the Grand and Golden are the mini-suite rooms 728 and 729. I was in #728 last year. These two rooms have extended balconies because being the last rooms on the port and starboard sides they curve around rather than having a divder separating two neighboring rooms. There is enough room for two lounge chairs plus a table and chairs....I loved it. Also they are covered by the balconies above which isn't the case in most of the mini suites. Unless you want sun all the time I suggest one of these two rooms if you can get one.

KATHIEH

[Wumba]

I was in a Vista Suite on the Grand 2 years ago. It was excellent. Huge bathroom with seperate glass shower, jacuzzi tub, dual sinks, walk in closet, living room, wet bar, HUGE balcony with teak wood furniture and deck. If you have the chance then get it. It was well worth it for us.

01/03 Grand Princess, 09/03 Grand Princess, 5/15/04 Carribean Princess

[Reeneea]

Thank you both. Is the balcony covered? Are they private? Do you know anything about the noise level on the emerald deck from the vista lounge?

We really enjoy our balconies and with small children we do spend a couple of hours in the room in the middle of the day, so a good balcony to relax on while they rest/nap is essential.

Also with 4 off us in the cabin I was worried about the mini suite being to small, especially since we do spend time in them during the day. Is this true?

Thanks for your help. Reeneea

[Wumba]

The balcony is covered and very private. You will get some very minimal noise bleed through from the Vista. Hardly noticable, unlike the Carribean. The cabin is wonderful, go for it!

01/03 Grand Princess, 09/03 Grand Princess, 5/15/04 Carribean Princess

[Reeneea]

Wumba,
Thank you so much. I will keep our reservation. I appreciate your help.
Reeneea

Celebration 2001
Voyager 2002
Rhapsody 2003
Grand Princess 12/2004

[DrivesLikeMario]

We were in E733 a few years back on the Grand. It is a beautiful suite - I think I would rate it as the nicest suite we've had on a cruise. I particularly liked the separte toilet area from the shower/tub area, the marble everywhere and the two sliding glass doors out to the balcony. The hallway outside our cabin was extremely quiet.

Now for the things I don't consider so great:

Noise - The ship noises were incredible - creaking, groaning, moaning, and smashing sounds all the time, but especially at night when you're trying to sleep.

Movement - this was the other 'biggie'. There was much, much more movement here than midship on the same deck. (My mom had a midship cabin on the Emerald Deck and I couldn't believe the difference between her cabin and ours).

We were in 50 mph winds and 18 ft. seas. The winds were the worst culprit though. The Grand doesn't do well in winds, IMO. The funny thing is, we had been on the Grand the previous year during the same exact week and had terrific weather. That time, we were in D701 (the Vista Suites were booked a year in advance) and felt minimal movement and heard no noises like we did in E733.

There is music coming up from the Vista Lounge, but IMO, it wasn't bothersome. It usually ended by 10:30 PM. The balcony on the Vista Suite has a beam, about 12"inches wide. At no time did it get in our way or bother us. The balcony gets little sunshine, so if you're a shade lover, it's perfect. It does also get some shelter from the wind. The view is very pretty of the wake.

Staying in this cabin was a learning experience for us. We will never, ever book an aft cabin on any Princess ship in the future. Midships is the right location for us - it's all a matter of personal preference.

--------------------------
'04 2 wk. land cruise to WA
'04 Monarch of the Seas
'04 Coral Princess
'03 Monarch of the Seas
'02 Adventure of the Seas
'02 Ecstasy
'01 Radiance of the Seas
'01 Grand Princess
'01 Viking Serenade
'00 Grand Princess
'99 Viking Serenade
'98 Elation

[Reeneea]

Lady Jag,

Do you think the noise and motion was because of your weather? Or do you think it is the Princess ships? We have stayed aft on Voyager and Rhapsody without any problems (more motion than mid ship but very toleratable). Voyager did have more motion and noise aft at night when the ship seemed to go at a faster speed. I know the Grand has some mid ship suites and I could always switch, what do you think? I really appreciate your help.
Reeneea

I have always loved the aft balconies, but of course my only reference for that is with RCL.

[DrivesLikeMario]

Some of it was due to the weather, but even when the weather calmed down, the ship still creaked A LOT and there was still more shimmying and movement. I would definitely change to a mid-ship suite.

There are people that don't notice the movement on any ship and if you're one of them, then don't bother moving. But, if you're one of the majority who do notice movement, I'd change.

We've had aft cabins on RCI ships and believe me, the Grand Princess moves a lot more.

--------------------------
'05 Golden Princess, West. European Capitals
'04 2 wk. land cruise to WA
'04 Monarch of the Seas
'04 Coral Princess
'03 Monarch of the Seas
'02 Adventure of the Seas
'02 Ecstasy
'01 Radiance of the Seas
'01 Grand Princess
'01 Viking Serenade
'00 Grand Princess
'99 Viking Serenade
'98 Elation