MINI-SUITE CABINS (CAT. AD) ON CORNER OF HUMP ON ISLAND PRINCESS

[rienreiter]

Hello:

To all of you out there who know these ships so well or may have stayed in this cabin, what can you tell me about these cabins?

These mini-suite (Cat. AD) cabins are on the Baja Deck on the Island Princess. They are situated on the very corner of the hump. It is my understanding that these cabins do have a covered balcony as the same units on Aloha deck are completely open. Can someone tell me for sure if they are covered?

These are located mid-ships which is an ideal location, yet they are Cat. AD which are less expensive than Cat. AA located at the front of the ship. Does anyone know why this is?

Any pro's and con's about these cabins?

Thank you all for your help. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[prarie cruiser]

I stayed on Baja on the Island in a regular balcony cabin near the bump out. My memory is of a covered balcony. The bump outs get more wind when at full sail.
The Island is my favorite ship to date. You are going to have a great time.

[KAJOKG]

We stayed in cabin A503 (starboard) on the Island. It's mid ship, end cabin on the bumpout section (a mini suite) Balcony is 3/4 covered. We loved this cabin...so much so that we have booked A504 (port side) on the sister ship, Coral. We really enjoyed that cabin. Had a full and unobstructed view from our cabin to aft of the ship (the other end cabin in the bumpout had a full view forward). The balcony is plexiglass, and curves around with no one directly next to you on one side. Two slight negatives which did not bother us at all -- being on the end, people in the balconies to the side of you can see you on the balcony, so you don't have total privacy (was NOT a problem to us) -- it was a positive to us to not have people looking down on us, which will be the case on Baja deck also. And the balcony is small. This didn't bother us either - not a bit. However, we had a very large table on the balcony and we should have asked to have it replaced with a smaller one. The upgrade from cat AD to AA is not acceptable to me, and I asked NOT to be considered for an upgrade. CAT AA is on the Dolphin deck, uncovered balconies and fully exposed to all on the decks above. The AD mini is great, and has a full bathroom. We really enjoyed our stay in this cabin and look forward to our Oct sailing in the same cabin location.

KATY

NCL NORWAY - 2000
GOLDEN PRINCESS - 2001
GOLDEN PRINCESS - 2002
HAL NOORDAM - 2002
HAL VOLENDAM - 2003
ISLAND PRINCESS - NOV. 2003
HAL VOLENDAM - JAN. 2004
CORAL PRINCESS - OCT. 2004

[rienreiter]

Katy:

Many thanks for your fully descriptive post.

Just like you, total privacy is not an issue for me if others to the side of my cabin can see me in my balcony. I prefer that over being in the Caribe or Dolphin deck and be seen by those above me (also just like you).

Just booked this cabin for May 7, 2005 sailing from Vancouver to Alaska. It's still one year away but I can't wait.

I'm glad you mentioned about insisting on no upgrades. I will put in the same request through my travel agent.

Many thanks again!