Aft Balcony (obstructed view) or hump balcony--Which should I book??

[bb24]

We are at a cruise on the mariner--there is one aft balcony left, but it says the view is obstructed. There are several hump cabins available. What would be our best bet. The price difference is about $15, so that really isn't an issue. Thanks for your input!!

[HB Cruiser]

Originally Posted by bb24

We are at a cruise on the mariner--there is one aft balcony left, but it says the view is obstructed. There are several hump cabins available. What would be our best bet. The price difference is about $15, so that really isn't an issue. Thanks for your input!!

If you like convenience, go with the hump. Easy to get around the ship from here. If you like a larger balcony and great wake view, and don't mind a long walk to the cabin, the aft is for you.

My opinion, I have bad knees and like convenience. This being said, we sailed on Liberty in an aft balcony and LOVE IT!!!! I really liked the hump cabins since they are not very far from the elevators but personally you cannot beat an aft cabin.

As far as obstruction, yes some of the ship structure is in your view but it is minimal as far as I am concerned.

Tim

[houlacruiser]

Originally Posted by bb24

We are at a cruise on the mariner--there is one aft balcony left, but it says the view is obstructed. There are several hump cabins available. What would be our best bet. The price difference is about $15, so that really isn't an issue. Thanks for your input!!

Which deck is the aft cabin on?

[John Henry on CC]

It completely depends on WHICH hump cabin and WHICH aft cabin.

[Jiffymom]

No brainer why have a balcony if you can't see.

[bb24]

Aft cabin is 9390, on the corner and there are several hum cabins including 7312, which my DH is really wanting. We found some pics online and he is leaning toward the hump cabin. I'm happy either way! It will be our first balcony!!

[houlacruiser]

Originally Posted by bb24

Aft cabin is 9390, on the corner and there are several hum cabins including 7312, which my DH is really wanting. We found some pics online and he is leaning toward the hump cabin. I'm happy either way! It will be our first balcony!!

If you don't mind the walk I would definitely snag 9390 corner aft! Great cabin and nice big balcony. Do a search with that cabin number and you'll see.

[gofeo]

I like the hump simply for the convenience of the ship. It always seems that the activity you want to do is on the other end of the ship so being somewhat in the middle is nice. I would happy with either just being on cruise

[vtxriders]

We just returned from this ship and had Aft Cabin 9390. There was no obstructed view. The view was GREAT! The view from inside the cabin was different than regular balcony cabins (It has a single door and a circular window) but we loved it!

However, there are things that we didn't care for (sort of) -
Walk - My husband didn't like the long walk. However, it didn't bother me because you need all the walking you can get after eating like you do on a ship.

Air Movement - There is not a lot of air movement back there and it can be pretty warm. However, it was great on the return trip because it got pretty chilly and windy up top .

Ash - Each morning there was a certain amount of ash on the chairs that had to be cleaned. It was easily wiped away with a towel.

If you have never done an Aft cabin or just absolutely love Aft cabins, go for it. There is no problem with the view. and you can make up your own mind about the other issues.

[jamscckmc]

??? for vtxriders---did you have a side view also? Was the aft structure in your view at all when you looked straight aft? Did you do Bemuda? Did you dock pot side in or starboard?

[vtxriders]

Originally Posted by jamscckmc

??? for vtxriders---did you have a side view also? Was the aft structure in your view at all when you looked straight aft? Did you do Bemuda? Did you dock pot side in or starboard?

Yes we had a side view.

The structure ran right next to the balcony divider. So, if you were at the railing, the structure was not in your view (unless you looked straight down - then you could see the structure below).

As for docking - once was port, once was starboard and the other was tendered.

Not sure what you meant by 'Bemuda'.

I will say that when you wake up on the way back up the baja coast, the view is FANTASTIC. Besides the fabulous sunrise coming up over the mountains, there were whales and dolphins.

There was enough room on the balcony for 2 chairs and a small table and 2 lounge chairs (although it was a little crowded).

[PrincesScuba]

Originally Posted by jamscckmc

??? for vtxriders---did you have a side view also? Was the aft structure in your view at all when you looked straight aft? Did you do Bemuda? Did you dock pot side in or starboard?

The Mariner cruises out of Los Angeles, California, and goes to the Mexican Riviera: Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan.