Aft balcony or regular balcony?

[jfulcher]

I just currently booked a category 8C room on the Carnival Liberty, but it was only ~$100 more to move up to an 8G aft balcony. Is it worth the difference to have the larger balcony - are there any downfalls to the aft balconies?

I've been on a cruise before and am fine with any potential motion, however the wife has never been on a cruise - our current cabin is a little more midship. Both options are on the empress deck.

[Cactuscruise]

Originally Posted by jfulcher

I just currently booked a category 8C room on the Carnival Liberty, but it was only ~$100 more to move up to an 8G aft balcony. Is it worth the difference to have the larger balcony - are there any downfalls to the aft balconies?

I've been on a cruise before and am fine with any potential motion, however the wife has never been on a cruise - our current cabin is a little more midship. Both options are on the empress deck.

The lower the deck and the more midship the cabin the less you'll feel the ship's motion. However, unless the ship hits rough seas or high winds you probably won't have any problems .

As far as the balcony cabin goes, it all depends on what you like. More room is always useful, but be aware the 8G balcony is deeper not wider than the standard balcony. Carnival just reclassed the cabin on some ships so you may want to chaeck their website or Deckplans.com.

[sunlover5]

Been on the Liberty twice and once with the aft balcony. We loved it. We had 4 sea days and we used it a lot. Did feel the movement more back there. Dh loved being "rocked" to sleep. I get seasick, but I took ginger and had no problems. You will love the ship and cabin with either one!!!

[sunlover5]

Oh ya, we loved the empress deck. Thought it was a great location!!

[lady_cruiser]

JFULCHER - is your husband a princpal of a high school in Lafayette, LA?

Oh and welcome to Cruise Critic. If you can not be on a cruise being here at Cruise Critic is the next best thing.

[jhawkins]

I am a 1st time cruiser and booked a aft cabin #6452 on the Carnival Freedom, PLEASE someone tell me that I made the best choices for the money!!! If someone has any pictures please post them...we have 3 in this cabin and my daughter has a inside cabin with 2 people. So the extra large balcony should help out...please give me feedback....Thanks...

[Colorado Kat]

I've heard many good things about the aft cabins. I'm sure you'll be very happy there.
Enjoy your cruise! Kathy

[1980dory]

We have never had an aft cabin but we are booked in one for a transatlantc in April. We are really looking forward to it! It will be our sixth cruise.
Since this is your first cruise, rest assured you will have a ball even if you were berthed in the bilge! I have never heard anyone say they did not like their first cruise! The more you cruise, the more you learn and the more you like it. It just keeps getting better! You're going to see new places, have new experiences and meet lots of new friends. And before you know it, the cruise is over and you will be thinking about your next cruise!
Please rest assured. You've made a good decision. Now go and have fun!

[nojoke]

you made a great choice with the aft balcony. We did it on a Princess cruise and loved being able to sit out there and see where we had just been. Also, our balcony was humongous--2 chairs, 2 chaise lounges and a table. Best wishes!

[NCTribeFan]

You won't have a humongous balcony in a "regular" aft cabin on Carnival ships. If will be larger than the side balcony, but not hugely so.

I don't know, maybe I'm confused. The midship balcony cabins on Liberty on Empress deck are suites. The regular balcony cabins are more forward and aft of those suites. So, an 8A wouldn't really be midship.

I have motion sickness issues, too, and started taking ginger before my Miracle cruise. I still have to take the generic bonine once in a while. I'm hoping my aft balcony on Miracle won't have that much movement.

People use a seesaw as an analogy, but that isn't really accurate, as the fulcrum wouldn't be in the center of the ship, it would be slightly further toward the stern. And, of course, seesaws aren't subject to the side-to-side movement. I think that's what gets to me. It's the rolling.

Anyway, I'll know soon whether the aft cabin was worth the extra money. I only booked it because of the 4 sea days. I'm hoping I won't love it so I won't feel compelled to book one every time.

Of course, I went right back to insides after my other balcony and had no problem. I'm not a balcony snob. I just want to cruise, and if cruising in an inside cabin on Riviera means I can go more often, that's just fine with me!

[serene56]

Originally Posted by nojoke

you made a great choice with the aft balcony. We did it on a Princess cruise and loved being able to sit out there and see where we had just been. Also, our balcony was humongous--2 chairs, 2 chaise lounges and a table. Best wishes!

Princess balconies are different then carnival balcony. On the aft on carnival we get two chairs-- one will recline-- and a small parsons table.

I loved Princess aft --only one neighbor-- completely private. But no sun.
We had our own private hallway