Wishing on a star

I like SB... EXCEPT... If you want to take the smaller boat excursion to Tracy Arm Fjord, this is probably available on the NB.... It is a big PLUS to get both. It depends on whether you want to spend more time to see what is available at Juneau vs Ketchikan. For me it would be the boat excursion... But, for others, it might be something available at Ketchikan... Check out the excursions and options. I think that might be the biggest decision. Yes, you would approach Glacier Bay early on the NB, but you would still have the full experience and would not have to be out there early to see the best sights/glaciers. We did this on Coral, many years ago... I would probably choose Sapphire. Are you familiar with the ships, watched video ship tours, etc???? Most people seem to say do the land first... then you are looking forward to relaxing on the cruise, after traveling and doing land touring/sightseeing. So, that would be a reason to do SB. NOTE: if you do SB, you could consider a pre-cruise tour, like the 27 Glacier Tour. Very much recommended. It gets you out there on a smaller boat, more up-close and personal experience.

Ohhh, Majestic is one ship that I haven't been on...but I did think that it had a wake view pool... No wonder I choose the other Royal Class ships! Another factor to compare, there are some different dining options. Majestic has some dining venues that are not on other ships. Noodle Bar instead of Pizza on the Lido...

See my 'signature'! Which ship(s) are you considering??? Did I miss that???

Yes, check out the deck plans... especially on deck 9. There are balconies and premium Deluxe balconies that will have larger exterior balconies. The difference between standard and Deluxe balcony is a slightly bigger cabin interior with a small love-seat sitting sofa. 'Premium' refers to the exterior balcony. The standard balconies on these Royal Class Ships are small/narrow. You should def. book a larger balcony. If you could spring for at least a Deluxe Balcony that has a larger balcony, I would recommend that, especially for a longer cruise. That slightly bigger size could really make a difference. We have a deposit down on a good deal on D226, which is a smaller 'standard' interior with the larger exterior balcony. Of course there is a big difference between the ships when it comes to the Retreat Pool area and the Sanctuary -vs- the enclosed Hollywood retreat area. My choice in the Caribbean for a warm weather cruise would be the Retreat Pool area. But, different options for different folks. Both ships have a wake-view pool, and AFT wake-view deluxe balcony cabins. The exterior balconies on these can be larger or smaller depending on which deck.

This is interesting.... Can a person not book two cabins??? Can a name not be on two cabins? If they are paying for it, why not... You can have more than one cabin on deposit, right? Either way, if two couples or a family or group wanted an extra cabin, then they will, of course, pay for two passengers in the extra cabin. So, these four people would be paying six fares, no matter how they arrange the booking. ecs66, I do have another thought for you, if you wanted to contact me. ( I grew up just up the Hwy from where you live!!! )

You just nailed it!!!! But, sadly.... NOT within any possibility with Princess.

The deck plans are as close as you are gonna get.... They are pretty accurate. Another thing to remember, with those uneven shaped cabins/suites, then layout could be a factor... the layout for the bigger one could have something about it that is not as nice??? One day there will be more videos out there.

Ohhh, the MDR has been good... I see that it is The Catch that was mentioned... Hope they get it together!

When all of the confusion started, I had even looked at one of those D0 cabins. Too bad!!!! Hindsight is far greater than 20/20!!!!! Looks like there are a lot of details to be worked out... and it will have to be seen how this whole new 'system' works out.

Yes, sadly this is the way they have gone with their deck plans and cabin descriptions.... Too bad. I guess I have just gotten used to it, and not thought too much about the specific numbers.

Wow, what a day!!!! It is concerning to hear how bad the service in the Buffet and the MDR have been!!!! It seemed like I was hearing good reviews of Enchanted... but this sounds pretty bad. It will be quite some time before we sail... So, one can only hope that things go well when they are onboard!

What ship and what category??? Sometimes there are some cabins that vary... but most the time not. Assuming that you are not looking at accessible cabins, which are often slightly different sizes/layouts.

Jenni - it would have to be VERY high seas... but, yes, there have been times when this might happen. The Cove Balconies on Deck 6 have the hinged one-side opens door (not a sliding door) that has a heavy duty door that can be closed over it from the outside, in the event it would ever be necessary. Not something that would happen often. But, possible.

Here is a video from a similar cabin. (the forward cabin that is just like the Aft one, on the curve) This is R414 on the sister-ship Discovery Princess. There are 2-3 photos at about 1:40 into the video that show looking up at the SeaWalk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuJtk2vYmCA

Here is a video, I believe is R428.