Florala

I meant we were BELOW the hair salon.

We were recently in Aqua cabin 1540, which is forward, and LOVED it. No noise issues...we were above the hair salon. The balcony doesn't have the large overhang, and the view was great. I'd book that cabin again.

We were in Aqua Class on the Equinox 2 months ago, and we picked a forward cabin under the hair salon, #1540. We loved all the sunshine on our balcony, without the overhang. We never heard a thing above us. It was a great cabin and I would book it again.

We were on the Equinox last month, and Cafe al Bacio had good donuts and croissants every morning starting at 6:30 am (free). Jelly or cream filled as well as cake donuts, almond or Nutella croissants...

Oops…I just realized you're looking at 2015, so maybe that suggestion doesn't work.

If you leave on Equinox on Sept. 7, 2014, it leaves out of Venice and even spends an overnight there, plus you get Mykonos too. Its a 13 night Med cruise, and also gives you 2 days in Istanbul. Has a great itinerary that sounds like what you might be interested in, so check it out.

Five years ago, we took my 85 year old mother on her first cruise, and went to the Eastern Caribbean, on Freedom of the Seas. We had our family group, which consisted of her children and grandchildren of various ages…youngest grandchild was 23 and her oldest child was 66. Since my mother had never cruised, she had nothing to compare, and loved it all. Everyone... all 12 of us, had a great time, loved the ship, and loved the food. It sounds like you want to spend some quality time with Grandma though, and when it's just my husband and I cruising, we really love Aqua class on Celebrity, with more intimate and quiet dining in Blu. If she's into "classy", Celebrity probably has the edge, but whatever you pick, I know she's going to love it. The time together is what's important.