What decks on the Golden should we avoid (for non-private or bad view balconies)?

Hi. For our Golden Princess cruise, what decks should we avoid (I heard that on certain decks, your balcony is not that private, people can see you).

Also, is it worth it to pay for an AE mini-suite (are the tubs positively tiny)?

We are deciding between a BB (balcony) or a AE mini suite with balcony, hubby is leaving it up to me ( ;

Also, any specific cabin recommendations would be appreciated!

~ Marina

AC mini-suites on the Dolphin deck, which we had on our cruise last month, are not covered if that's what you mean.

Personally I thought it was great; lots of sun and actually much more of a private sunbathing situation than on deck.

It was quite windy when at sea however, so much that we took blankets out there at night but still very very enjoyable.

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Carnival Victory 12/19/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

I called Princess about the same question as we are going on Golden in October. They said Dolphin deck was partially covered, but that the balconies were bigger. The Lifeboats are on Emerald Deck but no balcony cabin is obstructed view, but some of the ocean-view rooms are. They also said you are supposed to informed by your TA if it is an obstructed view room!

Ann

The tubs in the mini-suites are the size of regular tubs. If you want a mini-suite and a private balcony, so for the AD mini-suites on Emerald.

Caribe deck balconies are the largest...half covered half open. Dolphin mini-suite balconies are larger than the other regular balconies except for Caribe, but are open (exposed). Emerald minis balconies are the same size as Dolphin, but are covered.

Pea

5/9 Golden Princess  [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=191970&cdt=2004;5;9;23;0;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]

The mini suite is DEFINITELY worth it. You just have more room - a couch and a chair. Yep the balcony is uncovered but who cares. It is just great for the sun and moon and stars. If someone wants to stare at you, then they have the problem not you. Just wave and say Hi.

Bob H.

OK - someone is wrong here - conflicting information....which is right?
"Caribe deck balconies are the largest...half covered half open. Dolphin mini-suite balconies are larger than the other regular balconies except for Caribe, but are open (exposed). Emerald minis balconies are the same size as Dolphin, but are covered."
"Dolphin deck was partially covered, but that the balconies were bigger"

I have booked a balcony ca in mid-ships (Cat. BA) on Caribe Deck - Bigger Balcony or not??? Half exposed or not???

Until PACIFIC PRINCESS Islands of the Pacific Theater
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I've been in AA mini-suites on Dolphin twice and they are totally exposed.

If you look at the floor plan, you can see why. Look at the floor above, Caribe. Their larger balcony starts at the point where in the Dolphin mini-suites the sitting area starts. The Caribe balconies are exactly the size of the Dolphin sitting area and directly above, meaning the Dolphin balconies start after the end of the Caribe balconies...meaning they are totally exposed. Dolphin balconies are not as large as Caribe's...but are larger than the balconies on Aloha, Baja and Lido.

GottoCruise - We are talking about the Grand class ships in this thread (Grand, Golden, Star, etc)...are you scheduled for another cruise other than the Pacific Princess? The new Pacific Princess would not fit into this category.

Pea

5/9 Golden Princess  [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=191970&cdt=2004;5;9;23;0;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]

Hi Pea - Yes - I am booked on the Golden Princess for Aug. 10, 2005 -

Until PACIFIC PRINCESS Islands of the Pacific Theater
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Gotto Cruise,

The balconies on Caribe are half covered and half open. The balconies on Dolphine are totally exposed.

So that you know the approximate balcony sizes: Balconies on Lido, Aloha and Baja (including category BC): 9 x 5

Balconies on Caribe (BA/BB category): 9 x 9

Mini-suite balconies: 9 x 7

The Balcony cabins on Caribe are my favorite.

1972 - Song of Norway, Caribbean
1980 - Hawaii American Curise line, Tahiti
09/01/2002 - Veendam, Alaska
05/29/2003 - Pacific Princess, Alaska
11/26/2003 - Star Princess, Australia/New Zealand

5/28/2004 - Star Princess, Venice to Barcelona
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2004;05;28;21;0;00&timezone=GMT+0100[/img]

11/06/2004 - Diamond Princess, Mexican Riviera
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ff00&cdt=2004;11;06;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

Thanks - I guess we've finally got that straight.

Until PACIFIC PRINCESS Islands of the Pacific Theater
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AND GOLDEN PRINCESS
British Isles
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What about the aft Vista Suite balconies on the Dophin Deck/Golden? Are the fully covered, partially covered, or completely open?

GottoCruise

I was just passing through these boards and I have to say Cactusrose is right! I stayed in a cat. BA cabin - Caribe deck on the Golden and the balcony was large and half covered. It was perfect, I could have my privacy or get some sun! The dolphin deck cabins are nice but the balconies are totally exposed.

Like Cactusrose I also prefer the BB or BA cabins on Caribe deck.

Having experienced the Dolphin deck mini suite balconies on Grand Princess, I have a slightly different picture than some others. Yes they are exposed to the open air, but besides the fact that in theory people can look down on you, you can look up at them too! So those BA and BB balconies on Aloha and Baja deck which have the reputation of being more private, aren't any more private from those on the mini-suite decks as the railings are all glass. We can see y'all and whatever you are doing up there too! The mini suite cabins are really nice.
Thanks
Norm

Norm and Maureen Reeder
NCL Sunward 1982,Eastern Carribbean, Sky Princess 1989, New England, Holland America Westerdam 1992, Panama Canal, Sun Princess 1996, Panama Canal, Rennaissance R-3 1999, Tahiti, Grand Princess, 2000 Mediterranean, Sea Princess 2001, Mexican Riviera, Grand Princess Oct 2002, Eastern and Western Carribbean, Tahitian Princess Sep, 2003, Golden Princess Southern Carribbean, May, 2004

Does anyone have an answer to kelfly's question regarding the vista suites on Golden. We are booked in d736 for Thanksgiving... please help!!!

According to Coral, who answered a post I asked regarding the Vista suites on the Caribbean Princess, the Dolphin deck Vista suite balconies are completely covered, but you do get some sun from an angle during parts of the day. She has great suite pictures linked in that post as well.

Hope that helps. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

AD minisuites on the Emerald deck are completely covered and private. We have stayed in minisuites on both the Dolphin (totally uncovered) and the Emerald (totally covered). Otherwise they are identical, except for E728 and E729 which have an extended balcony. Dolphin deck has an extended balcony for their two back minisuites also.
The uncovered balcony isn't that bad, really. I liked it; my hubby didn't, so we had AA once, and AD three times. I would go with either in a heartbeat.
Whatever you choose, have a great cruise.

Norm,
I agree with you! We sailed AA Dolphin on the Grand, and booked it again on the Caribbean. Just booked it again for the Star.

Carol and John
Caribbean Princess May 22, 2004

NORDIC PRINCE 2/1994
RYNDAM 1/97
ENCHANTMENT 1/98
VEENDAM 6/98
SEA PRINCESS 3/99
RHAPSODY 1/2000
GRAND PRINCESS 11/00
VOYAGER 11/00
LEGEND 3/02

Future:
CARIBBEAN PRINCESS 5/04
STAR PRINCESS 11/04

kaigirl:
We have the same cabin booked, the week after you! I am so looking foward to this trip and the Vista Suite. This will be our first Princess Cruise, after sailing Celebrity twice, RCL twice, and Holland. I loved Celebrity but am looking forward to the flexibility on Princess (and the fact no teenager with us this time!)

Kelfly & Kaigirl -- ALL of the aft balconies on the Grand-class ships are completely covered EXCEPT for the outermost suites on the Aloha deck, where they are half-covered, half-open to the view of those standing at the rail at the very aft end of the Lido and Sun decks.

Once you have a cabin back there, you'll never want anything else.

Bob

[img]http://www.animationlibrary.com/Animation11/Geography_and_History/Islands/Ship_at_island.gif[/img]
"These moments we’re left with - may you always remember
These moments are shared, by few
And those harbor lights, lord they’re coming into view
We’ll bid our farewells much too soon
So drink it up, this one’s for you -
Honey, it’s been a lovely cruise."
-- James W. Buffett

Carnival Triumph, April '02
Carnival Sensation, January '04
Golden Princess, April '04

Carnival Sensation, Golden Princess / Caribbean Princess pix at: [url="http://community.webshots.com/user/mageesworld"]Cool Cruisin' Pix[/url]

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