What is your opinion of sunset veranda cabins on a solstice ship?

[slp123]

I was just given the opportunity to a free upgrade from a mid-ship Category 1B veranda cabin on Deck 9 to a Sunset Veranda on Deck 6 and turned it down because I did not like the idea af being at one end of the ship (from a stability point of view) and because there are no aft elevators and it seemed that on S-class ships it would be a hike to the elevators every time you wanted to get somewhere. Also I have heard from others that aft cabins verandas can be subject to soot.

 

Would love to hear from those of you who have actually sailed in an aft sunset cabin on an S-class ship or know personally someone who has and who has shared their opinion with you? Also are these cabins the same size as other standard veranda cabins?

[need2bespoiled]

 

Would love to hear from those of you who have actually sailed in an aft sunset cabin on an S-class ship or know personally someone who has and who has shared their opinion with you? Also are these cabins the same size as other standard veranda cabins?

 

I can't speak to the stateroom itself, but to the rest of your questions:

 

1. We had no soot on our S Class aft balcony, but we were in a corner, not the middle. We've been aft for 5 different weeks aboard, and only had soot on HA Zuiderdam.

 

2. We don't mind the walk at all, it's very peaceful at that end of the ship, and it's not really that far, no different from the elevators to middle of a big hotel or end of a reasonable hotel.

 

3. We had two rough sea days and our cabin / aft was fine. I would not want to be forward where we definitely felt it more.

 

You'll be lower down, which should be better. Deck 6 veranda size actually varies a bit from ship to ship, cruisetrail has a good thread going (a couple, and one shows the difference in the aft balconies, especially deck 6).

 

I think you have the best views, and a more usable (less wind) balcony.

 

Have fun!

[2ndsailing]

We stayed in a cc aft cabin on the Eclipse and loved it. I would stay there again. The only con I would say is that it can be hot on the balcony as there is no shade protection. We were on a Baltic cruise but it turned out to be a very hot summer. The walk to the elevator was not an issue for us. Its a quiet location and watching the wake is worth the walk. At night there is a spot light on the wake so its particularly nice watching the wake after dinner. Some of the cabins on the aft have wider balconies than others.

[need2bespoiled]

Some of the cabins on the aft have wider balconies than others.

 

In general I believe these are the S2s and the S1s on the corners, but it varies.

 

Have to check the deck plans/pictures like this one:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=18515705&postcount=2

 

You can see from the pictures, which ones have a larger white space next to the door, these cabins will likely be bigger. 6312 looks to be bigger than 6315 for example, as well as all of the cabins in a row above it.

[shans]

We were in an aft cabin on the Solstice TA in April (6312) and loved it so much we booked same on the Equinox TA in Nov. It is a long walk to the elevators, but extremely quiet. We had no soot first time. Soot second time. No cover, so rain makes balcony useless. In sunshie, it is fabulous. Very protected from the wind. 6312 has the widest balcony. Personally, I think the ride is smoother back there. We found it to be stabler than other parts of the ship even in extremely rough seas and wind. We did not have lights illuminating the wake on the Equinox..a big disappointment. For the same price, I would take the aft cabin again.

[need2bespoiled]

One thing I forgot to add, in rough seas, instead of feeling the boat move right to left in bed, you'll feel it move head to toe, as these cabins are oriented 90 degrees to the cabins on the side, so the beds generally are too.

[shans]

One thing I forgot to add, in rough seas, instead of feeling the boat move right to left in bed, you'll feel it move head to toe, as these cabins are oriented 90 degrees to the cabins on the side, so the beds generally are too.

 

Good point. I didn't know how to word it. In the rough seas we had on Equinox TA, we didn't roll out of bed like some others did! Instead, it kind of felt like you were sitting up in bed.

[slp123]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your input and shared opinions. Now I am uncertain of my choice....Ha!....so further comments are welcome....I am going to decide by tomorrow late morning before heading out for the day.

[shans]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your input and shared opinions. Now I am uncertain of my choice....Ha!....so further comments are welcome....I am going to decide by tomorrow late morning before heading out for the day.

 

If you have any more specific questions/concerns about the aft cabins, I'll do my best to respond. Did they give you a cabin number? 6312 has bed by the balcony and also the widest balcony. It is center so you will feel less movement. Since there are a limited number of aft cabins, you may want to take the chance and experience it for yourself. They can be hard to come by and cost a premium on some itineraries. Whatever you decide, enjoy your cruise.

[slp123]

If you have any more specific questions/concerns about the aft cabins, I'll do my best to respond. Did they give you a cabin number? 6312 has bed by the balcony and also the widest balcony. It is center so you will feel less movement. Since there are a limited number of aft cabins, you may want to take the chance and experience it for yourself. They can be hard to come by and cost a premium on some itineraries. Whatever you decide, enjoy your cruise.

 

There are three of us traveling in two cabins--so I want to get the opinion of my two friends who are sharing the other cabin because we would only do this if we both moved. While we don't need adjoining or connecting cabins, we do like to have cabins in the "same neighborhood" Right now we have two port side mid-ship veranda cabins on deck 9 with about 10 cabins between us.

 

They are offering a choice of 6309, 6310 and 6312. I believe the two even number cabins are connecting. I have never liked adjoining cabins----there is close and too close. I prefer to have the divider on the balcony opened. I wonder if that can be done on this ship?

 

By the way, do you prefer the bed closest to the balcony?

 

I do understand that the cabins may be gone in the morning but I don't want to choose without consulting them and I can't reach them until the morning. Either way the cruise will be wonderful.

[need2bespoiled]

Most dividers can be opened, would make for a nice balcony. I'm not sure which ship you're on, and this varies by ship as well, but some like Eclipse adjoin at the front door and add a little hallway between, not an inner door, and some ships, like Reflection have the standard connecting doors.

[firemanbobswife]

There are tons of people that love these cabins. I would never want one as I like my privacy and these definitely do not offer that. I have stood at the back of the ship (Solstice, Eclipse, and Reflection) and could see down on to everyone's balcony.

 

Too bad they are like that. I really enjoy the aft view. It's beautiful!

 

You just need to decide what's more important to you. I'm a bit of a privacy freak. I like to take naps on my balcony and wouldn't feel comfortable knowing there are people being able to see me if they choose to simply look down.

[shans]

They are offering a choice of 6309, 6310 and 6312. I believe the two even number cabins are connecting. I have never liked adjoining cabins----there is close and too close. I prefer to have the divider on the balcony opened. I wonder if that can be done on this ship?

 

By the way, do you prefer the bed closest to the balcony?

 

 

The connecting cabins have a small private hallway in front that can be closed off and the doors open in. The balcony divider will open.

 

As for the comment from another poster about privacy, you can barely see the 6th floor cabins from the "public" decks above. If you keep your chairs closer to the door than the railing you wouldn't be seen. Yes, your neighbors above you would still be able to see you, but they would have to be at their railing. It was never an issue for us and we spent a lot of time on ours.

 

Yes, we do prefer the bed by the balcony. We enjoy room service coffee as our "wake up call" and it is easy for them to just set the tray on the table and not have to maneuver around the bed and walk clear to the back of the cabin. Also, if you like to fall asleep to the sound of the ocean, you will love the bed by the balcony and the added sound of the ship's wake back there.

 

There also is nothing that compares to the sunrise/sunset in the aft cabins.

 

Will be curious to hear if you decide to make the move or not.

[need2bespoiled]

Regarding privacy, as someone said, if you sit back, from above, only your feet would be visible. Even cabins on the side are not completely private. If your nose neighbor is on the rail, they can look into your balcony, and don't think the ship doesn't have cameras either, they probably can't see much detail in a balcony. I don't really care of someone is looking a me, they're probably just jealous anyway, but what you gain in an aft cabin is much more than anything you give up.

 

Yes, you may have to walk a little less if your midship, but adding elevators / stairs aft only makes it easier to get to a few places that are also aft. I'm like you, I tend to forget things and do go back to my cabin more than I should need to, only use the elevator if I'm in heels or going up many decks. It's really not that far from the hump / mid. If your in the spa, theater, casino, you have to go by two other sets of elevators anyway. It only makes a difference of your going to locations on the ship that are also aft of the midship elevators and they are:

Ocean view (cafe and bar)

Speciality restaurants

 

Even the MDR is right at the midship elevators.

[slp123]

Regarding privacy, as someone said, if you sit back, from above, only your feet would be visible. Even cabins on the side are not completely private. If your nose neighbor is on the rail, they can look into your balcony, and don't think the ship doesn't have cameras either, they probably can't see much detail in a balcony. I don't really care of someone is looking a me, they're probably just jealous anyway, but what you gain in an aft cabin is much more than anything you give up.

 

Yes, you may have to walk a little less if your midship, but adding elevators / stairs aft only makes it easier to get to a few places that are also aft. I'm like you, I tend to forget things and do go back to my cabin more than I should need to, only use the elevator if I'm in heels or going up many decks. It's really not that far from the hump / mid. If your in the spa, theater, casino, you have to go by two other sets of elevators anyway. It only makes a difference of your going to locations on the ship that are also aft of the midship elevators and they are:

Ocean view (cafe and bar)

Speciality restaurants

 

Even the MDR is right at the midship elevators.

 

I agree privacy is not an issue for me. My current apartment is in a building where the top six floors set back 15 feet per floor so my upper three neighbors can look down on my wrap terrace and I can look down on the 3 below me. And there is nothing ever to see--LOL.

 

I will wait to speak to my traveling buddies who will be at my house in an hour---we are going out for lunch and then to a movie. I am leaning toward keeping our mid-ship cabins as our most frequent "commute" will be between our rented Alcove and our cabin and the Alcoves are aft of the mid-ship elevators. Also I would prefer a Veranda that is covered and not directly in the sun. But if the girls want to change, that's fine as well.

[caseykat]

I was just given the opportunity to a free upgrade from a mid-ship Category 1B veranda cabin on Deck 9 to a Sunset Veranda on Deck 6 and turned it down because I did not like the idea af being at one end of the ship (from a stability point of view) and because there are no aft elevators and it seemed that on S-class ships it would be a hike to the elevators every time you wanted to get somewhere. Also I have heard from others that aft cabins verandas can be subject to soot.

 

Would love to hear from those of you who have actually sailed in an aft sunset cabin on an S-class ship or know personally someone who has and who has shared their opinion with you? Also are these cabins the same size as other standard veranda cabins?

 

Just got back from being in an S1 Sky Suite aft on Reflection. Best room and balcony ever...so good I am booking it again for next year.

[shans]

Also I would prefer a Veranda that is covered and not directly in the sun. But if the girls want to change, that's fine as well.

Depends on which way the ship is traveling as to whether you will have direct sun...or shade. Our TA west, we only had sun til about 1pm, then shade. Traveling eastbound, we had sun most of the time. The cover of the midship cabin is nice if it rains. Don't plan on using the aft cabin should you get a drizzle.

Good luck making your decision.

[firemanbobswife]

Everyone has preferences as to what they like and I just would not feel comfortable with people to be able to look down on me whether it be a neighbor or people at the Sunset Bar. I agree that the lower the deck you are on, the less visible you are.

 

At least if my nosy next door neighbor were to peek around the divider, I would hear them come out and be able to give them the evil eye as they peered around the corner :D

[excitedofharpenden]

I was just given the opportunity to a free upgrade from a mid-ship Category 1B veranda cabin on Deck 9 to a Sunset Veranda on Deck 6 and turned it down because I did not like the idea af being at one end of the ship (from a stability point of view) and because there are no aft elevators and it seemed that on S-class ships it would be a hike to the elevators every time you wanted to get somewhere. Also I have heard from others that aft cabins verandas can be subject to soot.

 

Would love to hear from those of you who have actually sailed in an aft sunset cabin on an S-class ship or know personally someone who has and who has shared their opinion with you? Also are these cabins the same size as other standard veranda cabins?

OK, my thoughts having stayed in an SV on deck 6:

 

Cons

 

• Long way from elevators so for example it's not easy to go back to cabin if you've forgotten something
  
• More movement at the aft of ship if you are prone to sea sickness
  
• Very little cover over the balcony so if it rains you'll get wet out there and if it's sunny there's little protection
  
• Soot can be an issue depending upon wind direction and where smoke from the stack is blowing. On 8 out of 14 days it was bad for me
  
• Because of the lack of cover your balcony won't have much privacy from above if you are anywhere near the balcony rail
  

 

Pros

 

• It's a quiet spot at the far aft of the ship with little traffic
  
• The view of the wake is great, especially at night when it is lit up by spot lights
  
• I actually liked deck 6 because there are no cabins below you, but rather a blue ledge from the deck below (which was a non-issue for me)
  

 

Be aware that some of the balconies are wider than others:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=18515705&highlight=#post18515705

 

Phil

[happygran]

We had an aft cabin on deck 7 last February on the Equinox. Absolutely loved it.

 

No soot, no noise, no privacy issues........just perfect. The walk to the lifts (elevators) wasn't a problem and I would choose one of these cabins again in a heartbeat.

 

We're on the Summit in February and just wish we had an aft cabin.

 

Go for it!!

[Presto2]

I will just be brief and say that I agree totally with all of the positive comments about aft cabins. We first sailed with Celebrity on the Silhouette when she was new in 2011 in an aft cabin 8353.We sailed on her again last year in 8353 and are going on an Eastern Med cruise in August - guess what - same cabin. Absolutely love the location -

 

:)

[slp123]

OK, my thoughts having stayed in an SV on deck 6:

 

Cons

 

• Long way from elevators so for example it's not easy to go back to cabin if you've forgotten something
  
• More movement at the aft of ship if you are prone to sea sickness
  
• Very little cover over the balcony so if it rains you'll get wet out there and if it's sunny there's little protection
  
• Soot can be an issue depending upon wind direction and where smoke from the stack is blowing. On 8 out of 14 days it was bad for me
  
• Because of the lack of cover your balcony won't have much privacy from above if you are anywhere near the balcony rail
  

 

Pros

 

• It's a quiet spot at the far aft of the ship with little traffic
  
• The view of the wake is great, especially at night when it is lit up by spot lights
  
• I actually liked deck 6 because there are no cabins below you, but rather a blue ledge from the deck below (which was a non-issue for me)
  

 

Be aware that some of the balconies are wider than others:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=18515705&highlight=#post18515705

 

Phil

 

 

THANKS Phil! We have decided to keep our two mid-ship veranda cabins on deck 9 and mostly because I have the same cons you do plus I refer a shaded/covered veranda which also helps keep the cabin cooler.

 

AGAIN THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR OPINIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

 

Steven