Aft balcony on Mariner of the Seas

[mspink98]

We’re currently booked in 9390 on Mariner of the Seas. In looking on the web for pictures and info, I’m having second thoughts an am thinking about switching to 9392, which is still available. I like the idea of a corner, but the balcony looks significantly smaller on the corner-am I imagining things? Also, is the view any more obstructed in one as opposed to the other? Did people mind having the swing out door as opposed to a slider? Any advantages/disadvantages to either one that anyone can think of? My parents and one sister and BIL are on deck 8 midship, other sister is 9690, so I’m going to get to see all options once we board, we just have no firsthand experience with balconies in the past-this is our first one. Our TA was pretty down on the aft balconies due to the metal structure, but I’ve read so many good things on here that I booked anyway. I’m sure we still want aft, just want to make sure we’ve booked the best possible location for our $$. Unfortunately, upgrading to the RFS isn’t an option. :D

[LMCruise]

The bottom line is--

 

Book 9390 if you want the view, a sunny balcony, and a room with slightly more privacy. This room has a nicer view, has very little shade, the room has only one "neighbor," and the cabin above you can see less of your balcony than in 9392/

 

Book 9392 if you want to share your balcony with friends, if you want some shade, or if more than one of you wants to lay down in a lounge chair at once. 9392 will have room for 2 chairs and 2 loungers, while 9390 will usually have 1 lounger and 2 chairs, sometimes only 2 chairs.

 

We are in 9390 on Navigator, and we went back and forth on this one too. We decided on 9390 because the view looks more "out and down" onto the water. I hate looking through metal, and could care less if the balcony is smaller because I plan on using it for relaxing and for breakfast, not for sunbathing.

 

There are quite a few pics on the net, here are a few I found when I decided:

 

http://community.webshots.com/album/48328219CtbGLi

 

http://community.webshots.com/album/355212692qhgRxh

 

http://community.webshots.com/album/143294508HVGNeS

 

http://community.webshots.com/album/354545940JmmDHm

 

http://community.webshots.com/album/194375048WqWyFb/1

 

http://community.webshots.com/photo/82884222/82884222AosskA

 

http://community.webshots.com/album/133600154vSiRpM

[swmichigan cruiser]

I agree with LMCruise. We just had 9690 on the Mariner and it does have very little shade and a smaller balcony than the cabin next to it. We had one lounge chair and 3 other chairs but it was crowded. Hard to go wrong with either choice but for us we always try to get the corner cabins as we like the side view as well as the aft facing view and for us the cabin size was ok for the two of us. Hope this helps.

[fern1214]

I also agree with LMCruise. I was in 9692 on Mariner and loved it. The people next to me in 9690 liked the cabin, but not the smaller balcony.

[mspink98]

THANK YOU for all the feedback. I’m going to talk to DH tonight, show him some pics, and see if he thinks we should book 9392 instead. I’m leaning towards switching, myself, but it’s not only my decision to make. Any other feedback would be great, as you can see we’re still not 100% decided.

[kristineth]

We were in cabin 9390 on the Mariner last year and *loved* it, we have always cruised in a corner aft cabin....I can't imagine cruising any other way! Yes, the 9392 balcony was a bit larger, but I think the view from the corner cabin is better, and you definitely get shade and sun. Last year I debated about switching to 9392 when it came open, but I am glad we stayed where we were. You really can't go wrong with either cabin....have fun!!!:D

 

 

Here are some of my 9390 pics:

 

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=showPhoto&albumID=246460884&photoID=247002899&security=DVuJKt

 

 

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=showPhoto&albumID=246460884&photoID=247003435&security=ncAPrX

 

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=showPhoto&albumID=246460884&photoID=247002325&security=jUythf

 

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=showPhoto&albumID=246460884&photoID=247003629&security=ejHUxR

 

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=showPhoto&albumID=246460884&photoID=247001966&security=ROmReb

[kristineth]

Sorry....I don't think my links are working!! Anyway....either cabin is great! :D

[mspink98]

Nope, links aren't working. Thanks for the advice, though. DH feels pretty strongly about staying in the corner (stronger than I feel about switching), so that's what we're doing.

[kristineth]

I think I got the link thing straigthened out if you'd like to see pics of 9390:

 

Cabin 9390

 

I think you'll be glad you are staying with the corner cabin! Have fun! We are leaving on the Mariner next weekend and sailing in another corner cabin....I can't wait! :D

[mspink98]

Great pics, thanks! One last question (for now). Did you have any luck propping open the door, be it with a bungee cord, chair, or whatever? I don’t know if we’ll have it open with the AC on, but there could be nights where it’s nice enough to sleep without the AC.

[kristineth]

We didn't have a bungee cord, but were able to prop the door open with a chair. :D