Which deck for balcony or mini suite mid ship?

[rslinky]

Once again looking to my fellow cruisers for thoughts on deck preference. Have never sailed NCL so my first time on Breakaway. We are well past retirement but very active so being close to one particular thing is not important. We always walk down stairs and only use elevator for multiple decks up. So are decks equal or are there pros and cons? Probably looking at decks 9-14.

[mking8288]

Difference between balcony & mini on the *Away class ships like the BA are minimal, slightly bigger interior space (most folks can barely tell the difference - about 3' deeper (lengthwise) - good for a foldable playpen for family with infant and/or otherwise, a little more space in front of the closet (if the queen bed is next to it; last time, ours by the balcony so really, didn't matter)

 

For "smoother" ride in the North ATLANTIC ocean and Bermuda crossing (or, T/A across the North Sea/Atlantic) - we always prefer lower deck & mid ship (BA - stayed on deck 13, high, deck 10 Fwd, deck 5 mid and deck 9 Mid/Aft, by the elevators ... most recently)

 

There are some nice balconies & mini's on Deck 9, some extended ones if you get to choose, ditto for angled ones (also with a little extra space) ... of course, when seas are a little rough on crossings, few wanted to sit out there over coffee or a beverage in rain gears (nothing wrong with that, my DW won't like it)

 

Or, pick something from Deck 10 or 11 midship, closer to the AFT elevators & stairs - some of the hallway passage are somewhat narrow, as long as you aren't mobility challenged using scooters or walker, etc. - you are fine really on most deck (deck 5 has some of the widest corridors, nice big oceanviews but no balconies ... barely felt 12' to 15' waves in a mini-Noreaster last Halloween)

 

The Garden Cafe/buffet & pool/hot tub is on Deck 15 and below it, Deck 14 can be a bit noisy - if you pick Deck 10 or 11, it's walkable coming down and we've done that. Going up, ride the elevators. The rest of the public functions are on 6, 7 or 8 ... again, easy to walk down & going from 6 to 10 or 11, hit that "Up" button for the elevators (they are a little small & can be packed full on turnaround days, worst after the muster drills ... otherwise, you can easily squeeze in.

 

To get to the (main) theater and/or O'Sheehan's - it's easier to walk on your deck forward, then go up or down directly ... instead of snaking the way thru decks 6, 7 or 8, especially on sea days and/or when "Outdoors" are closed - the crowds confined to indoor functions, where many events are held in the Fwd atrium lobby, next to Guest Services - and, O'Sheehan's 24/7 (free) comfort food/pub) food is situated above & overlooking. Port side is better if you are allegic to smoking as there are designated areas on Deck 8's Waterfront, starboard side ... but, a few will be sneaking their puffs from the balcony, still.

[barb65]

Deck 8 mini-suite with large balcony. Convenient to specialty dining and The Waterfront.