Empress of the Seas - Junior Suite ?

[Noreen411]

Hi

 

My husband has always wanted to sail on a small ship.

 

With Empress coming to NJ next summer this is the perfect opportunity.

 

We have sailed on Anthem of the Seas pretty frequently and like the layout of the Junior Suite J1 (with large balcony).

 

If we choose a Junior Suite on Empress and we are looking at possibly one of the AFT JS cabins, which would you choose:

Deck 7 - has a few JS’s across the AFT - would you pick a corner or middle?  This is above Boleros

Deck 8 - has 1 JS AFT - cabins above and below. It looks like it’s next to an Owner’s Suite.  

Deck 9 - has 1 JS AFT - under rock climbing wall.  It looks like it’s next to an Owner’s Suite.

 

The cabins on Deck 8 and 9 look to be wider but shorter than those on Deck 7, but maybe I’m imagining it.

 

Any feedback is appreciated

 

Thank you
Noreen

Edited August 2, 2019 by Noreen411

[Biker19]

@twangster may provide some insight as he's in one of those now.

[suncruiser]

We sailed in a junior suite on the empress a couple of years ago. That suite was much smaller than a regular balcony on other ships.

[Clarea]

Just now, suncruiser said:

We sailed in a junior suite on the empress a couple of years ago. That suite was much smaller than a regular balcony on other ships.

 

Similar to the JS on Majesty, about the same size as a balcony on other ships.

[Noreen411]

16 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

@twangster may provide some insight as he's in one of those now.

Hi

 

I just started reading his review.  He’s doing an amazing job sharing information.

Hopefully, he’ll reply with his opinion on the location

 

Thank you

[Noreen411]

3 minutes ago, suncruiser said:

We sailed in a junior suite on the empress a couple of years ago. That suite was much smaller than a regular balcony on other ships.

 

I didn’t realize that, but probably should have.  A smaller ship would probably have smaller cabins.

 

This will give us something to think about.  It’s only the 2 of us so probably can manage in a smaller cabin for a week.

 

Thank you

[Noreen411]

4 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Similar to the JS on Majesty, about the same size as a balcony on other ships.

Hi

 

I haven’t done one of the very small ships.  I was on Enchantment years ago, that was the smallest ship I’ve sailed on.

 

We did a balcony cabin a few times so should be OK with it, even though we do prefer the additional space in the larger cabins.

 

I better go to YouTube and start looking at some videos of the cabins

[twangster]

A JS on deck 9 midship (side facing) is roughly the same size as a balcony cabin on a newer ship.  The bathrooms are not generous but functional.  The walk in closet is more of a step in closet.  There is no tub, just a small shower with a shower curtain.

 

It's an older ship that was originally intended for the short cruise market.  In the 80's cabins were smaller on most ships.  Over the years cruise lines have adapted and learned lessons about cabin design.  Empress lead the way in that learning process but it's not like they can go back and move walls to retrofit her based on that knowledge.

 

Empress remains a favorite of mine but you do need to understand that cabins are not like they are on current ships.

[Noreen411]

10 minutes ago, twangster said:

A JS on deck 9 midship (side facing) is roughly the same size as a balcony cabin on a newer ship.  The bathrooms are not generous but functional.  The walk in closet is more of a step in closet.  There is no tub, just a small shower with a shower curtain.

 

It's an older ship that was originally intended for the short cruise market.  In the 80's cabins were smaller on most ships.  Over the years cruise lines have adapted and learned lessons about cabin design.  Empress lead the way in that learning process but it's not like they can go back and move walls to retrofit her based on that knowledge.

 

Empress remains a favorite of mine but you do need to understand that cabins are not like they are on current ships.

Hi

 

Thank you for taking time out of your vacation to respond.  I appreciate it.

 

I like your explanation of the cabin.  I started looking at YouTube also and it does look more like a balcony cabin than what I think of when I picture a junior suite.

 

Are the JS midship laid out similar to the AFT JS’s?  Would you recommend we go midship instead of AFT?

 

Your review is making me excited to give this Biggest Little Ship a try.

 

Thank you again.

 

Noreen

[twangster]

39 minutes ago, Noreen411 said:

Hi

 

Thank you for taking time out of your vacation to respond.  I appreciate it.

 

I like your explanation of the cabin.  I started looking at YouTube also and it does look more like a balcony cabin than what I think of when I picture a junior suite.

 

Are the JS midship laid out similar to the AFT JS’s?  Would you recommend we go midship instead of AFT?

 

Your review is making me excited to give this Biggest Little Ship a try.

 

Thank you again.

 

Noreen

 

 I have no experience in an aft facing JS.  They are a different layout from what I have seen.  I have always had mid, side JS  cabins on Empress.  Sorry I can help more with this comparison.

[seabeew]

I’ve sailed in sideview junior suites twice on the Empress and have two more junior suites booked in the next two months. I did a lot of research on aft balcony junior suites on the Empress because I thought I might want to book one. From what I read on cc threads dating back to 2006, it seems that the aft junior suites are smaller than the side junior suites. I think the one on deck 8 is the smallest. 

 

Casino Royale also confirmed the afts were smaller than the side view junior suites. That said I have aft junior suite 7690 booked. According to my research, it’s supposed to be the best of the aft junior suites. 

 

[Noreen411]

10 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

 I have no experience in an aft facing JS.  They are a different layout from what I have seen.  I have always had mid, side JS  cabins on Empress.  Sorry I can help more with this comparison.

Thank you for all the info you have shared

[Noreen411]

5 minutes ago, seabeew said:

I’ve sailed in sideview junior suites twice on the Empress and have two more junior suites booked in the next two months. I did a lot of research on aft balcony junior suites on the Empress because I thought I might want to book one. From what I read on cc threads dating back to 2006, it seems that the aft junior suites are smaller than the side junior suites. I think the one on deck 8 is the smallest. 

 

Casino Royale also confirmed the afts were smaller than the side view junior suites. That said I have aft junior suite 7690 booked. According to my research, it’s supposed to be the best of the aft junior suites. 

 

Hi

 

Thank you for that information.

 

I will try to talk my husband into side view if the aft JS is smaller than side JS

 

[Noreen411]

Next Question - if we look at the side Junior Suites

 

They mainly are on Deck 9 so under either the pool, the spa, or adventure ocean.

 

Is there an area I should look to be in or to avoid?

 

Thank you
Noreen

[seabeew]

I’ve sailed twice in 9154. It’s under the spa so no noise from above. It’s very conveniently located to the aft elevators, dining room and Boleros. 

[twangster]

7 hours ago, Noreen411 said:

Next Question - if we look at the side Junior Suites

 

They mainly are on Deck 9 so under either the pool, the spa, or adventure ocean.

 

Is there an area I should look to be in or to avoid?

 

Thank you
Noreen

 

Enjoyed some happy hour drinks tonight on Empress with some fellow consecutive cruisers.  Once moved from an aft to side JS after the last cruise.  She preferred the side JS..

 

Here in 9630 I hear more pool deck noise.  As I write this there must be a pool party going on because I hear the sound of feet stomping the pool deck.  It stops early enough but occasionally I do hear early morning deck chairs scraping.  Pool parties occur near the bar so more forward or more aft would be more desirable.

 

[Noreen411]

13 hours ago, seabeew said:

I’ve sailed twice in 9154. It’s under the spa so no noise from above. It’s very conveniently located to the aft elevators, dining room and Boleros. 

Thank you - I looked at the deck plans and the available cabins to look for under spa rather than under the kids club.

 

We are booked in 9150

 

Thank you

[Noreen411]

12 hours ago, twangster said:

 

Enjoyed some happy hour drinks tonight on Empress with some fellow consecutive cruisers.  Once moved from an aft to side JS after the last cruise.  She preferred the side JS..

 

Here in 9630 I hear more pool deck noise.  As I write this there must be a pool party going on because I hear the sound of feet stomping the pool deck.  It stops early enough but occasionally I do hear early morning deck chairs scraping.  Pool parties occur near the bar so more forward or more aft would be more desirable.

 

Thank you

 

I kept that info in mind and started looking at the side JS instead of AFT.  My husband was fine with the side when I told him the aft ones would be even smaller than the side ones.

 

We are booked in 9150 which looks to be under the spa

 

Thank you again for all your help

 

[seabeew]

I think you’ll  like the location and the cabin furnishings. You’re also a short elevator ride to the Boleros aft seating area and a great view of the wake.

[Noreen411]

18 minutes ago, seabeew said:

I think you’ll  like the location and the cabin furnishings. You’re also a short elevator ride to the Boleros aft seating area and a great view of the wake.

Thank you

[SpekiTrout]

Wondering if anyone has any experience of Jr Suite aft balconies .. 9684 or 8686 ?   Photo's and reviews would be so helpful.  Thanking you in advance!