Grandeur - Difference between Spacious Balcony & Junior Suite cabins?

[NJsharon]

I had originally gotten an oceanview cabin through a casino website for our July 9th Grandeur cruise.  It was for myself & my husband free, just taxes, my teen girls discounted rate plus taxes.

We then paid a discounted rate to upgrade all of us to spacious oceanview, as the prices dropped significantly once coronavirus hit worldwide & cruise industry ground to a halt.

 

I know there is a chance we may not sail at all on July 9th, we are still hoping for the best though.

 

We are being told we can pay $420 total, for all 4 of us to upgrade to the junior suite now, from out spacious balcony.  Not sure if that is worth it now though, having looked at videos online of the cabins.  They look pretty similar.

 

The cruise is meant to be 10 days 9 nights if it goes ahead as planned & is not cut shorter too, if that makes a difference.

 

Would you pay that to upgrade to a junior suite?  Is it worth the $420.

 

What is different in the junior suite to the spacious balcony. 

 

Oh & yes, myself, my hubby and our then 15yr old girls (they turn 15yrs old on Sunday!) are sharing a cabin together.  They are good kids, and have no problem with being with mom & dad.  😉  But of course extra space is always good!

[Biker19]

3 hours ago, NJsharon said:

Would you pay that to upgrade to a junior suite?  Is it worth the $420.

 

What is different in the junior suite to the spacious balcony. 

Yes, the JS cabin itself is bigger and you'd need that for 4 people. After RCI cancels and you are looking to rebook, look for two cabins, everyone will appreciate having two bathrooms.

Edited April 28, 2020 by Biker19

[DragonOfTheSeas]

There is a pretty large difference in the 2 types of cabins.  However, not all of the JS are the same.  Here are a couple of pictures of a side JS.  [Grandeur only has JS on Deck 8 side and the aft and aft JS on deck 7]

 

We have found the JS on the two sides of the ship are lighter and wider.  The JS on the aft are darker and longer and narrower. . . . but, have a much larger balcony.   A few of the JS have walk in closets to die for and they all have bathtubs. The Aft JS felt smaller and was a longer walk from the elevator.  DH did not like that.   [These are just a few of my thoughts]  

 

 

Notice that we had a sofa, 2 chairs and 2 ottomans.  

 

Look at the picture below.  This extra space is as you come from the door and beside the bathroom.  There are 3 extra drawers/shelves here and a table top. 

 

[BND]

JS is bigger and has a bathtub.  The JS on Grandeur do not have walk in closets. The only exception may be the aft ones.  We've cruised on GR 7 times, always in a JS.

 

Edited April 28, 2020 by BND

[BND]

4 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

There is a pretty large difference in the 2 types of cabins.  However, not all of the JS are the same.  Here are a couple of pictures of a side JS.  [Grandeur only has JS on Deck 8 side and the aft and aft JS on deck 7]

 

We have found the JS on the two sides of the ship are lighter and wider.  The JS on the aft are darker and longer and narrower. . . . but, have a much larger balcony.   A few of the JS have walk in closets to die for and they all have bathtubs. The Aft JS felt smaller and was a longer walk from the elevator.  DH did not like that.   [These are just a few of my thoughts]  

 

 

Notice that we had a sofa, 2 chairs and 2 ottomans.  

 

Look at the picture below.  This extra space is as you come from the door and beside the bathroom.  There are 3 extra drawers/shelves here and a table top. 

 

Having stayed in JS on Grandeur 7 times, both port and starboard, none of them have walk in closets.  Aft ones, maybe, but not the others. 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

1 minute ago, BND said:

Having stayed in JS on Grandeur 7 times, both port and starboard, none of them have walk in closets.  Aft ones, maybe, but not the others. 

Yes, the 2 outside Aft JS on deck 7 do have a walk in closet.  The aft JS cabin next to mine had one. I visited that cabin. I think it was 7150. IIRC we were in 7152. 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

18 minutes ago, BND said:

Having stayed in JS on Grandeur 7 times, both port and starboard, none of them have walk in closets.  Aft ones, maybe, but not the others. 

 

9 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

Yes, the 2 outside Aft JS on deck 7 do have a walk in closet.  The aft JS cabin next to mine had one. I visited that cabin. I think it was 7150. IIRC we were in 7152. 

 

 

This is a quote from a review of aft JS cabin 7560.  [suesnake2002]

 

With the coast guard inspection rooms were ready at 2.. . . . Muster drill was held outside. 

At two we went to our room. We noticed our luggage on the metal racks, so we just grabbed them and took them to our room. This way we could unpack and get this cruise going. 

I had a mid ship js on rhapsody once. I felt this room was a little smaller. But unlike rhapsody, we had a huge walk in closet. We did show our room to friends we made on the ship. And they referred to our closet as another cabin. Lol

 

[NJsharon]

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

Yes, the JS cabin itself is bigger and you'd need that for 4 people. After RCI cancels and you are looking to rebook, look for two cabins, everyone will appreciate having two bathrooms.

 

Thanks Biker... IF we have to rebook, we will be booking a cabin with our girls in our room again.  They are good kids, and we have a great family.... we actually don't mind spending time in the cabin together, roughing it on sofa beds or pullmans, pushing each other out the way to get in the bathroom etc.  lol

Heh, there is always the gym at the other end of the ship for showers, or public bathrooms for a tinkle!  lol

 

Girls would not be having their own cabin at 15yrs old anyway, no way as minors, ridiculous suggestion.

 

Anyways.... hoping we get to sail still!

 

THANKS SO MUCH!  Everyone that replied, think we may decide to upgrade, but ask if we can have one of the aft outside cabins on Deck 7 preferably.  If not side junior suites.
Thinking would love the walk-in closet but also like the light.
 

Appreciate the help everyone, this helps a lot!

 

If anyone finds photos or video of the walk in closet, or video of one of those corner aft deck 7 cabins, if you could post that it would be great too.  I did google, but all the links were to other JS or linked back to RCI site for cabin descriptions.

 

Thanks!

[firefly333]

I had a lovely junior suite on jewel but dont remember a walk in closet. But then might not have been important. Was really a nice cabin.

[NJsharon]

1 minute ago, firefly333 said:

I had a lovely junior suite on jewel but dont remember a walk in closet. But then might not have been important. Was really a nice cabin.

 

Absolutely true.  Walk in closet would be nice, only because with 4 people we would have a place to stash suitcases/bags, and all our extra clothes.  lol

 

We would love the extra room of a junior suite, whether or not it had a walk-in closet though!

 

Heck, if we get to go on this cruise in any cabin we will be happy at this point.  Had a lot of serious crap going on in our household, so more than ever we need a cruise!

[Sunshine3601]

Spacious ov balconies are nice rooms too.  The room itself isnt much larger than standard ov but the balcony is sometimes twice the size of a standard.  All depends on cabin location.  You can usually tell by the viewing deck plans.

We basically use our cabin for sleep.  Hardly spend anytime in the cabin but when I have the extra large balcony with lounge chairs i do use that for reading and sunbathing.

So it really is up to you if $420 is worth the extra space and how much time you spend in your cabin.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

16 hours ago, NJsharon said:

I know there is a chance we may not sail at all on July 9th, we are still hoping for the best though. . . .

 

Would you pay that to upgrade to a junior suite?  Is it worth the $420.

 

To answer the other part of your question. 

 

Would I pay $420 more to upgrade?  Normally I would be all over that.  Yes, that is a good deal for 4 passengers.  However, I would not do it for a July 9 cruise.  That just puts you $420 further "in" on the cruise.  I have 2 FCC to use.   July 9 is before the end of the 100 day federal stoppage. ]  JMHO 

[Biker19]

11 hours ago, NJsharon said:

Girls would not be having their own cabin at 15yrs old anyway, no way as minors, ridiculous suggestion.

It can be right next to your cabin, not at the other end of the ship. BTW, folks have such a setup with kids much younger than yours.

[NJsharon]

8 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

It can be right next to your cabin, not at the other end of the ship. BTW, folks have such a setup with kids much younger than yours.

 

If they want to break rules and do that, and feel comfortable, that is fine.

We do not feel comfortable going against rules that say there has to be at least one passenger of 21yrs of age in each cabin.

 

We also do not feel comfortable having minors by themselves in a cabin without us, even if they are well behaved. 
Too many scenarios that could happen, not them that I don't trust, but crew & other passengers on the ship.  Until they are 21yrs old that will be my thinking too.

[NJsharon]

14 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

To answer the other part of your question. 

 

Would I pay $420 more to upgrade?  Normally I would be all over that.  Yes, that is a good deal for 4 passengers.  However, I would not do it for a July 9 cruise.  That just puts you $420 further "in" on the cruise.  I have 2 FCC to use.   July 9 is before the end of the 100 day federal stoppage. ]  JMHO 

 

Good point too.

I trust you Dragon, seen you post a lot on here!

 

We've actually decided to stick with our balcony.  With paying for the 2 upgrades, still the uncertainty that the cruise will sail.  Kind of a dream to have a walk-in closet, with slightly larger room & slightly larger balcony, but we can certainly make do.

 

I never knew about the corner aft cabins on Deck 7 though, so very useful information on future cruises.  Thank you for that info all!

[Biker19]

11 minutes ago, NJsharon said:

If they want to break rules and do that, and feel comfortable, that is fine.

We do not feel comfortable going against rules that say there has to be at least one passenger of 21yrs of age in each cabin.

They are not breaking the rules - you can have minors in a cabin next to or across the hall from you. You can have connecting cabins where you lock the doors open between the cabins so you can see them all the time.

[SRF]

If you look at a picture of Grandeur from the outside, you will see that the balcony railing has glass panels.

 

A spacious balcony is 2 panels.  A JS is 3 panels.  A Grand Suite or Owners Suite is 4 panels.

 

Picture below, the same level are full suites.  The level below is balcony cabins.

 

 

[cb at sea]

54 sq. ft. difference in the size of the cabin.  That's substantial, IMO!

[atb]

if this is a "real" upgrade and not Royal Up, then you would also get double points for the junior suite.  I was reading fast and didn't see that mentioned.

[KelJ]

17 hours ago, NJsharon said:

 

Thanks Biker... IF we have to rebook, we will be booking a cabin with our girls in our room again.  They are good kids, and we have a great family.... we actually don't mind spending time in the cabin together, roughing it on sofa beds or pullmans, pushing each other out the way to get in the bathroom etc.  lol

Heh, there is always the gym at the other end of the ship for showers, or public bathrooms for a tinkle!  lol

 

Girls would not be having their own cabin at 15yrs old anyway, no way as minors, ridiculous suggestion.

 

Anyways.... hoping we get to sail still!

 

THANKS SO MUCH!  Everyone that replied, think we may decide to upgrade, but ask if we can have one of the aft outside cabins on Deck 7 preferably.  If not side junior suites.
Thinking would love the walk-in closet but also like the light.
 

Appreciate the help everyone, this helps a lot!

 

If anyone finds photos or video of the walk in closet, or video of one of those corner aft deck 7 cabins, if you could post that it would be great too.  I did google, but all the links were to other JS or linked back to RCI site for cabin descriptions.

 

Thanks!

 

5 hours ago, NJsharon said:

 

If they want to break rules and do that, and feel comfortable, that is fine.

We do not feel comfortable going against rules that say there has to be at least one passenger of 21yrs of age in each cabin.

 

We also do not feel comfortable having minors by themselves in a cabin without us, even if they are well behaved. 
Too many scenarios that could happen, not them that I don't trust, but crew & other passengers on the ship.  Until they are 21yrs old that will be my thinking too.

 

I'm with Biker all the way.

 

Depending on your cabin location, there may be no close public restrooms for a "tinkle."  Royal permits minors to be booked in their own room as long as the cabins are beside each other or across from each other, so there are no rules being broken while doing so.   I would never squeeze four adults, or even four adult-sized people, into one cabin, not even a JS.  Your husband will have to share a bathroom with three women.  Do him a favor and book connecting cabins and leave the door open between them.  The extra space and two bathrooms, not to mention some privacy 😉 for you and your husband, will be appreciated by all of you.  It will feel like a suite experience with a lower price tag.  

 

As for sailing together in one cabin until your girls turn 21, don't be surprised if they don't want to share a cabin with Mom and Dad at that age.  As parents, I wouldn't want that either (insert more winks here!).  When my boys were rather small, the four of us shared a cabin one time (a JS).  After that, it was connecting cabins until they were older.  

 

You may be surprised how inexpensive connecting balcony cabins can be.  On some ships, there are even balcony cabins connected to inside cabins, which may alleviate some of your concerns.

Edited April 28, 2020 by KelJ

[twins_to_alaska]

I've got a reservation for Grandeur JS corner 7650 for Sep 26. I think there's extremely slim to zero chance of that cruise sailing. I was looking forward to the cabin/balcony. I canceled my Key, Unlimited Dining, and Beverage package for that cruise 4/4 as those were refundable. Refunds back to credit card 4/24.

[NJsharon]

7 hours ago, KelJ said:

 

 

I'm with Biker all the way.

 

Depending on your cabin location, there may be no close public restrooms for a "tinkle."  Royal permits minors to be booked in their own room as long as the cabins are beside each other or across from each other, so there are no rules being broken while doing so.   I would never squeeze four adults, or even four adult-sized people, into one cabin, not even a JS.  Your husband will have to share a bathroom with three women.  Do him a favor and book connecting cabins and leave the door open between them.  The extra space and two bathrooms, not to mention some privacy 😉 for you and your husband, will be appreciated by all of you.  It will feel like a suite experience with a lower price tag.  

 

As for sailing together in one cabin until your girls turn 21, don't be surprised if they don't want to share a cabin with Mom and Dad at that age.  As parents, I wouldn't want that either (insert more winks here!).  When my boys were rather small, the four of us shared a cabin one time (a JS).  After that, it was connecting cabins until they were older.  

 

You may be surprised how inexpensive connecting balcony cabins can be.  On some ships, there are even balcony cabins connected to inside cabins, which may alleviate some of your concerns.

 

 

This is getting off-topic now.  lol

 

But I think this is definitely your miles may vary kind of thing. 

We sailed in an oceanview on our last cruise with our twin girls & had absolutely no problem at all.  We had a brilliant cruise, all good memories.

Honestly if we are worrying about being close together in a cabin, when we are family, that's a problem to me.  The girls like their privacy to get changed, they take turns & get it & are easy going about it, so am I. 

Hubby has lived with the 3 of us ladies for a while, he knows all about how we work, and what we do, and nasty ass stuff the girls leave in the bathroom garbage.  lmao

 

It's a family vacation for us.  Once they get older, sure things may change.  We like to have them with us now & would never have them in another cabin & they are happy to be with us.

 

Happy cruising all.... let's hope we are all out there on the open ocean again sooner rather than later!