AG Mini Suite on the Pearl--or a B-Level Balcony?

[oldfolkie]

We are planning on booking one of the May Alaska cruises on the Pearl (first timers). Checking the various cabin levels, I've noticed that the AG Mini Suites are sometimes cheaper than the many of the B level Balconies. Why is that? There are a total of only 4 AGs on the ship and they're located near the rear on Deck 11, but they're right next to the more expensive AFs.

 

So why are they cheaper than the Bs (and a lot cheaper than the AFs)? Are they loss leaders (something to advertise), or is there something wrong with them (or their location). Would we be better off with a BC, BB, or BA on either Deck 9 or 10? And is a cabin located somewhere more towards the center a lot better than towards either the rear or the front (as the prices seem to reflect)?

 

Thanks for any information or incites!

[familyof4cruising]

I would take the AG- bigger cabin. I think they are in the back of the ship. They say midship is the best place to be, I actually prefer the aft cabins. No doubt book the AG mini suite.

[CTBob]

Category AG is simply a guaranteed mini suite. They can put you in any AF category room they want. That makes it easier for them and is therefore cheaper. We had an AG on the Dawn and were upgraded to an AF near the bow of the ship. We knew that we could have been booked into one of the 4 AG category rooms, but they are the same as AF category so we didn't really care. It only makes sense to book a balcony or AF minisuite if there is a particular location on the ship that you have to have.

 

Bob

[oldfolkie]

Thanks for the information. So it sounds like a good deal, if it's available. I guess you do take a chance, though, of having a cabin near an elevator or under a potentially noisy area of Deck 12. Or is that not really a worry with an AF cabin?