Obstructed Balcony Cabin/material Omission

[jhcrossfield]

I just arrived home after the 2/27 to 3/10 South America cruise. All other issues aside, and there were plenty, I want to alert everyone to the "obstructed" balcony cabins. My mother and I both booked single balcony cabins for the same price. Hers was as expected. Mine, however, was encased in the ship's hull. Half the balcony was obstructed! There was no mention of this before cruising. I went to the website where one can enter the actual cabin by number and saw that there was also no mention of it there. In fact, there was a 3D diagram of the cabin (#6089) and there was no section of the hull dipicted in it. To charge the same price for this as a regular balcony cabin, give no notice thereof, and flat out misrepsent the cabin in the website materials/photos is outrageous! I was then moved to #6009. This cabin was over the main lounge. It vibrated and thumped with music from below beginning at 5:00 PM and not ending until after 11:00 PM. I was then moved to a third cabin which was fine. Thus, beware of the forward cabins on deck six for noise and the last aft cabins on all balcony decks for the obstructed balcony. Oddly, the people at the front desk claimed to have no previous knowledge of either issue.....

[rubinstein2r]

Thank you so much for letting us know. You were lucky that there were cabins available so that you could change. We will be in Cabin 6071 on our Med cruise in June. Do you think this cabin will be subject to either the obstructed view or the noise from the lounge?

 

--Leo & Myra in AZ

[Hlitner]

This is all somewhat distressing, but also not too surprising for those who are used to cruising on smaller ships. For those planning to go on any of the old "R" ships, its probably wise to follow an old booking formula we (and many others) have used for years. Stay clear of cabins that have public rooms below and above and also watch for whats around your cabin. On the "R" ships the safest bet is going to be on deck 7...which is the only deck that has passenger cabins above and below. As to where on the ship, we prefer to be in the forward third, because the engine rooms are amidships and the propellers are in the rear. That being said, in rough seas the bow area will have the most movement, but we simply think of this as a big "rocking chair" and it just rocks us asleep. I would add that there is no difference between the Azamara ships, the Oceana ships, and the Princess ® ships since all eight "R" ships were absolutely identical in design. The changes that have been made by each cruise line does not really alter the noise of basic mechanical issues.

 

Hank

[Jancruz]

I am surprised your TA did not advise you about the cabin.

Jan

*****

[katiebeth]

Dear jhcrossfield,

 

So sorry to hear about your disappointing cabin. I totally agree that the obstructed view should have been disclosed by Azamara. This has been a concern of mine all along. I initially booked our cabins 7119 and 7121 (six family members traveling together) for our June 21st sailing thru Azamara. I have in writing from the booking agent that the balcony divider can be opened up and retracted. The agent stated that I just need to ask the butler and he has a "special key" that will allow the partition to be unlocked and retracted. I was a little skeptical, because we have cruised often and never been in a cabin that the balcony divider could be opened up.

 

In addition, I was told by the same agent that I needed to book the Penthouse suite if I wanted the additional 1/2 bath. I later found out, thru the wonderful posters on these boards, that neither of these things are true. One member posted a photo of the massive steal bulkhead that divides cabins 7119 and 7121. It is clear from the photo that the divider is not "retractable". It is massive and permanent.

 

In addition, someone on these boards pointed out that the Royal Suite also has a 1/2 bath. This can be verified on the website, and I should have done so myself, but did trust the Azamara booking agent.

 

After becoming concerned about some information posted on these boards about the Aft Sunset veranda 7121 (including one by one of the Hosts) I thought that maybe my parents may be more comfortable in a Sky Suite (depending on price). We often cruise together and like to get cabins next door or connecting. I thought that maybe we could move to Deck 8 and my immediate family of 4 could be in either 8088 or 8091 and my parents could be next door in 8070 or 8073. When I called Azamara about this, I was informed (by 2 agents) that 8073 connects with 8071 and 8070 connects with 8068. However, neither the website nor the Azamara cruise brochure that I have indicates that these are connecting cabins. I believed what they said and decided not to move because I think in general, if you are not connecting with a family member or friend it is best to avoid these cabins.

 

After much thought, I decided to contact a TA who specializes in cruising to get the real story. I transferred our bookings to her. After several calls to Azamara (with varying information) we decided to stay in 7119 and move my parents from 7121 to Sky Suite 8058. My TA found out that NONE of the Sky Suites connect as I was told by 2 Azamara representatives. In addition, my TA did tell me that the last AFT cabins on all decks have obstructed views. She knows this from the Oceania ships.

 

I agree that nothing on the website or brochure indicates that any cabins (other than some outside cabins on Deck 7 have an obstructed view). I always thought this was odd as we cruise frequently and most all cruise lines we have sailed have a number of cabins with obstructed views that are so indicated.

 

I am posting this information because I feel that the representatives at Azamara (although this may be true of other lines as well), based on my experience, can be rather careless and uninformed about the information they provide.

 

I would highly recommend finding a TA who is familiar with the "R" class ships. Cabin selection seems particularly important (and limited) on these smaller ships.

 

I am encouraged about some of the recent posts regarding the overall on-board experience, but would caution others that you cannot rely on the information provided by Azamara over the phone.

 

I am not posting this information to be negative or "slam" Azamara. I have no hidden agenda. If it had only been one incident of misinformation, I could understand it. However, it was misinformation on a number of fronts.

 

I am hoping that just like Celebrity, the onboard experience, is far superior to the interactions with "customer" service. We have sailed Celebrity many times and have always felt that the onboard service has been outstanding.

 

I have gathered so much valuable information from these boards that I wanted to share my experience, and hopefully prevent others from booking cabins based on misinformation.

 

 

Nancy

[Luckyladym]

Nancy:

 

Rest assured that your parents should be very happy in that Sky Suite. We were on the Quest in January in SS 8062

(2 doors down) and really enjoyed everything about it.

 

We particularly liked the location, just a few steps away from the aft elevator which took us directly up to the buffet, or down to dinner. Very easy for seniors !

 

We have found that the cruise lines often denote only cabins that are obstructed by lifeboats despite other obstructions, ie: window washing equipment that might be objectionable to passengers.

 

The advice to get a "cruise specialist" as your travel agent is important, They should be specifically acquainted with the ship on which you are sailing. Of course, checking in on this website is very helpful also.

 

We loved Azamara...can't wait to find an itinerary that suits us. Enjoy your cruise!

 

Marilyn

[jhcrossfield]

My TA did not advise me of this because she relied on information from BOTH Azamara directly and from the website/promotional materials, which clearly do not indicate the truth. If you go to their site and enter 6089 you will see a 3-D diagram of that cabin. There is no indication the balcony is half encased in the hull. This is a blatant misrepresentation and fraudulent. My TA did exactly what a reasonable TA should do when booking. It was Azamara who deceived her and me.

[katiebeth]

Dear jhcrossfield,

 

Rest assured that I am absolutely confident that Azamara gave both you and your TA wrong information. I have experienced this myself when dealing with Azamara. I know for a fact that there is no indication by Azamara that the cabin you were assigned has an obstructed view. I have thoroughly studied the Azamara brochure/website as it relates to cabins and deck plans.

 

What I was trying to get across, is that I found a TA who books many many Oceania cruises and is very familiar with the staterooms on the "R" class ships (Oceania and Azamara) and she knew for a fact that the last aft cabin on every deck had an obstructed view. The representatives at Azamara never disclosed this information (probably because they are misinformed and not all that well trained.) I specifically inquired about the last Aft sky suites on decks 7 and 8 and none of the reps. indicated that the views were obstructed.

 

I do feel bad for you, and have no doubt that you and your TA were given wrong information. I think it is very natural to believe and trust in the information that the cruise line provides. I was just lucky to find a TA who has an abundance of experience with these ships and knew better than the reps. at Azamara. The representatives are only as good as the training and information they have been provided. I have a hard time being overly critical of them because I think the blame falls higher up the chain of command.

 

I hope your next cruise is all that you hope it will be and more!! I am encouraged by recent reviews of the onboard experience and am looking forward to our upcoming cruise.

 

Nancy

[Napi's Mom]

My TA did not advise me of this because she relied on information from BOTH Azamara directly and from the website/promotional materials, which clearly do not indicate the truth. If you go to their site and enter 6089 you will see a 3-D diagram of that cabin. There is no indication the balcony is half encased in the hull. This is a blatant misrepresentation and fraudulent. My TA did exactly what a reasonable TA should do when booking. It was Azamara who deceived her and me.

On the Celebrity forum there is a mention of a balcony( SkySuite no less,) that is ajacent (touching) to their Celeb. Suites & that is right outside the Celeb suites and has nothing to block the people in the Celeb suites from looking into their balcony and to some extent cabin, PLUS the end near the suite is only about 24" wide...a chair can wedge into the end almost and you need to climb over the table to reach it....now those people got no warning, credit or anything. YOU at least received the full sized balcony, be it obstructed or not, plus a different cabin when complaining! You can fing this balcony listed online as worst balconies...maybe yours is too. Others have had yours, and stated here it really wasn't too bad???

[kuddles 2008]

Reading all the posts on this - I became concerned about our sky suite 8073 and called Azamara to make sure our view was not obstructed. The agent assured me that it was not.

 

Can anyone provide me with their experience with this cabin to put my mind at ease.

 

Thanks for your help.

[GRACE53]

Our TA booked my husband and I for a cruise on Quest to Asia in early Jan. '09. We have been on 3 other cruises on celebrity and RC-always with a balcony stateroom- and never had a problem. We asked for the same type of accommodations this time, specifying that we wanted to be certain that we didn't have an obstructed view. We are confirmed into room 6022. Now I'm wondering about the view, the noise and the motion based on the information on this forum. Has anyone on the forum been in this room or the same area? What was your experience?

[andreadan]

What can I expect from Quest cabin 4054 (oceanview) in terms of location and noise?

[Queen Bear]

Our friends had a similar experience on the infinity. Six of us took a Panama Canal cruise in 2006. Two of the cabins had obstructed balconies.

Does any one have any suggestions for locating a good travel agent? I have booked on our own and with a TA but never found one that I really liked.

I check lots of agencies on the web but would really like a good TA. Is it just trial and error?

 

 

Queen Bear

[susiesan]

I sailed on Quest March 1 and was in cabin 7117, the very last on deck 7. There was an angle to the metal side of the ship that blocked maybe 15% of the balcony opening. It was very slight and didn't obstruct our view much. It acted as a windbreak if I sat in the corner. It didn't bother me in the least. two people could stand side by side at the railing and look out. If you look at photos of the ships you can see this.

[Donray]

Here is a picture of the R4 that show what some call an obstructed balcony.

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/showphoto.php?photo=4033&cat=509

As far as I know, Princess does not call these obstructed balconies either. They have two R ships.

[LHT28]

As far as I know, Princess does not call these obstructed balconies either. They have two R ships.

They actually have 3 but who is counting;)

Oceania has 3 R ships and do not call them obstructed either

I am not sure what part is obstructed ...the top corner of the ship may slope a bit more but it does not block your view.

Only when you lean over, the window washing equipment blocks the view of behind the ship

[joandbun]

I've noticed in the princess brochire that they donot say its obstructed but they do sell these cabins at a slightly lower grade with slioghtly reduced price

 

jo

[Donray]

They actually have 3 but who is counting;)

Oceania has 3 R ships and do not call them obstructed either

I am not sure what part is obstructed ...the top corner of the ship may slope a bit more but it does not block your view.

Only when you lean over, the window washing equipment blocks the view of behind the ship

 

Forgot the last one Princess got. Been on the R4 three times once as the R4 and twice as the Tahitian Princess. I know

I will enjoy the Journey May 16th. I wish Princess would continue with there Tahiti cruises all year. Ideal size ship for that area.

[Bodger]

We will be in Cabin 6071 on our Med cruise in June. Do you think this cabin will be subject to either the obstructed view or the noise from the lounge?

 

--Leo & Myra in AZ

 

We were in 6053 on the Journey. While it was under the Discoveries Lounge at the entrance to the dining room there was never any noise. It was just fine.

 

We were above your cabin on the Quest (7103) and you will have an unobstructed view.

 

Bodger

[Margarita Jane]

Thank you for posting this! We were booked in 7117 on the Journey, and after looking at the pictures Donray posted, I knew DH would not be happy with the obstruction. Thanks for the heads up!

 

~ Jane

[pleasant]

We were about to book a regular o'view cabin and my husband got cold feet about size, obstruction etc. which I can see now was a valid concern. I am now considering paying the extra money for a Sky Suite (no more balconies available on the cruise we are interested in). Are there any issues I need to look out for with those SS cabins, i.e. noise, obstructions, anything else? I couldn't bear to pay so much and then be inconvenienced in a big way. We have had nice balcony cabins on RCCL and Princess in the past, no complaints; and our previous Celebrity cruises were on the Zenith where the cabins were nice and roomy and there were no balconies. I'm not sure we've ever stayed in cabins as small as those on Azamara.

[howlpat]

We just got off the Quest on 4/26. We had a balcony cabin 6069, which was in a great location, but we had friends who had a Sky Suite, and they were disturbed by noise of tables being moved above them starting about 5 am each morning. I believe they were in the cabins that are directly under the Pool Grill area...either 8053, 8055, 8057. I know they discussed the issue with the ship and there was nothing that could be done to prevent the noise. I would avoid those 3 cabins. As you say, it is very unfortunate to pay extra for a sky suite and have these problems.

[Sharicruz]

We were about to book a regular o'view cabin and my husband got cold feet about size, obstruction etc. which I can see now was a valid concern. I am now considering paying the extra money for a Sky Suite (no more balconies available on the cruise we are interested in). Are there any issues I need to look out for with those SS cabins, i.e. noise, obstructions, anything else? I couldn't bear to pay so much and then be inconvenienced in a big way. We have had nice balcony cabins on RCCL and Princess in the past, no complaints; and our previous Celebrity cruises were on the Zenith where the cabins were nice and roomy and there were no balconies. I'm not sure we've ever stayed in cabins as small as those on Azamara.

 

 

In the Sky Suite category, staterooms 8070 and 8073, are obstructed, due to the way the hull of the ship comes down.

 

Shari

*****

[pleasant]

Thanks for the prompt replies! As it happens, the available SS is 8055, the noisy one.

[Napi's Mom]

We were about to book a regular o'view cabin and my husband got cold feet about size, obstruction etc. which I can see now was a valid concern. I am now considering paying the extra money for a Sky Suite (no more balconies available on the cruise we are interested in). Are there any issues I need to look out for with those SS cabins, i.e. noise, obstructions, anything else? I couldn't bear to pay so much and then be inconvenienced in a big way. We have had nice balcony cabins on RCCL and Princess in the past, no complaints; and our previous Celebrity cruises were on the Zenith where the cabins were nice and roomy and there were no balconies. I'm not sure we've ever stayed in cabins as small as those on Azamara.

The balcony cabins on Azamara are 170 sq ", plus 38-41" balcony...look up the same type cabins in Princess, or Celebrity...they are the SAME SIZE!! Don't know how everyone gets the perception that they are small cabins...small bathrooms & showers I'll agree to. In fact I was researching Diamond Princess and their regular balcony cabins are only 154sq'...but the balcony is larger than Azamara I think. ALL the cabins (Except the deck 6 OB.View) have loveseats , which the Princess didn't have any similar seating until the Mini-suite. This myth that the "R" ships cabins are so small is just that..a myth!:confused: