Caribe balcony or dolphin mini suite?

[yorkiescot]

We have decided to book a cruise on Grand Princess sailing on 18 July 2009.

There are 3 of us - myself, my husband and 17 year old son. Last year when we sailed on the Sea Princess our son spent very little time in our cabin as he was socialising until well after midnight. We have the choice of Caribe 506 or a AA Mini Suite on Dolphin. I understand the balcony cabin on Caribe is larger and has a partly coverered balcony. Any advice from experienced cruises would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

YS

[MSN-Travelers]

We have decided to book a cruise on Grand Princess sailing on 18 July 2009.

There are 3 of us - myself, my husband and 17 year old son. Last year when we sailed on the Sea Princess our son spent very little time in our cabin as he was socialising until well after midnight. We have the choice of Caribe 506 or a AA Mini Suite on Dolphin. I understand the balcony cabin on Caribe is larger and has a partly coverered balcony. Any advice from experienced cruises would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

YS

 

If cost isn't the significant factor in making your decision, I would take the mini-suite. Even if junior doesn't spend a whole lot of time in the cabin, his stuff does. We alway take a mini when traveling with our adult "kid" as it makes for a more enjoyable time if everybody has space.

 

Enjoy!

[Toto2Kansas]

We have decided to book a cruise on Grand Princess sailing on 18 July 2009.

There are 3 of us - myself, my husband and 17 year old son. Last year when we sailed on the Sea Princess our son spent very little time in our cabin as he was socialising until well after midnight. We have the choice of Caribe 506 or a AA Mini Suite on Dolphin. I understand the balcony cabin on Caribe is larger and has a partly coverered balcony. Any advice from experienced cruises would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

YS

 

 

For us it would always be the mini, and we are only two passengers in one stateroom. We find the mini nice and spacious in comparison to any balcony stateroom. As long as the balcony is large enough to sit on, we don't need tons of extra space out there, we don't plan to hold a public dance on our balcony. :D

A mini has saved us more than once when weather has turned rainy, but we wanted to just relax in the stateroom.

[flamomo]

Also consider how much time you plan to be out on your balcony. Dolphin cabin balconies all are totally uncovered, which means if the weather is inclement, you probably won't be able to spend much time on it.

At least Caribe balconies are half covered, which, to me, is a big benefit because it can be used to some extent even if there is rain. I have cruised in Caribe balconies a number of times, and they are my favorite because the balcony is large, there's seating for 4, and because they have partial covering.

If you want the larger cabin that the minisuite offers, you might want to check on the availablilty of minis on the Emerald deck. Those are covered.

[mii]

An other vote for the mini. We always have a mini and there is just the two of us so a party of three can give you much more room. As the above poster said if you enjoy a covered mini try the Emerald deck. Those are the AD catagory. If you do not mind a uncovered balcony then AA is the one. We never minded an uncovered balcony but that is our opinion.

 

Marilyn

[julia]

We have had both and I agree with the above... go for the mini. As much as we really enjoyed the larger Caribe balcony, the room itself felt really small to us after being in a mini.

 

It's a shame we have to compromise, huh?

[Gr101997]

I went on the Crown a month ago and had a Carib deck balcony. My buddy went away the same week and was on the Caribbean and had the Dolphin deck suite. He hated how wide open it was and felt that people were constantly looking down at them while they were out there. He said he and his gf felt like they had very little privacy.

On the other hand, on the Carib deck we were able to sit out in lounge chairs when the pool got a little too busy and we just wanted some time to ourselves. The covered part was also nice if you wanted to sit out in a robe after a shower and relax. You dont have to worry about someone looking down and getting a look at the goods.

 

This is us enjoying a nice afternoon of sun on the balcony.

 

Im someone who really enjoys and takes in having a balcony. I figure you have plenty of time to sit in a big room while you are at home. How many times can you lay out and drink a glass of wine while looking at the ocean?

[Poulsbo Cruisers]

This is one of those topics that have been discussed many times on this board. If cost isn't a factor, then it really is a matter of personal preference. Do you prefer a larger cabin even if it means an uncovered balcony or do you prefer a smaller cabin with a larger partially covered balcony? Only you can answer this. Also remember that the mini suites have larger bathrooms with full tubs.