jolly_cruiser

If cost is not a big factor, I'd definitely go for the mini. We like the extra room even though it's just the two of us. If you spend any time at all in the cabin, you probably will appreciate having a sofa.

 

There are also two TVs, one facing the sofa and one facing the bed, so someone can stay up and watch TV on the sofa while someone goes to bed in that part of the mini.

 

We have also found the beds to be better in mini suites. Some experienced cruisers say there's no difference, but the Princess website and our experience says minis have better bedding.

 

We like the bigger bathroom, but find little value in the tub/shower. It doesn't really give you any more room to shower as it's so cramped with fixtures and shampoo shelves.

 

Just to clear something up, the mini suite balcony (9 by 7) is bigger than the standard balcony (9 by 5). If you get a balcony on the Caribe deck, it's even bigger (9 by 9).

 

We just took an upsell from Caribe balcony way forward to a Dolphin mini at midship. For us, the sun was a bigger factor than the exposure to decks above. If you're on the starboard side, you'll have a lot of sun blasting your balcony in the afternoons on the way down, but that's just two days. On the way back, you'll have very little sun exposure.

 

Jim

you bring up a good point about the sun exposure in the exposed baconies. From the temperatures i am seeing in March for the mexican riviera, it should not be a major issue?

We got an upgrade offer from a balcony to a mini-suite a few cruises back. Surprisingly, one of the mini-suites on Emerald Deck, which are fully covered was available. Now, those Emerald Deck mini-suites are the only cabins we book. Downside is we have to book pretty far in advance to make sure we can get one. Forgot to mention this is Grand class and above. Not Regal, Royal or the smaller ships.

Good information...i did check but there are no mini suites available for my cruise on the Emerald deck.

Yes. Agree it does depend on what and where u eat as well.

THere has been a downward trend in the food in the general at least on the lines i have been perhaps due to cost constraints.

I have heard the food is better on celebrity and HAL compared to these 3 lines, but i have not been on these yet.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. That is why i turn to cruisecritic so often.

I am leaning towards getting the mini suite for the extra space with the kid in the room. I am sure all 3 of us will appreciate the space....

The exposed balcony is not a deal breaker for us.

Now the champagne is a different story :) will let u all know what we did with it :D

We upgraded to a mini suite last cruise. The extra room was nice. I would not pay much extra unless you had more than 2 in the cabin. Then I think it would be well worth it.

We have 2 adults and a 6 year old in the cabin. The extra room would be nice.

I would love to get the opinion of experienced cruisers here.

I have personally been only on Princess, Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

For me the food ranks in the following order.

1. Princess - been a while since my last cruise on princess. But it was definitely the best so far. I will be on on this March.

2. Carnival - A close second to Princess, but way better than Royal Caribbean.

3. Royal Caribbean - A distant third.

I understand food is a very subjective item but would love to get others rankings, views and opinions on this subject.

Even though cost isn't a factor in your decision...it is good to know in advance that you will be paying the higher "suite" gratuity.

Also, we call the champagne drain cleaner.

Good to know JF...what is the mini suite Gratuity vs. the Balcony Gratuity?

I remember reading it was $12 pp/day for the mini suite? and $11.50 for the balcony pp/day? I may be way off on this.

Apparently the champagne is not very good :)

I have been on Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean.

Even though i am not vegetarian myself, i have always had the option of asking the waiter for an vegetarian option.

Typically there is an indian style curry ( vegetarian ) that is not always listed on the daily menu. I have seen this on pretty much all my cruises. Just ask your waiter.

You can also talk to the maitre'd to ask for other vegetarian options. They are almost always accommodating.

Oh, last month, we made arrangements with the Purser's Office to look at a full suite, before the occupants took possession. We decided against upgrading to the full suite in the future.

 

Location: The suites tend to be located forward or aft, so lots of extra motion. This was the deciding factor for us.

 

Size: Yes, they are larger, but the mini-suite is large enough for the two of us.

 

Balcony furniture: Yes, that is nicer, but not a big deal.

 

Overall, we decided that the price difference was not worth it to go from mini- to full.

Very useful information Mike. Thank you.

I made the mistake of taking an upgrade from the balcony to the mini-suite three cruises ago -- the price difference was very small, so why not? Well, I now know the "why not?" Because now my wife insists on the mini-suite!! Our fourth mini-suite is coming up next week.

 

The main differences: (1) The sitting area between the bed area and the balcony. There is a nice sofa to relax on. (2) The bathroom is almost a normal sized bathroom, with a bath! I no longer get unexpected hugs from the shower curtain!!

 

The balcony is no larger, and the balcony furniture is no better -- darn, they really should do something about that old balcony furniture!

 

Perks: Early boarding. (If you are Platinum, you already get this.)

 

Location: I have been very careful in my location selection. Dolphin, in either the D-300 or D-400 series. Nothing loud above or below you, and very little ship movement to feel.

 

Warning: The way the ship's sides are constructed, if you are outside on Dolphin, the people on Caribe, Baja and Aloha immediately above you can look down onto your balcony. You have no privacy on the balcony. For me, sitting outside and reading, enjoying a cup of tea or a soda, this is not important. I have exchanged pleasantries with my neighbor above a few times. But I know some people have complained about it.

Mike45LC...that is hilarious...yes am sure the wife will insist on one going forward :)

Ever since we went from inside to balcony we have never been back to the Inside. I can see how this can have a long term effect.

I did realize about the exposed balconies on Dolphin. Thanks for bringing it up.

Seriously' date=' the only reason to book a mini suite is the additional space. Only you can determine whether that space is worth the additional cost.

 

As noted, the only perk is the glass of champagne.[/quote']

 

Thank you. The cost is not a factor.

 

I was also trying to understand how the Dolphin deck balconies compares to the ALoha deck balconies. I just found out that the Dolphin deck mini suite balconies are completed exposed?

A welcome glass of "champagne" is the only additional perk on a mini suite. We always book a mini or full suite never have been in anything smaller. We like them for the additional space.

Did not know about the champagne...Thank you.

Experienced Princess Cruisers,

My apologies if this question has been discussed on this forum before, but i could not see it after a quick search.

I am considering a Balcony to Mini Suite upgrade for my upcoming Mexican Riviera cruise out of LA in March on the Crown Princess.

The difference in cost is not a factor.

I am currently on the Aloha deck (starboard) and will potentially move to the Dolphin deck ( Port side ).

1. Is this a good idea considering the Deck and Cabin locations?

2. Other than then obvious size difference and the benefits of a mini Suite is there any thing else that i should be aware of? This will be my first time in a Mini Suite.

3. Any other perks/benefits to a mini suite as opposed to a balcony?

Thanks in Advance for all the responses.

6 miles as stated 15-20 minutes. ;)

Thanks sknight and Colo Cruiser. This is good information. Thanks.

Do shuttles pick up at the Long beach hotels as well and drop at the pier? If yes, how much pp?

TIA

If you purchased a Princess hotel package then your transfer will be arranged for arrival at the pier around 1pm. That is the way Princess does it. If you are on your own you can arrange for a transfer at any time, just get a cab, arrange for a group shuttle such as Super Shuttle or Prime Time to pick you up, or you can take a hotel transfer back to LAX and catch one of these shuttle services.

 

Recommend that you stay the evening before in a San Pedro or Long Beach hotel. That is what we have done every time we sailed from San Pedro.

I am staying at a Long beach hotel for a march cruise from San Pedro. How long should i expect to the pier from the hotel?

Also how much should i expect for a shuttle pp or a cab? there are 2 adults and one child in our party.

TIA.

Are you talking aft facing? Or just aft side balconies?

I think either deck will be fine. You have cabins above and below so there should be no noise issues.

As far as picking a side, we have never worried about that on our MR cruises.

Just remember what side the sun will be on going down and back. :)

I am looking at aft side balconies. Thanks for the input.

Aloha and Baja balconies are smaller and fully covered. Caribe balconies are larger and are half covered and half uncovered. To me, there's no real difference between port and starboard. However, my friend always likes to see as many sunsets as possible. When she books a cabin she will look at the itinerary to see how many days are going south versus going north. She picks the side with the most days facing west. Does that make sense?

Yes it does. Thanks for the input.

Hello All,

I am planning a cruise on the Princess aboard the Crown princess. I have narrowed down my options to the balcony cabins on the Aloha and Baja Decks Aft. I have some questions to select my cabin. Experienced Princess Cruisers please help.

1. Is there any reason to prefer the Balcony cabins on the Aloha or baja decks ( My options are right now the Aft Balcony cabins in Category BB on either of these two decks.

2. Is the Port side or starboard side preferred on a mexican riviera cruise out of LA for 7 days?

Thanks in advance for all the responses.

Danish Viking...I am staying at the AC Hotel Bella Sky...

1. What are my options from there to the Oceakaj? What is the cost of each of these options. I have about three medium size bags and there are three people travelling including me and a 5 year old.

2. Also what are the options to get back to the AC Hotel Bella Sky from the OceanKaj to the AC Hotel Bella Sky?

Thank you in Advance.

Yes, the tours through your ship will provide the visa waiver - same with the independent tour operators.

Thanks for the response dogs4fun. This is exactly what i was looking for.

So i guess we get a visa waiver and not an actual visa?

I will be in St. Petersburg on a cruise for a day ( about 12 hours ) in early June. I am travelling with my wife and a 5 year old.

We are US citizens and are planning on taking a tour through the ship.

I have read through the cruise line website and the board here but have a question to which i dont have a clear answer.

1. If i book the tour through the ship to tour St Pete, does the tour provide the visa also? Or do i need to get my Visa ahead of time in the U.S?

I have seen recommendations for good private tour operators on this board and i understand they process all the paperwork for us if we do go with them.

I am just not sure if the tours through the ship do the same as well.

Thanks for all the responses in advance.

Good explanation :) Thanks. Will stick to midship.

Thanks counsdr. That is helpful information.

Basic question :)...If the seas do get choppy...is the rocking felt in the aft cabins also? or just the forward cabins?

I understand that mid-ship is the best if u want to feel the least amount of rocking.

Thanks for the information Danish Viking. Your responses have been very useful for us to determine our plan.