sharona211 Posted June 8, 2017 #1 Share Posted June 8, 2017 I can see on the deck plans that the square footage is slightly more (80 sq ft) and the bathroom looks like it has an actual tub instead of just a shower. Wondering how much of a real difference this will make? It was just going to be me and my teenage daughter sharing the room so I was ok with the small balcony cabin when we booked it but now we've had a change of plans and my mom is going to be in with us instead of her own cabin with my aunt. I think we need to upgrade but she thinks it's a waste of money. Cost would be about $600 more total which is not a lot for 3 people for a week long cruise but it would pay for our shore excursions so I don't want to just throw it away on an "upgrade" that is really nothing more than a tub instead of a shower... Thoughts from those who have experienced both cabins? I have no experience on NCL and have never cruised with more than one other person in the cabin... Mom and I do have spa passes for the week if that makes a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakesnana Posted June 8, 2017 #2 Share Posted June 8, 2017 I'm not sure I could justify the increased cost of $600 for 80 more sq. ft. and a tub. If you think about it, it is less than 2 additional feet of length to your cabin. Probably not going to have much impact on your situation and the money could be better put towards spending. This is just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycarla Posted June 8, 2017 #3 Share Posted June 8, 2017 3 in a room is going to be tight either way. Not sure about Dawn, but many of the ships have a curtain between the bed and the couch area that would offer some slight privacy in the mini. Actually, that is the only perk that is worth anything to us. There are no SUITE perks and it should not be called a mini suite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Visigoth Posted June 8, 2017 #4 Share Posted June 8, 2017 The balcony cabin is approx. 203 sq ft while the Mini Suite is 283 sq. ft. 80 square ft. may not sound like much but it is 39% more space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharona211 Posted June 9, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Good points all. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimsig Posted June 9, 2017 #6 Share Posted June 9, 2017 3 in a room is going to be tight either way. Not sure about Dawn, but many of the ships have a curtain between the bed and the couch area that would offer some slight privacy in the mini. Actually, that is the only perk that is worth anything to us. There are no SUITE perks and it should not be called a mini suite. I don't know why they don't call it a "Deluxe Balcony Room." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Visigoth Posted June 9, 2017 #7 Share Posted June 9, 2017 I'm guessing the use of the term "Mini-Suite" is used by NCL because most other non-luxury cruise ship lines features a similar option. Carnival and Royal Caribbean call them Jr. Suites. NCL and Princess call them Mini-Suites. Sometimes they throw in preference boarding or a free bottle of wine, but they are, in reality, not true suites. Since they never promise regular suite amenities it really shouldn't cause a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coscab Posted June 9, 2017 #8 Share Posted June 9, 2017 DH and I have been in both, we did notice that the mini felt larger and more comfortable in the cabin area. The tub is a waste of space for us in the bathroom. Would your mom have been spending $600. for her share of the cabin with your aunt, if so that would cover the upgrade. It's true that it will be tight for three in either but I wouldn't even consider three in the regular balcony cabin, friends of ours traveled with their daughter in a regular balcony cabin and to me it seemed cramped but they are a very close family and their daughter is very petite (even though she was about 22 at the time) and they seemed just fine, everyone is different:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NH Cruisers Posted June 9, 2017 #9 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Go for the Mini-Suite. They do have curtain dividers of the bed and sofa bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted June 9, 2017 #10 Share Posted June 9, 2017 We would never sail in anything less than a mini-suite on the Dawn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharona211 Posted June 10, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted June 10, 2017 DH and I have been in both, we did notice that the mini felt larger and more comfortable in the cabin area. The tub is a waste of space for us in the bathroom. Would your mom have been spending $600. for her share of the cabin with your aunt, if so that would cover the upgrade.It's true that it will be tight for three in either but I wouldn't even consider three in the regular balcony cabin, friends of ours traveled with their daughter in a regular balcony cabin and to me it seemed cramped but they are a very close family and their daughter is very petite (even though she was about 22 at the time) and they seemed just fine, everyone is different:D Thanks for the first hand info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hladygirl Posted June 10, 2017 #12 Share Posted June 10, 2017 The balconys on the midship minisuites are larger than the regular balconys and have an over hang above from the buffet or pool area that protects the balcony from some sun and rain. This is the best benefit for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredflint Posted June 10, 2017 #13 Share Posted June 10, 2017 80 sq ft is an 8x10' room that is a lot for a cabin difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojomorris Posted June 10, 2017 #14 Share Posted June 10, 2017 We've done both - - mini-suite and a "regular" balcony on the Dawn for Boston<>Tampa repos.. Mini definitely has more room - better for 3 people. It has curtain "divider" separating bed and couch areas ...which is nice Regular is OK for 2 but a bit tight for 3. Here's the rub for the mini.... you are below the Lido and could possibly hear the scraping of chairs/tables/loungers overhead. We specifically had a mini (11176) quite far aft to avoid the Lido sounds. It was superb... IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momoftwinteens Posted June 10, 2017 #15 Share Posted June 10, 2017 We've done both - - mini-suite and a "regular" balcony on the Dawn forBoston<>Tampa repos.. Mini definitely has more room - better for 3 people. It has curtain "divider" separating bed and couch areas ...which is nice Regular is OK for 2 but a bit tight for 3. Here's the rub for the mini.... you are below the Lido and could possibly hear the scraping of chairs/tables/loungers overhead. We specifically had a mini (11176) quite far aft to avoid the Lido sounds. It was superb... IMHO. I agree with this. We were in 11056 in 2013. It is slightly forward, enough so that we were directly under cabins and not the pool deck. It made a real difference in terms of noise. If you decide on a mini-suite, pay attention to the deck plans and try to get a cabin either forward or aft where there are cabins above and below. We were three adults on the 2 week repo cruise and I can't imagine trying to cram everything into a regular balcony cabin. I was very grateful for the extra room in the mini-suite. Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharona211 Posted June 11, 2017 Author #16 Share Posted June 11, 2017 We've done both - - mini-suite and a "regular" balcony on the Dawn forBoston<>Tampa repos.. Mini definitely has more room - better for 3 people. It has curtain "divider" separating bed and couch areas ...which is nice Regular is OK for 2 but a bit tight for 3. Here's the rub for the mini.... you are below the Lido and could possibly hear the scraping of chairs/tables/loungers overhead. We specifically had a mini (11176) quite far aft to avoid the Lido sounds. It was superb... IMHO. Great info thanks! I prefer midship or aft so will see what's available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharona211 Posted June 11, 2017 Author #17 Share Posted June 11, 2017 I agree with this. We were in 11056 in 2013. It is slightly forward, enough so that we were directly under cabins and not the pool deck. It made a real difference in terms of noise. If you decide on a mini-suite, pay attention to the deck plans and try to get a cabin either forward or aft where there are cabins above and below. We were three adults on the 2 week repo cruise and I can't imagine trying to cram everything into a regular balcony cabin. I was very grateful for the extra room in the mini-suite. Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app Thanks for the input. Learned that lesson the hard way on my 2nd cruise. Now we always check what's above, below and across from the cabin before choosing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted June 11, 2017 #18 Share Posted June 11, 2017 The tub does make the bathroom a bit larger...not enough for 2 at once, but still, not "phone booth" size (if anyone remembers phone booths!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gymbomb Posted June 11, 2017 #19 Share Posted June 11, 2017 I can see on the deck plans that the square footage is slightly more (80 sq ft) and the bathroom looks like it has an actual tub instead of just a shower. Wondering how much of a real difference this will make? It was just going to be me and my teenage daughter sharing the room so I was ok with the small balcony cabin when we booked it but now we've had a change of plans and my mom is going to be in with us instead of her own cabin with my aunt. I think we need to upgrade but she thinks it's a waste of money. Cost would be about $600 more total which is not a lot for 3 people for a week long cruise but it would pay for our shore excursions so I don't want to just throw it away on an "upgrade" that is really nothing more than a tub instead of a shower... Thoughts from those who have experienced both cabins? I have no experience on NCL and have never cruised with more than one other person in the cabin... Mom and I do have spa passes for the week if that makes a difference. I would have kept the balcony for 2 people, but would get the mini for 3. The room itself is larger, and there is a curtain separating the couch and bed areas on the Dawn which to me makes a big difference when sleeping 3 people. Ask for a foam topper for the sofa bed. Also in the balcony rooms the sofa bed pulls out differently and it is hard to get to he balcony with it open. No problems in the mini suite. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AerynSun_JohnCrighton Posted June 11, 2017 #20 Share Posted June 11, 2017 I would have kept the balcony for 2 people, but would get the mini for 3. The room itself is larger, and there is a curtain separating the couch and bed areas on the Dawn which to me makes a big difference when sleeping 3 people. Ask for a foam topper for the sofa bed. Also in the balcony rooms the sofa bed pulls out differently and it is hard to get to he balcony with it open. No problems in the mini suite. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Is that the same for all ships? For example the Epic as well... (sofa configuration and getting to balcony in a balcony vs mini suite) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hateswaterloves2cruise Posted June 14, 2017 #21 Share Posted June 14, 2017 The only concern about the mini suite is the bathtub. It has quite a high side and may be difficult for your mother (depending on her age and abilities). We had a suite with bathtub and my DH ended up showering at the spa every day because of the difficulty getting in the tub. Just something to think about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharona211 Posted July 7, 2017 Author #22 Share Posted July 7, 2017 Just following up to say that we did upgrade to the mini suite. After initially booking mini 11686 which was the last cabin aft on the port side, I then found several reviews that said it was noisy being under the fitness center (apparently the dancers practice there at night?). Also the balcony in 11686 is a bit enclosed (privasea?) which I wouldn't mind but I thought mom would prefer the full sun as she is a sun worshiper. When the prices dropped a tiny bit after the 30 day mark I upgraded again to mid ship mini 11130. As best I can tell it's below the cafe which, while not ideal, is - I think - better than below the pool deck or the fitness center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Math teacher Posted February 10, 2018 #23 Share Posted February 10, 2018 We've done both - - mini-suite and a "regular" balcony on the Dawn forBoston<>Tampa repos.. Mini definitely has more room - better for 3 people. It has curtain "divider" separating bed and couch areas ...which is nice Regular is OK for 2 but a bit tight for 3. Here's the rub for the mini.... you are below the Lido and could possibly hear the scraping of chairs/tables/loungers overhead. We specifically had a mini (11176) quite far aft to avoid the Lido sounds. It was superb... IMHO. We have the same cabin booked for March. Does the balcony have a lounge chair? If not, do you know if you can get one? My DH likes to sleep on the balcony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curleyjane Posted May 17, 2018 #24 Share Posted May 17, 2018 I was wondering same thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meglet Posted May 17, 2018 #25 Share Posted May 17, 2018 I don't think the balconies in the mini suite are big enough for a lounger. As people have mentioned, the bathroom is bigger, the cabin itself. This was before the refurb, but I took the "coffee table" from in front of the small sofa and had enough room to put it between the two chairs on the balcony so we could put a plate of fruit and some drinks or morning coffee out there. And, in those days, our ashtray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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