Cove Balcony vs Balcony ???

Hi,

Family is considering our first balcony cabin :D. We will be sailing on the Horizon and are trying to decide between a cove balcony and a regular balcony. Can anyone tell me if the cove balconies always get wet from the ocean spray? We would hate to be unable to use our balcony during periods of rough seas. Are there any pros/cons we should consider?

If we choose cove balcony, which is best area to select to keep balcony dry?

If we choose a regular balcony, which area is quietest?

Appreciate any help you can offer..

Thanks

We've had a cove balcony twice. Once on the Breeze, and once on the Vista. We didn't experience any ocean spray either time. However, on those occasions when the crew washes down the sides of the ship, you'll probably get some water on your balcony. So, don't leave any footwear (sandals, tennis shoes, etc.) on your balcony, or they'll get wet. I suppose if you have a cove balcony towards the front of the ship, there might be a chance of getting some spray on your balcony. I would suggest choosing a cabin that's located mid ship or Aft. When choosing a cabin, study the ship's deck plans very carefully. If you're bothered by noise at night, try to get one that's below either the Excursions Desk or Guest Services, or an area that has little foot traffic overhead. Do your best to avoid any that are below the galley or any public areas that have a lot of evening activity, such as lounges. Unfortunately, there's no way to know if you'll have noisy neighbors on either side of you. Also, you may want to think about where you'll be spending most of your time while on the ship. If, like us, you spend most of your time on the Lido deck, you might want to choose a cabin nearer to the Aft of the ship. If you're closer to the front of the ship, it's a loooong walk to the Aft elevators. To quote a line from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", "you must choose, but choose wisely".;)

A cove balcony is shaded and feels more confined. Might possibly have an obstructed view from lifeboats. We did not get a spray during the day as we sailed, but woke each morning having to wipe down the chairs & rails (probably since we pick up speed during the night, causing more of a spray). We enjoyed the view & being close to the water, but most definitely prefer an aft balcony over a cove. As for which balcony is the most quiet, well, I'd imagine that would depend upon the neighbors you have. Generally, a balcony is quite peaceful.

We had a cove balcony on the Magic our very first cruise, back in 2014. As I recall, we did have spray on one day getting all the chairs and even our door wet.

I love a cove balcony! Closer to the water and you feel a lot less movement of the ship. I've stayed in a cove several times and the spray was never an issue.

If you go with regular balcony, get one on a deck between decks with cabins. It's always the quietest between those decks.

Lido balcony.

Hi,

 

Family is considering our first balcony cabin :D. We will be sailing on the Horizon and are trying to decide between a cove balcony and a regular balcony. Can anyone tell me if the cove balconies always get wet from the ocean spray? We would hate to be unable to use our balcony during periods of rough seas. Are there any pros/cons we should consider?

 

If we choose cove balcony, which is best area to select to keep balcony dry?

If we choose a regular balcony, which area is quietest?

 

Appreciate any help you can offer..

 

Thanks

Unfortunately most of the cove balconies on the Horizon are located directly under the galley so for this ship you should probably go with the standard balcony on the higher decks.

Might possibly have an obstructed view from lifeboats.

I wouldn’t consider the view obstructed at all. The lifeboats are above you. The only way you see them is if you look up, and I can’t imagine why anyone would be looking up when you have the beautiful ocean in front of you.

To the OP: personally, I love coves. The balconies have more square footage, and you have shelter both from the blazing sun and also rain, if it does rain. And being that close to the ocean is incredible. I would choose a cove over a regular balcony any day! I’ll actually be in one on Saturday, on the Magic. [emoji4]

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Unfortunately most of the cove balconies on the Horizon are located directly under the galley so for this ship you should probably go with the standard balcony on the higher decks.

Since the Horizon is a sister ship to the Vista, the layout should be nearly identical. While there are some cove balcony cabins located below the galley, there are some that are not. Studying the ship's deck plans will be helpful in locating which cove balcony cabins are not. If you have a PVP, he / she can help you choose.

We always take a balcony cabin. We had a cove balcony on the Dream a few years ago. Wouldn't do it again. Lots of early morning noise from furniture or other items being moved (dragged) across the floor above. ALWAYS check to see whats above and below your cabing befor you book it. Take a cabin that has cabins above and below you.

We have had a cove balcony twice now. Once on the Vista and once on the Dream. Loved it! I remember maybe 2 mornings when I heard furniture being moved etc... Other than that, no noise, no spray. We are booked in a regular balcony on our next cruise, again on the Vista. I am looking forward to the comparison.

We’re doing our third Cove on the Breeze this Thanksgiving (done Magic and Dream). Even though I haven’t done one on the Vista Class, and the overhead noise is a legitimate concern, If you’re curious I think you should try it. Only 5 ships that have Coves, or anything like them, in the entire world. Ships either regular balconies are a dime a dozen so save that for when you’re sailing something besides a Dream or Vista Class ship.

We love being closer to the water, in the shade, much more private and easy walk up for dinner and down from the casino.

We’ve never been sprayed, on our Coves, but that might be fun! We were all the way aft on Magic and all the way forward on Dream.

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We’re doing our third Cove on the Breeze this Thanksgiving (done Magic and Dream). Even though I haven’t done one on the Vista Class, and the overhead noise is a legitimate concern, If you’re curious I think you should try it. Only 5 ships that have Coves, or anything like them, in the entire world. Ships either regular balconies are a dime a dozen so save that for when you’re sailing something besides a Dream or Vista Class ship.

 

We love being closer to the water, in the shade, much more private and easy walk up for dinner and down from the casino.

 

We’ve never been sprayed, on our Coves, but that might be fun! We were all the way aft on Magic and all the way forward on Dream.

 

 

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What about all the fantasy class ships? They got coves.

What about all the fantasy class ships? They got coves.

No, They bolted balconies to the existing hull, on much higher decks. Just did a mock booking on the Ecstasy, No cat 7 cabins there and I’m 99% sure the other Fantasy Class ships that got balconies were done the same way.

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All of the RCI ships balconies are basically coves.

All of the RCI ships balconies are basically coves.

It true that the 1st three Voyager Class ships are cut in to the hull, but everything from Navigator forward are bolt ons.

And even on those three ships, they are not even close.

1) they are much smaller

2) they are cut in to a flat surface where the coves are angled.

3) they are not close to the water

We’ve done both, will probably never do one of the 1st three Voyager Class ships again, but will book nothing but a Cove on Dream Class..

Voyager..

Dream..

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We're cruised in balconies (regular, hump, aft) on three different cruise lines and by far our favorite balcony is the Cove that we experienced on Carnival Magic. You can book one of those other balconies on other ships. If you have an opportunity to book a Cove, I'd say take it. We'll always choose a cove over anything else. We never got wet out there, and you have some shelter from the sun and wind, plus an outstanding view of the water. You neighbors can't poke their head around the partition either. And for reasons I can't begin to fathom, they're usually a little less expensive than regular balconies. IMHO the marketing department got it wrong, but I'm not telling....

Always be mindful of what's above and below your room when booking. Our

Cove on Magic, and our upcoming Cove of Dream were / are under guest services. It was awesome, and can't wait.

We book regular balconies or suites as we prefer the higher decks (typically deck 7 or 8), the cove balconies are way too low in the ship for our taste. We had friends in a cove last December on Magic and were able to take a look inside and that confirmed that we made the best choice for our family by sticking to the regular balcony on our favorite upper decks.

Never considered a cove balcony because we prefer the higher decks which the coves are obviously not on. We like to be 2 decks down from lido and have never had any issue with noise.