Having second thoughts...

[CHOOSE-2-CRUISE]

Hi all,

Just booked a 7 night cruise for my wife, 9 year old son & I aboard the Independence and chose cabin 7708 at the very aft of the ship because of the balcony size, however we are now having second thoughts because we think it may not get the sun like the side balconies do and its not possible to look directly out to sea, any thoughts??

[Clarea]

You're probably correct, less chance for sun, but a much larger balcony. Which is more important to you?

[FLACRUISER99]

Hi all,

Just booked a 7 night cruise for my wife, 9 year old son & I aboard the Independence and chose cabin 7708 at the very aft of the ship because of the balcony size, however we are now having second thoughts because we think it may not get the sun like the side balconies do and its not possible to look directly out to sea, any thoughts??

You might appreciate the shade. Especially if you are sailing in the Caribbean.

[trev71]

You might appreciate the shade. Especially if you are sailing in the Caribbean.

 

I second that sometimes it can get very hot on the deck doesnt really make it enjoyable

[pennielz]

You will get a mixture of sun and shade. Even if you are cruising in the winter, you will appreciate having some shade during the heat of the day. It will make your balcony more enjoyable as the sun in the Caribbean can be very strong.

[cb at sea]

Even the side balconies get very little direct sun...each balcony is covered by the deck above, so early morning or late afternoon sun is all you get. There are PLENTY of open decks where the sun shines all day!!

[Nigeldelarue]

I'll let you know as I have this room in 5 days :)

[Wilda]

I am one of those sun loving balcony folks that loves it when the balcony is in full sun:D I spend more time on the balcony when it is in full sun and haven't booked an aft cabin for that reason.

[Ocean Boy]

I try my best to avoid the sun. It just gets too hot on the balconies for me when there is not shade out there.

[jticarruthers]

We were just in 7408 (the opposite corner from 7708) on the Indy for Thanksgiving. Loved it. The metal framework around the balcony slopes so there are areas on the balcony where you can get some sun and there is plenty of shade as well.

 

Views of the water are not obstructed significantly (the metal framework is visible but easy to see around).

 

The room was slightly narrower but longer than my parents regular balcony but not a big deal and the balcony was worth it.

 

We had room for two loungers, two chairs, small table and 5-6 people standing at the same time.

[nbsjcruiser]

Hi all,

Just booked a 7 night cruise for my wife, 9 year old son & I aboard the Independence and chose cabin 7708 at the very aft of the ship because of the balcony size, however we are now having second thoughts because we think it may not get the sun like the side balconies do and its not possible to look directly out to sea, any thoughts??

 

We had a corner aft on the Indy in 2013. I won't get one again. Every morning when the ship docked (5-6AM) I could hear the engines vibrating. It was like someone was shaking the bed. Woke me up early every day. Never again. Also, the soot on the balcony was a daily occurrence.

[xpcdoojk]

Had 7708 5 years ago for a transatlantic. We loved the balcony. Loved the extra space.

 

jc

[Iaminspired]

We just got off Indy 10 days ago and had 7708. The balcony was fantastic! It felt like it almost doubled the size of the cabin. We spent a lot of time out there. Even with 5 of us on the balcony it still felt big! There are 2 loungers and 2 chairs plus a small table and lot of room to move around.

 

The amount of sunshine on the balcony has far more to do with the time of day and the direction the ship is headed. The balcony gets lot of sun when the sun is behind the ship but it is also easy to move the chairs into the shade. We saw beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The superstructure is definitely visible and cuts across the the view but does not really obstruct anything. If you want a totally clear view, you might not like it but I felt seeing the frame of the ship enhanced the feeling of being on a ship. You can also get a view off the back of the ship plus a view out the side, through the large porthole. If you like to watch dockrunners, it is harder unless the ship happens to be backed in and you have a view of the pier entry gates.

 

There was definitely more motion at the very aft of the ship and it was a long walk to the elevators. I didn't hear any extra engine noise and the 2nd Officer told me they seldom use the anchors except for routine testing so you shouldn't hear them. I found it quiet because few people are in that hallway walking so far aft. I would book that cabin again in a heartbeat!

 

Enjoy!

[Lionesss]

You probably will not use your balcony as much as you think you will.

 

With so many things to do on board, you will probably just pop on it for a little bit and then move on.

 

Also, you will be able to determine what is the best time to be on the balcony as the ship cruises along and go out when the direct sun is not on it.

 

Enjoy

 

Sea Ya

[HiCSailor]

Give up a coveted aft corner balcony?! [emoji33]

 

I'm sure some of the posters here are hoping you will so they can snap it up.

[racerxspeedy]

We just sailed Indy 6 day western itinerary. This time of year the sun is low in the sky. The sun stayed on our Port side balcony most days. This was fine since the temps were in the low 80s.

 

But Last Sept on Oasis Western the temps were in the 90s and I could not take the heat on our port side balcony.

 

Depending on the sail date you may like having some shade.

 

The balcony on 7708 is larger than your room (200 sq ft). IMO the std 40 sq foot balcony would be a downgrade.