Why the love affair with Aft Balconies?

[Brandywine_101]

I'm hoping some of you aft balcony lovers can shed light on just what exactly you love so much about them? I'm reading the cabin choosing suggestions and I keep reading how afts are so beloved. But when I am looking to book my next cruise, in the D1 category, basically all that's available are afts :confused:

 

From what I can tell, afts have larger balconies, but they also have obstructed views. And you really can't look down into the ocean as there are stepped decks blocking your view (of course depending on the ship). I've also read that you can often experience exhaust fumes, the balconies get less crosswind when sailing, and more sun, which can make them unbearably hot. So I'm truly confused why they're so loved?

 

Two schools of thought I considered were this...

 

1. Aft lovers are long-time cruisers who've been there, seen that and are at this point looking for peace and solitude?

 

2. And probably book aft suites, not just regular rooms, to enjoy both the extra space inside as well as outside?

 

Please shed some light on this for me. I'm considering an aft, but I really enjoyed the breeze last trip and wouldn't like to trade that for a few more sq feet of a balcony I can't use. HELP. And THANKS

[cb at sea]

If the view is "obstructed" depends on the ship...not all are obstructed! The balconies are MUCH larger than the side cabins. They tend to be quieter, because fewer folks pass that way.

 

That said, I'm NOT a fan...don't need that big balcony for 2...and I hate the looooong walk multiple times daily, just to pick up something from the room or whatever! I like the hump or central area near the stairs!!!

The aft lovers like the big balcony...it's "bragging" rights!!!

Edited March 10, 2015 by cb at sea

[maywell]

These pictures are from the back of the Breakaway's waterfront leaving NYC on my last trip, now picture it from the privacy& comfort of one's Aft Balcony with no strangers around you:

 

Edited March 10, 2015 by maywell

[Brandywine_101]

These pictures are from the back of the Breakaway's waterfront leaving NYC on my last trip, now picture it from the privacy& comfort of one's Aft Balcony with no strangers around you:

 

beautiful!

[kgraham56]

Aft cabins (also known as fantails) offer several advantages. Typically (YMMV) the balconies are larger so when traveling with a group they make a perfect location for a private sail away from each port. In addition, the cabins tend to be slightly larger as well.

 

As stated before, they tend to be quieter because there is little directly above them and rarely anything other than cabins above and below them.

 

They do tend to be a little farther to walk for certain things than central cabins, but my wife and I don't mind that. The extra walk helps to offset the wonderful food (at least that is what we keep telling each other). But then we tend to walk the stairs about 80% of the time rather than taking elevators.

 

Our next cruise, we have booked a corner cabin so we will have a wrap around balcony to compare. Not all ships have these so it will be fun to see if we like these as well.

 

As with most things in life, try it. You may like it. You may hate it. But at least you will know first hand rather than spending the rest of your life wondering.

 

ken

[knb0628]

Our love affair with the aft balcony started completely accidentally. We booked one on the Celebrity Constellation and adored it - peaceful, great view, huge balcony. We didn't mind the walk, but also liked that on that ship, there were stairs right by our door, allowing us to go up to the buffet, also making it convenient. We don't always attempt to get one, but when it's a choice, it's always the go to.

 

However, if I didn't like the walk or didn't want the privacy, they'd do nothing for me. That being said, it doesn't hurt to try it. I wouldn't go out of my way to get one and pay more for it if I didn't like it or want whatever class of room it is. I also pay much more attention to what is above and below my deck, and will turn down an aft balcony if it's something I don't want to hear constantly.

[Raxter54]

Our first ever cruise this last February was in an aft balcony cabin (7172) on the Serenade of the Seas. Loved it! It was a corner cabin, which meant that the balcony curved part way around the side, which gives you a wider view - no partitions on one side to block your view. The wrap-around is not really usable, just gives you a much greater feel of space. And the sound coming from the wake is like a giant white-noise generator - took a few naps in the afternoon on the balcony. Here are a few photos from the cruise...

 

 

 

[AndyT3]

We booked an aft facing penthouse suite on the NCL Dawn for late next year. The price wasn't too bad, so we splurged. From what I've gathered, it just seems like a much more peaceful location. With the wake, and panoramic views. I guess we'll see.

[kelkel2]

Our love affair with them happened accidentally. We booked a last minute guarantee on Princess and ended up with an aft balcony. We LOVED It. Our only complaint is one morning after a windy night we had a little bit of soot on our balcony railing, not the furniture just the railing. But we just took a bath towel and wiped it down and it was fine. Never had a problem the rest of the 7 day cruise.

I love how quiet and tucked away these cabins are. No one is around to bother you except the people with cabins back there, there's not near as much traffic and noise back there.

The view is amazing back there too. I love the view of the wake and listening to the sound of it. Plus you generally do have a decent view off to the side as well in both directions.

Some don't like that it's all the way in the back and it's a far walk, but that's what I like about it. It pretty much guarantees that the only people down there are those with rooms down there.

[GUT2407]

I love the wake view, but wifey loves mid ship so I just find somewhere to sit on deck and get the view for a while.

[Kilo November]

I love the view...the wake. Seeing the city disappear as we leave the dock is always amazing :)

[Tiggertastic]

We loved the peace and quiet and the view, the downside is how long it takes you to get anywhere on the ship from so far back, hey the exercise was worth it

[rockdoctor]

The aft balconies on Celebrity M Class ships and Princess Grand Class ships are big enough to sleep on. The sound is so relaxing. And they are private.

[Bockbutler]

I enjoy the space of the Aft and the views. I feel so relaxed and alone among thousands!

[bearette]

We did the family balcony on Constellation as well. The aft location on the corner gave us a large view and the balcony was huge. It was like a suite but without the price tag. It as peaceful and convenient to the buffet and a bar since we had the drink package. My husband wants one every time we sail now.

 

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Edited April 22, 2015 by bearette

[OCruisers]

Wake views are FANTASTIC ... but, but, but, the long hallway walks do become tiresome. ;)

LuLu

[meripour]

Had one, but did not enjoy the very long walk, which is much longer in real life than the deck plan appears. Not lazy, just when coming from a day out or to get something you left behind it is a big trek. Husband has intermittent mobility issues so we stay mid-ship for the just in-case-factor. Also helpful if the sea is rough or when one has had perhaps one glass of wine too many. ;-)

That being said, when we were aft, it was on a couples trip with a bunch of our neighbors so we booked them side by side and RCCL opened the panels in between. It was party-central in the evenings before dinner or coffee in the morning.

However, a friend will only do aft as they have a child and it gives them space to spread out and room for play without paying for a larger room. Its their tradition now. No, they don't make her sleep on 'the porch' or play unattended - but one trip her husband had to sleep out there on the chaise because he played unattended in the casino too long if you know what I mean.

[wilmadee]

how far in advance do you have to book to get one of these? I have looked at cruises over a year in advance and they are not available.

[bakersdozen12]

how far in advance do you have to book to get one of these? I have looked at cruises over a year in advance and they are not available.

 

 

I would be interested to know this as well. I have an aft wrap booked for a cruise in Nov of 2016. On one hand I feel sort of crazy to have a cruise booked that far in advance, but at the same time, I wanted to make sure I got one since there are only 6 available (and it's a special occasion cruise-my 40th birthday). Anyway, there is one more that's already booked, so I guess I'm not the only crazy one, lol.

[luvscruising2007]

We will be in 9256. Would you happen to have any pics of the inside of your cabin. Just curious. Thanks.

 

Our first ever cruise this last February was in an aft balcony cabin (7172) on the Serenade of the Seas. Loved it! It was a corner cabin, which meant that the balcony curved part way around the side, which gives you a wider view - no partitions on one side to block your view. The wrap-around is not really usable, just gives you a much greater feel of space. And the sound coming from the wake is like a giant white-noise generator - took a few naps in the afternoon on the balcony. Here are a few photos from the cruise...