Central Park vs. Boardwalk balconies??

[rgmacm]

We are looking at a RCCL Caribbean cruise. Our previous cruises have all been Princess and Carnival. I'm finding the 'shopping' process on RCCL a little over-whelming though I'm sure it will all become clearer the more looking I do...

 

I'm looking at balconies and of course, the OV looks great...but significantly more $$$.

 

So.....In comparing the Central Park and Boardwalk balconies, what are the differences between them? It seems apparent that one is central part of the ship, the other is aft...but any other differences?? What about noise level...privacy....and anything else I should know that I don't even know to ask about... ;)

 

Or should we just 'come up with' the extra money for the OV? ;)

[Clarea]

Privacy is the same, very little with either Central Park or Boardwalk.

 

Central Park is generally quieter and hotter.

 

Boardwalk is noisier, cooler, with some view of the ocean and aquatheater.

 

Perks:

http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Oasis/16050977_EAT_DRINK_PLAY_Trade_Flyer.pdf

[mkam2821]

Some people like vanilla, some like chocolate!. When cruising in the Caribbean I don't spend the extra for an OV balcony as I don't find he views of the islands particularly interesting (of course this is after 20+ cruises) and we live in South Florida and the ocean in winter isn't a novelty for me. Now when we cruised Alaska and the Med we took ocean view balconies as there was what to see!!

 

I enjoy the Central Park balcony, I hear birds and music and have a view of a Park when I sit out on the balcony reading a book etc. Some people like the more active boardwalk view (which can include the water show and a sliver of the ocean view). It's a personal choice or one that could be determined by which perks you prefer.

[nhraformula00]

Boardwalk would be my choice of the two. You can watch the shows at the aqua theater from there.

[Ken at the beach]

Boardwalk balconies include 2 soda packages and a meal for up to 4 at Johnny Rockets.

 

Central Park balconies include a lunch for 2 at Sabor, Johnny Rockets or (Giovanni’s or Jamie’s Italian) and a bottle of wine.

[Merion_Mom]

Another thing to consider when making your decision:

 

Certain things are offered with each category. See which set you like better:

 

Central Park Balcony cabin:

Complimentary lunch for two at Giovanni's Table & a complimentary bottle of red wine & casino lessons.

 

Boardwalk Balcony: meal for four at Johnny Rockets, a soda package for two, and a rock climbing wall session for the entire family

[rt1092]

95% of the people like them. But a small percentage. Say they feel like they are living in a tenement without the clotheslines.

But for the price I believe you usually can't beat them.

[lazydayz]

We just had to make the same choice and picked CP balcony. We loved Central Park on the Oasis. Had a JS and enjoyed the OV but this is an opportunity to experience something different. After more than 50 cruises, new experiences are always welcome.

[OCruisers]

Since we can book Ocean Views on any ship, we wanted to give the Boardwalk Balcony a try for something different. Acturally, there was not as much activity below as we would have liked ... but glad we gave it a try. Had a bit of an ocean view and could see the Water Show from our balcony. Not a bad choice for something different. (y)

The Central Park balconies would have been way too hot and boring for us.

[TNcrzr4life]

We had a Boardwalk balcony on the Oasis in February. We actually enjoyed it. We were on deck 7 about midway down so we could get glimpses of show,and ocean. It was great for people watching. The noise was not as bad as I had anticipated. Just remember to close your curtains for privacy [emoji41]

 

 

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[denamo]

We enjoy the Boardwalk balcony. We've only had a Central Park once and never again. Dance classes and bands play up on the pool deck and that music filters down extremely LOUDLY! Even down on the deck and not in the balcony, the music is loud.

 

 

The Boardwalk noise is usually from family events with children or a few events in the Aqua Theater during the day. These are usually short lived. In the evening, there will be some noise due to shows. Only a couple of times are these later in the evening. Depending how close your cabin is to the Aqua Theater will depend on how loudly you hear things in your cabin. Usually, the sound in the cabin is muffled. We have never been bothered at any time.

 

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[denamo]

Wanted to add, we've only cruised on the Oasis and Allure ships of the Oasis class. Since the slides now end at the Boardwalk, not sure how this may impact the noise factor.

 

I was too late to edit my post after I thought about this, so had to make a separate post.

[Norwich Cruiser]

We have a preference for Central Park.

[momofmab]

We enjoyed our CP balcony on Oasis and weren't bothered by privacy issues or hearing pool noise during the day (loved hearing the beautiful live music at night!) That said, on future cruises we'd probably opt for an OV balcony - my family missed the view.

[ukestrummer]

We are looking at a RCCL Caribbean cruise. Our previous cruises have all been Princess and Carnival. I'm finding the 'shopping' process on RCCL a little over-whelming though I'm sure it will all become clearer the more looking I do...

 

I'm looking at balconies and of course, the OV looks great...but significantly more $$$.

 

So.....In comparing the Central Park and Boardwalk balconies, what are the differences between them? It seems apparent that one is central part of the ship, the other is aft...but any other differences?? What about noise

 

Been on Oasis couple times, took Central Park both times, little less noise but you are directly across from otherside balconeys so you can't go out in your birthday suitlevel...privacy....and anything else I should know that I don't even know to ask about... ;)

Been on Oasis couple times, took Central Park both times, little less noise but you are directly across from otherside balconeys so you can't go out in your birthday suit

The ship is nice, book your events-shows EARLY as they fill up. Lots of food, lunch in Main Dining room also has a SALAD BUFFET that you pick what you want in salad & they will mix it for you, nice touch there

[Qstrom]

We truly enjoyed our Central Park balcony on the Oasis. It's true you do give up privacy and must be mindful of the folks across the way, however we enjoyed the music in the evenings, the natural bird sounds all the time.....I would get one again. Must be careful not to get on a floor too close to the upper pools or the sound might bother you. Not sure if I'd do a Boardwalk balcony.

[JamesEM]

Another thing to consider when making your decision:

 

Certain things are offered with each category. See which set you like better:

 

Central Park Balcony cabin:

 

Complimentary lunch for two at Giovanni's Table & a complimentary bottle of red wine & casino lessons.

 

Boardwalk Balcony: meal for four at Johnny Rockets, a soda package for two, and a rock climbing wall session for the entire family

 

Thanks for the information, question is this standard perk because I'm booked for a Sept. cruise on the Allure and this is news to me.

[travellovers2]

We/ve been in a Boardwalk balcony 3 times, so this next cruise we would like to try the Central Park balcony.

We've been trying to decide if to get a low or a high one? :cool:It just feels that one too high will be hard to see anything?

[alaska_planner]

we really enjoyed our Boardwalk balcony as we could see the ocean as well as the boardwalk as well as people on their balconies across from us (we love to people watch)

we were the 5th room from the aft on deck 12, so had a very good view of the ocean as well as everything else...

 

i haven't stayed in a CP balcony room so i can't really say if i wouldn't like it...

just that i enjoyed being able to see water from the BW balcony room....

[Mim Lloyd]

For a change we booked a CP balcony on the Symphony in June. Did not like it all. No privacy - we could see into the cabins opposite and I assume they could see into ours. No nets on the balcony meant that we had to always keep the full drapes closed when relaxing in the cabin or staying aware of what others could see. Luckily our settee was nearest the balcony rather than the bed, but cabins opposite had the bed nearest the balcony and we saw some very unintentional unpleasant sights! Also, we were on deck 14 and had to keep the balcony door closed all night as we'd be woken many times by revellers in the hot tubs and on the pool deck above and opposite drinking, talking, shouting and laughing.

[travellovers2]

Luckily our settee was nearest the balcony rather than the bed, but cabins opposite had the bed nearest the balcony and we saw some very unintentional unpleasant sights! .

 

Is there a way to find out the set up of the room before you book?

[Mim Lloyd]

I'm not sure. When we looked opposite, some cabins had the bed near the window and some had the settee near it. We were in cabin 14645.

[Clarea]

Thanks for the information, question is this standard perk because I'm booked for a Sept. cruise on the Allure and this is news to me.

Yes, standard perk, everyone who is in either a Central Park or Boardwalk balcony gets the perk, nothing more to do.

[Ken at the beach]

Is there a way to find out the set up of the room before you book?

 

The cabins alternate. Find a connecting pair, the cabin on the right (as you look at the cabins from the hall) has the bed by the balcony and the cabin on the left has the bed by the bath. From that point each cabin alternates bed position.

 

Or just tell us your cabin number and someone will tell you.

[blue is the best]

I have booked central park cabin 11655 on Allure. Anyone know where the bed would be.

 

Thank you,

 

Steve, Medford NY