Deck advice - Seaside Aurea Balcony cabin

[christybell]

Hi folks,

 

I have read through loads of threads and picked up great advise, but I am struggling to find cabin answers. We have decided on a Aurea balcony (B3) but dont know which deck is best. Fancied Deck 9 for largr balcony but an concerned about 1) noise from below and 2) privacy based on cabins above looking down.

 

Then thought deck 15, so nice and high for clear views but read about an overhang meaning no sun on balcony:eek:, so.......now stuck between deck 14 and 13, can anyone offer any guidance to indecisive me??

 

Recommendations welcomed- thanks

[oviattfamily]

We had an Aurea Aft balcony on deck 12, best room ever!!!!

[Até]

I like specific ones on deck nine starboard side as they overlook a spa deck that is hardly ever used because it is reserved for people who book special services. Cabins aft of 9040 are over a public smoking sun deck so you need to be forward of that. 9018 to 9024 have the view somewhat blocked by the high bow structure on deck eight. 9026 to 9038 would be my favorites.

[christybell]

We had an Aurea Aft balcony on deck 12, best room ever!!!!

 

Would love an aft but none available unfortunatley

[christybell]

I like specific ones on deck nine starboard side as they overlook a spa deck that is hardly ever used because it is reserved for people who book special services. Cabins aft of 9040 are over a public smoking sun deck so you need to be forward of that. 9018 to 9024 have the view somewhat blocked by the high bow structure on deck eight. 9026 to 9038 would be my favorites.

 

Thank you, I think we have decided against Deck 9 as my husband wants a "true seaview" and I belief Deck 9 you need to look past deck 8 (if that makes sense) and the concern of privacy due to cabins above looking down- Love the size of those balconies though.

[sidari]

We have had an Aft Suite 14262 and the Deck 9 Balcony cabin 9036, no problems with the position, nothing blocking the views, we had no issues with the fact that part of the balcony can be seen from above but can understand those who might do. The Deck 9 balconies have sun loungers on them whereas those higher up only have the chairs and foot stool.

The cabin interior is the same whichever you decide on.

[Skier52]

Hi folks,

 

I have read through loads of threads and picked up great advise, but I am struggling to find cabin answers. We have decided on a Aurea balcony (B3) but dont know which deck is best. Fancied Deck 9 for largr balcony but an concerned about 1) noise from below and 2) privacy based on cabins above looking down.

 

Then thought deck 15, so nice and high for clear views but read about an overhang meaning no sun on balcony:eek:, so.......now stuck between deck 14 and 13, can anyone offer any guidance to indecisive me??

 

Recommendations welcomed- thanks

You are correct about the overhang affecting deck 15.

I had a deck 15 Aurea on Seaview

 

Another thought is avoid cabins near to the bump out, as they are looked on from the balconies (14058;14060;14061;14063) which are on the angled part of the hump.

 

The cabins to avoid on this basis would be 14046 -14054 and 14049- 14057 and the corresponding ones on deck 13

[Ludo1973]

Just back from MSC Seaview where we stayed in one of these Aurea extended balcony cabins. Thoughts here on the cabin:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showpost.php?p=56665662&postcount=451

 

Spoiler...nothing good to say about them and would definitely NOT stay on one again.

[Até]

Just back from MSC Seaview where we stayed in one of these Aurea extended balcony cabins... Spoiler...nothing good to say about them and would definitely NOT stay on one again.

 

It looks like you were in a side facing Aurea suite. I can't justify the price difference between those and the Aurea balconies as the cabin is the same and just have a longer balcony - I agree too long. To me the location is a bit worse, but your point about exposure from above is valid and I would be wary about any cruise in either cabin during kid seasons. Most of the Aurea balconies have a somewhat better view of the ocean, not being obstructed by the outdoor buffet canopy. I would only recommend the starboard side more central Aurea balcony cabins.

[DShep]

Wife and I had cabin 15196 on the Seaside last week. You really can't help but to see into the balconies on deck 9 if you look down towards the water. And as a bonus, you get to see into the jacuzzi's in the whirlpool suites. : )

 

Our cabin was under the pool deck overhang and noise really only bothered me twice. The first morning when someone decided he had to run a couple of miles at 6AM. Fortunately his enthusiasm waned after the first day. The second time was when the crew was cleaning up after White night. Sounded like they were having a deck chair throwing contest at 1:30AM.

 

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner times you can hear the people eating outside on deck 8 but it was more like background noise and not really a bother.

[Até]

Wife and I had cabin 15196 on the Seaside last week. You really can't help but to see into the balconies on deck 9 if you look down towards the water....

Again, this would be looking down onto the Aurea Suites which have a much more exposed balcony than the Aurea balcony cabins. There would be no buffet noise in any the Aurea balcony cabins.

[christybell]

You are correct about the overhang affecting deck 15.

I had a deck 15 Aurea on Seaview

 

Another thought is avoid cabins near to the bump out, as they are looked on from the balconies (14058;14060;14061;14063) which are on the angled part of the hump.

 

The cabins to avoid on this basis would be 14046 -14054 and 14049- 14057 and the corresponding ones on deck 13

 

Thanks for confirming, very helpful.

[christybell]

Just back from MSC Seaview where we stayed in one of these Aurea extended balcony cabins. Thoughts here on the cabin:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showpost.php?p=56665662&postcount=451

 

Spoiler...nothing good to say about them and would definitely NOT stay on one again.

 

 

Thank you for sharing, exactly the information I was hoping for...and exactly my concerns.....Glad to hear you enjoyed all other aspects of your cruise

[christybell]

It looks like you were in a side facing Aurea suite. I can't justify the price difference between those and the Aurea balconies as the cabin is the same and just have a longer balcony - I agree too long. To me the location is a bit worse, but your point about exposure from above is valid and I would be wary about any cruise in either cabin during kid seasons. Most of the Aurea balconies have a somewhat better view of the ocean, not being obstructed by the outdoor buffet canopy. I would only recommend the starboard side more central Aurea balcony cabins.

 

Thanks for the detailed info, now deciding between deck 13 and 14 :D:D

[christybell]

Wife and I had cabin 15196 on the Seaside last week. You really can't help but to see into the balconies on deck 9 if you look down towards the water. And as a bonus, you get to see into the jacuzzi's in the whirlpool suites. : )

 

Our cabin was under the pool deck overhang and noise really only bothered me twice. The first morning when someone decided he had to run a couple of miles at 6AM. Fortunately his enthusiasm waned after the first day. The second time was when the crew was cleaning up after White night. Sounded like they were having a deck chair throwing contest at 1:30AM.

 

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner times you can hear the people eating outside on deck 8 but it was more like background noise and not really a bother.

 

Thanks for the info, we are now looking at deck 13 or 14 forward, so hopefully a bit quieter and more privacy

[Até]

Thanks for the info, we are now looking at deck 13 or 14 forward, so hopefully a bit quieter and more privacy

 

I think you mean deck 14 or 15. Try to find some pictures of the deck 15 balcony, there is a surprisingly large overhang from the deck 16 YC balconies above. Also try not to go too far forward on 14 as the support structure for the bridge overhang is there and you may also have them looking in on you.

[sidari]

Deck 13 forward are Wellness cabins now also being sold as Aurea.

[Até]

Thanks, I keep forgetting about that.

[nikkiw60]

This was 15015 on Seaside with the overhang which we appreciated with the sun !

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[christybell]

Thanks for posting the pics Nikkiw60, the overhang is definitely NOT for me. I do like the sun :)

[sidari]

Nikki ... That cabin layout is the better one with the bed near the balcony, very little space between the bed and wardrobe the other way around.

 

Christybell ... Some photos of the Deck 9 Aurea Cabin balcony and view from it.

 

 

 

We had 9036 which is just beyond the whirlpool and close to the cabanas.

 

 

St Maarten.

 

San Juan Porto Rico.

[christybell]

Thank you for posting your photos Sidari, they are fab!!

 

So.....we eventually decided on Deck 14. Even with the larger balcony Deck 9 was ruled out as all available cabins were further back.

 

Thanks for all the advice folks