Sailing Encore 3/8 - Booked Balcony, Should I Upgrade?

[SunnyTahitianDaze]

Hello Cruisers!

 

I have been reading this forum for a few weeks now, what a wealth of information.  The collective experience here has helped me immeasurably for planning our first cruise!

 

My husband and I have booked a balcony room on Encore, we booked a BF and our res is now showing a 12th deck BA.  Which is great!  But I have perused the upgrades, and there is a mini-suite on offer for 25/pp as well as mini-suite and balcony spa staterooms available for bidding starting at 100/pp.  I don't think we should really spring even the nominal amount for the spa because frankly, we are going to be drinking at every bar a lot.  Haha.  We are taking our first real vacation from our 2.5 year old twins and we are both former bartenders so we are going to boogie down as it were. 😛  That said, I am pretty stoked about this BF to BA situation, so do you think I should chance it on the mini-suite?  I feel like we might get a terrible location.  Is 12th deck, mid ship a good spot for a balcony?  It seems like it but I thought I would ask. Am I being crazy and missing out on the spa?  What do you all think about this situation here?

Thanks so much and sorry if this is in the wrong place!!

 

🙂

[MaryZ]

It's a great spot for a balcony.  The only cabins I'd bid for is Haven. 

[BirdTravels]

The room size on a Balcony and Minisuite are the same. The only difference is the size of the bathroom. In a mini, you get a full size (tub size) shower, double sinks, and more space around the toilet. Stick with the balcony and enjoy. 

[Veryunlikelly]

I don't have any solid advice, just wanted to say that I am extremely envious as we will be on the Encore in April... WITH our 2.5 yr old twins 😬

I'm also a former bartender and will certainly miss the bar hopping fun this round. If I were in your position, I would consider a spa bid or spa pass for the relaxing, totally kid-free environment. Depending on how many daytime hours you will spend on the ship, it can be a fantastic place to detox and rejuvenate for another night "out." Otherwise I think your location is good, and I probably wouldn't risk a possibly worse location for the mini suite bathroom.