Aft Balcony

[pirate cruiser]

Hi,

We will be in an aft balcony on NS starting 12/27-this will be the first time in the aft-what are pros and cons and are there any tips to get the most out of this type of cabin-we will be on deck 6-thanks for any input !

[Mary229]

I love the aft balconies.  I recently sailed the NS on the aft of the 8th floor just below the lido.  This is often deemed the noisiest aft but I was pleasantly surprised to find the noise was minimal.  Sitting of your balcony listening to the wake is mesmerizing 

[Tracey/Thom]

I think it's the best stateroom on the ship. We sailed to Alaska this year, bucket list trip, and bucket list stateroom. On the 7th deck, aft (not a Pinnacle, suite) I think it was 7149, but I could be wrong.

 

CONS: It was a bit of a walk all the way to the back of the ship from the front theatre. Also, in Alaska, they opened up the bow, so more people could get up close and personal with the glaciers. Having recently recovered from leg surgery, it was a long walk!

 

PROS: So many pros!  It was fast to get to the dining rooms below. The elevators were far enough away that you couldn't hear them ding all night. Far away from the stairs, so less traffic, less noise outside your door. We asked for twice a day cleanings, and because we so close to the fancy suites, those staff people seemed to be much better, faster and professional than a lot of others we've had (not that we have any complaints, whatsoever. Cruise staff work all day and all night and deserve their gratuities and any extra cash they get!)

 

Our aft balcony made our room seem so much bigger, just because of the light, and the ability to sit somewhere other than on the bed. Our sofa opened out into a  bed, but with only 2 of us, we didn't use it. We turned it and placed it directly in front of the balcony so we could see glaciers and ocean when it got a bit too windy/cold to sit out. The rest of the time it was a catch all. The room was plenty big.

 

Just being able to sit and watch the wake over the ship is one big PRO. Balconies are great, but the view over the aft, is the absolute best view of any balcony, on any ship. Quiet, peaceful, we would absolutely recommend an aft balcony, worth the extra money! 

 

The balcony dividers were high, and went all the way to the floor. At no time could we see any other balcony passengers. One would have to literally lean over the railing and twist one's body to see into the balcony next door. We could hear them when they were on the balcony if they were talking loudly, but for the most part, we found everyone to be respectful of privacy and act accordingly.

 

Sea spray was a bit of a problem on windy days, but we just wiped down the 2 recliners and table with a towel. Holland America supplied 2 blankets (we even purchased one for $35) which we used every day on our balcony, it was so cozy and comfortable. Their bathrobes were also plush and cosy.

 

We usually purchase just an interior cabin when we cruise because we spend so little time in the room. However, when you have an aft balcony, we actually found ourselves wanting to spend more time there because it's so peaceful and relaxing watching the wake. We had no problems with vibration, indeed, no problems with anything at all. 

 

Don't know where you're going, but if you're going to Alaska, an aft balcony is most definitely the way to go to enjoy every single moment of your cruise. 

 

We got an upgrade to a regular balcony when we cruised to the Caribbean, and decided that we preferred the activities on the ship to sitting on that balcony. The wake made all the difference for us, and glaciers of course. We hope to return to Alaska, and will be booking an aft balcony again. Otherwise, we're not spending the money on a balcony for the many Caribbean cruise itineraries. (Unless of course, we get an upgrade!)

 

Have a great cruise, enjoy the aft view!

 

[madera1]

Aft balconies are our favorite. On a few special occasions we have booked the corner wrap around balcony cabins! We loved these and if money was no object I would stay in one of these cabins every cruise. The views are amazing and we have little wind issues. The size of the balcony allows plenty of solace and seating to host friends!

[Crew News]

With no wind while the ship is moving, you can spend a lot more time on your balcony and see what is happening on both sides of the ship.  Since you are a short elevator ride up from the Room Service kitchen, anything you order will be at the right temperature when it arrives.  It's also a short elevator ride up to the Lido Market for a snack.

 

The photo ops while wearing your pajamas on your private balcony are the best.

 

Happy aft balcony!!!

[rodndonna]

13 hours ago, Mary229 said:

I love the aft balconies.  I recently sailed the NS on the aft of the 8th floor just below the lido.  This is often deemed the noisiest aft but I was pleasantly surprised to find the noise was minimal.  Sitting of your balcony listening to the wake is mesmerizing 

 

I agree - I think the reputation for 8th floor aft's being noisy is overstated. We had one on Eurodam and loved it, and now have one booked on the NS.  

 

Of course, that reputation makes them the more affordable of he afts, so perhaps better that it keeps the bad rap 😉

[pirate cruiser]

Thanks for the replies-we were on our first balcony on the starboard side on Eurodam in 2013 and loved it so I hope the aft will be even better-this will also be the longest cruise to date-12 days in the Caribbean.

[Nicodawg]

We were in aft cabin 8190 on NS in September and loved it.  Quick trip to get your morning coffee in Lido as well as easy access to the deck and Sea View bar area.  No noise at all.  Would definitely book again.

[highland cruiser]

1 hour ago, Nicodawg said:

We were in aft cabin 8190 on NS in September and loved it.  Quick trip to get your morning coffee in Lido as well as easy access to the deck and Sea View bar area.  No noise at all.  Would definitely book again.

We have this room booked on the Koningsdam in January for Hawaii.  Good to hear no noise.  We have never had an aft balcony and are looking forward to it.  Is there any cover on the balcony?

[Crew News]

12 minutes ago, highland cruiser said:

We have this room booked on the Koningsdam in January for Hawaii.  Good to hear no noise.  We have never had an aft balcony and are looking forward to it.  Is there any cover on the balcony?

Photos show Deck 8 nearly fully covered.

Edited October 26, 2022 by Crew News

[highland cruiser]

1 minute ago, Crew News said:

Photos show Deck nearly fully covered.

Thanks.  Just confirming as I had looked on halfacts. 

[shipshape sam]

On 10/23/2022 at 11:58 AM, pirate cruiser said:

Hi,

We will be in an aft balcony on NS starting 12/27-this will be the first time in the aft-what are pros and cons and are there any tips to get the most out of this type of cabin-we will be on deck 6-thanks for any input !

Pro's

Wake, wake, wake!  Our next cruise is with an aft facing cabin and I am looking forward to enjoying a nighttime drink on balcony listening to the wake, then waking up to the sun and the sound of the wake, and during during the day, looking as the blue color of the wake.  Thus, wake, wake, wake.

 

Con's 

It can be a walk to elevators ( it can add up to lots of extra steps over course of a cruise), but if you have no issues with walking, the extra steps will allow you to enjoy that additional roll and butter each night. 🙂  If the ship has 3 sets of elevators, the walk is less.  Most ships go with 2 sets of elevators and thus the longer walk.

 

Please post after your sailing on your thoughts on aft cabin (actually a stern cabin) aft is a directional term meaning towards the stern (rear) of the ship.

Edited October 27, 2022 by shipshape sam

[mcrcruiser]

We did a trans Atlantic in a Aft balcony cabin  Y it was the best choice we ever made for location . We sailed from Port of Rome  southern Atlantic  to Ft Lauderdale  . We could see 180 degrees ,the wake was beautiful  & then we saw just water like a smooth lake in the mid  Atlantic . 

 

 We no longer do those cabins as we need handicap cabins now   

Edited October 27, 2022 by mcrcruiser

[0106]

25 minutes ago, shipshape sam said:

Please post after your sailing on your thoughts on aft cabin (actually a stern cabin) aft is a directional term meaning towards the stern (rear) of the ship.

I agree that aft means “towards the stern” or the back of the boat.

 

My understanding was that you used aft when you were referring to the inside (onboard) rear of the ship and stern when you were referring to the outside (offboard) rear of the ship.

 

I am just interested in how the words are used.

I agree….Wake, wake, wake.

 

[jimmy2x]

2 minutes ago, 0106 said:

I agree that aft means “towards the stern” or the back of the boat.

 

My understanding was that you used aft when you were referring to the inside (onboard) rear of the ship and stern when you were referring to the outside (offboard) rear of the ship.

 

I am just interested in how the words are used.

I agree….Wake, wake, wake.

 

You are pretty much there. The bow is the pointy area at the front of the ship. The stern is the roundy area at the back of the ship.  If you’re are heading toward the bow, you are moving forward. If you are heading toward the the stern you are heading aft. 
20 years USN. 

[oldbluff]

On 10/23/2022 at 7:44 PM, Crew News said:

With no wind while the ship is moving, you can spend a lot more time on your balcony and see what is happening on both sides of the ship.  Since you are a short elevator ride up from the Room Service kitchen, anything you order will be at the right temperature when it arrives.  It's also a short elevator ride up to the Lido Market for a snack.

 

The photo ops while wearing your pajamas on your private balcony are the best.

 

Happy aft balcony!!!

We agree about the lack of wind while underway. We have had too much wind with side balconies. And don’t mind being able to slip up to the Seaview Bar and bring back cocktails to enjoy on the balcony or in the cabin,

[glutenhab]

How is the noise level from these? 
Concerned about noise from the wake/rudders/vibration etc. 

Often get this in the main dining room, which is also aft but on decks 2 & 3.

[Crew News]

7 hours ago, glutenhab said:

How is the noise level from these? 
Concerned about noise from the wake/rudders/vibration etc. 

Often get this in the main dining room, which is also aft but on decks 2 & 3.

The sound of the wake is soothing and provides an excellent environment for sleeping. 

 

There is a slight vibration for a few minutes caused by the stern thrusters when the ship is being maneuvered sideways to/from a pier.  There are also bow thrusters and vibration doing the same maneuver.

Edited October 29, 2022 by Crew News

[tupper10]

Everyone has their own opinion about aft cabins. On the Celebrity M class ships we loved the aft cabins - they were very quiet and had an extended balcony. Based on this experience we booked an aft on Deck 5 on the NS for a cruise this past winter.  It was our first cruise with HAL.    We were very bothered by the noise of the wake on the balcony and the vibration to the point that we asked to change rooms. Lucky for us the ship was 1/2 empty.   We were offered an aft on deck 7 -much quieter when in the room and barely any vibration but on the balcony we still heard the noise of the wake. We were also given a choice of a vista suite on deck 7 midship which we took - it was very quiet and though the balcony was much smaller we enjoyed the room.  If we ever do an aft room again it would have to be on deck 7 or above for us since the higher you go the less you hear the wake.  For many others the sound of the wake is just 'white noise' for us it wasn't.  

[shipshape sam]

On 10/26/2022 at 10:10 PM, 0106 said:

I agree that aft means “towards the stern” or the back of the boat.

 

My understanding was that you used aft when you were referring to the inside (onboard) rear of the ship and stern when you were referring to the outside (offboard) rear of the ship.

 

I am just interested in how the words are used.

I agree….Wake, wake, wake.

 

We are on Rotterdam and will report back our experience in a aft cabin, deck 6

 

[highland cruiser]

Can't help much as have never been in an aft balcony but will be in one on the Koningsdam in January to Hawaii.  It is on deck 8.  I am little concerned about noise from the Lido deck but our TA said it has a nice sized balcony and is mostly covered.  So we took it.  

In March was are on the Oosterdam in an aft balcony on deck 7.  

Looking forward to giving those rooms a try.  I do know they seem to sell out quickly.  

[pirate cruiser]

I noticed on our Dec. cruise all the afts are sold out-we used our PCC for the first time and she recommended deck 6-really looking forward to being able to see more from the back of the ship !