Connecting Promenade vs Grand Suite

[jelbnl]

As I type this, I know it's a ridiclous question. There are 4 of us, me and DH, and our 2 kids (9 and 6). We've never sailed without a balcony and this is the only balcony cabin still available for our sailing. I have it on hold, though I don't know what do do. The Grand Suite is $2k more than the 2 promenade rooms, but it's also bigger than both combined and has a balcony. The location of the GS is concerning me, right near the forward elevators, a far walk from H2O Zone, where I'm sure we'll be A LOT!! The promenade rooms are on the 6th deck, mid-promenade location. Now, 2k is a lot of $$$ and will go a LONG way towards paying that on-board account, but $$$ really isn't the issue. What would you do?

[scher]

As I type this, I know it's a ridiclous question. There are 4 of us, me and DH, and our 2 kids (9 and 6). We've never sailed without a balcony and this is the only balcony cabin still available for our sailing. I have it on hold, though I don't know what do do. The Grand Suite is $2k more than the 2 promenade rooms, but it's also bigger than both combined and has a balcony. The location of the GS is concerning me, right near the forward elevators, a far walk from H2O Zone, where I'm sure we'll be A LOT!! The promenade rooms are on the 6th deck, mid-promenade location. Now, 2k is a lot of $$$ and will go a LONG way towards paying that on-board account, but $$$ really isn't the issue. What would you do?

You really have to weigh the pros and cons of both. You are not in your room alot. If you want to get a sitter in room having 2 rooms is great she can sit in your room while the kids sleep in the other room. 2 bath rooms. but you do not see the sun shine and don't really know if it is morning or night when you wake up. GS 1 big room, 1 bathroom but bigger, concierge service, huge balcony, flat screen tv, entertainment system, free drinks happy hour. You have to decide if that is worth the extra 2 grand to you. If it is your first cruise I would go with the 2 rooms. If it is you 2nd and want to try bigger and better spend more and go with the GS

[Lynne0713]

I would go with the two PR rooms rather than the GS because of the money factor. Just think of the drinks, excursions, JEWELRY, that you could buy with the extra cash, even the casino. In my opinion that is what I would do. I have stayed in PR rooms before and you can see into the ship so you see something but not outside..Are you really in the room all that much?

[jellyfish39]

Just a thought, but how far out is the cruise? We found that sometimes the balconies show as all sold out because TAs have done a block booking and then they get released just before final payment date and balconies suddenly become available again. If its still well before final payment date, and you're not sailing during a major holiday/busy time I'd book the Promenade rooms and take a chance that balconies become available, then upgrade. Its easier to upgrade than downgrade! If its close to sail date and you can't do without a balcony, then I guess the suite is the way to go, but $2000 is quite a lot extra to pay for a balcony, even if its a large one.

[Inshape]

I would go for the 2 adjoining rooms and save the 2K for another cruise.Although they will miss the balcony (which I would too) the money saved is enormous. Now if money were no object at all and you do not need it for the next cruise, then go for the GS which many people enjoy. This has to be a personal decision since you and only you know the $ situation. Good luck and enjoy the cruise. Doing the Gs also gives you double cruise credits where the 2 PR cabins will only give you one. Having the kids in the other they will get the cruise credit when they are 18. So splurging for the GS is like going on 2 cruises if you are needing those extra credits.

[cb at sea]

2 rooms, for sure! It's a vacation, and your privacy is needed on vacation!!! While a balcony is wonderful, there is so much open deck space, that you can be outside as much as you like. Oh--and don't forget the 2 bathrooms you will have with 2 rooms!

[Phaedra_11]

I would go with the 2 connecting Promenade rooms. $2000 is a lot of money to save PLUS you will have an extra bathroom!

 

It also sounds like the PR rooms' locations are more ideal.