2 E1 Adjoining rooms or 1 JS???

[Ashley24]

My TA was able to hold two adjoining E1 rooms on the Mariner (8606 & 8608) for $100 less than the one JS I have reserved now. We are concerned that the sofa bed in the JS will be too small for our two daughters to share and the TA said that a rollaway is not allowed in the JS. Right now we are booked in a JS in the aft section of the ship (1694). Is there any reason why I shouldn't grab these rooms? Has anyone been in two adjoining rooms before and have an opinion on these rooms? Is it easy to keep the door open between the rooms and is there a way to go from one balcony to another? Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Jimbo]

Tough choices....1694 has a great balcony, but with 3 women in the same cabin with only one bathroom, that can be a problem also. Sofa beds aren't the largest either, guess it would depend if your daughters are young or older.

The balconies in the connecting E1 cabins will not open to make one large balcony as far as I know, that's the way it was on the older Voyager Class ships anyway, Mariner might be different.

Just curious have you seen pictures of that cabin(1694) or (1394) they are mirror images of each other.

Jimbo

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May 2nd, 2004
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[FinelyCruising]

How old are your daughters? Two adjoining rooms means two bathrooms and for women that is a big deal when getting ready for dinner.

A JS is very nice with a walk-in closet. The sofa bed is good for two littler girls but I don't reccommend it for two 'tweens or teens. For $100. difference, I'd take the two rooms and have a great big smile at the opportunity!

Have fun!

[gambler]

How funny, I was able to get 8606 and 8608 also for our cruise in November on the Navigator. We have done 4 in a JS before but I am excited for the connecting rooms, two tv's, two bathrooms, etc. I say go for the two connecting rooms.

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[DChabira]

I suggest the two rooms vs. the Junior Suite. I'd always prefer two bathrooms and the separation.

One word of caution about the adjoining rooms. The door between the rooms has a double keyed dead bolt. The room steward will un-lock the door the first day of the cruise and it will remain un-locked for the duration of the cruise. There is no way to lock it yourself. They will not leave you with a key, as it is the same key for every connecting door on the ship. This is a problem if you want privacy from the party in the other room.

However, since you originally planned to stay in one suite together this probably isn't an issue.

[Ashley24]

My dds will be 10 and 7 on this cruise. Does anyone know about the balconies, whether they can open betweem them? And yes, I have seen the pictures of that type of aft balcony room and that is why I hesitate to make the switch. My girls are very excited about having their own room. Will I need to use something to keep the door open?

[gene624]

You cannot open between balconies.I think you can block the connecting door though, and I would do so -- maybe with a chair. Your girls will need to understand they cannot climb in the balcony!
Gene in Birmingham

[DChabira]

The cabin steward uses a wooden wedge to keep the door open when he cleans. He may or may not leave you one.

I would buy one and take it with me just in case. You can buy a large rubber door wedge at Home Depot or Lowes.

[Gimbie]

Take the two, it feels like a suite, only better--two of everything. The doors do stay open between the rooms, but not the balcony. We have 7608 & 7606 directly below on Mariner in June.

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[Family of 14]

Ashley - I have been trying to help you along the way, but now I am confused. Is it just you and your daughters (3) or is there a 4th person?

If just 3, I would stick with what you had. If there are 4 people, go with the two rooms. Sometimes the balconies can be opened, sometime not. Try asking the room steward and pass him a $20.

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[mom22]

We went with the adjoining balconies on the Voyager with our two kids (age 15 and 10). It worked out great, and I would do it again, no question. As previous posters have pointed out, you have 2 bathrooms, 2 tvs, 2 closets and 2 balconies. I havn't studied the deck plans but sounds like you would be giving up the big balcony, but gaining interior space.
On the Voyager the balcony dividers didn't move, so I can't address that. I can tell you that we had no problem keeping the connecting door open during the day, or closed at night. If it moves, (our didn't) use a shoe to keep it open. One thing you need to know though is that you will most likely have a chair instead of a sofa, to make room for the door. Not a problem for us, we just sat on the bed.

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[Ashley24]

Family of 14 (and others!),
You have been very helpful and I truly appreciate it. It is my two daughters, my husband, and me going on the cruise. It sounds like I should go with the two adjoining rooms! I feel like I am getting a great deal with the two rooms at a super price, compared to the high prices I am used to paying on Disney's ships...I am saving 1000's and am excited for a new experience on RCCL!

[Rala]

Ashley, I would go for the two connecting rooms, especially since you said in another thread that your daughters could not sleep together because one would "hog" the whole bed. If you can't put a rollaway in the JS, then what choice do you have but the connecting cabins? It seems like you are overthinking this. Don't drive yourself crazy, just go with what seems most logical and comfortable. Hope you have a terrific cruise! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Ashley24]

Thanks for all your help! I booked the two E1 rooms and am very excited! Thanks again!

[Family of 14]

Great news!

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[mom22]

Enjoy!

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[whfhome]

We had these room on the 4/4/04 cruise. My two youngers sons in 8606. The rooms were a good size and we had no problems keeping the doors open. We simply placed the chair in front of them. These are great rooms, close to everything yet very quiet and next to the hump.

Because of previous problems, the stewarts are no longer allowed to open the doors between balconies. A shame.

Our room stewart was Mel. Always there and helpful. Made you feel welcome. Unfortuneately for you, he was moved up to deck 10 when his wife became the Captain's stewart.

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