Thread: Pros and cons of aft cabins

Originally Posted by Char

Been there done that! Were the vendors on the ferry trying to sell tablecloths and silver jewelry? All three times we made that trip they were trying to make "deals".

Yup. And Deb actually fell in love with one of the bracelets that the person was selling. Sure, it is not silver, but it was a good price and is quite pretty.

Originally Posted by Cruise Planner

I was with a crew on a WWII destroyer moving it to Norfolk and we hit a storm with 75' waves. Talk about fun! That was the only time I ever got seasick and I was sick for 3 days. I was throwing up so much and so hard, I would not have been surprised to see my shoes coming out! Needless to say, I never got seasick again.

Pete - my DH also served on a ship out of Norfolk, past Cape Hatteras, and encountered 100 foot seas. Needless to say, everyone on board carried a bucket (for ), and the captain didn't come out of his quarters for a day and a half.

The aft, in this case, would be worthless, when the front of the ship would dive, then the rear would go under water afterwards. (with everything closed and general quarters ordered, the engine room had to remain closed with temps 140-160, and clothing required to prevent steam burns).


The aft facing cabin we had on Carnival was not all it's cracked up to be. Sure, you have and extended balcony, but one morning when in port, I came out to sit, only to find a deckhand cleaning the glass on the balcony directly above me! He at least said hello. Also, the dividers between balconies were at a 45 degree angle, allowing one to simply lean over the railing and see everything on the next balcony. I think the aft designs of certain ships (Princess comes to mind) may correct these inconviences.

Rough seas can be annoying, especially when passengers are restricted from going outside. We once had an oceanview cabin on NCL, and with rough seas from Fanning Island back to Hawaii, our window on the 8th deck was getting big splashes, as the ship pounded up and down. I'm sure that those who paid for a balcony were sorely disappointed when the ship applied the restrictions. But who was to know that there would be 18 foot seas and 44 knot winds? It's always best to check the route.

Originally Posted by Sandie

Pete - my DH also served on a ship out of Norfolk, past Cape Hatteras, and encountered 100 foot seas. Needless to say, everyone on board carried a bucket (for ), and the captain didn't come out of his quarters for a day and a half.

The aft, in this case, would be worthless, when the front of the ship would dive, then the rear would go under water afterwards. (with everything closed and general quarters ordered, the engine room had to remain closed with temps 140-160, and clothing required to prevent steam burns).

Yep, people on cruise ships are definitely spoiled rotten! They have no idea how much fun it can be sailing in rough seas. You haven't had fun until you've been on a Navy ship in big seas, that's for sure!!

Which is why I never joined the Navy!

Originally Posted by nealberk

Which is why I never joined the Navy!

Need I remind you who killed Bin Laden!!!

Like I said I would never have joined the Navy. That is not to say that I do not admire the service or those who serve.

IT'S A CRUISE! If you do not like the motion, there are great land vacation alternatives. We have taken and sold dozens of cruises and only one time did a member of our family get slightly ill. Take Meclizine/Bonine when you embark, the first night, and while underway, if necessary. Repeat dose if necessary BEFORE the waters get rough (there are weather sources onboard). Lay off the booze and enjoy yourself. Why take a cruise, if the motion bothers you?

I can tell you that having been in the industry for along time i always hear the same thing. the guest that book the aft balcony cabins love them and always book them. if you are thinking about it make sure to book early as there are few of them and they go quickly. anytime you see a cabin book up fast it means because it is a good one. give it a try and enjoy the view.

I have never been in aft cabin. I have felt vibration and noise in ship stern slice, so I can say, there feel vibration and thruster's noise. Thrusters last for short time. I can say, how bad is being on the lowest deck (deck 2 on Silja Serenade). There was tedious if the ship went in a port in night time. Oh, it was tedious, the ship vibrated and wheezed. Big ships no has hard vibration in stern. Ships of today are comfortabe and modern.

Originally Posted by EliteCruisesAndTravel

IT'S A CRUISE! If you do not like the motion, there are great land vacation alternatives. We have taken and sold dozens of cruises and only one time did a member of our family get slightly ill. Take Meclizine/Bonine when you embark, the first night, and while underway, if necessary. Repeat dose if necessary BEFORE the waters get rough (there are weather sources onboard). Lay off the booze and enjoy yourself. Why take a cruise, if the motion bothers you?

There are many reasons to take cruises: hotel, transportation, an attraction by itself, free food and drinks, and beautiful views from my private balcony among them. However, as a newbie cruiser, I do have one major concern before boarding: Will the motion and vibration felt in my aft cabin bother me?

I ended up booking E721 with no guarantee because oceanview and balcony cabins are too small for three adults and I don't want a minisuite with an uncovered balcony. It is farther aft than I really wanted but having a starboard cabin is important to me because past passengers said those are quieter than port side cabins for that category.