10 Honest PROS & CONS of an Aft Facing Balcony Cabin

Have you wondered if an aft facing balcony cabin is for you? Aft balcony cabins are some of the most sought after cabins on a cruise ship!! But do they have problems like noise issues, vibrations, and soot? In this video I share the pros & cons of aft facing balcony cabins so you can decide if they are worth it for you.

We recently cruised on Celebrity Summit in an aft facing veranda cabin, and I share the things we loved about our aft facing veranda cabin, as well as our honest experiences with noise, vibration, soot, the view and more.

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ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!

Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travelers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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Video/ Photo Credits:
RCCL
Princess Cruises
Celebrity Cruise Line

Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusic

[DrawTangleswithDawn]

Aft cabin for Alaska was perfect! We actually had a large group and we had all the cabins across the aft so we requested the balcony dividers to be opened and had one huge balcony across the entire aft! Perfect for wildlife watching and the day we went to the glacier.

[garysigurdson]

We love staying in the aft balconies! That is usually where we stay. Mainly for the peacefulness. nothing better!

[Monty]

We love aft cabins. The long walk to us is a benefit because it helps to work off all the food you eat. It is quiet and peaceful. The sound of the sea is amazing. You also don't have to deal with the wind like you would sailing in the bow.

[TSutro]

Just returned from a 12 day, Princess Ring of Kerry cruise with an aft cabin. No soot or noise from other decks. One night there was a full moon directly behind the ship which illuminated the wake. Spectacular! This was our 2nd or 3rd cruise with an aft cabin and it was great. Some vibration but drowned out by the sound of the wake. We were in San Francisco with an aft cabin and the views of downtown and the bridges was spectacular. But for some cruises I think it best not to have an aft cabin. We are going to do a South American and Antarctica cruise in 2023 and booked a midship cabin due to the chances of rough seas between South America and Antarctica.

[Hawkeye]

We had an aft facing cabin for a Caribbean cruise. The view was fantastic. Hypnotizing actually. Note: I have no fear of heights, however there was a haunting sensation, that was unsettling for me. - I didn't understand initially, but a little research revealed this to me. "The call of the void" describes an impulse to hurl yourself into, well, a void. While unnerving, it's actually a pretty common experience. It also has nothing to do with suicidal ideation". I'm curious if anyone else has had this sensation too?

[suzannelyons]

We had an aft balcony on the NCL Getaway in August and it was absolutely the best. Incredible sail away view, calming wake and a massive space with 2 loungers and a table for 4. I've booked 3 more aft balcony rooms in the next 18 months! Highly recommend and we had no issues with salt or soot.

[donnavelosa]

We absolutely love sailing in an aft cabin. In addition to the great points made in the video, we also like the ability to see wildlife from there. We often missed seeing whales and dolphins when we were on the "wrong" side of the ship. We increased our odds by being in the back and got a second chance to see them as the ship moved on. We sail soon on the Celebrity Eclipse, and booked an aft corner Sky Suite this time.

[loriatwell]

I booked a guarantee balcony and received the aft facing cabin. Loved it! But as for privacy, I was a bit surprised one morning when I woke up and went to look out at the view wearing very little I found another ship with it's aft cabins up against ours. I quickly retreated, put on some appropriate cover ups and went out on the balcony to wave to my neighbors on the next ship. Didn't make that mistake again 😊

[deidresmith]

The sound of the wake after a great dinner n hot shower... Heavenly

[mpoulin]

We were in an aft balcony two weeks ago on the Carnival Spirit for an Alaskan cruise (room #7300). It was our first aft balcony. We absolutely loved it! Not only were the views great, but on chilly nights the wind was almost non-existent, allowing us to enjoy the outdoors on our balcony if it was too chilly on the main outdoor deck.

[brunkerj]

Now I'm really looking forward to our aft, corner Sky Suite on the Reflection. You've painted a picture that really got me a little more excited. The views, having breakfast served to us on our balcony, while watching the Caribbean goes by, all looks wonderful.

[annewallace]

I love how your videos give pros and cons. It allows us to make an informed decision.

[halpen]

We just got back from our first cruise a few weeks ago, and the aft suite with a wraparound deck was absolutely perfect for an Alaska cruise. My entire vision (such as it was) for that trip involved sitting at the corner of that balcony with hot tea while cruising Glacier Bay. We did exactly that, and it was everything I'd hoped for.

I agree with all of your "pros, " and can understand why some people might have some valid 'cons'as well - but it was perfect for us. We did have a bit more motion during some storms than midship did, but Bonine stopped the queasiness and after that I enjoyed it! And we never had any issue with soot or smoke or anything along those lines.

I doubt I'll spring for another suite anytime soon - I got a deal during g the shutdown or I probably wouldn't have done it this time. But an aft cabin has become a requirement for future cruises - we loved it that much!

[juliedavies]

We had an aft facing balcony cabin on a canary island cruise ( 30th wedding anniversary) we absolutely loved it, port side corner, huge balcony to eat our champagne breakfast on. We watched dolphins swim in the wake and amazing sunsets as we left ports, we did hear rudder noises and shuddering as we turned into ports but that was our alarm clock to get up and watch the islands come to life, watching the sunset over Madeira was magical, hearing the crickets and the birds there welcoming a new day, ah blissful ❤️

[Tanks_Fire]

We loved our aft cabin. Go out and see the moon at night in the prop wash was beautiful

[mariemoffett]

Loved our aft cabin on Princess. Agree with bigger balconcy and partial covering is great. We did have a vertical girder in the center of the balcony but didn't bother us. When the sun hit our balcony it gave us a place to be shaded.

[johnmaruscak]

I love the Carnival Cove Balcony "mid ship". main deck. Your close to the water and get to watch all the late runners trying to get on the ship before it leaves port.

[michelapo]

Loved my Aft facing cabin suite on the Discovery Princess to Alaska last week. You do feel the vibration and swaying of the boat at times but I didn’t find it bothersome. Our family of three had plenty of space for everything we brought aboard and the wrap around balcony was perfect for being able to view icebergs and wildlife. I would absolutely do it again

[donnam]

We just got off an Alaskan cruise on the Celebrity Millennium, a sister ship, and stayed in the cabin next to the one in the video with the metal lower wall. It is a huge cabin. You get a phenomenal view off the back, plus off the side, half of which has railings, and you can move forward and see to the opposite shore as well, amazing perspective. We did not have a soot problem, nor and issue with any vibrations. I would try for that cabin again. We were on deck 9 also, but the weather was not conducive for people to gather at the Sunset Bar above us.

[elizabeththompson]

We loved the aft balcony on the Disney Fantasy. There was some soot but it was taken care by our room steward twice a day. I would definitely do it again.