My DH & I have booked a balcony, demi-suite aboard the Fascination, cabin V14, with our 8-yr-old daughter, sailing in May, 2009.  We were wondering how good these cabins are - are they worth the price?  THOUGHTS?

V 18 is a Cat 11 Suite, not sure what you mean by "Demi-suite".

The Cat 11 Suites on the Fantasy Class are comparable to the Cat 8 series on the larger ships - they have balconies and have plenty of room for 2 or 3 passengers.

I have stayed in those cabins with my son, who is now 11, and have had no problems with space or noise.

DS -

In my opinion (again, just my opinion) the Cat 11 Demi-Suites ont he Fantasy Class ships are not worth the extra $ if you are wanting a real balcony cabin. The balcony is not private...and its really small. There is walkway right below you where people can look up at you more or less. The bit of extra room in the cabin in nice though...sofa etc. :)

Otherwise, any cruise, as long as you are on it great!

DScheidle:

V 18 is a Cat 11 Suite, not sure what you mean by "Demi-suite".

The Cat 11 Suites on the Fantasy Class are comparable to the Cat 8 series on the larger ships - they have balconies and have plenty of room for 2 or 3 passengers.

I have stayed in those cabins with my son, who is now 11, and have had no problems with space or noise.

DS -

I noticed that some travel sites label them as Demi-Suites... I have also seen this before too.

Carnival call it a "demi-suite", and yes, it is a Cat 11.  I just wanted to surprise my DH for our 10th anniversary.  We have had inside cabins, and frankly for the money we save, we prefer them.  We have also had an ocean-view, but with the sea film on the window, who can see?!?  LOL!  So, I thought I'd try a balcony room, since we're only taking a 5-day cruise (it was a little more afordable for the shorter cruise).  My DH lets me handle all the $ for our vacations, so he will appreciate that I've managed to save enough money for us to stay in a balcony room - and fly - for the three of us!

How do these demi-suite balconies compare to the regular balcony cabins available on larger ships?

FuzzyFern:

How do these demi-suite balconies compare to the regular balcony cabins available on larger ships?

The balcony itself? Its much smaller and overhangs a public walkway. And since it has metal bars as the railings, people can look up at you while you are on the balcony.

I think its great you all are able to splurge a little! :) The fresh air is nice, but it will be cramped for everyone to be out there at the same time..and I think it fits 2 small chairs and you can put your feet up on the railings.

Wow you learn something new every day - I'd never heard the term before, but if it was some thing a travel site used to describe Cat 11 Suites, then it's understandable why I hadn't heard it.

It's like one of the sites lists Cat 9A cabins as Suites, when Carnival has never used the title "suite" when referencing a 9A cabin.

But Fern mentioned Carnival has used the term "demi-suite", but I've never hear it before since they only use Suite and Penthouse Suites in their brochures. Oh, I forgot we now have the "Cloud 9 Suites" too.

Really sounds like a "suite" deal (Sorry I couldn't resist the pun).

DS -

FuzzyFern,

It's been a long time since I was in a Cat 11 on a Fantasy Class ship, but I think Deb may be right. The balcony is smaller, and on the larger ships does have a little more privacy.

Not knowing the particulars of your cruise (like which sail date you're going) I should point out that you may find another itinerary more cost effective. For example the Destiny from Miami (which is cheaper to fly to than Jacksonville), has balcony cabins for less than the Cat 11 on a Fantasy Class ship (about $250-300 less for each of the first 2 passengers in the cabin).

 It also goes to Nassau, if that's the port you want to visit, but also Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay. Unless you wanted the sailing on the Fascination that went to Key West.

DS -

We stayed in V14 on the Fascination on our recent cruise.  It was well worth the extra money.  It certainly would be a better choice since you are bringing your 8 yr. old daughter compared to an inside cabin.  I have seen an oceanview stateroom as our daughter and son-in-law went with us on our 1st cruise and we did have more room.  My daughter really loved our suite.  Also our room steward was awesome. You made a good choice and we did not feel much motion.  We did not hear any noise either.  The staterooms there are not that close together.  In fact, we have stayed in V14 twice.  The balcony is a nice size with 2 chairs and a table.  No it's not huge but it has plenty of room to sit out on it and enjoy some privacy.  We enjoyed it and you really don't see that many people that are that close.   I loved the dressing table I had and the lighting.  The decor is lovely and I think you will really enjoy it.  The bed is really comfy too!!  In fact, we have decided to buy the down comfortor form the Carnival website.  You have nothing to worry about.  I have not cruised on one of the larger ships yet and actually, I liked this one a lot.  

If you have any other questions, just ask.   

DScheidle --

   We are locked into the May 25, 2009 cruise out of Jacksonville.  We are traveling with some friends & their family, and that was the most convenient dates/port for them.  I have been to both Key West & the Bahamas numerous times, so we're kinda "along for the ride," so to speak.  That's another reason I wanted to get my first balcony.

SuzyQ --

   Thank you so much for the positive comments about the cabin!  I was beginning to think I made a bad choice.  My only fear is this:  I will become hooked on balconies & will never want to go back to an inside cabin again!  Scary! 

I dont think you made a bad choice at all.

I have been on both the larger ships and smaller and have more of a benchmark to compare to in terms of balcony size, which is where I was forming my opinion from.

Just dont go out in your bathrobe with your morning coffee....I did that and HELLO, had a captivated audience for a few seconds from the walkway below me.

LOL!  Good tip - thanks, Deb! 

BTW - does it spoil you for other cabins?

Yes! It sure does!

Our first suite ( cat 11 just like you) was on the Ecstasy in 2002, and we really did like it especially after being in window cabins only.You are in for a treat and your daughter will love it.

And then wait 'til you try a suite on the larger ships....wowzie! :) Double sinks in granite, jetted tub, etc.

Fuzzyfern,

Yup, you got that one right about being hooked on balconies and a balcony suite.  I have to admit, now I do not think I would be happy in anything else.  But to me, it's worth the extra money.  Guess after your cruise you will get the answer you are looking for but be prepared to be vary scared