Navigators Verandah in Alaska?

[Shanti]

We're sailing in Alaska in June, and currently have a nice deck 2 oceanview stateroom booked. I'm considering spending an extra $1,600 to upgrade to a Navigators Verandah. This is a verandah with a sort of open-air porthole, not a full verandah. I'm wondering if this would provide better views than a porthole window. Any ideas on this? I don't want a full verandah, as that would be about $3,000 more & just not worth it imo. I could take us on another cruise for that amount.

The Navigator Verandahs on all decks are the same price, so if I were to go that route, which deck would be best (or one to avoid)? Any deck better in terms of views?

 

[CarrieLuvsDisney]

My hubby and I had the navigator veranda on deck 7 and LOVED, LOVED it! it was a beautiful to sit/stand on our own veranda, but was shielded from the wind. I would grab this again in a heartbeat!!!

 

[TestingH2O]

We were thrilled with the nav verandah on deck 6. However, we didn’t use it a ton. For $1600, I’d prefer to do an extra/cooler excursion.

 

[jetskigrl]

How much do you think you will be in your room? There is definitely a benefit of having a verandah over the porthole if you want to view wildlife. Things will pass by quickly and being able to look out over the railing will give you a better chance of seeing whales, etc. But if you don't think you will be in the room that much anyway, your best views will be from up on the top decks, or deck 4. So it pretty much depends on how much time you will spend there as to whether it is worth it or not.

P.S. this is coming from someone that always has a verandah because I spend a ton of time on mine, especially in Alaska.

 

[Shanti]

We were thrilled with the nav verandah on deck 6. However, we didn’t use it a ton. For $1600, I’d prefer to do an extra/cooler excursion.

Good to know. We do have some great excursions already lined up. The $1,600 would be in addition to the excursions, not in place of one. I do agree that it's a lot of money, though, so I'm still on the fence.

 

[dcassetta]

I have sailed three times to Alaska, once inside and twice oceanview. (One Princess, One Disney, and One HAL) I never felt like the verandah was an issue because all the ships had a nice indoor lounge space where you could view all the scenery if it was too cold on deck. But, now that the Outlook has been taken over as the concierge lounge, I would have to rethink this. I do not care for the regular 7As as I am too short to see out while seated. However, if one of the "secret verandahs" was available, I might do that. But, for $1600 you take some really great excursions like a float plane, glacier hiking, and dog-sledding.

 

[ForMyBoys]

I vote yes to the veranda. We are totally fine w/ ocean view, in fact my kids say they prefer them, however we just went on the Alaskan cruise this past August. My in-laws footed the bill as a big get away for their 50th wedding anniversary. My FIL insisted we all had mid-ship verandas. I spent way more time on that veranda then any other cruise we've taken. On the Alaskan cruise you are by the coast line a lot and there is so much to see. I would spend the extra $1,600 for the veranda.

 

[Shanti]

However, if one of the "secret verandahs" was available, I might do that.

Yeah, I checked that and the only navigators verandahs available at that price are real navigators verandahs. So any full balcony would cost at least $3,000 more.

 

[Shanti]

My hubby and I had the navigator veranda on deck 7 and LOVED, LOVED it! it was a beautiful to sit/stand on our own veranda, but was shielded from the wind. I would grab this again in a heartbeat!!!

I like the idea of a wind shield, too, and I like the nautical decorations on these nav verandahs. Was deck 7 close enough to the water to see any marine life or ice? Did you experience much vibration being that far aft?

 

[DisneyParkFan]

I was in a stateroom on deck 7 aft with a Navigator's Verandah on my DCL Alaskan Cruise in June 2016. I loved being able to sit and eat lunch there when we were going up to Endicott in instead of Tracey Arm. Was protected from the wind. It is close enough to see the ice in the water, the scenery, and any wildlife. At night, it was beautiful to just gaze at the sky from the navigator verandah. The touches back then were still Caribbean/Bahamas unless it was recently updated.

 

[BruinEd03]

Had an Aft Navigator's Verandah on the 7th floor and loved it. I doubt there's much difference between the 6th Floor and the 7th Floor. However, the 5th floor can have kids running through it (kid's club on the floor) or some traffic nearby (BV theater).

The NV was great in that it blocked the wind, but still let you see the scenery. However, if $1600 makes a huge difference for you, then go with the Deck 2. It's better to be on the cruise and not worry about it. Use the $$$ for excursions. Honestly, I spent a ton of time on Deck 10 camping out on our way to Endicott Arm anyways. If you didn't want to be on Deck 10, Deck 4 had tons of space available. The ship also spends a lot of time at the glacier and is parked parallel to the glacier. It will switch from Port to Starboard side. So, plenty of time to view the glacier. We also spent a lot of $$$ on the excursions. If I had to choose one, I'd choose the excursions.

 

[lorimay]

We spent 99% of our day on our verandah while we sailed thru Tracy Arm. The lowest temp hit 40 degrees and it was nice to be able to step right into the room when the chill became too much (Floridians).
We loved sitting out there, we had a great view the entire day and when we reached the Fjord the captain did a complete turn of the ship and we saw everything. He was able to get very close it was beautiful. Then of course we saw the other side coming back out.

If you can swing it grab a veranda.
Have fun.

 

[Shanti]

Anyone have a problem with cigarette smoke on the balcony while sailing on deck 7 aft? I know the Wonder has a deck 9 forward smoking section.

 

[dtrain]

[QUOTE="Shanti, post: 58394523, member: 566966"Did you experience much vibration being that far aft?[/QUOTE]

There are major vibration issues AFT on The Wonder. When she's at top speed be ready for the all night shakes. I'm a light sleeper and it was pretty terrible for 2 nights in particular where I got no sleep. We just got off last week and we wouldn't do AFT again. We had secret verandah 7620.

 

[Shanti]

There are major vibration issues AFT on The Wonder. When she's at top speed be ready for the all night shakes. I'm a light sleeper and it was pretty terrible for 2 nights in particular where I got no sleep. We just got off last week and we wouldn't do AFT again. We had secret verandah 7620.

Were the seas rough on your cruise? Were you in the Caribbean? I'm thinking that it might not be so bad while sailing in Alaska?

 

[tink1970]

I've sailed in a navigator's verandah twice in AK and agree with everything said about (nice to sit out and watch the scenery, the overhang blocks the wind a little, nice to just pop in and out). Re: vibrations- unfortunately I can't help since I'm a heavy sleeper, especially onboard a ship. If the $1600 isn't a hardship, I'd do it. We enjoy NV so much we're sailing in one next summer in Europe.

 

[CarrieLuvsDisney]

I like the idea of a wind shield, too, and I like the nautical decorations on these nav verandahs. Was deck 7 close enough to the water to see any marine life or ice? Did you experience much vibration being that far aft?

I don't recall much vibration...or it didn't bother me. Marine life!! YES!! One evening an eagle buzzed our veranda. on another night we were out on the veranda after dinner...the water started to bubble and a whale surfaced and exhaled...causing that large spout of water to rise...it can up so we could reach out and touch it...and smell it! It was AMAZING!!!!!!

 

[CarrieLuvsDisney]

Anyone have a problem with cigarette smoke on the balcony while sailing on deck 7 aft? I know the Wonder has a deck 9 forward smoking section.

no and Cigarette smoke triggers my asthma..so I would have noticed

 

[dtrain]

Were the seas rough on your cruise? Were you in the Caribbean? I'm thinking that it might not be so bad while sailing in Alaska?

The seas were not rough at all, it was the Mexican Riviera 7 day. The vibrations are directly related to the ships speed, if you're at full throttle it will shake but when the Captain pulls back a bit the vibrations lessen. The night before each day at sea was when we shook all night long, 2 separate nights. I was ready to move rooms on day 6 but was told the Captain had pulled back and we would not be hitting full speed the rest of the way...and it was true. I got a $100 OBC.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I just checked. I had 7634 on the Wonder in 2014, and yes, I smelled smoke and complained. I think they gave us chocolate covered strawberries for our trouble. I think it was coming from the cabin next to us. After we complained we had no other problem.