I followed this thread but decided not to post after my first contribution since I preferred not to incur the wrath of some posters.
However, I just wanted to follow up now that we are back. Because I was so determined to try everything to get a plexi balcony, my family was first in line at the port. I asked about availability and the only cabin we could move to was a Cat 3. We decided to pay for the upgrade (up from a 6) and I am so very very happy that we did.
The cabin was simply wonderful and the double wide balcony with nice clear plexi was my daughter's window to dolphin and flying fish sightings, all the ports and the watercraft activity there and ship's lights twinkling in the distance some nights. She often stood inside the cabin at the slidiing door looking out at "the great big sea to see what she could see" if my husband and I could not accompany her outside.
My husband and I spent hours outside in the deck chairs reading while she had her daily naps and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
To some folks who do not spend much time in the room, or have older kids, or kids not interested in looking out, the specifics of the balcony might be unimportant, but for us it was a real treat to have this one.
Happiness and smooth sailing to all.