I am looking to book our first cove balcony cabin for an August 2020 Caribbean cruise on Carnival magic. I am looking at the following cabins: 2258, 2290, or 2306. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments. As far as I can tell it looks like they are all below the dining room. But I am worried about sewer smells mentioned in other reviews. Thank you.
Contributor Level:
Deck Hand
Cove balcony
8 Answers
Contributor Level:
First Mate
Never did book a cove balcony but based on the concerns you expressed I would check it out too. Hope some experienced cruiser(s) can assist you.
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
I keep looking and all they seem to have left on the certain cruises we want are the cove balconies. I am just nervous being that close to the water.. they can block off your balcony if weather gets bad. Meaning water can get that high up...waves crashing on the balcony is sorta kinda weird to me..not sure i am down with that.. well, I might be OK it's the hubby that I know wouldn't be.
Contributor Level:
First Mate
Sewer smells? Waves causing problems in rough weather? That's all they have left unsold? hmmmm….I have never sailed in a cove balcony, but it seems too me you've got a whole bunch of reasons to take a deep breath and think about this. Sounds like you've got your heart set on going but.....theres other ships, other lines...all the problems may turn out to be overblown, non-existent…..or not....and there you is......let us know how it turns out...good luck!!!
Contributor Level:
Captain
Just like any other booking of a cabin, what is above you and what is below you dictates our choice. We have considered the cove balcony cabins, but only a few have acceptable venues above (cabins are below). By the time we book those are usually gone. You won't really know until you do it. Are you willing to take the chance that all those negative things are real or not?
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
We have housed below the dining area on several cruise ships. If you are a light sleeper or in bed early you will hear the noise from above. As far as the smell concerns, when tanks are shifted and vented a sewage smell is emitted but different areas of different design ships become effected. As a rule I put water in the floor drain in the bathroom floor usually behind the toilet. This is where the smell comes from due to the drain trap not having enough water to seal off the smell
We love cruising in the Cove Balcony staterooms! The views are magnificent being lower on the ship, whether it’s dolphins swimming alongside or late passengers running up the pier. We did occasionally smell faint cooking odors, but it was never anything unpleasant at all. Given the choice, we’d probably always go with the cove over a regular balcony!
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
Originally posted by:
KROW1953
We have housed below the dining area on several cruise ships. If you are a light sleeper or in bed early you will hear the noise from above. As far as the smell concerns, when tanks are shifted and vented a sewage smell is emitted but different areas of different design ships become effected. As a rule I put water in the floor drain in the bathroom floor usually behind the toilet. This is where the smell comes from due to the drain trap not having enough water to seal off the smell
I work in property management and we do this in our rest rooms.. never thought of doing this on the ship! It may be a good rule of thumb to do in all bathrooms on the ship, cant hurt!
Contributor Level:
First Mate
Originally posted by:
DWalker19
I work in property management and we do this in our rest rooms.. never thought of doing this on the ship! It may be a good rule of thumb to do in all bathrooms on the ship, cant hurt!
never had the problem on any ship we've been on. however, that lil tip will stay lodged in some compartment in my head. (yes pun intended)
