CABIN CHOICE:

For some degree of privacy and shelter, is it worth downgrade from AA on Dolphin to AD on Emerald deck aft? Have read varying opinions of value of mid ship dolphin mini versus other locations but don't particularly like all open balcony for the whole cruise.

That is exactly what I am doing on my Sapphire Princess cruise next October. I usually book AA or AB on Dolphin deck, but this time I am trying AD on Emerald deck--but not because of privacy or shelter--that has never been an issue. I wanted to try the very last cabin, the one with the extended balcony; it looks to be half-again or more as big as the others.

Another catagory you might consider, unless you absolutely must have a mini-suite, would be the balcony cabins on Caribe deck. The balconies are almost as big as the mini-suite balconies, and they are half-covered; you have privacy from above, shelter, but also open balcony if you desire. The cabins are smaller than mini-suites, but really very comfortable and plenty of room for two.

Or, try even lower class and book a balcony on the Baja deck. Our balcony was completely covered. Not near the size of a mini-suite and no bathtub, but a great room!