erlindabraxton

Your video is really nice. Thank you for sharing.

Your video is amazing. Thank you for sharing.

Nice.

Is the cabin safe same as that of hotel room safe. Can we keep a tablet, cell phone, watches in it or they are of small size feasible for only document storage like a passport.

Hi, new to the forum. Planning to have a tour.

When you are booking a cruise you will have the option of choosing an interior cabin, a cabin with a view, or a balcony cabin. And then , of course, there are suites which have balconies, a huge space, and often come with a butler. But for this post, I want to mention 5 of the biggest reasons for choosing at least a balcony stateroom. Yes, they do cost more, and you might be tempted to just get an ocean view, but here are some things to consider before you make that decision for your next cruise.

 

Better Views: Most balcony staterooms have floor to ceiling transparent doors which give you a much better view than just a window, whether it be a porthole or full sized window. And let’s face it, when you are cruising it’s all about taking in the sights. What better way to enjoy these sights than from the comfort of your own room where you can order free room service ( FYI- a few cruise lines have now started charging for room service..) and put your feet up.

 

Ocean Air Anytime You Want It - For me this is the biggest reason to get a balcony stateroom. Even if you can still see the ocean with a window in your stateroom, or imagine it with an interior stateroom, there is nothing like feeling the ocean breeze as you cruise from island to island. When the cruise ship really gets moving the breeze can be a little too intense, but even if you want to stay inside your cabin and leave the door open a little it’s nice to breathe in that ocean air. Most cruise ships want you to keep the door closed but this is mostly because they don’t want to pay for keeping a room cool if the door is open. Just make sure you turn the thermostat up or down depending on the temperature outside. This is the biggest difference IMO, between a balcony cabin & inside or window cabin..you cannot FEEL the sea, the breeze, salt air, sunshine, that feeling that you're on a cruise ship AT sea, not land based like in a hotel...

 

 

More Private- Don’t get me wrong. It’s nice to be able to lay out on the pool deck with a lounge chair and get some sun, but sometimes the pool deck can get a little too busy and crowded for my taste. That’s why it’s nice to be able to go back to your own private room and put your feet up where no one can bother you. You might have a few rowdy passengers in other balconies, but usually during the day it’s quite quiet and peaceful out there ..very relaxing to be sitting on your balcony gazing at the sea, while others cannot or are at the pool with perhaps thousands of others- no thanks, I'll just sit here sipping my cool beverage, put my feet up & enjoy the soothing calmness of the waters...

 

Easier to Wake Up- I know sometimes budgets don’t allow for an upgrade to a balcony stateroom on a cruise ship, but interior staterooms just don’t allow you to wake up naturally. It’s just as dark when you went to sleep as when you get up. I loved being able to wake up to the natural sunlight coming through the glass doors. There is no need for an alarm clock and you don’t feel detached from reality. I know some people say that inside cabins have less light in them & it's better for sleeping, but if you are a professional dark room sleeper, like me, you know what to do to make the cabin VERY dark..besides, I don't go on cruises to sleep, I go to enjoy the wonders of cruising, ports of call, great shows,etc.. In an inside cabin we had once, we got into our bathing suits on a sea day, & went up to the pool deck, only to find it was pouring! We were the only idiots out there…another time we missed breakfast because it was so dark, we thought it was still like 3 AM, so we kept going back to bed..I don’t like that- I like to sleep naturally and LOVE opening the curtains & seeing the wonders of the sea instead of the wonders of a closet-like cabin…just MHO..

 

Experience the Ocean Life More- On my last cruise my wife and I got to see dolphins swimming around the ship while we were sailing to one of our ports. They were right along the ship and jumping in and out of the water. It was quite a sight to see and we never would have seen this if we didn’t have a balcony. We spent a lot of time just leaning on the railing and looking out into the water, and spotted several other kinds of oceanic life, which was a wonderful part of our cruising experience. Not everyone will be able to afford a balcony stateroom, but if you are able to modify the budget enough to pay for one, it will be well worth it. The best balconies are on the back of the ship. They are bigger balconies and a little more private since you don’t have as many neighbors, but usually you will have to pay a little extra for these as well…to me, I’m on a cruise to experience the sea..what’s the point of being on a cruise ship if you can’t see the sea or the waves, or smell the salt air, feel the wind & sun on your face, have breakfast on your private balcony ( very cool & VERY romantic!!)…when I go to a hotel, I don’t ask for a room without a window, and in hotels don’t you LOVE when you have a balcony over looking the beach or water? I do..I’m on vacation, and I save for a balcony..if I can’t cruise in one, I won’t cruise..we work too hard to spend a week in a mole..BTW, we are not wealthy, but last year, I found balconies on the Oasis for only $125 more than insides on a 5 night Halloween cruise for my wife’s b’day…well worth it & she deserves it, don’t you?

 

Big Al

 

P.S.- These are just MY opinions & suggestions to those who are considering a balcony or their first cruise..I am not suggesting this is the only way to cruise, just a great way..for all you inside cabin bullies ( and there are a lot of you) , go ahead & start bashing me like all others do..I have become used to rudeness & intolerance by people who think that anything better than an inside cabin is foolish, and that those who wish to enjoy a balcony must be idiots..and that is your opinion, and you know what they say about opinions,lol...

Thank you for Sharing.

Hi, new to the forum. Last year one of my friends had a trip to Alaska. He loved it.