We've only done one river cruise so far, and we had a veranda. We cruised in October then and enjoyed sitting on our veranda now & again - maybe having a drink before going up to dinner after a day of touring or coffee in the AM. It was really cool when going thru the locks -
We are going on our second river cruise later this year, and got the Veranda again...but we are 'outside' people and enjoy our home porch year round, so being able to step out or sit on a balcony is something we appreciate.