Would you reccomend a balcony or inside cabin?

[Mist_ynight]

I've only been on one cruise so far and had an inside cabin. I thought it was fine since I was travelling with a girlfriend and we didn't spend much time in the room. In February my husband and I are taking a cruise on the Crown Princess. It's his first cruise and my second. I was wondering whether we should get an inside or balcony. It's not about the money, I don't care how much we spend for our first vacation together. I'm just wondering if we would use a balcony much. What is your opinion on it, is it worth it to get a balcony? Do you use your balcony much? Thanks for the input :)

[Host Faith]

I think it depends on your preferences on the ship. My husband and I like to cruise with a balcony because we enjoy our room service breakfast out there every morning. If you would like to do that, or have coffee on the balcony while watching the ship pull into port, that may be a good idea for you. I also find that we like to watch the ship leave ports in the afternoon from our balcony. And then at night, it's so romantic to turn off all the lights in your stateroom and on the balcony and watch the stars and the reflection of the moon on the ocean. It's absolutely beautiful.

 

For the most part, DH and I are very laid back, reserved types who really enjoy being by ourselves most of the time. We do enjoy hanging out on the pool deck, and enjoy shows and dancing (not so much all the activities offered though). The balcony gives us a place to retreat and spend time alone while enjoying the incredible views and fresh ocean air. We're pretty spoiled...I'm not sure we'll ever sail in an inside, lol! We just enjoy watching the ocean, the sunrises, sunsets, and stars right from our stateroom so much that a balcony is worth it to us. If you're not planning to be in your room that much, maybe an inside or oceanview is good for you.

[cb at sea]

I think it's worth it....you're on a ship, so seeing the ocean whenever you want is the thing! A balcony is a lovely way to start and end the day, and it gives one of you a place to "be" while the other might be dressing, or whatever...just that little bit of extra space is nice!

True...you may not be in the cabin ALL the time, but when you are there, it's a nice extra!

[firefly333]

Im one who rarely used the balcony ... but I liked sitting inside in the a/c and looking out thru the full sized doors that are more open than just having a window to see.

 

With a husband, I would spring for a balcony, though not with a g/f necessarily ..but I did for Oasis, just because I knew this g/f would prefer it and she has so much trouble getting away.

[Mist_ynight]

Thanks for the input everyon :) Faith413 I'm more outgoing then my husband so it might be a good idea for him. I can see him spending more time in our room then I will. I never thought about the sunsets and watching the stars at night. That would be something I would really enjoy. I think I'll go with the balcony. It would be kind of nice to be able to atleast see the weather in the morning. That was one thing I missed with the inside cabin.

[deltatango]

balcony

[Host Faith]

Thanks for the input everyon :) Faith413 I'm more outgoing then my husband so it might be a good idea for him. I can see him spending more time in our room then I will. I never thought about the sunsets and watching the stars at night. That would be something I would really enjoy. I think I'll go with the balcony. It would be kind of nice to be able to atleast see the weather in the morning. That was one thing I missed with the inside cabin.

 

Great choice! You're sure to be spoiled for future cruises.:cool: Enjoy!

[scooobycat]

Just off my first cruise, dh and I. We had an inside cabin. We were hardly ever in our room, it was a place we slept and showered. We would get up in the morning and then be gone til bed, we returned maybe once or twice a day to change clothes. The room had plenty of storage. It was completly dark, a nightlight was great. A window would have been great to see what it was like when we woke up, also I was usually up earlier and would have liked to watch out the window, but was not disappointed with an inside cabin. Balcony may be great but I would rather be able to cruise than have to wait for the money to pay for a balcony. Overall it is probably a personal choice but we were happy with our inside room.

[Mist_ynight]

Scoobydoocat I enjoyed the inside cabin and would sail in one again if money was tight. Money is not an issue on this cruise so we will be getting a balcony. Once I've done both then I'll be able to decide for the next one. If it came down to an inside cabin or no cruise there wouldn't even be a choice. I've only been on one cruise but I'm hooked! I just hope my hubby gets hooked too.

[Mist_ynight]

Thanks for all the input. I just booked a balcony for a 7 night Western Carribean cruise. I did a guaranteed cabin so lets hope I get a good one!

[iceleven]

You made the right decision, in light that this is his first cruise. For others, who may still have this same question, I decide the type of cabin by the itinerary of each particular cruise.

 

If there are more than one "sea day" I definitely will chose a balcony because I prefer quieter and private places to relax when we are at sea.

 

The season makes a difference, as well. Winter days are so short and even less time to enjoy the views on your balcony because you could still be on your shore excursion near dusk. Sunsets are very early the further south and closer to the equator.

 

I took an inside room (but with a porthole) when we had an itinerary where we were in a different port each day. I don't see much reason to pay the additional $$ when so very little time is spent on the ship with such a busy cruise itinerary. I enjoy the adventures the ports offer so I prefer to go all out and spend my money on shore excursions. Our adventure excursions sometimes are pretty pricey.

 

There are as many different reasons to cruise and pick your room as there are different types of rooms. Something for all of us and for different circumstances.

[bestislander]

I noticed that nobody brought up my most important reason for preferring a balcony. AIR EXCHANGE. I air out my cabin every day, by leaving the door open for awhile.

If I could always afford a balcony at a decent price, it would be a no-brainer. I have allergies to perfume, chemicals & smoke, and have been stuck in very stuffy, smelly inside cabins. For me, it's not about eating on a balcony, or watching views. I was born and grew up on a gorgeous island, so got a lot of that.

 

It's tough when people are allowed to smoke in their rooms, and (just like a bad hotel room), I am assigned their room and their pollution within a couple of hours of them disembarking. Sadly, the so-called air exchange system only spreads the 'yukky' throughout the ship.

 

Nothing is wrong with inside cabins, except that stale air problem. Insides are usually well-priced, and we spend most of our time outside, anyway, except for showers & sleep. I really enjoy onboard activities and entertainment.

 

Heck, I'd even be a gambler if they banned smoking! But I avoid casinos like the plague, and resent that I sometimes am forced to walk through the casino's smoke screen, in order to get from Point A to Point B. My heart breaks for the casino employees, and that exposure's effect on their health. Oh well.

[schoolinmy3]

I took an inside room (but with a porthole) when we had an itinerary where we were in a different port each day. I don't see much reason to pay the additional $$ when so very little time is spent on the ship with such a busy cruise itinerary. I enjoy the adventures the ports offer so I prefer to go all out and spend my money on shore excursions. Our adventure excursions sometimes are pretty pricey.

 

There are as many different reasons to cruise and pick your room as there are different types of rooms. Something for all of us and for different circumstances.

 

We were in the Mediterranean in May on the Eurodam and had booked two rooms for the five of us. Our kids were in a large inside and dh and I were in a balcony. I have to say that our kids loved their large room. Their bathroom was considerably more spacious than ours and there was considerable more space between the foot of the bed and the opposite wall. Plus they had a corner sectional sofa. My son and I are returning to the Mediterranean and agree - with so many ports how much time are we going to be spending in the room anyway? So we booked the cheapest inside guarantee. He absolutely did not care which room he was in and I am hoping for a little bit of an upgrade. :D

diane

[Eng23]

If the cost of the cabin is no issue go for the balcony room. It's great to sit on the balcony with a cup of coffee and watch the sun rise with the fresh sea air reminding you that you are on a stress free vacation!:D

[Nansafan]

Our first cruise was Oceanview. We booked just 60 days out, on a smaller ship and there were no balcony rooms available. The window was great and we slept with the curtains open every night. (We sleep with the curtains open when we vacation in Vegas and use the strip lights as our night light.) Anyway, our next cruise will be a balcony. I say go for the balcony. A nice spot just for you two.

[Dizney]

BALCONY!!!! :p

 

You will not be disappointed. Great place to chill out, watch the world go by, eat breakfast, have drinks, etc.

[CFD130]

Nothing like standing on your own balcony listening to the waves-watching the sun set or rise-even neat to stand out there at night and listen to the sounds-watch the stars or the lights on the land- love having coffee sitting out on the balcony in our robes in the a.m.-cant imagine cruising without a balcony JMHO

[Shifra]

Good to hear you booked the balcony, be forewarned....you may never go back! Balconies are just as addictive as cruising. :D I hope you will let us know what cabin you were assigned.

 

You will love the Crown, a very beautiful ship. Enjoy your balcony.

[Mist_ynight]

I just got assigned our cabin today! We got upgraded from a BG to a BA so I'm pretty happy. We are in L214. I love the location! Close to the pools, pizza, and buffet. I just hope it's not noisy. It's under the spa so it shouldn't be bad. Atleast it's not on the other side which is under the fitness center. I read a few comments on here about that cabin and other people loved it. I'm sure I will too.