$20 to upgrade from Outside to balcony is it worth it?

[oz5]

Sorry typo I meant $420

We have booked an outside cabin for us and our 2 kids 14 & 11, we usually get 2 rooms but are on more of a budget this time. Carnival have allocated us room 1225 on freedom which I am dissapointed with as it is so far down.

 

They said it will be $420 to upgrade to an unknown balcony which will be on Upper or above. This does not sound a lot but it is 20% of what the whole cruise cost!

Question is is the balcony room more spacious that an outside? and do you think it is worth it?

 

We spend very little time in the room and our kids are at kids clubs almost all day and night so it is really just for sleeping in.

Any advice appreciated

[ollychelle]

I personally wouldn't do it, because we found that we hardly spent any time at all on our balcony. If you are not in your room much, then spend the money on something else towards your cruise (excursions/drinks, etc.) or save it.

[firefly333]

OV is 220 s.f.

 

balcony is 185 with a 35 s.f. balcony

 

so no the balcony is not bigger.

 

I once had a chance to upgrade for $20 pp and turned it down, because we like the bigger OV cabins.

[5waldos]

However- having a balcony means that you can send folks outside to wait while others change inside. But that is a lot of money and as ff pointed out- the inside room of the balcony is smaller than the OV.

[Vettebuf]

I think the standard balcony room is smaller. The OV cabin 220 sq. ft. The balcony cabin is 185 sq. ft. with a 35 sq. ft. balcony.

[hazeleyez3]

I wouldn't do it. I would think it is too much of an increase in cost if you guys are hardly in the cabin.

[enjoyinglife]

I resisted trying a balcony room because I didn't think it would be worth the extra money. Once we tried it, we were both hooked! Both hubby and I prefer it now to any category. I wake up earlier then him and have a place to go to without needing to leave the room. We spend more time in our cabin now because we can go out and listen to the waves. It makes me sleep like a baby! I have taken naps out there!

 

Having said that, for that much exrta money, I would say dont go for it. If I can say it (even though I didnt want to try it) follow your instinct and stay in the category you are currently in. One day, it may be more affordable for your family.

[oz5]

Thank you for all of your replies and info.

I did not realise that the balcony room was smaller so I think I will stick with the OV, that way we will have more internal space to move around in. If it was $200 then I would take it but $420 is a lot of drinks and casino on board!!:p:p

[SMSACE6]

At that extra cost, I would not likely do it. My reasons are;

 

mostly because I keep hearing other cruisers/reviewers saying that they are bombarded with cigarette/cigar smoke ( whether or not it is allowed to smoke "whatever" on balconies ) , apparantly many folks do, and it is very difficult to report the problem, because, no one really knows were the smoke comes from, next door, next deck up or down etc.

 

I have cruised a few times in an inside cabin, albeit solo, and a few times in an Oceanview room. ( Once on Carnival in a porthole room, which is as good as OV for me ). I must say that I prefer to have a window or porthole, ( but Im happy with inside ).

 

but for you, at that extra cost, I would stay with the OV. Unless you are smokers....:D

 

P.S saw a post today where balcony cruisers could not enjoy their balcony because the neighbors used foul language and were very loud! There is another reason.