Downgrading is my new philosophy

[Priya2]

Just to add, we won't pay for a premium restaurant since we find the included food good enough. I once asked on a thread why people choose to pay extra to eat in the premium restaurants. Someone pointed out that many cruisers live in areas where there are no nice restaurants nearby. That hadn't occurred to me. In that case, I understand why they would. We should each work out what works for us and do that :)

[rodenboy]

All of my cruises have been inside so far, however other members of the party wanted a balcony so have had to concede and try a balcony. I would have much preferred an inside cabin so I could spend more on the cruise itself but ho hum. We will see how it goes!

[Priya2]

All of my cruises have been inside so far, however other members of the party wanted a balcony so have had to concede and try a balcony. I would have much preferred an inside cabin so I could spend more on the cruise itself but ho hum. We will see how it goes!

Enjoy 😎 You might find that you become smitten!

[rodenboy]

Enjoy [emoji41] You might find that you become smitten!

 

 

Possibly, but I doubt my bank balance would agree!

[Jana60]

To each his/her own. Many people feel that insides provide great bargains. If one is in there only to sleep, shower, and change clothes then the view - or lack of any - is irrelevant. For me however it wouldn't work - it would be like staying in a bomb bunker.

 

I agree! The thing that bothers me the most about an inside room is the lack of natural light. That being said I don't have to have a suite or even a balcony to be happy. When traveling solo I've even been perfectly happy in a porthole cabin. And you can get those for an inner room price. If I get a good deal I do love to have a balcony. I love sitting out there with my morning coffee watching the ocean go by! But there are limits to how much I will pay for a balcony.

Edited July 13, 2015 by Jana60

[jnc411]

We have cruised in inside cabins , obstructed oceanview, oceanview, balcony, premium balcony, mini suites, and I can honestly say we enjoyed each and every cruise. Really was apprehensive on the first inside because I am a little bit claustrophobic, but I did ok. For us it seems to be the itenirery which determines which type of cabin, more sea days we like a balcony , more port days a inside or outside are fine. My DH has had some serious illness's and in considering that we usually go balcony now , in the event he isn't feeling well at times then he can enjoy the balcony and still have a good cruise. We just enjoy cruising. :)

Cori

[Mimigail]

When cruising with friends we always get inside cabins because we're there just to sleep. However, back in 09' my husband and I took a 12 night Med cruise alone and got a great balcony price. Totally worth the upgrade to enjoy early morning coffee and room service.

[Trickycoma]

My husband and I started out with inside cabins then upgrade to oceanview and now we can't imagine any other way other than balcony. But, my husband and I spend a huge amount of time just relaxing on the balcony. We don't partake to much in the cruise ship activities so for us, it really works. I see the appeal though in inside cabins, for someone who is out and about...totally makes sense. :) Whatever floats your boat, hehe.

 

Inside, OV or balcony, does it matter...you're on vacation!!! Enjoy

Edited August 19, 2015 by Trickycoma

[Californiacruizers]

Booked our first inside cabin on the Emerald Princess for March 2016. On our last cruise we had a large port hole window. It was nice to have see the sun rise and set, but for the price we could have skipped it. My thoughts were to pay less for an inside cabin and then use the savings on more excursions.

[pmoniz]

I could not be happier for people to have a good time whether they are in an inside or other cabin. It is a question setting priorities and balancing resources against desire and this is personal to each of us. None of us are better or worse than another whether we choose inside or other grade.

 

What I really do not enjoy is when individuals make comments that, in effect, are intended to be, or appear to be 'put downs' towards individuals making a realistic choice for them (such as referring to a choice of an inside cabin as 'if you like sleeping in a dark closet'.). Someone else phoned me this morning and commented how jarring they found this comment. I looked up the trail and I agree. It turns what has been (generally) an interesting & thought provoking discussion into something diminishing.

 

I totally agree! Some people just love to make a fun thread turn sour quickly!

 

As for our experience, we have always stayed in an interior cabin. We did venture out a few years ago and tried a balcony. I said to myself - I'll have coffee every morning on the balcony, watch as pull in and out of port, etc. Ya, well, we didn't do either of the above! I, myself, would much prefer saving the $$ and going back to interior cabins. We don't spend ANY time in our cabin. We'd much prefer spending our time on an open deck! Getting involved in activities, meeting new people, etc. If I wanted to sit in my cabin for my vacation I'd stay home! So I'll keep booking my closet!

[Getaway Girl 73]

Booked our first inside cabin on the Emerald Princess for March 2016. On our last cruise we had a large port hole window. It was nice to have see the sun rise and set, but for the price we could have skipped it. My thoughts were to pay less for an inside cabin and then use the savings on more excursions.

 

👍 I agree!

[LuCruise]

Booked our first inside cabin on the Emerald Princess for March 2016. On our last cruise we had a large port hole window. It was nice to have see the sun rise and set, but for the price we could have skipped it. My thoughts were to pay less for an inside cabin and then use the savings on more excursions.

 

Same here. We booked an interior (promenade) stateroom for our Allure cruise. This made me feel not as guilty spending $$ on an excursion.

 

We also didn't pay $$$ for our pre-night hotel. We obviously didn't want to spend too cheap as we do want somewhere that is clean, convenient (as we won't have a car), something to do for the day such as pool and/or beach and/or shopping, and breakfast included or easy to grab cruise morning.

[Getaway Girl 73]

Same here. We booked an interior (promenade) stateroom for our Allure cruise. This made me feel not as guilty spending $$ on an excursion.

 

We also didn't pay $$$ for our pre-night hotel. We obviously didn't want to spend too cheap as we do want somewhere that is clean, convenient (as we won't have a car), something to do for the day such as pool and/or beach and/or shopping, and breakfast included or easy to grab cruise morning.

 

I refuse to pay $$$ for a pre cruise hotel too. If it's just me, I'll bid on Priceline or take an express deal. Since I had 2 people with me for January, I shopped around and found something nice but reasonable with airport and cruise port shuttles for us to split

 

On my 5th cruise, I MAY try a balcony just for the experience IF I find a good price...but for me the excursions make the cruise and I wouldn't want to forego an excursion because I spent too much money on my room.

[Raindrops88]

Have also tried porthole, balcony, but you know what, gone back to inside each cruise since. 'Horses for courses', but for me, just a place to change, wash and sleep, and as an insomniac, do love the darkness of an enclosed space with no natural daylight - then again, some may love that, but for me, give me an inside everytime!:)

[Getaway Girl 73]

Have also tried porthole, balcony, but you know what, gone back to inside each cruise since. 'Horses for courses', but for me, just a place to change, wash and sleep, and as an insomniac, do love the darkness of an enclosed space with no natural daylight - then again, some may love that, but for me, give me an inside everytime!:)

 

I'm just starting cruising so that's why I think I should at least try a balcony but I like being out among folks so I don't need a high-powered room. 😋

 

I have a virtual balcony room on Anthem of the seas for September--that seems like a decent go-between.

[trixiegal]

I've stayed in all different types of cabins except an aft balcony, which I have booked for our next cruise on the Carnival Vista. It really depends on the ship. If it's a newer ship with all the bells and whistles I am more inclined toward booking a higher end room with all the amenities. On an older ship with a great port-intensive itinerary (like the Sunshine and the Disney Magic) then I will book an OV or an inside. I know I will be out at the ports all day and so I won't have as much time to spend on a balcony.

 

I want to try out the promenade interiors on the newer RCCL ships. Probably for 2017 or 2018.

[lakelife191]

We tried to book a balcony room on RCCL Vision of the Seas 8 months before the sail date. None available we were told, so we asked to be put on waitlist for balcony and went ahead and reserved a large window cabin. Purchased it under their "buy one / get one 50% off" deal at the time. Now 2 1/2 months before the sail date they notify me that they have a balcony available, but only at full price. If a balcony had been available when I booked, we would have gotten it at the promotional price ($800 less than they are quoting me now). This does not seem fair!!!!

[Nonio]

We tried to book a balcony room on RCCL Vision of the Seas 8 months before the sail date. None available we were told, so we asked to be put on waitlist for balcony and went ahead and reserved a large window cabin. Purchased it under their "buy one / get one 50% off" deal at the time. Now 2 1/2 months before the sail date they notify me that they have a balcony available, but only at full price. If a balcony had been available when I booked, we would have gotten it at the promotional price ($800 less than they are quoting me now). This does not seem fair!!!!

 

I'm curious why you don't think it fair to be charged full price to be certain of a balcony cabin which appear to have been in demand? I imagine you thought it fair to get a buy one/get one 50% as an early booking discount for the cabin you could and did book?

 

You can always take a risk and wait and see if the balcony cabin doesn't get snapped up and then gets offered at a discount nearer the date. If it does get snapped up then it demonstrates demand ...so higher prices. If it doesn't then it is likely to be discounted. Market forces and all that. If it doesn't get discounted then throw yourself into enjoying all those aspects of your holiday that you can from your large window cabin. We are a lot luckier than most in the world, just being able to cruise in relative luxury..

[Getaway Girl 73]

I'm curious why you don't think it fair to be charged full price to be certain of a balcony cabin which appear to have been in demand? I imagine you thought it fair to get a buy one/get one 50% as an early booking discount for the cabin you could and did book?

 

You can always take a risk and wait and see if the balcony cabin doesn't get snapped up and then gets offered at a discount nearer the date. If it does get snapped up then it demonstrates demand ...so higher prices. If it doesn't then it is likely to be discounted. Market forces and all that. If it doesn't get discounted then throw yourself into enjoying all those aspects of your holiday that you can from your large window cabin. We are a lot luckier than most in the world, just being able to cruise in relative luxury..

 

Were you my micro econ professor?? 😋

[Cruisin'Christine]

My thought is that I would rather stay in an inside cabin, than miss the cruise because the balcony is too expensive. However, if I can get a great deal on a balcony, then I gladly go for the balcony. I think a balcony is the way to go for certain destinations. I loved having the balcony for my Alaska cruise and my Panama Canal cruise. However, when sailing in the Caribbean, I can take it or leave it.

[bluereef]

Inside cabins allow you to save a ton of bucks for other splurges like excursions--especially when you're traveling with 4 people per cabin. I am a huge fan of their privacy, "ahem" coziness, dark nights and value. DCL and RCCL offer plenty of outdoor space with quiet corners to have time for yourself, by yourself, without having to rely on a balcony.

 

BUT!! I heartily endorse paying the upgrade for a balcony in Alaska where the views are a major consideration for the destination. it is not as cold in mid-summer there as you might imagine and can be quite pleasant actually. Having ample and private space to stand without being jostled while watching and photographing the glaciers is an incalculable bonus with a balcony. On glacier viewing days, the public decks can be crowded as guests stack up 2-3 people deep to along the rails to get a good view, making shooting a quality photograph quite difficult and irritating. A private balcony allows you to avoid the aggravation altogether and watch in blissful peace.

 

I spent many hours on the balcony in Alaska shooting beautiful sunrises and sunsets of the surrounding mountains, islands, wildlife, and inlets.

 

In contrast, on a Caribbean cruise, the at-sea days don't offer as many varied vistas, so I never feel the balcony is worth the extra fees.

 

One more advantage of inside cabins I hope you never have to experience: I got violently ill with a stomach bug on an NCL cruise and spent the last whole day in bed sleeping it off (when not in the bathroom). :eek: I was grateful to have the complete darkness of an inside cabin to get as much sleep as possible--the slightest light was nauseating.

[Technoyd]

Been on two previous cruises with an inside cabin. They were short 7 day trips. I didn't mind it too much, but did get a bit sea sick :( at times. Did not like being cut off from the outside world while inside. But, did not spend much time in the cabin. Would do it again for short cruises.

 

Have booked a 14 day South America cruise (around the horn). For this I insisted on a balcony. Lots to see on this cruise and don't want to spend that amount of time in a inside cabin. Got a great cabin on the port side which I expect will well worth it for this type of cruise. :)

[Kayaktom]

We've just come back from our first ever inside cabin, while I missed the daily sea views , I saved a ton of $$$. Yes, I would do it again.

[richstowe]

My thought is that I would rather stay in an inside cabin' date=' than miss the cruise because the balcony is too expensive. However, if I can get a great deal on a balcony, then I gladly go for the balcony. I think a balcony is the way to go for certain destinations. I loved having the balcony for my Alaska cruise and my Panama Canal cruise. However, when sailing in the Caribbean, I can take it or leave it.[/quote']The problem is that we all share your feelings and the prices per cabin category reflect this . Balconies for Alaskan cruises are normally more then twice insides . Often more then twice OV's as well . This huge price discrepancy is not normally there for Caribbean cruises .

 

I took a winter cruise from Baltimore paying an extra $200 or so total to have a balcony . My folks took an Alaskan cruise this summer . The premium was almost $3000 for another 7 day cruise . The price for insides on these 2 cruises was similar . Huge difference but it made some sense .

[JustCruiseyNotCrazy]

I love it dark and quiet when I sleep.

 

Few people are dumb enough to party in an inside room! .

 

 

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My DH snores like a freight train/warthog/wild beast

I dont get quiet sleep. I figure fresh air will help with any seasickness or stale air from DH & DS

Boys stink!!

**My sister and I once got "rowdy" after a night of heavy casino/cocktails etc

Inside cabin+rowdy=security/alcohol restriction to sail n sign

That night, we learned a big lesson in that inside cabin.

Lol