Suite worth $900 more than Ocean view?

[decemberbride]

I'm not quite sure my fiance and I want to spend $900 more for a suite than a ocean view. That's a lot of money, and I want to know if it's worth it. We will be on our honeymoon. However, I can't imagine us being in our room that much. A ocean view balcony is about $800 more than an ocean view, so if I'm going to upgrage from ocean view, I'm going to choose a suite. Please give me your input. Thanks :) !

[karfest]

Our first cruise was in an inside in the very lowest category. We have since gone to a balcony, mini-suite and 2 cruises in full suites.

 

If this is your first cruise, I would stick with the inside because you will find yourself wanting to do every activity available on the ship. I'm sure you are working with a budget, but everything will cost more than you are budgeting and that $900 will come in handy!

 

You will have many more years to move into the suites--once you do you will never want to go with anything else!! I'm distressed over being in "just a balcony" for our upcoming cruise, but after reading how expensive everything is in Hawaii, I'll forgoe the suite this time. (unless I get an upsell offer that I can't refuse...)

 

One thing- if you stick with the inside, bring a nightlight-it is very dark in there and the bathroom doors don't stay open!

[KRANKYK]

I'd get the mini-suite if you can afford it.....I am going on the Star in November and I was going to get a balcony too but decided on the mini-suite because it is our 15 year wedding anniversary and it just seems to be more romantic (the cabin looks to be decorated nicer than a regular cabin).

 

You will be on your honeymoon and I think you will be in your room more than you think! :o

[greenie]

I know I am not a very thrifty person when it comes to cruising, but I think--in my un-thrifty way--that if you can swing a balcony or a suite, you should go for it.

 

It's true that I had a great time on my first cruise, in an inside cabin. Even though I did feel mole-like cuz it was so dark in the mornings. I also had a great time on my second cruise, with a porthole. The 3rd cruise I gulped and went for the balcony--my goodness,it seemed like so much more money! But I forgot about the money the moment we walked into our cabin and out onto the balcony. That cruise, I not only had a great cruise, I had a magical one! It just made it so special ... we slept with the doors open a couple of times--ah sweet breeze of ocean air. We had coffee/drinks out there--we stood out there with our binoculars when pulling in and out of ports--so interesting and wonderful!

 

Your honeymoon will be special & magical no matter what type of cabin you get. It'll just be MORE magical with a balcony!

:-)

 

Do what your heart tells you--and congrats!!

[cruisingfromMN]

I know I am not a very thrifty person when it comes to cruising, but I think--in my un-thrifty way--that if you can swing a balcony or a suite, you should go for it.

 

It's true that I had a great time on my first cruise, in an inside cabin. Even though I did feel mole-like cuz it was so dark in the mornings. I also had a great time on my second cruise, with a porthole. The 3rd cruise I gulped and went for the balcony--my goodness,it seemed like so much more money! But I forgot about the money the moment we walked into our cabin and out onto the balcony. That cruise, I not only had a great cruise, I had a magical one! It just made it so special ... we slept with the doors open a couple of times--ah sweet breeze of ocean air. We had coffee/drinks out there--we stood out there with our binoculars when pulling in and out of ports--so interesting and wonderful!

 

Your honeymoon will be special & magical no matter what type of cabin you get. It'll just be MORE magical with a balcony!

:-)

 

Do what your heart tells you--and congrats!!

 

Well said Greenie!!!

[MIcruisers3]

If you can afford it, I would go with the balcony. It is very nice sitting on your own balcony having a cup of coffee. It is also convenient because every time you pull into port or see another ship leaving port, you don't have to run to the promenade to watch. I've seen some very interesting and funny sights while standing out there. It is also the perfect place for taking pictures of the landscape because no one is walking in front of you and you're several decks above the promenade, so the view is better. I would never cruise without a balcony room.

[amc11569]

I had an oceanview on RCL on my honeymoon and it was perfect. We were never in our room. I also had an oceanview on Disney and were never in our room. We will be on NCL in November and chose a balcony only because my husband broke his back several years ago and must ambulate with a cane. We thought the balcony would be good because if he did not walk down to the pool area he can enjoy sitting on the balcony.

 

Also, I am sure money is getting tight with your wedding approaching. You can always opt for a balcony or suite if you take an anniversary cruise.:rolleyes:

[karfest]

Maybe I should clarify my thoughts. OF COURSE the suite and the perks that go with it are much better than being in an inside- but- if you are worrying about having to justify the cost, it might be less stressful to stick with the inside on this cruise. If you think you can afford it without too much anquish- go for it.

 

You will have many years of justifying costs- you can start now or wait until after the license is signed:D

[bplazo]

I always have to have a suite. I justify this because I am thrifty and watch what I spend all year, so on vacation I splurge!

[spatz]

I always have to have a suite. I justify this because I am thrifty and watch what I spend all year, so on vacation I splurge!

 

 

Those are my thoughts too! Hey, this is our time and were going to enjoy it to the fullest. So what if I have salads and sandwichs for awhile. I'd rather spend it like this than gambling which I think is a waste of money. Just my opion again just my opion.

 

Have a great week.

 

just linda

[superflyjeff]

Click this link and see why it's worth the $$ for a suite. This is from our sailing on the Spirit in April 2005.

 

http://jeffandjenette.com/mambo/index.php?spgmGal=NCL_Spirit_-_Penthouse_10522&spgmPage=1&spgmPic=0&spgmFilters=s&option=com_mambospgm&Itemid=26

 

ENJOY!!!

[KRANKYK]

Click this link and see why it's worth the $$ for a suite. This is from our sailing on the Spirit in April 2005.

 

http://jeffandjenette.com/mambo/index.php?spgmGal=NCL_Spirit_-_Penthouse_10522&spgmPage=1&spgmPic=0&spgmFilters=s&option=com_mambospgm&Itemid=26

 

ENJOY!!!

 

Yeah, but you stayed in a Penthouse! LUCKY!

 

That is a lot more $$$$ than a mini-suite, but I am sure well worth it! :o

[trish1c]

For $100 more I agree with you between the balcony & the suite, I'd get the suite.

 

That said, for $800, a plain OV is fine with me. I don't spend much time in the cabin.

 

On your honeymoon I imagine you will spend more time in the cabin ;) :D :o but unless you are planning on "using" the balcony one cabin is the same as the next -- your new spouse is who / what is important.

Think about what else you could spend $800 on & then determine if it's still worth it to you.

[WHOCARES]

Just as a thought, a friend of mine once said " When going on vacation, why would you not stay in a hotel room that is not at a least as nice as your own home". If you can afford/required a nice home you should get a suite.

[logcabin]

After having stayed in Penthouse Suites on the Dawn, twice, we couldn't cruise any other way. Especially on your honeymoon. The perks alone are worth it. Imagine breakfast served to you by your butler each morning in the privacy of your own suite. Imagine having a concierge take care of all your excurssions, reservations, etc. for you. Imagine a romantic dinner served to you out on your balcony or in your suite... Then, you'll be invited to a special VIP party held by the Captian.. If you shmooz with the right people at this party, like the Hotel Director, you just may get a few extra surprizes... IMHO the extra money for a suite is more then worth it. Especially on a honeymoon.... Enjoy!

[goldmom]

Although I agree with everyone that a suite and the extra perks would be a real special treat for your honeymoon. I think you also need to look at the whole picture. I don't know your budget, but if you spent the extra $900 for the suite would you still have enough money for any other extras such as shore excursions, specialty restaurants, spa visit, casino, shopping, etc. If going for the suite will use up your entire budget then you really need to decide if the nicer room is worth giving up some extras for.

 

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. Also remember that once you get a balcony or suite it's really hard to go back to a regular cabin. Best of luck to you!

[MarkSpark]

" When going on vacation, why would you not stay in a hotel room that is not at a least as nice as your own home". QUOTE]

 

Amen to that. For me, That has always been my motto, If I can't be as comfortable as I am at home, why go. Everyone spends their money how they each want to, for me, on a cruise, it's a suite or not at all.

 

Like someone else said, I would rather save money while at home, just to be able to spend whatever I want on vacation.

 

Mark

[Aliann]

Having stayed in inside, outside, balcony, mini suite, and suite - have to say of course the suites or at least the balcony's are fantastic, but then again, if all they had was one room left on the inside in the cheapest catagory... get me on.

 

We do spend more time in our room with the balcony, and sometimes because of that, I kinda miss going out on the open decks and being involved in other things. A balcony is great, but to me not a neccessity as much as a luxury.

 

You didn't say where you were sailing to, sometimes that makes a difference. If its Alaska, Hawaii, there's more to see from a balcony, and to me, having a baloncy in those ports would be a neccessity.

 

If you're on a budget, stick with the ocean view room, and spend the extra 800 on some great excursions that would normally be out of your price range, or for 400 ea., you could book another short cruise for your month anniversary. Or depending on where you're leaving from, extend the vacation and get a great hotel room and live it up a few days afterwards while you come down from your cruise high.

[papadave]

If you have enough money to spend close to a thousand dollars to spend for a nicer room and another thousand dollars to spend on excusions, drinks, gambling and all else you want to do, then spend away. If you are sitting on the fence, take a look at the excursion available on the cruise and see how far the money will go. Personally, I would be more likely to remember swimming with dolphins or taking a helicopter ride (these are expensive excursions) to having a balcony. Also, when we had a balcony, I had trouble getting my wife to mingle with others on a cruise.