A terrible thing happened...

[suchablonde]

almost eight years ago. DH and I got married and honeymooned on Grandeur of the Seas. It was the first cruise for both of us and I had to sort of talk him into cruising since he was afraid it would be claustraphobic.

 

We'd booked D1 (I think; standard balcony, anyway). Got to the ship where we were informed they'd changed our cabin. Being rather stressed, this was pre-ceremony on my wedding day (!), I was not very happy to hear this. As many of you have probably guessed, we were upgraded to an Owner's Suite, and all the perks that go along with it. Strawberries at night, dinner with the Captain, etc etc etc. Every single thing about the cruise was fantastic. I had no expectations going into this and couldn't have been more delighted with all the surprises.

 

I've read on here that upgrades often happen to first time cruisers so that 1)they continue to cruise with RCCL and 2)they continue to book suites. Not sure if that's true, but it has definitely worked that way with us! This is only our fifth cruise (next week), and up until now we've always found a good deal on a suite. One time we booked a D1's (kids by then) but got lucky and upgraded to connecting JS's at the pier (whew! LOL).

 

ANYWAY, nowdays, with our 5 and 6 yo's with us, and having to cruise at peak times like spring break, we have booked two promenade cabins. Now, I KNOW the cruise experience and all the fun things will remain the same; and a cruise is as wonderful as you make it. But, I admit, I'm a little worried! I'm so afraid I'm going to miss the balcony. I already miss the balcony! The view! The sea air! Book in one hand, pina colada in the other, late afternoon on my balcony. We actually do spend time in the cabin. Or, I should say, on our balcony. Esp with the kids, we spend more time in the cabin than we did before. I'm also afraid it'll be smokey b/c I've read people complaining of stinky cabins and I've never had that problem. Is that because of the, you know, balcony? Space too, concerns me, the shower, storage, but not so much as being interior.

 

I'm not really asking for responses. Unless someone who has gone from balcony to inside has some words of comfort:rolleyes: Honestly, I'm just stressing because the cruise is next week. But mostly I'm very excited. Southern Caribbean on AOS! It's good just to have written this out because I can laugh at how ridiculous I am.

[brn2crz]

Well....I can say its hard without the balcony...But not impossible...And if its between no balcony,or no cruise..then the choice is simple..

 

Not sure what deck its on on Adventure..Maybe 5 or 6...But the deck where muster drill is held (lifeboats) is a great private escape...Rarely anyone there...Also on Mariner,there is a spot,I think its around the unused teen area outside...that is awsome...Great view,lounge chairs...And rarely anyone around..

It may be hard to find some quite time with the kiddos....But it can be done...

 

Have a great cruise...

hey..We are fighting the entire state of Texas nextweek in a State Park Camprground....I would trade places in a heat beat :D

[megessey]

While you're on the boat, and if you're missing the suite perks/balcony, make a list of at least 5 things you're grateful for in your life--your family, your kids, your ability to take vacations, your job, your health, your car, your home, your .......list can go on forever. You'll be blessing that little room in no time :D

[suchablonde]

brn2crz: Thanks very much for the tip on where to search for quiet spots on public decks. That's a great idea and I'm seeing myself there already! I do hope you have a good vacation too - hopefully you'll be able to find some private areas as well ;)

 

megessey: You have a great point and after reading my own post, I've actually already started doing that. I'm blessed with so much and lucky to be able to cruise at all, so you're right. (I will however, still miss my balcony! :D) But that's ok :)

[Merion_Mom]

I don't think that *I*, personally, could survive :D in an interior cabin, but I have gone from ALLLLLLLLLLL balcony cabins to an oceanview (window, not porthole), and coped quite nicely.

 

Chalk this one up to "things we do for our children". :D :D :D

[CruiseFever]

I didn't think I would ever say this but inside cabins are becoming our cabin of choice.

 

For the longest time I thought there was no way I could cruise without a balcony. Don't get me wrong, they are wonderful.

 

But the $ savings we get on booking the absolutely least expensive inside cabin transate into a LOT more cruises and that's worth it to us.

 

I think we sort of worked our way into it too. On our Empress of the Seas crusie late last year we had an outside cabin. About half way through I realized two things:

• #1- We didn't use the window much- to me it was like watching the ocean on TV as compared to the wonderful balconies of our past
  
• #2- We spent a LOT more time out of the cabin, time we would have spent enjoying the pleasant solitiude of our balcony because we really never hung out inside the cabin all that much

So on our Sovereingn of the Seas sailing earlier this month we picked an inside cabin. This one was tiny too, I think it was 122 square feet. Here's what I found:

• I expected less service from cabin stewards. Didn't happen. Received some of the best service ever. I didn't feel like they thought we were cheapskates or poor people for choosing an inside cabin
  
• When you see low prices advertised about cruises, they're talking about something we would actually buy now, not some teasing rate we'd reject.
  
• On deck, you really can't tell who has what category cabin, the prestige of a balcony or suite ends when you shut the cabin door behind you
  
• We did more of what the ship had to offer than on any other cruise. Not at a hectic pace but just because our focus was more on the ship than on the balcony.
  
• Down side: I was in the casino more, 'nuff said
  
• We were allowed to eat with the rich people from the upper decks
  
• I never once ducked when someone threw something down on our balcony
  
• On this particular ship, the walls between our cabin and others were quite thin. It was funny watching the Academy Awards with the sound turned down, replaced by the porn show audio from next door. I think my stomach still aches from laughing so hard. Our neighbors didn't get the joke

[pacthepuppies]

the other side of the fence... we are going on only our second cruise in over 11 years- have never even SEEN a balcony much less thought we could afford one- when i read about all the cruises that others on this board can afford to go on year after year, then see people- not you!- complain that they didn't get this aft balcony cabin over that aft, or why can't they get upgraded to the owner's suite... it just makes me sad and a little sick that they don't realize how lucky they are to be able to afford all that expensive travel... (i teach high school- i don't get paid what my college education is worth but i choose to help lower income kids learn) we booked our cruise 14 months ago- it must have been the first day it was open or something because we got a good rate on an interior on deck 10!... my son is 11 years old and has never been on a boat or a ship- i am so excited for him to do all this stuff and see all these places... we may not be able to do this again for very many years- lets just say that RCCI credit card is going to make a lot of interest on us:eek: !

so i guess i am just saying there are so many of us out here who only dream and wish about being to cruise as much as some others do- not to say anything of living the life style of balconies and suites, etc... so enjoy the fact that your kids get so many wonderful and fun experiences and get to meet people and go places- focus on what they will remember- and i bet it won't be 'mom- why didn't we have a balcony on that trip?' but 'what a great time we had!'

sorry for the long rant....

Lisa

[Lokip53]

Your worst day on a cruise beats your best day at home every time.

 

Wife and I booked a back2back on Navigator for our honeymoon. Two days before we sailed, RCI called me with a story about overbooked balcony rooms and asked if we'd be interested in a downgrade. (We originally booked first week in a D1 balcony and second week in a Junior Suite)

 

Now, while it was our honeymoon, they offered a 100% refund for our first week if we took a promenade room.

 

The wife and I agreed we could give up our balcony to cruise for free and did our first week in that promenade.

 

Now comparing the two, the JS was obviously better, but we had no complaints with the PR. Room was quiet and there was no smell of smoke.

 

We had a blast that first week and got $2500 back.

 

I loved the balcony, but I'd book that promenade room in a heartbeat again if the circumstances required.

[BobBeaSea]

At least you have the best of the inside-a Promenade cabin with a view for people watching. As mentioned above, deck 4 is a very spacious outside deck area which is very quiet and has lots of seating.

[RevSmith]

Have a wonderful cruise....You sound like a person who will have a good time no matter what...I did what you did once...I had to there was no other way...I had a great cruise, but I won't be doing it again...only because as you said, I missed the sea!

[ga-shel]

Just remember that if you are tired you can see the parades from your bedroom window.

 

Following that thought too, remember when getting dressed or undressed to pull the bay window promenade curtains, as the people across from you and below you can see in at all times if they are open.

 

You will have a blast.

[emilygrace]

We have always had balcony cabins, just because my TA has always managed to get us a good deal on one. Last month I did a chick cruise (with 5 female friends....3 cabins) on the QM2, and we had an inside cabin on this 3 night cruise for what I would pay for a balcony on any other 7 night cruise. I tried not to panic, thinking about no balcony and no window, but once we were there it was just fine. Unfortunately, on this ship, when you are not in your cabin there ARE places on board where you cannot mingle with the "upper class", and you definitely have separate dining rooms (I actually thought the dining room for the "masses" was much prettier). Definitely a one time deal for me, but it was worth the $$$ for the experience of sailing on the QM2.

 

Next up, an ocean view (another first) and then back to the balcony (a must for me on a 12 day!).

[mabinbklyn]

I have had oceanview, balcony and interiior cabins. Most of the time I book an inside, for much the same reasons as Chris--I can cruise more often that way! Also agree with Chris that all things being equal, I wouldn't spend the extra money on an ocean view room--maybe on a balcony, I am splurging on a balcony for a Mediterranean once-in-a-lifetime cruise this summer--but I don't mind the inside, especially if it gets me on a cruise ship!! The promenade rooms are great.

 

Enjoy!