Balcony's--Are they worth the extra money?

[txskier]

:) I am new here and I have never been on a cruise. I was wondering if you seasoned cruisers could tell me if you think the balcony is worth the extra money?

 

Yeah, it is way worth it........until you are downwind from smokers.:eek:

[augie]

I think it's plain to see that this isn't a question with a "one size fits all" answer.

 

At this point in my life, my ability to cruise is constrained by time more than by money. What I mean is, even if I could afford to, I probably would have trouble getting away for multiple cruises a year.

 

Therefore I don't mind spending some extra to make the one cruise we do even more special - and for us, having a balcony is one of the ways to do that.

 

Depending on a lot of factors, sometimes we use it more or less than at others, but it's nice to have it available.

 

If all of the balconies were sold out on a cruise I wanted to go on, I could (and have) still enjoy myself, with an oceanview, or an inside even!

[GayleR]

Yeah, it is way worth it........until you are downwind from smokers.:eek:

 

This is so true. We had smokers next to us, but we were fortunate that they didn't spend too much time on their balcony!!!

[Leo Jay]

Careful -- a non-smoker's expressed desire to enjoy time on her private balcony without having her allergies irritated by another passenger's cigar smoke is often interpreted as "smoker bashing"!

[joyluck]

As much as I love the balcony, I would find it hard to justify an extra grand for it versus an oceanview.

 

:D Thanks Habby! I really appreciate that! I was too! I REALLY want a balcony--mainly because my husbad is a smoker (:o) and I don't want to be locked in a tiny room with his smoke, but I was having trouble with paying a grand more for it. Obviously other people wouldn't want him out on the balcony with it either.;)

[rvrgirl]

The difference is significant. About $500pp. The only rooms with a balcony are penthouse suites. So, if you would have to pay a grand more would you just do the OV?:)

 

Sorry, I thought you were talking about regular balcony rooms not suites. No I don't think I would pay that much more for a suite. You must be going on a older smaller ship. In that case window room:) On the newer bigger ships the balcony rooms are not much more than the window rooms.

[joyluck]

Sorry, I thought you were talking about regular balcony rooms not suites. No I don't think I would pay that much more for a suite. You must be going on a older smaller ship. In that case window room:) On the newer bigger ships the balcony rooms are not much more than the window rooms.

 

Yeah, we are going to be on the Celebration which is one of the older ships. It will be leaving from Jacksonville. Sorry, I don't know anything about cruises, I guess I should have mentioned it was a suite. :o

[stlawrence]

The difference is significant. About $500pp. The only rooms with a balcony are penthouse suites. So, if you would have to pay a grand more would you just do the OV?:)

First of all it's not $500.pp more like $150pp (sometimes less depending on your cat.& ship )next it's not just penthouse suites. Cat8-11 also, agn depending on the ship.And yes, the balcony is well worth the $$ spent.

[rvrgirl]

Yeah, we are going to be on the Celebration which is one of the older ships. It will be leaving from Jacksonville. Sorry, I don't know anything about cruises, I guess I should have mentioned it was a suite. :o

 

Oh Okay. Yes I believe the Celebration is Carnivals oldest ship. I could be wrong, it could be the Holiday. I never cruised on the Celebration but I did cruise on the Holiday (sister ship) Too much for the suites. We had a window room. You will have fun:) Even though the Celebration is one of their smallest ships, being your first time, it will seem huge to you!

Have fun!

[yogimax]

Careful -- a non-smoker's expressed desire to enjoy time on her private balcony without having her allergies irritated by another passenger's cigar smoke is often interpreted as "smoker bashing"!

 

Ah, so true! Not to mention those who would truly enjoy time in the lounges and at the casino without having to gag. Hopefully, the cruise lines will come to realize (sooner than later) that catering to smokers is financially and morally counter-productive.

 

Having said that, I know that you are totally correct and we will be accused of smoker bashing, etc., etc., and have the Paradise experience incorrectly thrown in our faces.

[rvrgirl]

First of all it's not $500.pp more like $150pp (sometimes less depending on your cat.& ship )next it's not just penthouse suites. Cat8-11 also, agn depending on the ship.And yes, the balcony is well worth the $$ spent.

 

OP is sailing on the Celebration. Their balcony rooms are verandah suites, which are much higher price then window rooms.

[rvrgirl]

Hopefully, the cruise lines will come to realize (sooner than later) that catering to smokers is financially and morally counter-productive.

 

.

 

Just curious what does catering to smokers consist of?

[GayleR]

Careful -- a non-smoker's expressed desire to enjoy time on her private balcony without having her allergies irritated by another passenger's cigar smoke is often interpreted as "smoker bashing"!

 

I grew up in a smoker's home. I do not smoke. I am not smoker bashing by saying I do not like to breathe second hand smoke coming from the balcony next to mine. If a smoker takes it that way, it's his/her problem. I don't think they would like their balcony invaded by a foul odor (there are many....take your pick.....body odor, flatuence, spoiled food, etc).;)

 

Happy cruising to all (smokers and non-smokers)!

[yogimax]

Just curious what does catering to smokers consist of?

 

Permitting smoking in cabins and indoor public areas of the ship

[MrPete]

Yes, but you will only find out after you have one.

 

o you can delay it as long as you like, but once you have one, forget it!

[rvrgirl]

Permitting smoking in cabins and indoor public areas of the ship

 

For a minute I thought you were talking about outside balcony's:rolleyes:

[Leo Jay]

I grew up in a smoker's home. I do not smoke. I am not smoker bashing by saying I do not like to breathe second hand smoke coming from the balcony next to mine. If a smoker takes it that way, it's his/her problem. I don't think they would like their balcony invaded by a foul odor (there are many....take your pick.....body odor, flatuence, spoiled food, etc).;)

 

Happy cruising to all (smokers and non-smokers)!

 

I hear ya, I'm just saying people get oversensitive and defensive about it.

[zaandam_2]

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

 

One cruise in a balcony OR

 

Two cruises in an inside or oceanview

 

or three. no balconies for me.

[Billie Bob]

Just been reading this thread with amusement, as the thread started out if an inside or ov is better than a balcony, quickly changed to a smoker/non-smoker issue. Next week being my second cruise I may be out of line but........ what was the cause of the Star Princess catching on fire?? rumour or truth stated it was a discarded ciggy.:eek:

 

Anyways back on subject, we had an ov on our Alaska cruise, and had to stand (cattle call:rolleyes:) on the main deck with everyone else who had an inside or ov (cruising Hubbard Glacier). My point some ppl on board had great balcony parties, and took some great pics without a bunch of ppls heads cluttering up the shot. Please don't consider this as a bash or rant, just my .02 cents :D