Is the Balcony worth the $$?

[happy cruzin]

Once you've had a balcony room, you'll never go back to a window nor inside cabin again. My 1st cruise I had an inside cabin (due to cost), 2nd cruise a window (only rooms availabile pretty cool w/the window), last cruise a balcony and my up cruise will be a balcony. I just can't image me, my DH and 2 children in anything other than a balcony. My first 3 cruises my DH and I sailed "kid-less" so we figured we didn't need the extra space & we could use the extra money that we would have spent for the balncony on excursions, the bar, casino, etc. But now, even if it was just my DH and I, we'd go for the balcony. Best of luck on your trip. Let us know how it goes!!!

 

I hear 'ya. In our case we had inside guarantee for our first cruise and were upgraded to an OV. It was awesome....but what did we know....:rolleyes: . On our second cruise we also booked an inside guarantee - we did not think it would matter. Boy was it tough - the 3 of us in an inside :eek: - after we knew how great the OV had been. We swore right then and there that there would be no more insides for us...EVER.

 

Then along came the balconies....3rd cruise we had a regular balcony. Starting with the 4th cruise we thought we would try out the aft cabins with the extended balconies that all of the CC'ers were talking about ;) . Now for our 6th cruise we just booked our first 9A - aft wrap :D !!!

 

I am really afraid that the 9A will set a precident - just like the OV and balcony did. Boy...this could be bad.....:eek:

[jixjix6305]

One of my favorite things to do is wake up each morning, go out onto the balcony in my robe and see if the color of the ocean has changed...we will not cruise unless there is a balcony, because to us, it is now a cruise ritual to check the water each morning. To me, nothing beats a champagne toast on our balcony as we watch the tugboat push our ship...

[MrPete]

Capital YES!

[Upandadam]

I know some look at cabin style and location are some sort of status thing, but we do not play that game at home and are deffinately not going to play it while on vacation. We could cruise in a suite but choose not to. quote]

 

In all respect, I don't see a single post referring to status as being a reason for a balcony. A balcony is hardly high status. It just allows an added dimension that isn't available without one. Some (most) like that added dimension and are willing to pay for it, some don't.

[Naples Cruiser]

We've been on 2 cruises... one with a balcony and one without. Our third (Miracle 4/1/07) will be with a balcony. I suggest doing the balcony.

[shankiko]

My husband and I sailed on the Carnival Pride and were upgraded to a balcony which waas fantastic. Of course each person will have their own preference but will will forever have a balcony . Early mornings and late evenings were great. So calm and peaceful and I love watching the foam spray out. We are now booked on the Carnival Spirit with several family members and of course we have a balcony. I am afraid Carnival spoiled us by the first free upgrade. Guess that was to their benefit, huh!!!! Only 17 days to go and here we come Acapulco!! I hope yu enjoy your trip.

Shankiko :D :D

[Giorgi-one]

My wife and I had a balcony on our first cruise and have never gotten one since then. Yes it was nice and we had breakfst on it every morning, but, we are never in our room for anything except changing and sleeping. We only ate breakfast on the balcony because we felt as though we had paid for it and should be using it. As for the door being open, it made our room to hot and muggy.

That is just our opinion. I know some look at cabin style and location are some sort of status thing, but we do not play that game at home and are deffinately not going to play it while on vacation. We could cruise in a suite but choose not to. To us, the service and activities are the same for those with a balcony as they are for those with an inside cabin.

The choice is yours. You will get a hundred responses to this question and they will all be different.

Fins Up!

 

Two things to remember:

 

1. You cannot take it with you!

 

2. You are going!

[L2J]

This will be our first cruise. We just discovered that for $130 each on our 7-day western Caribbean trip we can upgrade to a guaranteed balcony (from a guaranteed ocean view). Since we’ve never cruised before, I’d like to hear your opinions on how much you really use the balcony and pros cons of the balcony room. :confused:

 

Thanks!

 

Few things compare to some spirited balcony lovin'.:D

[sharecruises]

One thing to consider...many smokers book balconies, especially if their partner is a non smoker...

 

so if you are a nonsmoker, they may be very annoying, out there puffing away

 

I live in Florida, like air conditioning and would never want the door open at night LOL>> I need my air!

 

Many people love the balcony tho, and IF the price is right the upgrade would be a good thing to try so that you can make up your own mind?

[gwooly]

between cruising and not cruising --- i say cruise --- some trips can get real expensive to get a balcony --- say like 10 day or more --- then i may opt for window only --- don't really like inside cabins --- but i got to tell you a balcony is the way to go --- but if you ever take an alaska cruise, spend the money for a balcony

[Socref124]

Iy you can afford the extra money, then do it. We have been on 4 cruises and had a balcony each time. It was great getting up in the morning having a cup of coffee as the ship pulled in to Nawilliwilli, Lahaina, Kona, Honolulu, St Thomas, St Martin, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Grand Cayman, Nassau and Belize:) . You can do this on the Lido deck too, but it is so much nicer on your own balcony. Then sitting on the balcony after the late comedian show, drinking a glass of wine as the ship goes through the ocean. How romantic can that be? Woo hoo, it puts me in the mood:D ... LOL It is well worth it in my opinion, but I am in no way putting anyone else down because of their choice. Have a great time

[petro772]

Yes! In fact, we only book Cat 12s, or we don't go. ;)

[cruisinbuddy]

I didn't read any of the other replys, so I'm not going with either side. TAKE THE BALCONY. I won't cruise if I can't get a balcony, this is why I book at least a year in advance. Being able to relax in the sun and be very private is a wonderful thing. My favorite thing to do is, no not sex out there, but, on formal night, we usually pop a bottle of champagne while getting ready and then we finish it on the balcony while watching the sea go by and the sun set.

[feistytigger]

i think it depends on the number of days at sea and the price. for $130pp, there would have to be at least two at-sea days for me to justify it. we got a balcony on our first cruise and loooooved it. had breakfast out there a couple of times. plus there's no one to tell you what you have to wear on your balcony... ;) we liked reading, napping, sunning out there. but i'm not paying for one on destiny since we only have 1 at-sea day.

[ljmandelbaum]

I say spend the extra money and get the balcony if you think you will use it.

 

My first cruise we did a guaranteed inside and wound up with a oceanview. My next cruise was my honeymoon so it was an balcony. Then I did an inside.

Depending on how much difference the price is would depend on if I got a balcony.

My parents took my advice and got an inside on their first cruise. They made friends with people in a balcony cabin. Every cruise since has been a balcony.

It is such an personal decision.

 

Have fun on your cruise.

[MISSSNOOPYGIRL]

When I first cruised I did inside stateroom, then window 2nd time, 3rd time balcony.

I would say it's a waste of money for me personally. We're hardly in our cabin, and when we are, it's usually taking a nap! I enjoy being out and about. Plus I've found it's usually almost twice as much money where I'd much rather be able to take more cruises with an inside cabin than splurge every now and then on 1 more expensive cruise with a balcony. And I love waking up in the morning and then going up on deck to see new scenery, to me it's an anticipated new surprise every morning with an inside cabin.

I too worried I would be forever hooked on balconies but I've found that's just not the case. For me I'd rather go frugal and save the extra money for excursions or whatever, and not worry about the vacation costing $3000 or more (like our last balcony 1 did). That's a lot of money to most people.

Although the 1 thing I will sorely miss about balconies is when the deck outside is real crowded, like at sail away when everyone wants to watch the scenery, you always have your special viewing spot with a balcony without worrying about ignorant people standing in front of you after you've already been standing there.

Gosh I need another cruise!!

[sandij]

When we first started cruising there weren't very many balcony rooms on most of the ships, so we just did oceanview. But then the ships got bigger and the balconies more available so we booked and we were hooked. I spend a lot of time out there and my DH smokes so he goes out for that. This year we got upgraded to a suite so I sure hope we don't get hooked again.

[crusinsd]

YES!!!! Please go foe it if you can swing the extra $$ we accually slept 3 nights with our door and drapes OPEN and listened to the wave sounds the bow of the ship made ...It was like sleeping on the beach!!! Not to metion your view chages by the minute!

[CorbinCatFan]

My wife says that she is spoiled and won't cruise without a balcony. Myself, I really don't care if it is a balcony, OV, or an inside, I'm not in the room so much to really say.

[zachnlucy]

Once a balcony, always a balcony. Absolutely no comparison with claustrophobic inside rooms, no air circulation, [I]arg, oomph[/I], I can't breathe! ;) Go for the balcony, you won't be sorry.

[deborahjo]

We had a wrap around balcony on Disney in 04. We did not use it that much.Maybe on a longer cruise we would. Inside is just fine for me. Just put me on a ship and sail away to somewhere.

[YooperGale]

For Alaska, a balcony really makes the cruise.

The Caribbean it isn't as important but still pleasant to have.
We were on Liberty for the Caribbean (balcony) and Princess for Alaska--also a balcony. I thought the Carnival cabin was plenty big enough--bigger than on the Princess.
Gale

[springbreakcrusin]

I Love Balcony Rooms:D My first crusie I was in an OV (It was great because I was very anxious about even being on the ship). I found that I love crusing. My next room was an aft rear balcony. I spent alot of time out there as I cruise with my parents and my DS(seperate cabins). Now we always book ajoining balcony rooms when we cruise and open them up. I would not cruise with anything other than a private balcony. Have a great time whatever you choose.:)

[baybye]

I agree with you MISSSNOUPYGIRL I have tried most all the rooms and the last one I had was a balcony on the Glory Western 02/10/07 and you really don't spend that much time in your room. When we were out on the balcony it was windy and cold. You could not sit out there and have breakfast because of the wind and cold. This was in the winter but I would think in the summer it would be windy and hot. The extra money is not worth it.

I would love to try one of the family rooms that have floor to ceiling windows, that looks interesting.
I would love any cabin just so long as I am cruising.

Beverly

[kendon]

I've had good and bad experiences with a balcony. A balcony is only as good as your neighbors.......