Is a balcony really worth the extra $$?

[cruise_lover]

This is our first cruise and there will be 3 of us in a room. Us plus our 19 year old son. It is $950.00 more for the balcony. Is this worth that much extra money? I have heard it is but want to be sure. What do you guys think?

 

Danielle

 

I have to admit I am spoiled when it comes to cruising. I won't cruise if I can't have my balcony. My first cruise I had a cabin with a balcony. My second cruise I had a Jr. Suite (again a balcony) and on my upcoming cruise I have a Grand Suite (thanks to a nice income tax refund from Uncle Sam). I would probably brown bag it for a whole year if it means not having a balcony but it seems that $950.00 is a lot of money to spend just for a balcony. If you are using a TA ask him to do some leg work and find a better price. Even if it means going as low as you can to get a cabin with that so sought after balcony. The higher up your cabin is, the more you will pay for it.

[Robinbird]

My first 2 cruises were with a balcony -- loved it! My 3rd was OV, and it was fine. My 4th will be OV because there was just too much price difference (almost double!) to get a balcony. I'd rather cruise in an OV than not cruise at all! :)

[chemist661]

My first two cruises were in 1993 (3 day) and 1997 (7 day Western Carib). Both were insides and there were 4 of us in the 1997 cruise. (all 4 of us were relatives--we saved alot of $$ and had a very nice time).

 

I got married 10 months ago & we will be going on the Pride of America Hawaii cruise. Balconies are usually somewhat expensive. For our date--Sept 22, NCLA had dropped the balcony price to $999 & I saw a $949 price online. I used *****.com on the evening of 7/19 & the lowest price offered was $817pp base ($880pp all in) plus was offered a $75 onboard credit. Ordered it the next day! This cruise will be our 1 year anniversity of our wedding. Due to unforseen issues last year, we couldn't go last year for our honeymoon. Can't complain that it would have cost us more for booking insides for the cruise last year. This year, we will get balconies for less!

 

I heard that the balconies are nice. We did a guarantee so we will see what cabin we will get. Maybe a suite! (wishful thinking but would be nice). :)

 

Maybe we will get hooked and will like only balconies. ;)

[MikeNJ1109]

3 nights or less -- Ocean View or Inside cabin is sufficient.

 

Anything longer then that, gotta have a balcony...need to "feel" the outside...love going to sleep with the sliding door open, hearing the ocean...

 

Aesthetically perfect, absolutely romantic having the balcony...

 

'Nuff said...

 

Michael & Silke

[Creeks]

We started out with OV cabins for several cruises,

then balconies for several. Got a great rate for

inside for short trip so tried it, and we've had

more inside. Loved all of the cruises.

 

Alaska is the perfect balcony cruise,

as was Hawaii. If port intensive in Caribbean

I would take any cabin and enjoy the ports.

We pick where we want to go comparing

prices for dates and ships and cabins,

then decide.

 

And for our next cruise, we are debating

transatlantic and Alaska/PacificCoast,

either probably a balcony, but.......

[ChefPeg]

This is our first cruise and there will be 3 of us in a room. Us plus our 19 year old son. It is $950.00 more for the balcony. Is this worth that much extra money? I have heard it is but want to be sure. What do you guys think?

 

Danielle

 

DH and I always book a balcony, yes it is worth it. Part of the cruising experience is seeing all of the sites outside, it's an added bonus to me. Looking out on the ocean at all the other islands. I love it.

[GuitarPlayer]

We've had two insides and two balconies...

 

The inside was first (Triumph), so we had no prior "expectations" and it was absolutely FANTASTIC!

 

Next one, we had an extended balcony off the back of the ship on the Legend. OMG :eek: ...it was even better than I could have imagined. Leaving ports and watching the wake made for some great pictures and memories...

 

Third one was an inside on the Fantasy; a 5 day cruise in January out of NOLA. The first and last days it was too cold/windy to be on a balcony anyways, so that was a perfect fit.

 

Fourth one was a balcony near the front(Triumph), with the kids, Grandma, and my sister across the hall in two insides. We shared the balcony and it gave everyone balcony time w/o the added expense of 9 people in balcony rooms.

 

This time, we are back to an inside(Triumph Again!), simply because we are way over budget on cruising, but can't seem to give it up, so *any* cabin is better than *not going.*

 

As Romy said "Even a broom closet would suffice." I think I could make that work, if I had to...

 

 

All that said, the Extended Balcony off the back of the ship (key here...off the BACK OF THE SHIP), was definitely the most enjoyable from a scenery/relaxation standpoint. However, it was about $300 pp more than an inside, so it was quite a bit more in price, but I DO NOT regret paying that for it. Especially if you keep an eye on prices, know where you want to go, and then jump when the price meets all your requirements.

 

Next time we go on the So Caribbean route, we'll probably splurge again and get an aft cabin:D (but I'll be watching the prices for sure!)

 

GP

[superdee]

we had a Balcony on the Veendam and have booked another on the Westerdam Dec 9th. I have had inside and ocean view and I personally would never book anything less. We enjoy all aspects of the cruise but nothing beats the serenity of your own balcony. There are times when those moments are worth the price of the cruise. You will enjoy any room on a cruise ship but my wife doesn't like a lot of people at times and we have had breakfast and lunch on the balcony and it was special. If you feel a little sea sickness being able to view the horizon and get fresh air is a major bonus. Enjoy your cruise whatever you choose.

[Sam The Cat]

No it is not worth it, why because I have created a gentle monster (my GF) About 5 years ago we went on Carnival, her first crusie we had a balcony, broke my ankle and got up graded, not due to my ankle, the GF loved it 2 years later we went on the NCL Dawn as a surprise to her. Our suite got destroyed a month earlier due to a rouge wave. I had a choice down grade to a mini suite or move to a suite that looks over the bow. Since she pushed me with my wheel chair and this was a make up cruise I went with the suite

 

We are going on the Spirit in 4 days with the owners suite after an up sell After she sees this, I do not know what I can do to top this. so stay in an inside cabin and you will not have the problems that I have (just kidding we both love the suite however I do not know what I can do to top this)

[DBXX]

Sam that is too funny :eek: I think it will be the same with my my DH :rolleyes: That so sounds like him ;) but he is worth it, lol...

 

Danielle

[msdeb1107]

I think a person's personality type also helps answer this question. If you are a more introverted, quiet person you would probably feel the balcony is worth the money. My hubby used to love sitting out there peacefully, GPS in hand. Me...I was always in the middle of the action and I probably spent a total of 45 minutes on a 7 day cruise out there! LOL

 

But...hey...I made a LOT of new friends!!! ;)

[raytownlady]

I think a person's personality type also helps answer this question. If you are a more introverted, quiet person you would probably feel the balcony is worth the money. My hubby used to love sitting out there peacefully, GPS in hand. Me...I was always in the middle of the action and I probably spent a total of 45 minutes on a 7 day cruise out there! LOL

 

But...hey...I made a LOT of new friends!!! ;)

 

We're pretty much the same way, DH spends a great deal of time enjoying the balcony as for me, I'm too busy checking out what's happening on the promenade or up at the pool deck to sit on the balcony.

[GuitarPlayer]

We're pretty much the same way, DH spends a great deal of time enjoying the balcony as for me, I'm too busy checking out what's happening on the promenade or up at the pool deck to sit on the balcony.

 

You're really from Raytown? The Raytown with 350 highway running through the middle? The 350 highway that goes south (more or less) to Lee's Summit (where I live?) :D :D :D

 

GP

[Boca_Raton]

Our beloved TA got us an upgrade (the benefit of booking with an experienced, well-connected TA) and we got a fabulous room with Balcony on recent Sapphire Princess cruise to Alaska. I thought getting dressed and going to the deck would suffice..but boy, one taste of balcony living and I'm hooked. What a delight to stand outside and get some fresh air first thing in the morning, to relax with a book when quiet is craved, and to open the door and get a breeze in the room.

 

We particularly enjoyed tuning into the closed-circuit TV station and listening to the naturalist as we awoke at six in the morning to go through Misty Fjords. Huddled in our PJs with binoculars, we got a good early start to sightseeing.

 

This was my first cruise and I can't imagine one without a balcony!

[Happy ks]

I have a friend cruising with her teen son next year. Her boyfriend is also going, he was supposed to be taking his 2 teen daughters, but they may cancel out.

 

She was asking me a few days ago if it was worth it to upgrade to a balcony and I told her absolutely. I've cruised in inside, OV, balcony and one JS (mini suite). I'll always book a balcony when I can.

 

So, the boyfriend may be joining her and her son if the girls cancel and I fully intend to tell her to upgrade to a suite. Can 3 people fit into a regular cabin? Yes. Is is comfortable? No, it is a hassle. I think of it as trying to live together in a walk in closet for the week. The last time we had the 4 of us in a balcony cabin, I wished all week that we had coughed up the extra to get the kids their own cabin.

 

I live in a small house and I'm used to sharing space, but come on, more than 2 people in an 8x10 cabin all week is pure torture. We get easily frustrated with each other, tripping over each others shoes, not having anywhere to sit down, having to wait your turn for the bathroom. It makes the vacation just not as enjoyable as it could have been had we had some privacy.

[dferreira7]

Once you've done the balcony you never want to go without. It doesn't make the vacation, as I've seen many happy people coming out of interior rooms too. It's just a little added plus! As long as you can swing it... normaly not that much more, it's worth it. I like my privacy at times and the balcony with a glass of wine and the wife and I'm a happy guy. I don't gamble so I spend nothing at the casino. I'll spend it on the balcony and enjoy! Life is too short not to enjoy! Just one man's opinion.

Dan

[dakwriter]

My son and his new wife just returned from their honeymoon cruise on Carnival Glory. They scrimped and saved in order to get a balcony only to learn they couldn't use it most of the time because of a large family reunion taking place in several nearby balconies that was loud and obnoxious every day of the cruise! These people were everywhere on the ship, apparently drinking to excess and expressing themselves constantly in boisterous ways. Even the formal dining room was disrupted by their antics. By the end of the cruise most of the other passengers were ready to throw anyone wearing a family reunion T-shirt overboard!

 

The bottom line is that my DS and DDIL would never book a balcony cabin again, choosing to spend the extra money on shore excursions, instead. It's unfortunate and unfair that their one and only honeymoon was so badly effected by a big group of rude people. Carnival staff did absolutely nothing to quiet this group.

[Dadzee]

This is what is great about finding this sight. I thought for sure it would be all pro-balcony. I guesss that is a bit of egocentric thinkiing on my part, but live and learn.

I love love love a balcony !!

 

Why- Well-not in any order but here are some reasons.

 

1. the sound at night takes me away from any and all land locked troubles
   
2. The night breeze is also very nice-even better sans skivvies :o
   
3. Book reading here is undisturbed
   
4. breakfast for two is very nice with a sunrise and breeze
   
5. Solo morning coffee is magical for us early risers
   
6. Midwestern mosquitoes nowhere to be seen as you lie on your lounger enjoying the sunset.
   
7. Creates perfect....So glad I married you moment.....
   
8. If with kids the 3000th showing of High School musical is completely muffled with the door closed.
   
9. Perfect backdrop for the computer "wallpaper" that will carry you through to your next cruise
   
10. Last but not least...SWEET BALCONY LOVIN !! :p

[psychboss]

This is our first cruise and there will be 3 of us in a room. Us plus our 19 year old son. It is $950.00 more for the balcony. Is this worth that much extra money? I have heard it is but want to be sure. What do you guys think?

 

Danielle

 

May I ask:

 

Which ship?

Which cruise?

 

As a rule I would say yes - yes - yes! Especially with a 19 year old, as the stateroom is probably a little larger. But I would really need to know the ship and cruise before I could give an educated answer.

[psychboss]

This is our first cruise and there will be 3 of us in a room. Us plus our 19 year old son. It is $950.00 more for the balcony. Is this worth that much extra money? I have heard it is but want to be sure. What do you guys think?

 

Danielle

 

May I ask:

 

Which ship?

Which cruise?

 

As a rule I would say yes - yes - yes! Especially with a 19 year old, as the stateroom is probably a little larger. But I would really need to know the ship and cruise before I could give an educated answer.

[DBXX]

Carnival Fantasy

[1fineday]

Hmmm....personally, I'd take the $950 and get a separate room for the 19 year old. I bet the extra privacy would be worth more than the balcony. I love a balcony, but I love private time with my sweetie more! And our 18 year old appreciates having her own space!

In fact, for $950 you may be able to swing paying expenses for a friend to come along with the 19 year old. Ask him- my guess is he'd trade an inside with a friend for a balc with his parents anyday!!!;) And there is absolutely nothing wrong with a straight ocean view (especially without kids!):rolleyes:

[DBXX]

LOL.... Now that is a good point :rolleyes: Too late though now I have already almost paid for it and hubby is very excited about having a "Special room" so I cant take it away now, lol... I am sure our son would have loved that idea :eek:

 

Danielle

[1mdrealtor]

Danielle, have a great time... I too have done inside/outside/balcony and suite.... have been 2, 3 and 4 of us in all... next time put the son across the hall! Have a great time and prepare to be hooked:)

[bmacri]

I know two couples that love to cruise. They both make similar incomes and they both like to visit the same places.

 

One couple always gets a balcony or higher and cruise about every 18 months.

 

The other couple always gets an inside and cruises 3 times each year.

 

In fact, sometimes (every 18 months) these two couples cruise together.

The balcony couple seldom does shore excursions or buys anything extra.

The inside cabin couple does do shore excursions and also uses the spa and also is able to afford the 'extra fee' dining.

 

The choice is yours.