oceanview or Balcony ?

[2PinaColadas]

I know a balcony is nice, but how much time do you really spend in your room? We are in ours to sleep, shower, get ready and a little 'romance'. We spend our time enjoying the deck, ports and the rest of what a cruise has to offer. Maybe that's just us. I can't sit in my room-- I'd rather spend my money on Miami Vices and fun stuff in the ports.

[richstan]

We have been booking bacony cabins for the last 9 cruises. We just got back from a last minute cruise on the Glory and the only available cabins were OV. I can honestly say we did not miss the balcony at all!

[angelface0113]

I was perfectly okay with an OV room until my DF decided to try a balcony. Now, I can never go back. It is so beautiful watching the sunset from your private balcony instead of having to go to the pool area, ect where there are always a lot of people. I LOVE the balcony. Once you go balcony you can never go back so be prepared to spend at least an extra $100 a cruise, but its well worth it! hahaha ;o)

[Brneyznfl]

Warning, once you've had a balcony, it's very difficult to go back to an OV or inside.. :D Having said that, I'll admit it, I'm a balcony snob. I'll pay the going rate for a balcony if I'm on a 7 day cruise. For me there's nothing better then sitting out on the balcony at sunrise with my first cup of coffee. It's so nice to be able to have a solitude area just to sit and watch the water. If you're able to afford it, definitely give it a try!

[boowaaccaa]

I am with the balcony group! I would fork out the $100 (for the Bal. Gar.) no question. BUT..$300 pp makes it a little harder when you want to budget.

I found it a bit claustrofobic with only portholes---maybe if the OV rooms had windows that you could open, where you could get a bit of a breeze that may make a difference...??

[SallyMay]

Balcony all the way. We are going a group cruise and have requested balcony gaurantee and will be put together. This way we can open the partitions and visit back and forth. We did this this past April and it was great. I say go for the balcony if possible. But as another poster said you will get hooked. Just being able to walk out on your balcony is great.:D

[*Mach*]

I'd have a hard time doing without a balcony.

 

I've never sailed on a Carnival ship and had an OV or inside cabin. I did on NCL and I doubt I'd ever do it again.

 

A balcony at night is magic. The sea becomes nearly black, the foam lacy white and the sounds... the sounds are enough to lull the most persistent insomniac to sleep.

 

Yeah... gotta be a balcony. Yep.

[GottaLuvCruising]

I've enjoyed 25 cruises, but only four of them with a balcony. It is the best way to go (unless you can get a suite) and we love having a balcony. How much I'd be willing to pay depends on the itinerary...if ship is in port most days, I wouldn't pay as much as if it were at sea a lot. But generally, I think I'd go an additional $50 per person / per day to get a balcony. Our upcoming cruise on the Legend was $500 more ($250pp) for the balcony...I happy well better be sitting out there enjoying it!

[Leighpast]

Just got off cruise with an OV, last time had a balcony. I really missed my balcony, loved it when coming and going into ports, early mornings, late nights and during the night!! My husband can do w/out :( . Guess next time we'll duke it out:D ! Go Balcony!

[chitown cruisers]

Balcony all the way. We are going a group cruise and have requested balcony gaurantee and will be put together. This way we can open the partitions and visit back and forth. We did this this past April and it was great. I say go for the balcony if possible. But as another poster said you will get hooked. Just being able to walk out on your balcony is great.:D

confused by this, you booked guarantee but are told you will be placed together:confused: or requested to be put together?

 

To the OP..........I made the mistake of getting multiple balconies next to each other for our first.....it was AWESOME!! I can't look at a shorter cruise because I have to have my balcony and the suite price for less days can't be justified. I'll always have my balcony!!

 

Have you considered the Spa deck OV with the floor to ceiling windows? Pricing might fall in between what you are currently looking at. You might be able to save some $$ over a balcony but get one heck of a view!! FORGET THIS I just looked for one sailing (not knowing what date you wanted) and the 6E with floor to ceiling windows was more than the balcony cabins.

[SallyMay]

This is a group cruise scheduled through a Carnival PVP. We have a certain number of balcony, windows and IS. The PVP is putting us together and I assume the person that booked asked for us to be together. Hope this clear up your confusion.

[chitown cruisers]

This is a group cruise scheduled through a Carnival PVP. We have a certain number of balcony, windows and IS. The PVP is putting us together and I assume the person that booked asked for us to be together. Hope this clear up your confusion.

I hope it works out well. It'd be nice if a group PVP worked to get the inside cabins across from the balconies to keep you together. I'm just surprised they would do it at a guarantee....that kind of defeats the purpose of the category.

 

We are building a group for our Glory-ous cruise, and most are going through the group department. We have 13 balcony cabins in a row wraping around the aft portion of the ship (3 of the 6 9A's). The couples with the inside guarantees were not told they would be placed by us. I wish they would spend a couple more bucks to lock in something by us or have the group PVP do it for them.

[rob6465]

To EVERYONE, thank you for all the good replies. When we cruised for the first time we decided to go balcony because my wife is sort of claustophobic and was so happy. Only reason I'm looking at Oceanview is because of the difference in price.Between a oceanview guarantee and a balcony guarantee it's $300 difference in cabin. My only problem with that is i have a better chance of getting a balcony in area i like with that than with an oceanview guarantee. Now if i choose between picking the oceanview cabin I want and a balcony Guarantee, then it's $100 difference room. We had a balcony guarantee(upper) and found nothing wrong.

 

$300 difference ? $100 difference ? I can deal with $100 difference. Now I would take an oceanview(9/08 trip) if i had the crystal ball and knew i'd be upgraded. I do admit, my cabin was a little hot and opening up that balcony door and feeling the breeze and hearing the waves put me to sleep. Also, when we got to Jamaica it was amazing....and caymans....and Cozumel. Felt good not having to rush to get into clothes and go on the lido deck just to watch. Our son and his girlfriend are going on their first cruise with us and he tells me that will all the talk I had about the beauty of a balcony, why would i change ?

 

I figure i have about 2 months left before I book it, so it's up to y'all (love saying that, since i grew up in NY) to GIVE ME THE PROS AND CONS of balcony/oceanview. Thank You !

[SallyMay]

Thanks, sounds somewhat like you are doing. We booked gaurantee with a 2 catagory upgrade. Don't know which rooms but I am looking forward to it. Would be nice if all the rooms were together but I believe that would depend on which level we are on.

Have fun on your upcoming cruise.

 

I still say balcony instead of OV.

[marvlgirl]

I have been on two prior cruises and the first one was an OV to the Mexican Riviera. I had a great time didnt know what I was missing. When I went to the West Carib we got a balcony - WOW what a difference. We loved it. This current cruise I first had booked an OV the reason was plain and simple money. My DH and I are taking my parents (Our treat) on the cruise. So basically prices were a factor. Then I started thinking, this is for their anniversary, I want them to really enjoy cruising and this time. They are getting up there in years and I honestly just want them to have the time of their lives. They dont drink and they didnt really want to do some expensive excursion so I figured I might as well upgrade. It cost me but it will be worth it. I havent told them that I upgraded us so this will be a surprise to them. I cannot wait. Also this is my DHs first cruise, I know I will probably spoil him for good now. Good luck in anything you decide.

[luv2cruz44]

Hi Everyone,

 

For us, it's the destination, the length of the cruise and whether it's a repeat destination. Can't say I agree with the "once a balcony, always a balcony" theory. Our first 2 cruises were Alaska & Western Caribbean with a balcony. Decided, we didn't need a balcony for Alaska as it was too cold to spend much time there unless we were in port and when in port, we were ashore. The next cruise was New England/Canada, we chose O/V and did not regret it. Our next one was a 4 day on the Paradise and we went with an inside. It made for a very inexpensive cruise and allowed us to totally pay for our DD, SIL & GD. Under $1000.00 for 2 cabins, 5 people!

 

Now, out of the three cruises we have booked, 1 is O/V (Western Caribbean) because we've done it before, 2nd is inside (short cruise) and the 3rd is balcony as it is an 8 day, southern route and new ports. Also on the 3rd cruise we took advantage of a past guest promotion that offered price of 8A but automatic upgrade to any balcony.

 

What you choose is definetly a personal decision and only you know what will work for you and yours. Good luck and whatever you choose, it's still a cruise, right. You can't go wrong!

[Perrys100]

I agree with everything they said...except...I can not go back to OV...I must have a balcony...I simply must!

[Barkingowl]

I agree with everything they said...except...I can not go back to OV...I must have a balcony...I simply must!

 

That pretty well sums it up for me as well.

[rob6465]

Marvlgirl ? You're right ! My wife and I do not drink and we did simple inexpensive excursions and were happy with it The amount of extra money that we upgrade to balcony some people will have spent on drinks/casino in 1 DAY. Many people might say it's too much to pay for upgrade to balcony but then spend $200 in drinks alone or $200 in picture or double in casino. Each person has their weakness, ours is a balcony.