5 Reasons to book a balcony...

We are going on an Alaskan cruise August 26th on Princess Grand and my in-laws got us a balcony on deck 8 and I'm so excited about. This is our first Alaskan cruise and what better way to do it I think is on a balcony. This thread was very informative. Thanks Al

Jenn aka Muthatruckr

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I actually prefer an inside cabin. With 18 hours of daylight in the height of Danish summer, the 2 weeks or so I spend in an inside cabin are the only decent night's sleep I get all summer!

We are going on an Alaskan cruise August 26th on Princess Grand and my in-laws got us a balcony on deck 8 and I'm so excited about. This is our first Alaskan cruise and what better way to do it I think is on a balcony. This thread was very informative. Thanks Al

 

 

Jenn aka Muthatruckr

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Don't forget to bring your Binoculars you don't want to miss the Whale sightings.

Don't forget to bring your Binoculars you don't want to miss the Whale sightings.

It's on our list!!

Jenn aka Muthatruckr

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In the past, we have mostly booked inside cabins. A couple of times we got ocean views and once I got a great deal on a jr suite with balcony. For our next cruise, I did spring for a balcony. We will be on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. It is a huge ship and you don't see the sea as much as on smaller ships. I really don't mind inside cabins, but really did enjoy the balcony and probably will start to book more of them. Heck, I am 62, retired, have no debts, and why the hell not?

When you are booking a cruise you will have the option of choosing an interior cabin, a cabin with a view, or a balcony cabin. And then , of course, there are suites which have balconies, a huge space, and often come with a butler. But for this post, I want to mention 5 of the biggest reasons for choosing at least a balcony stateroom. Yes, they do cost more, and you might be tempted to just get an ocean view, but here are some things to consider before you make that decision for your next cruise.

 

Better Views: Most balcony staterooms have floor to ceiling transparent doors which give you a much better view than just a window, whether it be a porthole or full sized window. And let’s face it, when you are cruising it’s all about taking in the sights. What better way to enjoy these sights than from the comfort of your own room where you can order free room service ( FYI- a few cruise lines have now started charging for room service..) and put your feet up.

 

Ocean Air Anytime You Want It - For me this is the biggest reason to get a balcony stateroom. Even if you can still see the ocean with a window in your stateroom, or imagine it with an interior stateroom, there is nothing like feeling the ocean breeze as you cruise from island to island. When the cruise ship really gets moving the breeze can be a little too intense, but even if you want to stay inside your cabin and leave the door open a little it’s nice to breathe in that ocean air. Most cruise ships want you to keep the door closed but this is mostly because they don’t want to pay for keeping a room cool if the door is open. Just make sure you turn the thermostat up or down depending on the temperature outside. This is the biggest difference IMO, between a balcony cabin & inside or window cabin..you cannot FEEL the sea, the breeze, salt air, sunshine, that feeling that you're on a cruise ship AT sea, not land based like in a hotel...

 

 

More Private- Don’t get me wrong. It’s nice to be able to lay out on the pool deck with a lounge chair and get some sun, but sometimes the pool deck can get a little too busy and crowded for my taste. That’s why it’s nice to be able to go back to your own private room and put your feet up where no one can bother you. You might have a few rowdy passengers in other balconies, but usually during the day it’s quite quiet and peaceful out there ..very relaxing to be sitting on your balcony gazing at the sea, while others cannot or are at the pool with perhaps thousands of others- no thanks, I'll just sit here sipping my cool beverage, put my feet up & enjoy the soothing calmness of the waters...

 

Easier to Wake Up- I know sometimes budgets don’t allow for an upgrade to a balcony stateroom on a cruise ship, but interior staterooms just don’t allow you to wake up naturally. It’s just as dark when you went to sleep as when you get up. I loved being able to wake up to the natural sunlight coming through the glass doors. There is no need for an alarm clock and you don’t feel detached from reality. I know some people say that inside cabins have less light in them & it's better for sleeping, but if you are a professional dark room sleeper, like me, you know what to do to make the cabin VERY dark..besides, I don't go on cruises to sleep, I go to enjoy the wonders of cruising, ports of call, great shows,etc.. In an inside cabin we had once, we got into our bathing suits on a sea day, & went up to the pool deck, only to find it was pouring! We were the only idiots out there…another time we missed breakfast because it was so dark, we thought it was still like 3 AM, so we kept going back to bed..I don’t like that- I like to sleep naturally and LOVE opening the curtains & seeing the wonders of the sea instead of the wonders of a closet-like cabin…just MHO..

 

Experience the Ocean Life More- On my last cruise my wife and I got to see dolphins swimming around the ship while we were sailing to one of our ports. They were right along the ship and jumping in and out of the water. It was quite a sight to see and we never would have seen this if we didn’t have a balcony. We spent a lot of time just leaning on the railing and looking out into the water, and spotted several other kinds of oceanic life, which was a wonderful part of our cruising experience. Not everyone will be able to afford a balcony stateroom, but if you are able to modify the budget enough to pay for one, it will be well worth it. The best balconies are on the back of the ship. They are bigger balconies and a little more private since you don’t have as many neighbors, but usually you will have to pay a little extra for these as well…to me, I’m on a cruise to experience the sea..what’s the point of being on a cruise ship if you can’t see the sea or the waves, or smell the salt air, feel the wind & sun on your face, have breakfast on your private balcony ( very cool & VERY romantic!!)…when I go to a hotel, I don’t ask for a room without a window, and in hotels don’t you LOVE when you have a balcony over looking the beach or water? I do..I’m on vacation, and I save for a balcony..if I can’t cruise in one, I won’t cruise..we work too hard to spend a week in a mole..BTW, we are not wealthy, but last year, I found balconies on the Oasis for only $125 more than insides on a 5 night Halloween cruise for my wife’s b’day…well worth it & she deserves it, don’t you?

 

Big Al

 

P.S.- These are just MY opinions & suggestions to those who are considering a balcony or their first cruise..I am not suggesting this is the only way to cruise, just a great way..for all you inside cabin bullies ( and there are a lot of you) , go ahead & start bashing me like all others do..I have become used to rudeness & intolerance by people who think that anything better than an inside cabin is foolish, and that those who wish to enjoy a balcony must be idiots..and that is your opinion, and you know what they say about opinions,lol...

Thank you for Sharing.

Your opinion and suggestions are welcome. i have cut corners and taken vacations on the cheap through the years with my family of 5 now retired and kids all grown and on their own DW and I do not try to cut corners just to say we are on a cruise, with my meager retirement i can do at least 2 cruises a year ( with a Balcony Cabin ) thanks BIG AL for your post

First cruise...porthole (only discovered on day 3 when I finally pulled back the curtain on the wall and found it wasn't just for decoration! LOL)

 

Second and third cruises...oceanview. Nice rooms and enjoyed having the natural sunlight.

 

Fourth cruise...1st balcony. I've been sprung on them ever since. Nothing compared to being able to step out onto our own private verandah and enjoying the sights and sounds of the ocean and sky without the need to go top deck if we weren't in a "mingling" mood.

 

We are embarking on our 5th cruise come January and I didn't even think about any cabin that didn't have balcony attached to it when booking. Even sweeter was the fact that without knowing at the time, I was setting us up in a "hump" cabin as well to which I'm very much looking forward too.

 

Inside cabins are fine for those who don't have the extra money or are just not into the balcony experience. However, unless you have had a balcony one can't speak as to what they aren't missing or what those who have one are "throwing away". Criticize me for spending my money on what I deem appropriate for my cruise experience all you want. Nothing compares unless you've got a suite.

This thread reminds me of our (my wife and I) cruise history :). She had fought me tooth and nail for over ten years about NOT even going on a cruise. Cruises, she informed me, were for 'snobs' (she had seen too many episodes of the T.V. show 'Love Boat', that moronic Hollywood waste of tape). And no way was I ever going to change her mind, except... :) to go behind her back and reserve us a (inside cabin) five day cruise to Nassau/Freeport in 2006, on the CCL Holiday. I booked an inside because, well, she might NOT like a cruise and I couldn't see the sense of getting a balcony and she's miserable. But, my prayers were answered ! After seeing the ship (the Holiday's a rowboat compared to the Mega cruise ships of today) and walking aft for the sailaway party and after only ten minutes :) :) She was HOOKED !! She gushed, 'WHEN can we do this, AGAIN!!'. I just laughed and said,' Well honey, we haven't even left the dock yet. Let's give it a few days and then we'll see'. But I was suitably excited that, at the end of the cruise, she loved everything about the cruise and for our second one I surprised her with a balcony and she's been a confirmed 'cruise addict' ever since. And after the second cruise she LOVES the balcony too her that IS a cruise. She loves the underway horn, the bright blue cobalt ocean rushing by as she watches out on the balcony at both day and night We did, once and only once, do a last minute cruise with an inside cabin, but when she saw we actually didn't have a balcony, I could see how much she missed it. We've never made that mistake again.

Mac

Love this thread! It describes why we always book a balcony. We wouldn't cruise without one. Happy Travels everyone! Cruising is a fantastic way to travel and having a balcony makes it even more exciting!

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We are going on our third cruise and first one in almost twenty years. Have never had an inside cabin, but never had a balcony either. First cruise was on the "Big Red Boat" before Disney got their own line. Had the kids with us. Outside cabin with a porthole. Second trip was company trip. Again outside cabin with porthole. Did manage to see a whale out of it. Linda always felt claustrophobic in room. Decided this time to go with a balcony and what the heck, why not a suite. We are really looking forward to it. She gets more room and I get to cruise. When we go we will both be retired.

Each person is entitled to their own opinion. We are not the type to party hardy and only use the room for sleep and shower. Quiet time to enjoy our peace is important and a balcony will do us well.

Will November 5th ever get here?

Al Thank you for some great information. This is my first cruise and the thought of NOT having a balcony never entered my mind. The view and the ocean air are all part of the experience. Your points reinforce my thinking that I was right to spend the extra money. I'm on the Norwegian Gem Dec 2nd and I'm counting the days. I am a little concerned to read that there is no lounge chair on the balcony. I was hoping for some sort of seating. Also how private are the balconies on the Gem? I like to have my morning coffee in my briefs. I don't need to scare anyone or anything but the Gulls.

A balcony is the only way to go. My wife and I are life long nudists - we're now in our 70's. We love to sit on our balcony, work on our all-over tan and read or nap. We had a woman poke her head around the divider to say "hello." I waved and asked if she'd like to join us. I guess nudity isn't her thing. Also we pack less.

A balcony is the only way to go. My wife and I are life long nudists - we're now in our 70's. We love to sit on our balcony, work on our all-over tan and read or nap. We had a woman poke her head around the divider to say "hello." I waved and asked if she'd like to join us. I guess nudity isn't her thing. Also we pack less.

Thanks Poppy

A balcony is the only way to go. My wife and I are life long nudists - we're now in our 70's. We love to sit on our balcony, work on our all-over tan and read or nap. We had a woman poke her head around the divider to say "hello." I waved and asked if she'd like to join us. I guess nudity isn't her thing. Also we pack less.

i did a ship tour bridge included was totally fascinating as , and your post reminded me of what the second in charge said of seeing people sun baking nude in the cameras that show the whole side of the ship both sides not sure if it was only the ones with out cover that they could see i would say only them deck 10 on golden has half cover the one above maybe fully covered??

anyways what people do on their balcony is their business for the newbies just be aware the crew on the bridge may see you do it , if that doesn't phase you thats cool as :)

i did a ship tour bridge included was totally fascinating as , and your post reminded me of what the second in charge said of seeing people sun baking nude in the cameras that show the whole side of the ship both sides not sure if it was only the ones with out cover that they could see i would say only them deck 10 on golden has half cover the one above maybe fully covered??

anyways what people do on their balcony is their business for the newbies just be aware the crew on the bridge may see you do it , if that doesn't phase you thats cool as :)

If they want to look - let'em! People only come in two models - once you've seen them both, you've seen them all. Yes, different shapes, sizes and colors but only two models!

If they want to look - let'em! People only come in two models - once you've seen them both, you've seen them all. Yes, different shapes, sizes and colors but only two models!

true lol i think they just spot them when they happen to be checking the sides for what ever reason not actively looking they would know it happens i am sure and i say go for it , doesnt worry me one bit not hurting anyone (y)

We've got 12 cruises under our belts and have usually taken the inside route. That difference can, and usually does, amount to over a $1000.00. In my life, not "chicken feed", but isn't going to send me to the poor house.

Having said that, I would acknowledge that having a balcony does add something other than cost. Quiet time outdoor privacy as the prime example. Truthfully, in our case, I'm not sure that we used it enough to justify the cost, but we will again go the balcony route on our next cruise out of N.Y. in late Jan. to the Caribbean.

Give me the Islands in the middle of January, and I could care less in how I get there, as long as I get there safely and in one piece.

Our 20th anniversary cruise in December will be a little more special with our hump balcony cabin on the Freedom.

Happy sailing!

Our 20th anniversary cruise in December will be a little more special with our cabin on the Freedom.

 

Happy sailing!

'hump balcony?

' Now that IS a 'deal breaker' for the BIG 20 !! (Anniversary cruise) WHAT were YOU thinking ?? Naughty little cruisers ! :evilsmile:

Mac

Our 20th anniversary cruise in December will be a little more special with our hump balcony cabin on the Freedom.

 

Happy sailing!

I 've had several hump balconies ( on Freedom class, too..) and they are great..unobstructed views of the sea on both sides...great choice! :cool:

Love this thread! It describes why we always book a balcony. We wouldn't cruise without one. Happy Travels everyone! Cruising is a fantastic way to travel and having a balcony makes it even more exciting!

 

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Thanks JimAOk!! :cool:

Our first 3 or 4 cruises we had windows. The next cruise the upsell fairy called and we got into a balcony room. LOVED it. Had a balcony the next year too. Then we took a break from cruising for a couple of years. It seems that Carnival missed us and sent me a post card offering a free cabin on any cruise, as long as it was interior. So we took it and I know I could have upgraded, but figured we'd try the interior. It was on the Lido deck, which was very convenient. I really didn't mind it. At night I would turn the tv to the channel that showed the front of the boat... it gave us a bit of a night light and when the sun came up in the morning our room gradually brightened. And we could tell what the weather was like. We've been in interiors since then. We have a cruise in June and just for haha's I check cabin prices off and on and discovered a deal on a balcony room, so I upgraded. Actually went from an interior on the Riveria deck to a balcony on the Veranda deck for about $350. Now I'm very much looking forward to sitting on my balcony as we cruise along, especially since it's in June and it will be warmer than when we usually go (January). I agree with all the reasons to book a balcony, but I really don't mind the interior. A cruise is what you make of it. My husband tends to nap in the afternoon and this way I will be content to sit on the balcony and read my book. Happy sailing everyone.

Love napping with the balcony door open ( if not too hot..) and hearing the waves..magical!! :cool:

We are going on an Alaskan cruise August 26th on Princess Grand and my in-laws got us a balcony on deck 8 and I'm so excited about. This is our first Alaskan cruise and what better way to do it I think is on a balcony. This thread was very informative. Thanks Al

 

 

Jenn aka Muthatruckr

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You are welcome Jenn..yes, Alaska is a must to see the glaciers! :cool:

In the past, we have mostly booked inside cabins. A couple of times we got ocean views and once I got a great deal on a jr suite with balcony. For our next cruise, I did spring for a balcony. We will be on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. It is a huge ship and you don't see the sea as much as on smaller ships. I really don't mind inside cabins, but really did enjoy the balcony and probably will start to book more of them. Heck, I am 62, retired, have no debts, and why the hell not?

Remember you don't experience the sea in an inside cabin- you experience & feel NOTHING- no salt air, no waves, no sounds, no sunshine, no rainbows, no islands, no ports, no cruise ships passing , no nothing..again, would you book a hotel room on the beach with NO windows?? The difference IMO is that on a balcony, you are part of the sea cruise experience, and in an inside, you are NOT ( for sure)..did you ever hear anybody say as they walk down the hall towards their inside cabin, "can't wait to get into my inside cabin!" :o..nobody is dying to get to their inside cabin..BUT I know everytime I walk into my balcony cabin, a NEW ADVENTURE outside awaits!! :D..that's the way I feel about this...

Big Al

Thank you for Sharing.

You are welcome !:cool: