When you call, ask what category of Balcony GTY it is.
That is if it is XB or XN balcony GTY. If it is XB, it is an OCEANVIEW Balcony (true balcony as you put it) GTY.
If XN, it is a neighborhood balcony.
Then go from there.
We see if XB is available, since many times we cannot see on the website, but the reps can see it from their end. For XB, we have usually been assigned D3s on deck 7, 8, 9, and in pretty good locations.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.