NO balcony will I miss it?

[wwinfl91]

HI everyone,

 

I had not realized this but we will be leaving on the Disney Magic this coming weekend in an outside cabin and it will be our first NO balcony cruise for awhile.

 

The question is "how much will we miss it"?

 

We have done balcony cabins for our last 9 cruises. Generally my wife doesn't use the balcony a lot unless I urge her to join me. I have enjoyed sitting out there just watching the ocean, sipping a glass of wine, and/or reading a book.

 

We got a great Florida resident rate for this cruise and took it even though it was for an outside cabin. I was hoping either our TA or that Disney would offer me an affordable upgrade but none has appeared.

 

We had wanted to try Disney for years but the high prices just turned us off. But since we will be moving from Florida to Texas later this fall we decided it was now or never.

 

But as we get closer to the cruise I began to worry about missing the balcony. Hopefully we won't but have others done balconies and then went back to an outside cabin and had a good cruise experience?

 

Thanks and have a great next cruise.

[cuyahoga11]

For my cruise this past April, I wanted to try to go on the cheap. No balcony. It will never happen again.

[Maryandi]

It probably depends on the age of your children - if they are of napping age - then you can get away without waking them up by being on the balcony.

 

I would see parents out in the hall with the door cracked open - for an hour or so- so the kids could sleep.

 

But if they are older and you pretty much all get up at the same time - it shouldn't be too bad.

 

The prices are high but we loved the atmosphere on the Disney ship. It just made everyone happy !!!

 

Enjoy your cruise and the new move, MaryAnn

[wwinfl91]

Thanks for the replies. There won't be any children with us, just the kids in both of us. We both enjoy Disney and figured there would be enough adult activities to keep us busy. I'm still hoping I won't miss the time on the balcony.

 

My wife has had health problems, (cancer) the last couple of years and usually takes an afternoon nap and that was where I would retreat so I wouldn't wake her up. I guess I will leave the cabin and find a quiet place to read during those times.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[Toto2Kansas]

I don't think I would take a cruise without a balcony. Even if I don't go out all that often, I need the fresh air occasionally. For us, it would be a 'no go' without a balcony, what I think you might miss is the availability of opening the door for a little sea air. But I hope you find it tolerable for you. ;)

[luddite]

You're going on a disney Cruise with no kids and no balcony?!!?

Yikes. You have my sympathies.

[JanineM]

We've have balcony and oceanview rooms. While the balcony is very nice, our vacations absolutely have not been ruined by just having a porthole. For our cruise this weekend we're in an oceanview. The balcony price was $400 more per person and that buys a lot of wine or time in the casino ;)! For us it comes down to price.

 

We probably spent a bit more time up on deck when we've had an OV. And honestly, in the evening we often feel like we have the upper decks to ourselves.

 

I guess these days I'm just so grateful that we're both working and can afford to cruise that I'll be happy with anything ... as long as it has a window!

[Putterdude]

On a short cruise of say 3 to 6 days you probably won't miss the balcony, on a longer one you may. However if it is the difference between going and not going then go.:)

[Keith1010]

In the end each person will have a different answer and we can't predict how you will feel. For me, if I knew I didn't have a balconey I wouldn't dwell on it and I am sure I would have a great time and not worry about it for a second. That's me. But it might not be you.

 

Regardless, have a wonderful cruise and just tell yourself you will have a wonderful time.

 

Life is short. So many people dream of going on a cruise and never will have the opportunity. Enjoy the cruise and the room you have booked.

 

Keith

[grandmato4]

We cruised last Oct without a balcony in order to allow us to afford to take our DD and SIL on a cruise with us. Even though I missed the balcony I was ok with the OV cabin knowing we'd have our balcony again on our next cruise. DH tried to be ok, but he REALLY missed his balcony. He survived, but I had to keep reminding him that NEXT time he'd have his balcony back again;):D Now, he says it was ok and worth it to be able to take the kids with us BUT I do think that's only because he got his balcony back again on our cruise four months later and he gets his balcony again in 6 months!:D:)

[fideauxdon]

I think that it depends to some extent on where you're cruising. We've enjoyed our balcony when we were cruising in moderate climates, but if you pay a premium for a balcony in early Spring or late Autumn, and you're cruising in the Atlantic or Canada/new England routes, you could be uncomfortable. In addition, booking a balcony makes more sense if you're sailing with Princess, who might charge you a $300 premium per person for a balcony, compared to Holland America, who would be more than likely to charge you $1200 per person. We book a balcony when it makes sense to us, but by booking a good oceanview when we feel that it's appropriate (28 nite April Transatlantic / Baltics for instance), we've been able to take many more cruises than we would have taken if we insisted on a balcony every time.

[ehfl]

We've done both inside and balcony. We prefer inside. We live in Miami, so we can look at the ocean any day. The view is exactly the same view you get on deck. We've always ended up with a smoker (always upwind of course) and/or noisy neighbors (always when you want to sit outside of course).

 

It's always been quieter and smoke free if we just sit up on deck. Same view....much better price...plus they come around and serve you drinks.

 

If you live in a square state (i.e. landlocked) I can see why you might enjoy a balcony. But otherwise, the extra cost does not seem worth it. What I really can't understand is the ocean view, where you have to stand on your bed to see out the window....who does this?

[grandmato4]

What I really can't understand is the ocean view, where you have to stand on your bed to see out the window....who does this?

 

:confused: Never had to stand on our bed to see out of our OV window???

[Gonzo70]

I had an OV on my last cruise after three straight in a balcony and did not mind at all; I had a great time sitting inside the window leaning up against a pillow. I was on the 3rd floor and you are so much closer to the sea than when you are on a high deck with a balcony. The waves look so cool when they are just inches away from you! For a Transatlantic I would definitely want a balcony because there are so many sea days, but otherwise an OV would be just fine for me.

[Toto2Kansas]

:confused: Never had to stand on our bed to see out of our OV window???

 

Some beds are actually directly under the window if you have them set up as a queen, no way around it. Never have quite understood why they would think of arranging these staterooms this way?

[pris993]

We have a cruise change a few years back. We ended up with 2 7 day cruises btb when our original cruise was changed to a 7 day from a 14 day. So the deal was the second cruise was a no balcony becuase we booked it at the last minute.

 

We did not miss it because we had such a great time on the ship, the staff and crew -- service was exceptional.

 

I hope you have a great time.

[Ithocles]

I'm just getting ready to go on my second cruise in 143 days so most of you have cruised more than I. We did have a balcony on our first cruise and I don't think I will ever cruise without one. I'd rather pay the couple extra hundred and have the peace and solitude of the balcony. I spent quite a few hours out there enjoying the scenery without the company of the 2500+ guests on the ship! <grin>

 

I know some people who enjoy the social aspect of the cruise probably do not mind not having a balcony, but for me, I just can't imagine it. I don't live in Florida either, and as I live in Tulsa, OK, I don't see myself getting a ready view of the ocean either.

 

Enjoy your Disney cruise. I hope you and your wife have a wonderful time, even without the balcony.

[cruisemom42]

We've booked an ocean view room for our Med cruise next June rather than a balcony. Why? Well......Princess is charging almost $1000 more per person for a balcony! That extra $2,000 will pay for a lot of extras like tours or hotels pre- and post-cruise.

 

We've had balconies on our last 5 cruises, but I'm not too worried we'll miss it. Our cruise only has one day at sea out of 12 days.

 

P.S. On Princess the beds are not under the windows!

[lvtotrvl1]

You're going on a disney Cruise with no kids and no balcony?!!?

Yikes. You have my sympathies.

 

Have you been on a Disney Cruise? There are many adults who go without children...plenty to do and a great ship! Hardly even see the kids unless you are at early dining.

 

To the OP...Disney has great rooms, so you may not miss the balcony at all. Have a great trip! I'm sure you will love it...

[agabbymama]

My first two cruises were in an ocean view cabin. Then I got an exceptional bargain for a mini-suite with a balcony. And I've never looked back. If I couldn't afford the extra money I would delay the trip until I could. I absolutely would not cruise again without the balcony. For our upcoming Ocean Princess cruise next year, I originally booked an ocean view room, but spent a few days pondering the $600 pp more for the balcony cabin. I couldn't stand it, so called and changed the booking to the balcony cabin. I do use the balcony, come rain or come shine. I sit out there a lot.

 

Of course there are plenty of people that sail inside cabins. Everyone has to decide what is best for them. I think you will miss the balcony, but if you don't, and you are happy just being on the cruise, that's what counts.

 

Have a great cruise.

[operafan]

We've never had anything but a balcony and since we use it a lot I don't think I could go without. That said, you never know until you try it..... Have a wonderful cruise.

[G'ma]

I hope you don't miss it too much.

 

For me, cruising without a balcony would be out of the question.

 

I used to book the cheapest inside cabin...never gave a whoot. After all, "how much time do you spend in there anyway"?

 

Then, about 8/9 years ago, I was upgraded to a balcony. That changed my cruising forever. Then I knew why "nobody spends a lot of time in a cabin anyway".... A balcony is as much a part of my cruise experience as dinner in the dining room.

 

Good luck.

[colkeena]

If you have loud neighbors, the balcony is a waste of money.We could only use ours when our neighbors left to eat.Very unpredictable situation.We had one good experience and two horrible experiences.Makes inside cabins rather appealing to us.

[cruznjan]

I'm spoiled. If there are balconies on a ship, I want one.

[bluehenfan]

I've done 3 room types on the Wonder -Balcony, window and inside. While the balcony was nice, the other 2 times we just went to a deck that had cushioned chaise lounges. Sure wish I could remember where on board we found this area, but it was never crowded and we'd sit and read and doze and it was great. I haven't been on DCL for several years. I'm sure someone on DCL board could tell you location of these comfy deck chairs if they're still there. As for kids, I was far less bothered by kids on DCL than any other I've sailed on. Worst was on a cruise during summer months on NCL Dawn from NYC a couple years ago. Kids racing all over. Luckily I'm so happy when I'm on vacation nothing really bothers me too much. You will love the Wonder.