Booked my first balcony!!!

[mitsugirly]

Just be warned though, when you get home from your trip you will be very disappointed to open your curtains and have see the same thing everyday :D

 

Have a lovely trip x

 

Thanks for the warning...and I'll probably come back to looking outside at "white stuff" all over the ground, so it will definitely be a "shocker" from what I'm use to. :eek:

 

What a cute post! Congrats on your near completion of nursing school, the grandbabies, the balcony, all of it. What a great cruise you're going to have. I am back in school getting my Masters (and after switching majors I still have along way to go). I call this upcoming cruise my "sanity" cruise.

 

Anywho...I don't recall them saying anything about our cabin category (by saying what type of room) when I checked in but maybe you can hand her a little post it note with whatever else you are handing her that asks her not to say anything about the cabin. She'll probably look at it intently but he'll probably just think she's looking at documentation or something.

 

Thanks for the congrats. I have been doing "sanity" cruises for several years now. This December cruise also marks the end of my 4th year in college, non-stop, full time, with no breaks other than the week or 2 in between semesters. It's been a long, hard road and I just want it to be over with. Therefore, I have to take sanity cruises in between classes as well. This one will just be a little more "needed" at this point. :D

[mitsugirly]

I second the congratulations on your life events.

 

I love having a balcony. It is such a nice backdrop to just being in the room. I also love having a slice of the water all to myself - meaning I can enjoy the water or port view without having others standing right next to me. I find water to be relaxing, and being able to have it to myself even for short times with coffee in the morning is so nice.

 

As to thinking you'll feel obliged to spend time there, my rule is to not do one thing you don't want to do except muster. Anything you do that you don't want to do is wasting the money. While it may seem like you have to spend time there because you spent money on it, that is actually counter-productive and wastes the money. It's like spending a lot of money on a big dinner and then stuffing yourself sick. Yep - you just spent a lot of money to feel like hell. This is kind of the same thing - once you have spent the money, the goal should be to do exactly what you want.

 

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if you end up loving the balcony room even if you don't spend any more time in it than you do in an inside.

 

Have fun!

 

.

 

Thanks for the congrats.:)

 

"It's like spending a lot of money on a big dinner and then stuffing yourself sick." I hate to tell ya, but this is totally me. I always feel like I have to "get my monies worth". I guess it was the way I was raised. My parents were always the type that made you clean your plate, even if you were sitting there for 2 hours. You don't waste food. You don't buy something unless it is needed and if it's needed, you better put it to use. So I have a feeling I will be spending more time there than normal. I'm just hoping it will turn into an enjoyable experience and I actually don't go stir crazy twiddling my fingers wanting to go do something because I feel bored. :p

 

Too funny...! I learned this the hard way on my first balcony as a solo when i was on the breakaway. Had the balcony door open didnt think anything of it..and the room steward knocked on the door for something... i opened it no..got what i needed from his ..and i let the door go as usual....thenBAAAAAAM!!!!! Oh...! my neighbors hated me in that moment.....

 

yes...please remember to close the balcony door first then open the cabin door. the wind is powerful!!:D:eek:

 

Ok, this is starting to sound a like a lot of work that will require me to use my brain too often. :p This is the week I get to go brain dead from not being in school. LOL Close balcony door, open hall door, close hall door, open balcony door. Whew. Maybe I will have to spend some time out there because I'll be wore out from all of the opening and closing. :D

[3dogsrule]

Congrats on the balcony, Kim! I think you'll enjoy it. My only problem with balcony cabins are that I don't sleep as well...but only because my eyes spring open as soon as I see daylight, and I can't wait to sit out on the balcony while my BF continues to sleep. First cruise with a balcony leaving out of NOLA, I spotted dolphins the first sea morning within minutes of rolling out of bed: I was hooked. Most of my best sunrise/sunset pictures have been taken off our balcony. I'm sure we spend more time in our cabin that you guys do, but while you're there, it's SO relaxing!

 

Once I was wanting to surprise a travelmate and hide what kind of cabin we had, so I slipped the check-in person a note along with my passport (unbeknownst to my travelmates) saying "please don't say what kind of cabin we have, it's a suprise". She smiled and quietly put my note aside and was cool about the whole thing. This was for a suite, but I don't remember them ever saying anything about having a balcony. Still, might consider it just to ensure the surprise lasts until you open the door. :D

 

Have a great cruise, can't wait to read the review!

Edited November 4, 2013 by 3dogsrule

[mitsugirly]

Congrats on the balcony, Kim! I think you'll enjoy it. My only problem with balcony cabins are that I don't sleep as well...but only because my eyes spring open as soon as I see daylight, and I can't wait to sit out on the balcony while my BF continues to sleep. First cruise with a balcony leaving out of NOLA, I spotted dolphins the first sea morning within minutes of rolling out of bed: I was hooked. Most of my best sunrise/sunset pictures have been taken off our balcony. I'm sure we spend more time in our cabin that you guys do, but while you're there, it's SO relaxing!

 

Once I was wanting to surprise a travelmate and hide what kind of cabin we had, so I slipped the check-in person a note along with my passport (unbeknownst to my travelmates) saying "please don't say what kind of cabin we have, it's a suprise". She smiled and quietly put my note aside and was cool about the whole thing. This was for a suite, but I don't remember them ever saying anything about having a balcony. Still, might consider it just to ensure the surprise lasts until you open the door. :D

 

Have a great cruise, can't wait to read the review!

 

I have yet to see anything other than a few jumping/flying fish in the ocean when we are cruising. (Probably because I'm so busy doing things that I'm not starring out at the ocean very often when cruising). I think the only reason I spotted those was because we were getting a tour of the bridge and the view was amazing and I happen to be looking out of the huge wall to ceiling windows and spotted it.

 

I have read multiple threads on here about people seeing dolphins from their balcony and thinking how cool is that. I would LOVE to see something like this. My daughter has swam with the dolphins and for her to see some outside the ship would be the neatest thing. I remember someone taking a picture of them while they were in port at NOLA right before sailing. Maybe I will spend sail-away on the balcony and a little more time there searching for things that I normally don't see. :D

[jdvmd]

Congratulations! You are going to love that balcony!

[Sequim88]

We honestly don't spend a lot of time in our rooms.

 

I read this a lot and always think... If I had an interior cabin I would not spend a lot of time there either. But we do spend a lot of time on our balcony - especially just before bed with a brandy nightcap. Especially if it is warm out.

 

My parents never cruised in a balcony cabin until they treated my brothers and our wives to a cruise. They paid for interiors and left it up to us to pay the balcony difference if we wanted to. Little did they know we all chipped in and "upgraded" them to a balcony. One of my SILs was a cruise travel agent and arranged it all. Kept it a surprise until they saw the cabin door and Dad said "it's on the wrong side of the hallway!". :D One of my most cherished pictures is of him leaning on the railing looking at the island of Dominica - taken from our adjacent balcony.

 

One downside to a balcony if you are sensitive to smoke is that they are very popular with smokers who can't smoke in the cabin and can't wait to go to an open deck. That can put a crimp on balcony usability.

[mitsugirly]

Congratulations! You are going to love that balcony!

 

Thanks!

 

I read this a lot and always think... If I had an interior cabin I would not spend a lot of time there either. But we do spend a lot of time on our balcony - especially just before bed with a brandy nightcap. Especially if it is warm out.

 

My parents never cruised in a balcony cabin until they treated my brothers and our wives to a cruise. They paid for interiors and left it up to us to pay the balcony difference if we wanted to. Little did they know we all chipped in and "upgraded" them to a balcony. One of my SILs was a cruise travel agent and arranged it all. Kept it a surprise until they saw the cabin door and Dad said "it's on the wrong side of the hallway!". :D One of my most cherished pictures is of him leaning on the railing looking at the island of Dominica - taken from our adjacent balcony.

 

One downside to a balcony if you are sensitive to smoke is that they are very popular with smokers who can't smoke in the cabin and can't wait to go to an open deck. That can put a crimp on balcony usability.

 

Wow, that was very nice of them. I can only imagine the look on his face. :D

 

Actually I have been a smoker for 30 years. However, I'm a very conscious smoker. I never smoke around others that don't. Even when I'm around other smokers that do, I always stand back and wave my smoke. I never break the rules and never sat next to someone in the casino and smoked unless I seen that they were too.

 

However, I quit 5 months ago. :D I now "vape", which has no harmful chemicals in it and no nicotine. Just juicy flavors and they are yummy and smell heavenly...plus no "smoke", just vapor. The smell of a cigarette disgust me now and I can smell them a mile away, so I'm wondering how it will be on the ship in smoking areas. It's kinda ironic that the first time I'm booking a balcony where I could actually smoke and I no longer smoke. Oh well. :p

[WaldosPepper]

While I don't necessarily spend a lot of time on my balcony, I do spend quality time there.

 

First thing in the morning with a cup of coffee, as the ship slips silently into a Caribbean port, listening to the sound of the roosters crowing all over the island. Oh yeah!!!!!

 

Late at night, when it's warm and humid, watching the stars, or catching glimpses of birds following along with the ship. Heavenly.

 

Sea days, in between other activities I'll go unwind for a bit, and watch the ocean life. I've seen sharks, flying fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and whole colonies of birds floating on sargassum. I've seen amazing rainbows, water spouts, sea smoke and Jacob's Ladders as well.

 

I choose my balcony time when most others are not on theirs - which allows me to feel as though it's just the sea and me. Pure bliss.

 

Congratulations to you on all the amazing things in your life right now, but especially on scoring your first balcony. If you only enjoy it 1/10th as much as I do, you'll find it was well worth it.

 

:)

[Oldgoat61]

Mitsu.........I have only cruised with a balcony, and have yet to regret it. As others posters have mentioned, you have a place to escape to if you want, enjoy the ocean as it goes by, and enjoy the view of a new port as you come into or leave it.

If your daughter likes to climb, you will want to watch her closely.

If the Jewel is anything like the Pearl, Star, or the Dawn, the couch will be next to the balcony door. You should be able to lock the door, and it is difficult to open.

I truly believe that you will get hooked with a balcony cabin!:D

[SteveH2508]

Everyone seems to have covered most things:

 

Early morning coffee/breakfast on the balcony

Late night nightcap

Dolphins/other wildlife

Stargazing

Connection with the sea

Your own space (far from the madding crowd)

Tranquility (assuming you have considerate neighbours)

 

We started with a balcony and really could not consider an inside unless the itinerary was so good and the price was so good it was the only way to do the cruise.

[oklaviking]

In 2012 we cruised with my 5 year old grandson on the Spirit. We were in a balcony room and never had a problem with him on the balcony. The rail was to tall for him to reach. Also the sliding door had a great lock on it. You need to push the handle down to open the door. So it would be hard for a youngster to open by them selves. I also love your reviews and your photos. Congrats on your achievments as well.

[mitsugirly]

 

I've seen sharks, flying fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and whole colonies of birds floating on sargassum. I've seen amazing rainbows, water spouts, sea smoke and Jacob's Ladders as well.

 

 

I'm going to have to look up some of these things because I have no idea what some are. LOL :eek: Hopefully I will see things I haven't seen before. That would be awesome.

 

You put a different perspective on things. Thanks.

 

Mitsu.........I have only cruised with a balcony, and have yet to regret it. As others posters have mentioned, you have a place to escape to if you want, enjoy the ocean as it goes by, and enjoy the view of a new port as you come into or leave it.

If your daughter likes to climb, you will want to watch her closely.

If the Jewel is anything like the Pearl, Star, or the Dawn, the couch will be next to the balcony door. You should be able to lock the door, and it is difficult to open.

I truly believe that you will get hooked with a balcony cabin!:D

 

 

The daughter is not a climber, so no worries about that and I'm a worrier, so she will be watched 24/7 out there. My only thoughts are about people talking about sleeping with the doors open and hearing the ocean at night. That sounds heavenly. Are you able to crack the doors some and are they heavy and hard for a toddler to open the rest of the way?

 

With my luck, I will get hooked on a balcony and then be depressed that I can't afford another one after this. :p

[mitsugirly]

Everyone seems to have covered most things:

 

Early morning coffee/breakfast on the balcony

.

 

So I'm now wondering, since you mentioned "breakfast". We have ordered breakfast twice before (to our interior room) and of course they only give you the option of cold food and quite frankly...nasty food. Any breakfast rolls were hard, bagels were too hard to eat and of course no toaster to warm them, and we are not really "cereal" people when on vacation. I like a HOT breakfast to start my day out. So we never order breakfast to our room.

 

I do remember others talk about there are different breakfast menus for different rooms depending on what "type" of room you are in.

 

Do they serve "hot" breakfast in balconies? That's the only way I would consider eating in there if that's the case.

 

In 2012 we cruised with my 5 year old grandson on the Spirit. We were in a balcony room and never had a problem with him on the balcony. The rail was to tall for him to reach. Also the sliding door had a great lock on it. You need to push the handle down to open the door. So it would be hard for a youngster to open by them selves. I also love your reviews and your photos. Congrats on your achievments as well.

 

 

This is awesome news. Thanks for sharing this with me. Good to know the railing may be too tall (I will just have to watch the chairs being out there). But, she knows right from wrong and she's a pretty good kid and minds well. Good to know that you have to push the handle down to open the door too. I might have not figured this out myself on my own. :D

 

Thanks for the congrats. :)

[pcreek]

So I'm now wondering, since you mentioned "breakfast". We have ordered breakfast twice before (to our interior room) and of course they only give you the option of cold food and quite frankly...nasty food. Any breakfast rolls were hard, bagels were too hard to eat and of course no toaster to warm them, and we are not really "cereal" people when on vacation. I like a HOT breakfast to start my day out. So we never order breakfast to our room.

 

I do remember others talk about there are different breakfast menus for different rooms depending on what "type" of room you are in.

 

Do they serve "hot" breakfast in balconies? That's the only way I would consider eating in there if that's the case.

 

I think just the full suites have different room service menus. However, the regular room service menus have an 'anytime' omelet that you can order for breakfast - you just have to call in the order, there is no place on the card you put out at night for that.

 

Port = left side Starboard = right side when facing forward. I always remember by left & port each have 4 letters. ;)

 

The reason I mentioned Epic previously, is because that is the only ship I have heard about having the bed by the balcony in some cabins - due to the 'wave design' of the cabins.

 

Final thought - you will be able to go back to an inside cabin after doing a balcony. I thought after sailing in a suite we'd never be happy without one again - I was wrong. I have had no problems going back to just a balcony cabin. Do I prefer the suite? Absolutely, but I wouldn't save and only cruise every 2 yrs just to have one! :rolleyes:

 

Great photos to be had off the balcony, too!:D:D

[mpcaruth]

I have balcony envy! I too have never sailed in a balcony. I just could not justify paying $500+ to spend a few hours looking at the ocean, when there are numerous other places on board to do this. We usually sail twice a year and have 2 kids. With saving for retirement and college, I keep telling myself that the Balcony is not "wise" at this time, and that when we retire, we will indulge. But geez... I would really LOVE a balcony now!

 

ENJOY!!! And I look forward to your review.

[DCP]

We were lucky enough to see a sea turtle from our balcony our last cruise. Very cool! We have seen dolphins every cruise from the balcony - early in the morning was when we always have seen them.

 

Hubby quit smoking too, and vapes now. (only his triglycerides are now on the high side, and they never were before he started vaping...not sure if that is coincidence?)

[mitsugirly]

I think just the full suites have different room service menus. However, the regular room service menus have an 'anytime' omelet that you can order for breakfast - you just have to call in the order, there is no place on the card you put out at night for that.

 

Port = left side Starboard = right side when facing forward. I always remember by left & port each have 4 letters. ;)

 

The reason I mentioned Epic previously, is because that is the only ship I have heard about having the bed by the balcony in some cabins - due to the 'wave design' of the cabins.

 

Final thought - you will be able to go back to an inside cabin after doing a balcony. I thought after sailing in a suite we'd never be happy without one again - I was wrong. I have had no problems going back to just a balcony cabin. Do I prefer the suite? Absolutely, but I wouldn't save and only cruise every 2 yrs just to have one! :rolleyes:

 

Great photos to be had off the balcony, too!:D:D

 

Well that sucks that only the mini suites get the hot breakfast. Looks like I'll still have to go up to the buffet to eat breakfast. :(

 

Thanks for the way to remember which side is which. I'll know now. hehe

 

Glad to hear I'll be able to go back to an interior. Hopefully I won't have too much of a problem with this. We did enjoy our "extra room" when we were upgraded to the picture window a few cruises and adjusted back to the interior just fine. However, a balcony is an entire different story.

 

I have balcony envy! I too have never sailed in a balcony. I just could not justify paying $500+ to spend a few hours looking at the ocean, when there are numerous other places on board to do this. We usually sail twice a year and have 2 kids. With saving for retirement and college, I keep telling myself that the Balcony is not "wise" at this time, and that when we retire, we will indulge. But geez... I would really LOVE a balcony now!

 

ENJOY!!! And I look forward to your review.

 

I would have never paid an extra $500 for a balcony. That would have been a no-brainer for me. We usually only spend around $1100-1300 for all 3 of us on a cruise and this time around it was only an extra $221 to make it a balcony. So I thought what the heck...why not. :D

[mitsugirly]

We were lucky enough to see a sea turtle from our balcony our last cruise. Very cool! We have seen dolphins every cruise from the balcony - early in the morning was when we always have seen them.

 

Hubby quit smoking too, and vapes now. (only his triglycerides are now on the high side, and they never were before he started vaping...not sure if that is coincidence?)

 

Wow that would be cool to see a sea turtle. My daughter would be so excited. Dolphins EVERY cruise? Oh gosh, now I'm getting excited. That would be awesome!!!

 

I seriously hate cold weather, but have been considering an Alaskan cruise just so she can see the different animals there. She would love it. :)

 

The only side-effect I have is the dry mouth and sensitive teeth. Some times I wonder if it's worth it. :eek: I have never heard anyone mention the high triglycerides before.

[Oldgoat61]

I'm going to have to look up some of these things because I have no idea what some are. LOL :eek: Hopefully I will see things I haven't seen before. That would be awesome.

 

You put a different perspective on things. Thanks.

 

 

 

 

The daughter is not a climber, so no worries about that and I'm a worrier, so she will be watched 24/7 out there. My only thoughts are about people talking about sleeping with the doors open and hearing the ocean at night. That sounds heavenly. Are you able to crack the doors some and are they heavy and hard for a toddler to open the rest of the way?

 

With my luck, I will get hooked on a balcony and then be depressed that I can't afford another one after this. :p

They are difficult to open, it takes some strength. With that said, I don't know her strength, or determination.:confused: Chances are, she will have a difficult time trying to open it.

[Pappion]

Congrats on the first balcony. Strangely enough we are going on our first on the EXACT same date as you, only we'll be on the Pearl. I finish nursing school this semester and my pinning is literally 4 hours before we have to be at the airport the day before the cruise. Ha! I tried to keep our upgrade a secret from DH (we got an aft balcony) but had to tell him when he was going to call and try to upgrade us himself. I wish you good luck in keeping yours a secret, and your last semesters of school!:p

[mitsugirly]

Congrats on the first balcony. Strangely enough we are going on our first on the EXACT same date as you, only we'll be on the Pearl. I finish nursing school this semester and my pinning is literally 4 hours before we have to be at the airport the day before the cruise. Ha! I tried to keep our upgrade a secret from DH (we got an aft balcony) but had to tell him when he was going to call and try to upgrade us himself. I wish you good luck in keeping yours a secret, and your last semesters of school!:p

 

Oh wow how awesome! Congrats on finishing and your pinning. I am dreaming of that day next May. :) 4 hours before leaving for the airport :eek: Well that's living on the edge. :D

 

My hubby would never call for an upgrade or even check into anything so I have no worries about that. He just sits back and is along for the ride. The problem is me just dying to tell him...but I'm not gonna!

[lostone65]

Wow Kim, I have to say I never thought I would see the day you upgraded to a balcony! :p. Who knew:cool:

That said I think you will enjoy it. We get a balcony and I am also not one to spend time in the room as I want to go go go all the time. I do like to have coffee out there in the morning and when we come in for the evening it is so nice to sit out there and unwind before climbing in bed for the night. You will have the added space for some quiet adult time when your daughter goes to sleep. Its also a nice place to hang out while waiting for others to get ready (I'm always ready waiting for my husband). I love to hang out on the balcony and watch as we pull into port. Gives a nice view of the islands that is different from being up top with others. We have seen dolphins and flying fish and others things we aren't sure what they were from there!

Enjoy it!

[BlueJai]

Congratulations Mitsugirly on all of the great things going on this year. Like others have said, I don't think there is any danger of the counter staff saying anything about your room. You will probably be able to keep the secret until he hit the hallway and realizes what side your room is on.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about feeling obligated to use the balcony - its freestyle so do what you want when you want... If nothing else, your room will be filled with sunlight during the day and it is a wonderful place to be when you are coming into port or leaving port for the day. Oh, and it is a great place to dry your hair :D!

 

Enjoy and I will look forward to your review!

 

Jai

[mitsugirly]

Wow Kim, I have to say I never thought I would see the day you upgraded to a balcony! :p. Who knew:cool:

That said I think you will enjoy it. We get a balcony and I am also not one to spend time in the room as I want to go go go all the time. I do like to have coffee out there in the morning and when we come in for the evening it is so nice to sit out there and unwind before climbing in bed for the night. You will have the added space for some quiet adult time when your daughter goes to sleep. Its also a nice place to hang out while waiting for others to get ready (I'm always ready waiting for my husband). I love to hang out on the balcony and watch as we pull into port. Gives a nice view of the islands that is different from being up top with others. We have seen dolphins and flying fish and others things we aren't sure what they were from there!

Enjoy it!

 

This brought a smile to my face. :D

 

Sometimes I almost wish I drank coffee LOL. Do they have coffee makers in the balcony rooms? (Since the hubby does drink it).

 

I really hope we get to see something from the balcony...dolphins would be awesome!

 

This will definitely throw a "different" perspective on my next review. :p

[mitsugirly]

Congratulations Mitsugirly on all of the great things going on this year. Like others have said, I don't think there is any danger of the counter staff saying anything about your room. You will probably be able to keep the secret until he hit the hallway and realizes what side your room is on.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about feeling obligated to use the balcony - its freestyle so do what you want when you want... If nothing else, your room will be filled with sunlight during the day and it is a wonderful place to be when you are coming into port or leaving port for the day. Oh, and it is a great place to dry your hair :D!

 

Enjoy and I will look forward to your review!

 

Jai

 

You know what...you are absolutely right. I'll do what I want, when I want. Thanks for reminding me of this concept! :)

 

I think sail away from the ports are going to be different and I'm pretty sure this is where I want to do them from now. I hope I'm lucky enough to get the side docked up to the pier...one of my favorite things is watching the pier runners before pulling out. LOL