Would you upgrade from inside to balcony for $800

[Vacationlover2]

I am on a 9 night cruise. We have 2 adults and two kids, one 10, one 13. Would you pay $800 more to get a balcony? This is on the Gem, where the size difference between the rooms appears to be about 20 sq. feet. Can anyone verify this?

 

Thanks!

Edited February 19, 2015 by Vacationlover2
added text

[cruzsnooze]

I wouldn't cruise in an outside cabin so YES I would take the balcony. It's not only about the room size it's about natural light and cheerful environment when on holiday.

Edited February 19, 2015 by cruzsnooze

[triptolemus]

Me... No question. An inside cabin with four people will feel like a prison cell. A balcony will at least add another area and "open" the room up a bit, although you will be quite cozy in there as well.

[Kenlorz]

YES!!! No questions asked, no doubt about it, without reservation.... YES!!:D:D:D

[Solararc]

If you can afford the 800 do it!!

[Beaver1975]

Also, you would now qualify for either the dining or beverage package. That would cover a lot of the $800 expenditure. If you chose the beverage package, your children would also receive the soda package which would save you even more money.

Edited February 19, 2015 by Beaver1975

[Vacationlover2]

I don't know that my upgrade would include the new promotion, but I will check with my ta

[rochelle_s]

For me I would think about what would be the best bang for the buck on that $800.

 

Will you be spending much time in the cabin? If not keeping your cabin neat and organized as well as having some sort of schedule for the facilities will help immensely. A balcony cabin still only has one bathroom.

 

That $800 could provide some awesome port activities for a family of four. Long after the cruise is over what is likely to be remembered is the wonderful time spent with your spouse and children and not necessarily that extra 20 sq feet.

 

Only you though can decide the best way to spend the money for your family.

 

 

Rochelle

[Beaver1975]

I don't know that my upgrade would include the new promotion, but I will check with my ta

 

It should. The promotion is still in place until the 28th.

[xenagurl]

For that many people yes. The room might not be that much bigger but you'll have the balcony space and it will feel larger due to natural light. I'm probably one of the few that actually likes inside rooms, so if it were just me or me and my husband no I don't think I'd pay an additional $800 for a balcony unless there were ports that I wanted to have a good view of.

[Vacationlover2]

I can't get the free beverage package because I have an existing promotion of kids sail free.

[br7305]

I can't get the free beverage package because I have an existing promotion of kids sail free.

 

I booked last week on the Escape for my family of 5 in an oceanview room because balconies are not available for 5 on this particular ship. The kids sail free promotion was automatic for our booking & then I did receive the option of onboard credit, ultimate dining OR the ultimate beverage pkg...this was in addition to the kids sail free. We chose the beverage pkg.

Having said that, this is our 3rd cruise & we did pay for the upgrade for a balcony on the previous two cruises...it was worth it for us because we enjoy sitting out there in our down time, so it's kind of sad that we couldn't get a balcony this time but we are totally ok with that!

Good luck!

[Nola26]

I'm paying about the same nightly rate for my inside to balcony upgrade, but my inside is a discounted casino offer. Even with my cabin upgrade I only get the inside promotion perks: small OBC and 3rd person free, no package choice. I'm really happy with my perks, it was like cutting my upgrade in half.

 

I am unwilling to live with a 135 sqft cabin with an overhead bed with 3 people for a week. That wouldn't be a vacation to me. I only went to balcony because nothing lower gave us enough space and all lower beds. This is our first time not in an inside cabin so it will be a real treat.

 

You've gotten some good advice in the thread, don't dismiss the idea that there are additional promotions for you to enjoy. Call, wait, wait some more, ask and be open. I asked about 3rd person free not realizing we would also get OBC, a bonus to me!

[sixesandeights]

I can't get the free beverage package because I have an existing promotion of kids sail free.

 

The current promotion is Kids Sail free PLUS the Choice of UBP, UDP, or OBC. You should still get the choice if you upgrade. When is your sailing? The only way you wouldn't get the new package is if you are past final payment. If you are not yet at final payment then you would absolutely get the new promotion.

 

6&8

Edited February 19, 2015 by sixesandeights

[Vacationlover2]

Kids don't currently sail free on these days. They sail half price. I booked this cruise when they offered a kids sail free promo.

[BritChickBN1]

Yes I would. At least you could go on the balcony after the kids fall asleep if you want some couple time.

[roger001]

Yes. Absolutely. No hesitation. As others mentioned, openness of the balcony cabin, and having the balcony, will make it feel twice as big as an inside. Being able to see out, where you are, time of day, private area for viewing, YES. Especially with the kids! You will enjoy the cruise so much more.

[mpk218]

Negotiate !!!... The 800 is not a fixed figure . They may agree , they may not , but ask . Id start at 600.....;)

 

Edit: ooops me bad .. I thought I read you were offered an upgrade..

 

Yes , Id pay the 800 ; )

Edited February 19, 2015 by mpk218

[Vacationlover2]

Really? I can negotiate

[amarvel]

For a 9 day cruise, absolutely. that's less than $100 a day to have a balcony. I have always felt the room feels bigger and it gives you some place to outside and get quick fresh air or another spot to sit and relax.

[BrBrCruise]

You can absolutely negotiate. I just negotiated an upgrade price that I initiated. Got them to go down another 20%. Not bad. But, I was not given current promos and also kept my kids sail free from the summer.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Barb Nahoumi]

Yes I would definitely do it. We never book insides, and the least we do are porthole cabins.

 

We'll be in a balcony cabin on our next cruise.

[SailAwayInAugust]

Me... No question. An inside cabin with four people will feel like a prison cell. A balcony will at least add another area and "open" the room up a bit, although you will be quite cozy in there as well.

 

This.

 

The #1 reason why I prefer cruising over land vacations is the open seas / fresh air / peaceful sound of the crashing ocean I get to experience from my own balcony.

 

My favorite thing to go on a cruise is have my morning coffee on my balcony.

 

But thats just me. :)

[gcdogwalker]

There's nothing like a balcony when it's too crowed by the pool and you want to sit outside and enjoy the sea. It's nice to have the extra space and the light and the sound of the ocean. Before I ever had a balcony we had a window room, it wasn't too bad but believe me, I think that once you have a balcony you are spoiled and always want one. Still, if it meant no cruise or an inside cabin I wouldn't stay at home! I think I'd take the insider.

[Vacationlover2]

I called back and my TA is awesome. She was able to upgrade me from the inside to a balcony category B2 for $457 AND she got me $50 obc. She felt bad I wasn't getting the drink package lol.