What type of cabin do you prefer?

[Joebucks]

I have been on two cruises starting last year. Everyone told me I had to do a balcony. So we did that for the first one. Let me tell you, that is quite a feeling getting out there for the first time. We probably only sat out there for a total of 1-2 hours the entire trip though.

 

Then for the next one, we decided to go a little cheaper. A porthole was the first choice, but we didn't want to be on the bottom of the ship. The action is not down there. So we did an interior on 8. It was right below Lido. We could walk up with easy. We figured we weren't missing out on anything. Obviously, the view was no longer there, but the room was fine. We were always out and about anywhere where views of the water are not rare.

 

Personally, I gotta go interior. As someone who doesn't like to stay in the room for long, I'd rather save the money and do a second cruise.

[firemanbobswife]

Interior/OV if the price is right. I like being on lower decks. It’s very quiet and convenient for getting on and off the ship. I have done balconies my first 8 cruises I think, then I realized it’s not worth the extra money. I would rather go on the cheap more often then less in a cabin I really don’t care about.

 

The phrase “Once you cruise in a balcony, you’ll never do anything less” is totally false. I worked my way backward from balcony, to OV, to inside. I am perfectly content there saving money. If I want fresh air, I go out on deck. It’s no big deal and I love saving money! Plus I get such a good nights sleep in the dark.

[Jenn1974]

Personally, I prefer a balcony. I just like it. The last 4 cruises have been balcony and I really enjoy being able to just go out there and sit. I have never done an interior so I don't have it to compare to.

[kingston13]

It's funny I did balcony for years but travelling solo got too expensive. Was afraid of Interior but now I love it! I actually sleep better

[auscgguysgirl]

We prefer balcony. Spa balcony at that - we are spa junkies and love the extra spa perks! If we sail longer (14 days) like your upcoming cruise to Hawaii w/ a lot of sea days we will do Spa balcony ... otherwise we do regular balcony ... unless they give me upgrade offer I can't refuse! I started w/ a regular balcony on deck 7 on the Vista in April ... we only have 2 sea days. Awhile back they offered me a spa balcony for $200 more - I took it!

 

We spend a LOT of time on the balcony. Our spa suite last April had a lounger ... I think I slept out there a night or 2 for several hours. It was wonderful! (Most of our weather on that cruise sucked).

We have friends that sail w/ us a good bit and they prefer OV, port hole or cove balconies. I think coves are neat, but IMO the lower decks tend to smell. If balcony wasn't an option - we probably wouldn't sail. Both of us tend to get claustrophobic.

[siestakeys04]

We are doing our second balcony since dh likes going out in the middle of the night. I would at least like an ocean view. I really enjoy natural light.

[dsotm73]

It’s certainly a matter of personal choice. We started in interiors, then on the third cruise splurged on a balcony. It was an entirely different cruise experience. Now for us it IS “Once you cruise in a balcony, you’ll never do anything less.”

 

I’d even say we’d rather cruise once a year on a balcony (as we have done the past several years) than twice a year in an interior.

 

 

 

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[Jerseygirl1416]

We started cruising in ocean view cabins because we had our 3 sons with us and I was just too paranoid having them in a balcony but now that’s it’s just been me and my husband we get balcony’s. I love being able to just step outside anytime in PJ’s or however. I’d love to make the jump to suites but until we can get all three sons off the dole it’s still out of reach.

[Midwestgal]

I’m a portside balcony kind of girl.

[sanmarcosman]

The phrase “Once you cruise in a balcony, you’ll never do anything less” is totally false.

You're painting with a broad brush here. This, imo, is one of those times where following the quote with IMO is appropriate. And no, I'm not a fan of "only balconies" either FWIW.

[Drazil65]

Prefer a suite but will settle for a regular balcony most cruises (and more than happy to have that). Got to have that little piece of outdoor real estate, deck 7 middle, port side. Love, love, love that private, all to ourselves place to go to for morning coffee (early room service) and watching the sun rise (still in our jammies)...DH and DS still sleeping most mornings and I can just sit and meditate and be grateful....:D

[shof515]

i always cruised in an inside cabin, it is my favorite.

[evandbob]

As I solo, I choose an inside mid ship or aft, Empress or Verandah. As a couple, we always pick a balcony, we enjoy the extra space, reading on the balcony instead of at the pool. Even one on the balcony while the other is in the cabin is within our comfort.level.

 

Some ships, not Carnival's, have a whole slew of cabin types to choose from, including insides with virtual windows and interior balconies. Everyone is different, so go with whatever you can afford, be comfortable in, and choose whatever cabin floats your boat.

[Knights Templar]

I agree with the OP, while balconies are nice to get a breath of fresh air and look at the Port, I am not out there long enough like some who really enjoy a balcony....I do not like interiors, I need to see sunlight....I will usually go with an OV cabin, cheaper than a balcony and not much more than an interior

[Trinam2]

When I was a smoker it was Balcony for sure. However since I quit it seems to us we spend zero time in room so we stick to interior now. Price leads our desicion every time. Let’s be honest if I could afford a suite I would book a suite.

[LNNLNNLNN]

I’m a portside balcony kind of girl.

I hope to find out if I am 1 of these in May!! Sailing the Magic..1st balcony...it is portside!!!:cool::cool:

[firemanbobswife]

You're painting with a broad brush here. This, imo, is one of those times where following the quote with IMO is appropriate. And no, I'm not a fan of "only balconies" either FWIW.

 

OK I’ll give you that. It also goes the other way too though when people say there’s no going to anything less. As if one could never ever even fathom going to an OV or interior after a balcony. Like it’s the be all end all. It may be for them, but it certainly isn’t for me and plenty of other people. I really can’t comprehend spending twice as much to go once a year vs roughly the same amount to go twice. Get me on a ship for 2 weeks vs 1! IMO of course [emoji6]!

[HawkIVette]

My first cruise was a balcony because people said "you have to get a balcony". While that is true, that you must expierence a balcony at least once., I don't think you can't ever go to something else and not enjoy the cruise.

 

And not to say you should never do a balcony again. I think it depends on the cruise. We did Alaska- where a balcony is a must. Panama cruise- we did a balcony there too. And on the Mediterrainean cruise, we chose a Cove Family Harbor Suite.

And I will say that the Cove Balcony, being so close to the water was a real joy. Loved it.

 

But this upcoming cruise in April will be my 21st cruise. Could not have enjoyed so many if we had not chosen a lot of interior cabins as the majority of our cruises. Interiors have been about 30% cheaper than a balcony, which provides us with more cruises in the long haul.

 

We enjoy the darkness of the interior and seem to sleep better, though location of the interior has a lot to do with that. Never book an interior right above a nghtclub, casino, or other late night venue that may be noisy at night. And also never book an interior right below the lido deck (pool chairs sliding around the deck in the morning). Same with interiors (or cove balconies) below the galley.

 

Pick a good location and go with an interior will always be my first choice.

[sanmarcosman]

;)

OK I’ll give you that. It also goes the other way too though when people say there’s no going to anything less. As if one could never ever even fathom going to an OV or interior after a balcony. Like it’s the be all end all. It may be for them, but it certainly isn’t for me and plenty of other people. I really can’t comprehend spending twice as much to go once a year vs roughly the same amount to go twice. Get me on a ship for 2 weeks vs 1! IMO of course [emoji6]!

Yes, it's a two way street but people often tend to speak in absolutes on CC. Choice is good and that's why Carnival offers choices. I'm a huge fan of the Spirit class interior 4k's with the doors that open for light and air but no balcony. I also prefer one situated between lifeboats but that's me.

[salty dingo]

I find no additional value in an outside cabin. The windows do not open and there is plenty of light in an inside cabin. So I would always pick inside over outside, to save money.

 

For an itinerary like the Alaska inside passage, when you are in sight of land most of the time, an balcony can be a real benefit. It's also nice when in port. However, on a sea day, you will see only water from the balcony, so there is little to draw interest out there.

 

Sun can be rare a balcony, so if you want to lay in the sun, the upper decks are probably where you will go. It can seem nice to have a private place to hang out, but I usually spend more (a whole lot more) time out on deck than in the room/balcony.

 

If you find a great deal on a balcony, go for it. There's really no downside except for the price. But, if cost is a concern, you may find your limited vacation funds go further for you elsewhere.

[firemanbobswife]

;)

Yes, it's a two way street but people often tend to speak in absolutes on CC. Choice is good and that's why Carnival offers choices. I'm a huge fan of the Spirit class interior 4k's with the doors that open for light and air but no balcony. I also prefer one situated between lifeboats but that's me.

 

Never have been on a Spirit Class but those do interest me. I gave the balcony another go on Vista in the Havana section. While I was super glad I was in Havana, I would have actually been happier in an inside. The balcony wasn’t worth all that extra cash for us as we hardly used it. I gave my opinion in my review.

[tallnthensome]

It varies by year and trip with 2 kids. Vista spa inside last year. Balcony cabin on MSC here in a couple months and inside cabin next year for 15 day Panama Canal with the kids. That one was over 2K more for a balcony so I guess you could say it's a matter of affordability when dragging kids on a 15 day'r! ....... Extended Aft on Horizon for 2020 booked. Balconies are better because of the extra room as well.

[G&TQ]

We are a mixed bag. Hubby prefers a balcony. I am willing to try an interior. Most of our cruises have been OV. Sailing balcony out of NO for the views and because the cost difference was not much. I agree some cruises I think there is no option but balcony. But would not turn down an inside to get to cruise.

 

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[Alaskan Joe]

My DW and I have been on 5 cruises, 6th one coming up in Aug 18' to Alaska. We have always had a balcony, and cannot see us doing anything but balcony. Once, RCCL we did the mini suite, we were very disappointed. We felt the it was not worth the money. As for a regular balcony, we have had nothing else. As one post said on here "lets face it if could afford a suite I would be getting a suite". I say to that if I ever get a suite again it will be a full suite w/grand piano and with all the perks:hearteyes:. Now as for interior or OV my DW thinks we will feel like sardines in a can.

[Alaskan Joe]

We are a mixed bag. Hubby prefers a balcony. I am willing to try an interior. Most of our cruises have been OV. Sailing balcony out of NO for the views and because the cost difference was not much. I agree some cruises I think there is no option but balcony. But would not turn down an inside to get to cruise.

 

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I agree with you on your post, but its my DW who prefers a balcony. I am also willing to try an interior (at least once). Hey if it is to small we will know for the future and if we feel it was just fine well then we could save lots of money. Who am I kidding we would not save lots of money, we would just cruise more..LoL. As for views this is the reason we get the balconies. Alaska is our next cruise and I feel a balcony would be a must through the inside passage way. In fact, we have an aft balcony (first time) so we can see both sides of land in our own panoramic veiw:cool:.