Werangels Posted February 18, 2019 #1 Share Posted February 18, 2019 Hi I think we have decided on the intensive Croatia itinerary for this September. It will be our first cruise and cruising is not something we ever imagined doing as we both couldn’t imagine being on one of the huge ships and have always found something else we wanted to do more. Health more than anything else has made us re-look at holidays and here we are! Anyway, the price difference on this cruise between a balcony cabin and inside cabin is massive, £3429 versus £1668 and we are thinking of booking the inside as a result. Our thinking being that if we don’t get on with cruising, having spent less is a less bitter pill! We really want to like and enjoy it. So, just looking for thoughts and advice on this and also whether it is likely the price differential will change when this latest offer finishes ie, should we wait to book to see what is offered next? We would really like a balcony but...... Thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbluesea Posted February 18, 2019 #2 Share Posted February 18, 2019 I would go for an outside. The price difference between an outside and an inside is much smaller and in my experience of port intensive cruises you spend little time in the room and may not get the full benefit from a balcony on such a cruise. However I do like waking up to see daylight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werangels Posted February 18, 2019 Author #3 Share Posted February 18, 2019 Good point. I hadn’t thought about waking up to daylight only that when staying in hotels how little I look out of the window and usually have the black out curtains drawn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted February 18, 2019 #4 Share Posted February 18, 2019 When we started cruising we did Insides and had a great time. The Azamara ships have lots of public spaces for lounging, and it will help you meet other passengers and learn about small-ship cruising and why they love it. OTOH, if an ocean view cabin doesn't cost much more there's no problem with that – but I would advise against the 06 and 04 categories as they are located at the front of the ship and you will feel more movement there. 08s are midship but with partially blocked views [still a lot more view than an Inside!]. 05s are midship and low for a very smooth ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upwarduk Posted February 18, 2019 #5 Share Posted February 18, 2019 If you have health problems make sure you buy Insurance at the time of booking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baynanno1 Posted February 18, 2019 #6 Share Posted February 18, 2019 We prefer an oceanview stateroom. I like to see daylight in the morning. We have had a balcony on a few cruises, but rarely used it. There is plenty of outside public space on decks 5, 9, 10 & 11, as well as indoor space with views to the outside world. If you are really set on a balcony, it may (and I stress may or may not) be worth waiting for a double upgrade promotion instead of a 50% off the second person promotion. Base prices do not remain the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werangels Posted February 18, 2019 Author #7 Share Posted February 18, 2019 Insurance all sorted, thank you. I will check out the cabin positions. The forward ones still have some available that are more toward midship. I imagine we would be ok with the movement as we had our own small boat for years and are very used to constant movement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debcip Posted February 19, 2019 #8 Share Posted February 19, 2019 (edited) I have met many people who do not mind the inside cabins at all, and think they would rather spend their money on their experiences than on their in-room time, which others have said is somewhat limited in these port-intensive trips. Personally I feel a little closed in and, like Bayanno1, feel much better if I can see daylight. Many folks use their balconies a lot (breakfast, afternoon relaxation, etc), and it is nice to go out on them occasionally, but if you are happy enough to walk to the decks, you can certainly get by without one. Edited February 19, 2019 by debcip Spelling errors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Cruising Posted February 19, 2019 #9 Share Posted February 19, 2019 I’d agree with those who vote for an outside view stateroom. The price is not much more than an inside and it is nice to wake up and see daylight. We really like stateroom on Deck 4 - 4040-4056 (cat 5) as these are in a great position. Very close to the stairs to Deck 5 for Mosaic coffee bar, Discoveries Bar and dining-room (main dining room). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werangels Posted February 19, 2019 Author #10 Share Posted February 19, 2019 Some great points thank you. So, now to ponder on whether to wait and see if there is a double promotion to get a balcony. Thank you all so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted February 19, 2019 #11 Share Posted February 19, 2019 2 hours ago, Werangels said: Some great points thank you. So, now to ponder on whether to wait and see if there is a double promotion to get a balcony. Thank you all so much. You would probably find that the inside prices will increase considerably if a double upgrade offer does become available. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare uktog Posted February 19, 2019 #12 Share Posted February 19, 2019 If you are looking for a booking for 2019 on the Croatia trip which is a popular itinerary you may find very few additional promotions now. It is a gamble but Bloodaxe is right they will adjust the inside cost upwards to almost the same as the cost of the balcony before the promotion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted February 19, 2019 #13 Share Posted February 19, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, Host Grandma Cruising said: I’d agree with those who vote for an outside view stateroom. The price is not much more than an inside and it is nice to wake up and see daylight. We really like stateroom on Deck 4 - 4040-4056 (cat 5) as these are in a great position. Very close to the stairs to Deck 5 for Mosaic coffee bar, Discoveries Bar and dining-room (main dining room). I’d agree with this. It’s a good spot to be. If it’s the 21st September cruise, go for 4048 or 4046. With the views, a large picture window is nice to have and these cabins are in a good location. Phil Edited February 19, 2019 by excitedofharpenden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
critterchick Posted February 20, 2019 #14 Share Posted February 20, 2019 On 2/19/2019 at 2:16 AM, Bloodaxe said: You would probably find that the inside prices will increase considerably if a double upgrade offer does become available. Could OP not upgrade to the balcony without cancelling and rebooking or would that also be considered a cancel and rebook situation in the UK? In the US it would be allowed without penalty, except that we may lose perks such as the Early Booking OBC if the change is made within a year of sailing. But OBC for booking onboard would remain intact (with the caveat that I haven’t made any changes to a booking since last summer and things may have changed). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werangels Posted February 20, 2019 Author #15 Share Posted February 20, 2019 My understanding is that in the UK it would be a cancellation and a new booking but, that is only based on what I have read so far and I could be wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Cruising Posted February 21, 2019 #16 Share Posted February 21, 2019 9 hours ago, Werangels said: My understanding is that in the UK it would be a cancellation and a new booking but, that is only based on what I have read so far and I could be wrong. I think you are right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ak1004 Posted March 17, 2019 #17 Share Posted March 17, 2019 We always take an inside cabin. I could never understand why people would spend thousands to upgrade when you only spend a limited time in your cabin. I prefer spending my money on more important things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabear Posted March 17, 2019 #18 Share Posted March 17, 2019 13 minutes ago, ak1004 said: We always take an inside cabin. I could never understand why people would spend thousands to upgrade when you only spend a limited time in your cabin. I prefer spending my money on more important things. Some of us appreciate having breakfast or late afternoon cocktail on the balcony as well as seeing daylight when we wake up. we all have relative values. In addition, some itineraries have many days at sea. Looking out at the sea is wonderful. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted March 17, 2019 #19 Share Posted March 17, 2019 24 minutes ago, ak1004 said: We always take an inside cabin. I could never understand why people would spend thousands to upgrade when you only spend a limited time in your cabin. I prefer spending my money on more important things. Choice is a wonderful thing, each to their own. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werangels Posted March 17, 2019 Author #20 Share Posted March 17, 2019 Exactly. We are all different. We booked a balcony in the end and the family standing joke at the moment is ‘No, Mum can’t buy that, she’s got a mortgage on a balcony to pay for’ 😂😂. We are not party animals, big drinkers ie sitting in bars, etc. We like to have a lovely meal, then in a warm climate, sit on our balcony and read. Also, for us, to hear the water is everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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