Is balcony worth it?

[Druke I]

Not trying to be argumentative, but I do disagree with re motion at the front of the ship.

 

If the ship is in heavy pitching seas, up and down movement will be much pronounced the further foward you are (think of being at the end of a teeter-totter). That motion, coupled with the jarring of bow slap, can be quite uncomfortable for those with an unsettled stomach.

 

In pitching seas, a midships cabin is usually much more comfortable.

[CRUISNDIVA]

It's a definate MUST have item for us. We love being able to see where we are and where we are going without having to leave the comfort of our room; especially first thing in the morning :D

[CruzinNoony]

Absolutely worth every penny. We leave the door open at night so we can hear the ocean and feel the breeze. Nothing like it!!;)

[cathi]

Absolutely worth every penny. We leave the door open at night so we can hear the ocean and feel the breeze. Nothing like it!!;)

 

Someone else who does what you are asked not to do!!!!! I love hearing the waves as the ship glides along!

 

As to motion - DH says the more the ship rocks the louder I snore!!!! Front, back or middle I don't care - just give me the motion of the ocean!!!! But then I've never been seasick!!

[cathi]

Absolutely worth every penny. We leave the door open at night so we can hear the ocean and feel the breeze. Nothing like it!!;)

 

Someone else who does what you are asked not to do!!!!! I love hearing the waves as the ship glides along!

 

As to motion - DH says the more the ship rocks the louder I snore!!!! Front, back or middle I don't care - just give me the motion of the ocean!!!! But then I've never been seasick!!

[eetonaee]

I believe that your room preference is affected by your lifestyle.

 

For example many people talk about the pleasure they get from sitting on their balcony enjoying breakfast or a pre-dinner drink. These are activities that neither I nor my DW of 35 years would find pleasurable. DW enjoys the darkness of an inside room so that she can sleep in while I like to get up early and have breakfast at the buffet and people watch. We are not big drinkers but when we do, we prefer to join others in bars or stroll around before dinner.

We're rarely up early enough to watch a ship come into port and at sailaway you can find me on the port-side outside deck watching last minute stragglers run for the ship while being jeered by other passengers.

 

On our upcoming cruise a balcony is about $500 per person more. That $1000 will go a long way to paying the airfare to Florida from the west coast as well as excursions and souvenirs.

 

Taking advantage of inside room bargains has allowed two people with moderate incomes the opportunity to take 5 cruises in the last 2 years. ( My wife has had one more than me with our daughter)

 

True - I have never sailed with a balcony room but for now to each his (or her) own.

[PaddleAddict]

I agree that it definitely depends on what YOU personally like to do.

 

I love, love, LOVE balconies and always book them (expect on my three-day cruises on a smaller ship; only suites have balconies and I'm definitely not paying for a suite for a three-day trip, but that's just me).

 

I love to have coffee and breakfast on the balcony when we are in port. I love to watch the sail away from the balcony. I love to have a glass of wine before dinner on the balcony. I love to just be able to sit out there alone and read and relax while taking in the ocean. We've seen some incredible lightening displays over the ocean while sitting on our balcony at night. On our next cruise, we're going to do the ultimate balcony dinner... so romantic!

 

For me, there is no question that a balcony is totally worth it!

[Travelrd]

I got a terrific "deal" on my first cruise in a mini suite and I travel solo. Now I can't book anything but a mini suite. Yes, I think you would appreciate the difference between an inside cabin and a cabin with a balcony, but I'm warning you....you will never go back! Just enjoy it

[Travelrd]

I got a terrific "deal" on my first cruise in a mini suite and I travel solo. Now I can't book anything but a mini suite. Yes, I think you would appreciate the difference between an inside cabin and a cabin with a balcony, but I'm warning you....you will never go back! Just enjoy it

[stoneharborlady]

We have an inside cabin for Carribean in October. Just got the opportunity for a balcony, all the way forward, Baja deck. We've never had a balcony before. Any comments about whether it's worth the extra expense would be appreciated. Is it big enough to enjoy? Can you fit a lounge chair? etc.

 

 

I would not take ANY cabin that is all the way forward. Movement is much more noticeable, and I prefer not to feel seasick. Also, often you cannot use the balcony if the ship is underway, as its too windy. Your cabin steward would lock the door and you would not have access to the balcony.

 

Karen

[Dani24]

This is highly subjective. DH and I had an obstructed ocean view cabin on our first cruise. This was perfectly fine, as we had some natural light in the room, to help me from feeling claustrophobic. We didn't spend a lot of time in the room anyway, except to sleep, shower, dress, etc. We found plenty of quiet spots on the ship (Sapphire Princess) where there was nobody else around, whenever we wanted that.

 

Then we went on another cruise for our 10 year dating anniversary last November (we just got married 10 days ago). This time we splurged on a balcony, because it was only a little bit more money. We got the Caribe deck balcony. We loved having a balcony, and certainly used it quite a bit. We even really enjoyed having the Ultimate Balcony Dinner on our balcony. We enjoyed naps on the balcony, and sometimes just left the door open for a breeze, or to hear the ocean. We'd certainly do it again.

 

However.... we would not, by any means, say it's a "must" or that we'd "never go back" to a non-balcony.

 

In fact, we booked a cruise for our honeymoon, and chose another obstructed view cabin. The price was $1300/per person MORE for a balcony than what we paid. Not worth it at all! We're doing a port-intensive Mediterranean cruise, and figured we wouldn't spend a lot of time on a balcony anyway, and would be just fine without it.

 

We did luck out though, and just found out today that we got upgraded to a balcony anyway! We're super excited to have it, but had we not gotten that upgrade, our cruise would have been just as awesome and fun.

 

One disappointment we do have with the balconies, that you should be aware of... Many people like to smoke on their balconies. If you are like DH and I, and hate cigarette smoke, and find it to be disgusting, offensive, and irritating to your lungs, then you may think twice about a balcony. We had a few neighbors who liked to light up whenever they were on their balcony, forcing us to leave our balcony and/or close the door. Granted, people have a right to do what they want to do. But it was just a big let down for us that we paid just as much for our balcony, but didn't get to enjoy it as much as smokers did because we were put out by their stench wafting onto our balcony/cabin. And, no... the "wind" from sailing did absolutely nothing to get rid of that smell.

[gambit57]

True - I have never sailed with a balcony room but for now to each his (or her) own.

 

And that's the key. You just don't know what you're missing. A cruise can be fantastic with an inside cabin. However, once you've experienced a balcony, it's EXTREMELY hard to go back. If you're a fan of cruising, you obviously experience joyful emotions while cruising. This emotion makes you cruise again vs other fun vacations such as an all inclusive resort, tour across some continent, etc. A balcony is like that too. It's emotional pull is quite strong, and it leads you to book another one even tho you know you had a perfectly fine time with an inside room that was much cheaper.

 

I've had both, and while I could, it's very tough to go back to an inside. My wife's only seen balconies. She'd rather go on another type of vacation than cruise without a balcony. She loves em that much.

[DocM3]

I was under the impression that the Princess ships were non-smoking. Not that it bothers me much(neither myself or my husband smoke). Am I wrong about the non-smoking policy?? Or are there places on board where it is OK?

[gambit57]

I was under the impression that the Princess ships were non-smoking. Not that it bothers me much(neither myself or my husband smoke). Am I wrong about the non-smoking policy?? Or are there places on board where it is OK?

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/features/articles.cfm?ID=225

 

Princess Cruises

 

Where You Can Smoke: Smoking is permitted in cabins, including balconies, on the open decks and in designated areas in most public rooms.

 

Where You Can't: Smoking is prohibited in show lounges, elevators, dining rooms and all food service areas.

 

Cigar and Pipe Smoking: Cigar and pipe smoking is permitted only on the open decks.

[Dani24]

I wish they were non-smoking! We'd definitely pay a little more to go on a non-smoking Princess cruise (even though I don't think that would really be fair).

 

Having to breathe in other people's smoke on the balconies, near the pool, in the casino, etc. is just not fun at all for us. And I was also dismayed to have accidentally stepped in someone's abandoned, poorly-placed and full ashtray up on one of the pool decks.

 

Don't believe the rumor that certain sides of the ship are smoking/non-smoking either. I researched that extensively (both online, and in person), and it's just not true!

[Grannycb]

Balconies are worth it if they are free upgrades.

[eetonaee]

And that's the key. You just don't know what you're missing. A cruise can be fantastic with an inside cabin. However, once you've experienced a balcony, it's EXTREMELY hard to go back. If you're a fan of cruising, you obviously experience joyful emotions while cruising. This emotion makes you cruise again vs other fun vacations such as an all inclusive resort, tour across some continent, etc. A balcony is like that too. It's emotional pull is quite strong, and it leads you to book another one even tho you know you had a perfectly fine time with an inside room that was much cheaper.

 

I've had both, and while I could, it's very tough to go back to an inside. My wife's only seen balconies. She'd rather go on another type of vacation than cruise without a balcony. She loves em that much.

 

But I do know that if I had to book balconies I would be missing one of the two cruises we have been taking a year due to the extra cost.

[NthernLgts]

If it meant the difference between going on a cruise or staying home noway . Im my case its the only way to. Early mornings and late nite on the Balcony can't be beat There is also something nice about a nice glass of wine watching the sun go down. Like my signature picture

 

Ditto to what Billfish says. I would take an inside, but REALLLY would prefer not to.

[cdngrl]

I got a terrific "deal" on my first cruise in a mini suite and I travel solo. Now I can't book anything but a mini suite. Yes, I think you would appreciate the difference between an inside cabin and a cabin with a balcony, but I'm warning you....you will never go back! Just enjoy it

you got a solo deal in a MINI-SUITE?!, man you must live right!;)

i'm also a solo traveller and maybe its a good thing i don't get deals like that, i can see how it would spoil me for anything 'less'.:) that said, i've mixed it up from inside/ outside/ balcony. i'm not in the room any more when i've had a balconly than an interior, but when i am in the balcony room it is nice to go outside and see what the temperature is like. i can't pay the balcony prices too often though--am waiting for a 'deal' like north phoenixguy!

[drakes2]

We've been in an inside cabin twice and once we tried a balcony, we could not go back. I sacrifice during the year in order to get the highest category in a balcony cabin on the Caribe deck. Worth every extra penny for us. We love the extra space on that deck as we enjoy conversation and a drink or two with some new friends.

Ditto to what Billfish says. I would take an inside, but REALLLY would prefer not to.

[retiring soon]

Hi! We've done everything but suites & enjoy a balcony. Next cruise on the Emerald TA is a Caribe so looking forward to that; however, next year's cruise on LOS is an inside since the price is double for a balcony ~ $2000. each will buy a lot of shore excursions, bingo etc.!:D

~Jo~ :)

[smoosh21]

I second that !! (my next cruise I booked a minisuite I hope I don't get hooked on those ):D

 

You will :D

I have sailed twice in an SA class Suite on HAL, and it is very, very tough to book lower. Even Concierge Class on Celebrity felt a little small.

[emodwarf]

I've only been on one cruise so far, but I honestly don't think I could ever try an inside cabin now, since we found a great deal on a balcony for that first cruise last December.

 

Granted, my girlfriend and I are more shy about meeting new people and jockeying for space in common areas, so maybe that's part of it. But it's so nice being able to, at any time, relax outside without hoping we can snag chaise lounges.

 

It really was wonderful sitting on our balcony after waking up, reading before the sun went down, and just listening to the waves at night. Another nice thing was getting to air dry wet bathing suits and towels. If the price difference is manageable for your budget, I'd definitely point you towards a balcony. =)

 

Of course, either way I'm sure you'll have a great time!

[allie's g]

I just noticed a price drop on the Ruby for 11-15. We upgraded from baja BD cat to caribe cat ba. I love the caribe balconys. Half covered gives you the best of both worlds.

[gambit57]

But I do know that if I had to book balconies I would be missing one of the two cruises we have been taking a year due to the extra cost.

 

Yup, that's why I made such a point about it causing such an emotional response. Others have talked about how it's like an addiction. Basically, it can cause such a strong feeling, you keep booking the balcony even tho the logical side of you is saying "we could better spend the money elsewhere"