Anyone else just enjoy time in their cabin?

[Grandpaul]

LOL.. that was so funny. Poor little butterfly.. ehehheheh.

 

Just to make you feel better I didn't kill the butterfly. I don't know if I could have even with a hammer.

[cweinzie]

I love to be in my cabin! I love my own space, all my stuff right there... Doing what I want, wearing what I want. I am SO thrilled we'll bee in a Penthouse this time!!

[Mrs. H.]

I love to be in my cabin! I love my own space, all my stuff right there... Doing what I want, wearing what I want. I am SO thrilled we'll bee in a Penthouse this time!!

 

Let me know how the Penthouse is. I can't wait for our cruise in May....1st time Penthouse!!!:D

 

Have a wonderful cruise!!

[CC Help Michell]

For us, the best part of a cruise is waking up in the morning (knowing you have no obligations for the day), and walking out on the balcony to discover what exists today beyond those curtains. It is the essence of paradise.

 

Folks who cruise in an inside cabin miss out on that experience. The beauty of the passing ocean, and the spectacular visuals that each port provides, are what distinguishes a cruise from all other vacations.

 

The experience of a suite, and the added benefits it provides, is a separate issue altogether. The only problem is that you never want to leave, and end up missing out on the rest of the ship.

 

Don't get me wrong; if you are satisfied with an inside cabin --- more power to you. I am glad that so many people book insides, as it frees up more balconies and suites for those of us who know better.

 

Caveat -- We do not book completely inside cabins with no natural daylight due to a kind of quirk of mine, discovered only when we were in an inside cabin -- we will book anything oceanview and up, however, and I WISH we could take a regular inside cabin.

 

I would never be so arrogant, condescending, and pompous as to post something like the above. Folks who cruise in an inside cabin can have exactly the experience mentioned above, simply by moving to an outside deck. This poster doesn't "know" anything "better" than I do, or than anyone else could discover by taking a few different cruises -- they just like to sound as if they do. :rolleyes:

[flowerchild]

I've been cruising since 1983 and have been in all kinds of cabins, including a miniscule cabin on the Commodore Caribe with 2 separate metal double bunk beds in 1985!

 

My first balcony was on my honeymoon 6 yrs ago, my husband's first cruise. We have only sailed in balconies/mini suites since then until our most recent cruise to Bermuda. It was a super budget vacation and we opted for an inside to save $$. My husband was fretting that he would feel clausterphobic and would not enjoy the cruise. To his surprise, he loved the inside cabin and the darkness it provides. He was able to sleep late, completely ignorant of the time of day. NCL's cabins are also on the larger side, compared to other lines. We enjoyed our little cabin, it was intimate and cozy.

 

Me, I could go either way; balcony, inside, whatever. If I can cruise twice as much by staying in an inside, that suits me just fine. I am flexible, if anything.

 

We just booked a 13 day repositioning cruise from Miami to LA, hitting Cartagena, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and the Mex Riviera...balconies were twice as much! I'll take the extra cash and shop and sightsee!

[redlef]

Sitting on the balcony is one of our favorite things. We have a private Happy Hour and discuss the world and just enjoy each others company. We often get up in the night just to go out there and sit either alone or together. I don't think I would take a cruise if I couldn't get a balcony.

 

Double Ditto!

[mooline]

How ironic to find this thread - my husband and I were discussing this topic just this morning!

 

We are among those who also spend time in the room. We're not gamblers and don't spend hours on end in bars. We do like to work out (and I especially loved the yoga classes on the Star) - but that takes just an hour or so of each day. On our recent Star trip, we did not make one single nightime show - we just hung out in the room and watched the scenery go by. In fact some nights we turned in as early as 10 pm! During sea days, we enjoyed our cabin for reading, napping or scenery-watching.

 

Knowing how we are, we realize that we probably would not be at all happy in a small cabin, unlike people who do go to the casino, shows, bars, etc and spend very little time in the room.

 

This is why there are so many room choices on the ship - something for all of us!

[Zimomiller]

Two words.... aft balcony

 

Shielded from the wind, sound of the wake, wonderful sunshine at different times of the day, 180 degree view.

[hophead]

I always hear/read about cruisers saying they don't care what type of cabin they get because they don't spend much time in there anyway.

 

I enjoy a nice cabin/suite/balcony cuz I do like to spend time in there.

 

Although there are lots of activities on board and fancy restaurants sometimes I like the peace and quiet and the solitude of my cabin/balcony. Watch a movie/nap/do yoga/hang out on the balcony reading a book.

 

The weird thing is that it's like a guilty pleasure as there seems to be so much pressure not to spend any time in the cabin.

 

Can't agree more. Some of our most relaxing times were on the balcony reading or just watching the water pass by.

[hat776]

I've only been on Med. cruises. There was just one sea day.

In the morning it was great to go out in the balcony to see the port. However, there won't be time to sit and relax in it as people leave the ship early at the Ports of Call.

On our return, we'd go to our cabin and freshen up, then meet up with friends at the Great Outdoors for sail away. The experience of seeing the port on both sides sure beats seeing it from the balcony. We'd do the same thing late at night.

We'd then go and rest for a while and , of course, it was lovely seeing the ocean from your bed. That's what I'd miss from an OV.

It's a pity that the OV window isn't bigger.

We make it a point of cruising out of school holidays so there are VERY few kids about. Maybe that's why we don't feel the need to retreat to our cabins so often as the Great Outdoors was always quiet and so was the pool area.

Most probably I'd choose a Balcony/Mini Suite again - not so much for the balcony but for the wall to wall glass. However, if the price difference was large I'd be willing to try an OV. Don't think I'd be happy in an Inside but I'd try it out if that was all I could afford. I'd rather cruise in an Inside than not at all.

[islandgirlejfan]

Our first two cruises we booked inside cabins because I actually believed that you weren't in the room quite that much. I found that an inside cabin is good for sleeping, but not much else. I booked our first balcony when we cruised on the Sky and while we ended up with an upsell, I would never cruise in anything less than a balcony ever again. My husband and I rarely have many quiet moments in our lives as he travels a lot for his job and all of our family obligations and so forth. We really enjoyed sitting in the quiet and peace of our own room/balcony enjoying the views and sea breezes. Funny, I keep distancing myself to December 5th trying to get through each day as we have had so many stressful things going on with the family. Gosh, I can't wait!

[Cubechick]

It was getting that first balcony cabin that really sold us on cruising for cruising sake (before we'd sailed to Bermuda many times aboard the Majesty, but that was all about going to Bermuda).

 

Now we're definite balcony snobs and spend a lot of time on our balcony and in our stateroom. Love watching the ocean, the ports, anything out there. And we love the peace and quiet. Even if you're just in the cabin it's nice to have the door open and the fresh air pouring in while you read or nap...aah!

 

If the balcony is attached to a suite even better! :rolleyes: But as long as we have a balcony we're happy cruisers.

[hateswaterloves2cruise]

We've also cruised in OV/balcony/suite and 1 nite in an inside. I guess I'm a little claustrophobic cause that wasn't good!! Our last cruise was an OV on the Majesty to Bermuda, our next an AE suite on the Dawn to So. Caribbean (25th anniversary). We splurged for out 1st balcony on our Alaska trip many years ago, and we love to sit on the balcony and enjoy the outdoors. Yes, you can see everything (and sometimes more) out on the main decks, but sometimes the quiet of your own slice of heaven just calls to you. DH likes to read (aka nap) on the balcony while I wander the ship checking things out. When the music at the pool area gets too much, or the noise of the general area just gets to you, it is so lovely to go back to your own room and chill on the balcony. I can't wait to experience the aft balcony in Feb. 10.:)

[thecatsmeow]

We also enjoy spending time in our cabin. Out on the balcony or just lying across the bed. It is so relaxing just watching the ocean. Probably one of the most relaxing points on our vacation.

 

Joyce

[arlee]

My husand and I sailed on the Dawn in March (our first cruise). We had a balcony and really enjoyed it. We eat our breakfast there everyday (I miss that now)! I certainly put my binoculars to good use. And I found the balcony to be quite private - sometimes we could hear our neighbors, but couldn't see them. I especially liked watching all the ships going back to Miami on our last night - the way they were lit up was beautiful.

[smc0320]

I always hear/read about cruisers saying they don't care what type of cabin they get because they don't spend much time in there anyway.

 

I enjoy a nice cabin/suite/balcony cuz I do like to spend time in there.

 

Although there are lots of activities on board and fancy restaurants sometimes I like the peace and quiet and the solitude of my cabin/balcony. Watch a movie/nap/do yoga/hang out on the balcony reading a book.

 

The weird thing is that it's like a guilty pleasure as there seems to be so much pressure not to spend any time in the cabin.

 

Yes...my other half does. He lives to get out & do things, but he also loves to just lie in the room & nap/ I got mad it him for that, because we didn;t have to come on vacation to just lie in the room....but it's his vacation too...if that's what he want to do, then do it. Although we did have a very nice suite with a huge balcony. My 1st cruise I had in inside room....HATED being in there. So it depends I guess. I'd still rather be sleeping up on deck with the masses than lying in my room.

[Zeno]

I am one of those people who spend very little time in my cabin - so I am afraid that a balcony is pretty much wasted on me. I like to be on an upper deck - ocean and people watching when the ship is at sea.

 

Edited to add:

HOWEVER if anyone wants to donate a luxury suite to me, I promise that I will spend more time in my cabin!

[HMK8273]

People say you go on a cruise to see places but we also use it as a time to be free of everything from home - no dog walking, no telemarketers, no driving home from work - the traveling comes with you. Unpack once and you are done. So we like to come "home" to more than just the typical cabin - we like the large bathrooms, the big balconies, the sitting area, etc. Sleeping in, staying up late watching TV with no cares in the world except when do we need to be in the theater for an excursion and when is breakfast being delivered?

 

Have always booked at least a balcony cabin - when we started cruising we were smokers - so we needed the outside for the habit - we would never smoke in our cabins. But we kicked the habit (this year in fact) but got addicted to the suite life - I think a fair trade. We like the room, spreading out, entertaining, bigger balconies, etc.

 

Glad we had an AC on the Jade in Sept. '09 - my partner's carpul tunnel (sp?) acted up and we got stuck in our cabin for 1 1/2 days while he recovered (after visiting the shipboard doctor). Without the DVD player, the balcony, the butler service - we would have gone stir crazy!! I wasn't about to leave him alone - maybe to gamble a little - because cabin fever did kick in - but we would have killed each other if we were in something smaller. So to me - it is worth the extra money for the bigger cabin.

 

Do we travel less often? Sure but we make up for it when we do go - last few trips have been at least 2 weeks and the next 2 are that long. When the money runs out, lord help me - I may need to go with some sort of 12 step plan - to deal with the withdrawal - but doing it while we are young.

 

So whatever cabin we do end up in is a big part of our trip - it just doesn't turn into a room where we sleep.

[4boysnana]

I have cruised with an OV,balconies and one wonderful aft penthouse. I might have to cruise a little less often but I will always have a balcony from now on. My favorite part of cruising is relaxing on the balcony. I will always remember the soothing sounds and wonderful sights. If I could retire on a boat I would consider myself lucky.

I understand they include all the different cabins to give us all choices but for me, my cares slip away as soon as I open that door and step on my own little balcony.

My dream right now would be one of the spa balconies on the Epic. AHHHH.

[OfcSupport]

We've always cruised in an inside cabin. I have an new dilema. We booked one of the large inside cabins on the Spirit. It looks to be almost twice the size of the balcony and other inside cabins. The price has dropped and I can now take the balcony for an extra $400. The problem is that there are three of us and my son is 16 and taller than my husband. I'm trying to figure out if sitting out on a balcony is going to outweigh the fact that we will be tripping over each other in the small cabin.

 

I know if I take the balcony there will be no turning back in the future.

[4boysnana]

Once you have tried a balcony you will be hooked. The way I look at it is that I won't be spending any money on drinks and very selective tours so my money goes to the room.

We put the little room service card on the door and have a relaxing breakfast on the balcony. It is a great way to start the day.

[IrishKathy]

As others have stated, we LOVE our aft AE suite. On last year's transatlantic on the Jewel I can't tell you how many hours we spent sitting out on the balcony, watching the wake, and just reveling in our luck and life.

 

We are in the exact suite on our upcoming Pearl cruise to Alaska. Can't wait to watch the glaciers from our suite.:D

 

Kathy

[downsized]

We're so glad to see this post.

 

Neither of us has been on a cruise before, and our usual vacations are to Las Vegas. We never spend much time in our room at Vegas, but do enjoy the view late at night, so we always try to book a room with a view of the strip.

 

I booked a balcony on this cruise thinking that I would most certainly enjoy seeing the moon and stars reflecting off the ocean, as well as the city lights late at night.

 

40 years together, and she still puts up with me!

[tallblonde]

Years ago, Princess upgraded my husband & me to a balcony cabin - and it's been balconies ever since - they KNEW what they were doing !!! *LOL* I'm in sales - so I "talk" for a living - and when cruising there's nothing better than relaxing in the cabin and on the balcony. My husband on the other hand LOVES everything about a cruise ship & is always out & about - but he always brings back lots of news from roaming around the ship & my mudslide *LOL* That's what I love about cruising - you can do as much - or as little - as you want to do! :)

[SteveH2508]

On our first cruise we sprung for a BA balcony on the Jewel and the romance package (bubbly & strawberries on arrival, Le Bistro dinner etc..)

 

Sitting on OUR balcony (well for a few days anyway!) sipping bubbly as we set off is the BEST way to start a holiday!

 

Coffee and juice from room service on the balcony in the morning is rather good as well.

 

Also you get some good photo/video opportunities from the balcony (dolphins in the Irish sea for example)