What Catagory Cabin Do You Usually Book?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Hi, A few months ago someone had noted that it seemed everyone on this board only booked Suites. There were several posts that stated differently. Since someone else said we were boring on this board I thoughT I would start a new Topic/Poll. If I did this poll right you should be able to vote for past cruise and future cruise. I will also block so no one know what you voted.:D

[Tatka]

Double post

[Tatka]

I only cruised 2 times(with 1 coming in August) with North American Cruise companies.

We had outside on Celebrity Century( I and our 11 years old son)
and inside cabin on RCI Splendour ( I and my husband).

This will be our first cruise together and we booked inside.

1) First of all we don't spend alot of time in our cabin.
2) We are still relatievely young (31 and 32 y.o) and while we are both professionals can't afford to pay for 2 suite vacations a year. (plus hockey and other camps for our kid)
3) We prefer to spend money on tours (specially in port intensive cruises like our last one in Mediterranean sea)
4) Beside bigger room (buttler on some other lines, priority tendering etc)most of the services are equal to all pax.

[tomc]

I book a guaranteed share (inside, K cat) and get whatever HAL gives me. Usually the Upgrade Fairy is nice and I get an outside, the last time it was an inside.

[blndee77]

Having sailed with my parents years ago, we started in inside quads on Carnival then went with smaller lines and ships (Commodore's Caribe and Celebrity's Meridian) which allowed us to get a suite for what we had spend on an inside.

Of course, a lot has changed in cruise pricing and you can now get a lot more for your dollar (not considering inflation, however - I'm not an economist and really haven't done that kind of analysis nor would I want to).

The last few years as my husband and I have been starting our career paths we have chosen inside cabins just so that we could get away more frequently and we didn't, like most, spend much time in the cabin. Now we are three and need the extra space, and we have been lucky enough to have received promotions at work resulting in extra vacation money (who wouldn't love that), so we will be in our first verandah cabin this fall.

From what I hear, we will not want to go back to anything else. Would love to regularly book a suite, but we're young - we have plenty of time to get there! And we never know if we will meet the upgrade fairy!

[Krazy Kruizers]

:D

Just the "suite" life for us.

:D

[Stevesan]

Our favorite was when we booked a cat 5 outside on Mercury (our first X cruise) and were upgraded to a sky suite, complete w/butler. Not Bad at all!
Never have gotten an upgrade on HAL. on S class we usually booked an outside on lower promenade, but moved to Main deck for next cruise because we're tired of having to keep the drapes closed 24/7. You can see inside quite clearly on Maasdam, even in daylight (I checked it out). Took an SS on our only Vista class cruise. Excellent state room. It was very roomy with a nice balcony, but, except in Alaska, we don't use the balcony enough to make it worthwhile. Booked a minisuite on our Veendam Alaska cruise mainly because of taking our grandson along. We got extensive use out of the balcony then - so much to see.

[CaptData]

Since I'm single and disabled, I've always booked an inside. This will be my first HAL trip and I won a little at bingo so I splurged and got an outside on my up coming Southern Carb 6-17 Feb 05.

I plan on Hawaii next but I think I'll go with a balcony gty as I do not know if I will get another chance to go to Hawaii. :D :D :D

[akeka]

Our first two cruises were outsides, but ever since we've booked insides and usually guarantees. I've always received an upgrade on guarantee cabins.

We can go more often if we book an inside and I personally like the darker room.

[iluvcruzin]

There really isn't any "normal" room booking for me anymore. It's like the choices of cruise lines.. variety. Since I'm a single mom, I tend to not book balconies or higher unless traveling with someone else who pays 1/2. If I'm paying for 2 or more myself, I tend to budget just a tad bit. It's been 12 years since I had an inside cabin.. but I'm going to try it again this fall. My daughter doesn't care if it's inside or outside as long as she's onboard.

[Cruiseoften]

We usually book a mid-ships 'C' (lower prom deck) on HAL ships - it's referred to as the 'all around verandah'.

We've tried verandah cabins 'A' and 'B' and no question, they're nice and do have a couple of extra perks - VCR in room, bathrobes (now in all cabins I understand) and stocked fridge (understand we could rent one if we chose to.) On the down side, it was frequently too hot to sit out, more interesting views were on the other side of the ship, etc. etc., very noisey neighbors, pipe and cigar smoke blowing in on us. One day we might aspire to a suite but can't really see that two people need that much space unless they plan to entertain while on board. Guess we'll stick with our 'C' unless the price is too good to turn down ;)

[sail7seas]

Always an "S" for us ....last cruise we were in "PS".

If an "S" is not available for a date we wish to sail, we book a different date or different cruise.

Our accomodation comfort is that important to us.
I know it is not very important to everyone; I know some folks only use their cabin to sleep, shower and change. I know that is fine for them. We use our cabin; enjoy our veranda and the extra comfort. For us, it is worth it.

[RevNeal]

I normally book a J-category inside cabin on the S and R ships. Then, once I've gotten the cruise paid for (or almost so) I sometimes pay for an upgrade (unless one is offered freely, which has happened twice). I prefer to stay on the Lower Promenade Deck, near amidships, because that puts me close to the outside deck and makes getting anywhere on the ship a snap. I have, twice, upgraded to an A or B category outside with balcony (aka, "Minisuite" on the S-class ships).

You can see inside quite clearly on Maasdam, even in daylight (I checked it out).

The two times I've been in Lower Promenade outside cabins it was very difficult to see inside during the day, and only marginally easier at night (due to the outside lights being on). My parents frequently book C-category outsides on the Lower Promenade deck, and Mom says that she's never been able to see inside her cabin from the outside without cupping her eyes and putting her nose up against the window. I know when I've tried it was hard to make out Chris' face on the inside, and he was kneeling on the bed RIGHT there, until I put my nose to the window and cupped my eyes to crowd out the surrounding outside light.

So ... milage may differ from ship to ship and cabin to cabin. :)

[tankerjo2]

!st cruise we ever took was on the World Explorer Cruiseline who's only ship was the "Universe", an ancient vessel with an inside cabin which was decked out with 2 bunkbeds, a desk and metal straight chair, a couple metal type wall lockers and a head we would just as soon forget. Other than the accommodations it was a wonderful 2 weeks. Over the past few years my wife has dicovered the joys of having her own veranda...so after a few more cruises booked with inside and outside cabins she said no more and the past half dozen trips have been Cat. B. type cabins. We have a December cruise coming up on the Ryndam and she had to have her balcony...can't say I blame her but it has caused us to stretch our $$$'s and has cut back on how often we can go. Rough life, eh?

[RevNeal]

S7S --

That's great. I'd love to be able to afford it, but even if I could I don't think I'd spend enough time in the cabin (and on the balcony) to merit the expense.

For those, like you, who do, and who value and love it, I say "GO FOR IT!" And ... while you're at it ... invite this small-church pastor in for drinks on formal night! :D (shameless hint)

[Vic The Parrot]

Just give me a cabin with a porthole or two, and I'm happy.

Don't care where I"m going, at least I'm on board.

[RevNeal]

We have a December cruise coming up on the Ryndam and she had to have her balcony...can't say I blame her but it has caused us to stretch our $$$'s and has cut back on how often we can go. Rough life, eh?

Tell me about it! One of the PRIMARY reasons why I don't book an S category is because I KNOW that if Christopher gets a taste of it, he'll NOT be happy with less. And I can't afford it. But ... wait ... HE can. I should let HIM pay!

Yeah ... that's the ticket!

[Roz]

I had an inside cabin on the Maasdam's Lower Promenade deck, and I can vouch for what Rev. Neal said. I tried looking into my cabin and really had to work to see anything, even with my face pressed up against the window.

At night I pulled the curtains, and secured them with a safety pin.

I usually book an inside guarantee (translation: she dwells with the squid) and hope for the best. I was thrilled when I got upgraded to an outside on the LP deck.

Roz

[RevNeal]

Roz,

What I think may be the case is that SOME of the windows on the Lower Prom deck are not quite as reflective on the outside as they should be. That could certainly be the case. In which case, that should be fixed.

[jhannah]

We have never booked less than a veranda cabin because we do spend time in the cabin and outside. I know such a cabin is not important to many cruisers ... and that's fine. But it's an integral part of the cruise for us. One time we were upgraded to an SS, once to a full suite (another line). This time, we've booked an SS because the rates were so good when we booked.

[SharonN]

I guess we normally book one of the cheaper Outside cabins but have booked Insides several times and were perfectly happy with them. I usually look at the difference in price and try to decide if I think it's worth it for that trip and time. We did an Inside on our Baltic Cruise a couple of years ago and used the difference to pay for the Tour to Moscow which is something we'll never forget. I was able to upgrade our "free" cruise for next Jan to an Outside for about $170 each so that seemed worth doing. We will probably book a Balcony for our Alaska cruise in 06 since I could see us spending more time on it with the scenery there and it will be for our 30th. Just not sure we'd use it much on most of the other cruises. The only cabin we wouldn't book again is the one we had on the Delta Queen Riverboat. It was an Outside cabin and the only one available when I booked but it had bunk beds, almost no floor space, and no closet (hooks on the wall). Only one of us could be out of bed at a time. My husband had to take his shower kneeling down. Even so we laughed so much when we were in there and the rest of the trip was so great we're still glad we did it. I'm just glad they give us a choice!

[Southbound]

Our first cruise was a 7-day on the Olympia (Greek Lines) from NYC to Bermuda in the late 60s. We had an inside room on the lowest deck, with bunkbeds. The room was so small, when one of us wanted to change clothes, the other had to stand outside in the hall. That was the best we could afford at the time, but had a ball & came home thrilled by the cruise experience.

In the '70s, we did a 7-day on the Homeric; a 10-day on the Rotterdam V and an 11-day on the Raffaelo from NYC and were able to afford an outside on a lower deck.

Not able to cruise in the 80s, but in '96 we sailed from Aruba on the Seawind Crown and had the owner's suite (how sweet it was). Have taken 3 HAL cruises in the last 18 mos; 10 days on the Volendam (love that ship) in a Cat. B; 7-day Zuiderdam in a B; and 7-day Oosterdam in an S (couldn't resist the great price). This past Jan we booked a BB on the 14-day Dec. 22 sailing of the Rotterdam VI as our anniv. present to each other and are really looking forward to it.:) :)

[SANDY BEACH]

Balcony, definitely. I have been lucky enough with Holland's great prices to travel in "S" Suites. Really spoiled but love it.

[localady]

Balcony here too!:cool: That and a good book and I have obtained nirvana.

Somestimes a minisuite and if there is a sweet deal we will book a Suite;)
I agree with others, we use our cabin and balcony alot, in fact that is the vacation for us many times. Not too big on the planned events anymore, how many "art sales" can you go too???:eek:

[tomc]

How many "art sales" can you go too???
You have to go to them all, if you want to get from one part of the ship to another. At first, I was hesitant to walk thru the exhibit until I noticed that there was no other pathway. Then I just marched resolutely, darn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.

[sail7seas]

Tom... :)


Rev.....Were we to be aboard a "dam" ship together, it would be our pleasure if you would join us for cocktails either en suite or a lounge of your choice. Formal night, informal, casual.....any (or all) of them would be fine.

Hey Tom..... Hope you'd join us if you should be aboard the same "dam" ship.

[BCEagle78]

We have been going the "Inside Guarantee" route the last couple of times. I did not see that as an option on the poll. We don't book inside or outside but "inside guarentee". This has always seemed the best value and allows us to cruise a little more often.

[Peggy Sue]

we booked an s last may on the zuiderdam..loved it so much, we've booked b-t-b s on the oosterdam in November.

prior to this we have sailed in an inside, outsie and verandah cabins. each time going a step up.

Now I don't think we can go backwards.... we really loved the S suite, and we spent a great deal of our cruise on at sea days enjoying our verandah..it wa pure heaven.

[Mary Ellen]

I didn't vote in the poll, as what my vote would have been doesn't accurately answer the question "Which Catagory (sic) Do you Usually Book for Your Cruise?"

We don’t have a ‘usual’ category. On HAL we’ve had inside and outside cabins with upper/lower berths, inside cabin, verandah mini-suite (as it was known then) and on our last cruise, an S suite.

Will we book an inside cabin again? Possibly. Will we book an S suite again? We’d love to - if we get a wonderful price as we did last time. Most likely it will be an outside or possibly a verandah. Depends on price, itinerary, and if we’re sailing with others.

We just don’t fit in a category.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

There is only room for 10 options when doing a poll so any guarantee options belong inder what your guarantee is such as an Inside Guarantee you should vote for an Inside Cabin.

As for what we usually do, my last 2 HAL cruises were a B Catagory both on Vista Class ships so we had a balcony. Our very first cruise was with RCL and we had an Outside cabin but it was one of the expanded larger cabins just below the balcony deck on the Monarch if I remember right it was 9th floor.

Our next cruise will be on the Ryndam and we actually booked an Inside cabin on the Navaigation Deck. We have thought many times about booking a S or SS but we really want to take at least 2, 7 days cruises per year by booking a lessor catagory we can easily afford 2 cruises a year.:) Tom is actually excited about an Inside cabin due to the fact he is one of those that likes the room extremely dark when he sleeps. Since I always have a wake up call very early to get up for the gym we did not think the Inside cabin would bother us, especially since we are just down the hall from the Aft Pool.

[Tatka]

After re-reading all posts I want to add that we tend to travel during the peak seasons when our son is on school vacation and prices high. Maybe if we had the opportunity to be on ship in off-season(and not in Europe where we spend alot on land tours) and got a reasonable deal on balconies we would've tried them.

P.S. I read some interesting reviews on www.cruisereviews.com that mentioned "inside" dwellers. I found them funny. (to be honest even a little bit offensive) I am happy for people who can afford suites and have no slightest intention to critisize them but they should understand that we "inside" people aren't that bad. ;)

[Orcrone]

Last year there was not much difference between an inside and outside, so the decision was easy. No balconies on that ship.

This year we were not going to go on a cruise because of the large vacation last year. But the price of the Maasdam out of Norfolk was right, and we don't need airline tickets. So we figured we'd have an extra vacation since it was relatively inexpensive and went for an inside. It would only be another $320 total for an outside, but although it is still a good buy, we're having trouble justifying it as we were not planning on taking a cruise this year.

[terrascape]

Since we returned to cruising in 2002 after a several year break we have had two inside, four outside, and one balcony. On average we spend very little time in the room, so if we need to be "thrifty", an inside roon is OK, but an outside cabin is preferred. Our only balcony was on our transatlantic this spring. It was great to spend all the sea days sitting outside reading, snoozing or just watching the sea. We would probably make every effort to get a balcony on any of cruise that is heavy into sea days. The port intensive itineraries we find ourselves rarely in the room, and would rather spend our $$ on other things. Airfare is a large part of our equation in determining the type of room. Coming from the Northwest, it can get expensive to fly to some of the destinations. Yet for us, an Alaska cruise is a super deal as our only transportation cost is gas for our 2.5 hour drive to Vancouver plus parking or a 30 minute drive to downtown Seattle.

[Debi_D]

When we started to sail (1985) we booked an inside, then we were upgraded to outside so of course we started booking outside. Well then we finally booked a veranda and that was it, then was upgraded to a Suite and now it has been Suites for us. The hubby is a big guy 6'2" and the little showers do not cut it for him, plus I really like the extra room to move about and we all know how large the balconies are on HAL :D

Once on Celebrity we were in a 2A small cabin and were upgraded to a Royal Suite 639 sq ft with butler, I had my own bedroom and living room and that wasn't even the Penthouse Suite:eek: Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!

Deb

[AWOL]

Our first and second cruise were outside but we were never there except to sleep so quit wasting money and have only had insides since
Regards
Roger

[Luvinlife1018]

I usually book cat c the poor man's balcony on the S class ships.

[777steve]

I'm always fascinated by what other people's drivers are... what makes them do what they do. I like hearing about the one's who say "I'd rather book inside and go more often" or "I like port intensive itineraries" or whatever else may be the key for their decisions.

I remember my first cruise aboard the Carnival Holiday... cabin M88! :) It was a regular old cabin with a window. And I became virtually an instant addict to watching the sea. Those cabin window sills were wide enough that one could actually sit in the window. I was mesmerized. And, for me, the whole idea of the ports was extremely secondary. They're very nice, but not essential.

All of that said... I am still enamored of the waves and I remain almost claustrophobic. So that makes my choice clearer. I don't take a cruise vacation as a way to "go somewhere". The ship is the destination. The rest of it is merely a happy by-product. And like others have said, a breeze and a book can make me very happy. So the cabin and vista are critically important to me and my partner.

We need space and a view. That makes an S the only real choice for us. Other perks make it an added win, but the real driver is the biggest balcony and the most interior space. We do value our cabin and verandah time quite a lot.

So, unlike others who would rather cruise more and don't need their cabins to be such retreats, we have the opposite view. We would rather sail rarely and really enjoy something that is special to us. Better one spectacular than 10 just so.

Just my opinion... but this thread is a fun read.

Cheers!

[tomc]

What makes a difference?

(a) The ship is my destination; don't give any part of a rat's anatomy where it's going. (b) I'd rather travel often, so I book a guaranteed share and take my chances (as does my unknown roommate), so I get more cruises for my $$; I'll wait for heaven to have the Owner's Suite. (c) Time of year, length and destination is completly dependent on when the ship is doing a r/t (or b2b) from NYC or Boston.

[chellbird]

November will only be our second cruise. We had a suite (S) on the Zaandam and were wonderfully spoiled. The suite ammenities were awesome back then (2000). Our favorite part was having breakfast served on our balcony the morning we arrived in Jamaica. Juha took a picture of us (one of my favorites of the two of us) and we looked as happy as we felt! :) We also had the privilege of being seated in the dining room with the penthouse people (PHPs):cool: . We experienced some of their perks because of our proximity, and they invited us for champagne, shrimp and a penthouse tour on one of the formal nights.

Obviously it's been 4 years since that cruise. We can't afford to go as often as most of you are able to go. I guess if we went to a less expensive cabin we might could go more often, but like I said - we were spoiled. It will be difficult for us to book anything less now that we've experienced the best.

[Druke I]

Gross generalization, but usually a mid-ship outside cabin is fine by us. Much of our choice is driven by the ship's design, and particular itinerary.

We have booked balconies (verandahs) on some itineraries, and enjoyed them.

We truthfully spend little time in our cabins, so perhaps we do not feel a need for a mini-suite or full suite, although they certainly can be comfortable.

[Beryl]

My one and only cruise to date with HAL was a standard outside cabin on the Ryndam. It was by far the best laid out cabin I have ever been in. I would really like to do a balcony cabin next time...a full suite would be even better :D!

[gliles]

Whatever the best deal is but we have only ever done an inside once and it really bothered me waking up and not knowing if it's day or night.

We did the Owner's Suite twice on the Norway and that was really nice, every other time we have done outsides or balconies. I really like the balcony but we got a really good deal on the Ryndam a couple years ago on an outside for a 12 day cruise so that was the deal of the moment. We try to cruise twice a year and can only afford it if we get a good deal.

[valeriequeenofthesea]

We've only cruised once, but booked an outside guarantee. We were upgraded to a veranda and truly enjoyed it. What we could see of the outside cabins didn't look that great. You would actually have had to kneel on the bed to be able to see anything. Maybe they're not all like that, but we spend a lot of time on our veranda so I'm spoiled now. Course, we went to Alaska, and maybe that's more of a destination for viewing scenery.
Guess I'll just have to stay tuned to the cruise critics message boards so I'll be the most informed cruiser I can be.

[ron46936]

We are like most cruisers and try to book the best value. It's just that what people value differs. Usually it's an Inside but occasionally an Outside . We did a balcony once and enjoyed that.

We just enjoy the relaxing cruise experience, but I will pay extra for no Bingo announcements.

[cusyl]

We like to cruise often and go for quantity rather than quality. The way we look at it is at least we are on the ship with the same food, music, ports as the suite passengers.
However, once we were upgraded to a suite with a butler thru the Panama Canal and have a minisuite on our upcoming Princess cruise. So, if we could afford to sail suites we would....but it just isn't important to us.
Same reason why some folks drive Fords and others drive Cadillacs and Mercedes I guess.

[catlib55]

Our last cruise was a short one in January on the Fantasy. It was a last minute decision, and we booked an inside cabin. I really didn't like it. I like being able to see outside and know what the weather is like, and maybe see the port or land.
On the Statendam, we had a Cat. B minisuite. I loved it! We used the balcony quite often, but never use the VCR or the mini-bar. So on the Rotterdam, we are getting an outside cabin, Cat. H guarantee.
Most of the cruises we have been on, we have had an outside cabin. I like having a window or porthole.
'Til we sail on Rotterdam,
Mary Ellen

[MandyGirl]

I'm a teacher, so that limits us in two ways:

1) income (a degree in mathematics doesn't pay hardly any money in teaching)
2) vacation schedule (can only cruise in "peak" season when students are not in school and prices are higher)
and
3) we choose our cabin for proximity to the pool (sometimes an outside can be cheaper than the inside we are booking due to deck level but we prefer the location)

That being said, we book an "inside-I" and use any extra money we save for the cruise for excursions and onboard things. We are only in our cabin to sleep, shower and change. On HAL, we book an inside on the Nav deck with suites - less passenger traffic and great proximity to Lido deck and Crow's nest. On Celebrity and NCL, we also booked insides on the suite-deck level, but did splurge and book a suite (no balcony) on a different cruise - our wedding cruise on NCL. Our cruises thus far have all been Caribbean, and spending less on one cruise enables us to take our next cruise even sooner. :)

However, when we finally do take the two cruises on our 'dream list' - Panama Canal and Alaska - we will save even more to definitely have a balcony. No question about that.

[GAndie]

I always book a suite with a balcony. I spend a lot of time in my cabin and a lot of time on the balcony.

[SHayesShip]

In my last 7 cruises I have an outside cabin w/ balcony (4), Mini-suites (2) and standard outside (1).
I have a mini-suite booked on the Diamond Princess for Nov/04 and an SS suite on the Oosterdam Nov/05. Pricing on the Oosterdam was actually a few dollars less then the Diamond so I locked in the rate.

Steve Hayes


Hi, A few months ago someone had noted that it seemed everyone on this board only booked Suites. There were several posts that stated differently. Since someone else said we were boring on this board I thoughT I would start a new Topic/Poll. If I did this poll right you should be able to vote for past cruise and future cruise. I will also block so no one know what you voted.:D

[RevNeal]

I am not at all surprised at the distribution and diversity of categories represented on this board. We come from all over the ship ... what a cruise we'd all make! :)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Revneal, I was just going to post the same. It was once said several months ago that someone thought most everyone on this board booked Suites. I would say it is a nice Mix. Actually I would love to cruise with everyone on this board. Maybe someday we can put together a CC HAL Cruise.

[RevNeal]

Actually I would love to cruise with everyone on this board.

Ditto.

A CC group cruise would be great. There has been talk about it in the past, but we never could get it together. The closest we seem to be coming is the Veendam Nov/Dec 2005 cruise. That's a big group ... a lot of CC folk on it (including yours truly).

[localady]

LaffnVegas- I think it's be great to have you and yours join all of us on our "Unofficial" CC Veendammers Cruise. There are still booking available and the price can't be beat! Many of us have voiced interest in snorkeling group excursions and a floating cocktail Party on a couple of Balcony's for RevNeal;) Hope you and anyone else that is reading this thinks about joining us!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I would love to be on that cruise but unfortuately with my job I cannot be gone on the last 5 days of a month or the first 5 days of a month. So if there is ever one in the middle of the month we would probably book it.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I am guessing this cruise is the 14 day Southern Caribbean. That cruise looks wonderful but I would never be able to take that much time off work let alone be gone those particular days, now if there was a 7 day, earlier in the month of November I would be calling my TA tomorrow to book.

:confused: Revneal this cruise falls under Advent isn't this getting into your busy time of year or does being Senior Minister have it's priviledges?:p Also Revneal I justed want to mention to you that I was born, raised, and married in the United Methodist Church. I was even a Certified Lay Leader but about 12 years ago switched to ELCA Lutheran due to getting frustrated with the Methodist Church moving our favorite Minister out of state.:( Talk about getting OFF SUBJECT:o Sorry everyone.

[RevNeal]

Revneal this cruise falls under Advent isn't this getting into your busy time of year or does being Senior Minister have it's priviledges?

Yes ... its overlaps Advent by 2 weeks. That last happened in 2002 when I took my cruise to Hawaii. Normally, I don't like being gone during Advent or Lent, but I do sometimes miss a Sunday during those seasons. Also, you're correct, being the senior pastor of a church does have its advantages over being either the only pastor or an associate. My associate pastor will be happy to get to preach some Advent sermons. :) He so rarely gets the chance.

Also Revneal I justed want to mention to you that I was born, raised, and married in the United Methodist Church. I was even a Certified Lay Leader but about 12 years ago switched to ELCA Lutheran due to getting frustrated with the Methodist Church moving our favorite Minister out of state. Talk about getting OFF SUBJECT Sorry everyone.

It's a small world. Sorry to hear about the conflict, but iteneracy is the Methodist way of doing things ... the Bishop says "move," the clergy move. I've had to move several times over the last 15 years of ministry, often agreeable but not always. Thankfully, I'm probably where I'm going to be for a number of years yet (I'd like to stay here up to 7 more years ... 10 years is about as long as most UM clergy can hope to stay in any one appointment).

[F5Loar]

To save money I always book as cheap as I can go so that is usually inside bottom deck. You can always move up should you win the lottery or a rich Uncle die before you cruise. And if you book low you have a better chance of being visited by the free upgrade fairy, especially if you have a room for 4.

[kryos]

Hi, A few months ago someone had noted that it seemed everyone on this board only booked Suites. There were several posts that stated differently.
I'm sure a suite is very nice ... and the balcony would be heavenly ... but I usually travel solo, so a suite just wouldn't be cost-effective. Also, I'd rather book the cheapest category of cabin and use the money saved for other things that are important to me ... like taking shore excursions in port.

After all, I don't go on a cruise to spend much time in the cabin ... so inside works fine for me.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Roadwork]

We book whatever type of cabin our budget will allow. We have stayed in many different type of staterooms. I do enjoy verandahs and try to book them when possible.

[alexMD]

When I'm at sea I need to sleep in the fresh ocean air. This means I need at least a balcony. I also appreciate the extra space afforded by a suite.

[lipoppop]

My first cruise was on a military transport where we slept three or four high in bunks. KP in 110 degrees. I felt there could be something better.

Our first cruise was an outside C on the Veendam lower promanade deck. You could not see into the cabin from the outside.

I decided to visit Ethiopia and my DW decided not to go with me. She booked an A veranda on the Volendam and took our daughter in law. She raved so much about the cabin and especially the veranda that we only book that now.

The veranda A on the Westerdam was not good. Cabin is smaller than a regular outside by 30 square feet. So I swore off the Vista ships and booked the Amsterdam, A guarantee, our favorite, for November 2005. Before that who knows- depends on how much snow we get and how persuasive my TA or wife is.

[bepsf]

For my first ever cruise I had originally booked a balcony - then I got an unexpected bonus so upgraded to an SS. It was the best thing I've ever done for myself - the jacuzzi tub, breakfast on the big verandah every am, the minibar (Could they please stock more champagne and premium beers?!?) for cocktails on the verandah in the evenings & room to entertain...

Was fortunate enough to book the last available corner S for Alaska next year - mainly because I want to see Alaska both coming and going - otherwise I'd be perfectly thrilled w/ an SS again.

I don't make tons of money but vacations allow me to live out my dreams so for me personally I'd rather do a single lavish cruise vacation in a suite every year than more frequent cruises in smaller staterooms (I don't have the vacation time for more anyway) therefore economizing on accomodations just isn't an option for me personally.

[jhannah]

Brian, you make a valid point. A cruise vacation is a real treat. Many folks like to take the cheapest accommodations possible and take more cruises. That's great if you have the time available to do it two, three or more times each year. But for those with limited vacation time, as you mentioned, the cruise is a true luxury. Why scrimp on your one good shot per year to let loose and get away from it all?

[dakrewser]

We prefer balcony cabins, but the cabin isn't as important as the "experience". If you've ever done a canal barge cruise (in a 6' x 8' cabin with a shower that's only 5'10" high!), then you can appreciate the space on any of the HAL ships!

[sea-n-me]

What a fun thread! We are spoiled, I am ashamed to say, and will only book an "S" suite. We enjoy all the amentities, the larger cabin and balcony. Not to mention the sublime peace and quiet of relaxing on the balcony and staring out at that wonderful sea with a cup of Cafe Latte and a good book in hand. We are only able to cruise once a year, so the extra $$ are well worth it IMO.

[ElaineB2]

Oops!

[ElaineB2]

I've never cruised on HAL, but on our Infinity Alaska cruise we had a standard Verandah cabin. First cruise was on RCI's Majesty, we had outside cabin. I'm now spoiled with balcony cabin and I won't say that I'll never book anything else but it will be difficult.

If I could afford to, it would be PH or Owner's suite for me all the time. Accommodations are VERY important to me when I'm on vacation - sometimes as important if not more important than where I'm travelling. I know - probably doesn't make any sense, but that is just me. To each his own.

My problem is I have caviar taste on a tuna fish budget!!! So, as a result I probably travel less than I could because when I do - I like "splurge" according to my standards.

[ElaineB2]

I'm hoping to travel more after the kids are done with college!!!

[MISSYLOU]

We have had one inside cabin and the rest have been balcony cabins. We are what I call "cruise vegetables" meaning we don't participate in games or pool activities. We spend a great deal of our time on the balcony just watching the seas roll. We love the totally relaxing experience of it all. :( Unfortunately I forsee that when we retire in less than three years, we will be cruising less often or we will be taking inside cabins. Guess we can live with it.

We too are booked on the Veendam cruise, Nov 2005. Great ports and prices and plenty of time to save up the funds to make that final payment. The more CC'ers that can join us the better.

[Roadguy]

Only Suites!!

[ekerr19]

We book outside quads primarily. Especially if the 3rd/4th pax rate is low. We take our kids frequently and there are virtually no balcony cabins for 4 people, other than Suites. Many times the price for the S is too prohibitive. We've had an S twice (once didn't really count because it was on the Noordam - no balcony) and booked a seperate cabin for our kids once - but this is really expensive.

For our upcoming Volendam cruise, it would be an additional $3500 to put them in a seperate room, so we went with the outside quad for just under $4k for all four of us.

We feel if we stick to the Outside quads, we can cruise twice a year on 10-day cruises... we've gotten so used to going twice now, it's hard to give it up!

[SHERGIB]

We have booked many inside cabins as it has allowed us to take many more cruises. We have been upgraded to an outside upon occasion notably on the Volendam Circle Pacific which was a wonderful treat. We didn't find out until check in at the hotel. We booked an veranda on NCL many years ago as we were going to Alaska and really wanted to be able to see the scenery. The week we were to leave our TA called and said we were upgraded to the owners suite. Guess what ? No veranda. Boy, were we bummed. We will probably book a veranda again if we go to Alaska but in the mean time we'll stick with our insides.

[viennacruiser]

We are going in our very first suite in March:) :)
I started in bunk beds in 1980 and have decided to surprise the DH;) this year with a S on the Z..:D
Nancy

[Slinkiecat]

Just have to have a balcony if we are more than a few days on board. We loved it on our Mediterranean cruise even though we were on shore excursions every day and only one day at sea.

slinkie

[jhannah]

I'm hoping to travel more after the kids are done with college!!!You will! That's when we were able to start our travel adventures.

[sail7seas]

We are going in our very first suite in March:) :)
I started in bunk beds in 1980 and have decided to surprise the DH;) this year with a S on the Z..:D
Nancy

Which ship, Nancy? Zaandam? Zuiderdam?

[HeatherInFlorida]

I would love an S or even an SS category, but personally just can't rationalize the expense. We are so happy in our A or even B category that I can't imagine having a better time. Someday I do hope to "live it up" in a suite but not yet;) . DH could care less so that makes it a little farther into the distance.

However, we are spoiled forever with a balcony. Once you've done that, there's no going back. Maybe that's how it works with a suite as well so just as well we haven't done it;) .

Just put me on the sea and it's all right with me.:)

[DFD1]

An aside...One of the most fun cruises I ever took put me in a closet-sized cabin on an old sailing ship, the Yankee Clipper, with tiny bunks and a sealed port hole that was under water when the ship heeled over as she sailed. We would look out and see nothing but green water. The bath was a joke down at the end of a dark narrow hall.
However, we dropped anchor amoung some small islands down in the Grenadines, and swam and snorkled in some of the most beautiful water I have ever seen.
A great week in the islands......a long time ago..... I would NOT do it again.

[sail7seas]

Makes us so grateful for the things we did when we were younger. :) The tour bus trips through Europe that were fabulously fun.....the things we saw, the places we went, the folks we met. The discipline that made sure we visited every museum, every tourist attraction, every cathedral, every beautiful garden. :) I treasure to bits those memories and am immmensely grateful we did it THEN; I wouldn't dream of doing it today. :)

[Cruiseoften]

Makes us so grateful for the things we did when we were younger. :) The tour bus trips through Europe that were fabulously fun.....the things we saw, the places we went, the folks we met. The discipline that made sure we visited every museum, every tourist attraction, every cathedral, every beautiful garden. :) I treasure to bits those memories and am immmensely grateful we did it THEN; I wouldn't dream of doing it today. :)

Perhaps it's good that we're all different.

Friends (in their early 60's) have done 20 (I kid you not!) high priced, fully escorted coach tours through Europe (some areas twice over) every inch of it! Last year, knowing we're 'cruise nuts' they came to us to 'ask advice' - they were being 'talked' into an Alaska cruise-tour (16 days in total I believe) on HAL......did we think they should go.

Well, we've never been 'structured, coach tour people' (and they knew that) but we felt sure they would enjoy Alaska, both the cruise and the land portion.

Horrors! 5 days on board a ship, regardless of glaciers, wild life, lectures etc. etc. was too much for them - they enjoyed the land portion with the structured arrivals and sometimes crack of dawn departures, but were, it seems, at a loss as to how to enjoy 5 days of totally unstructured cruising!

Takes all kinds to make the world go around! :eek:

[Cruiseoften]

Have to mention that Cat. "C" (outside) on many HAL ships allows easy access to what is often referred to as 'the biggest balcony on the ship' - the walk-around Lower Prom. deck!................No! unfortunately breakfast is not served there but you can have drinks! :D

[viennacruiser]

S7S..
the Zuiderdam..can hardly wait!!

[jazzsea]

Most of the time we will book a category "A" or "B" and occasionally we will book a Suite.

I love the balcony and have been totally spoiled by having one.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We can also remember when we used to do those buses all over Europe, etc., and did that structured route.

But, boy, when I finally talked DH into going on a cruise and not living out of a suitecase, he changed his mind about cruising.

I don't think either of us could stand being structured every minute of every day. We do take tours but not every day.

And when we get back from a tour, we love to just relax in our suite with a nice cocktail.

[merryecho]

Only problem with a suite- once you've tried it, there is no going back- everything else is 'roughing it'.

[JohnR49er]

I enjoy the nice large suite balcony. It's a nice refuge from the crowds that are only in their rooms to sleep and change.

[dakrewser]

I got the NCL Alaska catalog yesterday, and was leafing through it when I found the page on staterooms aboard the Norwegian Star. At the top of the list is:

Garden Villa
Spectacular 5,750 sq ft Garden Villa complete with living room, dining room and three separate bedrooms each with king- or queen-size bed, private luxury bath and CD/DVD library. Two bedrooms also feature a full bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower. Each Villa features a private garden with hot tub, outdoor dining area and terrace. Butler service and concierge available.

To see the layout, click here (http://www.ncl.com/fleet/02/deckplans.htm#) then click on "deck 14"

It's got it's own private garden, for pete's sake! And only $14,000/pp for a 7-day cruise!

-dave

[cruzbums]

We book an S or PS.

[mcduck]

In the mid 80's on an Alaska cruise on the Star Princess the upgrade fairy blessed us with an upgrade from a outside window to a full suite complete with seperate living, dining and bedroom, not to mention a huge balcony with floor to ceiling windows and a free bar with full size bottles! Have never, ever, booked anything without at least a balcony since! Once you leave the farm for the city lights its tough to go back!

At least with a balcony you never have to worry about chair hogs, parents that did not know how to raise their kids, and can just enjoy the sound of the ocean rushing by.

[SharonN]

We have never booked a balcony before but were planning to do so on an Alaska cruise in 2006. We usually book an Outside but have have also had insides and didn't have any problem with them. Well with all the emails and mailings I've been getting lately showing some good prices for Jan and everyone talking about their balconies I decided to call and see how much it would be to upgrade to a Balcony cabin for our Jan Westerdam cruise. Not sure exactly where my cutoff point would have been but when she said it was only $48 a person I knew I had to do it.

[Djokolot]

Same here Sail....it's the suite life for us also. We're spoiled and can't go back.

[FloridaBrit]

There are a number of factors that determine my stateroom choice. If there are more than two days at sea I usually book the cheapest verandah guarantee and trust the upgrade fairy for something good. If it is a shorter cruise or one where we're in port almost everyday then I'm happy to take the cheapest deal available. While I'm hardly a seasoned cruiser I've yet to have a bad experience.

10/30 Zuiderdam will be my first cruise with HAL, with a group booking to Alaska in the planning for next year.

[tommy]

We book the highest balcony guarentee we can get,and hope for the upgrade.So far we are 3 for 3 on upgrades doing it that way. TOM

[Cauvet]

On HAL, always a balcony. On the O we booked an SS which was nice. Last time on RCI we booked a Category B suite which was superb!

[HAL92]

I always book at least an SS suite. I try to get an S suite, as the perks and extra space is well worth it. The SS are also very nice but don't include the perks. Cruising in a suite makes it so much more enjoyable, as I like to spend time in my cabin.

[Tinknock50]

I normally book a J-category inside cabin on the S and R ships. Then, once I've gotten the cruise paid for (or almost so) I sometimes pay for an upgrade (unless one is offered freely, which has happened twice). I prefer to stay on the Lower Promenade Deck, near amidships, because that puts me close to the outside deck and makes getting anywhere on the ship a snap. I have, twice, upgraded to an A or B category outside with balcony (aka, "Minisuite" on the S-class ships).



The two times I've been in Lower Promenade outside cabins it was very difficult to see inside during the day, and only marginally easier at night (due to the outside lights being on). My parents frequently book C-category outsides on the Lower Promenade deck, and Mom says that she's never been able to see inside her cabin from the outside without cupping her eyes and putting her nose up against the window. I know when I've tried it was hard to make out Chris' face on the inside, and he was kneeling on the bed RIGHT there, until I put my nose to the window and cupped my eyes to crowd out the surrounding outside light.

So ... milage may differ from ship to ship and cabin to cabin. :)

That has been my experience too. I did test it and if you turn on all your lights at night you can see in some, but you really have to try and it is not that clear. You would have to try hard to see in, but then it would be obvious someone was trying to look in. During the day it was even harder to see in. Never closed my drapes during the day.