Which would you rather? More often or More comfortable?

[sail7seas]

Seeing as we all have a budget in one form or another, would you rather cruise more often and take a lesser category cabin and economize carefully while you are away......

Or would you rather have a larger cabin, with a veranda and not have to be as careful about what you spend while on vacation?

Obviously there is no right or wrong answer, just wondering what most people's choice is.

[O2cruise]

Since my vacation time is limited I'd rather splurge on my once a year vacation with a great cabin and a slightly longer itinerary (10-14 days as opposed to 7). I just love being pampered the way I am on a HAL cruise.

[elmorejj]

Actually, both!! We take 3-4 cruises a year plus about 4 other International vacations and I want space and comfort in all of them! I think the older we get, we need more space in our cabin/suite as we tend to spend more time there.....jean

[etrainer1]

ive been in inside cabins and in cabins with a verandah. but, i select 7 day cruises which fall out on a week where the prices are less expensive. i got such a great rate on the hal cruise going on 1/2/05, in a ss category which is cheaper than some of my regular balcony cabins on prior cruises! the bottom line is, i can have a great time regardless of the type of cabin i am in! (and i dont care how people dress!)

[Orcrone]

I would of course prefer an outside over an inside, a verandah over either of the other two, a suite would be nice and the penthouse is ideal. But since I'm much more limited on money than time I'd go with the lower category and cruise more often.

Of course sometimes it's only $100 or $200 per person to step up from an inside to outside, or outside to verandah. In that case the amount saved from going with the lowest category is not going to allow me to cruise more, so I might as well splurge.

[Sailboater]

We chose to have a verandah cabin as we tend to spend a lot of time in our cabin and we like having the ability to step out for a bit of fresh air at any time of day or night. For us, it is a luxury that we budget for.

We got addicted last year on a 7 day Alaska cruise. We did a 17 day Hawaii cruise this year and booked a 20 day Panama Canal cruise while on board for next year.

Could we cruise more often if we went with outside cabins instead of verandahs -- maybe but, so far, we have been happy to have a verandah and taking one long cruise a year instead of several short ones.

We live West Coast and really don't have a strong urge to go to the Caribbean. We are "heat wimps" -- once it goes over 80 degrees we kinda melt into inactivity. One of the reasons for the Verandah on the Panama Canal trip is we can stay in our A/C comfort until something of interest draws us out onto the verandah. If we get to "warm" we can be back in our A/C comfort in just a couple of steps. I doubt we will do much in the way of excursions on this trip (maybe save some money) because we want to avoid the heat and humidity.

I am sure there are many who would gladly give up the verandah for an inside to cruise more. There are probably others who would be happy to do 3 seven day trips over the course of the year rather than take one 20 or 21 day trip. I think it is wonderful that there are so many choices for us out there.

[WindyCity]

Definitely save and get an S suite - once you've been there - anything else falls short. DH can get claustrophobic and they only way I was able to convince him to go on the first cruise was to promise a "big" cabin with verandah. Well, he is hooked and states that the S suite is the only way to go....so we save to pamper ourselves.:)

[bombero]

We like to cruise frequently, so insides are best for us, as with so many things to do on a cruise ship, we are never in our room anyway.. What we can save on the first 2 inside rooms, will pay for the 3rd one.. It's kind of like [Buy 2 Get 1 Free]. If you really like balconies and use them, I guess their worth the extra money to you.. I'd rather use it for an extra cruise... Bombero

[Vicar]

Between work and house and kids , Gf and I can't take off all that frequently. So when we do go away, especially when it is just the two of us, we splurge and get the Balcony Cabin or the fancier hotel, or whatever the case may be.

[Sue's Mom]

We love sitting outside in the evening watching the stars. BUT the budget won't allow and so we have an inside. Oh to win the lottery! ;)

[ekerr19]

We go as frequently and inexpensively as possible, but try and get the best deals. Must have an outside cabin is the only requirement.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:D

Money not a problem - so cruise with a suite and as many times a year as long as our health holds up.

:)

[cruisinjudy]

We are averaging about three cruises a year, mostly longer than seven days. For now a verandah is what we can afford, but maybe when the house is paid off in 2006 we can go for that suite!!! :D For now I am NOT willing to cruise less often to get that suite.

[paljoeysmom]

I would prefer to go cheaper and more often. Hubby prefers to go less often and in style. We have done the gamat of categories.

Inside, outside, balcony, FULL SUITE, and now we are booked into a mini-suite on our next cruise. I know others say once you have had a nicer room it is hard to go back down. For myself I disagree. Love to cruise, no matter what kind of cabin I am in. We spend lots of time on the decks anyway.

[Tatka]

For me money is a problem...( Well we are not poor or otherwise we wouldn't cruise ;) ) but I always try to keep our vacation under $3,500 for three of us (excluding our Med cruise this year with very expensive tours) so we can do it 2 times a year... (plus our son usually attends quite expensive overnight camps or hockey camps)

So...if we were able to cruise in the off season we could probably afford balcony cabins, but our son is in school so the only time we can cruise is summer or holidays.

We don't see much of a difference between inside and outside so we usually book inside.

This is probably said 1000 times here but we don't really spend alot of time inside..so it doesn't prevent us from enjoying our vacation.

My main requirements for vacation (aside from tours etc) are good service and food..which we can receive no matter what our sleeping accomodations are. (One reason I will never sail Cunard!)

[lipoppop]

S7S, how many threads did you start today? At least 5 so far that I have seen.

We have only booked an A except for the next which will be an S and that will probably not happen often again, only if the price is right.

That said, I look for how much we have to pay per day as a prime criteria for booking. If the rates are good I will probably do an extra cruise.

[Lois R]

Interesing post for sure......I am in the low budget category....I cannot afford a suite PERIOD.
I sail solo and in my cruises listed below..(other than first 2) I have had 2 outside cabins and 2 inside.
I only shower, change clothes and sleep in my cabin.......now if It was ever possible financially I might try for a balcony one day but I know I could never afford a suite.
So...I will stick with my 7 nights and enjoy myself. And I thank my lucky stars every day that this will be my 3rd cruise this year....never in my life would I have thought it possible......

[sail7seas]

S7S, how many threads did you start today? At least 5 so far that I have seen.

At least I have us talking about something besides dress code and tipping. :D

[Druke I]

My wife and I spend little time in our cabins - but do prefer an outside.
On some itineraries, a balcony is nice, but we have never considered a balcony "essential".

Michael

[jhannah]

We tend to spend a good bit of time in relaxation on our cruises ... so we go for more space and a veranda. (A veranda at the very least.) We've been fortunate lately to either be upgraded or obtain some great deals, as mentioned above, where roomier facilities were available for very little extra cost.

[RevNeal]

For me money is a critical issue. If I could afford 21 days in a Suite I'd be happy to do it, but I can't afford it ... so ... I book what I can afford! :D

J-category inside cabins are a good compromise: inside cabin, but with GREAT location amidships and a few steps from the ship's biggest verandah! :)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We want BOTH:D Actually once we get fixated on something we do it a lot "like Cruising" Since we are getting our first S Suite this November I am guessing we will be hooked. I guess the number of cruises we can take per year is really more important but fortuately for right now financially we can also afford a nice cabin. We were going to Hawaii at least once per year sometimes twice and now prefer cruising so our money put aside for vacation has not really changed.

[lddam]

Like most retired folks I know, we have limited discretionary funds for vacationing. I would prefer to go more frequently on cruises of shorter duration with inside accommodations. Marcia prefers at least a 14-day itinerary in a veranda cabin, even if it means only 1 cruise for the year.

We've been married 38 years. I'll let you figure out what course we usually follow.

Dave

[Krazy Kruizers]

:) lddam

Your wife has the final vote - verandah!

And as her loving and devoted husband of 38 years, you have no problems with that.

:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

OH yes, s7s, started 8 new posts todays.

She is keeping us hopping.

:D

[taszmom]

I go for balconies when it's a 7+ day cruise, but I don't see spending the extra $ for a suite. Rather spend that money on other things. Will usually do an inside on shorter cruises.

[viennacruiser]

We are going to try and do a little of both...we will do a S in March 05 on the Z, surprise for the DH, he thinks we have an outside;) and than at the end of July 05 we will do a family cruise for my parents 50th and we will have an outside:(
taking the kids along on this one and chipping in for the parents :D .
Nancy:)

[ASM]

Love that verandah! Trying to avoid a suite. I know I'd be hooked and DH would not approve--but then again, he likes camping!

[DFD1]

Life is full of blessings....different ones for different people in different circumstances.
Be thankful for yours, whatever they are. Inside, outside, suite, veranda, balcony...they are all blessings. Regardless of where you sleep, enjoy your next cruise! That's what I'm going to do.

[ger_77]

More often ... for us there's nothing less comfortable about an inside cabin, and we've had both inside and outside. We've never booked a balcony because we find we are in our cabin only for sleeping and changing clothes. We're on the go all the time, so an inside cabin is fine if that's all that is available. Certainly More Often!

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[Lisa63]

No doubt -- I'd rather cruise more often. It's been a year since our last cruise, and the wait has been too long. I'd rather go every six months than to wait a full year again.

[Peggy Sue]

our first 7 day cruise was an inside cabin..boy, was it tiny... but, we didn't care, we slept, showered and dressed in there and were out and about exploring the ship, ports etc.

Our next cruise was a 7 day outside..having the window was nice, but folks could walk by our window...so our drapes were always closed......

We've been on short 3 and 4 day cruises...we had a verandah..didn't use it much..cruise was too short.

Then...we had the pleasure of a S suite on the zuiderdam. Wow..was that terrific! We used our verandah every day...spent lots of time out there reading, cat napping. It was a pleasure to spend time in the suite too..very comfy, with lots of space to lounge around. We're spoiled..don't want to go back.

Is there a down side to the "suite" life? We really didn't spend much time exploring the ship..we hung out in our own little corner of the world..We did venture out when it port, and evenings for dinner and entertainment..shows, dancing etc...but during the "at sea" days, we were content to live in our suite and enjoy all it had to offer..loved that verandah and sitting out there watching the world float by. So very relaxing....!!!!

[Tricia724]

Cost is always a consideration for us, too, and we try to take advantage of good opportunitites. We're getting rather spoiled with a nice, warm Carribean cruise during the less-than-charming Pennsylvania winters. Since we're both retired now, we can be flexible about dates and travel times.

The only accommodation I won't consider is an inside cabin. I'm snakebit from a cruise I took many years ago in an inside cabin. We had some really rough weather and the room was SO small that I felt like I was locked in a an elevator that was going UP and DOWN! I swore I'd never book another inside, and I haven't...although I've seen some of the J and K cabins on HAL, and they don't look too bad.

That said, I'll consider anything else that meets my price range. Last February on the Oosterdam, I took advantage of a special offer from HAL and booked an "S" for the Eastern Caribbean. While on board, HAL offered us a second week at cut rates, and we did the Western route for $372pp in a "D" outside cabin on Main Deck. And you know what....we enjoyed the second week as much as the first week. Of course, we didn't get invited to parties or have the concierge lounge at our disposal, but we had a great time. I will probably never get another cruise bargain to equal that one. I really enjoyed doing the back-to-back and hope we can do it on the Westerdam this winter.

But if the issue is quantity vs. quality....I guess I'd rather have one nice, longer trip than a couple of low-budget trips.

[pollux]

With my DH full suite.
With my son ,sister or solo inside.
My favorite balcony: LOWER PROMONADE.

[ryansmemom]

We are definitly full Suite people. We spend a lot of time in the suite. I have limited stamina and mobility and really enjoy the amenities. We are able to cruise one or two times a year for 10 to 15 days each cruise. That suits us.

If we had to choose, we would choose comfort over frequency. At least that's what Chimera said after our first cruise in a suite.

Linda :D

[localady]

Like Laffn I want it all!!!!:eek:

But we will settle for more sea time vs. a Suite when push comes to shove. Love the prices in the Carb. because we can afford a Suite, Alaska and Europe we are happy with a veranda. We tend to spend alot of our vacation relaxing on our veranda and it's worth ever dime IMHO.

I also agree, either way we are so blessed!!!!:cool:

[kryos]

Seeing as we all have a budget in one form or another, would you rather cruise more often and take a lesser category cabin and economize carefully while you are away?
Definitely cheaper cabin and more cruise. But, I think it all depends on your "cruising lifestyle" and how many people you are traveling with. If you have a group of four traveling together, you could probably afford the nicer cabin and plenty of cruise too. But, in my case, I travel alone. If I were to book a veranda suite, I would be limited in how often I could cruise ... probably only once every couple of years. But, by booking an inside stateroom, I save enough that I was able to make my upcoming 7-day Zuiderdam cruise a 14-day b2b. I could never have done that by booking a balcony suite.

Also, I think a lot that goes into the decision of the stateroom category is your cruising lifestyle. Do you entertain a lot in your cabin? Do you spend an inordinate amount of time there? If so, then stateroom category is going to be of major importance to you. But, in my case, I'd rather spend time doing excursions when in port, and partaking in shipboard activities while onboard. I generally use the cabin to sleep, shower and maybe relax awhile before turning in. Since it's dark then anyway, the fact that I'm in a stateroom without a window doesn't really matter to me. So, I'd rather save the money and put it to other uses.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[lipoppop]

At least I have us talking about something besides dress code and tipping. :D



Amen.

[LizB1]

Money is not an issue with us, but we feel that most any cabin on the "S" Class and "R" Class ships is fine with us. We seem to have plenty of space for the time we spend in the cabin and don't mind an Inside cabin either. I think it's not only a matter of comfort but a matter of economics...we prefer to spend our money in many different ways.

By the way, we have had everything from an Inside "M" cabin to a full Deluxe Suite depending on the cruise, itinerary and length of cruise.

[jazzsea]

I've reached the point where the quality of the stateroom means more to me than the number of times that I cruise. We book a verandah cabin most of the time and jump on any great pricing for a deluxe suite.

I've mentioned on several posts that I am looking for an assistant with my cruise business. If anyone ever responds I might have more time to ride the high seas.

[bepsf]

More Comfortable!

Since I have limited vacation time i'd rather save my money (i'm not wealthy either, but I make do) and go all out for my time off
- Therefore its the suite-life for me!

Brian

[Charlie2na]

Our first cruise, we thought it might be a "once in a lifetime" thing so we went all out for us ,and got a cat A mini. Foolish me, just booked our second and got a cat j, but a longer cruise[11 day] for same money... So maybe can do two this winter instead of once in a lifetime... HA!

[the2ofus]

We would choose cruising more often and for more days over shorter cruises in more posh surroundings. It is the general amenities of cruising, the dining options and the ports that are the focus of our experience. We're not used to posh at home, so really don't look for that in cruising. However, a verandah cabin every 9 years or so is not to be sneezed at, if the price is right. :)

Having said that, we do like the elegance and charm of HAL and would choose a HAL cruise over less costly cruises to the same destinations on other cruise lines.

[BCEagle78]

After reading some of the posts, we try to squeek out one cruise per year. We also have 2 kids in college and we just had a wedding on July 24 for our oldest daughter. Money is going in all different directions at this time in our lives (mostly outward :( )...

But we love to cruise and I can envision the day when we will be able to cruise more than once per year... It must be nice...

Until then, we book our annual inside guarentee and rub elbows in the dining room and the casino with the suite dwellers and you know what... nobody knows what category we booked...

Cruising - great vacation!

[BCEagle78]

This is an interesting topic!