If you do not like your cabin

OP, sounds like you already have a balcony room and will be happy. I guess the answer to your question is "no", if you did have an inside room and decided after a day or so that you hated it, you wouldn't be able to switch cabins.

My first 3 cruises were oceanview, then I discovered the wonders of a balcony cabin. My only inside was on a Disney cruise because it was the same price as balcony cabins on other cruiselines. I hated it.

I'm a balcony person. I too won't cruise if I can't afford a balcony. I'll just wait a bit longer to save up the difference, which isn't all that much, actually. If I'm too poor to do it right, I won't do it. I don't want my rare vacations to be the time to scrim and save. I can do that much more easily while going about my daily routines at home.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. We usually take long cruises in the 14 night range, and usually somewhere overseas. Then we spend time locally before and after the cruise. Considering that our vacations generally cost upwards of $10,000 each, the price difference between an inside and a balcony is quite a small percentage of the total cost. So we always get a balcony.

Of course, if a person lives in Miami and only takes short 4 or 5 night Caribbean cruises out of Miami, with no travel costs to worry about, then the cost difference will be much higher. Even then, I would still book a balcony cabin. Like the TV commercial tells me - "I'm worth it". :D

Sorry, I find it hard to believe that when on a large and interesting ship with lots of places to spend time at, your suite friends would prefer to spend time in your cramped, closed in inside cabin. I think our legs are being pulled a bit tooooooo much.

 

And how did your friends like your box cabin when the weather was nice? Did they still prefer it to theirs?

You try a deck 12 s j in 25' sea's with floor to celling windows filled with spray when your sea sick.

P.S. S J's are Great digs in good weather. :)

You try a deck 12 s j in 25' sea's with floor to celling windows filled with spray when your sea sick.

 

P.S. S J's are Great digs in good weather. :)

Yes, it may be an interesting adventure in bad weather. But why would they chose to spend time in your box when there is so much else to do on the ship???? The closed in walls and lack of openness would exacerbate the sea sickness.

With an inside a person won't know what the weather is outside unless they get dressed and walk up to an open deck. Then they might find out that their sunny weather pool outfit might not work so well if it's cold and raining.

That's not true. There is always a tv station that will be a view from the bridge. Therefore you can see if it is raining. There is also a station with cruise statistics that will show the outdoor temperature.

We had an inside on our first cruise, and my DW loved how dark it was for the purpose of sleeping. We have been upgraded twice to oceanviews. Once we took it, and it was nice. The other time, we turned down the upgrade when we discovered we would be directly below a bar and were afraid of the noise at night.

We would rather spend our money on shore excursions (ship or private) than a balcony. What good would it be to be on your balcony if your neighbor on the next balcony is smoking? Didn't the terrible fire on the Star Princess years ago start from some balcony person dropping their cigarette over the railing? Yes, I know Princess no longer allows smoking in the cabins, but there are other lines. And smokers tend to be totally without regard for the rights of others not to be polluted by their second hand carcinogens.

When I book accommodations on land I never book an inside room. Same goes for cruise ships. For those who can do insides - more power to you. But I figure that since my ancestor came to Canada from Ireland in an inside cabin(?) - or just a crowded birth of some kind - it was almost 200 years ago! ..... once was enough for this blood line!;)

That's not true. There is always a tv station that will be a view from the bridge. Therefore you can see if it is raining. There is also a station with cruise statistics that will show the outdoor temperature.

Not all ships have that view. I have been on several cruises that don't. On one of them the camera was out of service, on some of them it wasn't even offered. So you can't count on it.

The other time, we turned down the upgrade when we discovered we would be directly below a bar and were afraid of the noise at night.

The location has nothing to do with the differences. Even inside cabins can be located under or over noisy areas. In fact, many of them are located in less than desirable areas just because they are the least expensive on the ship.

We would rather spend our money on shore excursions (ship or private) than a balcony. What good would it be to be on your balcony if your neighbor on the next balcony is smoking?

I don't cruise on lines that allow smoking on balconies. And if someone does on the lines I do cruise on, I report them and management will put a stop to it. Besides, I have never encountered this problem on any of my many cruises - all in balconies.

Didn't the terrible fire on the Star Princess years ago start from some balcony person dropping their cigarette over the railing? Yes, I know Princess no longer allows smoking in the cabins, but there are other lines. And smokers tend to be totally without regard for the rights of others not to be polluted by their second hand carcinogens.

Not sure what this has to do with the benefits of one room type over the other. I think you are grasping at straws to try to justify your preferences. And I thought the discussion was about an inside vs. a balcony. It is not about expressing disgust for people who smoke. :rolleyes:

Besides, in a major fire, no matter how it was started, whether by a smoker on a balcony or someone in an inside smuggling in an iron and it causes a fire, people in insides may be affected just as much as in a balcony. In fact, some would argue that a balcony is much safer because it allows you an exit out away from the hallways if a fire does occur there. A person can be rescued much more easily from a balcony than from an inside cabin if the fire is raging in the hallway outside the room.

NOTE TO SELF: Avoid inside cabins for safety reasons. ;)

Besides, in a major fire, no matter how it was started, whether by a smoker on a balcony or someone in an inside smuggling in an iron and it causes a fire, people in insides may be affected just as much as in a balcony. In fact, some would argue that a balcony is much safer because it allows you an exit out away from the hallways if a fire does occur there. A person can be rescued much more easily from a balcony than from an inside cabin if the fire is raging in the hallway outside the room.

Really?

uhh NO thats not the 'main' difference at all.

 

I do MUCH more in my cabin besides dress and sleep. I require natural light and I also require immediate access to fresh air without having to get fully dressed and put on shoes and take a hike.

 

if it is a choice between an inside cabin only or not sailing, I choose to NOT SAIL. hell I won't even sail in an oceanview.

That was pretty much my point. Some people are medically or psychologically unable to get by in an inside cabin.

But most people are not; most people can manage quite well. If the OP is happy to try an inside cabin, the OP needn't worry unduly about being unable to cope in an inside cabin, because nearly everyone can. And if the OP doesn't like it, the OP will make sure not to try it again.

The OP wasn't for asking whether an inside is better or not; obviously, all else being equal, it is not. (For virtually everyone.) But, as far as the OP wondering whether to cancel or not just in case he/she wants to change, AND there doesn't happen to be a balcony available - I say a definite no.

Yes, it may be an interesting adventure in bad weather. But why would they chose to spend time in your box when there is so much else to do on the ship???? The closed in walls and lack of openness would exacerbate the sea sickness.

Way less motion low and center. Sure did help.

What else would you have her do whilst sea sick? Scavenger Hunt the ship for barf bags.

Way less motion low and center. Sure did help.

 

What else would you have her do whilst sea sick? Scavenger Hunt the ship for barf bags.

She could have enjoyed relaxing on the lower public decks in the middle of the ship. Most cruise lines have some of the lower floors as public areas. On NCL Dawn, decks 6 and 7 are public decks with lots of places to find a comfortable chair and while away the time. At least there she could have relaxed in an open area, with lots of ventilation and distractions from the sea sickness.

But, I am not her, and I wan't there, so perhaps that was the best choice for her. For me, retreating to an inside cabin would have been almost as bad as staying in her larger suite.

I just hope the situation didn't last too long so she didn't have to suffer for an extended amount of time.

I apologize if I came across as either judgmental or uncaring. That is not what I intended. I honestly can't see how being boxed up in a small, enclosed room without any ambient light could have been better than a more open, less claustrophobic area. But then again, I have never been seasick, so perhaps I should just keep my thoughts to myself. :o

Really?

You have a different opinion? Please share it with us.

She could have enjoyed relaxing on the lower public decks in the middle of the ship. Most cruise lines have some of the lower floors as public areas. At least there she could have relaxed in an open area, with lots of ventilation and distractions from the sea sickness.

 

But, I am not her, and I wan't there, so perhaps that was the best choice for her. For me, retreating to an inside cabin would have been almost as bad as staying in her larger suite.

 

I just hope the situation didn't last too long so she didn't have to suffer for an extended amount of time.

 

I apologize if I came across as either judgmental or uncaring. That is not what I intended. I honestly can't see how being boxed up in a small, enclosed room without any ambient light could have been better than a more open, less claustrophobic area. But then again, I have never been seasick, so perhaps I should just keep my thoughts to myself. :o

Public deck were 3 decks higher than mine" more motion". And who wants to barf in public.

You have a different opinion? Please share it with us.

I doubt he has any idea of what his comment meant. Both inside and balcony cabins have doors leading to a passage (which might be impassible). In most cases a balcony can be exited by heading either forward or aft to adjoining balconies, it also permits assisted evacuation from above or below.

You have a different opinion? Please share it with us.

I doubt he has any idea of what his comment meant. Both inside and balcony cabins have doors leading to a passage (which might be impassible). In most cases a balcony can be exited by heading either forward or aft to adjoining balconies, it also permits assisted evacuation from above or below.

Fair enough. Never really thought about escaping via the balcony. Got to be honest though, I wouldn't fancy climbing between balconies in a fire onboard situation, especially while at sea.

I suppose a survival instinct would kick in.

I don't need to ever try an inside to know that it would not be for me - I need sunlight, moonlight, the sounds of the ship on the water, privacy, fresh air. An inside cabin would take away 60% of what I love about a cruise. For those that can do it - fine but for those that WONDER if they can do it - try sleeping in your walk-in closet - WITH THE DOOR CLOSED. :p

The discussion about a fire exit - I have always thought that sleeping in an inside - well I would be scared to death thinking about a fire and no escape - but this is the first time I've ever seen anyone else mention it - glad to know it has occurred to someone else.

Not all ships have that view. I have been on several cruises that don't. On one of them the camera was out of service, on some of them it wasn't even offered. So you can't count on it.

 

The location has nothing to do with the differences. Even inside cabins can be located under or over noisy areas. In fact, many of them are located in less than desirable areas just because they are the least expensive on the ship.

 

I don't cruise on lines that allow smoking on balconies. And if someone does on the lines I do cruise on, I report them and management will put a stop to it. Besides, I have never encountered this problem on any of my many cruises - all in balconies.

 

Not sure what this has to do with the benefits of one room type over the other. I think you are grasping at straws to try to justify your preferences. And I thought the discussion was about an inside vs. a balcony. It is not about expressing disgust for people who smoke. :rolleyes:

 

Besides, in a major fire, no matter how it was started, whether by a smoker on a balcony or someone in an inside smuggling in an iron and it causes a fire, people in insides may be affected just as much as in a balcony. In fact, some would argue that a balcony is much safer because it allows you an exit out away from the hallways if a fire does occur there. A person can be rescued much more easily from a balcony than from an inside cabin if the fire is raging in the hallway outside the room.

 

NOTE TO SELF: Avoid inside cabins for safety reasons. ;)

I'll take your word that some ships do not have this feature, but we have never encountered that.

Our offered upgrade was right above the bar for the casino while our central inside cabin only had other cabins both above and below it. I was only referring to the situation that we encountered (on the Ocean Princess).

I'm glad you report smokers. The fact is that ban came about because of the carelessness of a smoker on a balcony on the Star Princess (another ship we have sailed upon). In addition to being addicted to their habit, smokers tend to use the world as their ashtray.

Is there any proof to your supposition about the relative safety of the different categories? Was there any difference in the evacuation of passengers during the Star Princess fire? Or are you just making this up? Actually, didn't a few balconies get destroyed in that fire?

Could we agree that different folks have different priorities?

And the less demand for insides, maybe the price point for our insides on cruises will go down.

Our offered upgrade was right above the bar for the casino while our central inside cabin only had other cabins both above and below it. I was only referring to the situation that we encountered (on the Ocean Princess).[/Quote]

 

Almost all categories and types of cabins have some that are in better locations, and some that are in less desirable. Just a quick look at a deck plan will reveal that. When I book my cabin, I make absolutely sure it is not under, over or adjacent to a noisy area. I would be doing the exact same thing even with inside cabins. Unfortunately, insides are often tucked into the areas of the ship that are adjacent to noise. Since they aren't located to offer a view, they can be virtually anywhere in the bowels of the ship. I would caution anyone booking an inside to do their homework - just as I would someone booking a balcony. Being able to select my location is one of the reasons I always book months in advance rather than after final payment when the better locations are no longer available. In your case, a less desirable balcony cabin was offered to you because no one else wanted it, so the cruise line figured you were already in a lesser cabin, so perhaps you would see it as an upgrade and accept their offer.

 

I'm glad you report smokers. The fact is that ban came about because of the carelessness of a smoker on a balcony on the Star Princess (another ship we have sailed upon).[/Quote]

 

My favorite cruise line - Celebrity - had that balcony smoking ban in place before that Princess fire. Being a life long non smoker, I like Celebrity because they have been the market leader in restricting smoking on mass market cruise lines, and now no longer allow smoking anywhere inside the ship, including on balconies. After seeing that Celebrity did not go bankrupt as a result - which many people predicted - the rest of the cruise industry has been slowly following their lead.

 

In addition to being addicted to their habit, smokers tend to use the world as their ashtray.[/Quote]

 

Again, let's keep this discussion about the relative benefits of different cabins, and not an opportunity to judge people with certain habits.

 

Is there any proof to your supposition about the relative safety of the different categories? Was there any difference in the evacuation of passengers during the Star Princess fire? Or are you just making this up? Actually, didn't a few balconies get destroyed in that fire?[/Quote]

 

No, I don't have any specific proof (thankfully, fires are rare on cruise ships). But a cruise ship is quite similar to a hotel, and there have been many hotel fires that have resulted in the occupants being rescued from their balconies. It is entirely logical to assume the same would apply to cruise ships.

 

Could we agree that different folks have different priorities?[/Quote]

 

I have never disagreed with that, so you don't need to ask. I prefer to treat myself to the best vacation I can, and refuse to stay in what I consider inadequate cabin accommodations. You prefer to endure such a cabin so you can splurge on something else. Nothing wrong with either approach.

 

And the less demand for insides, maybe the price point for our insides on cruises will go down.

 

Then good for you. For me, however, it makes no difference how low they are priced because I won't subject myself to a lesser vacation experience just to save a few dollars. I never even look at the price for insides when researching a cruise, so don't know their price point, and don't care.

After many cruises and tried all cabins, we have gone to inside. Not just for the price. Only in there to sleep, shower and change and go. No matter which cabin or hotel, once the sun goes down and the lights are turned out, they all look alike. ;)

Harry

After many cruises and tried all cabins, we have gone to inside. Not just for the price. Only in there to sleep, shower and change and go. No matter which cabin or hotel, once the sun goes down and the lights are turned out, they all look alike. ;)

 

Harry

Not for us! We leave our curtains open as much as possible - why close off that wonderful view? - and enjoy seeing the moonlight and stars outside while we fall asleep. They are especially intoxicating when reflected off a very still ocean. In the morning the first thing we see is exactly why we like to cruise - the open ocean passing by, or the first views of a new and exciting port to be visited.

We use our balconies as a destination, no different than any other venue on the ship. At times we want to get away from everyone else and enjoy peaceful time alone on our balcony. When sitting out there, it is very easy to imagine we are the only people on the ship, that we are the only ones enjoying the beauty of the open ocean displayed beyond our balcony railing.

Is there any proof to your supposition about the relative safety of the different categories? Was there any difference in the evacuation of passengers during the Star Princess fire? Or are you just making this up? Actually, didn't a few balconies get destroyed in that fire?

Here is a link to information about a fire aboard the SS Yarmouth Castle on November 12, 1965: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Yarmouth_Castle I remember this incident because I was living in Miami at the time and it was all over the news.

Of particular relevance to your "proof of your supposition" is this quote (notice the text that I bolded):

"The fire swept through the ship's superstructure at great speed, driven by the ship’s natural ventilation system. The flames rose vertically through the stairwells,.... Many passengers had to break windows and squeeze through portholes to exit their burning cabins. "

People without windows or portholes were not so fortunate. Of the 552 people on board, 87 died on the ship, some trapped in their cabins when it sank. Three more died after being taken to area hospitals. Another 17 had critical injuries, but survived.

Another quote from the article is rather harrowing: "...at 4:00 a.m., by which time Yarmouth Castle's hull was glowing red. The water around the ship was visibly boiling. Just before 6:00 a.m., Yarmouth Castle rolled over onto its port side. There was a roar of steam and bursting boilers, and it sank beneath the surface at 6:03 a.m. [five hours after the fire started]"

That, I suspect, is the point. If the ship catches fire and your corridor is blocked, the people in balcony cabins can jump into the sea; the people in insides can't. But anyone who is willing to drive a car at 30 mph or more without a crash helmet is not going to allow that to make any difference to their decision; the increased risk is tiny-to-infinitesimal.

That, I suspect, is the point. If the ship catches fire and your corridor is blocked, the people in balcony cabins can jump into the sea; the people in insides can't. But anyone who is willing to drive a car at 30 mph or more without a crash helmet is not going to allow that to make any difference to their decision; the increased risk is tiny-to-infinitesimal.

The risk is still there, so a person who chooses a balcony cabin is tiny-to-infinitesimally safer nonetheless. :D

It's similar to where is the safest place to sit on an airplane. Chances are that nothing will ever happen, but there are indeed areas that are statistically safer than others. (it's a middle seat in the back, if anyone is interested: http://roadwarriorvoices.com/2015/06/30/this-is-the-safest-place-to-sit-on-an-airplane/ and http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/06/29/statistics-reveal-safest-place-sit-airplane )

I personally don't worry about the risk of being trapped in my cabin. Since I only travel in balcony cabins (because I enjoy them), I always have the option of escaping out onto the balcony no matter what disaster is going on in the hallways - fire, a band of pirates, a hoard of zombies, a plague of locusts, a swarm of rampaging room stewards, etc. :D;)

Fair enough. Never really thought about escaping via the balcony. Got to be honest though, I wouldn't fancy climbing between balconies in a fire onboard situation, especially while at sea.

 

I suppose a survival instinct would kick in.

I wouldn't cruise if I felt there was a real likelihood of a fire on board making the passage outside my cabin impassible. But, since the question has arisen, the balcony does offer an alternate exit - and hopefully the damage control/rescue parties would be alert enough to unlock, and open, the partitions between balconies. In any event, climbing around a fixed partition would be preferable to being incinerated.

My first cruise I had an oceanview, the porthole made for some fun pictures but that was about all the use we got from it. Since then, I've only booked insides. For the cost of the upgrade I can get a spa pass, go horseback riding, etc.

All cruise cabins are small in comparison to land based hotels, so I don't think it's really a fair comparison to say you wouldn't book an indoor hotel room. Sure when I'm at an AI in Mexico I want a balcony with a jacuzzi, but on a cruise ship there are better ways to use money IMO.

I also don't suffer from seasickness or claustrophobia though and I live in NYC so I'm used to small spaces. So maybe that's why it bothers me less.