Argue /Correct me if I'm wrong ....

Just wondering what we are missing out on when it comes to rooms ... I know we are rookies when it comes to cruising, but, we just book an inside room and seem to have a whole lotta fun ... We went over our first cruise and found we spent minimum amounts of time in our room .. like sail off day, just put up stuff, showered and slept later ... around midnight or so ..then 1st cruise day, woke at 6 am. quick shower, coffee on pool deck, breakfast at 8, then changed clothes, swimming and buffet lunch, room at 5 ish, showered, back out , casino, exploring, ate dinner at 8 ish, lounge, comedy club, etc, etc, then sleep around midnight or 1 am, then, in am, shower, breakfast, excursion, back on ship later, shower, dinner, relaxed on deck, comedy club, karaoke laughs, etc, sleep midnight or so...

Was day after day like that, maybe it's us, but we really didn't spend much time in room .. is it cause we are new at it ?? Wife said she would sooner have a watch or some jewelry instead .. lol

what are missing out on ?? :)

You aren't. If I could get away with it, I would book an inside ... but I need to have access to the outdoors when on a ship. Just me. Oh, and hubby - no way he'd sail in anything but a balcony LOL But I hear ya! Unless you're a recluse who spends the entire cruise in your cabin, might as well get the most bang for your buck! We usually book aft-facing balcony cabins now. The hubby really enjoys it, and, I really could care less!!

The high tier cabins on the ships are destinations in and of themselves.

When we cruised inside, we did the same as you...sleep, shower, leave. Although we took one of the best naps in our lives in an inside.

Relaxing on an aft balcony suite trancing on the ship's wake is a ritual revered by many, for example.

You're missing out on an amazing experience sitting in your lounge chair, having a cup of coffee every morning or a glass of wine at night and just staring off at the beautiful ocean. No other way to cruise for us - we would never cruise in a room without a balcony even comped or at any price. That's just us - others may be fine in an inside but its part of what we enjoy most about cruising.

You guys sound young!:) You also sound like you enjoy your cruises very much,so no arguing from me.:)

I will say that when you have a balcony or above cabin you will also enjoy the privacy and amazing sights and peace gazing out at the ocean in your pj's while enjoying a cup of coffee or favorite cocktail.

I will say that when you have a balcony or above cabin you will also enjoy the privacy and amazing sights and peace gazing out at the ocean in your pj's while enjoying a cup of coffee or favorite cocktail.

This is true. I guess we have done it so often, I have taken all of that for granted. You are absolutely correct. Sitting out there in your PJs is fantastic, especially at night before going to bed.

It's entirely up to you, and if cruising in an inside room suits you fine, then that's perfect. We've done it, and then "made the mistake" of booking a mini suite and ever since then we've done nothing but climb to higher levels.

Part of it is probably that you're new, so exploring the ship and everything out and about is so fun. But for us, we love to be by ourselves, but still on a cruise. So we love having a balcony and have the chance to have a great view, but still just have us.

Enjoy, whatever you decide! :)

You guys sound young!:) You also sound like you enjoy your cruises very much,so no arguing from me.:)

I will say that when you have a balcony or above cabin you will also enjoy the privacy and amazing sights and peace gazing out at the ocean in your pj's while enjoying a cup of coffee or favorite cocktail.

We are mid to higher 50 ' s

;)

Plenty of other people do the same as you. if you plan to be out and about except to sleep and shower, insides make perfect sense...and the money not spent on a higher end cabin can be applied toward fun stuff or practical stuff or another trip.

We like being able to step out onto the balcony, but on most cruises, personally we do not spend that all much time out there. So, we will pay a bit extra for a balcony, but it is not a "must have."Others really value their balconies and may spend many, many happy hours out there; some will not sail without a balcony. to each his own; enjoy your cruise your way.

There really is no right or wrong answer. It is all about what you prefer and what is important to you. For my wife and myself a balcony is a must....having a glass of wine during the day or night or morning coffee on the balcony is just wonderful. We don't feel any need for higher level suites and whatever perks come with those. Balcony cabins change the entire feel of cruising in an inside.

I think you are right about the newness being a factor. Our first few cruises we spent little time in the room and mostly booked ocean view cabins. I have to at least be able to see the water or I would be very disappointed. After 8 or 9 we had our first balcony and now won't sail without one. The last three cruises we had aft balcony's and that seems to work the best for us. We spend more and more time alone together just enjoying the balcony and watching the water.

If you are happy with what you have had I suggest you NEVER try a balcony because you won't want to go again without one.

Just wondering what we are missing out on when it comes to rooms ... I know we are rookies when it comes to cruising, but, we just book an inside room and seem to have a whole lotta fun ... We went over our first cruise and found we spent minimum amounts of time in our room .. like sail off day, just put up stuff, showered and slept later ... around midnight or so ..then 1st cruise day, woke at 6 am. quick shower, coffee on pool deck, breakfast at 8, then changed clothes, swimming and buffet lunch, room at 5 ish, showered, back out , casino, exploring, ate dinner at 8 ish, lounge, comedy club, etc, etc, then sleep around midnight or 1 am, then, in am, shower, breakfast, excursion, back on ship later, shower, dinner, relaxed on deck, comedy club, karaoke laughs, etc, sleep midnight or so...

Was day after day like that, maybe it's us, but we really didn't spend much time in room .. is it cause we are new at it ?? Wife said she would sooner have a watch or some jewelry instead .. lol

what are missing out on ?? :)

What I like most about a balcony is relaxing in privacy with the ocean lulling me to sleep while DH is in the freezing room next to me taking his afternoon nap. I much prefer the privacy of our balcony to the crowding and noise of the lido. Having said that I have no problem going back to an inside or OV depending on our budget for that cruise. DH usually spends part of the afternoon relaxing in the room. He has the room so cold I can't stand it in there so that means balcony for me if we have one or searching out a place on the open deck or finding something else to do either with the kids if they are with us or on my own if they are not. I do prefer a balcony though when we are sailing on our own.

My past three cruises, and upcoming, have all been in suites. But, if my husband wasn't such a pain (love you honey xo) I would cruise 4 x a year in an inside or Oceanview instead of 1-2 times. I enjoy the amenities and balcony but it's not a must have for me.

One of my favorite cruise memories is waking up in the middle of the night and looking out the window to see a thunder/lightening storm in the distance. I got up and spent almost an hour on the balcony watching it.

I've cruised in an inside only once. It was our first cruise and I always say we booked inside because we didn't know what we were doing. LOL. Since then it's always been balconies (except on a ship that didn't have balcony cabins and we got an ocean view, and I was worried about that!) and sometimes suites. That said, I'll be on the Jade in a few weeks in an inside cabin. I'm sailing solo this time and just couldn't justify the cost of a balcony for one person. At first I was nervous about sailing in an interior cabin, but I've adjusted to the idea and prepared myself for it. I'm hopeful I'll be just fine in an inside--then I'll cruise more! :o I think it's just a matter of priorities and what your travel style is. It sounds like yours is a very active, on-the-go style and you're fine in an inside, but you'll never know if you'd be happier booking balcony cabins until you experience one. ;)

There are lots of people that book insides - even after many many cruises. It suits them personally and financially.

There are also people that book suites on their very first cruise.

My first 3 cruises were in insides, and I've done them as recently as last year. Our thing was we had young kis (now 16) and I'm all for family time, but we also like some space too on vacation, so it made sense to try a suite. Now when we travel with the family it's always in a suite. If I sail alone, sometimes I still grab a suite, sometimes a studio, and with friends, an inside or an OV. It's a totally different experience with the different cabins, but all have been great. There is nothing like that zonked out pitch black nap in the inside with the ship rocking you to sleep. Can't be replicated. There's also nothing like sitting in your living room in the Garden Villa listening to your friend play the baby grand. It's all about making the most of each cruise.

Just wondering what we are missing out on when it comes to rooms ... I know we are rookies when it comes to cruising, but, we just book an inside room and seem to have a whole lotta fun ... We went over our first cruise and found we spent minimum amounts of time in our room .. like sail off day, just put up stuff, showered and slept later ... around midnight or so ..then 1st cruise day, woke at 6 am. quick shower, coffee on pool deck, breakfast at 8, then changed clothes, swimming and buffet lunch, room at 5 ish, showered, back out , casino, exploring, ate dinner at 8 ish, lounge, comedy club, etc, etc, then sleep around midnight or 1 am, then, in am, shower, breakfast, excursion, back on ship later, shower, dinner, relaxed on deck, comedy club, karaoke laughs, etc, sleep midnight or so...

Was day after day like that, maybe it's us, but we really didn't spend much time in room .. is it cause we are new at it ?? Wife said she would sooner have a watch or some jewelry instead .. lol

what are missing out on ?? :)

You are missing out on the wonderful feeling of a hundred or more dollars per day wafting out of your budget. If the cost of a balcony is worth it to you, you should book one, but if your DW likes other things, an inside will allow your budget to handle the cost. It is all in how you want to allocate your available resources.

One of my favorite cruise memories is waking up in the middle of the night and looking out the window to see a thunder/lightening storm in the distance. I got up and spent almost an hour on the balcony watching it.

 

I've cruised in an inside only once. It was our first cruise and I always say we booked inside because we didn't know what we were doing. LOL. Since then it's always been balconies (except on a ship that didn't have balcony cabins and we got an ocean view, and I was worried about that!) and sometimes suites. That said, I'll be on the Jade in a few weeks in an inside cabin. I'm sailing solo this time and just couldn't justify the cost of a balcony for one person. At first I was nervous about sailing in an interior cabin, but I've adjusted to the idea and prepared myself for it. I'm hopeful I'll be just fine in an inside--then I'll cruise more! :o I think it's just a matter of priorities and what your travel style is. It sounds like yours is a very active, on-the-go style and you're fine in an inside, but you'll never know if you'd be happier booking balcony cabins until you experience one. ;)

You might want to consider purchasing a spa pass. When I sailed on the Jade it was in a balcony cabin that I rarely ever went out on. The Jade spa has some great loungers for viewing the ocean as it passes by, whether in the ladies change room on the cushioned loungers or in the communal area on the heated tile ones. Depending on the time of day you visit you might have the place to yourself...I often did...and the cost is really quite minimal in comparison to an upgrade to a balcony. My next cruises on the Gem are in inside cabins and I plan on making good use of the spa.

Have a fabulous cruise!

Rochelle

You might want to consider purchasing a spa pass. When I sailed on the Jade it was in a balcony cabin that I rarely ever went out on. The Jade spa has some great loungers for viewing the ocean as it passes by, whether in the ladies change room on the cushioned loungers or in the communal area on the heated tile ones. Depending on the time of day you visit you might have the place to yourself...I often did...and the cost is really quite minimal in comparison to an upgrade to a balcony. My next cruises on the Gem are in inside cabins and I plan on making good use of the spa.

 

Have a fabulous cruise!

 

 

Rochelle

Rochelle, that's becoming a not-so-secret secret! You're not the first to suggest it, and I'll be heading straight to the spa as soon as I board. I plan to watch the Venice sailaway from there. :D I've already created a Venice Sailaway playlist on my phone--lots of Bocelli on it to set the mood.

I'm really happy to hear your experience there--hoping to have the same. :D

Thanks!

If you are having fun, then you're not missing anything. People are different, and are looking for different levels of action, activity, privacy, pampering, etc.

For me, what you just described would be stressful and grueling, and I would HATE it. Your schedule is too much going and moving, too much loud music, WAY too much time spent talking to people, and no time to relax and enjoy the ocean that's all around the ship.

But then again, you'd find my schedule of sleeping in, a leisurely breakfast, some trivia, a dip in the pool, reading a book on my balcony with an afternoon snack, shower & change for dinner, a show, more reading and then bedtime staring at the stars to be boring and a waste of time! But *I* am having fun and relaxing.

Isn't it great that cruising can give very different people a fun experience?

When we first started cruising (30 yrs ago!:eek:) we went with insides, then got a balcony guarantee and there's been no going back. However, we also spent a lot back then on excursions, photos, souvenirs, etc. We were a family of five so that meant five times the cruise and airfare (or hotel and food expenses if we decided to drive).

Nowadays, we don't spend our money on those kinds of things. The kids are grown, we have done the excursions to death, have no desire for the photos and, really, what ever possessed me to want a floatie shaped like a ship in the first place? We had much rather spend that money today on upgraded cabins, pay restaurants and our own little piece of ship in the form of a balcony (or the Haven) rather than a model of whichever ship we happen to be on at the moment (again, what ever was I thinking buying that stuff?).

How we cruise today is strictly for us and not to try to please five people, three of which were munchkins who had rather have eaten their weight in chicken fingers and french fries than a good steak any day.

You guys sound young!:) You also sound like you enjoy your cruises very much,so no arguing from me.:)

There are lots of people that book insides - even after many many cruises. It suits them personally and financially.

 

 

 

There are also people that book suites on their very first cruise.

These to posts explain so very well that there is no right or wrong answer as also others have said.

Me and my wife are in our early 30's, booked a suite on our first cruise (it was low season and the price was very reasonable) and at least I prefer to have a cabin that I can spend time in - if needed. While we have sometimes thought about booking an inside for a budget trip, soo far the lowest we have gone has been an obstructed oceanview. Besides that one cruise we've had at least a balcony everytime.

Some people like to do something outside the cabin all the time and that is completely fine, but for me vacations (in the last five years we have rarely had vacations other than ones involving cruises) are about relaxation and being able to get away from the crowds, be on my own, read, etc.

Because there is no stress of having to move from one place to another and limited options for eating and where to go at night close by, cruising is a perfect way of vacationing to me because it is so easy to relax. Other people like OP like their experience different (more active) and enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine. :)

Just wondering what we are missing out on when it comes to rooms ... I know we are rookies when it comes to cruising, but, we just book an inside room and seem to have a whole lotta fun ... We went over our first cruise and found we spent minimum amounts of time in our room .. like sail off day, just put up stuff, showered and slept later ... around midnight or so ..then 1st cruise day, woke at 6 am. quick shower, coffee on pool deck, breakfast at 8, then changed clothes, swimming and buffet lunch, room at 5 ish, showered, back out , casino, exploring, ate dinner at 8 ish, lounge, comedy club, etc, etc, then sleep around midnight or 1 am, then, in am, shower, breakfast, excursion, back on ship later, shower, dinner, relaxed on deck, comedy club, karaoke laughs, etc, sleep midnight or so...

Was day after day like that, maybe it's us, but we really didn't spend much time in room .. is it cause we are new at it ?? Wife said she would sooner have a watch or some jewelry instead .. lol

what are missing out on ?? :)

People who have crappy rooms tend to not spend much time in them. People who have nice rooms, think suites, spend much more time in the room.

The nicer your room is the more likely you will hangout in it. The goal usually seems to be sleep and get out when people get insides. If you have a room with a balcony it's a nice place to chill during down time. Down time in an inside is grabbing a lounger near the pool. It doesn't really matter. If you're content in an inside you're a winner. You're saving money and enjoying the ship as well. I don't think you're missing out on that much. I love the fresh air but honestly I only walk out to the balcony three or four times a day, minutes at a time. Usually the view is all blue sea and light blue sky with the exception of sunrise and sunset. You can only stare out for so long before it's time to go back inside.

Balcony is waaaaaaaaaaaay better than an inside cabin.

You get your own private, open-air area to watch the ocean go by, watch yourself leave (or arrive at) ports, see scenery, or just relax on a nice day outside.

They're not that much more expensive than insides on most sailings if you time it right.

Try booking 14-50 days out and you will often get a great deal on balcony rooms.