sunthumper

I just booked my first cruise and got a balcony room. I questioned if it was a waste since we leave from NYC Dec. 23 and it'll be cold, but your post just made me realize just how awesome the balcony decision will be! Since first timer I'm a little afraid of getting seasick. Do you have any experience traveling from NYC to Caribbean Holiday week? How rough? Any other tips?

How was it? It stunk! It's SUPPOSE TO stink...you get what you pay for- 4 walls, a bed & tiny bathroom...no sun, no salt air & wind at your face ( a biggie for me), no seeing the waves, the islands, the dolphins swim up next to the ship, no nothing...people say, they are not in their cabin much- that's because you have a crappy cabin! I HATED going back to my 122 SF broom closet...NEVER again..we tried a balcony on Princess in 2000, and 30 cruises later, it's always a balcony, or better if I can swing it..if we can't afford it, we don't cruise....

 

The kind of cabin you choose often determines how much time and how much enjoyment you will spend and have in your cabin…A balcony cabin can make you feel connected to the ocean…an inside cabin makes you feel connected to 4 walls. Again, I re-iterate: A balcony cabin makes you feel connected to the ocean and makes you FEEL like you’re on a cruise!! Would you book a hotel room without a window?? What’s the point of being on a ship if you can’t see the sea passing your stateroom? At this very moment, there is some poor couple trapped in a stateroom they hate, fighting over who’s to blame for this God-awful dark, windowless, claustrophobic nightmare resembling a broom closet- when they could’ve been sipping a cold beverage on their private balcony looking at the beautiful sea, watching the birds,other cruise ships go by, islands,and most of all, smelling, hearing,and watching the waves and the wonderful salty mist the sea has, perhaps dozing off to the sounds of the waves……even at night it is majestic,and tranquilizing with the stars out and a certain calmness the sea has in the Caribbean. I am out on my verandah every morning ,afternoon and night!! One of the most romantic things you can do is have breakfast delivered to your cabin and eating it on your balcony …this is best on a sea day, rather than a day in port (I find and most agree)..it is included in your price- just give the attendant a tip (cash is always preferred) for their service..they will bring it out right on the balcony for you, too…..there is not much romance in an inside cabin. Once you have cruised in a balcony,it’s hard to do anything other unless you upgrade to a suite,of course. My wife & I work hard & deserve a nice vacation- just as I wouldn't go to a beach resort & ask for the worst room & with the worst view, I will leave you with what my 10 year old niece once said after seeing our balcony cabin & standing out on the balcony looking at the Caribbean sea , then going into her cabin and saying," this is so dark & boring compared to yours"..."yours is suppose to be dark & boring, you wanted cheap, you got it"...That is MHO..remember, next time you book an inside cabin, also consider asking for a hotel room without a window- you find too many because that would considered crazy wouldn't it?