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Around the Horn.. Is it worth getting a Balcony?


lonestarmikeb
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No. Wind, cool/cold weather, and potential rough seas are all possible in this part of the world. I was glad that I booked a stateroom on the Zaandam's lowest deck, in the middle of the ship, for my December/January cruise. In areas that are scenic, your ship ought to have plenty of outside and inside areas where you may go to enjoy some really great scenery and wildlife.

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We just came off a cruise that went around the horn. We had a balcony but didn't use it on that day. Like an Alaskan cruise, you really want to be out on the open decks so you can take it all in. If that's the only reason you want a balcony, I would skip it and put the money towards Machu Picchu.

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We've been around the Horn twice, and both times had balcony staterooms. My husband is a birder, and he used the balcony extensively. We also had fairly smooth sailing both times -- while we didn't experience the "Drake Lake" I suspect some fellow passengers may have felt a little cheated that our cruises were so smooth.

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For us, having a somewhat sheltered balcony was important, and it was much-used during our two (or more accurately 2.5*) round-the-Horn trips. We spent considerable time on the open decks watching & photographing the scenery, marine mammals, and the abundant seabirds. Even so, having the balcony was very worthwhile so we could quickly get outside (or back to our cabin), or could just sit or stand quietly in our own partially sheltered space to observe. The partial shelter provided by balcony dividers fore and aft plus someone else's balcony above us made it more comfortable to be outside observing during times when it was cold, or windy, or raining, or some combination.

*
One of our two B.A. to Valparaiso cruises included an unplanned extension from Valpo back to Ushuaia after the Valpo docks and Santiago airport were damaged by the 27 Feb. 2010 Chilean earthquake.

If we are fortunate enough to be able to do the Round-the-Horn itinerary again, we would definitely want a balcony again. Admittedly, it would be a difficult choice for us if we had to decide between a balcony or a side trip to Machu Picchu.

 

John

Edited by J-D
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we did with princess this year and balcony was a plus for enjoing cape horn, amalia glacier - we were lucky with the weather so also enjoied also during the beginning and end of cruise

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We recently went round the horn last December (2017) and we both appreciated having a balcony for the journey. We used it often and extremely pleased. Even with the cooler weather, we bundled up and enjoyed the magnificent scenery. NO regrets.

 

Heather

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Cruised Round the Horn in January 2018, in a balcony cabin. We enjoy the privacy of being able to see everything, without having to squeeze/ squash in with others.

 

We were on Aloha deck, so did leave cabin to see if view of Amalia Glacier was any better on deck, but quickly returned to our balcony, to avoid crowds. That being said, hot chocolate was being served on deck. We didn't stay long enough to need it.

 

It is a matter of personal choice. We are slightly anti social. Would love to repeat this cruise, but would book a balcony cabin every time.

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We are going on Celebrity Eclipse Jan 2019 Chili & Argentina and have book a balcony on the very back aft over the wake and plan to use it a lot, cool, or cold!! Have gotten one of those cabins, when available, and see everything on both sides. We had one for Norwegian Fjords and a Princess Antarctica sail (so very cold!! but so very beautiful--like being in church) Years ago, no one wanted these cabins, no in high demand! Enjoy your sail!!

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We were on the Emerald Princess in Jan., starting from Buenos Aires. We really did enjoy using our balcony. We spent some time up on deck for the scenic cruising, but also a lot of time on the balcony. On this itinerary, a starboard balcony was best. Starting in the Pacific, port would be better. Spectacular view around the Horn.

 

Our weather was mostly quite smooth and coolish, but some warm days. Only one mornng of somewhat rougher seas, which we actually enjoyed, and we were able to make all the ports.

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We had a balcony on Princess and were very happy that we did.

 

BUT...we had reasonably good weather for most of the cruise and were able to use our balcony.

 

The weather can be variable. If it is a choice between upgrading to a balcony or doing Machu then we would select the latter and and an outside cabin.

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