Is a balcony worth the extra money?

[Grammie1950]

yes!!!:d

[dsnyfan08]

My first cruise we had a balcony and my second cruise we had an oceanview. After about two days in the oceanview room, I was longing for the balcony. I won't cruise again without the balcony because as others stated, we use it for breakfast and for relaxing with a book or a drink.

[ibcnusoon]

We had an oceanview our first cruise. It was awful, on the lowest deck. We had to walk a few flights to the promenade deck just to get the "faster" elevators as the elevators that came that low either never ventured that far down or were completely filled when we tried to get on.

 

Our next cruise I booked an inside on Lido deck, figure I was close to pool, buffet, and the main set of elevators. I was happy until ... the upsell fairy called and offered us a balcony cabin on deck 8 for $200 more. I jumped on it, as I had been dreaming of a balcony.

 

It was the best decision! I also wake early, so I had room service deliver coffee, cereal, croissant, jam, and a banana every morning. Once it arrived, I'd put my robe on and sit outside and watch the sun rise and pull into port. It was so beautiful, quiet and peaceful, pulling into Roatan one day brought tears to my eyes, seriously.

 

We used the balcony as a 2nd room, a great place to hang out while the rest of the family got ready. I'm usually impatient and usually done getting ready first, so it was such a pleasure to sit on deck while the rest of the family got ready. Otherwise, I would have been sitting on the bed screaming for them to "hurry up" or I would have been up on Lido wondering if they were done and if they were on their way.

 

No worries with a balcony .... :)

 

Soo... fast forward to our upcoming cruise. Since it is the port-intensive Southern Caribbean I decided to upsell myself when I booked and am now going to be lounging in an aft wrap ..... aaaaghhh!!! Now I get my own lounger, not more dealing with the chair hogs!!

[dms361]

Absolutely!

 

My first cruise was last year. My fiance had been on several previously, both with and without balconies, and said that we absolutely had to have one. I think I'm spoiled now because I believe it is the only way to go. We had a friend that stayed in a lower deck interior cabin and I felt claustrophobic in his room. As important as the balcony to me is room location. We were mid ship on the Lido deck of the Dream and it was perfect. The elevators were right outside our door and we were on the deck where everything was. Walking to our friend's room felt like we were in the Shining with hallways that were optical illusions that didn't end. I would have hated staying down there.

[4hunters]

Absolutely!

 

My first cruise was last year. My fiance had been on several previously, both with and without balconies, and said that we absolutely had to have one. I think I'm spoiled now because I believe it is the only way to go. We had a friend that stayed in a lower deck interior cabin and I felt claustrophobic in his room. As important as the balcony to me is room location. We were mid ship on the Lido deck of the Dream and it was perfect. The elevators were right outside our door and we were on the deck where everything was. Walking to our friend's room felt like we were in the Shining with hallways that were optical illusions that didn't end. I would have hated staying down there.

 

LOL! The Shining -- that's excellent and funny way of looking at it! Just watch out for the river of blood coming your way from the end of that long walkway. :eek::D

[bigcraig]

Kindly save the balcony cabins for smokers only as this is where we have been pushed to, if my smoke bothers you than go inside.

[Room Service!]

Kindly save the balcony cabins for smokers only as this is where we have been pushed to, if my smoke bothers you than go inside.

 

 

Well sure. We'll all do that. Just for you.;):rolleyes:

[keishashadow]

We are thinking of cruising from Norfolk to the Bahamas on the Glory, never been on a cruise before is the balcony worth 700.00 more?

 

Thanks

 

I asked myself the same question but the magic number hovered between $800 - $900 more for upgrade from OV.:eek:Told myself with only 1 sea day it wasn't worth it, etc. Approximately 2 months before my upcoming sale date the price dropped to $450, not exactly a bargin but in the ballpark. I'll cut back on excursions and visit the casino less to make up the difference.

 

There is just something about a balcony that is so very special to me, a private sanctuary away from bustle of lido deck when my circuits get overloaded. jmho I'd rather book an inside than have my nose pressed against OV window, wishing i could step out onto the balcony.

[Casino Player]

We are thinking of cruising from Norfolk to the Bahamas on the Glory, never been on a cruise before is the balcony worth 700.00 more?

 

Thanks

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO cat9661: That depends on you and whoever you travel with. Do you enjoy seeing something on the outside? If you get an inside stateroom it will be dark. Do you enjoy having your morning coffee on the balcony? Or even eating on the balcony? Being out there when you go into port or leaving port?

 

The value of a balcony depends on you and no one else. Good luck with your decision.

[ibcnusoon]

I would book an inside on a top tier deck than an oceanview on a bottom tiered deck.

 

Balconies rule though. :p

[pcvtmom]

I prefer cruising more often, in a cheaper room! Just my personal preference, of course!!

[YankeeFan4Ever]

I prefer cruising more often, in a cheaper room! Just my personal preference, of course!!

 

Same here. We prefer cruising twice a year in an inside cabin over once a year on a balcony.

 

Although the one time we did splurge on a balcony, it was great.

[thesmiths]

WE get an Inside Cabin........

 

 

For the Kids :eek:

 

and we adults get an AFT BALCONY!:D

 

This will be our 5th cruise,,and the 5th Balcony.....

 

WE were spoiled in 1993 on the Ecstasy with a Grand Suite...and never looked back....

 

Think that is when the Balcony Club Started;)

[Room Service!]

Same here. We prefer cruising twice a year in an inside cabin over once a year on a balcony.

 

Although the one time we did splurge on a balcony, it was great.

 

We're just the opposite. We've never done anything other than a balcony. No balcony. No go. And that is why we only cruise once a year.. sigh

[moxie99]

We love to cruise and would NEVER consider a cruise without a balcony! The price difference means nothing as far as I am concerned. We cruise 2-3 times a year and I couldn't imagine not having my balcony to sit on, talk with hubby, have breakfast, smoke ciggs, drink drinks and have sex. We upgraded to a suite a few cruises back and now, well, I'm a suite snob, couldn't imagine sailing not in one.

[soccersharon]

Would not cruise without a balcony! We can only cruise once per year, so we splurge!

[CatzNCruisesCA]

I've never heard of a balcony being $700.00 more. I've only seen a price difference of $300-400.00 between interior and balcony - but I'm not a super experienced cruiser. If that's the case I say save your money and book an interior. $700.00 is crazy! The next time you book a cruise, look for a ship (or time of year) with more reasonable balcony prices.

 

But even for $300-$400 - for me, it's not worth it. The ship is one big balcony to me. ;)

 

But it really depends on your situation. I go on cruises to be social (to a point). I like being out of my room, just people watching and hanging out. So I basically just use my room to shower, change and sleep. Some people want more privacy and are just there to vacation with their significant other/family. I'm single and I go with my best friend - so we don't need the alone time - LOL. :p I use the $$ I save towards an excursion or other treats...

 

Whatever you decide, hope you have fun!

[yarlenna]

For me - no. The reason is simple. If you have a smoker near by you get the second hand smoke. I have no desire to take a drug that I don't need. On a line with no smoking on balconies, I love them. I have seen flying fish, and even dolphin from the comfort of my balcony. There is nothing like a good cup of tea and a muffin while enjoying the morning air.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

To us it is not worth it .