I'm Torn Balcony or Not

[rick&james]

I've been watching the prices for a Balcony for upcoming cruise August 18th I got a Inside for 973 total for Two but looking at the Balcony's they are not bulging a extra 480.00 total is it worth it with this itinerary only one sea day dilemma....

[deetrayn]

I've been watching the prices for a Balcony for upcoming cruise August 18th I got a Inside for 973 total for Two but looking at the Balcony's they are not bulging a extra 480.00 total is it worth it with this itinerary only one sea day dilemma....

 

I think it is based on personal preference. Only you can decide if it is worth it to you. I personally would not, but I know there are people who would.

[Bunkie103]

Much as I love a balcony the idea of only one sea day would make me stay where I was. We have 3 sea days and even then my DH wasn't in favor of the balcony and it only cost another $200. Good luck with whatever you decide and Bon Voyage!

[Smitty74]

For me, a window is a requirement, and a balcony is a luxury. If the upgrade was $200 or so, I would do it, but not $480

[Waterloomarc]

While I don't think $480 is a terrible amount of money...but percentage wise that's half again as much as you paid for cruise. I enjoy balconies but I don't think I'd do it for that kind of difference. In other words I don't think I'd derive 50% more enjoyment from a balcony.

 

 

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[clairentommy]

I had booked an inside cabin and was perfectly happy with it at first but kept doubting my decision about staying in a room where I didn't have a window or a balcony.....i just bit the bullet and paid the extra for the balcony as I thought i'd regret it and didn't want anything to say "if only" on our cruise

[bobsfamily]

I've been watching the prices for a Balcony for upcoming cruise August 18th I got a Inside for 973 total for Two but looking at the Balcony's they are not bulging a extra 480.00 total is it worth it with this itinerary only one sea day dilemma....

I think you are saying it would be $480 total for the upgrade? If the extra money won't break the bank I would do it... love me some balcony. And although you state only one sea day, you are at sea every evening/night/early morning. Sitting on you own balcony watching the sea go by, or the moon is wonderful, plus coming and going from port can be nice as well.

Regardless of what you do have a wonderful cruise!

[EnTnSA]

After four cruises now, we have realized we just aren't in our rooms enough to warrant the cost of a balcony. The only time we are in our room is when we are trying to get out of the sun for a bit and relax. I found last time, we spent more time worrying about how to shut out the sun for an hour or so vs. spending any time on the balcony.

 

Our next cruise, we are trying an inside room for a change.

[rick&james]

I think you are saying it would be $480 total for the upgrade? If the extra money won't break the bank I would do it... love me some balcony. And although you state only one sea day, you are at sea every evening/night/early morning. Sitting on you own balcony watching the sea go by, or the moon is wonderful, plus coming and going from port can be nice as well.

Regardless of what you do have a wonderful cruise!

 

Yes my partner loves Balcony because he smokes and doesn't have to go up to Lido I'm happy to be cruising and the 480 would not break the bank but my Casino play may lol I think I'll stay in inside they also have ocean views for 180 total also considering this

[KenMo]

Yes my partner loves Balcony because he smokes and doesn't have to go up to Lido I'm happy to be cruising and the 480 would not break the bank but my Casino play may lol I think I'll stay in inside they also have ocean views for 180 total also considering this

 

A few cruises ago, we got a Porthole cabin. I wanted to try it and it was only a 5 night cruise. Previously, we cruised with balconies.

 

I smoke, the DH doesn't. Back then, smoking in cabins was allowed but I didn't smoke in the cabin.

 

Anyway, it was a real PITA going up to Lido in the AM for a smoke. I had to get dressed instead of just stepping out on the balcony.

 

My DH really missed having the balcony as well.

 

All this to say...I learned we are balcony people. We get a balcony or we don't go.

 

OTOH...$480 is a good chunk of change. It can buy a lot of DODs!

[Twinzma]

If you can afford it, without it cutting into any other vacation spending....I'd consider it. Just because you only have one sea day does not mean that you wont use it. You could have your morning coffee there, you can use it when your cabin mate is getting ready. If the ship docks on the side you balcony is on, you can watch for pier runners. Also, which makes me lean towards yes is I believe that August 18th is a full moon and the views will be wonderful from your balcony as you unwind from a hard day of vacationing. So ask yourself, can you afford it, can you justify it and if you answer no to either one then stick to where you are.

[suzycruiser2]

If you are content with an interior, I would stay. That $480 is half way to paying your next cruise fare!

[mum2bradley]

This is only my 4th cruise and we have always had a balcony on the Lido. I would be so claustrophobic in an inside cabin but that is just me.

[elliair]

This is only my 4th cruise and we have always had a balcony on the Lido. I would be so claustrophobic in an inside cabin but that is just me.

 

I agree. If we can't book a balcony at a decent price then we won't go. We have coffee on the balcony every morning and wine in the evening - to us the extra cost is worth it.

[sailfirst]

We always do balconys but I need to change that since everyone smoking on theirs and door banging ? but I have three future cruises booked all balconys. Since your partner is a smoker I would let it up to him can you get an inside close to where you can smoke? not all ships let you smoke on the lido deck. We were on the Splendor this year and there was no smoking on the lido deck.

[bonnys]

I started with an OV, then had an aft wrap, then a regular balcony, and have had an inside. The only one I will not repeat is the inside because I do not like not having natural sunlight. My rule of thumb is if the ship is a Fantasy class I will book an OV but if there are lots of balconies, I want one of them. :p

[Raesacruising]

I completely understand. Up until an hour ago I had the same dilemma. I originally booked a inside cabin on the Panorama deck. I checked the prices and the balcony price looked so good I couldn't resist. Now we have a balcony on the Lido deck. I have cruised with a balcony before but my husband has not. I am so excited!!!

 

I think you have to evaluate how much time you plan on spending in your cabin and if the extra money is worth it to you. If you r still undecided, just wait and keep watching the prices. The price could go down to a price you are comfortable with.

 

Either way, I am sure you will enjoy your cruise, whatever cabin you are in. :)

 

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[MsTee]

If you can spare the extra $, go for it! There's nothing like having your bit of personal space and enjoying a sunrise breakfast on the balcony. :D

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

I love my balconies. For me, it doesn't matter number of sea days, or if I will get an extra 50% enjoyment. It's where I spend my time first thing in the morning, on sailaways, on arrival into ports, with a pre/post-dinner glass of wine, waiting for my DW to get ready after showering, etc.

[Aplmac]

My friends all ask...

How can you afford to cruise so much? Isn't it expensive?

 

If you want it to be ...sure!

Captain's Suite all the way baby -nothing less!!

Heck, it's only money! :D

 

...................

 

But on the other hand..

if you look out for good deals, on the right dates

and can be content with an inside or an OV cabin

suddenly "all that cruising" becomes affordable. :)

 

.

[GeoHack]

That's a 50% increase so I wouldn't do it. I would save that $480 to put towards your next cruise and you're half way there. Also I've always had a balcony and love it. But at a 50% markup, I would stay where you are. I would rather cruise more.

[Richard & Philip]

Gotta do the balcony!!! Wonderful to eat breakfast on and amazing at night watching and listening to the sea go by. It's a good place to get away from the crowds on any day. Have a blast you guys!

[tkportersat]

Until our little one gets a little older we will be booking a balcony....there are times we are stuck in the room and it just makes it more enjoyable if we can at least feel the outside air. I also like a balcony if we travel with my parents as we will book rooms next to each other and hang out outside without all the crowds which is really nice. Otherwise I would have no problem with Inside or OV as I would prefer to be in the room as little as possible. Only you can decide if it is worth the extra cash or not.

[Tapi]

For me, a window is a requirement, and a balcony is a luxury.

 

I agree.

 

We normally book oceanview cabins, but if the upgrade to a balcony is minimal, we'll take it. Having a balcony has only made our cruises marginally better.

[lostinvegas]

I guess it depends on you. I don't get much time off because I run 3 business's and its non stop the whole time. I don't smoke, don't drink much, don't have any kids and generally don't spend much money. So when I go on holiday I do spend a bit more and having a balcony is something I think is worth the money.

 

I have been in insides and outsides before and I would not spend a fortune upgrading but for an extra $480 I would personally go for it.

 

Its a personal choice and depends on your own personal situation. A few years ago when I had just started my business and money was tighter I would not have upgraded.