Inside Cabin Vs. Balcony Vs. Suite

[ftthomas]

Okay so I am having a battle inside myself as to which room I want on my next cruise. I have always had an Inside so far on Princess. It is nice but I feel like I want more out of a room space wise. The last cruise we happened to spend a good amount of time in the room just because not a lot of the activities interested us (they did a poor job listing them in the patter the first cruise on RP did a much better job), we found that we napped a lot, and watched some of the movies. So I was wondering what you all thought. Which one would you book? I know there will be trade offs for each, but I look forward to your opinions.

[AKman2495]

Well, it all boils down to budget and preferences. We always book insides and have no problem with them. That said, if we had a large group and wanted to entertain, we might have to rethink that.

 

Insides save money which can be used on things like excursions and on really nice pre cruise hotels. On our last cruise, by choosing an inside we could stay at the 4 seasons in Houston, which is a really nice hotel.

 

On our first cruise, my mother joined us and she was upgraded to a flu balcony. She had some more room, an extra chair and the balcony. We avoided the balcony much f the time because where we were-it was far too hot to enjoy.

 

Suites are nice, but then you feel that you should spend more time in the suite, as it has so much room and you paid for it. That means less being out and about in the ship, but then, Princess is all about doing what you want.

 

I know this is not much help, but like I said, it all boils down to what you want....

[Pam in CA]

I've had all types except full suite: inside, oceanview, balcony and mini-suite. It depends on the itinerary and cost, particularly since I cruise as a single. For my upcoming cruises, I have oceanview and plan to book the Sanctuary. I spend little time in my cabin, even sea days, and like to be outdoors when possible. On my Royal cruise, I've booked an inside because there are no oceanview cabins and I refuse to pay the $2,000+ difference. Everyone is different and likes to do different things while on the ship. If it's a port-intensive cruise, it almost doesn't matter what type of cabin you're in.

[Coveguy4]

Budget, itinerary,weather,all come into play. Love suites, but have only done them twice, once an inside, a few OV's, and I usually sail in balconys, but in April my first mini. Afraid after the mini I won't be able to do regular balcony anymore since so close in price to eachother.

[Steviewonder1]

My wife and I have always had Full Suites and they have spoiled us rotten. We hosted the Meet & Greet on our last New England Cruise on the Crown in our PH Suite with 35 attending. This time we have the Owners Suite for the British Isles. Suites and Balconies on the back of the ship (in most cases, yes I have read about the Royal) are really wonderful. We will be in our 4th Aft Suite on the next cruise. We have had them mid-ships and they are also fine, but can get a little breezy.

[oskidunker]

What is a Flu Balcony?

[cr8tiv1]

I have been in interiors to suites. I don't think there is ever a question regarding suites (if you disregarding the price).

 

Size wise:

 

There is a slight difference to an interior and an ocean view. The ocean view is only slightly bigger (room for an additional chair). All else is the same. A balcony interior is slightly bigger than an ocean view. Interior, Ocean View, and Balcony all have the same closets and bathroom set ups. A mini-suite has a love seat and a bathtub which makes the bathroom bigger. On most Princess ships, each deck has different size balconies with the Caribe deck having the largest (9 x 9).

 

I have done an interior and a suite for two weeks to Hawaii. You need to consider how much time you really are going to spend in your stateroom. I keep saying that I will spend more time in the suite, but it rarely happens. I spent very little time in the interior this past November.

 

To each his/her own. There are many good reasons for each choice. Enjoy.

[sayaguru]

What is a Flu Balcony?

 

I assumed a typo (full)

 

We used to always get an inside stating "you're never in your room anyway". Then we had the oportunity to book an oceanview. We liked it but wouldn't pay a lot extra to have one.

 

Then we had a balcony. We LOVED it. More room. The thing we loved though was th fact that you could curtain off the bed from the lounge. My hubby likes to sit up and read late. He could lay on the lounge and read and I could go to bed undisturbed. We didn't sit on the balcony much but it was nice to have.

 

I haven't had a suite. My next cruise I have an inside again because the balcony was double the price. I travel a lot so paying double meens less trips.

 

To me I think everyone would love a balcony or suite but it comes down to luxury VS cost. I'd rather go in an inside than not go. Also on some ships the mini suite has VERY little difference to a balcony (NCL) so when comparing prices do your due diligence to see that you are geting value for money.

[lor74]

I've been in all categories except for the high end suites. Like others have said, it comes down to the budget. I have gotten accustomed to mini suites on Princess. It usually is in the right price range for me, and it provides a good amount of space to go along with the balcony. That being said, my next cruise on the Crown (14 nights), I will have an inside cabin. I must admit that I am feeling a little apprehensive about it...although I will miss the balcony, it is the storage space that worries me the most. There were several reasons why I ended up making this choice, but the main 2 were that the price was ridiculous at $1000pp, and the other being that we spend very little time inside while in the Caribbean.

 

Had I been going to Alaska, Panama, NE, or any other itinerary which had “stuff” to see or was not a “sun” vacation, I would have a balcony or higher.

 

I upgraded to a full suite on my Alaska cruise…..it was a wonderful experience, and I would do it again without hesitation if the price was right or I was offered an upsell.

[cruzsnooze]

We always get a mini so we have two TV's. We don't watch both but i like watching the one from the sofa since it's more comfy to sit on a sofa and have a drink and snacks on the coffee table.

[Roses2]

Ask yourself how you define your enjoyment of a cruise. Despite all the denials, one spends quite a bit of time in one's cabin and if you view a cruise as a time to be comfortable and relax, then you want a place to sit comfortably and read, use your computer, watch TV etc (and not on the bed or on a sofa in the public areas).

 

To us, a sofa, chairs, and a desk are required, not just nice to have. We would much rather spend more for our cabin than on other things such as a 5 star pre-cruise hotel.

 

Shop !!!! Look at the prices of guarantee cabins. Often you can get a mini-suite for the price of a balcony or even an obstructed view cabin. On the ships with window suites (WS), you can sample all the full suite perks for the price of a balcony.

 

For us, we settle for nothing less than a mini-suite with plenty of room to relax and eat a meal, if we choose. When the deals are right we grab a full suite .

 

It really is your choice and a trade off of what you want to spend your cruise dollars on -- comfort during the cruise or casino, bar tab, etc.

[OCruisers]

Seriously consider a mini-suite for a cruise longer than 7 nights. :)

It's quite nice to have the extra space.

 

LuLu

~~~~

[Sunsailor]

I think the biggest bang for the buck is the obstructed oceanview cabin. The cabin is significantly larger than interior and not much smaller than a balcony. If it's a cabin that sleeps 2 the bed is not under the window but perpendicular to it and there is a club chair and a desk chair.

There is also natural light. You can check the view from the window at

https://sites.google.com/site/cabinviewbyrenmar/

 

While balcony cabins are nicer I generally find that I don't spend enough time on the balcony to warrant the additional cost. I'd rather cruise more often.

[riclop]

What is a Flu Balcony?

The one you get sick in.

[caribill]

Then we had a balcony. We LOVED it. More room. The thing we loved though was th fact that you could curtain off the bed from the lounge. My hubby likes to sit up and read late. He could lay on the lounge and read and I could go to bed undisturbed.

 

On Princess?

 

I have never seen a Princess balcony cabin that had a curtain like you describle.

[caribill]

Shop !!!! Look at the prices of guarantee cabins. Often you can get a mini-suite for the price of a balcony or even an obstructed view cabin.

 

A GTY booking on Princess is at the exact same price of a cabin you select in the same category.

 

The only time a GTY would be less than a selected cabin is if you are selecting a cabin in a different category.

[sayaguru]

On Princess?

 

I have never seen a Princess balcony cabin that had a curtain like you describle.

 

No the curtain separating the lounge from the bed was on NCL.

 

I'm surprised it isn't in all ships though. I just assumed it was standard for a balcony (as I'd not had one before). It's not like it's difficult to do.

[D&L Thomas]

I would always book an inside and pocket the difference, or spend it on terrific excursions, or save it towards another trip ... Unless the price differential was small or I got a great upgrade opportunity at the last minute. The latter is how we got our first balcony and unfortunately DH is now hooked and wants only balconies.

 

It just makes for a different experience altogether. I sleep better in an inside than almost anywhere else and as we are early risers and enjoy afternoon naps they are great for that. I find insides cozy. We do spend more time out and about and have never had trouble finding quiet spots elsewhere on the ship to read and relax.

 

BUT. The luxury of having coffee on the balcony as the sun comes up, and having your own little slice of paradise right there, is very special!

 

Just not worth twice the price (or more), to me anyway. We will never see a suite--too many other places and experiences to enjoy, we travel a lot on land as well as at sea.

[dorisis]

I think the biggest bang for the buck is the obstructed oceanview cabin. The cabin is significantly larger than interior and not much smaller than a balcony. If it's a cabin that sleeps 2 the bed is not under the window but perpendicular to it and there is a club chair and a desk chair.

There is also natural light. You can check the view from the window at

https://sites.google.com/site/cabinviewbyrenmar/

 

While balcony cabins are nicer I generally find that I don't spend enough time on the balcony to warrant the additional cost. I'd rather cruise more often.

 

They are also in one of the best locations on the ship. Right smack dab in the middle. Probably one of the best buys and sea view is always available out on the decks.

 

Ocean and Pacific have larger standard cabins. Balconies can be a waste in some climates. Suites are in a category alone. If I were very wealthy I would always pick a suite but since I am not and like to do frequent cruises,I choose a cabin I can afford that suits the itinerary

Edited December 28, 2013 by dorisis

[Woobstr112G]

It's all about personal preferences and one's financial means. We've been fortunate enough to have full suites on four of our seven Princess cruises. On the other three we've had mini suites. Our full suites have been mid-ship (Emerald-Ruby) and aft view (Sapphire-Royal). For the Minis we've had the end "AD" (Diamond), the end "AC" (Ruby), and a somewhat mid "AC" (Golden). Our favorite by far was the aft Vista on the Sapphire. We enjoyed the PH suites on the Ruby/Emerald but found the mid Rivera balconies somewhat narrow. the Royal aft OS was a huge waste of money and the balcony had those well talked about "soot" issues. Our favorite mini was the end "AD" which had the larger full covered balcony.

 

For our next Hawaiian cruise, we once again have a Dolphin Vista. I think this is becoming our favorite overall cabin on Princess due to the aft view and the suite perks (Sabatinis Breakfast).....:):):)

 

Bob

Edited December 28, 2013 by Woobstr112G

[spyro1952]

for me it comes down to one thing and that's price. I book according to what the daily rate is and what's a great deal. I have booked every type of cabin on a Princess ship from suites to inside cabins. I have favorite inside cabins on certain ships and love window suites. Just depends on the price of the cruise as to what kind of room I book. Since I mostly cruise solo, I also have to consider I'm paying almost double regardless of what room I book. I book cheap and cruise often. :D

[Gunner22aa]

We are blessed to have the means to sail exclusively in suites and love it. We sail in aft Vista (S6) suites exclusively and predominantly on the Grand Class ships. Love the aft view and the balconies, where we spend a lot of time are huge. Our cruises tend to be longer these days. The next is 31 days and the one after that 28 coupled with a week ashore prior to cruising. The free laundry service for suite passengers on Princess lets me pack for a month long trip as if it were 10 days or so. Also the suite only perk of breakfast at Sabatini's is wonderful. The down side is that one of these suites will cost you 4-6 times that of an inside cabin.

[adstz]

On Princess?

 

I have never seen a Princess balcony cabin that had a curtain like you describle.

 

We had a mini suite with balcony on the Sea Princess for a 10 day Alaska out of San Francisco. It had a curtain between the "bedroom" part and the "living room" part. When my husband got a migraine it was invaluable. We shut the curtain and he was able to have complete darkness while I watched tv in the other room.

[RocketMan275]

the Royal aft OS was a huge waste of money and the balcony had those well talked about "soot" issues.

 

Bob

 

I understand the soot issues with the aft OS, but were there other issues? Thinking of reserving one. Thanks.