Is the balcony really worth it?

[ASchaff]

Help talk me into/out of it. I am so torn right now. I don't know if I really want one or not. I cannot decide if it is worth it. UGH

[scubaman]

Yes

[LMaxwell]

What is the price difference, per person, per day to the room you currently have?

 

What is the itinerary? How many port days? How many sea days?

[legion3]

Hi Lmaxwell, fancy meeting you here.

 

I will let you know in 20 days...yes! first balcony on Breeze...spa to boot.

[Raxter54]

Yes. Our first cruise we had an aft balcony. Spent many an hour watching the wake and just relaxing. The sound of the water passing by the ship is like a giant white-noise generator, and is very relaxing. Our upcoming cruise on the Dream is in a cove balcony. Don't think we would book anything else than a balcony...

[KPfromCT]

We won't cruise without it. We take breaks during the day, so we enjoy having that little slice of paradise. [emoji23].

 

Nothing better than coffee on the balcony first thing in the morning. Or some wine before dinner or bed.

 

Also nice to prop the door open while going to bed and hearing the ocean.

[stobe1]

It depends on how you plan on using the balcony. If you're like me and spend lots of time on the balcony relaxing, reading or just watching the world pass you by, then yes it is absolutely worth it.

 

If you're the type to spend all your time in the casino or by the pool lounging in the sun, then no, it wouldn't really be worth it.

 

So, in my opinion, it all depends on how much time you plan on spending in your room and on the balcony. If you're wanting to save money and spend lots of time out on deck, then an interior or ocean view is the way to go. If you want to have your private little area with an ocean breeze, views of sunrises and sunsets and a place to relax as you hear the crashing of the waves as the ship cuts through the ocean, then a balcony would definitely be for you.

 

For me, it is always worth the extra money to spend on the balcony cabins. Someone else will have an entirely different opinion on this, though.

[SugarRush]

Our itinerary has 1 sea day. No way was it worth extra for me. It was a huge difference. But I've never had one so don't know any better as its my first cruise

[ASchaff]

What is the price difference, per person, per day to the room you currently have?

 

What is the itinerary? How many port days? How many sea days?

 

Right now we are paying a $459 pp rate(including the "upgrades") for an inside interior cabin on deck 10. The balcony cost is currently $689 pp, and they have one "large balcony"(aft, L shaped cabin next to the stairs) available. So it will be 98pp/pd vs 65pp/pd.

 

It's the Western Caribbean, 7 day with 2 sea days.

[sotuffexecutive]

Over the years I have experienced inside, ocean view, port hole, balcony, junior suite and grand suite on Carnival. My first choice is a balcony. Love sitting out on balcony reading with coffee in the am, with a cocktail before dinner and in the evening after a long day. Suites other than having a fridge did not offer anything for me over a balcony. Price always figures into the picture as well. I always have a set cruise budget and if I can get the balcony for what I have to spend I book it. Number of days do not figure in for me really.

[liquorstore]

Mornings aren't the same without a balcony

[ASchaff]

This wouldn't be the first time we have had a balcony. We had a balcony on the Mariner of the Seas and for our honeymoon on the Legend. While it was nice to be able to just step outside, I don't really remember how much we really used it. I am not one to sit in one place for very long, but I know my husband enjoyed it. I don't mind the open decks, but I keep thinking how nice sitting on the balcony would be, and then I think about the extra $460 it would cost.

[Podna's]

Its worth every penny to me. Particularly the lido balcony because of the convenience.

Being from the New Orleans area, I'm actually just as excited about the balconies we are gaining when we replace the Elation with the Triumph next year as the upgrades. I already booked its 1st cruise next April.

[WindsorFred]

It depends on how you plan on using the balcony. If you're like me and spend lots of time on the balcony relaxing, reading or just watching the world pass you by, then yes it is absolutely worth it.

 

If you're the type to spend all your time in the casino or by the pool lounging in the sun, then no, it wouldn't really be worth it.

 

So, in my opinion, it all depends on how much time you plan on spending in your room and on the balcony. If you're wanting to save money and spend lots of time out on deck, then an interior or ocean view is the way to go. If you want to have your private little area with an ocean breeze, views of sunrises and sunsets and a place to relax as you hear the crashing of the waves as the ship cuts through the ocean, then a balcony would definitely be for you.

For me, it is always worth the extra money to spend on the balcony cabins. Someone else will have an entirely different opinion on this, though.

Totally agree. Even on port intensive cruise's we have always enjoyed our balcony, have yet to sail without one.

[fshstck]

Yes, two days before our 4 day cruise we got an upsale call. $250 total more for an 8th floor balcony (we were on a 2nd floor inside). I took it, worth every penny and then some. We are early risers, it was nice getting OJ/ Coffee delivered to the room and sitting outside on the deck. It definitely took the feeling of having to rush to get the day rolling. I don't think I'd do without one now.

Edited April 5, 2015 by fshstck

[Jasalth]

I think it all depends on the type of person you are if it is worth it.

 

I don't like crowds, I mean Walmart on the weekends freaks me out and sends me into a panic attack. I personally need the space to be away from a lot of people and having that "safe space" helps me a lot.

 

Each person is different. You will get a lot of people who say they never spend time in their room because they are out doing everything they can. This type of cruiser is fine in what is cheapest since they just go there to pass out at the end of the day.

 

Do you want to sit back, watch the world go by and just relax? Or do you want to go out and party 20 hrs a day? That is what is really boils down to in making a decision.

[ASchaff]

Yes, two days before our 4 day cruise we got an upsale call. $250 total more for an 8th floor balcony (we were on a 2nd floor inside). I took it, worth every penny and then some. We are early risers, it was nice getting OJ/ Coffee delivered to the room and sitting outside on the deck. It definitely took the feeling of having to rush to get the day rolling. I don't think I'd do without one now.

 

This is another thing too. I wouldn't want a balcony without being able to have breakfast delivered and I am sure as heck not going to back for room service, and seeing as we aren't sailing until October, I have a feeling RS will be paid by then. lol

[anythinggoes580]

Help talk me into/out of it. I am so torn right now. I don't know if I really want one or not. I cannot decide if it is worth it. UGH

 

 

In one word "Yes"! It is worth it. Now if it makes a difference of going or not going based on finances then don't let it keep you from going. If you can work it in the budget don't go without it.

[ASchaff]

In one word "Yes"! It is worth it. Now if it makes a difference of going or not going based on finances then don't let it keep you from going. If you can work it in the budget don't go without it.

 

I can work it into the budget, but I just don't know if I want that money in my savings or in the room. I am so undecided. It's frustrating.

[anythinggoes580]

I can work it into the budget, but I just don't know if I want that money in my savings or in the room. I am so undecided. It's frustrating.

 

 

Only live once and can't take the money with you! I'm not in my room often but when I am it definitely gets used. Just book the balcony and enjoy. How far out are you looking?

[reerun25]

I have had OV, Porthole, and balcony. While I loved the balcony, to be honest, we would go out on it, take a look, take some pictures, then we would head up on deck. When we would come in to get ready for supper, we would do the same. We never really sat on it for any length of time, so for us, we don't mind paying less for OV. We are actually going to try an interior and see how we like that, and then use the "savings" for excursions. We may hate the interior, may love it, but only one way to find out. Bottom line for us, we enjoyed the balcony, just felt we did not use it to justify the cost.

[ASchaff]

Only live once and can't take the money with you! I'm not in my room often but when I am it definitely gets used. Just book the balcony and enjoy. How far out are you looking?

 

We are leaving Halloween 2015. We have another vacation we leave for on August 15th, 2015, which is not all inclusive, which I also have to pay for. We are poor EMS workers so it is tough to spend that kind of money without any good justification lol. Especially since I don't plan on telling my husband until we board.

Edited April 5, 2015 by ASchaff

[ASchaff]

I have had OV, Porthole, and balcony. While I loved the balcony, to be honest, we would go out on it, take a look, take some pictures, then we would head up on deck. When we would come in to get ready for supper, we would do the same. We never really sat on it for any length of time, so for us, we don't mind paying less for OV. We are actually going to try an interior and see how we like that, and then use the "savings" for excursions. We may hate the interior, may love it, but only one way to find out. Bottom line for us, we enjoyed the balcony, just felt we did not use it to justify the cost.

 

I have done interior, porthole and balcony in the past. I liked all of them well enough. My mom had an OV on our last cruise, where the others in our group had porthole, and our rooms were the same. We would have gone with a PH this cruise but they aren't available.

[LMaxwell]

For $500 I could live without it. $100 pp/pd is an average balcony rate (not great, not bad). I think $65pp, pd for an interior is kind of steep, so while it's a reasonable upgrade, if you don't think you will use it too much, keep what you have. For the two of you is that balcony worth $75 +/- per day to sit on? That pays for a lot of other stuff on a cruise.

[anythinggoes580]

We are leaving Halloween 2015. We have another vacation we leave for on August 15th, 2015, which is not all inclusive, which I also have to pay for. We are poor EMS workers so it is tough to spend that kind of money without any good justification lol.

 

 

Definitely understandable. Guess it really boils down to budget and other plans. If you read or are a morning coffee drinker then the relaxation of the balcony is second to none. I love my balcony and always book first balcony inside on Lido. Again, I'm not on mine that much. Would I go without, absolutely but prefer the balcony option.