Switch Balcony For 2 Insides...Bad Choice?

[Lady Hop]

I need the advice of someone who has either cruised in both types of cabins (balcony/inside) or at least been in both types of cabins. I am booked on the Valor in a balcony cabin with my husband and kids. I have never cruised in an inside cabin before or even been inside one. I am considering switching from the balcony in exchange for 2 Inside adjoining cabins for the extra space. After having a balcony do you think I'll regret it? And yes I do spend time in my cabin. Were not the type to only go to our room and change clothes and sleep. Is an inside really cramped? Any opinions will be appreciated.

[Fun~N~Sun]

to have one larger room with a balcony like at Cat 11 or 12 instead of two inside cabins. If so then you would have the extra space and still have the balcony. I have not cruised before (we sail May 28) but it may be worth considering and checking into.

[D4]

We're a family of 4 and get one or two cabins depending on the 3rd and 4th passenger prices. The best part about 2 cabins is having 2 bathrooms and all the extra storage. We do ok in 1 cabin, but we have to put more thought into planning showers and dividing up the shelves and drawers.

 

Since you're obviously not stuck on having a balcony, I say go for the 2 insides.

[Catrin]

I think that is an excellent idea.... a Cat 11 or 12. You will only have to pay 3rd and 4th passenger rates for the kids that way.

 

If you book the insides, the kids will have to pay the full rate.

 

For me, I would get the balcony either way. I cruised with my two kids twice in balcony rooms, and they were fine.

Catrin

[Lady Hop]

I didnt think you could have 4 people in the larger cabins. I thought that is what I was told in 2003 on my first cruise on the Triumph. That's why I opted for a Family Suite which I would never do again.

[Fun~N~Sun]

I didn't think about the bathroom situation and that would have to be a personal preference. Personally, I would rather stager the showers and have the balcony but again, to each his own.

[1tonysmom]

Hi Lady Hop. We cruised in the adjoining inside cabins on the Carnival Glory (sister ship to the Valor). It was almost like having a suite with all the space. Twice as much closet space and two bathrooms was great. The cabins were over the casino, but we only heard noise a couple of times and it wasn't even that bad. I always travel with a sound machine for "white noise" so with that on, you couldn't even hear anything. I had these same cabins booked on the Valor for Thanksgiving week, but DH and I decided to upgrade to a balcony with an inside across the hall, as our kids are old enough to be in their own cabin and don't necessarily need to be in an adjoining cabin. BTW, it really wasn't that much more to get the two adjoining cabins. I priced out 4 of us in one balcony and it was only about $200 more total to do the adjoining insides and we had twice the space.

 

Joanne :)

[Fun~N~Sun]

four people in a Cat 11 or 12. We are booked on Destiny Cat 12 for May with 4 people and my daugher was on Trimuph 2 years ago in a Cat 12 with 4 people. There is a king size bed and a sleep sofa.

[PaulMedik]

I need the advice of someone who has either cruised in both types of cabins (balcony/inside) or at least been in both types of cabins. I am booked on the Valor in a balcony cabin with my husband and kids. I have never cruised in an inside cabin before or even been inside one. I am considering switching from the balcony in exchange for 2 Inside adjoining cabins for the extra space. After having a balcony do you think I'll regret it? And yes I do spend time in my cabin. Were not the type to only go to our room and change clothes and sleep. Is an inside really cramped? Any opinions will be appreciated.

 

 

Lady Hop,

 

I booked adjacent balcony cabins on Liberty for our three sons (11, 9, and 50. I considered booking an inside across the hall from a balcony for the boys but didn't like the idea so I booked the balcony cabins. I never considered booking adjacent ocean view with adjoining doors though they do have them on the Liberty Spa deck and other decks and on the Valor too as I recall. As for inside adjoining.....I don't think I'd be able to do that; claustrophobia! :eek: I hear the sizes are comparable though.

[Binney]

Having been in both inside (with 2) and balconies (with 4) I'd still take the balcony any day! As the 3rd and 4th passengers they are less expensive by about a third. Usually they are children (teens) who you may never see anyway. Keep in mind that if showering and the bathroom are really a problem, there is always the spa for showers.:cool:

 

The difference is like night and day (no pun intended) you can enjoy the balcony like it is another room.

 

Truly, go for the balcony!

[Fun~N~Sun]

I can't imagine not having a balcony. I would feel too confined. I would love to sit out there late at night or early in the morning.

[PACURN]

I need the advice of someone who has either cruised in both types of cabins (balcony/inside) or at least been in both types of cabins. I am booked on the Valor in a balcony cabin with my husband and kids. I have never cruised in an inside cabin before or even been inside one. I am considering switching from the balcony in exchange for 2 Inside adjoining cabins for the extra space. After having a balcony do you think I'll regret it? And yes I do spend time in my cabin. Were not the type to only go to our room and change clothes and sleep. Is an inside really cramped? Any opinions will be appreciated.

 

:eek: :eek: Don't do it.

[VentureMan_2000]

I think that is an excellent idea.... a Cat 11 or 12. You will only have to pay 3rd and 4th passenger rates for the kids that way.

 

 

I'm pretty sure the 3rd and 4th passenger rates on a cat 11 or 12 will be higher than the 1st & 2nd passenger rates on a balcony.

 

The cabin sizes are the same... but you get a bit more space by having a balcony... where you can sit comfortably and wait while the others inside are getting ready.

 

I would take a balcony over 2 inside rooms anyday... especially if you like to spend any time in your cabin.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I'm pretty sure the 3rd and 4th passenger rates on a cat 11 or 12 will be higher than the 1st & 2nd passenger rates on a balcony.

 

While typically higher than in other CAT's, the 3rd/4th rates are USUALLY less than the 1st/2nd is virtually all CAT's.

 

I would take a balcony over 2 inside rooms anyday... especially if you like to spend any time in your cabin.

 

If we HAD to choose between the 4 of us in one balcony, or TWO inside cabins - we would LIKELY choose the insides! (More than likely we would NOT even go). Our sons are 13 and 18. When they were a few years younger, we did share a CAT 12, which was not a problem. But times change...

 

I COULD handle an inside in some instances - though my wife loves LARGE balconies (hey, who wouldn't!) so... THAT IS THAT :D

 

Tom

[cruzn buckeye]

I would definetly do either a balcony and an inside across the hall or two insides. We prefer balconies. But four in a cabin, while feasible, is very crowded. My daughter did it with her two daughters, ages 9 and 11. They did o.k. since there were only three but no way would I try 4 in one. We were able to get our past guest rate for our cabin and our daughters who never cruised before.

Also, they will only book 2 or 3 in a cat. 11. Cat. 12 holds four. But from reading your post, it looks like you are watching the cost also. A cat. 12 on this ship holding four would run you about $6000 bucks. First and second passenger rates are very high in cat 12. Whereas you could book two insides, depending on when you are cruising, for as little as $700pp. Total, 2400. Or a balcony and inside as a previous poster stated for about 200 more.

[MrPete]

Why two insides? Why not one balcony and one inside. Best of ALL worlds.

 

Especially if you like to spend time in the room.

[jckvpa0]

I would go for the two rooms in the cat that is affordable to you.

 

I mean we all love our kids but don't you just love them a little more when they go to sleep ;) ! Never having shared, ( well I guess technically yes we have), a room with my children what does one do when they go to bed? Do you go to bed at the same time or just tip toe around. Unfortunately even if you have a balcony you can't go out there & read at night because the lights only go on when in port,(that I will never understand),.

[cruzin w chris]

we have a cat 8c for our upcoming triumph cruise on 4-22-06 for 5 people 3 adults and 2 kids. plenty of room if you use it right.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

we have a cat 8c for our upcoming triumph cruise on 4-22-06 for 5 people 3 adults and 2 kids. plenty of room if you use it right.

 

Awwww come on – you could probably fit 8 or 10 people in there IF YOU REALLY USED THE SPACE WELL.. lol (just having a little fun here):D

 

Tom

[oakleys]

id keep the balcony!! after having one i could never have an inside cabin

[Lady Hop]

Thanks to everyone for your opinions. Just FYI our kids are 13 & 6 so it wouldnt be possible to put them across the hall and keep our balcony. I think we'll stick with the balcony and make the most of it :cool: Thanks for the idea about showering in the Spa. Were on deck 10 now so my husband can shower there :D.

[grayling111]

I would take the balcony and make due with being a bit crowded. The balcony can be used like an extra room. We sit out there and wait while the kids get ready. The steward folds up the couch and bunk bed during the day, and if everyone takes a bit of effort to tidy up thier stuff, it will work. And yes, when the bathrooms got too busy, we sent hubby up to the spa to shower!!

You will find the kids are always gone anyway, they don't hang around the cabins!!!