If you are planning a cruise, you may be wondering if booking a balcony cabin is worth it.
Selecting your cruise cabin can be a BIG decision and on ships these days. There are literally dozens of of choices, and if you get it wrong, you may not be happy. Maybe you’ve been tossing around the idea of getting a balcony cabin on your next cruise, but you’re questioning your decision. Need a little food for thought? We have 5 reasons for you to book a balcony cabin.
Reason #1
Views for daaayz! I mean, does anything sound better than experiencing sailaway from your own private verandah? If that doesn’t do it for you, imagine having a cup (or pot) of coffee on your balcony in Alaska while viewing waterfalls, icebergs and glaciers. Balconies are a terrific way to watch the world go by from your own personal viewing area, and you can stay in your jammies if you wish!
They’re also a magical spot for capturing photos, especially just before the sun sets. So, don your formal night attire, grab that camera, and snap some “magic light” shots before you head to dinner!
Reason #2
Avoiding crowds. Now, we all know that modern cruise ships have loads of space for cruisers to explore without feeling like you’re perpetually surrounded by the masses, but there’s something cool about being able to step outside and smell the salty air, in seclusion.
Some people even like a little “space” away from their cabin mates now and then, so go ahead and bust out your kindle on the balcony while your cabin mate watches re-runs of the love boat until midnight. Everybody’s happy.
Reason #3
Balconies offer extra space. Many people feel less cramped with a balcony, and love that little extra bit of square footage to call their own throughout the cruise. Families traveling with children often report that they love to sit on their balcony while their kids are napping, and that extra space feels immensely different from being cramped in a tiny inside cabin with no windows.
Reason #4
Balcony drinks and dining!
One of our favorite things to do on a cruise is enjoy evening pre-dinner cocktails, room-service coffee and breakfast, or even a steak and lobster meal on our own romantic balcony. Yup, that’s totally possible, and some cruise lines, like Princess, even offer elaborate versions of this, for a fee.
First time cruisers are often surprised that many cruise lines offer room service at low, or no cost, and they can enjoy a morning pastry basket and piping hot cup of joe while pulling into their port of call. Can you say ESCAPE?
Reason #5
If you’re even the slightest bit claustrophobic, you may find the fresh air a balcony offers to totally alleviate the feeling of being cooped up, or “trapped” in a cruise ship stateroom.
Not to mention, one of the coolest things about cruising is being close to the sea, hearing the dramatic sound of the waves crashing against the ship, and breathing in that salty air.
Is a balcony worth it?
So, how do WE decide when a balcony cabin’s worth it? Typically there’s usually only one reason for us to NOT get a balcony, and that’s the price. Here’s how we make the decision. If a balcony cabin is just a few hundred dollars more than an inside or ocean view cabin, we’re going to book it. But, when the balcony is a thousand or more over the inside cabin price, sometimes we just can’t justify it. We realize this is a very personal decision, and that each cruise traveler’s motivations may be different.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this topic, and because we love to thoroughly inform (and sometimes confuse) our subscribers, be sure to catch our next episode on why you might consider an inside cabin. Be sure to share your cabin selection tips in the comments of our YouTube videos, and follow CruiseTipsTV on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
Until next time, we’ll see you on the high seas.
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