Is it worth upgrading to a balcony on a cruise?

Balcony cabins cost more than ocean-view cabins or windowless inside cabins. But they can be worth the splurge if you're the kind of person who likes a private place to be outdoors during a vacation.



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Bottom line In most cases, an upgraded cabin is always better than the most basic room on board. The only thing stopping you from splurging on a larger space, a private balcony and extra perks is your budget.

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Whether you choose an oceanview or balcony cabin should come down to two primary considerations: price and itinerary. Can you afford the extra money you'll pay for a balcony? Or, even if you can afford it, would you prefer to spend that extra money on some other cruise experience (drinks, shore excursions, the spa)?

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Rear-facing balcony cabins are among the best balcony cabins on any ship. Often, their balconies are bigger than balconies on side-facing cabins and they also feel quiet. There are far fewer balcony cabins at the back of a ship than on the sides of a ship, so you don't hear a lot of noise from your neighbors.

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Midship staterooms on the lowest passenger deck are the most excellent spot to be on a cruise ship in this instance because you don't feel the vessel sway as much.

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Can You Sleep on a Cruise Ship Balcony? There are no rules that say that passengers on cruise ships can't sleep on their balconies. That said, cruise lines do generally advise against it. Despite this many people enjoy sleeping on their balconies and you won't have any problem doing so if you want to.

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The forward is subject to the most movement out of anywhere on a ship. And the higher the deck, the more pronounced that rolling and swaying motion tends to feel. Movement at the aft is a bit less drastic than the forward, but still isn't the most stable place for those who are prone to seasickness.

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Did you know that you'll suffer less from sea sickness if you choose a cabin located in the middle of the ship on a lower deck? Do you consider how large the ship is when booking your cruise? This is all more important than you think as you feel the motion less on the mega ships…

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Cruise prices are usually the cheapest furthest from the sailing date when first launched or 60-90 days before the cruise sets sail. The prices of some cruises will decrease last minute – but this doesn't always happen. Booking a cruise within the last 60/90 days may not always be the best way to get a bargain.

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If you plan to remove tips from your onboard bill, you will need to plan in advance to bring enough cash for personal tipping, then wait in a potentially long line at the guest services desk to remove the auto-gratuities and chase down all the crew members you wish to thank on the last evening.

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Leaving Your Balcony Door Open Can Make a Mess You might want to prop open your balcony door as you sail, but cruise lines aren't so keen on the idea. For starters, the warm air coming in will cause your cabin's air-conditioning to work harder (unless you turn it down), wasting energy on the ship.

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Smoking is prohibited on stateroom balconies. Guests in the Garden Villas may smoke in their private garden and on private sun decks. Public areas throughout all ships are smoke-free. If you smoke regular or electronic cigarettes, you can do so in designated areas only.

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Smoking is a fire and safety hazard on a ship. Consequently, it is strictly limited to specific exterior deck areas that can be monitored. All guests are expected to adhere to the following safety guidelines: All staterooms and suite accommodations, including outside balconies, are NON-SMOKING.

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Balconies, Advantages and Disadvantages
  • Advantage: Outdoor living space. ...
  • Advantage: Enlarges the entertainment area. ...
  • Advantage: A great place to lounge in perfect weather. ...
  • Advantage: Affordable home addition. ...
  • Disadvantage: Lack of privacy. ...
  • Disadvantage: Safety and regulatory factors. ...
  • Disadvantage: Often underutilised.


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Eastbound cruises get the most sun on the port side; westbound on the starboard side. Watching a sunset over the ocean or seeing the sun slip behind distant islands can also be a reason for a side preference. To catch sunsets, you'll want to be on the port side on northbound cruises and starboard on southbound cruises.

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Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaska's scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship. Southbound Alaska cruises are the opposite.

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