Paging AmberMarieTX (and other cruise experts!)

MarieSD

I was just searching and saw a post where someone asked what websites to use for booking a cruise. I saw a lot of people had experience with cruising, so I wondered if I could use your expertise for a pretty minor detail that I'm tripping all over!

Background: I'm looking at a seven-day cruise out of Galveston next spring. It looks like Royal Caribbean and Carnival are my cruise line options, and I'll use cruisecompete.com to compare prices.

I want to have the best experience possible since it's our honeymoon, and I love the idea of having a balcony room. But then there are "upgraded/extended balcony rooms", "junior suites", and regular "suites" also.

Up til that point, I could understand why it was worth it to pay extra - balcony view compared to an ocean view or compared to no view (interior). So thought I'd ask if anyone's ever upgraded past the balcony room and if they think it's worth it?

llc2011

I've been on cruises in different categories (inside room, ocean view room, balcony) and will admit that I loved the option of having the balcony.  If you are looking to save money, then an inside room will be fine.  As many people will say, you don't spend that much time in the room.

But for a Honeymoon, if you can work it, I say go for the balcony.  Being able to see sunsets or sunrises from your own balcony is amazing.

MarieSD

Thanks for the reply. I just realized I was kind of jumbled in my first post, so I edited it a bit to be clearer that I definitely want a balcony room - I just don't knowif I should try to get the biggest/extended balcony or even upgrade further to the suites (which I believe also have balconies, and a separate sitting area).

I know with me personally, I'll want a nice room because I always need to decompress after lots of people + activity + noise. So, sadly, I probably will be in the room more than the typical cruiser!

mandasue178

If you know you'll be spending time in your room, then splurge for the higher level room. A balcony is really nice. The one perk we found to the inside room is that it can be pitch black like night time even in the middle of the day. 

I will say I didn't really see the point in upgrading from a balcony to a deluxe/suite/etc. 

annielouise

I've only traveled on Carnival, so I can only speak for their rooms.  The first 2 cruises I took were inside rooms, which I didn't mind at all because we were never in the room.  When I booked my 3rd cruise, I booked for an inside room.  Carnival called a few days later and said they had upgraded me (past guest upgrade) to a higher floor (better) and to a room with a balcony (Woohoo!!).  I thought I wouldn't really care, but like PP said the sunsets/sunrises were amazing.  And there's nothing like laying out on your balcony in the pitch dark hearing the ocean.

Now..for your honeymoon, I would definitely do an upgrade from a balcony.  The suites on carnival have a larger sitting area, bar area AND have jacuzzi tubs.  Otherwise, you're stuck with a dinky shower that is bound to over-flow.  If you plan on spending time in your room and having any romantic evenings in...go for the suite.  For an extra couple hundred dollars it'll be worth it.  If you've cruised before, call the cruise line and tell them what you're looking at..chances are for your honeymoon they may even upgrade you for free.  Do your research online to get prices...then call the cruiseline.  They may offer you something better.

AmberMarieTX

Hey! Sorry, I just saw this! I have cruised five times and had a window or a balcony with both Royal Caribbean and Carnival, but never a suite. I would say that I would definitely splurge for at least the balcony since it is your honeymoon (if it is in your budget). For advice on if suites are "worth it," I would go to cruisecritic.com message boards and talk to them on the Royal Caribbean and Carnival boards.

Keep in mind that the balconies are not huge, but they do have enough room for two chairs and a small table in between. There is also room to sit as well as stand up and step forward to lean on the railing. I had a "hump" balcony on the Voyager and it was awesome because we were sticking out further than any of the balconies and had a great view...

Sorry I could not be more help, but I would just think to myself "Is ____ more money per day worth it to have a suite?" I do know that suites have bathtubs, which can be nice.. not sure if Junior Suites do, but I think so. I think that the closet space might be larger. A few extra square feet of room in the cabin itself.

You can find some GREAT help and threads about the differences between suites and balconies on cruise critic.

AmberMarieTX

Also-- these are pics from my recent RCCL cruise on Voyager of the Seas.. you may find some cabin pics in there: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ambermarie/sets/72157623119138407/

And these are from our cruise on Carnival (Conquest) with a balcony:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ambermarie/sets/72157601942279762/

You probably have to copy and paste in new window..

MarieSD

Thanks so much for everyone's input! I can't believe how affordable the cruises are (compared to the honeymoons I was looking at before), so we definitely have the money to splurge on the suites. I thought from the brochure the difference was regular tub (normal room) vs. jacuzzi tub (suite) - not shower only vs. jacuzzi tub! That sold me, and I'm sure the "bar area" will sell my FI on the suite.

I hadn't realized cruisecritic.com had forums - I'll head over to check those out. 

Thanks for the link to the pictures - now I'm excited about things I hadn't thought I would be (formal night and the theater shows) because they looked fun in your pictures!

AmberMarieTX

which cruiseline are you going with?

MarieSD

Right now, it looks like there's just one cruise offered right after our wedding, so I'm thinking it'll be Carnival (Conquest).

Do cruise lines only post ship sailing dates a certain amount of time in advance? Because when I looked at several months next spring on Royal Caribbean's website, there were no cruises listed (at least not seven-day cruises - I can't even remember if there were any cruises at all listed).