Cruise cabin-inside or balcony?

[Disneyland1084]

I'd love to hear the pros and cons of both. I've never been on a cruise, but am hoping to by 2025. For those Disers who have been on one or more (not necessarily a Disney cruise), please tell me the pros and cons of a balcony and inside room, or Oceanview. My DS is 4, so I don't think I'd feel comfortable getting a balcony room until he's much older. I'd be ok with an inside room ,as long as it's less than 7 days. When DH and I go on an Alaskan cruise for our 25th anniversary in 4 years, we'll be getting a balcony room. But I'm hoping to go on a cruise with my family before then. I just want to explore all options.

 

[kymom99]

Balcony all the way

 

[starry_solo]

We've always done Oceanview or balcony. We like balcony for fresh air.

 

[GroguAndStitch]

I've never cruised in an inside stateroom so I can't fully speak to it, but having a private balcony was absolutely a huge part of our cruise experience- 7 nights on RCL in caribbean. We ate breakfast room service on the balcony outside, came back to read on the balcony to escape the pool deck, spent our nights sipping cocktails on the balcony after leaving a lounge. I can't imagine not having one.

With kids, I'd see it as a place to go and have some quiet after my kids fall asleep with my husband. The doors are hard to open (you have to twist the handles in such a way you can't accidentally open them). I think if your son is 4 now, so theoretically 6 by 2025, I'd 1000% get a balcony. My kids are 5,7 now and we are looking at a 2025 cruise and I price out ocean view balcony/verandahs only (DCL, NCL, or RCL are on the list!)

 

[Praying Colonel]

I'd love to hear the pros and cons of both. I've never been on a cruise, but am hoping to by 2025. For those Disers who have been on one or more (not necessarily a Disney cruise), please tell me the pros and cons of a balcony and inside room, or Oceanview. My DS is 4, so I don't think I'd feel comfortable getting a balcony room until he's much older. I'd be ok with an inside room ,as long as it's less than 7 days. When DH and I go on an Alaskan cruise for our 25th anniversary in 4 years, we'll be getting a balcony room. But I'm hoping to go on a cruise with my family before then. I just want to explore all options.

We cruised Disney Dream in 2012 and they upgraded us from an inside room to a balcony. DW now refuses to cruise without a balcony. You are warned.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Ive done 2 cruises , Norway Fjords and 4 night to Spain. I've had an inside on both. I prefer to save on the room and then have extras like adult dining , upcharge coffee, Rainforest Room instead. Theres so much to see and do on the ship , that I prefer to be out and about and not just staying in the room the whole time.

 

[GroguAndStitch]

i think the only pro to inside is price, honestly.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I've never cruised in an inside stateroom so I can't fully speak to it, but having a private balcony was absolutely a huge part of our cruise experience- 7 nights on RCL in caribbean. We ate breakfast room service on the balcony outside, came back to read on the balcony to escape the pool deck, spent our nights sipping cocktails on the balcony after leaving a lounge. I can't imagine not having one.

THIS is my dream. To me, there would be nothing more relaxing than watching the ocean go by while sitting with my feet up. I've got to ask you, what's the balcony like when it's completely dark outside? I saw a YouTube video of it, and it was both creepy and fascinating. Something I would love.

 

[jimmymc]

I did a balcony to Alaska on the Norwegian Encore and thought it was worth the upgrade. the room is a little bit bigger, and the balcony gives you a private viewing platform on glacier days.

Otherwise, I tend to like ocean views if the price is close to an inside. The natural light makes a big difference in helping me wake up in the mornings or take a break in the middle of the day.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

We did a balcony on our first cruise. The boys were 4 and 6 at the time. We loved it. We were always outside on the deck with the boys, but I had no concerns about their safety while we were out there. The rail was plenty high and there is plexi-glass.

The next two cruises we did inside to save money. The one good thing (besides saving money) is they get very dark, so you can sleep well. I think the boys were 11 and 9 by that time and I regretted not having a balconey. It was too crowded. We would have liked the balconey to spread out more.

 

[GroguAndStitch]

THIS is my dream. To me, there would be nothing more relaxing than watching the ocean go by while sitting with my feet up. I've got to ask you, what's the balcony like when it's completely dark outside? I saw a YouTube video of it, and it was both creepy and fascinating. Something I would love.

It can definitely be your reality!! One of my absolute best memories from our cruise was bringing a big bag of chips and guacamole and margaritas to the balcony and just sitting sipping and snacking and talking with my husband one evening, watching the waves.

The balcony at night is really nice. The sea is DARK but you can actually see the waves because the ship has lights that illuminate the water nearest the ship. Our balcony had its own lightswitch we would turn on when went out there, so we had no issues with lighting.

 

[_19disnA]

Never been on a cruise but some of our relatives have and said the inside rooms tended to be more stable and less likely to cause motion sickness. If that is an issue with you then might want to consider an interior room. Interior rooms are also lower prices then those with a balcony/exterior view.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I’ve never had an inside cabin, only balcony cabins.

We travel with extended family (children, teens & adults) in balcony cabins next to each other and ask the room host to remove (fold in) the balcony divider. We love having an extra place to hang out. We order room service the night before so in the morning, the early risers can sit out there with coffee, tea, juice, light breakfast. It is so relaxing watching the ocean, sipping your drink…

In the early evening, we order crackers & cheese & fruit to enjoy on the balcony, while we take turns getting ready for dinner.

We also sit out there in the late evening, watching the moon over the ocean.

To us, that is a huge part of the cruise.

 

[SC Minnie]

For a 3 or 4 night we've usually done an inside since for such short cruises we aren't in the room much. For 7 day or longer a balcony is a must for us.

 

[Disneyland1084]

Never been on a cruise but some of our relatives have and said the inside rooms tended to be more stable and less likely to cause motion sickness. If that is an issue with you then might want to consider an interior room. Interior rooms are also lower prices then those with a balcony/exterior view.

I'm almost certain I'll be doing an interior room for my first cruise. My DH's a penny pincher (not always a bad thing,but can be annoying) so the more money we save will make him happy.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I'm almost certain I'll be doing an interior room for my first cruise. My DH's a penny pincher (not always a bad thing,but can be annoying) so the more money we save will make him happy.

It will still be a wonderful cruise!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I'm almost certain I'll be doing an interior room for my first cruise. My DH's a penny pincher (not always a bad thing,but can be annoying) so the more money we save will make him happy.

honestly, an inside is just fine. One of my favorite things to do is get a coffee from Cove Cafe and watch the sunrise from the top deck. Theres hardly anyone up at 7am and its so nice to just listen to waves.

 

[GroguAndStitch]

It will still be a wonderful cruise!

agreed. I'd pick inside cabin vs no cruise at all any day!

 

[Disneyland1084]

i think the only pro to inside is price, honestly.

You're probably right. I was exploring the prices of World Cruises (I doubt I'll ever do one. I think I'd get home sick) and saw the interior rooms were going for over $14,000. Some of the balcony rooms were 2 or 3 thousand more. If someone 's going to spend THAT much money, a couple grand doesn't seem like much more. Shorter cruises I notice a big difference in prices of the rooms.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

agreed. I'd pick inside cabin vs no cruise at all any day!

exactly, its the same with those of us who stay in budget motels for park visits. As long as a place is safe and clean, I really dont see the point in spending big money just for the sake of having a nice room. You get the same cruise experience with an inside room, you can do all the same things. Theres a lot of one-upmanship and people showing off, when really we are all on the same ship, going to the same restaurants and ports.