Doing the right thing to Save money?

[MMluvsWDW]

My husband and I are trying to make a tough decision and were hoping for some insight. We have a hump room on a cruise and noticed the price of the promenade room (what we started with before upgrading) has fallen to half the price of the balcony. We are now looking at 500.00 more a person for a balcony. What would you do, go back to the promenade or stick with the balcony? We're looking for different points of view from those who have been in both. We're trying to be responsible and move back to the promenade but would really like the balcony...HELP and tell me how smart it is to be responsible!

 

[RitaE]

What would I do? I've done the balcony and it's nice. To me though, it wasn't $500 per person nice. $500 can buy an awful lot of real fun.

Our last cruise was a porthole window cabin down on a very low deck, really close to alot of the crew cabins on an older ship. We actually had a blast down there and the cost was dirt cheap. I'd do that again in a heartbeat.

 

[runwad]

Wow $500 per person is a lot!! How many people total? Even if it's just you two for 1k I'd go back to the original ressie. I don't think a balcony is worth that kind of extra money, especially in these times. You're on the ship you'll have a good time save the extra money in case you need it for something unexpected...that's the responsible thing to do

 

[minnie mouse]

I am in the same situation. I really want to book the Disney cruise since they are having such a good deal. We can do a cat. 11 for a little under $1000.00 or a family suite with balcony for $2100.00...I really would like the bigger room and the balcony but is it worth $1100.00...I don't know. I don't cruise that often so I really want a nice room but I could spent that $1100.00 on the cruise ship and have a blast....hummmmm what to do.

 

[DMickey28]

What is your lifestyle like on a cruise? Have you been on a promande room before? Do they have port hole rooms available still?

Our last cruise was a porthole and it was fine. After the last three or four cruises with balconies, we missed it but not a TON. We do love the balcony but not at $1k above. We are also roomies, we enjoy spending time in our room. We like to nap in the afternoon, read and just relax. We enjoy watching a movie at night. We do not stay out all hours with the entertainment on the ship. We would be miserable in a promande room with all the noise from the promanade because we would be wanting to relax and rest in our room just as the festivities are getting started. A big thing to think about.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I'll be the voice of dissent.

You already have a verrandah stateroom booked. Were you comfortable with the price tag when you booked it? Are you contemplating the change because there is an economic need to save the money? Or are you just having trouble allowing yourself to spend your money and enjoy a little luxury?

I'm all for getting the best possible deal on whatever vacation you choose to take. And I'm not the type to encourage people to spend money they can ill-afford to part with. But sometimes I think we get so wrapped up in doing things frugally that we forget what we were saving the money for in the first place.

 

[hrslvr142]

I have only been on one cruise but chose a balcony over the advice of my fellow travelors who thought I was wasting my money. I loved standing out on the balcony and watching the water go by. I would get up in the middle of the night and just enjoy the quiet and the stars and could do so in my pjs. Great memories. I don't remember how much more it was then the interior rooms but it was well worth whatever I paid. Have a great trip no matter what you decide.

 

[pearlieq]

Eh. We got a balcony on our first cruise because that's what everyone said was the best. It didn't really do much for me. We went out once in a while, stared at the water, then went back into the A/C!

We've gotten oceanview rooms ever since. I like being up on deck, so when I want to see the water or feel the ocean breeze I just go on up to the promenade or pool deck and get my fill.

For that kind of money, I'd take the promenade room for sure! You could make a real dent in another cruise for that much.

 

[MMluvsWDW]

Thanks guys, we are doing it to save money, but thinking we'll use the money towards another cruise or dis vacation which will make it a bit easier to give up the balcony. Sad but also excited It's tough being an adult!!!

 

[GoofItUp]

Looks like you've already made your decision, but I thought I'd chime in anyways...

To me, it depends on WHERE you are cruising as to whether that kind of money is worth it for a balcony. In Alaska or Hawaii where there's something to see, I'd say yes -- go for the blacony. Cruising the Caribbean or something like that where you are in open water most of the time -- I'd go with the OV and save the money.

Just my $0.02!

 

[buzz5985]

Looks like you've already made your decision, but I thought I'd chime in anyways...

To me, it depends on WHERE you are cruising as to whether that kind of money is worth it for a balcony. In Alaska or Hawaii where there's something to see, I'd say yes -- go for the balcony. Cruising the Caribbean or something like that where you are in open water most of the time -- I'd go with the OV and save the money.

Just my $0.02!

A balcony was wasted on me, I went out - said way too hot, and went back in. Even in Alaska a balcony just shows you a small spot, you need to be up on deck to get the full, glorious experience.

 

[NHdisneylover]

We have been on (I think-=trying to count them now) 12 cruises. WE have had 11 inside staterooms and one nicer room with a veranda. The only time it was worth it to us to have a veranda was on a 14 night transatlantic with 6 sea days. we knew in that situation we would spend more time hanging out in the room and could sue the veranda more. We did use it and enjoy it on that trip but did not miss it at all when we went back to inside rooms afterwards. We always prefer to have the less expensive room and get to go ore often (which is what it sounds like you are plannign on doing)

I am in the same situation. I really want to book the Disney cruise since they are having such a good deal. We can do a cat. 11 for a little under $1000.00 or a family suite with balcony for $2100.00...I really would like the bigger room and the balcony but is it worth $1100.00...I don't know. I don't cruise that often so I really want a nice room but I could spent that $1100.00 on the cruise ship and have a blast....hummmmm what to do.

For that price difference you could cruise more often-you could take two cruises in the cat. 11 for the cost of one in the suite. Of course, two cruises means two sets of transportation to port and tips, but it is still a huge gap. Wow. Good luck deciding.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I'm an outside cabin kind of gal.

If it was a once in a lifetime kinda thing, I'd spring for the balcony. As it is I love to travel and $1000 gets me that much closer to my next trip.

 

[Darcy03231]

I'm a frequent cruiser (2-3x a year). We've stayed in interior, ocean view, balcony and suites. If it were me I would drop back down. $500/pp is a lot a money to save. My theory is while its nice to have a balcony, if I really want to be out in the air I can go up on deck. The only time we book a balcony is when its around $150/pp more.

 

[msmayor]

Since you are referring to 'hump' balcony and 'promenade' room, I'm guessing that you are cruising RCL. I was on Freedom of the Seas last year and stayed in a promenade room...and we LOVED it!!

As nice as a balcony might have been, the reality is that it was really enjoyable to spend time on the deck outside, where the 'action' is. The tables/chairs by the pool were next to full-length glass windows that opened up top to let the air in, but gave beautiful views of the sea. Nice loungers were up there as well. The music, the availability of drinks/snacks...being on deck to enjoy the outside was great!

The promenade rooms are what I call "inside-outside" rooms...an inside room with a window! Never felt closed in, and with the changing levels of light in the promenade based on the time of day, you really did almost feel like you were seeing 'outside'.

Me? I'd go to the Promenade in a heartbeat to save $500pp. An extra $1,000 would surely cover your on-board account with ease.

 

[andrews_dad]

If you are in the room that much, you "ain't" cruising. Get out there and have a ball. I see cruises much like Diz... I need a place to sleep and shower. Otherwise I am out and about.

 

[disneycountrygirl]

It depends on several factors:

- Where do you tend to spend time on the boat?
- Is this a special event or trip of a lifetime?
- Do you have the extra money to splurge?
- Where is the cruise going to be located?

I think it partly depends on the location because for instance, Alaskan cruises are based largely on the scenery - the scenery is a foundational part of the experience - and do you want to miss all the scenery unless you are in a public area with views?

Then again, if you aren't ever in your room anyway, it may not matter.

We had a balcony with our first Caribbean cruise because it was our honeymoon, and it was really nice, and my most vivid memory from that cruise was waking up, going outside on the balcony and seeing that we were just approaching port in Haiti. It was my first time seeing another country besides Canada, and my first time in that type of climate, and it was astonishing because it was so personal and beautiful on my own sunny balcony in the fresh air and morning light. A great memory. It wouldn't have been the same on a public deck with people surrounding me.

But we had a porthole view with our second cruise (Disney) and that was really nice and memorable too. You will have memorable moments and experiences that you take with you regardless of what kind of room you have.