Cruise holiday: Tips and advice from an insider about whether a balcony room is worth it | Cruise | Travel
On Reddit, an ex travel agent said they would answer “any questions” about cruising. They said they used to book cruises for customers on many major lines.
One commenter ‘FloatinaBoat4’ asked: “What do you think is something that people waste money on that they they should skip or just isn’t worth it?”
The ex agent ‘ThePowerWithInUs’ said: “Most people want a balcony so they don’t get stuck on the ship if a Covid breakout happens, but most people spend sub 15 minutes on a balcony.
“Most of your time is spent on the ship and in the port. If you want it, get it but if you’re okay with an inside cabin, book it.
“I only sleep, shower and shave inside the cabin, but that’s just me.”
READ MORE: Flight attendant shares best natural remedy to cure jet lag
Another user added: “The Covid thing to justify a balcony is kind of a falsehood right now. If you test positive, most likely they’ll move you to a ‘red zone’ with any other cases.”
One Reddit commenter said: “We are interior cruisers. Have booked a balcony three times for the kids when four are in a room.
“Location is important to us. We like interior. We know people who can’t cruise without a balcony. We can. The whole ship is our balcony.
“Plus we can usually take three cruises per year during hurricane season and off peak times for what some spend for a balcony during peak times.”
DON’T MISS
Interior cabins will be cheaper than balcony rooms but are not advised for anyone who suffers from claustrophobia.
Another passenger said: “The only time I feel a balcony is worth it is if it is a scenic cruise like Alaska or Norway.”
However another disagreed saying: “Even for Alaska it’s not worth it. Watching the view from the upper decks is much nicer.”
Although many passengers felt that a balcony room was an unnecessary luxury, there were others that felt they couldn’t live without it.
They said: “I’d rather die than be stuck in an interior cabin. Imagine waking up in the morning, getting dressed and stepping outside your stateroom only to find you dressed for the wrong weather because you don’t have any natural daylight and therefore were unaware it was overcast.”
The agent said: “How much time do you really spend in your cabin? You can see the weather on the one page sheet the crew members slide under your door the night before.”
However one cruise guest added: “My secret love on cruises is showering and then sitting out naked on the balcony.
“Especially at night. Just a fantastic thing to feel ocean air on nothing at all.”
