Cruise ships usually have a huge range of cabins to suit a mix of budgets and tastes. But what’s the best choice?
A new cruise guest took to Reddit to find out. ‘Scott2281’ said: “I know it’s obviously a matter of preference, but is it really worth the extra money for a balcony room?
“I like the idea of a balcony, I just don’t know how much time will be spent in the room so it almost feels like a waste.”
Balcony rooms are nearly always one of the most expensive types of room but is the extra money worth it?
One cruise guest said: “For my wife and I, if we can’t afford a balcony room, we can’t afford the cruise. But that’s definitely a personal preference.
“I have a fairly low social battery and as much as I enjoy my time out in the public areas, I like having a private area to relax and recharge.”
Cruise ships will generally have plenty of public spaces to unwind in but guests who prefer their privacy may appreciate a balcony.
Another guest agreed saying: “I would not go on a cruise without a balcony. The idea of retreating to a pitch-black sealed-in coffin of a room causes me actual anxiety. I cannot live without fresh air, no matter the outside temperature.”
Interior rooms are usually the cheapest option on a cruise ship, but they might not be to everyone’s taste.
However, one guest said: “We are the weirdos that prefer inside staterooms. There is nothing like being rocked to sleep in complete darkness. As long as we aren’t under the pool deck, we get the absolute best sleep on cruises.”
If you don’t intend to spend much time in your cabin and you don’t mind the darkness, an interior room could be the ideal budget choice.
Guests could also set for the middle option. A room with a window will allow you to get fantastic sea views for a cheaper price than a balcony.
A guest said: “We didn’t miss a balcony on our Italy cruise because we were in a different port every single day and were exhausted by the time we would come back.”
Still want a balcony but don’t want to pay expensive prices? See if you can score a room upgrade if there are any unsold balcony cabins before the cruise.
