Is it worth getting a balcony on a cruise?

If you're sailing in the Mediterranean or to another scenic destination, the view is definitely worth the money, Driscoll says. "If you're doing an Alaska cruise, it's so nice out on the balcony, watching the glaciers," he says. "You see all the people on their balconies watching the beauty go by."

Is it worth it to upgrade to a balcony on a cruise?

The best views. Balcony cabins don't just offer you access to an outdoor space. They typically also offer you a great view of the outdoors from inside your cabin. This is because the doors leading to balconies in balcony cabins usually are made almost entirely of glass running from floor to ceiling.

Are balcony staterooms worth it?

Balcony cabins are great for giving you that much needed bit of personal space when you're both in the room. If he wants to nap but you're wide awake, a balcony offers you a place to hang out without worrying if you're making too much noise or using too bright lights.

What deck level is best on a cruise ship?

The best deck on a cruise ship to avoid seasickness is the lowest passenger deck. This is because the top of a ship sways from side to side much more than the bottom. To avoid motion sickness, choose a cabin close to the waterline.

What is the best floor to stay on a cruise ship?

Even if you choose a balcony room, choose a low level and a room closest to the ship's center. The higher decks and cabins at the front (forward) or back (aft) of the ship will rock and roll the most.

Where should you not stay on a cruise?

"What cabins should I avoid on my cruise?" It's a question that first-time cruisers and even those who've been on a few can't help but wonder when planning their vacation.
...

• Interior Cabins That Are Cramped and Often Windowless. ...
• Cruise Ship Cabins With Obstructed Views. ...
• Noisy Cabins. ...
• Cabins With No Privacy.

Is it best to prepay gratuities on a cruise?

Bottom Line: In general, we opt to prepay gratuities on a cruise simply because we like not having to worry about them creating a higher bill once on the ship. That said, there's no harm in opting to wait as the gratuities will be charged automatically once on the ship. It all comes down to personal preference.

Can you sleep on the balcony of a cruise ship?

Can You Sleep on a Cruise Ship Balcony? There are no rules that say that passengers on cruise ships can't sleep on their balconies. That said, cruise lines do generally advise against it. Despite this many people enjoy sleeping on their balconies and you won't have any problem doing so if you want to.

What is a French balcony on a cruise ship?

French Balcony – typically on the top 2 decks of a rivership, a sliding glass door opens up to railing, but you cannot step outside. This is the most common type of cabin available, and the one I recommend, excepting Viking Longships. This is also known as a “Juliet” balcony.

Is it better to be on the left or right side of a cruise ship?

There's nothing inherently better about either the port side or the starboard side of a cruise ship. But if you're sailing in a balcony or veranda stateroom, you might want to choose to stay on a specific side of the ship based on the direction of your itinerary.

What is the cheapest time of year to go on a cruise?

The cheapest times to cruise are typically in the late summer and fall because of hurricane season, but you can often find patches of bargain sailings, especially during the early weeks of December and in the spring.

What is the safest cabin on a cruise ship?

Note that it also helps to be low to the water if you're worried about seasickness.

• Cabins that are toward the middle of a cruise ship and low to the water are generally the most stable in rough seas. ( ...
• The Royal Loft Suite at the back of Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas has a wider than normal balcony area. (

How much is a balcony room on a cruise?

A few years ago, he says, "you'd be paying double to get a balcony." Now, cabins with balconies on a standard, seven-day cruise generally cost $100 more than those with a window, and between $150 and $200 more than a stateroom inside the ship.

What is the difference between a balcony and a veranda on a cruise ship?

Veranda and balcony are pretty close to synonyms in their usage in descriptions of cruise ship cabin space. In the design of a house, I think of certain verandas as supported from below, while balconies are suspended or cantilevered.

Is the back of a cruise ship a good location?

Aft of the ship

The back of the ship tends to be considered the next best cabin position after midships. Whilst the front of the ship gets the most movement the back also does get some. Whilst it's nowhere near as bad as the front of the ship, you may still notice some movement in rough seas.

What can you not buy on a cruise?

4 Overpriced Items You Shouldn't Buy on a Cruise Ship

• Mainstream Liquor. Unless you're shopping for a rare vintage, local liqueur or brand that's not available where you live, we suggest not spending your money on booze. ...
• Personal Care Products. Forget toothpaste, sunscreen or feminine care products? ...
• Medication. ...
• Electronics.

Can you sit on a French balcony?

2 answers. A French balcony is a small step out your sliding doors. You can sit in your room with the doors open and feel like it is outdoors, but you cannot sit on the french balcony, it is to small. However, unless you plan to spend a great time in your room, a french balcony is just fine.

What is the point of a French balcony?

Most French balconies, which are sometimes also called “Juliet balconies,” are nowhere near big enough for people to stand or sit on. Some will hold small potted plants, but others are just for show. Their main purpose is to provide the feel of a true balcony without the expense or upkeep.

What is the difference between a balcony and a French balcony?

French Balconies look and act like a regular balcony, with the only exception being that there is a railing placed directly behind the glass, meaning you cannot step out onto a separate space — without splashing into the river, that is.

What does a pineapple on a cruise door mean?

If you know, you know… On a cruise (and sometimes also on land) 'pineapple' is code for swinging or wife-swapping. If you see pineapple on a cruise ship door it means that the people in the cabin are up for meeting other couples for 'adult fun'.

Can you smoke on cruise balcony?

Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, theater, bar, lounge, hallway, elevator, and jogging track. Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom and any stateroom balcony. This applies to all stateroom categories onboard.

Can you watch TV on cruise ships?

Yes. Cruise ship cabins feature televisions, though you might not be able to keep up with all your favorite shows.

What happens if you don't pay gratuities on a cruise?

However, most cruise lines are based in the U.S., where the crew members' pay structure is based on tips. If you refuse to tip on principle, you are impacting the salaries of the people who have served you well onboard.

How much extra should you tip on a cruise?

How much should I tip? Most cruise lines suggest tipping $10 to $12 per day per passenger (not per couple), regardless of age. For a seven-day cruise, this means each cruiser should budget at least $70 for gratuities, or $140 per cabin for two people.

What happens if you don't prepay gratuities on Carnival?

For guests who opt not to pre-pray, gratuities are posted to their Sail & Sign account toward the end of the cruise. The amount is then charged to the payment method on file for your account at the end of the trip.