We often get asked whether it’s worth the extra money to upgrade a cabin from the lead-in standard cabin grade to a balcony. While this is an individual preference, personally we believe it’s usually worth the extra money. Here’s why:
Standard cabins are usually either interior (ie, no window) or have a porthole or, in some cases, a small window. Staterooms with balconies have a floor to ceiling glass door meaning the room is instantly lighter, feels much bigger and has far better views. Even if you don’t spend much time in your cabin, waking in the morning to a new destination and being able to take that first look, first thing in the morning from the comfort of your own cabin is everything!
Sometimes the balconies can be small but if you have one large enough for chairs or a sun-lounger, you have a whole extra room at your disposal. Enjoying a pre-dinner drink, or a quiet afternoon ready a book without any other people around can give you that re-charge time so that you’re ready to get out an explore again the next day.
For those on expedition cruises to bucket-list destinations like Antarctica, balcony cabins can mean the difference between seeing whales breaching right in front of you and missing them as you duck up the stairs and through the lounges out to the deck-viewing areas.
In places like Tahiti, having your own balcony is like booking a floating overwater bungalow as you glide through the lagoons and anchor in picture perfect bays. Unobstructed views of palm-lined beaches and turquoise waters … well, people pay huge dollars for views like that!
Of course, it’s everyone’s personal preferences but we always say that if the budget allows, go for it!
