are ocean view rooms worth it on a cruise

For me if the only way I can afford to cruise is in an inside cabin, that's fine. Family Harbor accommodations also offer additional perks with access to the Family Harbor Lounge, which includes complimentary snacks, games, movies and other perks like free specialty dining for the kids. Panoramic Ocean View Stateroom. Secondly, will you use your balcony? If you prefer to be higher and more centrally located, youll have to select a balcony room. It's not like you have a big window to look out while you're sitting on the couch, and I can't imagine they let in much light either. Many cruise planning decisions come down to cost and which cabin you choose has one of the biggest impacts on your bottom line. If you'd rather use the extra money for something else, as of yet you don't know what you're missing. You'll likely be sipping mai tais poolside or heading ashore to the cruise line's private island during the days, so you won't be in the room other than to sleep and freshen up for the evening. OV are great! No matter what stateroom you decide to go with there are some cruise cabin hacks that will help make your stateroom more livable and comfortable, such as bringing magnetic hooks or bringing a laundry hamper. Still confused about cruise rooms? In between those last 2 trips I went on a girls trip with my mother in law and sister in law, we were in a window room and it was the biggest of the 3 and I slept on the sofa. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. I'm not a Mom that drags an overtired child around the ship screaming just because I want to have a good time on vacation. If I want a view I go up to the Lido deck and dine by the windows. Oceanview cabins dont always have an ocean view. It's worth the extra $$ to me. But if it comes down between selecting an interior cabin ahead of time or letting the cruise line assign you an ocean view room, you may prefer the latter. An inside cabin or portholes just don't work for me, being somewhat claustrophobic. Seeing the horizon and having access to fresh air is essential when the ship starts to pitch and roll, so you'd do better splurging on the balcony cabin. They do have shore excursion for whale watching on the Canada itinerary, but I've never seen anyone post that they've seen them from the ship; maybe in Alaska. I would go for inside, promenade, or skip straight to balcony. The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship, Why it pays to upgrade your cruise ship cabin. Oceanview and balcony cabins are more alike than they are different. They are on Carnival. We can all use the extra exercise! Both standard inside and balcony categories are designed for double occupancy, but some rooms in either category can sleep up to four. Cruise Oceanviews, Insides | Norwegian Cruise Line Not a big deal, to me. 11 dontcallme-frankly 23 days ago The Titan submersible's operator, OceanGate, advised people not to eat much before boarding it, and a former passenger said it was steered by a video game controller. This gives you enough space for a king size bed, vanity, and seating area, but leaves little walking space in the cabin. You may be surprised to find a balcony cabin at a lower cost! We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. I have never seen whales even on deck but it's still very nice to have some sunlight coming in the room. Sit and watch TV while I'm on a cruise?). On your itinierary especially, I would go with a window. Remember the concept of Decoy pricing? If you have more than four family members (yes, infants who are six months and older are part of the headcount), making the jump from an interior stateroom to an ocean-view stateroom is absolutely worth the extra money. If you need natural light for health reasons and are prone to motion sickness, especially if the seas are rough or you get claustrophobic you probably won't be happy in an interior cabin. But how do you decide which cruise room is the best for your family or travel group? She contributes to The Points Guy and many other outlets while traveling the world and cruising the high seas. Related: I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked. These cabins are the most economical accommodations, yet they still provide access to all the complimentary dining venues, entertainment, pools and other public areas on the ship. If you're going on a shorter cruise such as a three-night sailing in the Caribbean -- an inside cabin may be a perfect and affordable option. Mark it no upgrade (otherwise some lines will move you without asking!). I would like to know if people think that ocean view rooms are worth the extra money. He is about 6' and he fit right in the window. These cruisers will not take advantage of a larger cabin space, but will appreciate extra cash to enjoy all the ship has to offer, such as speciality dining, beverage packages, and even shore excursions. A: While a hotel or resort's description of an ocean view room may seem similar to that of an oceanfront room, the quality of the view can be dramatically different. Others, however, dont mind the small size and darkness of an interior cabin provided it saves them money. Though the RMS Titanic descended into the depths of the ocean more than 100 years ago, new details of the famed wreckage continue to . Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. Some are roughly the same size as an inside cabin, with the same furnishings and lack a traditional seating area. They are usually located in the middle of each deck, rather than along the exterior; however, some cruises have a few interior rooms located next to balcony cabins on the forward and aft of the ship. Some guests see great value in having a balcony. By crazyforcruises1, October 26, 2008 in Carnival Cruise Lines 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 crazyforcruises1 Cool Cruiser 30 posts new york Posted October. For example, youll find oceanview cabins in the very front of the ship overlooking the helicopter pad, but these rooms are prone to more motion than mid-ship cabins. But often, when comparing an inside cabin vs. an ocean view, youll find that the outside cabin is bigger. These accommodations are more affordable than fancy suites, but can cost as much as 50% to 100% more than interior cabins, depending on the length and destination of the voyage. The choice isn't always easy. We usually book an inside guarantee with the hopes of being upgraded to an ocean view. The majority of inside cabins on a cruise ship have no view outside the room, but there are two alternatives: virtual balcony and Promenade view inside cabins. Add Cruise Critic's Community Forums to your iPhone's Home Screen! "'Ocean view' simply means you get at least a sliver of a view from somewhere in the room," Russell said. Even though these cabins have exterior-facing windows, the cruise line lists them as deluxe inside staterooms, and they're much less expensive than ocean-view staterooms. I spend much more time in the cabin for naps and downtime with her. I would really like to get a balcony, but the price is too high. Is the Alaskan cruise balcony a must? - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums A range of suites types include Regal Suites with a large master bedroom and two walk-in closets. We ended up keeping the curtain closed the whole time. Here's what it was like. Whether that should be inside or oceanview, I agree with some of the above posters, on a short first cruise I would suggest that the interior is a fine choice, that you can spend the difference on a nicer shore excursion, or a few more boat-drinks! If I'm going to have outside views then I want a balcony that I can walk out on and enjoy the sea air as well. Most passengers will be tempted to pay another 10-20% more and choose a room with an ocean view. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Inside cabins on a cruise ship are cabins without a window, balcony, or porthole to the outside. All rights reserved. This year,2008 there were whale sitings as early as July 8th .There is a good whale book called "Whale Watching on Canada's East Coast". On some cruise lines, such as Celebrity and Holland America, balcony cabins are called Veranda cabins. On the other hand, 'ocean view' means that you are going to get a view of the ocean, and maybe a little view of the beach, but there may be things standing between you and the ocean. If you're cruising in scenic places like Alaska and sailing through Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, balcony cabins offer excellent viewing opportunities. Like the interior facing staterooms on select Royal Caribbean ships, these categories often cost more than regular interior rooms. I am considering the ov room, but if they're not worth the extra, then I would just book an inside room again and use the money I save on the extras that we want while we're on the cruise. On that ship, only one deck offers standard balcony cabins; most of the accommodations with balconies are higher-priced suites. Disney Cruise Line's interior cabins with Magical Portholes also feature live sea cam views on a circular screen and an occasional appearance from Disney characters. We are considering a 2J category. Some rooms will also have a small sofa that may be a pullout bed to accommodate additional guests. 8 cabin locations on cruise ships you should definitely avoid Most ships have a deck cam that you can turn to on the TV to see what the weather is like. We got a nice upgrade to an oceanview room with no extra charge. I have never had an inside cabin and only a few times made the choice of just ocean view. Are ocean view rooms worth the extra money? Is a balcony stateroom worth it on a Royal Caribbean cruise? The difference between Ocean View vs Ocean Front If it's an extended cruise and you're sailing with kids, it might be a challenge to stay in a standard interior cabin as a family and remain sane after a week. If you're a solo traveler, you'll need to pay a single supplement for most cabin accommodations. 1 jenrn13 29 March 7, 2010 New York #1 Posted March 17, 2019 Is it worth $200 extra for a balcony room on an Alaska cruise, or is it even too cold to open the doors? The majority of oceanview cabins overlook the ocean, but some have obstructed views. With the touch of a button, the top half of a floor-to-ceiling window slides down; you can close doors to create a separate veranda or leave them open to bring the fresh air into the entire cabin. These budget-friendly cabins are both excellent options for a cruise vacation, but there are several differences to know about between the two cabins before booking one over the other. The more majestic, 360-degree views can only be had on the ships public outer decks, and you might find yourself ditching your private space for the open decks up top. OV rooms are definitely worth the money we've had one twice now. Without checking the clock, its impossible to know whether its 3AM, 8AM, or 12PM. Instead, outside cabins provide ocean views through rectangular picture windows or round portholes. Balcony is even better! Perfect for our son who is afraid of showers! Spend lots of time outside of your cabin and you will always have a great ocean view. Learn more about how to choose a cruise ship cabin. Though the ocean-view concierge stateroom had more space, lounge access, a dedicated team to see to our every need, and more, we still have fond memories of our cozy little windowless inside stateroom. Priced only slightly higher than interior cabins, Promenade view cabins make a nice trade off for those who dont want to splurge on an oceanview or balcony, but want something nicer than a regular inside room. For travelers cruising on a budget, a windowless inside cabin may be an excellent option. Are the ocean view rooms bigger? Cruise pricing can vary drastically from ship to ship and sailing to sailing, but you can expect to pay around $25-40 more per night for a standard-sized oceanview cabin compared to an inside cabin. Standard balconies are furnished with two chairs and a small table. Plus the curtain is dark enough if you don't want any light. There isn't a balcony to step out on but you obviously have the view and fresh air. What it was like inside the Titanic submersible: 'As much room as a Many cruisers combat the lack of daylight in inside rooms by purchasing a sunrise alarm clock. It was great, but with only 2 sea days, I felt it was a waste of money. These cabins will have more space and usually cost more than the standard cabins in the same category. "Worth it" is not just variable -depending upon the cost differential, it is also subjective - depending upon how important natural light is to you. We only use it sleep and spend the rest of our time out and about the ship. The Difference Between "Ocean View" and "Oceanfront". That was a perfect length to get the cruise feel without the weekend "party hard" atmosphere. We loved how dark it was. On the contrary, if you plan to spend significant time relaxing in your cabin throughout the sailing, an upgrade could be well worth the cost. Aside from the lack of a balcony or window, inside cabins feature the same amenities as oceanview and balcony cabins, including: These windowless cabins are usually the cheapest option onboard, making inside rooms a great option for those cruising on a budget. The $30-50 a day extra you would spend on an oceanview cabin could be spent on other onboard activities such as specialty dining or a spa treatment. We have had several inside cabins and they have been fine. You can order room service and enjoy a quiet breakfast or dinner on the veranda. For me, while an ocean view is amazing, it's not always worth the extra bucks. Question: Do you feel it is worth it to pay more for exterior rooms with ocean views? The window in a Disney Fantasy Oceanview Stateroom can either be one or two portholes. The above items you may control by selecting your room carefully. For our next one we were on a tighter budget and decided to go with an interior (only a chair, no sofa.) That's why we've got enough variety to satisfy any type of fun seeker. These budget-friendly cabins are both excellent options for a cruise vacation, but there are several differences to know about between the two cabins before booking one over the other. By clicking Sign Up, you also agree to marketing emails from both Insider and Morning Brew; and you accept Insiders, booked one of Disney Wonder's deluxe inside staterooms, ocean views in a budget-friendly inside stateroom. Celebrity Cruises' Infinite Veranda cabins found on its Edge-class ships are 23% larger than those on its Solstice-class ships, with 243 total square feet and 42 square feet of balcony space. If you're prone to seasickness, the center of the ship, also called the midship, is the place to be. If you'd rather enjoy the views from a private balcony and have a space to escape other cruisers and you plan to spend more time in your room, book a balcony cabin where you'll be more comfortable. I don't really care about having an ocean view from my cabin, but not knowing day from night bothers me a lot. Some want to be near the kids clubs or the spa or some other venue they know they'll visit often. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. I'm going to be booking my first cruises (3-4 day cruises, maybe a longer one later), so I have no sailing experience. That way, you can choose whether you want a pitch-black sleeping environment, or if you would prefer to leave the curtains open a crack and let morning light filter into the room. Many cruisers upgrade to an oceanview cabin believing the cabin will be larger than an inside room, but that isnt necessarily the case. Most definitely, I don't think I would ever settle for a inside cabin! We paid for an inside room and were upgraded to an ocean view cabin. Effectively it is a dormitory kind of stay. You pay the lower price of the inside room but get to enjoy an ocean view cabin. The choice isnt always easy. We stuck to a budget when we booked our cruise for May. I have sailed inside a couple of times - when it was all I could afford; I did not like it much. Related: Oceanview vs Balcony staterooms on a Royal Caribbean cruise. I do think an oceanview is worth the extra money. For some people, paying for this view is well worth the increased cost. The ov rooms are nice also the windows are big enough to an adult to sit up in the window and just look out at the water, you just miss the sound of the water and the breeze. Subsequently, dr'spin and I were going to do a transAtlantic+Mediterranean cruise of 26 days, in a large interior it was a guarantee, that is a booking without a room number that is 'guaranteed' to be of a certain category or higher. crazyforcruises1, October 26, 2008 in Carnival Cruise Lines. This picture is worth 1000 wordsgood one! The window is usually a large, rectangular picture window and is also the biggest difference between an outside cabin and an inside room on a cruise ship. It was so hot on that room. 47 chigal1962 23 days ago Yep. Certain cruise lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Virgin Voyages offer . This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. The price difference between an inside cabin and an oceanview cabin is $200, or around $29 per night. They let in a lot of light, but it doesn't have the expense of a balcony. Older ships will not offer many balcony cabins, but on newer ships, balcony cabins make up the largest percentage of all cruise rooms. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. It's a nice change of pace from going to the bustling lounges for a cocktail or to the restaurants for a meal. The cruise is in September by the way. you would see them. Doing things is much more important to me than having a window. I'd rather sail more often in an inside cabin than sail less often in a more expensive cabin. With additional bedding, some Oceanviews accommodate up to five* guests. Given the choice of an ocean view on a lower deck or an inside on a higher deck, I would suck up not having natural light and book an inside cabin because of my preference on location. They are worth it to us. Cruise Ship Rooms; Ocean View Staterooms | Celebrity Cruises I think ocean view is a waste. Sometimes, these windowed rooms look out at the lifeboats or have their line of sight blocked by structural elements of the ship. We weren't ready to leave when it was over and knew it was only the first of many. Since this will be your first cruise and it will be a short one, you might want to try an interior and see how you like it. We break down the balcony vs. oceanview cabin debate, so you can pick the perfect cabin category. Additionally, you wont have any idea what the weather is like outside from your cabin. Even with a obstructed OV you get an idea. CreativeCruiser119 672 July 24, 2014. This will be our second cruise. The floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors let in lots of light to brighten the interior cabin space. Royal Caribbean and Disney use LED screens in the cabins to create "virtual balconies" and "magic portholes" that broadcast images from cameras on the ships exteriors. If you don't, then you know an oceanview will be "worth it" for you on subsequent cruises. Can you afford the extra money you'll pay for a balcony? While no inside cabins will have a window to the outdoors, new or amplified Royal Caribbean cruise ships may offer virtual balconies. Are you stuck debating between an inside cabin and an ocean view cabin for your next cruise? A cabin on a cruise ship with a balcony usually feels more spacious than a standard inside cabin. They're conveniently located forward and mid-ship and furnished for pure indulgence. Cheapest Cruise Ship Room Not Worth It, What to Get Instead - Insider You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. It may also depend on your itinerary. Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. It's worth it for us, since my DH can't tolerate an inside. This may, to some degree depend on your age and the amount of activities that you're planning to enjoy. Its not safe to build balconies so close to the water, so cruise lines build oceanview rooms there instead. Did an inside as a test once and even though I coped ok I am in no rush to do it anytime soon. There are various set ups for interior rooms; the smallest wont have a sitting area like standard balcony cabins, while larger versions might have a small loveseat. Some also have extra berths in order to fit a third or fourth passenger in the cabin. We decided from now on to always at least get OV for us. Disney Cruise: $6,000 Concierge Room Vs $2,570 Inside Cabin, Both Good I love it dark inside. Which cabin should I choose on Norwegian Getaway? - Cruiseline.com But will you be happy in a room without a view? Related: 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise. We got inside this last cruise cos we were getting 2 cabins. That saved us a lot of money. If you're sailing in the Caribbean or some other warm-weather destination, chances are you'll spend some time out on your private balcony. Balcony cabins are popular with cruisers because each comes with a small, private veranda. It's really a personal choice and probably something a person who has never been on a cruise can decide until they go on their first cruise. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Location: Balcony and oceanview cabins are not found equally across all decks or even in the same section of each deck. Norwegian Cruise Line's studio cabins for solo travelers are inside rooms that feature a full-size bed, a one-way window onto the corridor, a separate bathroom, sink and shower and keycard access to the Studio Lounge, where single guests can mix and mingle. I have to have a picture window. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. If price is an issue, youll likely find yourself with the dilemma of whether to book an inside cabin or a balcony cabin. Are the ocean view rooms bigger? We don't spend an awful lot of time in the room until getting ready for dinner but I always try and book oceanviews as long as it isn't too pricey.

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