6 reasons you'll want to book a balcony cabin on your next cruise
Table Of Content
A French balcony on a cruise ship is known by its original name and referred to by various other terms. These alternative names add a touch of linguistic variety and imagination to the concept of a French balcony, providing passengers with different ways to describe this unique feature. I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible. It’s important to check the location of the cabin you are considering booking.
How to Get From the Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to the Miami Cruise Port
These spaces vary widely in size, so it pays to study your ship's deck plan before booking. Affordable balcony cabins might come with a veranda so small your knees rub against the railing as you sit in one of two deck chairs flanking a small cocktail table. An obstructed view cabin is a cabin that has an object partially blocking the view from the window or balcony. Obstructed view cabins are often found in an ocean view or balcony cabin categories and can have different levels of obstruction. Firstly, it provides the opportunity to enjoy fresh air by opening the balcony door. The sliding glass door allows a refreshing breeze to enter the cabin, creating a pleasant and invigorating environment.
I've seen some small bathrooms. I live in a New York City apartment, after all.
With the infinite balcony, there is a full wall on either side and a ceiling above. If you have a normal balcony room, you have the cabin, and then a wall with a door that goes out to a separate balcony space. Let’s start with what exactly this type of cabin actually is and how it’s different from a traditional cruise stateroom. So if you and your neighbors are both sitting outside, you will hear each other talking. When you think of your balcony, maybe you think of a large area where you can lay out and get some sun, or enjoy a meal sitting at a table. Balconies will vary in size, but for the most part they are relatively small.
What are the Advantages of an Infinite Balcony?
Many newer ships place their swanky suites at the corners of the ship, so the wrap balconies may only be available to travelers booking the highest tiers of accommodations. I can attest personally to the fact that it isn't a great situation to be stuck in a room that doesn't have a balcony for days. In late 2020, I was isolated in a cabin without a balcony for four days during a COVID-19-related ship quarantine, even though I wasn't sick.
We’re strong believers that on a short cruise of five days or fewer, you can get by without having a balcony cabin. On a short trip, between everything to do on board and being in ports of call, the amount of time you’ll take advantage of the balcony is relatively small. Unless you’ve specifically said you would be happy with an obstructed-view cabin, you’re not going to get assigned one. The below cabin is an example of an obstructed view oceanview, where the view really isn’t very obstructed at all. Even if your balcony is completely obstructed, being able to get some fresh air/daylight is really nice.
A French balcony on a cruise ship is a balcony that cannot be stepped out onto. It consists of a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door that opens to a railing, allowing for fresh air and the feel of a veranda. A French balcony is a space-saving design that provides passengers with breathtaking views and a luxurious experience. The other great thing about these cabins is they’re often not fully obstructed.
Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America
I would have paid just about anything during those days for even the smallest bit of outdoor space. However, here are six things you'll get out of a balcony cabin that I personally think make it worth the extra cost if you have the money to spare. Balcony rooms offer more living space than inside rooms, and the private balcony gives you a really nice area to enjoy anytime during your cruise. Balcony rooms are larger in terms of square footage, and the balcony adds even more space to enjoy. Cruise ship cabins are traditionally smaller than hotel rooms, so every square foot counts. The typical size of a balcony stateroom on Royal Caribbean is right around 180 square feet, not including the balcony.
Guide to staying in a Carnival cruise balcony cabin - Cruise Blog
Guide to staying in a Carnival cruise balcony cabin.
Posted: Tue, 10 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
That's two or three times the field of vision that you'll get from gazing out a cabin window. They typically also offer you a great view of the outdoors from inside your cabin. The fresh air available on balconies also can be a lifesaver — at least for your sanity — should you find yourself confined to your cabin due to an illness. That can happen if you come down with something like norovirus or COVID-19 on a ship.
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. You may also use it in cold-weather destinations like Alaska or Norway where the scenery is stunning. But in other cruise destinations such as the Baltic or New England you may not. When you sit on a normal balcony, you have partitions on either side but you can still see from side to side.
In this post, I share the 10 reasons to book a balcony cabin on a cruise and why it may be the perfect choice for you. However, there are times when a balcony won’t make as much sense or be worth the extra cost and we’ll look at this too. In addition to the extra interior and exterior space, suites come with some pretty neat perks that will elevate your cruising experience. From priority boarding to being able to access suite-only sun decks and restaurants, there are more reasons to splurge on a suite than just for a larger balcony. Who doesn't dream of opening a door and stepping out onto a private verandah where you can peacefully watch the ocean pass you by while you sip on a cup of coffee or catch up on your reading list. Even on luxury ships, which generally have more space per passenger than mass-market vessels, you'll likely be sharing the pool deck with dozens or even hundreds of other people.
Usually, a travel agent will have the best information, but you can research on your own by going to Cruise Deck Plans and looking at the specific stateroom. The ocean breeze you’ll have by opening the sliding doors in your cabin, will help you to feel better if you are a bit bothered by the ship’s movement. At any time of day, you’ll see the landscape as well as potential marine and wild life.
Because most of the obstructions come from lifeboats, the cabins are usually in a central area of the ship, one of the most desirable locations. Balcony cabins cost more than ocean-view cabins or windowless "inside" cabins. But they can be worth the splurge if you're the kind of person who likes a private place to be outdoors during a vacation. No matter how crowded your ship is, you always can escape to your balcony, if you have one, and watch the world go by with few distractions.
While there’s no guarantee, it’s certainly possible to sit on your balcony cabin and be lucky enough to see marine life like dolphins, whales and flying fish. When the seas are calm, you’ll have a greater chance of seeing such a spectacular sight right from your own veranda. There are some itineraries where the view from your balcony is a big reason to choose this type of cabin.
Comments
Post a Comment