 |
| Author | Post |
|---|
jillire
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jun 20th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 8 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 04:34 am | 1st Post |
|
We(husband and 3 kids) are in the process of planning our first cruise. One of the first questions that came up was about the balcony. Is it worth the extra money to have it, or would we be better off saving the money for something fun? I personally would like the balcony, but my kids have already told me that they dont plan to be in the room much, so it would be a waste for them. So thats my next question, is it possible to have a room with a balcony connected to a room without one? If we decide to get 2 balcony rooms in connecting rooms, can we connect the balconies?
Thanks,
Jill
|
whatawonderfulworld
Frequent Cruiser
| Joined: | Sat Feb 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Vanuatu |
| Posts: | 604 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 05:12 am | 2nd Post |
|
Hi again Jill. In response to your question if a balcony room can be connected to a room without one, it all depends on the ship you're on.
With regard to NCL, the room steward can open the door between the two balconies.
Have you considered going to a travel agent who is experienced in booking cruises? It might be a good way to start your cruise search.
However it's also a good idea to do a lot of homework before you visit the TA...coming here is a good idea. Also you might consider looking at the internet TA's, i.e., Travelocity. You can do a search of cruises by destination, or if you search by cruise line and then calendar, you can look at where the line cruises in that particular time of month.
Good luck with you search. One word of warning...cruising is addicting!
____________________
NCL Jewel, Dover/NYC TA 9/09
NCL Jade, London/Barcelona, 8/08
NCL Pearl, LA/Panama Canal/Miami, 9/07
NCL Dawn, NY/Florida/Bahamas, 10/06
Carnival Legend, CTN NY/NY, 10/05
|
nhrich
Charter Member
| Joined: | Thu Jun 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Windham, NH |
| Posts: | 4336 |
| Status: |
Online
|
back to top
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 10:25 am | 3rd Post |
|
Hi Jill, and welcome!
There aren't going to be a lot of options with a balcony connected to a cabin without a balcony, but they do exist.
Normally, connecting balconies can be opened, but I have heard of instances where the room stewards will not open the connecting door. Sometimes they don't want to be bothered (rare), and other times the captain does not want them opened for safety reasons (rough seas, or general concern that they won't stay open).
One option that we quite often use for our clients, and I don't know if this would work for you or not, would be to have a balcony for you and your parents, and an inside cabin across the hall for the kids.
____________________
Rich, ACC
Carefree Vacations
http://www.carefree-vacations.net
|
goodml
Charter Member
| Joined: | Mon Jun 19th, 2006 |
| Location: | Canada |
| Posts: | 1891 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 11:31 am | 4th Post |
|
We have done exactly what Rich has suggested on two of our cruises. We travelled with friends who also had kids the same age as ours and each couple had a balcony cabin with an inside across the hall for the kids. We also chose cabins at the very end of a hallway to minimize the amount of people walking through the area. In our case it ended up being at the very front of the ship and there was only a crew door at the end of the hall so we barely had anyone going by. For some reason that just made me feel more comfortable with the kids in their own cabin. How old are your kids?
We have since gone back to lesser expensive cabins with the kids in the cabin next door. We have never had adjoining cabins. While we loved having the balcony we also discovered that in our case we felt we missed out on many of the things we love doing around the ship because we spent more time in our cabin. For instance, sailaway on our own balcony rather than up on deck where there's music and a festive atmosphere etc. It's all a matter of personal preference. I've discovered that I don't mind at all being in an inside or outside cabin rather than a balcony and saving the funds for other things. We tend to really see and make use of the ship amenities this way.
Happy cruise planning.
____________________
ML
Norwegian Dawn to Bermuda 10/12/08
|
hstrybuf
Founders
| Joined: | Sat Jun 17th, 2006 |
| Location: | Kansas |
| Posts: | 19574 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 12:56 pm | 5th Post |
|
I would also say choosing a balcony might depend on the ages of your children. If they are old enough to have their own cabin, you would probably want either connecting cabins or cabins across the hall from each other.
I personally love having a balcony, but we don't cruise with kids at this time. For me, it's a chance to be outside in a more private setting away from the crowds. The downfall is as ML said above. You miss what's going on at sailaway and at other times during the day. The lines on which I've sailed provide a type of daily newsletter each evening for the coming day so you can see what's planned. You just go from there.
There are several mainstream lines to choose from which are all good for first timers. We have forums for each one here, plus some of the other lines.
As you do your research, please continue to ask questions. We'll do all we can to help make your first cruise enjoyable!
____________________
Deb - Research, research, research!
My pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/hstrycrsr
Liberty 10/07; Miracle 10/06; Navigator OTS 10/04; Legend 04/04; Grand Princess 09/03; Dawn Princess 01/03; Enchantment OTS 10/02; Destiny 01/02; Sensation 10/99
|
Catnip
Charter Member
back to top
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 01:59 pm | 6th Post |
|
nhrich wrote:
One option that we quite often use for our clients, and I don't know if this would work for you or not, would be to have a balcony for you and your parents, and an inside cabin across the hall for the kids.
That's what I would suggest, too. WHy spend the extra $$$ for a balcony for your kids, when they'd be probably just as happy across the hall in an inside cabin? Especially if they aren't planning to be in the room much? I'm sure they will find tons of stuff to do with friends they will meet! Save the money to spend on tours, or souveniers!
I like balconies, but a regular cabin with a window is nice, too. And you can save the extra $$ for other things! 
And I second the motion that you deal with a experienced TA to help plan your cruise. They can provide brochures and will really be helpful in planning your first cruise.
There are several TA's here on CTT that would be pleased to help you out, I'm sure!
Last edited on Sat Jun 21st, 2008 02:01 pm by Catnip
____________________
32 previous cruises..
Next up: Last Atlantic crossing on QE 2 10-08/Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3/09
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
Don't touch that triangle!
Adopt a pet from your local shelter & save a life!
|
hstrybuf
Founders
| Joined: | Sat Jun 17th, 2006 |
| Location: | Kansas |
| Posts: | 19574 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 02:50 pm | 7th Post |
|
Catnip wrote: And I second the motion that you deal with a experienced TA to help plan your cruise. They can provide brochures and will really be helpful in planning your first cruise.
There are several TA's here on CTT that would be pleased to help you out, I'm sure!
I'll third that! An experienced travel agent can be an invaluable resource! My first TA I found through the recommendation of friends who had used her services extensively. She did not disappoint. Since she passed away, I found another TA, one who is a member here, to be a perfect fit for our needs. Now I just need to find my next cruise! 
I do a lot of research before contacting the TA, but sometimes questions or problems can arise. Good, friendly (patient) and timely service are what will separate a good TA from one who is just so-so. If you are working with a budget, they can also help you find something that "fits".
____________________
Deb - Research, research, research!
My pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/hstrycrsr
Liberty 10/07; Miracle 10/06; Navigator OTS 10/04; Legend 04/04; Grand Princess 09/03; Dawn Princess 01/03; Enchantment OTS 10/02; Destiny 01/02; Sensation 10/99
|
jillire
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jun 20th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 8 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 06:29 pm | 8th Post |
|
Thanks for all of your input. My kids are currently 10,13 and 15 and the youngest two especially are rather social kids so I really dont see them spending much time in the cabin. Letting the kids have some freedom is part of our reason in choosing a cruise, there is such a large variety of activities for them to choose from nobody will be stuck doing something they dont want. I thought I read somewhere that it was a rule that children under 18 had to be in a connecting cabin rather than across the hall. I have no problem with them being across from us at all, I think they are old enough for that.
We do also plan to do all of the actual booking through a travel agent once we figure out our specifics. My parents are going on a cruise in October and they used an agent to help them plan it, so we will likely use the same one. The last big trip we went on we used a TA to book it all and she thought of and got us all kinds of perks and discounts we never would have gotten otherwise. She also gave us a lot of hints that were very useful.
|
cruiseman_tx
Frequent Cruiser
back to top
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 06:55 pm | 9th Post |
|
One other thought to add to the above...check out the deck plans for various ships on the cruiselines' sites to get a look at how cabin arrangements would be. Also, with the ages of your kids, you'll probably want to go with a cruiseline that has lots for them to do such as a Royal Caribbean Freedom or Voyager class ship.
Happy planning, and welcome to the neighborhood.
____________________
Ron
______________________________________________
http://www.psa-rising.com/index.html
http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer Bypass the rhetoric, get the facts.
|
BeckyThane
Super Cruiser
back to top
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 06:56 pm | 10th Post |
|
jillire wrote: I thought I read somewhere that it was a rule that children under 18 had to be in a connecting cabin rather than across the hall. I have no problem with them being across from us at all, I think they are old enough for that.
There must be an adult booked in each cabin. What happens on board, in actuality, may be another thing...
|
goodml
Charter Member
| Joined: | Mon Jun 19th, 2006 |
| Location: | Canada |
| Posts: | 1891 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 07:54 pm | 11th Post |
|
BeckyThane wrote: jillire wrote: I thought I read somewhere that it was a rule that children under 18 had to be in a connecting cabin rather than across the hall. I have no problem with them being across from us at all, I think they are old enough for that.
There must be an adult booked in each cabin. What happens on board, in actuality, may be another thing...
This was our experience too although I've read that some people get away with not booking an adult in each cabin. We seem to always just book my son and husband in one cabin and daughter and I in the otherand then go to guest relations to get extra keys made once on board. No big deal.
____________________
ML
Norwegian Dawn to Bermuda 10/12/08
|
Eeyore
Frequent Cruiser
back to top
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 08:59 pm | 12th Post |
|
I/we have been in a balcony each cruise - DH loves to sit out and look at the wake (usually in an aft cabin). I also like to read out there. However, it is harder to get DH up to the deck with the parties - sailaway, etc.
Princess does have some "family suites" which is basically a balcony mini-suite attached to a inside cabin. Imagine an l-shaped minisuite, with the bottom of the L being the balcony side, with another cabin tucked inside the L. Sometimes the second cabin has an outside entrance, sometimes it might not, I think. These are a little more expensive, but then the 34d, 4th, and 5th berths might be discounted, I'm not sure. But, you do get the suite perks, which include free laundry and internet.
I'd agree with the others - get a balcony and an inside across the hall. Many/most lines will let you do this, even with the names in the right place at first. If not, put Mom in one & Dad in the other, and put two of the kids in the one that the three will be in, and one in the other.
If you do this, MAKE SURE to mark the booking "NO UPGRADE", and link the bookings. Otherwise, they may move one cabin to a "better" location, which would be worse for you in the long run because of the change.
____________________
Cathy
 Click here for more dragons!
No trees were harmed while posting this message, but a number of electrons were inconvenienced.
|
Catnip
Charter Member
back to top
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 09:06 pm | 13th Post |
|
Eeyore wrote:
I'd agree with the others - get a balcony and an inside across the hall. Many/most lines will let you do this, even with the names in the right place at first. If not, put Mom in one & Dad in the other, and put two of the kids in the one that the three will be in, and one in the other.
If you do this, MAKE SURE to mark the booking "NO UPGRADE", and link the bookings. Otherwise, they may move one cabin to a "better" location, which would be worse for you in the long run because of the change.
Very, very good point!!!!!!!! I had forgotten to suggest that.
____________________
32 previous cruises..
Next up: Last Atlantic crossing on QE 2 10-08/Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3/09
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
Don't touch that triangle!
Adopt a pet from your local shelter & save a life!
|
jimswims
Casual Cruiser
back to top
|
Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 10:16 pm | 14th Post |
|
I never thought too much about a balcony cabin until I actually had one. I really loved having the extra space and being able to look out and enjoy the water views.
We are in connecting/adjoing balcony cabins for our 2009 cruise on NCL. Our kids will be 14 and 11 and we had to book one adult in each one.
Carnival has some balcony cabins that connect to inside cabins. There are only a few of them and they look pretty good.
____________________
Jim
8/13/08 Carnival Miracle
8/7/09 NCL Spirit, Boston to Bermuda
Previous cruises NCL: 6; RCCL: 4;Cunard: 1; Carnival: 1.
|
hstrybuf
Founders
| Joined: | Sat Jun 17th, 2006 |
| Location: | Kansas |
| Posts: | 19574 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Thu Jul 31st, 2008 12:32 am | 15th Post |
|
jimswims wrote: I never thought too much about a balcony cabin until I actually had one. I really loved having the extra space and being able to look out and enjoy the water views.
We are in connecting/adjoing balcony cabins for our 2009 cruise on NCL. Our kids will be 14 and 11 and we had to book one adult in each one.
Carnival has some balcony cabins that connect to inside cabins. There are only a few of them and they look pretty good.
Same here. As newbie cruisers, we chose an inside. The next time around we tried a balcony and were hooked. I also liked the extra space and a bit of privacy away from the crowds.
____________________
Deb - Research, research, research!
My pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/hstrycrsr
Liberty 10/07; Miracle 10/06; Navigator OTS 10/04; Legend 04/04; Grand Princess 09/03; Dawn Princess 01/03; Enchantment OTS 10/02; Destiny 01/02; Sensation 10/99
|
Current time is 06:26 pm | |
|
|
|
|
