Should we upgrade to balcony suite?
 

Yikkes! Another last minute decision! Our travel agent just called and said a Verandah Suite on the Volendam had opened up. We are currently in an outside cabin on the main deck. We can upgrade to either the Verandah deck or the Navigation Deck for a balcony. Also, does it matter which side of the ship the cabins are on for best viewing? Thanks so much!

Where are you cruiseing to and what is above and below the balcony that you would go to. Where you cruise to would determine what side of the ship you want to be on and so on.

We upgraded to a superior verandah suite from an outside cabin, and it was a wonderful decision. As to decks, I would prefer having cabins above and below. We were just beneath the Lido deck and the kids playing with a giant chess set were annoying - they dropped the pieces.Fortunately they stopped in the evening so it was ok. I think that the side of the ship probably evens out over the course of the cruise. You can always go up on the observation deck if there is something special to see on the other side.

Depends on where you are going ... and the price difference.

Alasaka, Canal, Med yes. Trans Atlantic, Carribbean no.

Balcony is an excellent addition and I would add it in a heartbeat and do not care where I would be going - it adds space to your quarters. On our first cruise we had an outside and hated being so enclosed ( I admit we have space issues ) 12 years later we tried cruising again with a balcony on the Med. and that was last June - we have been on three additional cruises since then and have just booked a 28 day cruise. It is a personal preference but it was the difference between liking and disliking being on a cruise ship. It may be something to think about. As an upgrade - good for you!!! Good luck and have a a good time.

VERANDA, YES!!!! As to which side of the ship.. it doent seem to make a difference to me.. As to location I deinetely prefer cabins under and over us..period..We have our veranda on trans-atlantics and just sitting outside during the evening and watching the stars and the water go by.. heaven....

Yes! Absolutely! Go for the balcony!

Thanks everyone! We decided to pay the extra $249 per person and get the balcony! I was a little nervous because we are cruising to Alaska and I read some reviews that said it was just too cold to enjoy the balcony. But, what the heck! I appreciate the input!

Good for you! Actually we cruised Alaska in late August and found the balcony usable, even in the early AM while cruising thru Tracy Arm. My wife had a thick sweater which was enough. :-)

We had a balcony on our Alaskan cruise and used it with jackets on. Even inside your cabin, a balcony adds so much more light,space,and view that I think you will be glad you paid the extra $$$ There was only one time we went to the observation deck and that was for a period of time while we were in Glacier Bay. Besides having the wide expanse of Galcier Bay visible all around you, they were serving hot mulled wine! Yummmmmmm

One thing we love to do is to order coffee up to our room early in the mornings and take it out to the balcony to drink before going down to breakfast.

COngratulations for the upgrade! sure you are going to enjoy the balcony...we've been cruising for several years and always inside cabins (less expensive) and we did enjoy a lot the whole ship..but last cruise in April from Sydney to LA we got a balcony...it was great! when you awake in the morning the sea is there...if the weather is fine you enjoy outside..if not...you have the view...(I love cruising and if I can't afford a balcony..I go back to inside again!

Go for it! I'm spoiled. If there are balconies on a ship I want one. I don't care where the ship is going.

IF you are cruising Glacier Bay, you are best advised if your do not have a port side balcony, get out on deck on the way in. All the glacier viewing and commentary is on the port side. The ship will "turn" but do realize, this is a very SMALL portion of the overall time possible for viewing. Superior is to be out with front deck viewing, if you want to see the most.


With Hubbard, the views are forward as well as in Tracy Arm, glacier- IF You get within viewing (at least 1/2 the HAL ships sailing Tracy Arm, time out and get NO glacier viewing- if importation, be sure to book some kind of glacier tour somewhere.).