we're planning an alaska cruise. We're debating on which size veranda to get--a regular one or a larger one. With wanting to see the sights from the ship, will staying on our own veranda be sufficient or will seeing the sights from different public areas of the ship be the ideal? Does it matter? If it doesn't matter, is it worth spending the extra $$ for a larger veranda?

What ship? Different cruise lines offer different perks for each size balcony room.

Hi! We are wondering the same. Will it be too cold to really use the balcony and will our view be good? Would we be seeing most of the sights on top deck anyhow?

What ship are you cruising on? I am debating the RCCL and Holland America.

I would definitely get a balcony for your Alaskan cruise! To me, it's a must. As for which size....I'm not sure what sizes you're deciding between. Assuming the smaller one is at least say 50 sq. ft., I think I'd save $ and go with the smaller one and use the extra $ for some of the great excursions that Alaska has to offer.

we're going on Celebrity in mid-June 2006. the veranda we currently have booked is 80 sq.ft as opposed to 41 sq ft. There's a $2,000 cost difference, although we're getting a larger room also. Decisions, decisions.

Here is the scoop on a recent trip with Princess. We loved our veranda! We slept with the door open all night and it was great to listen to the ocean as you drift off. My wife is a little later to rise than I am so I used the veranda to sit and drink my coffee and read each morning. I would personally never cruise without getting one.
Having said that...when I looked over the edge back and forth at the other baconies most of them were always empty except on the scenic cruise days. Maybe it was to cold for them or maybe they were off doing other things but I hardly ever saw anyone using theirs. I couldnt help but wonder why.
I would stick with the smaller as IMo it isnt worth a ton of extra money for the larger one. There was enough room for I and my wife to sit and didnt seem crowded at all.

I think the price will go down significantly by then. Just book the cabin you want and watch for price decreases. RCCL is tricky because they no longer allow travel agent discounts but I would still book with a reputable ta that will take care of things for you when the price goes down.

Save your money and give your staff bigger tips - many of them are away from their families for 9 or more months of the year because this is the only decent job they can get and they come from improvished countries. They work 12 hour days and their living conditions on board aren't great. Many of them are trying to save enough money so they can quit the ship and have enough money to stay in their own countries with their families. One of our waiters was quitting after 20 years and buying a restraurant at home - finally able to live with his wife! Another's wife was having a baby that week. I wanted her to have a really nice present. Not that I'm holy or anything - I just hate poverty and the choices people have to make because of it.

Who's saying the people in balconies aren't tipping the staff well?

??????? My guess is that those with balconies are NOT pinching pennies and are probably good tippers.

If there are only 2 of you, I think the size of the balcony is not an issue.

As long as you have a table and 2 chairs, you are all set.

My personal favorite are the aft balconies. What a view!