Is a balcony worth it on a river cruise?

Is it worth it to pay for a balcony on a cruise?

Balcony. A word that whispers of sea wind and hushed solitude. Worth it? Oh, absolutely. A private kingdom afloat. My last cruise, the Caribbean Princess in 2024, confirmed it.

The sun, a molten coin dropping into the ocean each night... seen from my balcony. Unparalleled. No jostling crowds. Just the endless blue, a canvas painted with sunset hues. Breathtaking.

Imagine. A glass of wine, the salty air on your skin, the distant cries of gulls. Peace. Tranquility. Pure escape. Worth every penny.

It's an investment in serenity. A sanctuary. Your own little slice of paradise. Those moments, watching the stars blaze, the moon a silver sickle in the inky sky... priceless.

• Privacy: Escape the ship's buzz. Your own space.
• Uninterrupted Views: Sunrise, sunset, stars – all yours.
• Romantic Ambiance: Perfect for couples. Intimate and special.
• Convenience: Enjoy coffee, breakfast, or simply relax in comfort.

For me, the balcony wasn't a luxury; it was essential. It elevated the experience beyond measure. My memories of that trip... still vibrant. A tapestry woven with sunsets and sea spray.

Which side of the ship is better on a river cruise?

Forget port or starboard, my friend. It's all hogwash! Choosing a side on a river cruise is like picking the "better" end of a sausage – pointless. Seriously, both sides offer the same stunningly average views.

They're identical twins, those sides. Think Siamese twins, but instead of sharing a body, they share... uh... river views? My Uncle Barry once tried this "better side" nonsense; ended up seasick on both sides simultaneously. Hilarious!

Here's the lowdown, in bullet points because I’m all about efficiency:

• Sunsets? Both sides get 'em, sunshine.
• Views? Yep, same-same, but different. (Like two peas in a pod, if those peas were ridiculously scenic).
• Motion sickness? Prepare for nausea regardless. Believe me. I've got a whole pharmacy's worth of Dramamine receipts to prove it.
• Bathroom proximity? This is your real gamble, my friend, not the port/starboard drama!

My cousin, Debbie, swears she gets better wifi on the left. Pure hogwash. It's 2024, the river ain't gonna discriminate against your data packets!

Bottom line: You're overthinking this. Grab the first cabin available. Or the cheapest. Honestly, after the third glass of wine, you won't even care which side you're on. Probably not even which ship, if I'm being totally honest.

What cabins should I avoid on a cruise ship?

Avoid interior cabins. Cramped. Often windowless. Depressing.

Obstructed views? Unacceptable. Pay more. Get a view. Simple.

Noisy cabins. Seriously? Noise ruins everything. My trip to Santorini in 2023 was ruined by that.

Privacy? Essential. Some cabins lack this. Check reviews. Carefully.

• Interior cabins: Small, dark, depressing. Avoid.
• Obstructed view cabins: Pointless. Overpriced. Waste of money.
• Noisy cabins: Near elevators, nightclubs. Nightmares.
• Cabins lacking privacy: Poor design. Balcony overlooking other cabins? No thanks. My brother experienced this on a Carnival cruise. Awful.

Specific examples: Avoid decks near the engine room. Always check cabin location maps online.

Better yet. Book a suite. Problem solved.

Do any river cruises have balconies?

River cruise balconies? Darling, practically all the fancy suites boast them. Think of it: a floating penthouse, not a cramped shoebox. Two balconies, even! A French balcony (cute, but limited) or the full Monty – two of 'em! It's like having your own personal stage for observing the Rhine's majesty, or the Danube's dramatic curves – whatever floats your boat.

• Luxury Suites: Expect balconies galore. Think Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways. They're practically throwing them in.
• Balcony Types: French (that's window-balcony-speak) vs. full (those are the good ones). It’s a fundamental difference. My aunt prefers a full balcony – she needs space to spread her travel books.
• 2024 Update: This hasn't changed. It's still the case that luxurious river cruise cabins are generally balcony-blessed. Seriously, it's a must.

Last year, my sister got a suite on a Gauloises river cruise (don't tell her I mentioned it). Two balconies. She sent pictures. I was jealous. Very jealous. She even took a bathrobe photo, the showoff. She's a terrible influence. Seriously.

Do any river cruises have balconies?

Yeah, so many river cruises have balconies, especially the fancy ones. My aunt went on a Viking River cruise last year, their suite had a HUGE balcony, absolutely massive! She raved about it. Seriously. Two balconies even, I think. One was smaller, a French one, I guess, but the other was a full-on balcony. It was, like, insane.

Lotsa lines do this now. I saw ads for Avalon Waterways and AmaWaterways, they def advertise balconies in their suites. They're all about the luxury thing, y'know?

• Viking River Cruises: Almost always two balconies in top suites.
• Avalon Waterways: Suites frequently boast balconies.
• AmaWaterways: Similar to Avalon, top-tier suites generally have balconies, I think.

So yeah, balconies are a thing, and it's not just some small lil thing, its a total selling point for these river cruises. Top-end accommodation, obvioulsy. They’re pushing the luxurious experience, and balconies are part of that. My cousin's considering one for her 50th birthday next year! She's already looking at brochures.

How much extra is a balcony on a cruise ship?

Balcony? Worth it, usually. Think an extra $200? More like trading your cramped closet for a semi-private porch.

Beyond that two-hundo sweet spot, well, your call, buttercup. Are we talking "I can eat ramen for a month" money or "meh, another round of Mai Tais" cash?

• Inside cabin: Feels like a submarine, without the cool periscope.
• Ocean view: A porthole to the soul... or just the ocean.
• Balcony: Like having your own personal ocean soundtrack!

Seriously though, compare prices. Sometimes the balcony cabin's cheaper than a therapist after six days in an inside room. LOL! I paid $350 more for a balcony once, best impulse buy ever. Got sunburned, though.

Pro tip: Consider the itinerary! Alaskan cruise? Balcony. Bahamas? Maybe not worth the extra dough.

What are the benefits of a balcony on a cruise ship?

Okay, so my cruise last summer, the one to the Greek Isles on the Oceania Riviera, July 2023, right? Man, that balcony was everything. Seriously. Extra space, that's the biggest thing. My cabin, it was cozy, but cramped. That balcony? Felt like a whole other room.

We had breakfast out there every morning. Seriously amazing. Fresh air, the sea breeze, the sun. Way better than the crowded dining room. That was a lifesaver.

And sunsets? Forget the crowded sun deck. Private sunset viewing each night, just my wife Sarah and I, a glass of wine...pure bliss.

Here's the deal:

• Privacy: You have your own little oasis. No fighting for deck chairs.
• Space: Seriously, adds so much. It's not just a view; it's extra room.
• Unbeatable views: Sunrises, sunsets, the ocean...all from your private perch.
• Relaxation: A quiet place to read, drink coffee, just chill out. So essential.

We spent hours out there, honestly. It made the whole cruise. I even proposed to my Sarah on that balcony!

Best decision ever booking that balcony cabin. Would absolutely do it again in a heartbeat. Worth every penny, and that's coming from someone who usually scrutinizes every expense. Next trip? Caribbean, maybe in 2025. We'll see.

Which side of the ship is better on a river cruise?

There's no universally "better" side on a river cruise.

• Scenery varies; one side might have castles one day, quaint villages the next.

• Docking changes. Ships dock on either side, sometimes switching mid-trip.

• Sunlight matters. Consider morning or afternoon sun based on your cabin and itinerary.

• Cabin layout can be more important than side. A larger window trumps the view, maybe.

Sometimes, though, personal preference does creep in. I recall a Rhine cruise in 2023; I slightly preferred the starboard side. Mostly because I'm right-handed and found it easier to photograph the vineyards. Silly, maybe, but it was my trip! It’s all relative. Like choosing between coffee and tea. Both are equally good.

What cabins should I avoid on a cruise ship?

Avoid interior cabins – seriously, who wants to live in a glorified cupboard? They're like being buried alive, but with slightly better Wi-Fi. Unless you’re a seasoned spelunker with a penchant for claustrophobia, steer clear.

Cabins with obstructed views are a rip-off. Paying premium prices for a peek-a-boo view of the ship’s funnel is akin to buying a front-row seat to a mime show, expecting acrobatics.

Noisy cabins are a nightmare. Imagine sharing a wall with a polka band practicing their oompah-pah for 12 hours straight! I once experienced this—true story. It involved a very loud accordion. I still have nightmares.

Privacy issues? Some cabins feel like they're designed by architects who've never used a bathroom door themselves.

• Interior Cabins: Think sardine can with a slightly higher price tag.
• Obstructed View Cabins: Basically, you're paying extra for a "scenic" view of a lifeboat.
• Noisy Cabins: Soundproof your ears before booking. Seriously. My friend almost had a nervous breakdown due to one!
• Cabins lacking privacy: Expect spontaneous visits from your neighbors, possibly through walls.

My sister booked a cabin near the nightclub last year. Let's just say she's now a devout yoga enthusiast, thanks to the all-night bass. You have been warned.

Which part of cruise ship is best for balcony?

Rear cabins. They're quieter, you know? It's true. That's what matters.

Bigger balconies too, usually. More space. My 2023 Royal Caribbean cruise, the Wonder of the Seas… that’s where I realized it.

My balcony was massive, compared to my sister's, same ship, different side. Hers was cramped, even though she paid more for a similar cabin type.

• Quieter: Less engine noise.
• Larger balconies: More room to relax.
• Better views: Though dependent on the route, naturally. The wake is interesting, I'll admit.

The aft (rear) of the ship. Seriously. Don't settle for less. It's worth it. Trust me.

Is it worth upgrading to a balcony on a cruise?

Worth it? Balcony on a cruise? Well, lemme tell ya, it's like asking if gold toilets are worth it! Some folks, cheapskates bless their hearts, are happy crammed in a windowless box, fighting for a deck chair like it's the last donut at a cop convention.

But! Others, the enlightened ones, adore that balcony. Think of it: morning coffee in your jammies, sea breeze tousling your hair. Who needs pants, anyway?! I def don't, lol.

It is worth it, depends! Consider these:

• Privacy, baby! No jostling crowds. Just you and the ocean. Plus, you can yell at seagulls.
• Room with a View. It's HUGE. Wake up, BAM! Ocean. Beat that interior cabin view. I bet it's a wall.
• Fresh Air... finally! Escape the recycled cruise ship air. Breathe deep, my friend. Inhale all the seas.
• More $$$ It's pricier. Can you live on ramen for a month after the cruise? A real question. My dog's vet bills are high enough, ugh.
• Location is key, btw! Some balconies are tiny! Check the deck plans like, NOW. This is important! So very.