bjfedwards

My family and I are taking our first cruise ever to Alaska at the beginning of August. We have heard conflicting reports from two travel agents--one says that a balcony cabin adds a lot to the experience. The other tells us to save our money on that and use it for shore excursions--that it's too cold to sit outside and that the place we'll want to be is the 360 observation deck.

Does anyone out there with experience in Alaska cruises have any insight for us?

nkd

having your own balcony is amazing. Just go for it.

flbronc

I went on Princess last August and we used our balcony ALOT !! More than I thought we would. We were trying to save money but decided to splurge and get a cabin with a balcony. It was great.. my sister and I actually sat outside one night (with a pool towel covering our legs !) and enjoyed it immensely (while drinking a bottle of wine purchased in Seattle and brought aboard - totally legal too - no liquor but they do allow a bottle of wine). It's the only way to go. It is nice to go up on deck sometimes but especially on your 'day at sea' you can relax and have a little privacy while looking for whales... get better pictures too if there are whales close to the ship. We got great photos because we were a few decks below the observation deck thus closer to the whales. It is well worth the money. Gives you a chance to have a cup of coffee on the balcony before getting showered, dressed and ready to go. My brother and his wife got one also... because of his extremely chaotic job he enjoyed sitting on the balcony, relaxing, and reading sometimes too. I wore shorts the entire time we were gone ! I think you will get plenty of use from your balcony. I would recommend it - and I am a very 'frugal' person !

BudgetQueen

No way to predict the usage, but certainly whale watching is RARE with good views from the ship, and superior for this is always a front view for tracking. A consideration- if the extra cost prevents you from a desired tour, I would definately opt for the tour. If money can be spared then there aren't many disappointed with a balcony, but do plan to get out on a front deck with a good pair of wide angle binoculars, especially glacier viewing day. Nothing beats the full front viewing.

crazy4Hawaii

NO way would I cruise anywhere without a balcony - but especially Alaska! The last time we cruised in the Caribbean, I got up in the middle of the night several times just to look out across the moonlit sea - nothing but water, so peaceful. No balcony would make me feel like I was in a sardine can!

don512

I would definitely do the balcony if it is affordable for you. I never had a balcony room on a cruise until we did a cruise to Alaska last year. It was great! Unlike cruises in the Carribean, where you are mostly viewing the ocean, once you get inside the inside passage there is always something to see and you don't have to leave your room to go up to the top deck and stand behind a crowd of people. We went in May, and never found the weather uncomfortable even then. One more vote for the balcony.

z

One more vote for a balcony.

PamT

One more vote for the balcony. I'm with don512. Never had a balcony until the Alaskan cruise and absolutely loved it! Some friends that went with us opted for no balcony and they wished they would have had one. But also, if I had to for-go a tour in order to have the baloncy room then I'd do as BQ suggested and opt for the tour. Just my take on it.
Pam

alvira

Since we spent a lot of time on the upper decks looking at the glaciers and other scenery, I would spend the extra money next time for a balcony. Also, the two days we were cruising without stopping at a port, the weather turned warm and the deck chairs were quickly taken up.

If the price of the balcony is a problem, then make sure you get an outside room with a window, not a port hole.

RogerBB

Of all the cruises we have taken, we enjoyed our veranda balcony the most on the Alaskan cruise. There are sights to see out either side of the ship becausee you are in the inland waterways for many days.

Orcas

Another vote for the balcony. We went cheap with an inside cabin. I would definitely NOT do that again. An outside is a must and a balcony would be way better.