We have booked a balcony cabin on the Spirit for a 7 day cruise from New Orleans in December. Our cabin is on deck 10 and located mid ship. Initally I was delighted to have a balcony cabin, but am now having second thoughts. I become uneasy crossing high bridges or standing near a window in a tall building. I want to enjoy this cruise and am wondering if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions.......many thanks!

I know People are getting sick of me already , but here goes. Do the balcony thing . It's a big picture window to the Sea ! you don't have to hang out on it it just adds a lot to your room. Including the warm Sun! If your sitting on the bed looking out , you don't even know that your up on a higher deck . The Ocean seems to meet your window just at the middle of the clear glass Protector. If you have a rough time just being in a building knowing you're on a higher floor , maybe skip the Beautiful Windows.
But stay off Deck Thirteen because there you might really run into some problems. Have a Great and safe Voyage, Lucky !

By all means, stick with the balcony; or downgrade to an inside dungeon. I mean cabin.

After 18 cruises I think balconies are over-rated...but nice if that's what you want....Just give me a nice window and I can spend the extra money on diamonds, etc for my wife...which keeps her happy until the next cruise.....You will go just fine with the balcony...you can just open it up and enjoy the breeze without having to stand out there...but do give it a try....Happy Sailing...

Bob E

kcwingwalker:

First of all, after many cruises (17) I agree with Berick1234 that balcony's are over rated. Unless you are in a suite with a large balcony, the balcony space is for two people only with 2 chairs. If you have any fear of heights, looking over the railing or standing next to the railing will most likely give you an uneasy feeling. The positives to the balcony is listed above, large window area to light up the room, a nice ocean breeze to cool or ventilate the room. Otherwise I would take a oceanview cabin anytime. On the Feb 2007 sailing of the Pearl we had a Penthouse suite with a 250 + sqft balcony in Stateroom #9500 Forward, that was awesome as we looked down over the bow of the ship. On the Jewel to the Caribbean we had a rear balcony on Deck 10 and that was scary as the balcony was small, and the lookout and dropoff straight down did not meet my liking. I don't like heights, on the Pearl to Alaska in May we had stateroom #9020 on the side of the ship, and we opened the sliding door, but I did not like the view down.

So, its a tough call. With fear of heights, if you want to pay the extra to get a big window, and a breeze into the stateroom, then get the balcony. Otherwise an unobstructed ocean view with a window, not porthole, will serve the purpose just fine. Afterall, you will most likely be up deck to view the scenery and enjoy the open air. Don't be afraid of the comments to stay off Deck 13 or 14. All cruise ships have high glass walls that give the passenger the feeling of protection and the views are dynamic. I know of no modern cruise ships that do not have the large glass walls on the upper deck to prevent passengers from falling over.

This is of course my own opinion that may meet your views or disagree. You will save money with the oceanview to spend it elsewhere, and most likely that extra money will be used and needed.

Happy sailing and let us know what you decided.

Hi Richard and Mary,


We are going on the Pearl for a 9 dayer in January....We've been on the Jewel, but what was your opinion of the Pearl....Thanks for the info...

Bob E

Berick1234:

Been on the NCL Pearl twice now since Feb 2, 2007 - 9 Day So Carribbean and the Alaska May 20th, 2007. We are considering her once again for the Sept 23rd, repo from Vancouver to LA for a quick jaunt. The ship is beautiful, the staff terrific in every since. The Pearl has spoiled us as far as cruising. Had Penthouse #9500 in 9 day and that was awesome, had #9020 balcony to Alaska and that was awesome. As NCL Platinum Latitudes, we are always treated royally. Your cruise will be wonderful. The staff will be great, the food will be great, and there is just not much that I can say. I have reviews of both the 9 Day and the Alaska cruise here on cruise-chat.

We are very happy NCL cruisers, and are hoping that I can take my 83 yo father once again in Sept 2007 for the repo cruise. He went with us on the Oct 2006 sailing on the NCL Dream, his first cruise, and got addicted quickly to the style, service and good selection of foods. So he is wanting to go again. At age 83, thats a great sign and tells alot about NCL in general.

I know that you will have a good time. With the Pearl one of the newest ships on the seas, you couldn't have selected a better ship in my opinion.

Enjoy, and I am sure that you will be counting down the days. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. You might want to revisit my reviews.

Richard & Mary
Las Cruces, New Mexico USA

Next cruise:

Pearl Sept 24, 2007 4 day Repositioning Vancouver to L.A.


Diamond Princess Dec 3rd, 2007 14 day L.A to Hawaii back to L.A.

2008- still looking......??????????
Considering South America, New England, Mexican Riveria as possible intineraries. Will be on a NCL ship if and when possible.

Berick1234:

Here's a quick link to my NCL Pearl review:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=568232

Link to 9-day NCL Pearl photoshow:

http://www.photoshow.com/members/dziak2

Richard & Mary
Las Cruces, New Mexico

Thank you for the great review on the Pearl...we also are taking the 9 day caribbean trip in Jan....We like NCL because of the Freestyle cruising and the Staff...We've never had a bad cruise with them...

Bob E

Hi kcwingwalker, welcome to Cruise-chat. The balconies are wonderful. I am petrified of heights, but love the balcony. I get a little panicked if I look straight down, but sitting out watching the sunrise is awesome, when you're departing from a port it's so much fun waving, sitting out watching the sunset is beautiful. It's also great for drying bathing suits and snorkeling gear. I really can't agree that balconies are overrated, in my opinion they're worth every cent. You really wont have any problem with your acrophobia. Best wishes and have a marvelous cruise.

Here, here! I whole heartedly agree with Penny! I used to book outside cabins; then a balcony for Alaska. After the balcony, I thought, outside will just not do anymore. Then we went to junior suite on the Explorer last April; I'll be hard pressed to book anything less than a junior suite (I may be convinced to slum it on a balcony, but nothing less!). I like the additional cabin space and the additional space provided by the balcony. Sitting on the balcony with your sweetheart and your favorite beverage watching the sunrise or sunset is an experience not to be missed. The balcony offers a little bit of privacy (now don't take that as an invitation to join the 10th deck club and fall overboard), and some protection from the wind created by the ship and mother nature.

I would have to respectfully agree with the previous post.

What happens on the balcony stay's on the balcony????Unless it falls into the sea:-)

I'm not opposed to a balcony...just think it's overrated....so many factors enter into a balcony setting....High winds, cigar smoking neighbors, unruly little kids screaming all night...we've had to shut the door on a few cruises and that's where my overrated factor enters....but now...owner's suite, junior suite...that's a whole new ballgame....cruising in a dungeon is better than not cruising at all...Let's just enjoy the moment...Happy Cruising to one and all...

Bob E

Bob, I am not a balcony fan but am a supporter of those that love it. A so called dungeon to some, is my paradise

I for one am not paying double to have a balcony. I respect those that do. I think someone posted about how cruising is different for everyone. I think it was the Dr.

Some folks love to look at the sea, some folks like the activities and save the money.

It is all good

No such thing as a BAD cruise...Some are just better than others...

Bob E

There is a reason they're building ships with 80% balcony cabins now. They are desirable. My wife says they're a must and I have to admit I love having one. On the other hand, if it were up to me alone I'd probably book inside cabins more often and go on more cruises. I'm cheap, but my wife is not, she's a professional shopper. Had one of her CC's stolen once but I didn't report it... the thief spent less then she did. Just a joke.

Cheers, Neil

Hi everyone! My thoughts on balcony: it is great, but since neither me nor my husband smokes, we raraely get a chance to use the balcony. Because someone is always smoking on their balconies and I am not at all excited about that!

I know that some may not agree, but I do think that if smoking is allowed on the balcony and the smoker is not throwing butts over the side, etc. I would not fuss. I'd much rather have a polite smoker beside me than a loud group who hasn't been sober since they boarded. Perhaps for those of us who are new to cruising it's helpful to know that we need to remember to be good neighbors in and out of our cabins.

I love having the balcony. We had one for our Alaska cruise and it was wonderful. It really doesn't matter if you go out on it a lot, you still get to watch the world go by from your room with the sliding glass open where you get the fresh air coming in as an added bonus. But, I bet you will use it more than you think. And, don't forget your binoculars!