This is not so much about travel

[redduck]

The Duchess of redduck and I are going on a 7-day cruise with another couple. Each couple paid for a cabin with a balcony. (Everybody on board so far?). Today the travel agent the four of us are using called to say that we can exchange our cabins for inside cabins and get all our money back which would be about $2150 per couple. We would still pay for port fees, tips and taxes. We had 15 minutes to decide. Each couple could make their own choice as to what they wanted to do.

What would you have done?

 

[MBAustin]

It would depend on the itinerary. If the cruise was primarily a way to get to a lot of places without a lot of packing and unpacking, or if the weather was likely to be sketchy, I might go for it. But I love sitting on the balcony and reading, or just watching the birds and the waves, so more likely I would not. (But 20 years ago when I was super frugal, I probably would have done it in a heartbeat.)

 

[6miths]

Were all the other fees paid in the original package? If they would throw those in I would move.

 

[jazz4cash]

I'd take the "free" cruise and deal with DW's disapproval for the entire cruise. She is a Duchess, after all. Best scenario would be to trade one cabin and share the two cabins with the other couple.

 

[97guns]

Heck yeah take the freebie, I don’t spend a lot of time in the room anyways

 

[kaudrey]

At this stage in my life, I probably would not do it. I'd like to watch the scenery and read from my balcony during down times.

 

[Moemg]

Unless it was a super scenic cruise I would take the inside and save the money .

 

[CardsFan]

Sounds like the cruise line has figured out they can now sell your balcony cabin for twice what you paid, and they have a lot of unsold inside cabins

I have only taken 2 cruises. One with an inside cabin, and one with a nice balcony. The balcony was a big plus, and if we ever cruised again, I would probably pay a $500 premium for it. That said, you would be paying a $2,150 premium. I think I would take the free cruise, but maybe push for some extras (drink package? specialty dining?).

jazz4cash has suggested a really good compromise, but you would need to be really good friends for that to work.

Good Luck.

 

[Nemo2]

- Sounds like a Caribbean cruise - they'd have to pay us.

- "Cabin schmabin"....

 

[aja8888]

For that kind of dough, it's hard to say no.

 

[Souschef]

Personally I would not do it. Balcony vs inside is definitely a YMMV decision.
We love to sit on the balcony with our readers, music playing softly, and a beverage (mostly non alcoholic).
Others claim they are only in their cabin to change or sleep.
I also agree with CardsFan, about the cruise line and the cabins.
I had a similar situation with an airline reservation. We had non refundable tickets, but at the time we cancelled the price had doubled, so they gladly refunded our money.

 

[bclover]

For that kind of dough, it's hard to say no.

lol not really.

So for me, vacations have always been about relaxing and absolute enjoyment. No matter what the cost, I simply would not have enjoyed an inside cabin.

Basically for most of my life I've been frugal in my daily life so I could vacation how I like.

Since I'd never book a cruise with an inside cabin, I'd say thanks but no thanks, I want my balcony

 

[RunningBum]

Depends on the itinerary. An Alaskan cruise is in sight of land most of the way, and a balcony is very nice. A Caribbean cruise, lots of open water, less interesting. I'd almost certainly trade in the latter case. Maybe on the former. Like others have said, it depends on what you like to do. If you enjoy your coffee in the morning and nightcap in the evening, and afternoon napping and reading, all on your own balcony, it's worth it.

7 day cruise though, that's $300 a night. That's a lot to greatly improve the view but not change the neighborhood.

 

[NW-Bound]

I would take the money. And I would not have to ask my wife, as I know how frugal she is.

The last cruise we took, we had the balcony. We did not use it much, preferring to be out of the cabin.

 

[CardsFan]

The Duchess of redduck and I are going on a 7-day cruise with another couple. Each couple paid for a cabin with a balcony. (Everybody on board so far?). Today the travel agent the four of us are using called to say that we can exchange our cabins for inside cabins and get all our money back which would be about $2150 per couple. We would still pay for port fees, tips and taxes. We had 15 minutes to decide. Each couple could make their own choice as to what they wanted to do.

What would you have done?

Your turn. What DID you do?

 

[Meadbh]

If I booked a balcony, it would be because I wanted a balcony. I would never voluntarily choose an inside cabin. I would want at least a window. So I would say no.

 

[redduck]

Your turn. What DID you do?

Let's let this run a bit more--I don't want to contaminate future replies (assuming there are any).

 

[REWahoo]

Let's let this run a bit more-

No, enough games. What did you do?

Revealing your decision will not prevent others from telling you how you made the wrong choice.

 

[CardsFan]

Let's let this run a bit more--I don't want to contaminate future replies (assuming there are any).

Fair enough. It is an interesting proposition

 

[CaptTom]

My initial reaction would be "no." I really like balconies. Even in open ocean.

Then I thought about it. If it was enough to get a 2nd cruise with a balcony later, I might give it a shot.

And I like the idea of one balcony to share during waking hours between the two couples, assuming everyone gets along well.

 

[Bamaman]

I could care less about a balcony. We had one going over to the Bahamas just before Christmas, but I would have been just as happy inside had we not had a 6 year old granddaughter with us.

We are leaving next weekend for a 12 day repositioning cruise ending in England. I did spring for an outside window at the wife's insistence as the inside room originally booked was in a bad location.

 

[Dreamer]

I would take their offer. It has been many years since I have been in an inside cabin, but the balconies don't really do much for me. The ladies that I travel with want balconies and we have been in a junior suite and a suite. I go with the flow, but I would be fine with an inside. I don't spend a lot of time out on the balcony.

 

[redduck]

Your turn. What DID you do?

Let's let this run a bit more--I don't want to contaminate future replies (assuming there are any).

Fair enough. It is an interesting proposition

OK, CaptTom pushed it over the edge.

Here's what happened in the 15 minutes given to me to think about the situation:
I first thought that getting almost all our money back was a pretty good deal and that we could get a balcony on our next trip. Then I thought, "Why would I want to go on a cruise and not have a balcony?" Then I thought with the savings, I could buy as many brandy Alexander's as I could ever want (and even have them put a scoop of vanilla ice cream in the drinks). Then I thought that maybe having an inside room would be a good idea as it would get me out of the room and cause me to be around people--even if it just meant sitting outside on the deck reading a book.

Now, if someone asked me what I thought they should do in this case, assuming that money wasn't much of a consideration, I would suggest they not make any changes and just go with the original plan (the balcony).

We went with plan B (which sounds like the Balcony Plan, but isn't) We went with the inside room, I think mainly because the couple we are traveling with were sort of pushing in that direction.

If I had to do it over again, I'd go with the balcony cabin (which is also larger than the inside cabin).

The Duchess was completely neutral about this whole deal--or so she says.

CardsFan, thank you for your patience and understanding.

 

[MarieIG]

I have never been on a cruise, and while I like to save money, am slightly claustrophobic. I suspect that such a call would send me into a dither of indecision, and I would be on the phone with my "cruising expert" friends begging for guidance.

 

[powerplay]

I would stay with the balcony. At this stage of life I'm not looking to be that frugal if I had already planned on a balcony.