We started with inside cabins and were fine with that. Then got a balcony. Now we always get one. Once you have it, it’s so hard to go back. I’m afraid to get a suite for that reason ! I also try to book all the way aft. I love to sit on the balcony and watch the wake. It’s more of a walk, but I see that as a good thing to compensate for all the eating and drinking I do.
@@ericwilliams2546 Rem that ship that capsized in Korea with all those high school students? That as scary and made me want a balcony bcuz there’s a window to jump out of
We always chose an inside room just to save money. The last time, our travel agent got us an inside cabin with a balcony overlooking Central Park. It was wonderful! We enjoyed people watching, and it made our room feel bigger. We are spoiled now. That will be our choice from now on.
For our family's very first cruise in March, we felt it best to book 2 Interior virtual balcony rooms for the 4 of us. We got 2 rooms right next to each other on deck 12, Anthem of the Seas. We chose the square cabins instead of the usual narrow cabins. The layout looks much better. Appreciate the videos. Thanks!
As you've often said in your videos, I cannot stress enough the value of a good travel agent! When I booked my first cruise, I had my heart set on a studio cabin, since I am a single pringle and wanted to avoid the dreaded single supplement, as I thought that would be the least expensive. However my travel agent was able to find me a deal that got me into a balcony cabin with a 70 percent discount off the single supplement. It only came out to about 150 dollars more than if I had booked the studio! (And this is a personal note but you can't beat having breakfast on your own private balcony while cruising the Inside Passage.) But definitely work with a travel agent. They are in the business of making sure you're satisfied with your vacation.
@@0741921 Not true. Travel agents send the cruise lines a lot of business and make good commissions from them. If you are a valued client the agent can always upgrade you to a better cabin and add perks such as beverage plans, shore excursions at no extra charge. It doesn't cost you anything extra to use an agent so why would you not?
@@ryanhart2890 I found mine via a Google search, type in "travel agent in 'your area'" but I would also say to read any reviews as well before picking one. Then just give them a call and tell them what you're looking for :)
I personally love aft balcony cabins! Usually you get a balcony that is a bit larger and a great view. Only downside is it is a long walk to the elevators.
I have only two thoughts about cruise rooms: 1. While cruise ships do have elevators, the wait times for the elevator are very long, especially during meal and entertainment times. Therefore, try to book on a floor fairly close to where you will be spending your time (i.e. pool) because you will get sick of waiting for the elevator. There are always a LOT of disabled people on cruise ships who need to use the elevator, so I try to take the stairs. 2. All of the views from windows or balconies only give you a partial view. When we cruise, I go way up to the top of the ship to get a 180 degree view when I want to really see the scenery.
Waiting on my first cruise until after covid. Probably 2024. (saving the money up.) I have built a small library of my favorite videos for choosing options. This video of the cabins is the best. Thanks.
I absolutely never take the time to comment on videos but I must say this is extremely well put together and very informational/entertaining! Great job on the video!
I am inside cabin passenger 🥳😅! As you said, I am always outside the cabin! Lots of activities, waterslides, trivia, pictures, walking, taking the sun...
Hi Matt, Port or Starboard matter on a unidirectional cruise like Alaska from Seattle to Seward. Because this is typically the inside passage and the views are amazing, I prefer starboard so that I get to see the coastline the majority of the cruise. The other reason for a balcony preference would also be private glacier viewing. It can get really crowded on the deck and being able to sit and enjoy the view from your balcony can really make the trip special, not to mention the amazing animal sightings at sea. Thanks as always, I really enjoy your content! I am going to try a different type of room based on this video.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I disagree the glacier sightings get very crowded, or at least not on Royal Caribbean ships. I'll see what it's like when I go on Serenade this summer, but I think there will be opportunity to see lots
I don’t like cruises and one reason may be because my room was on the lower deck and there was a lot of water turbulence. I was in fear most of the time. However I did value visiting various places. I may possibly give cruising another chance if I could book a luxury room. I’m a single person but enjoy space.
We had the virtual balcony interior room and we just loved it. It was like we could see what was going on the outside when we wanted to. Or we could close the curtain.
My first cruise was a few months ago on the Mariner. We were directly below the main pool and never heard a thing. Noise won’t be a huge issue on Royal as I hear they are a little more calm than other cruise lines.
Totally agree with you on taking the family in 2 connecting cabins. The extra bathroom is the key- on the family cabins I have checked, it is usually one bathroom, so when getting ready for dinner, having the second bathroom is worth having 2 rooms instead of one (and the cost is usually pretty similar to having one family room). I have also seen that putting a 3rd and 4th person in the room is almost as expensive as getting the second room with the second bathroom. To me it is a no-brainer to get 2 connecting rooms for my family of 4. I am going in July with 2 balcony connecting cabins.
@@alanbanh Two things about that: first is that for the grand (and perhaps less) you are getting a whole other room, so no-one in pullman beds,etc. more storage, and in my case another balcony. Second... do you have daughters using the bathroom? Enough said on that.
That’s what we are doing this next cruise! 2 kids and 2 adults in two connecting ocean view rooms. It was about $200 cheaper than 1 ocean view cabin which was a huge surprise.
@@alanbanh To you but not to a mother of 2 who has to use said bathroom after the kids...messy, very messy. Plus the intimate "adult only" privacy for parents at night is priceless.
Thanks for your marvelous videos Matt. I think that choosing port or starboard is in fact VERY important if you take into account which side of the ship the coastline will be on as you sail past. For example, if you are sailing up the Asian coast, or the New Zealand coast, or the Alaskan coast. But when it comes to docking - agreed - It's generally irrelevant overall.
The best room I have had on 12 Royal Caribbean Cruises was in 2019 in an Aqua Suite on Harmony. My son treated us to it and it was AMAZING! The HUGE wrap around balcony was amazing and it was so cool to look down behind the aqua theater to see what goes on back stage during the aqua shows. Our Royal Genie, Leticia, was amazing and totally spoiled my three grandsons!
On our first cruise we booked an ocean-view cabin. Depending on the ship our next several cruises were either inside or ocean-view. On our first Alaska cruise we were in a balcony cabin, worth the effort! Going to Europe this spring and in a balcony cabin again. If we ever cruise longer than seven days, we'll try a suite.
Got an Owner Suite on our first-ever cruise. Wow! The Suite concierge was amazing and the Suite Lounge was a terrific perk. Next cruise is Christmas’22 and another Owner Suite. This time on Allure. My wife is spoiled now. I think I may have made a mistake. Just kidding. Thanks for all you do, Matt Your advice is priceless, and expensive. :-)
We got a great price on our upcoming Adventure of the Seas cruise so we booked a Grand Suite. I kept checking prices every time Royal had a "special" and our Travel Agent was great help with handling the price changes. Ultimately, we have ended up with a 2-bedroom Grand Suite for less than the original price of the 1-bedroom GS. Ready to sail next week!!🛳⚓️🏖🍹
My only cruise, I stayed in an indoor stateroom. If I ever cruise on RC, I want to book a cabin overlooking the indoor Promenade, that has intrigued me ever since the Voyager debuted.
Some interior rooms with a view can have the same square footage as a junior suite. I had one looking on the promenade, and I had 2 couches and 2 standard room chairs and the window seat. 8 people were able to sit comfortably and play drinking games.
@Royal Caribbean Blog Thank you Matt, we are super stoked, and ready for a break from the cold up in PA. I will definitely be on the live show Monday night.
Hi Matt and thanks for the video my first cruise with Royal Caribbean was on harmony of the seas and I had a solo cabin which turned out to be a bad idea because I am mobility challenged and visually impaired and it was not the right size for a mobility scooter at all found that out a little bit too late but next time definitely a balcony cabin or interior balcony cabin that overlooks the different neighborhoods thanks again for all you do
We just took our first cruise. Chose a balcony, and now we are never not going to get a balcony, something about eating breakfast looking over the ocean in the morning makes the extra cost worth it!
I was hoping to see what an accessible balcony room would be like. We're heading off on the Adventure of the Seas in March and we've picked up an accessible balcony cabin on the 6th floor, mid-starboard. We're excited, it's our first cruise.
I would love to see you do a video about accommodations for disabled people. My wife and I would love to take a cruise someday but she is disabled (cerebral palsy) and confined to a wheelchair. We have no clue where to begin as far as booking or cabin selection. Thanks!
@SkzDaLimit My wife and I just cruised on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas. And although neither of us have a physical disability they gave us an accessible room (they must have had extra to give away). Having our friends regular interior room to compare ours to, we could see it was much more spacious. It had plenty of room for a wheel chair if needed, a pull down closet hanger a fold out chair in the shower as well as a low reachable, detachable shower head. It also had support bars by the toilet and an emergency button in the restroom if someone needed help in there. I believe when booking you can find the option of if you need an accessible room. If not I’m sure you could call the cruise line and find out the information you need. Hope this helps some, have fun cruising!
I like variety - we loved being near Central Park on a interior cabin so we’re going for an ocean view balcony nearby for the inaugural Wonder of the Seas Sailing. I’d love to try the interior cabin with full length “sea view TV”, a balcony facing Central Park, and (in my dreams) a cabin facing the aqua show (as it appears they are only higher end suites?)… basically checking out the options you can only get on the bigger ships… we’ve just upgraded to a balcony near the Canyon Ranch Spa on RCI’s Celebrity line - I haven’t spent much time in the spa area yet, but something tells me I might like a spa cabin experience to have a cruise focused on an immersive spa experience…
We will be on a princess cruise on princess cruises regal princess ship to Central America and Caribbean and western South America from San Francisco,booked through a travel agent in June of 2023 for 12-14months,with suites
I love The balance cabin but the ocean view is my second choice. Thanks MATT YOUR INFORMATION IS ALWAYS GREAT..THINGS AGAIN. THIS LARRY FROM CINCINNATI
Our family (4 of us) is going on Independence in July, we’re getting a balcony room mid-ship. It’s our first cruise and after watching this o feel we made the right decision haha
I’ve stayed in a loft suite, a junior suite, a regular cabin with balcony, a single interior and a single with balcony. Obviously the loft suite was my favorite lol
After our last cruise we'll probably never get an interior room again. I've come to the realization that unfortunately I am getting older and as much as I try, my body cannot accept being out and about on the ship only with exception of sleeping, changing, and showering. We certainly had to nap and decompress from time to time and that time feels stolen from you in an interior room. Outside of the occasional rocking of boat you don't even feel like your on the ship. Next time going to pony up for a balcony so can still enjoy the experience of being on the cruise ship from the privacy of the room.
If you choose the "we pick your room for you" selection for balcony, are you basically guaranteed to get one of those balconies that face central park?
Always booking interior, we are spending so much time outside the room, so it makes no sense to book anything other. The only time I would say you should book a balcony is on the Alaska cruise for the views and the glaciers.
blacony is important, i always had my room service free morning breakfast by the sea.What more can you ask a nice day for eating your breakfast and enjoy the sea breeze during the morning.
If I’m paying to go on a cruise, I will always choose Balcony. I just feel mentally better having a opening to outside where I’m sleeping and staying. 🤔
Hi Matt, I love your energy! ⚡I've never been on a cruise, will be booking with Royal Carribean when I do finally get to book. I am still trying to decide to start with an inside or splurge for a balcony. 🤔💭
The first cruise we splurged and got the balcony. Now it's kind of a bummer not getting it, but an inside saves a good bit of money, and really, you don't spend much time in the room to begin with. I would suggest getting an inside room your first cruise, and splurge on a dinner package or an excursion.
I went with an inside for my first RC cruise and I loved it. The room was so dark and cozy, really easy to take a mid day nap and fall asleep at night. And it was soo much cheaper on that cruise. If it was only a small amount more, I would upgrade to another type. I really like the mid-ship location or at least close to an elevator.
Pick a cabin with at least a window, balcony if possible. And try to get a room midship, center of the ship don't raise and fall like the bow and stern. Much less chance of sea sickness
When traveling with only one other person for short cruises i do interior just to save money cause i wont be in the room much but for longer cruises i like balconies because I may have more time to enjoy it
My first cruise I had a window , my next cruise is in a couple of months. I have a interior room and I’m thinking about changing to a balcony! I’m going solo
I would've loved to work on one in the kitchens. It would've been fun. If you get a bartender, ask them to make their worst/weren't drink, critique it and start a conversation. That's how you make friends, who tell their friends who tell there friends and next thi g you know, your on first name basis with a few ppl who work there. You can...... er yes well. Always be nice to people, they work hard too.
Hello. I'm really enjoying your videos. I will not hook anything. Put a suite. Preferably, the top of the line in sweets. As I said in earlier comments, I'm planning the ultimate war cruise. On Royal Caribbean. And I'm going to wait until. 2024. So, I can book the Royal Suite. It's a long cruise. So, I will wait until that goes on sale. Anyway. Keep the videos coming.
If u haven't gotten the balcony and are fine with an inside then just stay with the inside cabin unless there's a big sale because I promise u that u will get a balcony every time after💀 it's like getting a brand new phone after 2 years like u don't need it but once u have it, u don't wanna switch back
I want a room that’s cheep I can sleep in, change, shower & keep my stuff safe. So inside state room for me. Because a lot of cruse ships don’t have classes so it doesn’t matter
We have a balcony room, for our upcoming cruise. We are first timers! Family of 4- 2 teen kids one boy, one girl. Looks like a Queen bed and queen sofa. Does that queen sofa pull apart into twin individual?? Cuz asking siblings to share is not going to happen at their ages 😆 and my husband and I aren’t looking forward to sleeping with these kickers and crazies either!! Lol
Question - as guests when/how would we know which nights are the "formal nights" on the cruise? (this is aside from the dress code that comes with every dining location)
Hey guys! Im about to book my very first cruise for some friends and I and Im really not sure what rooms to book for a party of 3!! Can anyone help we would love a ocean view!
After 'the virus' and the risk of a ship, and passengers, being quarantined, I'd want a balcony at a minimum. I could think of nothing worse than being confined to your cabin for days on end with no fresh air.
I got an interior room and it was so tiny that could barely walk around the entire room was just a bed and then A bathroom it was royal Caribbean but that’s fine we were barely in the room
Matt, 1st time cruiser and i signed up for just about everything. I recently got royaled up to a Grand Suite and i had previously purchased the key. The key allows me free room service and the suite allows me room service from the main dining room. My question is if i order from the main dining room for room service, will that be free? I/m confused.
