<p>If you can swing the extra cost, I love having a balcony room. But others, will argue that it is not worth it. I enjoyed the privacy to sit and read and some mornings eat breakfast. I am not sure of the price difference, depends on the ship and length.</p>
<p>To me it was definitely worth having a balcony. We loved sitting out there and relaxing, especially at night before bed. Loved the moon on the water and occasionally seeing other ships all lit up pass in the distance. As for price difference, I think we paid 3 or 4 hundred more for a junior suite. We had 3 in our cabin, so it was nice having that extra square footage with the balcony.</p>
<p>We did not get a balcony room on either cruise and did fine without it. The elderly couple in our family group did, and enjoyed it, but the rest of us were on the move too much to miss it. H and I actually enjoyed the total darkness of the cabin (no windows at all) for sleeping.</p>
<p>We have had portholes, windows, and balconys We used the balcony lots, it gave us extra room and was a great place to relax alone. Son declared he would only travel w/balcony from now on…I am sure he will travel with a bunch of friends even if they don’t have a balcony. I hate total darkness and tiny spaces, so for me it is important.</p>
<p>How about suggestions for companies to provide reasonably priced trip insurance?</p>
<p>I think I used insuremytrip.com to compare insurance quotes. Much more reasonable than using the cruiseline’s insurance quote.</p>
<p>We love Royal Caribbean, having had two wonderful cruises with them. We left from Miami and had friendly and rather international shipmates. We did seven day cruises which seems to be the way to go. I’ve read that shorter cruises tend to use not so nice ships and have a rowdier feel, fine if that’s what one is looking for, but probably not best for a family vacation. Holiday time is easily twice the cost, don’t forget to add on the cost of excursions. We booked independently of the ship and saved a lot of money. Check out cruise critic for reliable independent operators. It was great to go on little adventures with the whole family on shore and than have independent time to relax onboard. For us it was far and away the best type of family vacation. Personally, I loved the big suite balcony we had on one cruise, over the porthole window we had on the other. I don’t know if I’d pay a lot more for a standard size balcony though. The one we had was like a big deck, we had a full sized table and chairs and three chaise lounges out there. Very much worth it if you have a big party and are going the suite route.</p>
<p>I’d go with a balcony for Alaska. Portholes for Mexico/Carribean.</p>
<p>Well, I am booking my week cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, and will finalize the trip insurance with insuremytrip.com as soon as thing booking is done (the trip insu. quote is being held til the trip is booked). Ahh-- just got the rooms confirmed on Deck 9. </p>
<p>Momofour-
I had looked at the insuremytrip site before you mentioned it, as they have an option to buy “cancel for any reason” insurance, which I need because of what is going on with my dad’s care manager up north. So I am really glad you confirmed that this is a legit site through which to get our insu coverage.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone!! You are the best!</p>
<p>jym, That’s so exciting! Now of course you are also going to have to spring for that onboard in cabin internet connection so that we can all go on a virtual vacation right along with you! :)</p>
<p>How much do they charge for internet access?? I may go through cc withdrawl!</p>
<p>It costs a boatload!!!</p>
<p>^^ Funny one, dudedad!</p>
<p>I was only kidding of course, you don’t REALLY need to do this for us 
But I know people who have - it’s about 100 for the week. I generally avoid anything to do with computers when I’m away, since we are on them so much for business related purposes and more at home. But sometimes for whatever reason you just want or need to be accessible. I hear that there are only a limited number of connections on some ships, so if you are interested, you have to make a beeline to sign up as soon as you get onboard!</p>
<p>Royal Caribbean was just starting to get their wi-fi going when we last cruised in the fall of 2004. There were a few bugs with the system, hopefully that’s worked out now. If so, you won’t need to worry about a limited number of cable hookups. I haven’t been there in a while but no doubt cruisecritic would have info on getting connected onboard.</p>
<p>There’s always a central internet cafe on board where you can go online for an exorbitant per minute fee.</p>
<p>Ok, I am psyched!! Anyone have any tips for shore activities on St. Thomas or St. Maarten?</p>
<p>Also, I found out that I can get a $40 unlimited internet access card- so I won’t have to go through withdrawl! I also apparently found a very good deal for this cruise (hubby is in the reserves so gets the military discount)- got it for about 1/2 price of the regular holiday fare. I love a deal!</p>
<p>By the way, MOWC, I didn’t know your d met her bf on a cruise! That’s a hoot!</p>
<p>My memories of St. Maarten–my daughter and I stayed on the Dutch side to just sight see and shop. My H. took sons over to the French side to the nude beach and to snorkel. The boys were so disappointed–said the only naked women they saw were grandmas!</p>
<p>mkm-
Too funny!!! I’ll send the boys to see the grannies in the buff!</p>
<p>We all liked “the bob” in St Thomas. It’s an underwater motor scooter with a helmet (no tanks, no snorkel) and you motor around the ocean. We’d all do it again in a heartbeat!</p>