Inside/Outside Cabin first time cruiser to Alaska

[MrsT]

Hi, I'm new to the group and will be new to cruising in 2005. I would like to take the Diamond Princess or Sapphire Princess to Alaska out of Seattle. I'm thinking about going during the off peak (May). Not too many "at sea" days and at each stop and I plan on taking in as many of the sights as I can (pretty much off the ship as soon as it docks and getting back on as late as possible). Should I opt for an inside cabin? How much time is one in their cabin anyway? Most land vacations I've been on not much time was spent in the room (basically to sleep and get cleaned up) As a first timer my husband and I would like to spend time exploring the ship and meeting other people. A balcony might be nice for the day or two of scenic cruising, but what about public places to do that on board? I'll probably have many more questions as time goes on. Thanks in advance for your help.

MrsT

 

[Beryl]

We have done inside, outside and balcony cabins. My first choice would be a balcony, second choice outside cabin, and inside if it means going on the cruise as opposed to staying home. We find that the nicer our cabin is the more time we spend in it! Of course there are always lots of areas on deck to enjoy the view but it is difficult to do in your jammies! On our Alaska cruise I would often throw my jacket on over my nightclothes and enjoy the view from our balcony. Wouldn't have traded it for anything!! Whatever type of cabin you choose you will still have a first rate opportunity to see beautiful scenery!

 

[Snowblower]

There are so many things to weigh up when selecting a stateroom. For first time cruisers it is difficult because most don't have an idea what to expect when they get on the ship. One thing is to look at the different category stateroom layouts (Princess.com) to see if you can/can't live with any of them. I remember our first cruise and we had a balcony stateroom that was a total waste. We were so excited about being on the ship and all the activities going on we used the stateroom for sleeping and getting clean. I doubt we spent more than one-hour total on the balcony the entire trip. The trip would have been just as nice with an inside stateroom. Now we only book balconies or mini-suites because we spend more time in the room and on the balcony because the onboard ship activities are not as exciting anymore.

All staterooms have there good and bad points. An inside is the least expensive but has limited storage and you spend a lot of time bumping into each other due to limited size. I would never have more than two people in an inside stateroom. Outside staterooms with a balcony are very nice, bigger, have a little more storage but more $$$. We like the mini-suites the best because they are bigger yet (twice the size of an inside), tons of storage and best of all it has a tub and shower. The shower in the inside to balcony categories are about the size of a phone booth. The last thing you want to do is drop the soap!!!! My wife thinks the tub and shower in the mini-suite is worth the $$$ by itself. Only drawback to the mini is the cost, which is usually double the cost of an inside.

You really can't go wrong with what you select on your first cruise. One thing to think about is if anyone gets motion sickness easily you want to book a stateroom near the center of the ship on one of the lower decks. This is the area of least motion. Don't worry though, it takes some real strong seas to feel any motion on the Sapphire/Diamond because they are so big!!! Avoid getting a stateroom near any elevators or main corridors leading to/from the public areas (less foot traffic = less noise). We have been on the Diamond and Sapphire ships and both are wonderful. You will have a good time no matter which on you choose......

Good Luck!!!!

 

[maw]

I would at least book and outside for Alaska. As Beryl said you do like to be able to see what is along the way most of the time while cruising there. I also often stepped out on my balcony with a hot cup of choclate and enjoyed an early morning view .

 

[Princess Pat]

On the Inside Passage you may also wish to consider which side of the ship you are on. Going up from Seattle you would probably want an outside cabin, for all the reasons discussed above, but on the starboard (I hope that's the right-hand side terminology) side. That way you can see the glaciers that they pass from your stateroom and, in case you become preoccupied, you'd realize what you might prefer to do.

After a dozen cruises we've only recently become aware of which side we might want to choose.

Pat

 

[CUgirl]

I did the Alaskan cruise on Sapphire earlier this month. I would recommend a room with a balcony that is low and in the center of the ship. You may hit some rough waters(like we did) and you will like the room in that location. You will also have a portion of your cruise that is through the inside passage which is very nice to enjoy from your balcony! Plus the fresh air you can let in the room is GREAT! The rooms can get stuffy otherwise.

The cost will definitely be more-about $500 a person for a balcony, but I would recommend it.

 

[Jeana]

Go BALCONY! Definitely!