wow! thanks for all the input guys.

any good websites or travel agencies we should go through for good deals?

what about the rooms you stayed in? did you all have balcony rooms or window rooms? is there enough to do on the ship that we might as well just get an inside room since we'll just be sleeping and such there?

thanks again! keep the stories coming...

 

We had an inside cabin once, and it kinda sucked. I wouldn't recommend it. The balcony is very nice, though, and I would go for it if it's not too much of a premium (we had one on our last cruise). We're never in the room during the day, but it's great to come back to the room after dinner, drinks, or whatever, and relax on the balcony with the moonlight over the water. Very peaceful and relaxing. Most of the staterooms in the newer boats have balconies, I believe, so they're not much of a premium. There are tons of discount cruise sites out there. I'm not sure which one the boss (my wife) used to book our last cruise, but I can check.

 

Cruises are for three types of people:
Newlywed
Overfed
Nearly dead

Have a good time

 

get a room with a window. Inside rooms suck, they are so sealed no light gets in so you end up sleeping into the afternoon alot. We will never get one again!

 

You have to get a balcony. There is a very humbling feeling about travelling on water at night *literally* in the middle of no where. It's one of the most peaceful, serene experiences I have ever had. Plus seeing a storm off into the distance is pretty cool as well.

You may want to check http://www.travelocity.com/Cruises/0,,TRAVELOCITY||Y,00.html

But travel agents may find the best deals.

 

ok, we've narrowed it down...

we're going on the Star Princess (Princess Cruise Lines). very excited. definitely getting a balcony, but trying to decide which balcony class to get?!

we're seeing a price difference of about $250 from a "low-end" balcony to the "best location" balcony. from what I'm hearing/reading it seems that mid-ship locations are better, and obviously higher on the ship has better views, but those of you who have had rooms in the front or rear, do you notice the difference? it looks like some of the nicest ones are at the very rear of the ship. hrmmm.

also, it looks like we can have the option to either
1) pay the lowest rate and have Princess assign us a balcony (and supposedly they're really good about giving out their high end balconies if still available).
2) pay for a particular category and be guaranteed atleast that category, but still could be upgraded
3) select a particular room and stick with it

your answers regarding ship location will help us decide which category to choose... or pay the lowest rate and roll the dice and see which one Princess assigns to us (but still guaranteed a balcony).

thanks for the input!

EDIT: and for some reason, the highest priced balcony one, BA class, is located on the Carib deck (3 down from the top) in the middle of the ship. not sure why these are better?

 

I've only been on one cruise, but if you consider movement, wouldn't the top of the ship be swaying back and forth the most? Lower = less movement? Maybe that's why.