Hey guys! Thanks so much for watching this video. Here are a few useful links that I'm often asked for 😃🎉: "Can we book cruises through you?" - If you're from the UK, yep! emmacruises.com/book-a-cruise/ "Where can we find all of your cruise guides?" On EmmaCruises.com "Where did you get your background map?!" - Here it is: enjoythewood.com/?rfsn=5433540.ccb51c (Affiliate link)
Everyone has their own cruising style. As an old sailor, I am fine with an inside cabin. Actually low and aft is good because the engine sounds lull me to sleep. Also much less movement low & aft - the pointy end of the boat (actual Naval term) moves too much. The included food is fine with me, but the drink package in pretty much a necessity. Did I mention 'old sailor'? As long as 6 or 8 rum & cokes pay for the package, I am fine. On sea days I may drink a bit more. ha ha 😎
The great thing about cruising is that it offers so many options for so many budgets and considerations. If you can afford it then there’s nothing wrong with booking a suite. If you’re struggling the great thing is that you can still afford to cruise. There’s no wrong way to cruise and encountering other cultures is the best education in the world. Meeting people who are different opens our eyes and allows us to experience life in a richer way. Thank you for your balanced conversation and easygoing personality. It really feels like listening to a good friend giving me the best advice.
Emma, regarding your comment at 3:30 that you can cruise for 3x longer in an inside cabin vs a suite. That's true, if you're budget limited. When you can do either one, you may find your worldview changes. You're in your 20s and probably can't afford to cruise for a month in a suite. When you're in your 40s and can, you may find the inside cabin loses its "charm". I'm 46 years old, I've been cruising since I was 8 years old on the Carnival Holiday (yea, look THAT ship up!). I've been in every type of cabin and thankfully can afford a suite now. There comes a point in life where you find there are fewer days in front of you than behind you and if you don't enjoy the money now, you'll just be looking at it when you're old. Happy Cruising!
That life sounds lovely! We are a family of 5 (at least, those living at home still) ages 47, 37, 6,4 and 1 and I so wish we could get even an inside cabin! Some day 🤞
I’ve only cruised three times (was getting addicted before 2020). With kids, I’ll always choose a balcony, as it meant slightly more room, and the balcony meant I could set them up with a movie or nap inside the room and still have my own space outside, without leaving them alone. With just my husband, I’d prefer a balcony but would consider inside cabins.
I've done about 15 cruises. I've chosen inside, ocean view, and balcony rooms, depending on the itinerary. But most of the time, I'll go with the interior room and spend the difference on better shore excursions.
My only complaints on your videos...I wish they were longer! I'm always sad when they are over. I like living vicariously through all the UA-cam travelers!
My brother introduced me to cruising and suggested starting with an inside cabin and spend additional funds on a dining package instead of towards the cost of a balcony cabin. I never regret booking an inside cabin now because it's basically my place to sleep and get ready for being on the ship. I have friends who love balcony cabins and enjoy reading books on their balcony relaxing. That's fine as well if it adds value to your cruise experience. On some cruises I have intentionally not purchased a dining package because I enjoyed the variety on the menus in the main dining room and buffet offerings as well. I guess I'm not too fussy about such things.
I prefer inside, middle low floor ...i take med to stay away from sea sickness and this location really helps me. I spend the difference on the Spa package and skip the dinning experience every other night ...i get a veggie smoothie on those nights and enjoy an empty or almost empty Spa ...i have never gained weight on a cruise w this strategy 😀
Claustrophobia is real!!! I don’t have a window I feel my throat closing. I’ve since developed a room preference for as far forward and as high as I can. I’m also 6’4” and overweight so a little more space is important to me.
my very first cruise was an interior cabin midships...I found out before the cruise that this was the best spot to reside in..I have no regrets..second cruise was a balcony, again midships, but my third upcoming cruise will be an interior again...I'd rather save my money for doing shore activities or something else that requires to be paid for..otherwise, hit everything that is free to do, including the food..I don't consume enough alcohol in a year, let alone a cruise to warrant the purchase of alcohol packages...buy it as I want it then there is no pressure..
We've been in balcony suite, balcony, promenade view, and interior, most multiple times. My absolute favorite is interior promenade. You can people watch from the comfort of your own cabin and watch the parades without getting around anyone else. I like it a lot.
My last cruise I had a cabin with two portholes, which was mostly fine. But I'm highly introverted and I found that I was desperate for some alone space in the early mornings and evenings, where I could watch and listen to the sea. There were a couple of times on that cruise that I was able to find a quiet space and watch the sun rise or set, but mostly, there were plenty of people wherever I went. That has made me decide I should go for a balcony cabin for any future cruises. But if I wasn't such an introvert, I'd go for the inside cabin to increase how often I could cruise.
I agree Karyn! There's nothing like some alone time just having a cuppa and watching the sea! I was on celebrity silhouette a couple of years ago and found that there was just no quiet area. Always game show type activities going on in the corridors. Even the game room wasn't quiet. We went there one day and there was a paper airplane competition on the main staircase which went up by the games/card room......no peace at all. We just went back to the room and sat out on the balcony and shut out the world for an hour. I hope they keep the ships at half capacity until I can get away again! Some of the ship's are just way too peopley....!!
“The less you pay for your cabin, the less time you’ll spend there” So brilliant! I never thought of it like that and now I’m completely rethinking my affinity to ocean balcony rooms! Great advice!
I have never been on a cruise and may never do so, but I am fascinated by your excellent videos and keep watching them. Excellent content and lovely, straight forward delivery. Well done!
I'm completely opposite. I always book a suite. I would be miserable in an inside cabin, and less than comfortable in a cramped balcony room. I would rather cruise less often and with more luxury than more frequently and having cramped living space.
my husband and I took our first cruise in October 2022 aboard NCL. Somehow we upgraded to Haven, OMG it was heaven. First class all the way, our own butler, everyone new our name and we are first on and off the ship etc.. Well it was expensive but what a treat. Our next cruise in March 2023 will not be upgraded as such but I am sure we will enjoy it none the less. Love your program and we are learning a LOT.
That was my finding too ... I started cruising ~10 years ago ... about a dozen sailings on inside rooms. I LOVED it. Met so many new folk and explored the ship so much! I got upgraded to a window room once and sorta liked it, but for the price I couldn't see NOT booking as balcony. So now for the past 4 sailings I've gotten a balcony room. Spend WAY too much time in the room. Of course now, with COVID and its risk of potentially getting quarantined, I'm weary of inside cabins. Conundrums abound!
The Haven is unrivaled by anything else available, on any other cruise line. I have been cruising in the Haven 2-3x/year since 2014 up until the present day. LOVE IT! I highly recommend it to anyone who can afford it! Again, it’s unparalleled service surpasses any other class on the ship or other cruise line.
As a family of 3, we always book a suite to get the extra space. I often wonder if I'll be able to go back to non-suite life once the kiddo is on his own. It encourages me to save more for retirement! LOL. I also always make sure to book a cabin with a lounger on the balcony as I'm not a huge fan of the pool scene. I much prefer to sit in the sun on my own quiet balcony and read or nap. We also like to have room service for breakfast each morning, so it's nice to have space for that. I love it when you say assume and resume, Emma! :-)
Haha!! Oh yeah! Resume; hadn’t thought of that one being the same. That makes total sense, if your kiddo is like me they’ll still be coming in their 20s 😂❤️
@@EmmaCruises But eventually they might start to pay for their own ticket, or have a partner to travel with. In that case, two cabins is a good thing. Perhaps even two separate ships. .-)
Indochine restaurant is Vietnamese, not Indonesian: This new original concept will offer guests Vietnamese classics with a French twist. From Green Papaya Salads to Beef Bo Buns, and French Roasted Snails to Veggie Vietnamese Crêpes, the selection offers healthy and balanced options, featuring careful combinations of sweet, sour, salty, bitter and hot flavours.
@@EmmaCruises Indochina is the bits between India and China :-) Indonesia is further south, and not on the continent. Easy way to think of it is the -nesia bit: Polynesia, Melanesia etc - all monikers for island entities. Indonesia's neighbour Malesia breaks this a little bit, since part of the country is on the continent. But if you just think -esia equals archipelago it will be easy to remember that Indochina is not that.
I've only cruised 4 times, all on NCL. I've never felt like I needed to pay for a specialty restaurant. I loved the food that was included. I miss it so much!
I only went on one cruise without a drink package. All the ones since then we got them. It was worth it. We are pounding drinks all day, coffee with dinner, the squeezed OJ at breakfast. Not worrying about what we were spending per day was worth it to us.
I just watched your trivia video and here you are back with another video so soon ! Really appreciate the work you put into these videos. I wouldn't miss a single one. Thank you Emma.
Fello Brit here: No Emma, we don't all pronounce assume with an 'h' sound in it! I'd say 'a-syoom'. Also isn't it great everyone's different? We DO spend a lot of time in our cabin, and just sitting out on the balcony is one of our pleasures. We don't cruise often (booked one for next year though, yayyy!) so I'd rather splurge on a balcony. On our last cruise (nearly 3 years ago) we had an aft balcony. On board (outside of dining) we did NOTHING but read, or just chill on our balcony. Had most of our breakfasts there too. It was wonderful! Ps. I'm nearly 60 - 'sweet' definitely meant 'dessert' when I was younger, but I grant you, we tend to use 'dessert' now as well as the 'candy' definition.
We cruised Celebrity exclusively for several years and got to Elite status, which had the perk of a complimentary cocktail hour before dinner. Not much of a drinker, but it was interesting to sample different mixed drinks that we didn't have to pay for. We did a back to back and qualified for the upgrade on the second cruise, but they bumped us up on the first cruise! The best perk was the free bag of laundry and the continental breakfast in one of the specialty restaurants.
I'm really enjoying your channel. I only found it this week. Your videos are really nicely put together and interesting. I also appreciate that you don't fill them with background music or too many unnecessary things. Awesome work.
I'm not a big drinker in general, so I never get a drinks package, but I'm going on Celebrity Summit in two months and we upgraded to the premium package that included $100 in shore excursion credit per person. At $120 per person it was a STEAL and I'm looking forward to martinis, fresh pressed juice, and swimming with dolphins. 😁
Emma, I have recently stumbled upon your cruising videos. I traveled to Italy when I was 5 and again at 19 and it was wonderful on the italian cruise line Cristofero Colombo and Raffaele back in the 60's. I cannot fly but wish I could take the Queen Mary back to Naples but too costly now in my 70's and I'd have to go it alone. I appreciate what you are doing and saying, your videos and your opinions. You see things from many angles and I enjoy seeing pics of your family members. You are just lovely, pretty and a cute girl, so don't worry about any nasties on here. I have nothing negative to say about you, I do not know you, but know I am enjoying your travels and keep up the good work. You are just lovely! I am in San Jose, CA by the way! Good Travels!Thanks for showing those of us who will probably never cruise again, what great fun it is!!!
Thanks always for your great videos. I agree with you that you don't have to get a drinks package. However, if your companion gets the Drinks package, then you have to too. This is for most Cruise lines, except for Scarlet Lady. They offer a Sailor Loot Bar Tab, which does not have to be bought by all. And one Bar Tab, can pay for everyone in the Cabin.
Emma, I find it so interesting the different strategies to cruising. Some cruisers skimp on the cabin cost but all go all in for pricey excursions! Some cruisers spend a king's ransom for the cabin but spend nothing on excursions. I held off on booking a balcony cabin until 2018. Why? Up until then I had always done a window cabin but I knew once I enjoyed a balcony cabin I could never go back. Lol! Now I only book the balcony cabin. Friends of our had a cabin suite which we got to see. Pretty amazing but I wouldn't want to spend that much for a cabin. I'm not a budget cruiser rather I think of myself as a strategic spender cruiser! Lol! I enjoyed the video Emma and your perspective on cruising costs!
I went on my first cruise recently it was a 4 day/3 night. I wanted to only do included food to try it out, we didn't even do all of the included food. We did have the big drink package because I didn't want to have to budget in for individual drinks plus the gratuities on each purchase closer to the cruise. It was expensive but it was nice knowing all my soda and each cocktail I wanted to try was already covered. When we left the ship we only paid a little over $30 extra for the whole trip and that was also adding a little casino money to mine and my husband's cards. Some how we started with a negative balance each of around $9 so that helped.
Yes on the balcony cabin, the cruises can be really crowded and I need at least one hour of me time to sip my coffee. No on the specialties restaurants, my GF didn't like to try ethnic foods so probably wouldn't use them even if they were free. Plus the food in the regular restaurant is really good on itself. Would definitely like to enjoy the exclusive sectors, Yatch club or whatever each cruise line calls it, at least once, even if I have to stretch the budget. Yes on the soda packages, no on the alcohol packages, I always feel I would have to get absolutely wasted just to break even, and I don't drink that much.
I agree on the specialty dining so much! I’ve already had to pay double because P&O Aust don’t seem to have solo cabins. I’ve paid for my food and I’ll eat ‘free’ thanks. I did end up spending approx $5-$10 on ice-creams each day because that wasn’t included and it was my first holiday in over 20 years. As a kid having a ice-cream in a cone or on a stick was an almost daily thing when we were on holidays. Donkey rides on the beach at Llandudno was also a daily highlight. One treat I can recreate and it was lovely. I certainly see the value of having an inside room but I don’t think I’d be willing to give up having a balcony. My one and only cruise was in a balcony cabin and for my next one (if it happens) I’ve upgraded from a balcony to a mini suite. I wanted some extra space just in case we all get quarantined in our cabins. So yes it’s added to an already pricy cruise but I’m sure I’ll love it…maybe too much 🤪
I've been on Celebrity Retreat once as a treat after Covid. We had to cancel three cruises so we just kept rolling the future cruise credit and any bonuses we were given up until we could go retreat to Norway. It was excellent, but I doubt I'd do it often!
A steakhouse is THE ONLY item mentioned that I will pay extra for. My mom had loyalty with Carnival so we enjoyed the free laundry service, not something we would ever pay for.
You're one of my favorite parasocial sister relationships HAHA, Listening to your videos is like listening to someone in my family telling me about thier trips. Thank you for the fun videos!
Specialty dining is something I always budget for and will get a specialty dining package. I've never hated anything in the in the MDR, but I also can't really remember anything I've ever ordered from there on any of my cruises either. Point being, the MDR is fine. On the flip side, I've only had one dish (Dover sole in Le Bistro) that didn't absolutely blow me away in a speciality restaurant.
We are going to Alaska and reserved a cabana for the whole week. It felt cheap for $400. Booked a cheaper room, with obscured view. Having the cabana and the cheaper room was the least expensive way to go.
Good advice Emma. We're exactly the same as you. As long as I'm with a higher end cruise line,I'd rather not have all the extras but cruise more often 😁
We mostly go to specialty dining due to my husband being such an introvert. He does not want to share a table with certain people. We have gone on 2 different cruises and each were 7 days cruises. We went to the main dining room once. He also did not like the portion. I am not sure if I can do the inside cabin. Maybe someday we will give it a try. I will have to get one of those lights that will project starts on the ceiling; have night lights; and that clock that you showed that allows it to slowly increase the light in the room in the morning.
Got off on day 3 the only time I was on a cruise 8/9 yrs back. Couldn't handle the crowd everywhere we went! Suite/food/facilities were great. Periodic cranks and screeches even up on the 10/flr kept my stomach churning. Not to fool myself, I'm just not a sea person. Happy cruising!!
My onboard spend is usually close to zero, no alcohol or soda helps, but I like a balcony, and especially with young kids it is nice to have somewhere to go while they are sleeping. I have done ocean views, but it's worth the extra to me. I've also spent on carniva's chef's table, which was worth it.
On my sister's last cruise before covid she was looking forward to her first ever balcony room that she splurged on. The cruise line upgraded her room at the last minute to a suite for no extra cost (they were trying to get the "cheap seats" filled up before disembarking). It was a handicap accessible suite so she sent me a hilarious video of her laying in the middle of the living room floor making a "snow angel" and she never touched any of the furniture because there was that much space. Haha! Even she said it was REALLY nice but she'd never pay for it because she and Mom spent less than a few hours a day in the room (not counting sleeping).
Great video. Just think how much of your life you got back by getting that new computer. If nothing intervenes (think of that positively, like if I don't cruise on another line in the meantime), my next three cruises will be on Carnival. They have only one drinks package and it would be the premium one on other lines. I don't need that, and since I have weaned myself off soda, I will be drinking the free tea mostly. I am out-cheaping Emma on that one! I would expect Indochine to serve the cuisine of the Southeast Asian mainland. The Indochinese Peninsula includes Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia), Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Vietnam.
All for budgeting, for me though balcony is a must. Nothing beats waking up and being able to walk out to relax. Or better yet on some cruises that have the sliding doors take a nap with the door open.
We've cruised on all the major cruise lines and tried most of the specialty restaurants but rarely find these to be worth the additional cost or for that matter stack up against quality land based restaurants. Included meal options are usually more than adequate. We'd rather spend the additional money on local restaurants at the ports that we visit so that we can experience the real local cuisine.
Agreed, Mark. We are from a large city complex and the food here is second to none, so cruise restaurants lose out on the "specialness". The already paid for areas work out well for us, so we spend our mad money elsewhere.
Excellent video Emma. I do just fine getting no drink package as I like water, tea, coffee. As for the other drinks, I'm not a drinker mind you, but the WORST drinks are diet sodas! The artificial sweeteners in them are silent killers! In fact, an alcoholic beverage is safer by far than diet sodas!
Excellent video. I would not be running up a bill - the cruise was expensive enough without extras. I am considering wifi in my cabin though as that is essential for me.
I have cruised solo a couple of times, once in an inside and once on an outside cabin. The cheapest was the inside of course but I would rather pay a little extra for a view. When you are on your own taking up a table with two seats at it feels wrong. I have also cruised with my girlfriend and had a balcony on the Queen Elizabeth but due to the nature of the trip (northern lights) we rarely sat outside. Due to sail to the Fjords in a few weeks time and we will have a balcony again. Although it will be cold again I believe the view will warrant the small extra charge. As for the bath! Urghh. I really don't fancy bathing in a tub that has had people who I don't know in☹️ shower for me. Keep up the great reviews Emma👍
The suite life is amazing. I wouldn’t dare book an Interior cabin . Definitely worth the price for me. The bathtub is a huge selling point, and the extra space!
My first cruise was with my grandma when I was 16. She booked a balcony room bc it was a birthday/bribery* cruise and she wanted to go all out for my reward (see below). I've been on 4 cruises since then and I've only ever had a balcony. My husband and I are both claustrophobic and not being able to see outside sends me into a panic. *Ok, the bribery story bc I know it sounds bad...when my grandpa turned 50, she took him for a surprise cruise. I overheard her and my mother planning it. I have always been a Papa's girl through and through. He's the only person I'd never kept a secret from. She told me that if I didn't spoil the surprise, she'd take me on my own cruise for my 16th birthday. I didn't spill the beans and I held her to her promise. I'm now 34 and to this day, the only secrets I've ever kept from him have been birthday surprise related.
I'm with you on the specialty dining. Why pay more for a meal that you've already purchased? That being said, I do have some specialty dining included as a perk on my next cruise, so I need to use that perk. Although I do drink more on a cruise, I STILL don't drink anywhere near enough to justify the drink package cost. Again, I have that as a perk coming up, so I may have to indulge a bit more. I tend to drink a lot of water at meals though. It seems I can never get enough.
I did the HA package that gets you soda, juice, mocktails, fancy coffees and water on my last cruise. At $20 a day it was easy to get my money's worth.
The prices they put on drink packages (over $60) seem to assume that you're an alcoholic. They really should have packages that let you buy a certain number of alcoholic drinks - say 10 or 20 for the cruise.
Gr8 video. Some years ago a friend asked me, when showing me a photo of a cruise ship, “ what do you see?” I replied a cruise ship. He said no it’s a floating bank that wants all your money! 😂🤭😂 Must admit that large cabin looked fab…it’s almost as big as my sisters apartment! As a kid I use to receive a thruppenny piece twice a week for sweets. That was 3 pence in old money, and with it I could buy a bag of mixed sweets, including giant gobstoppers! 😂😬🦷😬😂
I completely agree on the specialty restaurants. We pay a fair price for a cruise, so I expect the cruise line's complimentary restaurant to be exquisite! without needing to pay extra for it. it's a luxury vacation after all.
My first cruises were to the norwegian fjords. If I had a balcony, I'd be forever thinking that the better views, big waterfalls for example, were on the other side and so leave the cabin and go to the top deck.
I’ve done an Alaska cruise with a balcony and can confirm that the views up top are usually better than your balcony! A balcony is great for having a quiet place to relax and I love cruising with one, but they’re definitely not a must have for enjoying the scenery of beautiful places. A balcony view is much more limited than the 360 view you get up top!
Good food is part of a vacation. Celebrity's buffet and MDR failed to impress, so we ate at all the speciality restaurants. I do agree about the drinks packages. If it were actually a deal then the cruise lines wouldn't push them so hard. 7 alcoholic drinks a day including port days to cover a drinks package? No way.
Our first cruise was in an inside cabin which we took because it was the cheapest option. We hated it. We found it claustrophobic and hated not being able to see out. We always take a balcony if it is summer (most have been free upgrades) but have booked outsides next year on two winter cruises where we would not use the balcony. We were upgraded to a suite two years ago on CMV Columbus from a balcony cabin which we had specifically booked by number because we loved it from a previous cruise. The suite was large but it had a bath which my disabled husband was unable to use - they had not told us about that and we never thought there would be baths on the ship. Luckily it was only for four days. We never use speciality dining - why pay extra when perfectly good food is included, and we only drink what is included in the bill too - we don't pay bar prices or for drinks packages. Annoyingly we got an excellent deal last year in Grill on QM2 for the same price we would have paid for a balcony - and it was cancelled because of the pandemic.
Those cabins sound larger than my old flat, and I mean the inside ones 😂😂 Not actually larger, but probably about the same. I think ny flat was around 25 square metres.
I remember sneaking into a restricted access area (that was the crews quarters) on a cruise that went by Cuba late at night! Very exciting and felt very risky!
We booked our honeymoon for next year, yacht club MSC. We really value the option for a bit of relaxing time off, including a quite bar, sundeck or the room itself. So a decently sized room and balcony help us.
After hearing about you having breached the sanctity of the luxury cruise ship area's as youth, this explains why the ship security confinement area normally know as the brig on naval vessels, are called the Emma on cruise ships. That's a rumour I may have just heard somewhere, or made up, I can't recall. I haven't reached the part of Emma's cruise course where she discusses confinement, so this could be from the same fevered part of my brain as Bilge Class, which is just below Budget cruising price list pricing. Great video I'm learning stuff.
Yes! The water is NOT included in the drink package of Costa Cruises which took me by a surprise :-) Maybe because this is a mediterranean cruise line and they know that passengers will drink a LOT of water? :-)
Sorry can’t agree with you on this one. We’ve taken about 30 cruises and with the exception of one ocean view room , we have always had the balcony which is always used to be outside but get away from the other folks. We are Diamond Plus with Royal Caribbean and do spring for the specialty restaurants which are always worth the extra cost. Can’t wait to get going again!!!
As for cocktails and seasicknes, for me alcohol can prevent it, at least for awhile. Basically a few shots, and the sense of balance is knocked sideways enough to not react so strongly.
Only one cruise did we try specialty dining. We went to the Italian, Mexican, and Steakhouse. It was fun but I don't think it was worth it. We normally pound the free cafe, buffet, and main dining over and over multiple times a day. Lol
Hi there Emma 🙂👋 Rob here from London. Ive never been on a cruise ship but I want 2 one dy 4 sure. I have been on the ferry between Dover and calais many many times, not the same thing I know 🤣. Your vid was interesting and helpful 🙂👍
Went to tons of specialty dining and it was fine, great stuff but honestly the regular food suited me. Plus the fact I tend to eat more pizza / burgers so a fancy meal doesn't speak to me. Got a drink package once and it was well...fun but unnecessary, I usually get the soda package though.
I’ve never cruised, but I’m looking at the possibility. The danger of a drinks package for me is not that I can’t make it worth value, but that I will not sober up the trip. Keep the Jameson coming! :-)
I’ve only booked specialty dining as an entertainment option (mystery dinner). The food was great, no doubt, but I like to stick to the MDR. As I travel alone, I don’t know what I would do with a suite.
We have only tried a couple of specialty restaurants. The main dining room is great and we look forward to eating there. We have to have a window cabin, because I get claustrophobic without it. You can have a great cruise without spending much onboard. Excursions are an exception for many itineraries.
I prefer my Princess suite where you have a bath AND a separate walk-in shower which I prefer as then you don't have to climb over side of the tub. A mini-suite has the shower bath but a real suite (not mini) should have those separated.
A suite with a good butler is a really great experience. Our last cruise was Christmas of 2019 on Celebrity, and we got a good deal on a Sky Suite. Our butler was amazing and made sure we had big bottles of Pelligrino that were restocked every day, and he gave us a model of the ship on the last day. He really went above and beyond. I’ve done the suites twice on NCL, and I don’t think they’re worth it there. They’re overpriced and the service isn’t that great.
Serious question here, what exactly does a butler *do* for you? I have a hard time imagining what they could do to justify the cost. And do you share a butler with other passengers, or is it one butler per cabin?
Hey guys! Thanks so much for watching this video. Here are a few useful links that I'm often asked for 😃🎉:
"Can we book cruises through you?" - If you're from the UK, yep! emmacruises.com/book-a-cruise/
"Where can we find all of your cruise guides?" On EmmaCruises.com
"Where did you get your background map?!" - Here it is: enjoythewood.com/?rfsn=5433540.ccb51c (Affiliate link)
Everyone has their own cruising style. As an old sailor, I am fine with an inside cabin. Actually low and aft is good because the engine sounds lull me to sleep. Also much less movement low & aft - the pointy end of the boat (actual Naval term) moves too much. The included food is fine with me, but the drink package in pretty much a necessity. Did I mention 'old sailor'? As long as 6 or 8 rum & cokes pay for the package, I am fine. On sea days I may drink a bit more. ha ha 😎
Ha ha!! Sounds good to me 😀❤️
I guess u were in the Navy?? My father was too.
This is how I feel as well- I’m only paying paying for soda if there’s rum in it!:)
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
LOL re "actual naval term"! There's a medical abbreviation, ADR, that gets a laugh from laymen when they find out it stands for "ain't doin' right"!
The great thing about cruising is that it offers so many options for so many budgets and considerations. If you can afford it then there’s nothing wrong with booking a suite. If you’re struggling the great thing is that you can still afford to cruise. There’s no wrong way to cruise and encountering other cultures is the best education in the world. Meeting people who are different opens our eyes and allows us to experience life in a richer way. Thank you for your balanced conversation and easygoing personality. It really feels like listening to a good friend giving me the best advice.
Yes!!! My thoughts exactly. That’s so kind I appreciate it 😊❤️
Emma, regarding your comment at 3:30 that you can cruise for 3x longer in an inside cabin vs a suite. That's true, if you're budget limited. When you can do either one, you may find your worldview changes. You're in your 20s and probably can't afford to cruise for a month in a suite. When you're in your 40s and can, you may find the inside cabin loses its "charm".
I'm 46 years old, I've been cruising since I was 8 years old on the Carnival Holiday (yea, look THAT ship up!). I've been in every type of cabin and thankfully can afford a suite now. There comes a point in life where you find there are fewer days in front of you than behind you and if you don't enjoy the money now, you'll just be looking at it when you're old.
Happy Cruising!
Haha, I don’t doubt it. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
That life sounds lovely! We are a family of 5 (at least, those living at home still) ages 47, 37, 6,4 and 1 and I so wish we could get even an inside cabin! Some day 🤞
The way you start talking about the next video at the ends literally ropes me in to watch another one😂❤❤
Mwahaha 😂
I’ve only cruised three times (was getting addicted before 2020).
With kids, I’ll always choose a balcony, as it meant slightly more room, and the balcony meant I could set them up with a movie or nap inside the room and still have my own space outside, without leaving them alone.
With just my husband, I’d prefer a balcony but would consider inside cabins.
Yeah, I think that’s a good idea 😊❤️
I've done about 15 cruises. I've chosen inside, ocean view, and balcony rooms, depending on the itinerary. But most of the time, I'll go with the interior room and spend the difference on better shore excursions.
My only complaints on your videos...I wish they were longer! I'm always sad when they are over. I like living vicariously through all the UA-cam travelers!
Awh Thank you! 😁❤️
My brother introduced me to cruising and suggested starting with an inside cabin and spend additional funds on a dining package instead of towards the cost of a balcony cabin. I never regret booking an inside cabin now because it's basically my place to sleep and get ready for being on the ship. I have friends who love balcony cabins and enjoy reading books on their balcony relaxing. That's fine as well if it adds value to your cruise experience. On some cruises I have intentionally not purchased a dining package because I enjoyed the variety on the menus in the main dining room and buffet offerings as well. I guess I'm not too fussy about such things.
Yess! It's a good place to start inside, you can always upgrade but it's tricky to go back inside. Although I always do :D
I prefer inside, middle low floor ...i take med to stay away from sea sickness and this location really helps me. I spend the difference on the Spa package and skip the dinning experience every other night ...i get a veggie smoothie on those nights and enjoy an empty or almost empty Spa ...i have never gained weight on a cruise w this strategy 😀
Claustrophobia is real!!!
I don’t have a window I feel my throat closing. I’ve since developed a room preference for as far forward and as high as I can. I’m also 6’4” and overweight so a little more space is important to me.
my very first cruise was an interior cabin midships...I found out before the cruise that this was the best spot to reside in..I have no regrets..second cruise was a balcony, again midships, but my third upcoming cruise will be an interior again...I'd rather save my money for doing shore activities or something else that requires to be paid for..otherwise, hit everything that is free to do, including the food..I don't consume enough alcohol in a year, let alone a cruise to warrant the purchase of alcohol packages...buy it as I want it then there is no pressure..
We've been in balcony suite, balcony, promenade view, and interior, most multiple times. My absolute favorite is interior promenade. You can people watch from the comfort of your own cabin and watch the parades without getting around anyone else. I like it a lot.
My last cruise I had a cabin with two portholes, which was mostly fine. But I'm highly introverted and I found that I was desperate for some alone space in the early mornings and evenings, where I could watch and listen to the sea. There were a couple of times on that cruise that I was able to find a quiet space and watch the sun rise or set, but mostly, there were plenty of people wherever I went. That has made me decide I should go for a balcony cabin for any future cruises. But if I wasn't such an introvert, I'd go for the inside cabin to increase how often I could cruise.
The balcony is such a game changer. I’m not an introvert, but I absolutely loved the balcony.
I agree Karyn! There's nothing like some alone time just having a cuppa and watching the sea!
I was on celebrity silhouette a couple of years ago and found that there was just no quiet area. Always game show type activities going on in the corridors. Even the game room wasn't quiet. We went there one day and there was a paper airplane competition on the main staircase which went up by the games/card room......no peace at all. We just went back to the room and sat out on the balcony and shut out the world for an hour. I hope they keep the ships at half capacity until I can get away again! Some of the ship's are just way too peopley....!!
@@Caroline-se7gh Agreed! I've been so sad not to be able to cruise while they're sailing with so many fewer people.
I love a balcony cabin! To me it’s worth the extra price.
Am so impressed with your frugality and honest and open demeanor....very refreshing and have utmost respect for you. Keep on doing what you do....
Thanks so much Myron! I will 😀👏🏼
“The less you pay for your cabin, the less time you’ll spend there” So brilliant! I never thought of it like that and now I’m completely rethinking my affinity to ocean balcony rooms! Great advice!
I have never been on a cruise and may never do so, but I am fascinated by your excellent videos and keep watching them. Excellent content and lovely, straight forward delivery. Well done!
Thanks so much 🥹❤️
I'm completely opposite. I always book a suite. I would be miserable in an inside cabin, and less than comfortable in a cramped balcony room. I would rather cruise less often and with more luxury than more frequently and having cramped living space.
my husband and I took our first cruise in October 2022 aboard NCL. Somehow we upgraded to Haven, OMG it was heaven. First class all the way, our own butler, everyone new our name and we are first on and off the ship etc.. Well it was expensive but what a treat. Our next cruise in March 2023 will not be upgraded as such but I am sure we will enjoy it none the less. Love your program and we are learning a LOT.
That was my finding too ... I started cruising ~10 years ago ... about a dozen sailings on inside rooms. I LOVED it. Met so many new folk and explored the ship so much! I got upgraded to a window room once and sorta liked it, but for the price I couldn't see NOT booking as balcony. So now for the past 4 sailings I've gotten a balcony room. Spend WAY too much time in the room. Of course now, with COVID and its risk of potentially getting quarantined, I'm weary of inside cabins. Conundrums abound!
The Haven is unrivaled by anything else available, on any other cruise line. I have been cruising in the Haven 2-3x/year since 2014 up until the present day. LOVE IT! I highly recommend it to anyone who can afford it! Again, it’s unparalleled service surpasses any other class on the ship or other cruise line.
As a family of 3, we always book a suite to get the extra space. I often wonder if I'll be able to go back to non-suite life once the kiddo is on his own. It encourages me to save more for retirement! LOL. I also always make sure to book a cabin with a lounger on the balcony as I'm not a huge fan of the pool scene. I much prefer to sit in the sun on my own quiet balcony and read or nap. We also like to have room service for breakfast each morning, so it's nice to have space for that.
I love it when you say assume and resume, Emma! :-)
Haha!! Oh yeah! Resume; hadn’t thought of that one being the same. That makes total sense, if your kiddo is like me they’ll still be coming in their 20s 😂❤️
@@EmmaCruises But eventually they might start to pay for their own ticket, or have a partner to travel with. In that case, two cabins is a good thing. Perhaps even two separate ships. .-)
I agree! Always got inside cabin, try not to gamble and use the money towards excursions I want to go on. Thanks for your videos!
So informative as always and agree with your food analogy - and your accent is just the best! Thanks!
Indochine restaurant is Vietnamese, not Indonesian: This new original concept will offer guests Vietnamese classics with a French twist. From Green Papaya Salads to Beef Bo Buns, and French Roasted Snails to Veggie Vietnamese Crêpes, the selection offers healthy and balanced options, featuring careful combinations of sweet, sour, salty, bitter and hot flavours.
Ahh every-time I speak I say that one wrong, I think it’s the name: makes sense to be Indonesian 😅🙏
Indochina is composed of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. So nothing to do with Indonesia. 😁
@@EmmaCruises Indochina is the bits between India and China :-)
Indonesia is further south, and not on the continent. Easy way to think of it is the -nesia bit: Polynesia, Melanesia etc - all monikers for island entities. Indonesia's neighbour Malesia breaks this a little bit, since part of the country is on the continent. But if you just think -esia equals archipelago it will be easy to remember that Indochina is not that.
I've only cruised 4 times, all on NCL. I've never felt like I needed to pay for a specialty restaurant. I loved the food that was included. I miss it so much!
I only went on one cruise without a drink package. All the ones since then we got them. It was worth it. We are pounding drinks all day, coffee with dinner, the squeezed OJ at breakfast. Not worrying about what we were spending per day was worth it to us.
I just watched your trivia video and here you are back with another video so soon ! Really appreciate the work you put into these videos. I wouldn't miss a single one. Thank you Emma.
Hey John, thank you so so much for this lovely comment. I really appreciate it. Thank you :D
I love the inside lower deck cabin. We dont spend ANY time there, we're on board to enjoy the ship, and I have never slept better in my life.
Fello Brit here: No Emma, we don't all pronounce assume with an 'h' sound in it! I'd say 'a-syoom'. Also isn't it great everyone's different? We DO spend a lot of time in our cabin, and just sitting out on the balcony is one of our pleasures. We don't cruise often (booked one for next year though, yayyy!) so I'd rather splurge on a balcony. On our last cruise (nearly 3 years ago) we had an aft balcony. On board (outside of dining) we did NOTHING but read, or just chill on our balcony. Had most of our breakfasts there too. It was wonderful! Ps. I'm nearly 60 - 'sweet' definitely meant 'dessert' when I was younger, but I grant you, we tend to use 'dessert' now as well as the 'candy' definition.
I came to say similar on "assume". I'm American married to a Brit and she's the only one I've heard pronounce it this way.
We cruised Celebrity exclusively for several years and got to Elite status, which had the perk of a complimentary cocktail hour before dinner. Not much of a drinker, but it was interesting to sample different mixed drinks that we didn't have to pay for. We did a back to back and qualified for the upgrade on the second cruise, but they bumped us up on the first cruise! The best perk was the free bag of laundry and the continental breakfast in one of the specialty restaurants.
I'm really enjoying your channel. I only found it this week. Your videos are really nicely put together and interesting. I also appreciate that you don't fill them with background music or too many unnecessary things. Awesome work.
Thanks Casey ❤️
I'm not a big drinker in general, so I never get a drinks package, but I'm going on Celebrity Summit in two months and we upgraded to the premium package that included $100 in shore excursion credit per person. At $120 per person it was a STEAL and I'm looking forward to martinis, fresh pressed juice, and swimming with dolphins. 😁
That does sound like a good deal.
Just shows how overpriced those shore excursions can be!
Emma, I have recently stumbled upon your cruising videos. I traveled to Italy when I was 5 and again at 19 and it was wonderful on the italian cruise line Cristofero Colombo and Raffaele back in the 60's. I cannot fly but wish I could take the Queen Mary back to Naples but too costly now in my 70's and I'd have to go it alone. I appreciate what you are doing and saying, your videos and your opinions. You see things from many angles and I enjoy seeing pics of your family members. You are just lovely, pretty and a cute girl, so don't worry about any nasties on here. I have nothing negative to say about you, I do not know you, but know I am enjoying your travels and keep up the good work. You are just lovely! I am in San Jose, CA by the way! Good Travels!Thanks for showing those of us who will probably never cruise again, what great fun it is!!!
Thanks always for your great videos. I agree with you that you don't have to get a drinks package. However, if your companion gets the Drinks package, then you have to too. This is for most Cruise lines, except for Scarlet Lady. They offer a Sailor Loot Bar Tab, which does not have to be bought by all. And one Bar Tab, can pay for everyone in the Cabin.
Emma, I find it so interesting the different strategies to cruising. Some cruisers skimp on the cabin cost but all go all in for pricey excursions! Some cruisers spend a king's ransom for the cabin but spend nothing on excursions. I held off on booking a balcony cabin until 2018. Why? Up until then I had always done a window cabin but I knew once I enjoyed a balcony cabin I could never go back. Lol! Now I only book the balcony cabin. Friends of our had a cabin suite which we got to see. Pretty amazing but I wouldn't want to spend that much for a cabin. I'm not a budget cruiser rather I think of myself as a strategic spender cruiser! Lol! I enjoyed the video Emma and your perspective on cruising costs!
Thank you lots!! I like that idea 😀👏🏼
I went on my first cruise recently it was a 4 day/3 night. I wanted to only do included food to try it out, we didn't even do all of the included food. We did have the big drink package because I didn't want to have to budget in for individual drinks plus the gratuities on each purchase closer to the cruise. It was expensive but it was nice knowing all my soda and each cocktail I wanted to try was already covered. When we left the ship we only paid a little over $30 extra for the whole trip and that was also adding a little casino money to mine and my husband's cards. Some how we started with a negative balance each of around $9 so that helped.
Such an awesome relayer of information. Easily one of the best on the internet
Thanks lots Peter! 😀❤️
I’ve almost always done suites and am likely to for my honeymoon! The celebrity suites are TOP NOCH but no doubt just a splurge, not a necessity :)
Yes on the balcony cabin, the cruises can be really crowded and I need at least one hour of me time to sip my coffee.
No on the specialties restaurants, my GF didn't like to try ethnic foods so probably wouldn't use them even if they were free. Plus the food in the regular restaurant is really good on itself.
Would definitely like to enjoy the exclusive sectors, Yatch club or whatever each cruise line calls it, at least once, even if I have to stretch the budget.
Yes on the soda packages, no on the alcohol packages, I always feel I would have to get absolutely wasted just to break even, and I don't drink that much.
I love your Britishism. Thanks for sharing knowledge with us,
Thanks Cherry! 😀🙏
My favorite word you say is “speciality.” 🥰🥰🥰
I agree on the specialty dining so much! I’ve already had to pay double because P&O Aust don’t seem to have solo cabins. I’ve paid for my food and I’ll eat ‘free’ thanks. I did end up spending approx $5-$10 on ice-creams each day because that wasn’t included and it was my first holiday in over 20 years. As a kid having a ice-cream in a cone or on a stick was an almost daily thing when we were on holidays. Donkey rides on the beach at Llandudno was also a daily highlight. One treat I can recreate and it was lovely.
I certainly see the value of having an inside room but I don’t think I’d be willing to give up having a balcony. My one and only cruise was in a balcony cabin and for my next one (if it happens) I’ve upgraded from a balcony to a mini suite. I wanted some extra space just in case we all get quarantined in our cabins. So yes it’s added to an already pricy cruise but I’m sure I’ll love it…maybe too much 🤪
Haha!! I totally get that. Treat yourself though 😅👏🏼
Sadly, if you get quarantined, it will be in a cornered off part of the ship. Not ure suit. Beware.
I've been on Celebrity Retreat once as a treat after Covid. We had to cancel three cruises so we just kept rolling the future cruise credit and any bonuses we were given up until we could go retreat to Norway. It was excellent, but I doubt I'd do it often!
A steakhouse is THE ONLY item mentioned that I will pay extra for. My mom had loyalty with Carnival so we enjoyed the free laundry service, not something we would ever pay for.
You're one of my favorite parasocial sister relationships HAHA, Listening to your videos is like listening to someone in my family telling me about thier trips. Thank you for the fun videos!
Awwwwh Thank you! 😁❤️
Lollies Emma, not candy. I'm from Sydney and a huge cruiser. I love your Vids on this channel, thanks. I usually sail on RCC. Cheers. Paul.
We stick to the free water, coffee and tea. And we love the food in the main dining room. Thanks for the tips.
I have zero intention of going on a cruise, but I love these videos! :D
Specialty dining is something I always budget for and will get a specialty dining package. I've never hated anything in the in the MDR, but I also can't really remember anything I've ever ordered from there on any of my cruises either. Point being, the MDR is fine.
On the flip side, I've only had one dish (Dover sole in Le Bistro) that didn't absolutely blow me away in a speciality restaurant.
We are going to Alaska and reserved a cabana for the whole week. It felt cheap for $400. Booked a cheaper room, with obscured view. Having the cabana and the cheaper room was the least expensive way to go.
Good advice Emma. We're exactly the same as you. As long as I'm with a higher end cruise line,I'd rather not have all the extras but cruise more often 😁
You also give 'speciality' 2 more syllables than we do in the US - it is so awesome i now do the same thing 😎
Every single time you post, it is the highlight of my day. Thank you Emma!
We mostly go to specialty dining due to my husband being such an introvert. He does not want to share a table with certain people. We have gone on 2 different cruises and each were 7 days cruises. We went to the main dining room once. He also did not like the portion. I am not sure if I can do the inside cabin. Maybe someday we will give it a try. I will have to get one of those lights that will project starts on the ceiling; have night lights; and that clock that you showed that allows it to slowly increase the light in the room in the morning.
Got off on day 3 the only time I was on a cruise 8/9 yrs back. Couldn't handle the crowd everywhere we went! Suite/food/facilities were great. Periodic cranks and screeches even up on the 10/flr kept my stomach churning. Not to fool myself, I'm just not a sea person. Happy cruising!!
My onboard spend is usually close to zero, no alcohol or soda helps, but I like a balcony, and especially with young kids it is nice to have somewhere to go while they are sleeping. I have done ocean views, but it's worth the extra to me. I've also spent on carniva's chef's table, which was worth it.
On my sister's last cruise before covid she was looking forward to her first ever balcony room that she splurged on. The cruise line upgraded her room at the last minute to a suite for no extra cost (they were trying to get the "cheap seats" filled up before disembarking). It was a handicap accessible suite so she sent me a hilarious video of her laying in the middle of the living room floor making a "snow angel" and she never touched any of the furniture because there was that much space. Haha! Even she said it was REALLY nice but she'd never pay for it because she and Mom spent less than a few hours a day in the room (not counting sleeping).
Great video. Just think how much of your life you got back by getting that new computer. If nothing intervenes (think of that positively, like if I don't cruise on another line in the meantime), my next three cruises will be on Carnival. They have only one drinks package and it would be the premium one on other lines. I don't need that, and since I have weaned myself off soda, I will be drinking the free tea mostly. I am out-cheaping Emma on that one! I would expect Indochine to serve the cuisine of the Southeast Asian mainland. The Indochinese Peninsula includes Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia), Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Vietnam.
Woah!! I’m impressed being our cheapened!!! Thanks John 😅❤️
All for budgeting, for me though balcony is a must. Nothing beats waking up and being able to walk out to relax. Or better yet on some cruises that have the sliding doors take a nap with the door open.
Sounds good! 😁🥳 Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
We also love the sea air on our balcony. Goes well with coffee in the morning.
Special dining is well worth the expense. NCL includes 3 with the package. Steak house is awesome. Haven is well worth it. Wine with dinner is great.
We've cruised on all the major cruise lines and tried most of the specialty restaurants but rarely find these to be worth the additional cost or for that matter stack up against quality land based restaurants. Included meal options are usually more than adequate. We'd rather spend the additional money on local restaurants at the ports that we visit so that we can experience the real local cuisine.
Agreed, Mark. We are from a large city complex and the food here is second to none, so cruise restaurants lose out on the "specialness". The already paid for areas work out well for us, so we spend our mad money elsewhere.
Living in different worlds at the same time :P "only a few meters from the door" and before that "200 square feet suite". It's like with the adapters.
I am from the UK and you assumed we all say assume the same way :P
Love your videos though!
Excellent video Emma. I do just fine getting no drink package as I like water, tea, coffee. As for the other drinks, I'm not a drinker mind you, but the WORST drinks are diet sodas! The artificial sweeteners in them are silent killers! In fact, an alcoholic beverage is safer by far than diet sodas!
Excellent video. I would not be running up a bill - the cruise was expensive enough without extras. I am considering wifi in my cabin though as that is essential for me.
I have cruised solo a couple of times, once in an inside and once on an outside cabin. The cheapest was the inside of course but I would rather pay a little extra for a view. When you are on your own taking up a table with two seats at it feels wrong. I have also cruised with my girlfriend and had a balcony on the Queen Elizabeth but due to the nature of the trip (northern lights) we rarely sat outside.
Due to sail to the Fjords in a few weeks time and we will have a balcony again. Although it will be cold again I believe the view will warrant the small extra charge.
As for the bath! Urghh. I really don't fancy bathing in a tub that has had people who I don't know in☹️ shower for me.
Keep up the great reviews Emma👍
The suite life is amazing. I wouldn’t dare book an Interior cabin . Definitely worth the price for me. The bathtub is a huge selling point, and the extra space!
I don’t understand how ppl can shower without a bath tub lol how would one shave their legs?!
My first cruise was with my grandma when I was 16. She booked a balcony room bc it was a birthday/bribery* cruise and she wanted to go all out for my reward (see below). I've been on 4 cruises since then and I've only ever had a balcony. My husband and I are both claustrophobic and not being able to see outside sends me into a panic.
*Ok, the bribery story bc I know it sounds bad...when my grandpa turned 50, she took him for a surprise cruise. I overheard her and my mother planning it. I have always been a Papa's girl through and through. He's the only person I'd never kept a secret from. She told me that if I didn't spoil the surprise, she'd take me on my own cruise for my 16th birthday. I didn't spill the beans and I held her to her promise. I'm now 34 and to this day, the only secrets I've ever kept from him have been birthday surprise related.
I'm with you on the specialty dining. Why pay more for a meal that you've already purchased?
That being said, I do have some specialty dining included as a perk on my next cruise, so I need to use that perk.
Although I do drink more on a cruise, I STILL don't drink anywhere near enough to justify the drink package cost. Again, I have that as a perk coming up, so I may have to indulge a bit more.
I tend to drink a lot of water at meals though. It seems I can never get enough.
Ooo that’ll be fun! Yeah I try and use meal times to hydrate 😅❤️
I did the HA package that gets you soda, juice, mocktails, fancy coffees and water on my last cruise. At $20 a day it was easy to get my money's worth.
The prices they put on drink packages (over $60) seem to assume that you're an alcoholic. They really should have packages that let you buy a certain number of alcoholic drinks - say 10 or 20 for the cruise.
Gr8 video.
Some years ago a friend asked me, when showing me a photo of a cruise ship, “ what do you see?” I replied a cruise ship. He said no it’s a floating bank that wants all your money! 😂🤭😂
Must admit that large cabin looked fab…it’s almost as big as my sisters apartment!
As a kid I use to receive a thruppenny piece twice a week for sweets. That was 3 pence in old money, and with it I could buy a bag of mixed sweets, including giant gobstoppers! 😂😬🦷😬😂
Hahaha!! Yes! Mmmmmm, swweeeeeeets.
I completely agree on the specialty restaurants. We pay a fair price for a cruise, so I expect the cruise line's complimentary restaurant to be exquisite! without needing to pay extra for it. it's a luxury vacation after all.
The jars of M&M's make the Haven worthwhile. 😊
My first cruises were to the norwegian fjords. If I had a balcony, I'd be forever thinking that the better views, big waterfalls for example, were on the other side and so leave the cabin and go to the top deck.
I’ve done an Alaska cruise with a balcony and can confirm that the views up top are usually better than your balcony! A balcony is great for having a quiet place to relax and I love cruising with one, but they’re definitely not a must have for enjoying the scenery of beautiful places. A balcony view is much more limited than the 360 view you get up top!
Good food is part of a vacation. Celebrity's buffet and MDR failed to impress, so we ate at all the speciality restaurants. I do agree about the drinks packages. If it were actually a deal then the cruise lines wouldn't push them so hard. 7 alcoholic drinks a day including port days to cover a drinks package? No way.
You are so brilliant and explanatory. I watched almost all your videos.
👍👍👍👍♥️
Thank you! 😁❤️
Our first cruise was in an inside cabin which we took because it was the cheapest option. We hated it. We found it claustrophobic and hated not being able to see out. We always take a balcony if it is summer (most have been free upgrades) but have booked outsides next year on two winter cruises where we would not use the balcony. We were upgraded to a suite two years ago on CMV Columbus from a balcony cabin which we had specifically booked by number because we loved it from a previous cruise. The suite was large but it had a bath which my disabled husband was unable to use - they had not told us about that and we never thought there would be baths on the ship. Luckily it was only for four days. We never use speciality dining - why pay extra when perfectly good food is included, and we only drink what is included in the bill too - we don't pay bar prices or for drinks packages. Annoyingly we got an excellent deal last year in Grill on QM2 for the same price we would have paid for a balcony - and it was cancelled because of the pandemic.
Those cabins sound larger than my old flat, and I mean the inside ones 😂😂
Not actually larger, but probably about the same. I think ny flat was around 25 square metres.
I remember sneaking into a restricted access area (that was the crews quarters) on a cruise that went by Cuba late at night! Very exciting and felt very risky!
We booked our honeymoon for next year, yacht club MSC. We really value the option for a bit of relaxing time off, including a quite bar, sundeck or the room itself. So a decently sized room and balcony help us.
Girl…. Our last suite was 1,200 sf. It was awesome. It definitely spoils you. But we like to lounge in our cabin and the balcony.
We call them "sweets" in the US, too. It may be a regional thing, though.
After hearing about you having breached the sanctity of the luxury cruise ship area's as youth, this explains why the ship security confinement area normally know as the brig on naval vessels, are called the Emma on cruise ships. That's a rumour I may have just heard somewhere, or made up, I can't recall. I haven't reached the part of Emma's cruise course where she discusses confinement, so this could be from the same fevered part of my brain as Bilge Class, which is just below Budget cruising price list pricing. Great video I'm learning stuff.
Hahahha Jim! :')
Yes! The water is NOT included in the drink package of Costa Cruises which took me by a surprise :-) Maybe because this is a mediterranean cruise line and they know that passengers will drink a LOT of water? :-)
I enjoy your videos very much. Not only are you informative and entertaining, you are thoroughly delightful and cute as a buttion! Thank you.
Awh Joel!! Thank you so much. Really appreciate that 😊❤️
Sorry can’t agree with you on this one. We’ve taken about 30 cruises and with the exception of one ocean view room , we have always had the balcony which is always used to be outside but get away from the other folks. We are Diamond Plus with Royal Caribbean and do spring for the specialty restaurants which are always worth the extra cost. Can’t wait to get going again!!!
As for cocktails and seasicknes, for me alcohol can prevent it, at least for awhile. Basically a few shots, and the sense of balance is knocked sideways enough to not react so strongly.
Only one cruise did we try specialty dining. We went to the Italian, Mexican, and Steakhouse. It was fun but I don't think it was worth it. We normally pound the free cafe, buffet, and main dining over and over multiple times a day. Lol
I love having a bath on the ship, we had a lovely bath on Queen Victoria in a Penthouse Suite. We aren't ones for the speciality restaurants
Oh my!! That sounds INCREDIBLE!!!
Hi there Emma 🙂👋 Rob here from London. Ive never been on a cruise ship but I want 2 one dy 4 sure. I have been on the ferry between Dover and calais many many times, not the same thing I know 🤣. Your vid was interesting and helpful 🙂👍
Hahah! Thanks Rob 😀🙏
i love a nice balcony. whenever im in my cabin im on the balcony, sleeping or showering.
Found that we only eat main dining room on lobster night. Otherwise specialty diners on HAL is what we enjoy.
In the US ashoom is a fungal food that many people like with steaks and salads
Went to tons of specialty dining and it was fine, great stuff but honestly the regular food suited me. Plus the fact I tend to eat more pizza / burgers so a fancy meal doesn't speak to me. Got a drink package once and it was well...fun but unnecessary, I usually get the soda package though.
4:44 Indochine is the French word for Indochina aka Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam so I doubt the cuisine was Indonesian
I’ve never cruised, but I’m looking at the possibility. The danger of a drinks package for me is not that I can’t make it worth value, but that I will not sober up the trip. Keep the Jameson coming! :-)
I’ve only booked specialty dining as an entertainment option (mystery dinner). The food was great, no doubt, but I like to stick to the MDR. As I travel alone, I don’t know what I would do with a suite.
We have only tried a couple of specialty restaurants. The main dining room is great and we look forward to eating there.
We have to have a window cabin, because I get claustrophobic without it.
You can have a great cruise without spending much onboard. Excursions are an exception for many itineraries.
I get more claustrophobic in a window cabin that an inside actually, reminds me I’m on a ship. Ha ha! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I've looked at last minute deals where the initial pricing showed a balcony to be lower in cost than in inside cabin. Weird.
Fizzy worms.....is this a 2nd british ism? I have no idea....lol. its fun to see and hear how we describe things differently. Awesome job Emma...
I prefer my Princess suite where you have a bath AND a separate walk-in shower which I prefer as then you don't have to climb over side of the tub. A mini-suite has the shower bath but a real suite (not mini) should have those separated.
Oh my, that sounds incredible. I'd loveeeeeeeeee that. Wow.
A suite with a good butler is a really great experience. Our last cruise was Christmas of 2019 on Celebrity, and we got a good deal on a Sky Suite. Our butler was amazing and made sure we had big bottles of Pelligrino that were restocked every day, and he gave us a model of the ship on the last day. He really went above and beyond. I’ve done the suites twice on NCL, and I don’t think they’re worth it there. They’re overpriced and the service isn’t that great.
Serious question here, what exactly does a butler *do* for you? I have a hard time imagining what they could do to justify the cost. And do you share a butler with other passengers, or is it one butler per cabin?