Price the opportunity cost
Ask what the balcony premium would otherwise buy: a whale-watching tour, extra hotel night or flight upgrade may matter more.
Think about cabin time
Travelers who rest privately during sea days may value a balcony more than those who spend most waking hours around the ship.
Natural light changes the feel
Inside cabins can be excellent sleepers but offer no outside light. A virtual window or bridge-camera channel is not the same as a real window.
Location still matters
A well-located inside cabin can be more convenient and comfortable than a poorly located balcony near noise or heavy motion.
Turn the advice into a trip plan
Write down the decision that affects your booking or port day, the deadline for making it, and the information that could still change. Cruise planning gets easier when permanent preferences are separated from live operational details.