Many people dream of boarding a cruise ship. With pretty much everything onboard free or already paid for, you can sit back and enjoy the sun and sea without stressing about your wallet. But for people embarking on a trip across the ocean for the first time, that initial bill may creep up with hundreds of pounds being spent on extras you'll barely use while on your trip.

If you're concerned about life aboard and want to look like a veteran at sea, one simple switch could save you a fortune and give you some extra spending money for winning and dining on your next excursion. According to travel expert Alexandra Dubakova, CMO of Free Tour forking out that extra cash on an expensive balcony for your room may be a switch you just don't need.

Speaking to Forbes she said: “From my experience, many clients regret paying extra for a balcony because they almost never used it.

"In stormy weather or colder climates, you can be prohibited from using it (but won't get a refund for sure.)”

With cruises full of a whole aray of activities to keep you busy many guests tend to rarely spend times in their room themselves, and when in need of some time to relax and unwind the huge ships of vast area above deck to sit, relax and soak in the sun - with an option for a quick dip in the pool if you get too hot.

Due to the nature of the ship, many balaconies can often be on the smaller side, especially on the smaller ships with guests often preferring to lounge in the more open spaces under the sun.

The cruise destination can also have a big impact on how much you will use the balcony, with trips around Nordic Fjords or to Scandinavia much more likely to be hit with some rain and wind then the calm skies of a week on the Mediterranean.

The amount of sea days may also affect your thinking, if you're cruising is making regular stops the amount of time you actually spend on the boat may not actually be that long, making the time in your room even less.

However, the travel expert revealed there are some circumstances that may be worth spending a little bit extra. Dubakova added: “The only exception is if you have claustrophobia or seasickness—the balcony can be really helpful in this scenario.”

Allowing the ocean breeze to spread through your room, if you're feeling sea sick, the strong winds can help you to come around.