Everything to Know About Balcony Cabins on a Cruise Ship (Read Before Booking) (2024)

Think of a cruise, and you might picture sitting on a cabin balcony, sipping a drink, and watching the waves go by. It’s a classic staple of taking a cruise.

Cruise ship balcony cabins are popular, and for good reason. They provide your own little oasis, away from the rest of the ship, along with million-dollar views that you simply can’t get on land.

But before you drop the money to book that balcony, there are some things you’ll want to know about sailing in this type of cabin.

Balcony Cabins Are Often Larger Than Other Rooms (Even Without the Outdoor Space)

Of course the biggest perk of a balcony cabin is having the outdoor space; that’s no argument. But one thing you might not realize is another perk — balcony cabins are normally larger than non-balcony rooms.

For instance, an interior cabin on a ship might be 140 square feet in space, while a balcony cabin might be 170 square feet, plus the additional outdoor space. Of course, the figures will change from ship to ship, but you can expect to see the trend on many cruise lines.

For example, you can see the difference on this Royal Caribbean cruise aboard Navigator of the Seas where the balcony room is considerably larger than an interior even before the balcony space is added in:

The Rooms Are More Expensive (50%-100% Over Interior)

We all understand that a balcony cabin is also going to come with a higher price tag. What you might not realize is that the increase can vary widely. Pricing will vary ship by ship and even down to the specific cruise.

Instead, you should just anticipate the price difference between a basic bare-bones interior cabin and a balcony room. In our estimation, it seems to run between 50%-100% more for a balcony cabin.

So if a 7-day cruise for an interior cabin is $500 per person, expect a balcony to be between $750 and $1,000.

Is the extra money worth it? If on a longer cruise, then definitely (more details on this below).

You’ll Likely Use the Balcony Less Than You Think

If you are considering booking a balcony cabin, you might picture yourself sitting out and taking in the view for hours on end each day. The reality is a bit different.

Yes, you definitely can do that if you want to, but you might be surprised at how little time overall you actually spend there. Between activities around the ship, mealtimes, and being out in ports of call, the amount of time to actually just sit and do nothing is less than you think, unless you make it a priority.

All you have to do is take a look at a ship when it’s coming into or leaving port (prime times when everyone is aboard and there’s something to watch from the room) and see how few people are actually out on the balcony. It seems what’s more common is to sit occasionally and other times simply popping out for a few minutes to take in the view before heading off to do something else.

Even so, being able to have that outdoor access to take in some fresh air and a view is still a great thing to enjoy, even for a short bit.

Balconies Themselves May Not Be That Large

When you think of your balcony, maybe you think of a large area where you can lay out and get some sun, or enjoy a meal sitting at a table. The reality is somewhat different. Balconies will vary in size, but for the most part they are relatively small.

While they are the width of the cabin — usually around 8-10 feet, the typical balcony doesn’t offer much depth. We’d estimate about 4-5 feet. There’s enough space for a couple of chairs and a small table between, but that’s about it.

That’s not to say you can’t find larger balconies on the ship — there are some large enough in some high-end cabins to have their own hot tub — but in general, the space is modest.

These Rooms Are Best for Longer Trips (6+ Days)

We’re strong believers that on a short cruise of five days or fewer, you can get by without having a balcony cabin. On a short trip, between everything to do on board and being in ports of call, the amount of time you’ll take advantage of the balcony is relatively small. It’s nice to have, but not a must.

On trips longer than that, the amount of “downtime” you have increases. That means more time to take advantage of the balcony space. As well, on longer trips simply having access to some fresh air and natural light in the cabin is a major benefit.

Light/Late Sleepers Might Have Issues

If you’re a light sleeper — or you like to sleep in — then a balcony room actually might have a disadvantage. You see, with one of these cabins the end of your room is essentially a wall of windows with a glass door that leads out. It’s wonderful for views, but can also be bright.

There is a blackout curtain that you can pull to close off the light coming in, but even then there will normally be light around the edges on the sides, top and bottom. The result is that even if you try to make it as dark as possible, there’s going to be some light entering the room in the mornings. So if you had a late night and want to sleep in, it could be enough to disturb you.

Infinite Balconies Are a New Style on Some Ships

As of now, most balcony cabins are a traditional style where you have the cabin and then a door that leads out to the outdoor balcony. But some newer ships are changing that style with a few rooms.

Dubbed an “infinite balcony,” this style makes the balcony and the cabin one space. At the end of the cabin you’ll have a full window wall instead of a door leading outdoors. The top half of this wall slides down, essentially like a large horizontal window. With the window up, you have all the space of the cabin and balcony to enjoy indoors. With the window down, it’s as if your entire cabin is now the balcony as it’s open to the outside air.

They are controversial among passengers as not all passengers are fans. For more details, you can read out article here.

Your Balcony May Not Be Completely Private

To be sure, there is a lot of privacy to your own balcony. Traditionally, there are dividers on either side of you, meaning that you won’t have your neighbor staring at you if you both decide to sit outside at the same time.

But don’t think it’s completely private. For one, any sound will travel. So if you and your neighbors are both sitting outside, you will hear each other talking.

Meanwhile, the dividers usually leave gaps around the bottom and the edges, so just passing in and out you might catch sight of someone else, similar to a stall in a restroom.

All that’s to say if you were thinking about getting some sunshine where the sun don’t shine or maybe getting frisky with your significant other in the fresh air… you might want to be careful that others don’t catch a glimpse.

More on choosing a cabin:

  • When Is a Balcony Cabin Worth it on a Cruise?
  • Everything to Know About Interior Cruise Cabins
  • Why You Should Never Go Nude On Your Cruise Balcony

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3 COMMENTS

  1. With the infinite balcony keep in mind that the air automatically shuts off when the window is down. Even with the dividers closed.

    Reply

  2. We had a balcony on our cabin for the last cruise and it ended up that we could barely use it because we had noisy neighbors on both sides that would go out on the balcony and Blair loud music at all hours of the day and night

    Reply

  3. All true but we will not cruise without one. They are great but be sure to book ABOVE THE OBSTRUCTIONS such as lifeboats corners etc.

    Reply

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Everything to Know About Balcony Cabins on a Cruise Ship (Read Before Booking) (2024)

FAQs

What is the best balcony room on a cruise ship? ›

Know This: Location can matter! One of the best spots for a balconied cabin (or suite) is on a ship's aft deck, facing backward over the wake. It's an incredibly soothing sight ,and often these verandas (even with a standard-category cabin) are deeper and roomier than usual.

Is it worth getting a balcony on a cruise ship? ›

Balcony cabins cost more than ocean-view cabins or windowless "inside" cabins. But they can be worth the splurge if you're the kind of person who likes a private place to be outdoors during a vacation.

What is the best floor to stay on a cruise ship? ›

The most stable part of the ship is its lowest point of gravity, so on a lower deck, at the center. You'd feel a lot less motion here than, say, in a stateroom on the upper decks a long way forward or aft (towards the back of the ship).

What is the best cabin position on a cruise ship? ›

Midship cabins

The big allure of a midship cabin is its stability. You won't feel the rocking of the sea in a midship cabin nearly as much as you will in a cabin toward the front or back of a vessel. This is because ships are like teeter-totters. They pitch forward and back around a central axis that barely moves.

Can you leave balcony door open on cruise ship? ›

Leaving Your Balcony Door Open Can Make a Mess

You might want to prop open your balcony door as you sail, but cruise lines aren't so keen on the idea. For starters, the warm air coming in will cause your cabin's air-conditioning to work harder (unless you turn it down), wasting energy on the ship.

Which side balcony is best cruise ship? ›

Eastbound cruises get the most sun on the port side; westbound on the starboard side. Watching a sunset over the ocean or seeing the sun slip behind distant islands can also be a reason for a side preference. To catch sunsets, you'll want to be on the port side on northbound cruises and starboard on southbound cruises.

Is it safe to sleep on a cruise ship balcony? ›

Balconies are not designed for overnight sleeping, so it's essential to prioritise safety. Additionally, changing weather conditions and the need to respect other cruise guests' comfort make balcony sleeping less practical.

Can people see you on cruise balcony? ›

However, it's important to remember that your "private" veranda isn't as secluded as you might think. Other passengers can hear and sometimes even see you, so proper etiquette is crucial.

How many beds in a balcony room on a cruise? ›

Standard balcony staterooms, accommodating up to four people in 185 square feet, come with two twin beds (combinable into a king), an upper pull-down bed and a sofa bed. The 35-square-foot balcony has two chairs and a small table.

What is the noisiest part of a cruise ship? ›

And don't forget the cruise ship engine. While humming noises put some to sleep, the loud buzz of machinery might not exactly be restful to others, making these some of the worst cabins on a cruise ship. Passengers on the lowest deck are most likely to hear engine or even anchor sounds.

Which deck to avoid on a cruise? ›

Look for options for mid-ship, which is closer to the ship's interiors. The rocking motion of the ship reduces in these areas. The rougher the waves, the choppier the sea gets, and the ship will bob more. If you feel seasick, it is better to steer away from any upper deck or cabins in the aft (rear) of the ship.

Are prepaid gratuities worth it on a cruise? ›

Depending on the cruise line and type of room, you should expect a daily charge of $16 to $23 for gratuities. There are a couple of good reasons why you might want to prepay, including getting to spend less during your trip and locking in the current rate.

What is the #1 cruise line? ›

The best cruise lines in 2023. Norwegian Cruise Line ranked as the best cruise line in the world, according to Condé Nast Traveler.

Is it better to be on the left or right side of a cruise ship? ›

If you'd rather see the sunrise while sailing south or east, staying on the port side is your ideal choice as well. Choose the starboard side for the opposite situation: sunsets are visible on southbound and eastbound sailings while sunrises are visible on northbound and westbound cruises.

What is the best room you can get on a cruise ship? ›

Suite. Finally, the best cruise ship rooms are suites at the top of the vessel. In most cases, you'll have a sitting area separate from the sleeping area, a full bathroom and a more spacious balcony. You might even enjoy a boatload of amenities, such as priority boarding, premium toiletries and a private concierge.

What deck level is best on a cruise ship? ›

The higher the deck, the better and, often, more panoramic the view. Cabins on top decks aren't always the best on the ship, but many suites and specialty cabin categories are typically located on upper decks. Like to be near all the action? Most mega-ships place their lido (pool) areas on higher decks.

Is deck 4 on a cruise ship good? ›

Deck 4 cabins are normally quiet. And for a smooth ride in rough seas, midship on that deck, especially in an inside, is the smoothest place on the ship. That's one reason the medical center is usually there.

Is deck 7 on a cruise ship good? ›

Ultimately, the choice between Deck 7 and other decks depends on your priorities. If you value ease of access to facilities and a serene atmosphere, Deck 7 is an excellent choice. However, if you prioritize breathtaking views or convenient port access, you may want to consider other options.

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