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On some ships, the balcony forms a bit of an alcove, and it protects you from the wind and allows you to enjoy the crispness of the outdoors. 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. 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. Often, the captain of a vessel will spot such animals first and then make a public announcement to passengers to head to the sides of the ship to look. If you're in a balcony cabin (and on the correct side of the ship), you'll be gazing down upon these sights in no time.
A private retreat
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. At any time of the day — or night — you can slide open your balcony door and breathe in the fresh ocean air. You'll also be able to hear the sounds of the waves as they crash against the bow of your ship. It's a wonderfully soothing, rhythmic sound — so soothing that it can lull you to sleep.
Avoid Seasickness
These days, balcony cabins may not cost as much as you think, and for many people, they are definitely worth the splurge! When you book a balcony cabin, you’ll have a private outdoor space where you can get a sea view at any time. Along with the larger cabin space, this can add so much enjoyment to your cruise experience.
Harmony of the Seas
The thrill here is sitting in a deck chair and watching the waves and spray splashing up from only 20 to 25 feet below. Just be aware that you can't use your balcony in rough seas when a watertight door seals off the space from the roiling water. Also, given the close-up view of rolling waves, these cabins are not appropriate for those who suffer from seasickness. If you’re worried about feeling confined on a cruise ship, you’ll feel much better in a balcony or veranda cabin.
Slightly more affordable are the ships' 12 Carnival Excel Corner Suites, with the "wow" of private, open-air hot tubs on wraparound balconies. The fancy Sky Suites, centrally located on a top deck, have huge, wraparound terraces that overlook the sea and the ship's sports deck. The 1,012-square-foot balcony features lounging areas, a dry bar, an alfresco dining setup and even a TV alcove. Your balcony is also great place for stargazing late at night on a cruise in the open seas where there’s little light pollution. The best suite balconies feature full loungers or padded patio furniture, dining areas, bars, and hot tubs. Some suites, such as Royal Caribbean’s two-story lofts, have access to two or even three private balconies.
Balcony Cabin Room Tour on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship - Royal Caribbean Blog
Balcony Cabin Room Tour on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship.
Posted: Tue, 16 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
To be clear, we see the advantages and disadvantages of these cabins. We like having more space in the cabin along with a window that takes over the entire wall, letting in lots of light and nice views. As well, with the balcony normally closed off, that means if you want the fresh breeze from the balcony, you either have to sit outside or find a way to prop open the heavy door. With the infinite balcony you can simply lower the window and make sure the partition doors are open.
Everything to Know about Balcony Cabins on a Cruise (Read Before Booking)
So, if you’re looking for an accommodation for two, a little more space for your family or the convenience of connecting staterooms, there’s a choice that’s right for you. In this post we went through 10 reasons why a balcony cabin is worth the extra cost, from having more privacy to experiencing incredible sea views. However, to be fair, we also shared a few reasons that you may not want to pay extra for a balcony. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether or not a balcony cabin is the best cabin choice for you. If you’re only on a cruise for 2-4 days, you may just not have that much time to enjoy your private balcony.
More living space
At the push of a button, the top half of a floor-to-ceiling wall of glass in your cabin slides down like a car window to let in the fresh ocean air. If you want, you can close off the section of your room closest to the window by sliding shut a pair of folding doors. Once that is done, you have a cozy spot with two chairs and a cocktail table where you can admire the sea or enjoy your morning coffee — even if your cabinmate is still sleeping.
Without a doubt, the number one reason to book a balcony room is you get a private balcony to enjoy when you want it. The typical size of a balcony stateroom on Royal Caribbean is right around 180 square feet, not including the balcony. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
It’s always worth checking to see if there are any promotions or past passenger rates that can make a balcony room more affordable on a cruise. While cruise ship balcony cabins are generally more expensive than inside and ocean view cabins, they may be more affordable than you think. Years ago, there were fewer balcony rooms per cruise ship, and the cost difference may have been huge. 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.
At any time of day, you’ll see the landscape as well as potential marine and wild life. This is a reason many travel agents and avid cruisers recommend balconies for Alaska cruise itineraries. If you are wanting a wraparound balcony without splurging on a suite, speak with a travel agent. They will be able to assist you in telling you what ships have standard cabins with corner wrap balconies. Many newer ships place their swanky suites at the corners of the ship, so the wrap balconies may only be available to travelers booking the highest tiers of accommodations.
Corner cabins are a particular bonus, delivering long, wraparound outdoor spaces. It’s undeniable that one of the best reasons to book a balcony cabin on a cruise is for the amazing ocean views! Whether you enjoy being up early to catch the sunrise with a cup of coffee on your private balcony, or you love a good sunset and a glass of wine – it’s a very special experience. These balconies are larger than the standard verandas on the decks above, so you get more space to enjoy all that fresh air. They are also closer to the water, so if you want a chance to feel that sea splash on your face or scan the waves for dolphins, the cove balconies are the ones to book. Some have more outdoor space, while others have their balconies built into the living space.
I didn't think I'd mind, but I really missed the fresh air component, as well as being able to peek your head over the balcony railing and get a wider angle of views. 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. 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. No matter how crowded your ship is, you always can escape to your balcony, if you have one, and watch the world go by with few distractions.
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