Table Of Content
- Outside Rooms and Balcony Cabins: Solid Mid-Tier Cruise Options
- Planning a Barcelona Vacation From the Sea
- Can You Take Days Off Without PTO? Here's What You Need to Know Royal Caribbean Cruises
- $620 pp — 5-Nt. Caribbean w/ Exclusive $25 bonus, up to $50 to spend, 60% off 2nd guest, kids sail free & more
- Turkish Desserts to Sweeten your Vacation
- How to Get From the Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to the Miami Cruise Port

On a roundtrip Caribbean cruise or a transatlantic crossing, for example, the side of the ship you are on doesn't really matter. However, one-way sailings such as a southbound Alaska cruise or a trip from Barcelona to Rome means that scenery is, in fact, one of the biggest reasons to sail. Plan ahead before booking your cabin to see on which side of the ship you'll want your balcony room. 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.
Outside Rooms and Balcony Cabins: Solid Mid-Tier Cruise Options

However, on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas, the main dining room, buffet, specialty restaurants, and kid-friendly attractions are at the back of the ship. Spa cabins are located close to the spa, which on most ships is on the upper decks (the higher the deck, the better the balcony view). The décor in spa balcony cabins is often outfitted with a color palette of earth tones to create a calming ambiance. Bathrooms may feature rain showers or massaging jets and spa-brand in-cabin toiletries. If you’re planning a getaway for you and a special someone, we’ve got a range of cruise suites to serve as a romantic backdrop.
Planning a Barcelona Vacation From the Sea
It's hard to beat a direct sea view (or port view in some cases), and equally wonderful to leave a ship's public areas and soak up the sun, views, or breezes from the comfort of your own cabin. You'll find minisuites on many ships, which are a bit bigger than balcony cabins and more clearly defined sleeping areas and living spaces. Some lines only offer suites, like Silversea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn. You'll also find massive suites like the Royal Loft on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships. Here's a list of the 8 best balcony cabins on cruise ships that you will want to book for your next vacation. Some have more outdoor space, while others have their balconies built into the living space.
Can You Take Days Off Without PTO? Here's What You Need to Know Royal Caribbean Cruises
Luxury cruise suite accommodations on Royal Caribbean elevate every aspect of your adventure. From romantic couples staterooms to spacious family suites, you’ll find just what you’re looking for to complement the adventure of a lifetime. Take a virtual tour to get a better look at our stateroom collection call dibs on your just-right space. Whether you’re sailing with your significant other, your family, a group of friends, or traveling solo — we’ve got the perfect room to accommodate your party and budget. Take your pick from Interior or Ocean View rooms, Balcony staterooms, or spacious Suites. You can even connect rooms allowing you to stay together with extended family or friends.
$620 pp — 5-Nt. Caribbean w/ Exclusive $25 bonus, up to $50 to spend, 60% off 2nd guest, kids sail free & more
I stayed in the cheapest virtual balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas. Look inside my $137 a night ... - Royal Caribbean Blog
I stayed in the cheapest virtual balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas. Look inside my $137 a night ....
Posted: Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If you’re only on a cruise for 2-4 days, you may just not have that much time to enjoy your private balcony. If you’ll be off then ship or plan to participate in the many activities on the cruise ship, this may be a time to stick with a cheaper cabin. However, you might be wondering if a balcony cabin is worth it on a cruise, especially since the cost will be higher than ocean view and interior cabins. One of the most important decisions you’ll make as you plan your cruise, is what type of cabin to book.
Why Balcony Cabins Are Not Worth It, According to Frequent Cruiser - Business Insider
Why Balcony Cabins Are Not Worth It, According to Frequent Cruiser.
Posted: Mon, 07 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Balconies in aft cabins are often much larger than balconies along the ship's sides. These are some of the most popular rooms on any cruise ship and generally fall somewhere in the middle on the cost spectrum. Consider both the direction in which your room faces, as well as any obstructed views before booking. You'll also find that even inside rooms on some cruise ships are considered balcony cabins, so carefully check out what you're getting if that's not for you. Inside cruise ship cabins' best feature is their price - you book them with the line's cheapest rates available. Still, on some of the newest cruise ships of Royal Caribbean and Disney, there are categories Interior staterooms with a "virtual window", which is a large LED screen displaying outside cam views.
This means that aft balconies may have extra or upgraded furnishings, such as additional chairs or loungers versus upright chairs. Sometimes the interior portion of the cabin is the same in both categories; other times, aft balcony cabins are larger or irregularly shaped. A balcony will also be a better bet if you're trying to fit more than two people in one cruise cabin.
The city centers of Barcelona, Marseille, and Genoa are much closer to where the ship docks, meaning that you'll have better views from the ship. For guests who do not care that much where exactly on the ship their room is located, a guarantee room booking can save a lot of money on the cruise fare. Where your room is located plays a factor in determining what the best location is on a cruise ship. It's easy to assume booking a suite is like pushing the easy button for a cruise vacation. While I'm not denying there are a lot of great benefits you get for booking a suite, the significantly higher price tag makes it a challenge for many to afford. First and foremost, the locations we talked about could include suites too.
How to Get From the Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to the Miami Cruise Port
Ultimately, it depends on your budget and how much more it would cost to move up to a balcony room (or suite) from a lower category. Finding a bargain room is almost certainly going to get you an inside cabin somewhere, but the cost savings usually resonate enough. After all, a lot of cruisers spend very little time in their cabin because of all the fun to be had around the ship and in the ports of call.
Of course, you have to be on the correct side of the ship to get certain views. Arriving in New York, there is an allure to watching the arrival from both sides of a vessel. From the port side, you'll get the best view of the Statue of Liberty. But the starboard side brings you the best views of downtown Manhattan, assuming you're on a vessel heading to a midtown pier. If you decide to book a balcony, you should not pass up the opportunity to enjoy a meal or snack outside.
In between awe-inspiring vacation experiences, retreat to the most spacious luxury cruise suites. When you sail in Royal Suite Class, you’ll find every detail has been carefully considered with you in mind. Some upscale lines will arrange an elegant, private dinner for two on your balcony — think white tablecloths, multiple courses, the works — at no extra charge.
Having your own personal balcony means that you have access to fresh air whenever you want it. Plus, it is more secluded and private than heading up to the lido deck, which allows for a more intimate connection to the ocean. Balcony rooms offer more living space than inside rooms, and the private balcony gives you a really nice area to enjoy anytime during your cruise.
Plus, the verandas overlook the ship’s wake, the trail of churned waters a boat or ship leaves behind when sailing. 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. While they are the width of the cabin — usually around 8-10 feet, the typical balcony doesn’t offer much depth. There’s enough space for a couple of chairs and a small table between, but that’s about it. 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.