Is balcony view worth it on a cruise?

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.



People Also Ask

Whether you choose an oceanview or balcony cabin should come down to two primary considerations: price and itinerary. Can you afford the extra money you'll pay for a balcony? Or, even if you can afford it, would you prefer to spend that extra money on some other cruise experience (drinks, shore excursions, the spa)?

MORE DETAILS

The higher you pick, the farther you'll see. If you're after views, the best room on a cruise ship will be a balcony cabin at the ship's rear end.

MORE DETAILS

Rear-facing balcony cabins are among the best balcony cabins on any ship. Often, their balconies are bigger than balconies on side-facing cabins and they also feel quiet. There are far fewer balcony cabins at the back of a ship than on the sides of a ship, so you don't hear a lot of noise from your neighbors.

MORE DETAILS

Midship staterooms on the lowest passenger deck are the most excellent spot to be on a cruise ship in this instance because you don't feel the vessel sway as much. The front and back of the ship are a no-no.

MORE DETAILS

The forward is subject to the most movement out of anywhere on a ship. And the higher the deck, the more pronounced that rolling and swaying motion tends to feel. Movement at the aft is a bit less drastic than the forward, but still isn't the most stable place for those who are prone to seasickness.

MORE DETAILS

The lower and more central you are in a ship, the less roll and sway you will feel. Even if you choose a balcony room, choose a low level and a room closest to the ship's center. The higher decks and cabins at the front (forward) or back (aft) of the ship will rock and roll the most.

MORE DETAILS

Your balcony is somewhat private, but gaps around the dividers mean others might get an eyeful if you're not careful. As well, sounds can travel. At first glance, there's no one around to see you if you end up getting down on the balcony. But don't think that it is ultra-private.

MORE DETAILS

7 Reasons to Book a Cruise Balcony Cabin
  • Fresh Air. ...
  • Scenery. ...
  • Privacy ... ...
  • Wake-up Calls and Post-Shower Cooldowns. ...
  • Outdoor Dining and Morning Coffee. ...
  • Keeping the Peace With Your Cabinmate. ...
  • Port Arrival and Sailaway.


MORE DETAILS

No. Cruise ships have railings — usually about chest height on the average person — on all open deck areas and cabin balconies. They are placed intentionally to ensure passenger safety. The only way you risk a fall is if you're standing on furniture to peer over the side or climbing somewhere you're not supposed to.

MORE DETAILS

Technically, you can..... but the cruise line will discourage it for obvious reasons (if the A/C or heat is running, you get the idea). If you leave the door open, your cabin steward will keep shutting it. We turn our air off this time of year while cruising, and do sleep with the door open.

MORE DETAILS

More space is almost always worth any minor trade-offs (like being far from the elevator or subject to more noise from surrounding decks). If you can move from an inside to an outside or from a balcony to a suite, for free or for cheap, we say go for it.

MORE DETAILS

Booking a cruise one to two years in advance is not practical for many families, so a great time to book a cruise is between six and 12 months before sailing. In addition to the lower prices, booking well in-advance of a cruise assures you of the ship and stateroom you want to reserve.

MORE DETAILS

The price of a cruise is the same whether you book onboard or at home, but Royal Caribbean will give you extra onboard credit for booking onboard. It's a bonus on top of other promotions the cruise line has, and is one of the best ways to rack up onboard credit.

MORE DETAILS

If You Want a Quieter Space If you plan on your cruise being a peaceful experience, you'll want to seek a cabin on the quietest side of the ship. This tends to be the aft or the rear of the ship. The aft is away from the hustle and bustle of midship, where all the action tends to happen.

MORE DETAILS

Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaska's scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship. Southbound Alaska cruises are the opposite.

MORE DETAILS

Those mid-ship are more in demand and will be more expensive than those located fore and aft. This is partly because of convenience (much less walking down corridors on big ships) and partly because mid-ship is more stable. Cabins are often slightly larger since ships curve inwards towards either end.

MORE DETAILS

If you're worried about seasickness, pick a cabin that's as close to the water level as possible and in the center of the ship. You'll be at the ship's fulcrum point, which means you'll feel less movement than people on higher decks with cabins far forward or all the way at the back.

MORE DETAILS

The Secret Decks would be more accurately described as public observation balconies that not everyone knows about.

MORE DETAILS

Cabins at the Front of the Ship This is because the front of the ship is more exposed to the movement of the water as they plough through the rough seas. If you're prone to seasickness, it's best to avoid cabins at the front of the ship.

MORE DETAILS