What is a sail away balcony on a cruise?

A Sail Away Balcony stateroom guarantees a Balcony stateroom or better! Please note that the view from your balcony may be fully obstructed or partially obstructed. Your stateroom may be on any deck and assigned up to one day prior to embarkation.



A Sail Away Balcony is a specific promotional fare category offered by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), often designated as category "BX." It is essentially a "Guarantee" cabin, meaning you are guaranteed a balcony stateroom but cannot pick your specific location on the ship. The cruise line assigns your room number closer to the sailing date based on remaining inventory. These fares are usually the lowest priced balcony options because they come with several trade-offs: you might end up with an obstructed view, a cabin far from the elevators, or a room directly under a noisy deck. Furthermore, "Sail Away" rates typically exclude the popular "Free at Sea" perks (like free open bar, specialty dining, or Wi-Fi credits) that come with standard bookings. It is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers who prioritize having a private outdoor space over specific amenities or room placement, but it requires flexibility regarding where you sleep on the vessel.

People Also Ask

A Sail Away Balcony is always a Guarantee and does NOT include 3 of the Free-at-Sea Perks (beverage package, dining package, internet minutes). It does include $50 of shore excursions per day. A Balcony Guarantee would include all 4 of the Free-at-Sea perks.

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Ah, sailaway! Even if you've been onboard for hours, sailaway is the official start to a cruise vacation. The lines are pulled in, the ship's horn blasts, and you can feel your excitement grow as the vessel glides away from the pier and starts to pick up steam. It might be one of the best moments of the entire trip.

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Balcony cabins on cruise ships are more spacious due to the outside space. They have spectacular ocean views, fresh sea air, and a private seating area. Although these cabins are more expensive, the rewards of a private balcony sometimes outweigh the cost. If it fits within your budget, balcony cabins are worth it!

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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.

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A balcony room will also give you more space, both inside and outside. Balcony rooms are larger in terms of square footage, and the balcony adds even more space to enjoy. Cruise ship cabins are traditionally smaller than hotel rooms, so every square foot counts.

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sail away vi + adv. (boat or ship: depart)

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Aft balcony cabins are located at the back of a cruise ship. And that comes with some big pros for cruisers looking for outdoor space. Fans of aft balcony cabins love the expansive, uninterrupted ocean views over the ship's wake.

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Cabins are spread across seven decks. The ones that are least subject to noise are those on decks 9, 10, 14 and 15, whereas most of Norwegian Pearl's cabins to avoid are on decks 5, 8 and 11. These are located right below or above noisy public spaces such as the pool, the theater or restaurants.

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French Balcony cabins have floor-to-ceiling glass doors, while Verandah cabins have larger outdoor spaces with chairs and tables where guests can relax in the fresh air and enjoy their own private view of the river.

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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.

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Lower decks It's a smart idea to select a stateroom below the waterline in addition to a mid-ship stateroom, which is typically distributed over multiple floors. This is due to the fact that this section of the ship, which is also its lowest and most central, is the most stable in choppy seas.

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Best Luxury Cruise Lines
  • #1. Viking Ocean Cruises.
  • #2. Seabourn Cruise Line.
  • #3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises.


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Staterooms on the Lower Decks The noisiest staterooms at sea located on the lower decks should be avoided when possible.

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Cruise ships do not have police. Instead, an onboard Security Director will oversee the ship's own dedicated security department, staffed by former federal, state and military law enforcement personnel from various countries.

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