Sunday, March 31, 2024

Infinite Balconies on a Cruise: Pros, Cons, and Should You Book?

balcony cruise ship rooms

The view from an aft balcony is of the ship's wake; the view from side balconies is better for viewing the port (and late-returning pier runners). Aft cabins can feel more movement from the ship's thrusters; this is true whether your balcony looks aft or faces to the side at the back end of the ship. Aft balcony rooms are a long walk from elevators and public areas compared to midship cabins, but they're also quieter with limited hallway noise. Balcony cabins cost more than ocean-view cabins or windowless "inside" cabins.

Our Interior staterooms include a wide array of amenities for your whole family to enjoy.

Generally, standard inside and outside cabins will be your cheapest bets, with balcony cabins costing a bit more, and suites and anything higher being the most expensive. You can expect to pay more the more amenities and additions to service that you want. Even so, there are a few ways you can save money before you book. The main difference is that balcony cabins are typically larger — with most, but not all, of the extra square footage going to the veranda. An inside cabin has no window or access to natural light or fresh air.

Wildlife You'll See on Your Norway Vacation

So if you and your neighbors are both sitting outside, you will hear each other talking. 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. As you browse cruises, the first question you ask will be "Where are cruise ports near me?" Here's how to choose a port, and what to do once you're there. A Barcelona vacation is always a good idea, but arriving at this iconic port of call by sea is a truly unique experience. Uncover the ultimate Turkish baths & hammam spa experiences to making the most of your vacation to Turkey.

How important is location

These each feature a private terrace with a hot tub, spacious living and dining areas, and butler service, plus access to an exclusive-access deck area. Other suites may come with dining areas, wet bars, deluxe bathrooms, walk-in closets, multiple levels and even pianos. Norwegian's studio cabins although they are small cruise ship cabins -- also include a special lounge reserved just for solo travelers. Celebrity, MSC Cruises, and Royal Caribbean are the only big-ship cruise lines to sport infinite veranda cabins, though some river cruise ships offer them as well.

Spacious Ocean View

A daily stateroom attendant dedicated to making sure your stay is spectacular. Nightly turn down service so you can rest easy before the next day’s adventures. Daily cleaning service so you can rest easy before the next day’s adventures. 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. Some cruise lines don’t offer these cabins at all, but that could change in the coming years.

Aft Balcony vs. Balcony Cabin on Cruise Ships

Balcony rooms around the ship can be assigned to special classes, such as spa cabins or concierge-level cabins. This is because the doors leading to balconies in balcony cabins usually are made almost entirely of glass running from floor to ceiling. Ocean-view cabins without balconies, by contrast, often have just a single window. If you have a balcony cabin, you're always guaranteed an outdoor space where you can lounge for a few hours in complete privacy.

The newest, largest cruise ships such as Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas' offer a huge range of ... Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. As mentioned above, special consideration should be paid on itineraries where more than the ocean or sea is on display.

Outside Rooms and Balcony Cabins: Solid Mid-Tier Cruise Options

If you are worried about getting seasick on your cruise, you should know that one natural remedy is actually getting some air and being able to stare off into the horizon. There's nothing quite like having a room that sits directly ON the high seas. If you want to save money on the a cabin, and are not particular about the exact location, then a guarantee room assignment might be the choice for you.

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. With the infinite balcony, however, you don’t have the same effect. As well, with the cabin ceiling the views above the room are also more blocked. There is a definite difference compared to being outside rather than sitting next to an open window. In effect, you’re getting more of an open window than a regular balcony.

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A balcony breakfast while sailing along a fjord will be an experience to remember. For travelers with cash to spare, suites bring the luxury hotel treatment to sea, including perks like dedicated stewards or access to exclusive lounges, and large balconies and terraces. You'll be shelling out a pretty penny, but those seeking a top-notch cruise vacation should scope out this category. Regardless of what kind of cabin you are looking for, Cruise Critic sources deals for them all. Do your research, though, as not all balconies are created the same. Some barely fit two chairs while others come complete with loungers and cocktail tables.

Enjoy these Pablo Picasso facts for your vacation travels and save your favorite destinations. The best holiday destinations are those that allow you to forget your stresses back home and spend time with your closest loved ones. Plan the best spa getaway possible with experiences being tailored to suit your vacation needs. Cove Balcony rooms are CCL-Carnival's specialty, available on some of the "Fun Ships", and are interesting because they are located on lower decks (thus closer to waterline). Book one of these suites and you also have unlimited access to Loft 19, a lounging area equipped with cushy loungers and cabanas that is reserved for suite guests. Cove cabins are limited in number and popular, so you'll need to snag one well in advance of your sailing.

balcony cruise ship rooms

On certain cruises, you might be planning on spending more time outside of your cabin, whether that is ashore or up on the pool deck working on a tan. In that case, putting more money towards cruise add-ons is a great way to enhance your vacation. Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America and Royal Caribbean offer solo cabins that don't have a single supplement; these include inside, ocean-view and balcony rooms, depending on the line. Expect these to cost more than a standard inside or balcony room but less than the cost of that room with a 100% supplement. Other companies might offer promotions on select sailings with no single supplement, leaving you with the budget for a bigger cabin. Both standard inside and balcony categories are designed for double occupancy, but some rooms in either category can sleep up to four.

Other amenities include sofabed, TV, phone, seating, safe, mini-bar, a bathroom with shower, a washroom (with junior tub), bathrobes, hairdryer. Loft Suites are "duplex suites" (on two levels) and available on the world's largest passenger ships of Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class and Quantum-class. The following layout is of Harmony of the Seas and its largest accommodation - the Royal Loft Suite. If the weather turns rainy or chilly, roll that window back up, and you can still enjoy the sitting area as an indoor portion of your cabin.

Our staterooms offer spa-like comfort so you can disconnect from reality and reconnect with your partner-in-adventure. It’s about unforgettable experiences — moments that inspire, service that exceeds expectations, and one-of-a-kind adventures that give you stories to bring home. You’ll discover all that and more when you sail in Royal Suite Class. Others you may be able to choose between a regular balcony or an infinite style. Instead of a rigid wall with a door, the outside wall of the cabin is a large window. The top half of this window can raise to shut completely or lower halfway to open up to the outside.

Best cruise ship balcony cabins

balcony cruise ship rooms

Rather than facing either the port or starboard side of the ship, you'll have a view of the ship's wake. A balcony room on Carnival Celebration, for instance, measures 249 square feet, whereas interior rooms only come in at 158. While the 249 does include exterior space, it is still space that will help everyone comfortably maneuver the cabin throughout the cruise. Balcony rooms tend to be the largest standard stateroom that you can book, with suites having the most living space you'll find at sea (with a much higher price tag). Alaska, for instance, is full of beautiful glaciers and snow-capped mountains. On sea days, the top deck can get awfully crowded, so having your own private retreat to soak these views in is often one of -- if not the -- greatest perk of booking a balcony.

Deluxe Oceanview

balcony cruise ship rooms

Families might look for cabins with connecting doors or extra bed options. If budget matters above all else, an interior cabin is a wise choice. You could also save money by booking a saver fare offered by some cruise lines. When it comes to noise, the best bet is to select a cabin that is both above and below other cabins instead of public spaces.

Cold Weather Cruises

Booking a stateroom guarantee means Royal Caribbean will pick the exact room assignment for you, while guaranteeing you will get that room category or higher. If your RoyalUp bid is accepted, Royal Caribbean will assign your room automatically, leaving little to no choice in its location. If all of this has made sense up until now, here are two other stateroom options that may change up your decision, while potentially saving you money.

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It's a wonderfully soothing, rhythmic sound — so soothing that it can lull you to sleep. In addition, some people with extra money to spend would rather splurge on shore excursions or other extra-charge items, such as shipboard spa treatments, than on a higher-priced cabin. What is most important to one person on a vacation may be different from what is important to another person. If you are looking for a cabin with upgraded perks without splurging on an actual suite, see if your ship has spa balconies! These rooms will be located close to the spa and feature upgraded decor, as well as benefits that vary based on the cruise line you're sailing with. These may include robes and slippers, complimentary thermal suite or exercise class passes, and yoga mats.

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When deciding between an inside or balcony cabin, you'll need to budget for that. The extra cost can be as much as double the cruise fare, so it may affect which cabin you can afford. If you're trying to decide which accommodations to choose, here's what you need to know to make the choice between a windowless inside room and a more spacious yet expensive balcony cabin.

Captain Suite

Similarly, the line’s AquaTheater Suites found onboard Oasis Class ships have large balconies that offer some of the best views of all the AquaTheater shows, with no tickets or queuing required. For the most over-the-top balconies, you do need to book a suite. It makes sense that the nicest cabins onboard should have the best balconies, and you would be amazed at some of these tricked-out verandas. Corner cabins are like the coveted corner office, with windows facing either forward or backward, as well as to one side. This location leads to cabins with lots of light and balconies that wrap around the corners of the ship.

Corner wrap balcony cabins

When choosing a room, you will need to look at if it's on a higher deck versus lower deck, as well as midship versus forward or aft. A good rule of thumb when choosing a room is picking one that has no public spaces directly one deck above or one deck below it. In short, you don't need to book a suite to have a great room on a cruise. If you're not booking both connecting rooms, avoid booking a connecting cabin. If you're cruising with kids, I cannot understate enough the benefits of connecting cabins instead of one large cabin. As a general rule of thumb, a cabin in the middle of the ship is a winner for most people.

If you're on vacation and having a great time — and not spending much time in your cabin — it may not matter where you rest your head at night. If you can save the extra money and splurge on five-course dinners and more immersive excursions, booking an inside cabin may be the way to go. Norwegian Cruise Line's studio cabins for solo travelers are inside rooms with a full-size bed, a one-way window onto the corridor, a separate bathroom, sink and shower. It also provides keycard access to the Studio Lounge, where single guests can mix and mingle. Disney Cruise Line's interior cabins with Magical Portholes also feature live sea cam views on a circular screen — and an occasional appearance from Disney characters. Choosing the right room for you is about how you like to cruise, and what you are looking to do onboard.

That's two or three times the field of vision that you'll get from gazing out a cabin window. I can attest personally to the fact that it isn't a great situation to be stuck in a room that doesn't have a balcony for days. In late 2020, I was isolated in a cabin without a balcony for four days during a COVID-19-related ship quarantine, even though I wasn't sick. I would have paid just about anything during those days for even the smallest bit of outdoor space. If you have specific questions about which balcony is best for you, consult a travel agent!

A balcony cabin is a cruise ship stateroom which has all the same features as inside and ocean view cabins. However, balcony rooms are usually larger and have a private outdoor balcony space. On some cruise lines, such as Celebrity and Holland America, balcony cabins are called Veranda cabins. The Infinite Veranda rooms found on Celebrity Edge are not your average balcony cabins.

You'll be able to see an incredible range of wildlife during your stay. We’ve curated the ultimate guide to visiting some of the most relaxing and legendary destinations to travel to in Europe. Discover the most fun Big Ben facts, plus facts about the royal family and its connection to Elizabeth Tower and the Houses of Parliament. An epic vacation doesn't have to mean depleting all your vacation days.

Among mass-market lines, Princess Cruises offers an Ultimate Balcony Dining experience at an extra charge that brings a four-course meal, Champagne and cocktails or a glass of wine. In the case of the Princess offering, you'll even get fresh flowers and a (flameless) candle on your table. Speaking of the view, you're going to be able to see passing wildlife much better from a balcony cabin than an ocean-view cabin. If you stand at the edge of your balcony railing, you'll be able to twist your head side-to-side to get a 180-degree view of the passing waters.

There is still a separate seating area near the window with folding doors so that the balcony area can be partitioned off or opened up so that the entire cabin can enjoy the fresh air. There's nothing that says romance like a private dinner for two under the stars. And that's exactly what you can do on your balcony on many cruise ships, with the waves as a background soundtrack. They typically also offer you a great view of the outdoors from inside your cabin. However, here are six things you'll get out of a balcony cabin that I personally think make it worth the extra cost if you have the money to spare. Aft balconies, for instance, are those located at the back of the ship.

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