Sunday, March 31, 2024

Aft Balcony vs Balcony Cabin on Cruise Ships

balcony cruise ship rooms

For example, Carnival has premium vista balcony cabins located on the aft corners of certain ships. We’ve broken it down to help you decide which stateroom fits your vacation needs. Some river cruise lines even offer single suites (booking with single occupancy rates). The most famous liner having plenty of single cabins (designed specifically for solo travelers) is Norwegian Epic. Penthouse Suites have a twin beds configuration (beds can convert to queen). Due to their location, aft balconies can be less breezy and, therefore, hotter than regular balconies as the ship's structure blocks the wind.

Forward- and Aft-Facing Balconies

The advantage of upgrading your room via RoyalUp is that you could move up to a higher, more desirable room, for less than booking it outright. Royal Caribbean offers guests on most sailings the opportunity to bid for a stateroom upgrade through RoyalUp. Ultimately, where your room is located on the ship (midship versus forward or aft) is an arguably more important consideration than the side of the ship. You might be wondering why there aren't any suites in my list, and there's two reasons why it's not here, but could still be a great choice. You'd be surprised how affordable two connecting rooms can be versus booking a single larger room to fit 4 or 5 people. For a lot of people, the best cabin is located wherever the price is right.

STATEROOMS

You might also enjoy seeing the coastline or cities as you pull into port — without having to go upstairs to view the scenery with everyone else. However, on some cruise ships you’ll find that the price of a balcony cabin may only be a couple hundred dollars more than an ocean view or outside stateroom. 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.

Central Park View Interior

Shorter cruises means you will likely be running around trying to see and do everything, so investing a ton in an expensive room may not make financial sense. On longer sailings, having a larger room means more space to spread out and enjoy to nap, read or watch the world go by. In short, aft balcony rooms offer a different perspective than a balcony on the side of the ship and a lot of people find this view more relaxing.

Cold Weather Cruises

If you can upgrade to a balcony cabin, you'll have more room to spread out and store your stuff. Parents will also appreciate the chance to relax on the balcony with an adult beverage after the kids go to bed. You'll also be able to sit outdoors, have a glass of wine or read a book in private.

The range of ultra-spacious cruise rooms across categories spans all the way up to our new Ultimate Family Townhouse — three stories that elevate the way you stay and play. With no space wasted for a traditional balcony, the other benefit of this setup is expanded indoor space. These cabins are 23 percent larger than on the line's Solstice-class ships, including bigger bathrooms. Loaded with adrenaline-amping thrills and maxed-out ways to make new memories, Harmony of the Seas® is your ticket to the boldest family vacation ever. Whether you’re traveling with kids or bringing the whole extended adventure squad along, you’ll find spacious, well-appointed cruise rooms designed to suit all your vacation needs. To be clear, we see the advantages and disadvantages of these cabins.

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It's worth noting that some cruise ships -- such as Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Icon Classes and MSC Cruises' World Class -- have balcony staterooms that face the interior of the ship. If you are set on having ocean views, you'll want to make sure that you book the right cabin category. Otherwise, you might end up disappointed when you arrive and realize that your view is actually the ship's Boardwalk or outdoor Promenade. Some large cruise ships can feel busy and crowded, especially on sea days. A balcony cabin can give you some private outdoor space to read or just sit quietly, away from the activities going on on the lido deck and inside the cruise ship. Cruise staterooms booking rates are usually based on deck location.

There are reasons to like this type of cabin, but there is a disadvantage that may be a dealbreaker for some people. If you have a normal balcony room, you have the cabin, and then a wall with a door that goes out to a separate balcony space. The outdoor area is completely closed off from the rest of the room. Additionally, it's easier to spot wildlife from a balcony than an ocean view room, as you're able to peer over the edge and have a wider viewpoint. That being said, there are certain itineraries where the cost of a balcony stateroom can be justified just because of the views you'll get.

My $2400 Wonder of the Seas balcony room had more storage and modern touches than I expected - Royal Caribbean Blog

My $2400 Wonder of the Seas balcony room had more storage and modern touches than I expected.

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NCL's The Haven and MSC's Yacht Club accommodations are located within an exclusive complex and offer ''ship within ship'' amenities and services. Passengers (who can afford them) enjoy private sundecks with swimming pools and jacuzzis and exclusive facilities like restaurants, bar lounges, gyms and spas. Cove balconies, unlike Balconies, have two patio chairs and a table.

balcony cruise ship rooms

On the newest ships of lines such as MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, you'll find suites occupying the corners, but other ships have more affordable balcony cabins in this location. Be aware when booking rear-facing balconies that your space might not have much shade and that you will feel more movement than you would in a cabin in the middle of the ship. These beloved cabins are not necessarily the best for those who get seasick. They deliver mesmerizing views as your ship pulls out of ports of call, and their balconies tend to be larger than those on the sides of the ship.

You will be able to see wildlife and the coastline as your ship passes by, which is especially nice during sail away or sail in. Obstructed balcony rooms have some physical barrier that blocks at least part of the view you would usually have in a balcony room. That is not to say the view from your balcony is completely obstructed, just partially. It is worth talking about a subset of the balcony rooms, known as obstructed balcony rooms.

Unwind on your balcony in your very own private jacuzzi or take part in a game of table tennis — all while enjoying ocean views. I'm a big fan of getting up early to watch as cruise ships pull into ports. In some places, such as New York and Sydney, the experience is a highlight of the trip. The arrival into New York, in particular, is one of the great cruise experiences. Your ship will glide under the giant Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (often with just feet to spare) before passing the Statue of Liberty and the skyline of lower Manhattan. 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.

Balcony cabins, sometimes called veranda staterooms, are a popular cruise cabin choice for good reason. Cabins on higher decks will provide better views from balconies and suites, and good access to many of the ship’s amenities, but passengers may feel the ship's movement more. You may also hear more noise from outdoor activities on the pool deck. Pioneered by Norwegian Cruise Line, solo traveler cabins are becoming more common across the industry. Whereas for many years solo cabins were usually interior grade, there are now oceanview and even balcony cabins available for solo travelers on some lines. Choosing your cruise ship cabin or stateroom is an essential part of planning a dream cruise vacation.

Celebrity touts the cabins are 23 percent larger than the balcony cabins on its Solstice-class ships. For even more space, larger groups can combine two Infinite Veranda cabins to become one space with a sweeping balcony view. New cruise ships are built with more balcony cabins than they are with any other accommodation type, but not all veranda cabins are created equal. Some have more interior space, while others have larger balconies or extra amenities.

Holland America has well-designed balcony cabins, generally starting at 212 square feet including the veranda (most are 54 square feet). 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.

Balcony cruise ship rooms: are they worth the splurge?

balcony cruise ship rooms

When not in use, roll up the windows, open the doors, and you have a roomier cabin with a sunny seating area at one end. When you think of your balcony, maybe you think of a large area where you can lay out and get some sun, or enjoy a meal sitting at a table. Balconies will vary in size, but for the most part they are relatively small. Think of a cruise, and you might picture sitting on a cabin balcony, sipping a drink, and watching the waves go by.

Other Amenities

The fine print usually indicates that the line will give you a so-called better cabin within the same category. That can simply mean you are upgraded from a standard inside cabin to a slightly larger inside cabin. You will then be stuck with whichever cabin they give you -- whether you agree it's better or not. With an infinite veranda, there is no permanent wall between the cabin and the balcony. Instead, the balcony area is enclosed on its outer edges with glass windows; the one facing the sea can roll down just like a car window at the touch of a button.

These Rooms Are Great for Longer Trips (6+ Days)

Balconies on some cruise ships will be larger than others, but all will have at least 2 outdoor chairs and one small table. If you book an aft facing balcony cabin, you’ll often get lucky and have deck chairs to lay out and enjoy. Aft cabins on a cruise ship (the ones at the very back of the ship) can be the most prized standard balcony cabins afloat. Because they can make you feel as though you are at the end of the world, offering 180-degree views over the ship's wake.

Independence of the Seas

Simply browse through stateroom options and select the amount you’re willing to pay the upgrade. From Ocean View and Balcony staterooms to the most expansive suites at sea, the possibilities are endless. Let’s start with what exactly this type of cabin actually is and how it’s different from a traditional cruise stateroom. But as spectacular as they are, these arrivals into ports often take place very early in the morning, before you (or at least your bed-head hair) may be ready to go out into the world. What's great about having a balcony is that you don't have to get dressed and ready for the day to watch a port arrival. You can just roll out of bed in your jammies and head out on the balcony.

balcony cruise ship rooms

Moreover, Celebrity’s Family Veranda Staterooms can sleep five on Solstice Class ships and feature a separate inside kids’ room with bunk beds plus a pullout sofa in the living area. Royal Caribbean has similar cabins that are usually dubbed "Ultra Spacious Balconies." 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. Instead, you should just anticipate the price difference between a basic bare-bones interior cabin and a balcony room.

Guarantee Cabins

In this post, I share the 10 reasons to book a balcony cabin on a cruise and why it may be the perfect choice for you. However, there are times when a balcony won’t make as much sense or be worth the extra cost and we’ll look at this too. If you have more flexibility in your budget, consider what’s important to you in accommodation. If you plan to spend a lot of time in your cabin, you might value a balcony or a spacious room more.

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Cheapest Cruise Ship Room Not Worth It, What to Get Instead + Photos.

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Should I Book an Infinite Balcony?

The first thing to look for in the cruise ship plan is the engine room location. Serving up spectacular views and deluxe amenities, our staterooms are an alluring escape from the non-stop action our ships are known for — and the perfect place to recharge in between adventures. Balcony cabins are popular room choices, especially in warm-weather or scenic-cruising destinations. They are typically priced higher than interior or windowed cabins and cheaper than suites.

In short, you will find plenty of balcony room choices when booking a cruise on any of its newest vessels. There are some cruise itineraries that are very port intensive, and have few or even no sea days. In this case, if you booked the cruise planning to be off the ship exploring the ports of call, a balcony cabin may be a waste of money on your cruise. If you’re worried about feeling confined on a cruise ship, you’ll feel much better in a balcony or veranda cabin.

balcony cruise ship rooms

Your Balcony May Not Be Private

Below are shown the layouts of the Anthem ship's Deluxe and Accessible balcony cabins. In this age of mega-ships, cruise ship cabins now come in all shapes and sizes -- and are priced to match. Balcony cabins are a nice midway point when it comes to your vacation budget, but balconies range from those that barely hold two chairs to huge wraparound decks with hot tubs. You'll want to determine how much space you actually need and want to pay for before you book your room.

With the infinite balcony, there is a full wall on either side and a ceiling above. It’s practically impossible for any other balcony to be able to see in. Even on cruises in cold weather, there's nothing quite like stepping out on a balcony for a few minutes or more to soak in the salty breeze. For many vacationers on a tight budget, though, an extra 29% or even 7% for a room can be a deal breaker.

For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Disney Cruise Line’s Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Veranda can sleep five. These rooms cater to families with split baths, meaning that there's a sink and shower-tub combo in one room, with a separate toilet and sink in another. Plus, they are outfitted with childproof balcony locks and a privacy curtain to create separate sleeping areas.

I am the kind of person who needs to feel the temperature is, and having a balcony always makes this much easier. There's no denying that the pool deck is a hub of activity during sail away, so it makes sense that you might want to be in the center of all the action. If you don't feel well and are confined to your room, you'll appreciate the larger accommodation and the option to sit outside on the balcony. RoyalUp asks guest to provide a blind bid for a stateroom upgrade on the chance the room is available. Once a bid is made, Royal Caribbean will consider it until such time that there is an upgrade opportunity.

When traveling with a group of friends, there are many options to choose from. Each category has options that offer maximum space to spread out. From Spacious Interior rooms to Ultra Spacious Ocean View rooms, to our top of the line Villa Suite with four bedrooms. A cozy Interior Room is our most budget-friendly option, and we offer Spacious Interiors, along with connecting rooms to accommodate larger families.

A private balcony, luxurious bedding and in-suite dining are just a few of the upgraded amenities you’ll enjoy. And if it’s extra pampering you seek, be sure to save time for a relaxing service at Vitality Spa℠. If you are not set on selecting something particular and location is not a priority, you should not investigate the cruise ship deck plan so cautiously.

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