To get a balcony room or not to get a balcony room on a cruise? This age old questions is hotly debated in travel groups on the internet. Some people feel very strongly that they don’t need a “fancy” room because they never spend any time there. Others believe a private outdoor space is an essential part of the experience. I think the choice is more dependent on what type of cruise you are on and what is most important to you. Here’s how I decide:
Is a balcony room worth it on an ocean cruise – Yes!
For me, a balcony room on an ocean cruise a no brainer. Whether you are sailing on a large ocean liner or a smaller ship, most ocean itineraries have a larger focus the ship itself. You’ll spend at least one sea day just enjoying the entertainment, restaurants, and lounge areas around the ship. I always appreciate the ability to enjoy the sea views from a semi private space. Don’t forget, your neighbors are still pretty close by!
Some travelers may choose a balcony room based on the cruise itself. For example, an itinerary with a lot of cinematic viewing opportunities (I’m looking at you, Alaska), are definitely worth the splurge. This is the type of trip where getting up early, grabbing coffee, and cozying up on the balcony to watch the scenery is an excursion in itself.
Additionally, some cruise balconies offer a little more pizzazz than others. Virgin Voyages is famous for their red hammocks on every balcony. I’ve seen travelers be a little suspicious of how great this feature actually is but then spend more time in the hammock than they thought possible.
Something I didn’t expect to love some much about the balcony? Enjoying it at night. Watching the water lap up against the ship, other ships in the distance, and the island lights with a cool breeze on my face created an unmatched state of Zen.
Why it might be a no for you: If budget your main concern or you truly do not spend any time in your room, a balcony many not be worth it.
Is a balcony room worth it on an River cruise – Maybe!
A balcony room on a river cruise is wonderful luxury, but for me, it is less essential than it is on an ocean cruise. River cruises are typically much smaller with a focus on time in the destinations you are visiting. You’ll spend much more time off the ship exploring that you will admiring the views from the ship. So naturally, you’ll likely spend less time in your room.
Plus, in my experience, the public spaces on a river cruise are almost never crowded. Even when everyone is gathered on the sundeck to see something cool, there is plenty of seating and places to stand for that perfect photo.
While river cruises are universally on the smaller side in terms of passenger count (often less than 200), the cruise line you choose may impact your decision especially if space is important you. Different cruise lines have different room layouts and average rooms sizes. For example, you may not need a full balcony, but may have the option of French doors instead of a lower deck room with a port hole window.
It’s also important to keep in mind that river cruises in busier port sometimes dock side by side. This means, you won’t have a view for most of the day. This isn’t a big deal for me because I usually spend most of the day exploring the port or lounging on the sun deck. I don’t mind the lost balcony time.
Why it might be a yes for you: if space in the room is a big concern, take a close look at square footage on the specific cruise line you are considering. A balcony or higher deck room may be worth the splurge to get the space you need.
Questions to ask yourself
The most important thing to ask yourself when choosing a room type on a cruise is what type of traveler am I? Even if you’ve never cruised before, think about how much time you spend in the room on land. Do you like spending time enjoying the views at a beach or mountain resort? Do you do this from a quiet area or do you prefer views from a lively bar? Are you out all day exploring or is an afternoon nap essential for a relaxing vacation?
Additionally, what kind of space do you need in your room? Balcony rooms are typically larger than interior and ocean view rooms. Rooms on ships are notoriously smaller than most hotel rooms so even if you don’t care about the balcony, you might care about space.
