16 Unusual Cruise Ship Balcony Cabins (2024)

1. The Bring-the-Outside-In: Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex

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The Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda on Celebrity Edge (Photo: Celebrity Cruises)

Celebrity Edgeand Apex are the first two ships in Celebrity's Edge-class of ships. The ships' sleek, spacious staterooms have the industry abuzz, thanks in large part to their innovative "infinite veranda" design. These floor-to-ceiling, glass-trimmed verandas open up with just the touch of a button, essentially transforming the entire stateroom into a veritable open-air living space. Most of Edge's and Apex's staterooms feature this type of veranda offering, including a stateroom concept for the line that's designed specifically for solo travelers. Note these types of balconies -- designed to "bring the outside in" -- first debuted in the river cruise market, making appearances on lines like Avalon Waterways, Emerald Waterways and Uniworld in recent years.

2. The Patio: Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama

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The Havana Cabana Cabin on Carnival Horizon

In 2016, Carnival unveiled a new type of balcony setup onboard Carnival Vista, with the Latin-styled, tropics-inspired Havana "cabana" with patio; Vista's sister shipsCarnival Horizonand Carnival Panorama followed suit. The patio-trimmed staterooms and suites, clustered on Deck 5, boast floor-to-ceiling windows that open up onto 100-square-foot patios, which can likewise be accessed from the exterior (with a keycard), via a gated entrance connecting to the outdoor Lanai promenade. The backyard-style patios feature two loungers and a table.

Member missbusanbeth lauded the patios for their spaciousness and loungers, but cautioned, "There is a bit of a lack of privacy. Technically any of the Havana guests can walk by your room at any time, but other than the first night I never saw anyone walk by."

3. The Aft: Various

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The Aft-Facing Balcony Cabin on Norwegian Pearl

There are countless stern lovers on the Cruise Critic message boards who gush over the ability to meditate on the frothy white trail of water extending into infinity from their back-of-ship balconies. The vast majority of ships have wake-facing cabins (just note they're typically priced at a premium as compared to standard midship balcony cabins), so if you love being aft vs. forward on a ship, it's simply a matter of picking the vessel, then finding the right accommodation on a deck plan.

4. The Sweet Sixteen: Celebrity's Millennium Class

Old salts and Celebrity loyalists know about the "Sweet Sixteen," eight port and eight starboard balcony cabins found on Deck 6 of Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Constellation. Though the balconies are much larger than the average, the Sweet Sixteen are priced as Category 2C cabins -- the cheapest balconied accommodations on the ship. Just don't use the nickname when booking. "If you call Celebrity, or most TAs [travel agents], they won't have a clue what you are talking about," writes Lsimon.

5. The Twin, Select ships in the AmaWaterways and Viking River fleets

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The Second Veranda Cabin on Viking Gullveig

Europe-based riverboats are built long, sleek and low-slung, designed out of the necessity to squeeze under stout medieval bridges and through narrow canal locks. Thus, they typically don't feature full-sized balconies, opting instead for French balconies -- basically a glass door that opens to a railing. There are some exceptions. AmaWaterways offers the "Twin Balcony" on most of its riverboats, which couples a French balcony with a smaller version of the real thing. Viking River Cruises' Longships feature a similar offering in their Veranda Suites, which feature a full balcony in the living room area and a French balcony off the bedroom.

6. The Cove: Carnival's Dream and Vista classes

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The Cove Balcony Cabin on Carnival Magic

Introduced on Carnival Dream, the Coves (on Deck 2) feature semi-enclosed balconies situated 28 feet from the waterline. "There's something about being that close to the water that is just so mesmerizing and calming at the same time," writes Cove aficionado aggiesastrosfan. "I think it really makes you feel like you're out on the open water vs. viewing the water from up high," says salty bones.

7. The Exposed: Princess' Grand Class ships

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The Mini-Suite with Balcony on Crown Princess

Princess' Grand-class ships are known for their large number of mini-suites, basically glorified balcony cabins with some bonus indoor and outdoor space. But the Dolphin Deck minis add something else. Because part of the ship's superstructure is "stepped," the cabins on this deck are exposed to the sky, which is a huge plus for sunseekers and stargazers ... though note they are also potentially visible to the prying eyes of fellow passengers above. Member Z0nker cautioned, "... if you step out in your jammies, be aware." A handful of aft-facing cabins on Royal-class ships are similarly "stepped" out.

8. The Hump: Various

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"Hump" cabin on Celebrity Solstice (Photo: subtchr/Cruise Critic member)

Many modern cruise ships have undulating superstructures. The "wave," which runs along the port and starboard sides of the ship, creates variation in balcony sizes, with the largest balconies often occuring where the wave bumps out away from the ship. Savvy cruisers know to snag a cabin that falls within the standard balcony category, but has the bonus balcony space when compared to other rooms at the same price point.

9. The Tunnel: Celebrity's Solstice Class

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The angled balcony cabin on a Celebrity's Solstice-class ship (Photo: kimcheeboy/Cruise Critic member)

It's basically a hump variation, but the angled balconies on Celebrity's Solstice-class quintet are unusually enclosed. For those intent on mixing privacy with sea breezes and lots of space, it certainly fits the bill. However, some find the tunnel-like verandas too enclosed for their taste. "Sorry, but I love bright, open cabins," writes Presto2. "I would be gutted if I walked into this."

10. The Zipline: Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class

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Boardwalk on Oasis of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships, pioneered by Oasis of the Seas, boast countless unique features. One of them is a zipline, which whips cruisers diagonally over the Boardwalk neighborhood (nine decks below) from one side of the hollowed-out stern section to the other. The unique corridor carved lengthwise from the stern forward made way for the industry's first in-facing balconies, and a handful of passengers are afforded an unmatched view of the high-flying action.

11. The Park View: Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class

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The Central Park View Cabin with Balcony on Oasis of the Seas

Carving an open-air alley lengthwise down the center of the massive Oasis-class ships allows for these unusual "inward-facing" balcony cabins. Some of these offer a view of both the sky and each ship's restaurant- and retail-heavy Central Park, a foliage-rich green space nurturing some 12,000 tropical plants and trees. The obligatory piped in bird chirps accompany the genuine flora.

Still, it's not always as idyllic as it sounds. Passengers looking to read quietly on a Central Park balcony during a sunny sea day may find their senses assaulted from above by the pool band's reggae stylings, transforming his or her mood from irie to irate.

12. The Tiny Dancer

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The Tiny Dancer cabin on Disney Cruise Line (Photo: khanned/Cruise Critic member)

Fans of Tinker Bell, the Seven Dwarfs or Jiminy Cricket might call Disney Dream's and Disney Fantasy's oddball cabin 5188 "cute." They might even say "aww" the first time they set toe on it. That's because it's one of the smallest private verandas we've seen at sea, so diminutive that only a short bench can occupy the alfresco space (rather than the traditional setup of two chairs and a table). While the size of the balcony may disappoint those looking to do more than lean over the railing or chat (standing up) with a tiny advice-dispensing cricket, the superlative views of the ships' trailing wake will have you muttering hakuna matata.

13. The Corner Aft: Various

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The Premium Vista Balcony Cabin on Carnival Dream

Seasoned cruisers know that "corner aft" cabins -- close relatives of the traditional aft cabins (which face the ship's wake head on) -- sell out quickly thanks to alfresco real estate that wraps around the stern, providing unobstructed views of the ship's trail and any port- or starboard-side scenery. Corner aft cabins are staple accommodations on many ships, so consult your applicable deck plan for details. Reader Thomas Nicolai-Vargas lauded the L-shaped variety found in the Vista Suite cabins of Carnival's Spirit-class ships. These coveted cabins, found on various decks, feature 220-square-foot balconies (compared to 245 square feet of indoor space).

14. The Hot Tub: Various

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The Winter Garden Suite on Seabourn Quest

Top-shelf accommodations on several cruise lines sport roomy, whirlpool-topped verandas. For example, Holland America's spacious Pinnacle Suites (found on eight ships) have zigzag teak-lined balconies with their own hot tubs and an inset banquette for alfresco lounging or dining. The Royal Suites on Celebrity Cruises' Millennium- and Solstice-class ships also have alfresco hot tubs, while Seabourn's Wintergarden Suite has a glassed-in, balcony-sized solarium with a tub and daybed. Just keep in mind that these upper-end suites can get pricy, easily running upward of $1,000 per person, per night, so do budget accordingly.

15. The Solarium: Costa's Serena, Pacifica, Favolosa and Fascinosa

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The Samsara Suite on Costa Favolosa (Photo: Costa Cruises)

Europe-based Costa Cruises has been a trendsetter in the "spa" accommodation movement, clustering specially designed cabins around the wellness complex. (Many lines -- like Carnival, Celebrity and HAL -- now offer such spa cabins.) Besides the design distinctions (read Asian-inspired artwork, linens, etc.), passengers in Samsara cabins are set within a special area of the ship with unlimited access to the spa's facilities, while cabins come equipped with robes, spa toiletries ... and, if you're in a forward-facing Samsara Suite, this solarium-style "balcony." Claustrophobic rather than calming? Stifling rather than salubrious? Some might say that. We won't argue, except to add that the sloped wall of windows provides a beautiful sight.

16. The Show Stopper: Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class

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AquaTheater Suite Balcony (Photo: Royal Caribbean)

The Oasis-class AquaTheater Suites feature almost as much outdoor space as indoor, and the 600- to 800-square foot wraparound balconies overlook the ships' AquaTheater, a hydraulics-laden, kidney-shaped pool with 2,000 water nozzles and detachable rope ladders. From the balcony, you have front row seats to watch Schwarzenegger types bending each other into pretzels, gymnasts flipping around on trampolines and high divers floating and twisting down from great heights.

16 Unusual Cruise Ship Balcony Cabins (2024)

FAQs

What is the most unusual cruise ship? ›

Alaskan Dream Cruises' Kruzof Explorer is one of the most unique vessels on this list, operating small-ship, expedition-style itineraries in Alaska. The converted ship carries just 12 passengers in six staterooms, all located on a single deck.

What is the best balcony room on a cruise ship? ›

If you're after views, the best room on a cruise ship will be a balcony cabin at the ship's rear end. Aft balcony accommodations at the ship's corners are also the largest and often give more outside area than conventional balcony cabins, allowing you to enjoy both the beautiful views and the extra space.

What is a secret deck on a cruise ship? ›

The "Secret Decks" are located at the very front of the ship and will be found on varying decks depending on the ship. These areas are typically accessed through a door located on either side of the ship all the way forward. In most cases you will not find a sign on the access doors explaining where they lead.

Is it worth getting a balcony on a cruise ship? ›

Even on smaller, more luxurious ships that don't feel crowded, a balcony is desirable; if the weather is such that you can spend a lot of time on your balcony, it's like having an additional room.

What is the riskiest part of a cruise ship? ›

The 5 Most Dangerous Parts of a Ship for Passengers
  • Watertight Doors. Never try to outrun a closing watertight door. ...
  • Wet/Slippery Surfaces. ...
  • Ferries & Lifeboats. ...
  • Dining Facilities & Fast-Spreading Illnesses. ...
  • Balconies. ...
  • Talking to a Florida Cruise Ship Injury Attorney.
Feb 28, 2018

What cruise ship was hijacked? ›

The Achille Lauro left Genoa, Italy, on October 3 for a 12-day cruise of the Mediterranean Sea. Aboard were 748 passengers and several hundred crew. On October 7 the ship docked at Alexandria, Egypt, and 651 passengers disembarked to tour the pyramids, intending to rendezvous with the ship at Port Said that night.

What is the best floor to sleep on on a cruise ship? ›

The most stable part of the ship is its lowest point of gravity, so on a lower deck, at the center. You'd feel a lot less motion here than, say, in a stateroom on the upper decks a long way forward or aft (towards the back of the ship).

What is the noisiest part of a cruise ship? ›

And don't forget the cruise ship engine. While humming noises put some to sleep, the loud buzz of machinery might not exactly be restful to others, making these some of the worst cabins on a cruise ship. Passengers on the lowest deck are most likely to hear engine or even anchor sounds.

Can you sleep on the balcony of a cruise ship? ›

A question we often hear from cruise enthusiasts is, “Can I sleep on the balcony of a cruise ship?” While the idea is enchanting, and on most cruise ships, there are no rules against getting your shut-eye here, many discourage it.

What is the secret code on a cruise ship? ›

Cruise workers have their own secret language they use to communicate with one another. Code words like "oscar" are used to alert crew members of emergencies without causing mass panic. Other terms, like "babaloo" and "mamagayo," are used to describe annoying guests or employees.

Why is there no deck 17 on a cruise ship? ›

MSC ships also have a Deck 13, but not a Deck 17, because the cruise line's founder is Italian and 17 is considered unlucky in Italy. Cruise lines entertain other superstitions, like appointing godmothers to bless new vessels and ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

What do cruise room codes mean? ›

As you are seeing when researching available staterooms, the staterooms are categorized by both a number and a letter. The number corresponds to the type of stateroom (inside, oceanview, verandah) and typically the higher the number the more economical the stateroom is.

Can people see you on cruise balcony? ›

The first rule to keep in mind is that the "private veranda" you booked isn't as private as you might envision. Other passengers can hear you, and in some cases see you, so be careful what you do, and be mindful of the others nearby. To spare you any embarrassment, here are 10 things not to do on a cruise ship balcony.

Why should you check under your bed on a cruise ship? ›

Many cabins have all sorts of hidden storage. This cabin actually doesn't have that much, but often you might find stuff high up. Normally, underneath the bed, is your suitcase haven – make use of it. That means you don't have a stuffing up in the cupboards or somewhere in the room.

Which side balcony is best cruise ship? ›

Eastbound cruises get the most sun on the port side; westbound on the starboard side. Watching a sunset over the ocean or seeing the sun slip behind distant islands can also be a reason for a side preference. To catch sunsets, you'll want to be on the port side on northbound cruises and starboard on southbound cruises.

What is the most luxurious cruise ship ever built? ›

Well, that's exactly what the Regent Seven Seas Cruises did. In fact, after launching the 'Seven Seas Explorer' ship in 2015, the cruise line went ahead and trademarked the line “The Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built™”.

Are there abandoned cruise ships? ›

Cruises can be retired after sailing for several decades or experiencing a catastrophic failure. The ships can still be valuable for its materials or be retrofitted to serve another purpose. In some cases, ships are outright abandoned because the costs to retrieve them are too high.

What is the biggest sunken cruise ship? ›

The sinking of RMS Titanic in April 1912 remains the worst, and the most infamous, cruise ship disaster in history. The sinking of the biggest passenger ship ever built at the time resulted in the death of more than 1,500 of the 2,208 people onboard.

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