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Booking a balcony cabin can be the difference between a comfortable cruise and a truly memorable experience, but the upgrade is by no means always worth it. Whether the extra cost of a balcony cabin is worthwhile for you depends on your route, trip length, budget and especially how you spend your time on board. In this article you will find out exactly when a balcony really adds value and when it is better to save your money for other expenses.
What does a balcony cabin actually offer extra?
A balcony cabin gives you a private outdoor space on board. That sounds appealing. The difference compared with a standard inside cabin or an outside cabin with a window is, however, greater. It is about more than just the balcony itself. Balcony cabins are generally larger and lighter because of the windows and sliding door. You get more living space and your own outdoor spot without having to share it with other passengers.
The size of a balcony cabin varies widely by cruise line and ship. On average they are between two and six square metres larger than an inside cabin. The balcony itself is often compact, but big enough for two chairs and a small table. For many travellers it is especially the combination of daylight and fresh air that makes the difference.
The biggest advantage lies in the comfort and privacy. You can quietly enjoy the view, have breakfast outside or read a book without having to seek out the busy decks. The added value increases the more time you spend in your cabin. You can find more information about the different types of cabins and their features on the page about cabins and accommodation on board.
‘ The balcony cabin then becomes more than just a place to sleep and offers a place simply to be. ’
When is a balcony cabin worth the money?
The upgrade to a balcony cabin only really makes sense if you genuinely use the balcony. Not everyone benefits from it to the same extent. The following situations make a balcony cabin a valuable choice.
Routes with plenty of views and scenic cruising
A balcony cabin pays off most on routes where the landscape is part of the journey. Think of Norwegian fjords, the Alaskan coastline, island-hopping routes in the Mediterranean or cruises with a lot of scenic cruising. On these kinds of routes, the scenery is an important part of the experience. A private balcony makes it possible to quietly enjoy the landscape at any time, without the crowds on deck.
For early arrivals in ports or when passing through narrow waterways, a balcony is particularly handy. You can watch along directly from your cabin without having to rush or find a spot on deck. That makes the journey calmer and more personal.
Longer cruises with more time on board
The longer the cruise, the more time you spend in your cabin. On a short city cruise of three or four days you are often off the ship a lot. On a trip of a week or longer, the cabin becomes more of a living space. In that case, daylight, fresh air and extra space make a bigger difference to your everyday comfort.
On longer cruises, travellers use their balcony more often to relax, to read or simply to escape the bustle for a while. The balcony cabin then becomes more than just a place to sleep and offers a place simply to be.
A need for peace, privacy and daylight
A balcony gives you your own space outside the ship’s public areas. That is pleasant for couples, people who like to seek peace and quiet, or travellers who suffer from a stuffy feeling in a cabin without a window. Because of the daylight and the open sliding door, a balcony cabin feels less small and more connected with the surroundings.
Families with children also sometimes appreciate a balcony as extra space to have a moment apart. It offers flexibility without having to leave the cabin. For people who are sensitive to claustrophobia or who are used to spacious bedrooms at home, this is often an important reason to upgrade.
When is the upgrade less worthwhile?
A balcony cabin is not the best choice for everyone. There are situations in which it is hard to recoup the extra cost in terms of comfort or experience.
If you spend little time in the cabin
Many cruise travellers mainly use their cabin to sleep and shower. If you are active on board during the day, ashore or on excursions, you may hardly use a balcony. In that case, the price difference is often greater than the added value. An inside cabin or an outside cabin with a porthole then offers better value for money.
Routes with little scenery or many port days
On cruises where you spend a lot of time in port or where the ship mainly sails at night, the view from a balcony is less relevant. Think of short sun cruises, city cruises or routes focused mainly on cultural visits. In that case, you are paying for a feature you barely use.
Weather that makes the balcony less usable
On some routes the weather is unfavourable. On northern cruises or in seasons with cold weather, the balcony may be less attractive to use. You then spend most of your time indoors anyway, so the financial benefit of the upgrade disappears.
Cabins with restricted view
Not every balcony offers an unobstructed view. In certain cabin locations, lifeboats, structures or the position on lower decks limit what you can see. In that case you pay more for a balcony cabin but do not get the full experience you expect. It is sensible to carefully check the cabin’s location in advance.
What should you pay attention to when booking?
Booking a balcony cabin is about more than just picking a category. Pay attention to these details to make a good choice.
Location on the ship
The location of your cabin is at least as important as the category. Pay attention to the following points:
- Deck height: higher decks often offer better views, but can also be windier
- Forward, midships or aft: midships is more stable in bad weather
- Proximity to lifts, engines or public areas: can cause noise nuisance
- Any obstacles: lifeboats, projections or structures that restrict your view
A well-located inside cabin can be more comfortable than a poorly located balcony cabin. So take enough time to choose the right cabin location.
Check the total extra cost
The price difference between an inside cabin and a balcony cabin sometimes looks limited. Also pay attention to additional costs such as port fees, service charges and surcharges. These can make the total difference bigger than it first appears. Always compare the final price including all costs.
Sometimes the gap between the different cabin categories is relatively small. In that case it can be smarter to spend a little more for a clearly better category.
Think about your travel style
The best upgrade matches your way of travelling. A simple rule of thumb:
- If you like peace, views and privacy and prefer to find these in your own cabin, a balcony cabin is often worthwhile.
- If you are mainly active on board or plan to spend a lot of time off the ship, an inside cabin is probably sufficient.
‘ For those who travel mainly for practical reasons, spend little time in the cabin or have a limited budget, an inside or outside cabin is often the wiser choice. ’
Balcony cabin or not: make a conscious choice
A balcony cabin offers comfort, privacy and a better experience of the views. That makes the upgrade particularly worthwhile on scenic routes, longer cruises and for travellers who value having their own outdoor space. For those who travel mainly for practical reasons, spend little time in the cabin or have a limited budget, an inside or outside cabin is often the wiser choice.
Before you book, first check the deck plan of your ship. Check the location of your cabin and see whether there are any obstacles that obstruct the view. Many cruise lines show exactly where lifeboats, anchor cranes or structures are located on their websites. Also compare the total extra cost including all surcharges with what you will actually gain from it in practical terms. That way you book a cabin that really suits your trip.
On the Traveler Tips website you will find more information about planning cruises, choosing routes and booking smart. Discover which choices make the difference for your trip and get more out of your next cruise.
Frequently asked questions
The extra cost of a balcony cabin is a smart investment if you are sailing on a route with lots of beautiful scenery (fjords, islands, coastline) and you really want to enjoy that from your own balcony. It is especially worthwhile on longer cruises where you spend a lot of time in your cabin and privacy, peace and daylight are important to you. If your main priority is your budget, you spend a lot of time ashore or you mainly use the cabin to sleep, then an inside or outside cabin is usually the more sensible choice.
A balcony cabin gives you a private outdoor space where you can experience the scenery in complete peace, from sunrises to sailing in and out of ports, without the crowds of the public decks. The extra daylight and the more spacious feeling in the cabin make your stay more comfortable and less like a standard hotel room, which particularly makes a difference on longer cruises. You create your own intimate viewing spot for moments such as a fjord or island route, so the surroundings really become part of your day. You can also make your rhythm and experience more personal – having breakfast, reading or enjoying a glass of wine with a view – which makes the whole trip feel richer and more special.
A balcony cabin mainly makes a difference on scenic routes (fjords, Norway, Alaska, islands) and on longer cruises, because you then really benefit from the views, peace and extra daylight. If you are sailing mostly sun or city trips with lots of time ashore and shorter sailing times, you will seldom sit on your balcony and the difference in comfort is smaller. In cool or changeable weather, or on routes with little remarkable scenery, the balcony often remains unused. And if the view is partly blocked (lower decks, under lifeboats), the added value of a balcony cabin is limited.
Book early in the season and track prices so that, when prices drop, you can sometimes upgrade to a balcony cabin free of charge or at low cost via your travel agent or cruise line. Choose flexible fares (instead of non‑refundable offers) so you can take advantage of later promotions or “free upgrade” deals. Sign up to newsletters and offers from several cruise lines and check comparison sites regularly, because balcony promotions (such as a free upgrade or on-board credit with a balcony cabin) are often temporary. Plan your route and travel period so you will really use your balcony (scenic routes, longer cruises), so that the extra cost pays for itself in both comfort and actual use.
A balcony cabin offers your own quiet outdoor space with more privacy than the often busy public decks and lounges, where you can enjoy the view and fresh air without other people around you. On public decks you share the view with many other passengers and it is less intimate, and often busier and noisier. Whether this is a decisive factor for your enjoyment of the trip depends on how much you value peace and quiet, sitting outside in private and having daylight in your cabin. If you are mainly looking for relaxation, views and privacy, this can weigh heavily in your overall enjoyment, much more than if you are mainly social and active in the public areas.
