One Reddit user invited cruisers to share their unpopular opinions, starting with how they thought balcony cabins are a waste of money.
Many guests can't imagine cruising in a tiny windowless interior cabin, while others argue that balconies are overpriced.
The truth is, other cruisers can't tell you how to spend your money. What you consider "worth it" might not even cross someone else's mind.
Balcony staterooms offer great perks like private outdoor space with a front-row view of cotton candy skies and scenic ports, but they're hundreds (if not thousands) more than the cheapest cabins onboard.
Plus, if you're on a port-intensive cruise, such as a 7-night Southern Caribbean sailing with five ports and two sea days, you may not use the balcony enough to justify the extra cost.
"Balcony staterooms are a waste of money for most cruisers because people overestimate how much time they will spend in the stateroom," brokentr0jan writes on a r/royalcaribbean thread.
Cruisers passionately defend the splurge
"First unpopular opinion (among the anti-balcony people): So many people say balcony rooms are an unnecessary expense because you don’t spend that much time in your room. Well, you’d be surprised how much time you do spend there," explains MeMeMeOnly.
"It’s nice to have that balcony in the morning for a nice quiet cup of coffee or for a quiet dinner with a view or just a place to hang out away from all the people. Bad weather and high winds happen more often than people think."
They continue, sharing their experience from previous cruises impacted by inclement weather. Whenever the outside decks and pools were closed, passengers in interior or ocean-view cabins tended to crowd the bars, library, and cafes. However, MeMeMeOnly and their husband relaxed on their balcony with wine.
JohnnyQuest3208 added, "A balcony has never been a waste for me. They are an [introvert's] dream! Lol My entire room decision is based on spending time away from people and staring at the water, reading a book, or meditating."
"My husband and I spent most of one entire day on our balcony and couch on our last cruise... We went out for food and drinks then just hung out in our room on our balcony in peace watching the world go by...it was one of my favorite days!" added WolfsMeow00.
insidmal declares, "[I]ts people who don't stay in balconies that think they're overrated. Yes, when you have an interior room you spend no time in it, but, when you have a balcony you use it."
Despite all the praise, some remain in the "anti-balcony" camp
While price plays a role, choosing to skip a balcony cabin comes down to more than just saving money on your fare.
"Agree about the balcony. We went all out for our first cruise and got a suite with wraparound balcony and yes, it was gorgeous but we spent no time there other than to sleep and shower. Next cruise will be ocean view only," writes Goldenday71.
msackeygh adds, "I agree that balcony is typically not worth it. I think a window view is much better, because you’re actually closer to the water, as in you can see the water without having to go outside to the balcony. I enjoy seeing the water while seated on the bed."
There isn't a right or wrong choice
Some cruisers spend lavishly on high-end suites, while others prefer to stay in more modest accommodations to stretch their budgets further.
Balconies are great for guests who anticipate spending a lot of time in their cabin. For BrentBolthouse4Prez, for instance, they're a must because they spend more time in their stateroom compared to the average sailor.
"I actually spend more time in my cabin than most people do. I love to have downtime away from chaos. So if you’re like me, the cabin is key," they say.
They're also popular on scenic cruises, such as voyages to Alaska or Norway, where more of the vacation is about taking in the landscapes than lounging by the pool with a cocktail.
JeNeSaisTwat shares, "One of the absolute highlights of my cruise to Norway was sitting on the balcony and watching the fjords. I grabbed some coffee, bundled up, got super cozy, and had a lovely time."
On the flip side, ocean-view staterooms offer many of the same scenic views without the added cost of a private balcony.
Read more: I've taken over 20 cruises in inside and balcony cabins, but I think there's a better option
If you need a little natural light, an ocean-view cabin may be more cost-effective and leave you feeling satisfied, rather than ripped off.
For example, a balcony on a 3-day cruise aboard Carnival Conquest from Miami, Florida, in July 2026, starts at $624 per person, whereas an ocean-view room is priced at $504.
Though not the biggest price difference (the $439-per-person inside cabin is more noticeable), the extra $120 could be put toward add-ons like excursions, specialty dining, or drinks.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
