Balconies are my favorite type of cruise cabin. Although I don't stay in them as often as I'd like, I appreciate the extra space, natural light, and privacy that make them among the most popular categories of cruise rooms.
Still, not all cruise balconies are designed equally, nor are they the cheapest rooms onboard. Some have extra-large balconies, while others don't even face the ocean.
As a frequent cruiser, I'm always on the hunt for the best balcony set-ups. Ideally, they will have a strong balance between comfort, views, and value.
This year, I stayed in five categories of cruise balconies on different ships: Icon of the Seas, MSC World America, Margaritaville at Seas' Islander, Celebrity Xcel, and Celebrity Eclipse.
Here's how the balconies stacked up — and which cruise room I liked best and would book again in a heartbeat.
I sailed in a dated balcony room on Celebrity Eclipse to Norway
Pros: Mid-ship location, breathtaking views in Norway
Cons: Dated, minimal outlets
This summer, my partner and I embarked on an epic voyage to Norway aboard Celebrity Eclipse, a Reflection Class vessel that debuted in 2010.
Having previously sailed on Reflection Class ships, we knew that our balcony cabin would feel dated. However, we did not want to miss any of the breathtaking scenery as we sailed through the iconic Norwegian fjords.
Although our stateroom was not as modern as those aboard the line's award-winning Edge Class, it was clean and well-maintained. The price wasn't awful, either, coming in at just over $4,000, including gratuities, an unlimited drink package, and Wi-Fi.
It was outfitted with the basic amenities you'd expect in a Celebrity cabin, including a mini-fridge, television, safe, a few outlets near the vanity, and bathroom toiletries. However, the color scheme was dated, leaning heavily on beige, brown, and dark red. Some of the furniture was worn, too.
One of our favorite aspects of our balcony cabin on Celebrity Eclipse was the location. Our mid-ship stateroom on Deck 9 was conveniently close to the ship's key amenities, including the Solarium, main pool area, Sky Observation Lounge, Oceanview Café, and the famous Martini Bar.
However, we wouldn't have booked a cruise to Norway without a physical balcony. For instance, as we sailed out of Olden, we marveled at the lush greenery, cascading waterfalls, and towering cliffs — all from our private veranda.
Looking ahead, Celebrity Cruises announced that all of its Solstice Class ships will undergo major renovations, updating the vessels from bow to stern.
Part of the revitalization includes overhauling the staterooms. Celebrity has not revealed what specific changes will be made, but we can likely expect updated furnishings, modern color schemes, and improved lighting.
Although I wouldn't hesitate to sail in another Reflection Class balcony, I'd rank it #5, simply because I stayed in better veranda cabins this year that weren't as dated.
Read more: I upgraded to a balcony cabin on a Celebrity cruise, and it was worth the $4,000 price tag
I tried one of the new infinite verandas on Icon of the Seas
Pros: Modern, spacious shower, good location
Cons: Expensive, no ocean view
After battling some serious FOMO after Icon of the Seas debuted in January 2024, my partner and I felt compelled to sail on the world's largest cruise ship to see if it lived up to the hype.
We knew a cruise on Icon of the Seas wasn't going to be cheap (interior cabins were going for as much a $2,500 per person during the ship's inaugural year). However, we worked with a great travel agent and reserved a guaranteed Surfside balcony for $3,800, whereas an ocean-view cabin would have cost us over $6,000.
I couldn't fathom paying that much for a cabin on a cruise ship with so many other amenities, from the world's largest waterpark at sea to new Broadway and AquaTheater shows and more.
To our surprise, we were assigned a Central Park infinite veranda months before our cruise. This came as a relief, as we were worried about staying above Royal Caribbean's purpose-built neighborhood for families.
Moreover, Central Park cabins are more midship than Surfside rooms, which is ideal for those who suffer from motion sickness — like my partner.
I was familiar with infinite verandas before my sailing on Icon of the Seas, having stayed in one aboard Celebrity Ascent. As such, I wasn't shocked when we opened our cabin door on embarkation day to find a large floor-to-ceiling window.
Rather than have a door leading out to a personal balcony, infinite verandas were designed to bring guests closer to the ocean by essentially turning the entire stateroom into a balcony.
This means that, in place of an outdoor veranda, passengers can lower the top half of the floor-to-ceiling window to turn the entire cabin into a balcony of sorts.
Infinite verandas have been controversial since their launch on Celebrity Edge. However, my partner and I were willing to give up a traditional balcony to save a couple of thousand dollars.
While we would have preferred an ocean-view balcony, the cost savings for a Central Park infinite veranda were worth it. That said, we both agreed that, if we had the choice in the future, we'd give up an interior-facing balcony for an ocean-view room with a single window.
Throughout our cruise, we noted how disconnected we felt from the ocean. We also weren't a fan of how exposed our stateroom was.
For instance, if we wanted to take an afternoon nap, we had to close the blinds to prevent others from being able to peek into our cabin. As such, we didn't benefit from the same level of natural light that floods ocean-view cruise cabins.
Aside from the view, we were pleasantly surprised by how modern the room felt. There were plenty of outlets, ranging from traditional American and European plugs to USB and USB-C ports.
Royal Caribbean also redesigned the staterooms' bathrooms to make them more spacious and functional. For example, the showers are leagues above the cramped capsule showers on older vessels. Plus, there's an extra shelf for toiletries, as well as a large bench.
That said, the aspects of the cabin that we loved would have been the same in other, more affordable categories — they aren't exclusive to infinite verandas on Icon of the Seas.
In the future, we agreed that we would not pay over $3,800 for another cruise room that didn't have an ocean view. As such, Icon of the Seas' Central Park infinite veranda ranks #4.
The Grand Terrace Suite on Margaritaville at Seas' Islander was a pleasant surprise
Pros: Bright and tropical feel, spacious room and balcony, great value
Cons: Not all-inclusive, dated bathroom
Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander entered service for Costa Cruises over 20 years ago, sailing for the Italian cruise line from 2000 until 2019. Although she was sold to CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping in 2019, she ended up never sailing for them and was bought by Margaritaville in 2023.
During the ship's dry dock, all 1,105 cabins received a major refurbishment, as well as the public areas like the atrium, pool deck, and restaurants. As such, my Grand Terrace Suite didn't feel as though it was on a nearly 25-year-old vessel.
Moreover, it was evident that a lot of thought went into the stateroom's refurbishment, with many details reflecting Jimmy Buffett’s signature laid-back, beach-inspired lifestyle — it felt like a boutique hotel room in Key West, Florida, where the original Margaritaville is located.
The layout was also more spacious than standard cabins on the ship, with interior rooms measuring around 160 square feet. In comparison, the Grand Terrace Suite comes in at around 270 square feet, giving guests more room to relax and enjoy a pre-dinner glass of wine.
For example, instead of a standard vanity near the stateroom's bed, there was an enhanced in-room mini-bar set-up, while the actual vanity area was in a small hallway connecting the cabin's sleeping area and the spacious bathroom.
Speaking of the bathroom, while I loved the dual vanity sink, upgraded amenities, and tub-shower combo, it reminded me of those aboard older Spirit Class ships, such as Carnival Pride. The tile was dark and didn't match the tropical vibe of the rest of the cabin.
Moreover, Margaritaville's suites are not as inclusive as other cruise lines. That said, they're more affordable than luxurious cabins within, for example, MSC's Yacht Club or Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class.
Initially, my friend and I booked a standard interior cabin on the Islander cruise ship. However, a few days before we set sail, the Margaritaville team was gracious enough to upgrade us to a Grand Terrace Suite. According to Margaritaville's website, these suites start at around $2,800 for a weeklong cruise in September 2026.
The price includes priority boarding, access to the Concierge Lounge, which houses an espresso machine and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, as well as the Islander dining room. However, add-ons like drink packages and Wi-Fi are not included.
As such, Margaritaville's suite program reminds me more of Carnival's, where you have certain perks that make the cruise feel more special. However, the overall experience is more about the accommodation itself.
Margaritaville Islander's Grand Terrace Suite earns the #3 spot on my list because it offers a comfortable and affordable cruise experience, but lacks the premium inclusivity or high-end finishes of other ship cabins.
My cabin on Celebrity Xcel was located at the back of the ship
Pros: Aft wake views, spacious layout, chic bathroom
Cons: Long walk from the elevator bank, not the best for motion sickness
I was invited by Celebrity Cruises to sail aboard the line's newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, on a short 2-night media voyage to celebrate the vessel's debut.
Before my short cruise on Xcel, I had never stayed in an aft balcony. However, I knew about their popularity due to their large verandas, privacy, and wake views.
As is common with Edge Class cabins, the stateroom was stylish, like it belonged in a chic, boutique hotel. Rather than crowding the room with excessive decorations or bold patterns, the minimalist design focuses on intentional pops of color and classy accents.
As sleek as the stateroom was, the true highlight was the extra-large aft veranda — it was the largest cruise balcony I had ever seen!
According to Celebrity's website, the balcony measures a whopping 89 square feet. To put that into perspective, Norwegian Prima has some of the smallest solo cabins at sea, coming in at 94 square feet.
The interior living area was also spacious, measuring 228 square feet. That means, in total, Celebrity's Sunset Verandas feature over 300 square feet of private space.
My sister and I sat outside as Xcel sailed back into Fort Lauderdale to do a little cruise spotting, and I think we had the best view on the entire ship.
It was a busy day when we arrived, with Disney Destiny, Sun Princess, Celebrity Eclipse, Majestic Princess, Allure of the Seas, and two Holland America Line ships welcoming new passengers onboard.
Aside from the aesthetics of the room, we loved the storage options, though we didn't unpack since we only had 2 nights in the stateroom.
The bathroom also deserves a moment of praise. I've been on over 30 cruises across a variety of lines and ships, and the Edge Class bathrooms stand out for their modern design, complete with marble accents, space, and functionality.
Like the rest of the cabin, the bathroom on Celebrity Xcel didn't feel like it was on a cruise ship — it's more akin to a luxurious hotel suite than a standard cruise bathroom.
The only reason the Sunset Veranda cabin on Celebrity Xcel comes in second place is that the winner was a true full-fledged luxury experience at sea.
The best cruise balcony room I stayed in this year was on MSC World America
Pros: Elevated service, rainfall shower, comfortable bed, included mini-bar
Cons: Expensive, bathroom could have been designed better
As luxurious as the aft balcony was on Celebrity Xcel, nothing compares to my Yacht Club suite on MSC World America, MSC Cruises' newest mega-ship that was purpose-built for North America.
The spacious suite, exclusive amenities, and top-tier service made my voyage on MSC World America one of the most memorable yet — far better than when I sailed with MSC in a standard inside cabin.
The experience began as soon as we arrived at PortMiami. We were told to go to the Yacht Club tent, where our bags were immediately tagged before being whisked inside the terminal by a private escort to sip on champagne in the exclusive boarding area.
During the day, we relaxed on the private sun deck before enjoying an elevated dinner in the suite-only Yacht Club Restaurant, accessed by the dramatic Swarovski crystal staircase in the Top Sail Lounge.
On MSC World America, there are six different Yacht Club suites. The smallest (and most affordable) is the Interior Suite, while the Royal and Duplex Suites are the largest and most luxurious options.
We chose the Yacht Club Deluxe Suite, which measured nearly 270 square feet and cost $7,000 for a one-week Caribbean cruise. While costly, the price included everything from an unlimited drink package, Wi-Fi, gratuities, our suite accommodation, and access to the Yacht Club-only areas.
Truthfully, the Yacht Club experience spoiled my partner and me. The suite itself was spacious, with amenities like twice-daily housekeeping, a complimentary mini-bar, and a plush mattress.
The biggest downsides of our suite were the finicky temperature control and the broken bedside outlet. Other than that, we thoroughly enjoyed spending time in our Yacht Club cabin.
The balcony itself was long but narrow with more than enough room to comfortably lounge — we enjoyed sitting on our private veranda and reading, admiring the deep blue hues of the Caribbean sea.
Moreover, the bathroom had the best spa-like rainfall shower. Being a European line, though, the walk-in shower had an open design with no door. While this creates a sleek look, it also means that water can easily splash outside the shower if you're not careful.
That said, MSC stocked the suite bathroom with high-quality products, including liquid soap and fig-scented body lotion. This was a nice upgrade compared to the bar soap and shampoo-body wash hybrid found on Royal Caribbean.
As nice as the cabin was, what made the Yacht Club suite worth the money was the service. For example, we were left treats during the nightly turndown service, including a stellar fruit basket, jelly squares, and more.
Having access to the Topsail Lounge or Yacht Club Restaurant, which both have better service and food compared to other bars and restaurants around the ship, was a real treat. Plus, we loved having a butler to escort us ashore at MSC Ocean Cay, deliver room service, and help with last-minute reservations.
Had the experience been based on the cabin alone, MSC's Yacht Club Deluxe Suite would rank second. However, combined with the elevated service, private amenities, and gourmet dining, the suite takes the crown as my top cruise balcony experience of the year.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. 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!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
