Infinite Balconies on a Cruise: Pros, Cons, and Should You Book? (2024)

Traditionally, cruise cabins come in one of four categories: interior, oceanview, balcony, and a suite. However, cruise lines are constantly innovating and those popular balcony cabins — which give passengers their own private outdoor space — are one place where there have been changes.

Enter the “infinite balcony.” On some cruise ships, the traditional balcony has been replaced by a new idea called an infinite balcony. Now, instead of a separate outdoor space, passengers have the ability to turn the entire cabin into a balcony area.

But this style of cabin is very different. For some, it’s not ideal while others love it. So what are the pros and cons, and should you book one of these rooms?

Here’s what to know…

What Is an Infinite Balcony?

Let’s start with what exactly this type of cabin actually is and how it’s different from a traditional cruise stateroom.

If you have a normal balcony room, you have the cabin, and then a wall with a door that goes out to a separate balcony space. The outdoor area is completely closed off from the rest of the room.

An infinite balcony works differently. Instead of a rigid wall with a door, the outside wall of the cabin is a large window. The top half of this window can raise to shut completely or lower halfway to open up to the outside.

There is still a separate seating area near the window with folding doors so that the balcony area can be partitioned off or opened up so that the entire cabin can enjoy the fresh air.

Which Ships Have These Rooms?

To be sure, only a handful of ships have these types of rooms. Notably, newer Celebrity cruise ships like Ascent, Edge, and Beyond have a large number of infinite balcony cabins. They are also found on the new Icon class for Royal Caribbean ships.

Some cruise lines don’t offer these cabins at all, but that could change in the coming years.

What are the Advantages of an Infinite Balcony?

Why would cruise lines create this type of different room? There are some advantages to having a cabin like this.

First, normally the balcony area is completely separate meaning that unless you are sitting outside, you can’t enjoy that extra space. With infinite balconies, you can get that space back. With the window closed, you have an extra seating area in the cabin and are able to significantly expand the square footage of the room.

As well, with the balcony normally closed off, that means if you want the fresh breeze from the balcony, you either have to sit outside or find a way to prop open the heavy door. With the infinite balcony you can simply lower the window and make sure the partition doors are open. This way, the fresh air circulates through the entire room.

Finally, these rooms can provide more privacy when enjoying the outside. When you sit on a normal balcony, you have partitions on either side but you can still see from side to side. With the infinite balcony, there is a full wall on either side and a ceiling above. It’s practically impossible for any other balcony to be able to see in.

What are the Disadvantages of an Infinite Balcony?

There are reasons to like this type of cabin, but there is a disadvantage that may be a dealbreaker for some people.

The major disadvantage is that with essentially a large window instead of a separate balcony area, the effect is not quite the same.

When you step outside the cabin into a regular balcony, you are doing exactly that — going outside. You’re surrounded by the sights, smells, and feel of being outdoors.

With the infinite balcony, however, you don’t have the same effect. With the large window, the view on the sides is reduced. As well, with the cabin ceiling the views above the room are also more blocked. There is a definite difference compared to being outside rather than sitting next to an open window. In effect, you’re getting more of an open window than a regular balcony.

Should I Book an Infinite Balcony?

Staying in an infinite balcony cabin promises to be a different experience than in a traditional one. So should you book it?

In some cases, you may not have much choice. Others you may be able to choose between a regular balcony or an infinite style.

To be clear, we see the advantages and disadvantages of these cabins. We like having more space in the cabin along with a window that takes over the entire wall, letting in lots of light and nice views. That’s what you get with the infinite balcony rooms.

But to us, it’s hard to beat the feeling of actually being outside that comes with a traditional balcony cabin. Being inside next to an open window has a much different feeling than stepping out into the fresh air.

So we’d have no issue sailing in an infinite balcony if it was offered, but would prefer the traditional open balcony if we had the choice.

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Infinite Balconies on a Cruise: Pros, Cons, and Should You Book? (2024)

FAQs

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 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.

How safe are cruise ship balconies? ›

Balconies pose a serious risk to passenger safety and have been at the center of many cruise ship accidents. We hear too often about people falling overboard from balcony staterooms, sometimes because the passenger has had too much to drink and other times because foul play was involved.

What does "infinite balcony" mean? ›

You get more living space

Since you won't have an outdoor balcony, the space that would be allotted to the veranda has been included in the interior portion of infinite balcony rooms. This makes the cabins larger than traditional balconies.

What is the best floor to stay 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).

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.

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 deck number is best on a cruise ship? ›

What Deck is Best on a Cruise Ship?
  • Lower Decks: Since lower decks are closer to the waterline, they offer a more stable feel with less motion. ...
  • Middle Decks: The middle decks often strike a balance between stability and accessibility. ...
  • Upper Decks: The upper decks are where much of the action happens.
Apr 4, 2024

Which cruise ships have the biggest balcony cabins? ›

Princess Cruises two latest ships have the largest balconies ever offered by a cruise line. The two 'Sky Suites' are centrally located on the top decks of Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess. One measures 1,012 square feet and the other 947 square feet, both around the size of half a tennis court.

What is the riskiest part of a cruise ship? ›

Key Takeaways. Certain areas of a cruise ship, including pool decks, dining rooms, and outer decks, can become particularly hazardous during rough seas, posing risks such as injuries from slips and falls.

What is the most common crime on cruise ships? ›

One of the most common crimes occurring on cruise ships is sexual assault. Living in such close proximity to other passengers and crew members can create a dangerous environment for vacationers, including those embarking from major cruise hubs in Miami.

Can people see you on a cruise balcony? ›

However, it's important to remember that your "private" veranda isn't as secluded as you might think. Other passengers can hear and sometimes even see you, so proper etiquette is crucial.

Is obstructed balcony worth it? ›

If you're the latter then obstructed view cabins, along with inside staterooms, present a great choice. They are cost-effective, great value and often ideal for a whole host of destinations.

What is guaranteed balcony on cruise? ›

So if you booked a guaranteed balcony cabin you'll save yourself some money off the standard balcony price but could end up with any balcony cabin on the ship; at the front, aft (rear of a ship) or in the middle. It's the grade of cabin you're guaranteed, not the cabin itself.

Is it better to be low or high on a cruise ship? ›

The higher the deck, the better and, often, more panoramic the view. Cabins on top decks aren't always the best on the ship, but many suites and specialty cabin categories are typically located on upper decks. Like to be near all the action? Most mega-ships place their lido (pool) areas on higher decks.

Are balcony rooms bigger on cruise ships? ›

The main differences between cruise ship balcony staterooms and suites are size, perks and price. The interior portion of balcony cabins is usually the same size as most other cabins; they tend to be just large enough to fit a bed, couch and desk with minimal space to walk around.

What is the difference between outside and balcony on a cruise ship? ›

Outside Cabins

The window size and amount of natural light vary from one cruise line to another. These rooms are priced between inside and balcony cabins. The only difference between outside cabins and balcony cabins is that the former is located on a higher deck, while the latter is located midship.

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