4 Disappointing Royal Caribbean balcony cabins that you might regret booking
In:Cruise balconies are the most popular type of accommodation on the ship. However, they aren't all created equal, and some are definitely worse than others.
Certain balcony cabins, for example, have obstructed views. This means rather than looking out over the open ocean, your view may be partially blocked by lifeboats or bulky support structures.
One time, I booked a Junior Suite on a cruise without doing much research, assuming that because it was a "suite," it would be located in a prime spot with a spacious balcony — I couldn't have been more wrong.
The Junior Suite was located all the way forward and next to a public observation deck. This meant that if any other cruisers walked out over the bridge wings, they could peer directly at my balcony.
There are other kinds of balconies that you might not enjoy, either, such as interior-facing rooms on Oasis and Icon Class ships, along with the controversial infinite verandas that lack private outdoor space.
Knowing that not all Royal Caribbean cruise balconies are created equally, here's how to avoid the wrong ones when booking your next vacation.
Be wary of booking top-deck balcony cabins.
I try to avoid cabins underneath the pool deck, especially when sailing somewhere tropical and warm, because they're just so dang noisy. No, you likely won't hear people thumping above you or crew members dragging lounge chairs early in the morning. However, if you want to actually enjoy your balcony, the nearby pool deck can be frustrating.
On one cruise, I was staying in a balcony on Deck 18, and the main pool deck was on the same level. There was one afternoon when I wanted to lounge on the veranda (it wasn't cheap, after all!) but realized that the sound of the nearby music and passengers made it seem like I was just steps from the action.
Now, I automatically rule out balcony staterooms on higher floors, as I don't want to suffer from the loud noise levels that come with being so close to one of the ship's busiest areas.
Interior-facing balcony rooms lack privacy.
Neighborhood balconies are cabins that face inwards towards the ship, rather than out to the ocean. These include Boardwalk, Central Park, and Surfside balcony staterooms.
Although they might be a little bit cheaper than ocean-facing balconies, passengers in cabins opposite yours can see directly into your room if the curtains aren't drawn. Other guests can also glance up and easily see onto your balcony while walking in the public neighborhood areas below.
Sometimes, these cabins are loud, too. For instance, when I stayed in a Central Park balcony on Icon of the Seas, I didn't realize how easily the sound of live jazz performances would carry up through the open-air neighborhood.
Watch for obstructed view balconies.
Obstructed balconies can result in major letdowns, especially if you're sailing somewhere scenic like Alaska or Norway. Instead of picture-perfect ocean views from the comfort of your private veranda, you may arrive on embarkation day to discover that a gaudy orange lifeboat, large beam, or other structure is directly in your line of sight.
Generally speaking, Royal Caribbean's deck plans should indicate if a balcony is obstructed, and at what percentage. As such, you should always check the ship's deck plan before booking a cabin just to ensure you don't end up with a bad cruise room.
I'd also recommend working with a trusted travel agent, as they can often identify problematic, obstructed-view cabins and help find better options in the same price range.
Infinite balconies aren't "real" balconies.
Exclusive to Icon Class ships, you might wonder whether an infinite balcony is worth it or not for your sailing on Icon, Star, Legend, or Hero of the Seas. Although I've sailed in infinite balconies before, I can't say they're my favorite type of cruise room, though others love them for their spaciousness and added privacy (in certain situations).
In short, these unique cabins are designed to bring passengers closer to the ocean by turning the entire stateroom into a balcony. There's no outdoor veranda. Instead, infinite balconies have a floor-to-ceiling window that opens with the push of a button.
I found that my Central Park infinite balcony was more like an extra-large room with a window. Since there were cabins directly across from mine, I never felt like I had the same sense of privacy that comes with a traditional balcony.
When I did have an ocean-facing infinite balcony, I hated that the air-conditioning shut off as soon as the window was lowered. This is something to be wary of since it won't take long for the cabin to become humid and stuffy in warm climates.
Guarantee balcony cabins are a huge gamble.
An easy way to end up with a disappointing balcony cabin is to indirectly book it. What does that mean? Well, Royal Caribbean offers customers a money-saving option, letting the cruise line pick their cabin assignment in exchange for a lower base fare.
Although this is an easy way to potentially save hundreds of dollars, it's a gamble as to which kind of room you'll get. Oftentimes, those who booked a guaranteed rate will end up in a "leftover room" that other passengers didn't pick. This could be for a ton of different reasons, such as an obstructed view, a location near noisy public venues, or the proximity to the elevators.
The same premise applies to RoyalUp bids. While bidding on a higher-category cabin might sound appealing, you could end up with a room in a bad location since you can't select the exact cabin.
Let me be very, very clear in saying that there's nothing wrong with saving money or scoring a great deal on a better cruise room. It's just important to understand the pros and cons and whether you're okay risking the possibility of ending up in a less-than-ideal location.
What are the best Royal Caribbean balcony cabins to book?
There are two types of balcony cabins I try to book — if possible. First, I love any centrally located, mid-ship veranda. These make it easy to navigate the ship, which is especially important on massive vessels like Utopia of the Seas or Icon of the Seas. However, they also tend to be the most stable, making them ideal for guests who are prone to motion sickness.
In my opinion, aft balconies are worth every extra penny, too! Not only do they usually stray from the standard cookie-cutter design of other cabins, but they also overlook the ship's wake. This is the trail of white, frothy water the vessel churns up as it sails in the open water, and is often considered one of the most picturesque views at sea.
Finally, if you have a larger family, you may want to look into Royal Caribbean's family balcony cabins. These highly sought-after cabins are designed for larger families and groups, accommodating up to six guests with a separate bunk bed area for kids.
Are inside cabins better than balconies?
Having been on over three dozen cruises, I've stayed in tons of different types of cabins, ranging from tiny windowless staterooms to suites with butlers!
Although I prefer balconies because I think they provide a good value between comfort and overall experience, there are times when you might be okay with saving money by booking an interior cabin.
For instance, if you book a cruise on one of the biggest ships in the world (i.e., Icon or Oasis Class vessels) or a port-intensive itinerary, there's a good chance you won't spend much time in your room because you're going to be busy exploring the ship and different destinations.
Recently, my sister and I sailed on our first European cruise together aboard Harmony of the Seas. Though neither of us is a stranger to cruising, it was her first time staying in an inside stateroom. I was worried she might feel cramped or complain about not having natural light, but she ended up saying she might consider an inside cabin again if the price was right.
In the end, spending extra money on cabin amenities you won't really use can be a compelling reason to book a cheaper inside room instead.
