There are a few kinds of balcony cabins, but what's the difference between each one?
Royal Caribbean's balcony staterooms are a popular choice because they offer increased space in the living and bathroom areas, in addition to a private balcony where you can enjoy an ocean view.
Typically located on the outer portion of the ship, balcony cabins provide guests with a view of the ocean.
All balcony cabins include at least one Royal King bed that can be split into two twins, a private bathroom and shower, a sitting area, a television, a mini fridge cooler, a stateroom attendant, and of course, a private balcony.
Most balcony cabins are around 180 square feet (not including the balcony size).
However, Royal Caribbean offers different types of balcony cabins that range in size and guest capacity.
The cruise line's newest and biggest ships especially have a variety of balconies cruisers can choose from.
Balconies can reach up to 298 square feet, and accommodate up to 8 guests in certain rooms.
From standard to spacious to virtual balconies, how can you tell the difference?
Standard balcony
A standard balcony is the typical size of balcony cabins. The exact area varies depending on the specific ship.
A standard balcony cabin on Freedom of the Seas, for example, comes in at 188 square feet, with a 42 square feet balcony.
In contrast, one on Ovation of the Seas is about 198 square feet, with a 55 square foot balcony.
Every Royal Caribbean ship offers standard balcony cabins for booking.
Standard balcony cabins also come with some variation, including large balconies, connecting balconies, obstructed balconies, and neighborhood balconies.
Quantum-Class ships offer studio balconies, providing a one-person room for solo travelers to enjoy.
Read more: 5 Royal Caribbean cruise ship balcony cabins to book (and 2 to avoid)
Large balconies
Some ships also offer standard balcony cabins with a large balcony, increasing the square footage of the balcony by about 10-15 square feet.
The large balconies on Ovation of the Seas, for instance, are 65 square feet.
Although the size of the stateroom remains the same, these cabins are in a location for a little bit larger balcony.
Large balconies are available on Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships. They are available on other classes of ship but they are not listed as a separate category of cabin - you just have to know which ones have the larger balcony (usually at the stern).
Connecting balconies
Larger groups or families needing more space can also book connecting balconies. Each room is the same size as a standard balcony, but the two are connected through a private door.
Connecting cabins allow families to get extra space, essentially combining two separate cabins into one large, multiple-room cabin.
With connecting balcony staterooms, you'll get two private bathrooms and two private balconies.
Connecting balconies are available on all Royal Caribbean ships.
Obstructed balconies
Some balcony cabins will be listed as obstructed. This means that an object (usually a bright orange lifeboat) covers at least some of the view from the balcony.
While the inside of these cabins is just as quality as any other, they come at a discounted price because the outside view is essentially ruined.
Read more: Cruiser complains about "obstructed" balcony and sparks Internet backlash
All Royal Caribbean ships have obstructed balcony cabins onboard.
Neighborhood balconies
Oasis and Icon Class ships also pioneered neighborhood balconies, which face inward, over neighborhoods such as Central Park, the Boardwalk, and Surfside.
These cabins don't have an ocean view, but provide a great opportunity for people-watching.
The neighborhood balconies on Oasis Class ships are Central Park and Boardwalk balconies, while Icon Class ships offer Central Park and Surfside views.
Spacious balcony
The spacious balcony staterooms feature more space on the inside, but the same size balcony.
These cabins are perfect for guests who want that extra space or need to sleep more people inside a balcony stateroom.
They come at a great value, providing more space and the opportunity for more guests to fit into one room.
On Freedom of the Seas, the spacious balcony cabins are around 214 square feet, with a 42 square foot balcony.
Some of these rooms sleep up to 4 guests, with a double sofa bed to accommodate the extra passengers.
Spacious balcony cabins are available on Royal Caribbean's Vision Class, Radiance Class, Voyager Class, Freedom Class, and Icon Class.
The Oasis Class even takes the balcony size a step further, offering "ultra-spacious" balconies that can sleep 6 guests.
On Oasis of the Seas, for example, the ultra-spacious balcony option measures 374 square feet, with a 108 square foot balcony.
Two Pullman beds and a sofa bed, in addition to the regular twin beds, provide sleeping arrangements for all.
Read more: Royal Caribbean cabins for 5 or more people
Ultra-spacious balcony cabins are found on Oasis Class ships.
Virtual balcony
Virtual balcony cabins are actually interior cabins that feature a virtual balcony, projected through an HD screen.
Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class pioneered this innovative feature.
Live cameras play a real time feed of everything happening around the ship to screens inside the cabins.
These staterooms are still the size of regular inside cabins and don't feature any windows.
Because of this, they come at the same price as interior staterooms but still offer a balcony view.
On Ovation of the Seas, these cabins come out to 187 square feet.
On her sister ship, Quantum of the Seas, the cabins are even smaller, measuring 166 square feet.
However, the balcony screen will remain the same size in all cabins, covering the back wall from floor to ceiling.
The virtual balcony feature provides a view of the world outside the ship at a more affordable price.
Some Quantum Class ships offer these balcony staterooms as connecting cabins or studio cabins, allowing guests to adapt their accommodations depending on their group size.
Virtual balcony cabins are available on all Quantum Class ships, as well as Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.
