Princess Cruises ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know
Is a balcony cabin a must for you when you cruise? Princess Cruises could be your line.
The California-based brand was a pioneer in adding a large number of balcony cabins to ships, and even its oldest vessels are loaded with balcony cabins — something that can't be said for many of its rivals.
On the flip side, Princess offers relatively few suites on its ships compared to some of the big-ship lines with which it most directly competes, including Celebrity Cruises , Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. Just 46 of the 1,830 rooms on the line's recently unveiled Discovery Princess are suites, for instance. Believe it or not, that's an improvement from earlier vessels in the same series, some of which have as few as 36 suites.
For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .
Princess also isn't known for enormous and amenity-filled suites.
What this means is there aren't a lot of ways to live large on a Princess ship or pack a lot of people into a single accommodation. Until the debut of Sky Princess in 2019, the line didn't have a single cabin that could accommodate more than four people.
That said, on Princess ships, you can often create larger living spaces by booking two connecting cabins.
A Princess Cruises cabin primer
As is typical for many cruise ships, Princess vessels offer cabins in four broad categories: Windowless "inside" cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites.
As noted above, a significant portion of cabins on all Princess ships are balcony cabins — the category of cabin that everyone wants these days. About 80% of the 1,834 cabins on Princess's six-month-old Enchanted Princess are balcony cabins or suites with balconies, for instance. Compare that to the 72% of cabins on Royal Caribbean's four-year-old Symphony of the Seas that are balcony cabins or suites with balconies.
Notably, every single cabin facing the sea on three of the newest Princess ships — Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess — has a balcony. These three vessels are completely devoid of ocean-view cabins (cabins facing the sea that only have a window). That's relatively unusual in the world of big mass-market ships — the niche of cruising in which Princess plays. It's more common with luxury cruise vessels.
Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships
At the same time, as noted above, Princess vessels have fewer suites than you'll find on the ships operated by such big-ship brands as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.
Here's a breakdown of the broad cabin categories on Royal Princess, which is typical of the line's newer ships (it's the prototype vessel for the line's new, six-ship Royal Class series):
Inside cabins: 342 (19%) Ocean-view cabins: 0 (0%) Balcony cabins (including mini-suites): 1,402 (79%) Suites: 36 (2%)
On older Princess ships (and, in general, all older cruise ships), there are fewer balcony cabins. However, the ratio of balcony cabins to non-balcony cabins is much higher on older Princess ships than it is on older vessels at many other big-ship lines. An impressive 72% of the 1,000 cabins on Princess's 2003-built Coral Princess, for instance, are balcony cabins.
On Coral Princess, inside cabins and ocean-view cabins only make up 26% of all rooms. A breakdown of the cabin categories on that ship:
Inside cabins: 108 (11%) Ocean-view cabins: 157 (16%) Balcony cabins (including mini-suites): 719 (72%) Suites: 16 (2%)
The takeaway here is that you'll have an easier time locking down a balcony cabin on a Princess ship — even an older Princess ship — than you will when booking many of the ships operated by competing big-ship lines.
Just note that you'll want to book early if you're aiming for a suite on a Princess ship since there are so few of them. Note, also, that suites tend to sell out early on cruise ships in general. An old saying in the cruise industry is that "ships sell from the top and the bottom." That is, the first cabins on any vessel to sell out are the most expensive cabins, which are the suites, and then the least expensive cabins, which typically are the inside cabins. The mid-priced "middle" cabins sell last.
Design-wise, Princess's cabins and suites are fairly basic and comfortable, if not super stylish.
When it comes to rooms, Princess is sort of the Marriott of the big-ship cruise world. Its rooms are comfortable and functional, but a bit bland. Avant-garde style is not a Princess thing.
Inside cabins on Princess Cruises ships
These are the cabins you stay in when you're on a tight budget. On any Princess ship, they are almost always the least-expensive option when you're booking a cabin. You often can save considerable money by booking an inside cabin versus an ocean-view or higher-level cabin.
What you'll give up, of course, is that ocean view. Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world.
You'll also be in a relatively small room. The typical inside cabin on the new Discovery Princess measures 166 square feet, with some as big as 175 square feet. By comparison, the typical balcony cabin on Discovery Princess measures 181 square feet, not including a 41-square-foot balcony (for a total of 222 square feet).
Still, the inside cabins on Princess ships are bigger than the inside cabins on ships operated by some of the line's main competitors.
Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Princess ship
Inside cabins on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, for instance, measure just 149 square feet — quite a bit less than the inside cabins on Discovery Princess.
Note that older Princess ships sometimes have smaller inside cabins than newer Princess ships. On the line's 2003-built Coral Princess, inside cabins measure just 156 to 166 square feet. On the line's 1998-built Grand Princess, most inside cabins are 160 square feet (some wheelchair-accessible inside cabins on Grand Princess measure 182 square feet).
Many inside cabins on Princess ships have pull-down bunks that will allow for up to four people to stay in the rooms.
Ocean-view cabins on Princess Cruises ships
With an ocean-view cabin, you get a window looking out to the sea, but not an attached balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.
As noted above, three of Princess's newest vessels — Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess — don't have a single ocean-view cabin. Every outward-facing cabin has a balcony. However, you'll find ocean-view cabins on the line's older vessels and also on the line's three newest ships, Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess.
In general, ocean-view cabins on the Princess ships that have them are a tad bigger than the inside cabins found on the same vessels. On the line's Emerald Princess, for instance, the typical ocean-view cabin measures 178 square feet. The typical inside cabin on Emerald Princess measures 163 square feet.
On many Princess ships that have ocean-view cabins, the rooms are mostly found just above the promenade deck, where the lifeboats hang, and have obstructed views. You'll also sometimes find a few ocean-view cabins at the back of Princess vessels, facing the wake.
Related: The 3 classes of Princess ships, explained
On the line's two Coral Class ships — Coral Princess and Island Princess — there are a few "premium" ocean-view cabins that measure a more spacious 212 square feet. If you're the kind of traveler who needs a lot of space, these rooms can be a good choice.
There also are a handful of "premium" ocean-view cabins on the new Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess that measure 172 square feet and have unusual slanting windows.
Balcony cabins on Princess Cruises ships
Balcony cabins are what everyone wants these days, and Princess is delivering with huge numbers of balcony cabins on all its newest ships. On the line's new Royal Class series of ships, which began debuting in 2013, nearly 80% of rooms are balcony cabins.
On these newer vessels — Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess and Discovery Princess — the typical balcony cabin has an interior space of 181 square feet plus a balcony that measures 41 square feet (for a total of 222 square feet). However, there also are bigger "premium deluxe balcony" cabins that can measure as much as 233 square feet on the inside (not including the balcony). Some of these have larger-than-normal balconies that can stretch the total square footage to 312 square feet.
In addition, the Royal Class vessels have even larger balcony cabins that Princess calls mini-suites. Including their balcony space, these cabins measure anywhere from 299 to 329 square feet. While these mini-suite cabins have the word "suite" in their name, we are including them in the balcony cabin category as they generally resemble very large balcony cabins vs. true suites.
Related: Everything to know about the Princess Captain's Club loyalty program
The typical Princess balcony cabin has twin beds that can be converted into a queen bed, a built-in desk with a chair and a built-in miniature refrigerator. In addition to beds, a desk and a miniature fridge, premium balcony cabins have a seating area with a sofa bed that can be used for a third passenger in the room. Some also have a pull-down bunk that can accommodate a fourth person.
Suites on Princess Cruises ships
As mentioned above, Princess ships generally have fewer suites than the ships operated by some of its biggest competitors. The line also isn't known for particularly giant suites.
Princess's three newest ships — Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess — have the line's first truly large standalone suites, dubbed Sky Suites. There are two of them on each of the vessels, and they measure a generous 1,792 square feet (though more than half of that space is taken up by a huge wraparound balcony). With two bedrooms plus a living room with a pullout sofa, the Sky Suites are the first Princess accommodations designed for up to five people.
Still, even the Sky Suites on Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess aren't the sort of truly epic suites with huge interior living spaces that you'll find on the latest ships from such competitors as Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. The latest Celebrity vessels, for instance, offer so-called Iconic Suites that have twice as much interior space as the Sky Suites.
If you're the kind of cruiser who is only happy in a cabin of truly giant proportions (and are willing to pay up for it), Princess probably isn't your line.
Still, you'll find at least a few suites of a decent size on every Princess ship. The line's seven Grand Class vessels each offer two "family suites" at their fronts that can be created by connecting a mini-suite with an adjacent inside cabin to create a six- to eight-person complex.
Each of the line's Royal Class ships (the line's six newest ships) has at least 36 suites.
Related: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on a cruise
Bottom line
Princess offers a relatively wide range of cabins on its ships, including lots of the sort of cabins that everyone wants — balcony cabins. If you're a fan of balcony cabins, you'll find plenty of options on Princess ships, including standard size balcony cabins and bigger "premium" balcony cabins. You'll also find a lot of larger "mini-suite" balcony cabins on Princess ships. However, you won't find a lot of truly large suites with multiple rooms.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
Front Row Seat for Beautiful Scenery
This impressive stateroom offers the added indulgence of a balcony and gives you more space than a standard stateroom. Enjoy your own private outdoor space with a table, two chairs, and a relaxing view of the inspiring scenery surrounding you, whether a beautiful sunset over the ocean or a new city to explore. It’s also perfect to enjoy cocktails before dinner or a leisurely breakfast.
- Approx. 214 to 222 sq. ft., including balcony
- Balcony with 2 chairs and table
- Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
- Comfortable queen or two twin beds ▲
- Refrigerator.
- Flat-panel television
- Private bathroom with shower
- 100% cotton, high-thread count linens
- Spacious closet
- Desk with chair
- Hair dryer & bathroom amenities
- Digital security safe
▲3rd/4th berths available in select cabins.
Photos, floor plan diagrams, and amenities represent typical arrangements and may vary by ship. Certain stateroom categories may vary in size and configuration by ship. Square footage varies based on stateroom category and deck location.
You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.
- Already Booked?
- My Favorites
- 1.800.377.9383
- Email Deals
- Personal Quote
- Advanced Search
- Featured Cruise Deals
- Deals by Destination
- Deals by Cruise Line
- Deals by Departure Port
Last Minute Cruise Deals
Holiday Cruise Deals
Military Cruise Deals
- Family Cruise Deals
Popular Destinations
Australia/New Zealand
- Canada / New England
Popular Int'l Departure Ports
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Barcelona, Spain
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Reykjavik, Iceland
Southampton, England
Stockholm, Sweden
Sydney, Australia
Vancouver, British Columbia
Venice, Italy
Popular U.S. Departure Ports
Baltimore, Maryland
Boston, Massachusetts
Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida
Los Angeles, California
Miami, Florida
New York, New York
Port Canaveral, Florida
San Francisco, California
Seattle, Washington
Popular Lines
Luxury Lines
River Lines
AmaWaterways
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Avalon Waterways River Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Holland America Line
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Seabourn Cruise Line
Silversea Cruises
Uniworld River Cruises
Viking Expeditions
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking River Cruises
Windstar Cruises
Land Vacations
- Cosmos Tours
- Globus Journeys
- Kensington Tours
- Tauck Tours
All-Inclusive Resorts
Cruising 101
- Free Consultation
Why Cruise?
Shore Excursions
Cruising Tips
Future Cruise Credits
Photo Galleries
Specialty Cruises
Group Cruises
Business / Incentive Cruises
Events & Meetings at Sea
Private Charters
Theme Cruises
- River Cruises
Cruise Tours
Wedding Cruises
Hosted Cruises
Family Cruises
Senior Living at Sea
News & Media
Press & News
Testimonials
Social Media
Pre-registration
Passports / Visas
Travel Protection
Why Cruise Web?
Our Approach
Low Price Guarantee
Gift Certificates
Customer Service
Not sure where to start?
Talk to a travel consultant.
Expert guidance with no booking fees!
Princess Cruises: up to 35% OFF and Kids Sail FREE
NEW! Choose from 3 Cruise Packages for Princess
Princess: up to $250 Onboard Credit for Military
Princess Cruises Staterooms
Princess Cruises has a variety of stateroom options to help you find a stateroom that is sure to meet your budget and your needs, including everything from extravagant balcony suites to budget-friendly interior cabins. Learn more about the options below and contact one of our expert cruise consultants for help picking the best one for your needs.
We Make Vacation Planning Easy
With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money.
Expert guidance. No booking fees.
Find a cruise.
- All Cruise Types
- Popular Cruises
- Luxury Cruises
Vacation Deals
Destinations & ports.
- All Destinations
Cruise Lines
- Popular Cruise Lines
- Luxury Cruise Lines
- River Cruise Lines
- All Cruise Lines
- All About Cruising
- Already Booked
Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals.
- Monthly Newsletter
- CruiseMapper
Royal Princess cabins and suites
Royal princess staterooms review, floor plans, photos.
Royal Princess cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Princess Cruises en-suite amenities and services.
The Royal Princess cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.
Balcony Suite
Layout (floor plan).
Standard Suite cabins offer the following amenities and complimentary services:
- private (step-out) balcony furnished with 2 loungers, 4 chairs, 1 small table, 1 ottoman chair
- en-suite bathroom (hottub, massage shower head, hairdryer, upgraded bath amenities)
- veranda access from the lounge area via 2 floor-ceiling sliding glass doors
- separate sitting / lounge area with double sofabed and 2 coffee tables
- mirrored vanity / writing table with chair
- complimentary glass of Champagne (embarkation day welcome amenity)
- 24-hour room service (complimentary)
- luxury mattress topper and pillows
- 2x flat TVs
- 1 queen or 2 twin beds
- mini-fridge, direct-dial phone, complimentary mini-bar, free bottled water (supplied daily)
- premium bedding (100% Egyptian cotton, high-thread count linens, duvets), bedside cabinets with lamps
- spacious walk-in wardrobe (electronic safe in the closet)
Upgraded Suite cabin amenities and services include:
- "Princess Luxury Bed" includes a custom-made premium mattress and bed springs, plus a plush pillow-top (2-inch / 1,6 cm).
- priority services (embarkation, tendering, disembarkation, specialty restaurant reservations, shore excursion reservations)
- in-cabin dining (evening canapes / available upon request)
- premium quality terry shawl bathrobes
- (complimentary amenities) Lotus Spa Thermal Suite access, laundry and professional cleaning, specialty restaurant dinner (embarkation day only, on 6+ days long cruises)
Standard Mini Suite cabins offer the following amenities and complimentary services:
- private (step-out) balcony furnished with 2-4 chairs, 1 small table, 1 ottoman chair
- veranda access from the lounge area via floor-ceiling sliding glass door
- separate sitting / lounge area with double sofabed and coffee table
- mini-fridge, direct-dial phone
- spacious wardrobe (electronic safe in the closet)
Upgraded Mini Suite cabin amenities and services include:
- priority services (embarkation, disembarkation)
- complimentary wine set-up (on embarkation day welcome amenity) - 1/2 bottle of red wine and 1/2 bottle of white wine
"Club Class" (VIP Dining) includes:
- dinner (every evening), breakfast and lunch (seadays only)
- exclusive Main Dining Room area
- expedited seating (minimal to no wait time)
- expanded food menu options
- dedicated wait staff
- premium table linens
- table-side food preparations
Deluxe Balcony Cabin
Deluxe Balcony Cabin amenities and complimentary services include:
- private (step-out) balcony furnished with 2 chairs, 1 small table
- en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, single-sink vanity, hairdryer, luxury bath amenities)
- flat TV, mini-fridge, direct-dial phone
- 1 queen or 2 twin beds ("Princess Luxury Bed"), premium bedding (100% Egyptian cotton, high-thread count linens, duvets), bedside cabinets with lamps
Balcony Cabin
Standard Balcony Cabin amenities and complimentary services include:
- en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, single-sink vanity, hairdryer, bath amenities)
- sitting area (armchair, coffee table, mirrored vanity / writing table with chair)
- 24-hour room service (complimentary) - charges apply for ordering balcony dinner, pizza delivery and drinks
- wardrobe (electronic safe in the closet)
Interior Cabin
Interior Cabin amenities and complimentary services include:
- sitting area (mirrored vanity / writing table with chair)
- 24-hour room service (complimentary) - charges apply for pizza delivery and drinks
Royal Princess cabins review
Royal Princess cabins with balconies are 1438 (80% of all staterooms). Wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) are 36 (of which 29 Balcony, 7 Inside). The number of all cabin categories is 38. Just like the sisterships and NCL Epic , the Royal Princess ship lacks Oceanview cabins (has no outside staterooms with Picture- or Porthole windows).
Follows the review of Royal Princess staterooms as amenities, furniture and included (complimentary) services:
All staterooms are quads (accommodating max 4 passengers). All balcony cabins are with sliding glass doors (floor-ceiling) opening to a private step-out veranda. Most cabin balconies are relatively small (sized 40 ft2 / 4 m2) and narrow, furnished with footstools, 2 patio chairs and a round table. Balcony railings are either of toughened glass or solid steel. Balcony staterooms have ample closet space, bathroom (WC-shower), double sofabed, desk-chair, chest of drawers.
Royal Princess Suites are in 2 types - Balcony Suite (S2-Owners, S3-S4-Penthouse, S5-Premium) and Mini-Suite (MA, MB, MC, ME, MF, M1-M6-Premium). Bonus amenities offered in all Suites include deluxe mattress/pillows, 2 TVs, upgraded bathroom amenities (massage showerheads, luxury bath products, luxury bathrobes, terry towels), luxury furniture on the balcony. Balcony Suites have additional perks: choice of 3 deluxe mattresses, iPod docking station, sun loungers on the balcony, bathroom with separate shower stall, complimentary services (Internet Cafe, laundry/dry cleaning), exclusive access to Concierge Lounge (located on Deck 14).
All Royal Princess cabins as standard/complimentary amenities offer living area (vanity, desk, seating), 2 twin beds (convertible to Queen-size), deluxe bedding sets (Egyptian cotton linens), wardrobe, desk, smart HDTV (infotainment system, Internet, on-demand-movies), direct-dial phone, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), hairdryer, bath products (shampoo, body lotion, conditioner), minibar/fridge, individual air-conditioning, evening turndown service, complimentary 24-hour room service.
All staterooms are fitted with the signature "Princess Luxury Bed". The new "cruise bed" was developed in collaboration with PhD Michael Breus (commonly known as "The Sleep Doctor") and the designer Candice Olson. The new cabin beds feature a luxury pillow-top mattress, individually wrapped coils (reducing surface sway) and hypoallergenic duvets.
Passenger-use launderettes (laundromats) are located on decks 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16. These are self-service laundry facilities with ironing boards and detergent being provided.
"Club Class Mini-Suite" is a new cabin category that was rolled out fleetwide in 2017. The new (VIP-guest) Mini-Suites offer the following complimentary services and amenities - "Club Class Dining", Elite Lounge exclusive access, complimentary in-cabin dining (hors d'oeuvres), priority embarkation/disembarkation/tendering. Club Class Dining includes a separate area part of the MDR (main dining room) reserved for Club Suite guests only. The exclusive dining experience includes expedited seating, dedicated waiter staff service, exclusive menu (featuring Chef's specials) and tableside preparation of some dishes. Club Class Dining is available for breakfast and dinner every day, and also for lunch on sea days only. The new suites replaced some existing mini-suites. Their cabin size and layouts remained the same as the other mini suite grades.
Royal Princess cabin and suite plans are property of Princess Cruises . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.
6 reasons you’ll want to book a balcony cabin on your next cruise
Is it worth paying extra for a balcony cabin?
As someone who has written about cruising for more than two decades , I have heard that question a lot, and I know where I stand on it: Absolutely .
You'll almost always pay more for a balcony cabin on a ship than for a cabin that just has a window — the latter being known in industry lingo as an "ocean-view" cabin. But often, it's not outrageously more. For example, at the time of this story's publishing, fares for balcony cabins on some fall 2024 cruises out of Galveston, Texas, were just 7% more than fares for ocean-view cabins. (Specifically, that was the differential on seven-night sailings in October 2024 on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas).
For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .
Ocean-view cabins, in turn, were running about 29% more than windowless inside cabins — the third major category of cabins you'll find on ships.
These differentials aren't insignificant, of course. For many vacationers on a tight budget, though, an extra 29% or even 7% for a room can be a deal breaker.
Related: 8 cabin locations on cruise ships that you definitely should avoid
In addition, some people with extra money to spend would rather splurge on shore excursions or other extra-charge items, such as shipboard spa treatments, than on a higher-priced cabin. That makes perfect sense to me. What is most important to one person on a vacation may be different from what is important to another person.
However, here are six things you'll get out of a balcony cabin that I personally think make it worth the extra cost if you have the money to spare.
The fresh air
For me, this is the big reason to get a balcony cabin. At any time of the day — or night — you can slide open your balcony door and breathe in the fresh ocean air. You'll also be able to hear the sounds of the waves as they crash against the bow of your ship. It's a wonderfully soothing, rhythmic sound — so soothing that it can lull you to sleep.
Even on cruises in cold weather, there's nothing quite like stepping out on a balcony for a few minutes or more to soak in the salty breeze. It's invigorating.
Related: 5 reasons you might want to turn down a cabin upgrade
The fresh air available on balconies also can be a lifesaver — at least for your sanity — should you find yourself confined to your cabin due to an illness. That can happen if you come down with something like norovirus or COVID-19 on a ship. This happened to cruisers quite a bit during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of the people who were isolated in cabins without balconies for days weren't thrilled with the lack of access to fresh air.
I can attest personally to the fact that it isn't a great situation to be stuck in a room that doesn't have a balcony for days. In late 2020, I was isolated in a cabin without a balcony for four days during a COVID-19-related ship quarantine, even though I wasn't sick. I would have paid just about anything during those days for even the smallest bit of outdoor space.
The ultimate privacy
Cruise ships can be crowded places . Even on luxury ships, which generally have more space per passenger than mass-market vessels, you'll likely be sharing the pool deck with dozens or even hundreds of other people. On some of the biggest vessels, such as Royal Caribbean's giant new Icon of the Seas , you'll compete for deck chairs with literally thousands of others. Private, it isn't — nor is it often quiet. The pool decks of cruise ships can be noisy places.
If you have a balcony cabin, you're always guaranteed an outdoor space where you can lounge for a few hours in complete privacy. And, in general, it will be a quiet outdoor space. While you will sometimes hear the sounds of other passengers nearby on their own balconies, for the most part, it's a much more serene experience than being up on the top deck.
The best views
Balcony cabins don't just offer you access to an outdoor space. They typically also offer you a great view of the outdoors from inside your cabin.
This is because the doors leading to balconies in balcony cabins usually are made almost entirely of glass running from floor to ceiling. Often, a balcony cabin will have both a floor-to-ceiling glass door leading to the outside as well as floor-to-ceiling windows that make for what is, in effect, an outward-facing wall made entirely of glass. Ocean-view cabins without balconies, by contrast, often have just a single window. Some just have portholes.
Related: 7 reasons to splurge for a suite on your next cruise
The result is that you'll generally have a much better view of the outdoors from the inside of a balcony cabin than from the inside of an ocean-view cabin.
The chance for wildlife encounters
Speaking of the view, you're going to be able to see passing wildlife much better from a balcony cabin than an ocean-view cabin. If you stand at the edge of your balcony railing, you'll be able to twist your head side-to-side to get a 180-degree view of the passing waters. That's two or three times the field of vision that you'll get from gazing out a cabin window.
Related: The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
I've found balcony cabins to be particularly wonderful to have in wildlife-filled destinations such as Alaska, where ships sometimes pass such spectacular creatures as whales in the water or bears along the shoreline. Often, the captain of a vessel will spot such animals first and then make a public announcement to passengers to head to the sides of the ship to look. If you're in a balcony cabin (and on the correct side of the ship), you'll be gazing down upon these sights in no time.
The chance for a romantic dinner
There's nothing that says romance like a private dinner for two under the stars. And that's exactly what you can do on your balcony on many cruise ships, with the waves as a background soundtrack.
Some upscale lines will arrange an elegant, private dinner for two on your balcony — think white tablecloths, multiple courses, the works — at no extra charge. Among mass-market lines, Princess Cruises offers an Ultimate Balcony Dining experience at an extra charge that brings a four-course meal, Champagne and cocktails or a glass of wine. In the case of the Princess offering, you'll even get fresh flowers and a (flameless) candle on your table.
The perfect spot to watch a port arrival
I'm a big fan of getting up early to watch as cruise ships pull into ports. In some places, such as New York and Sydney, the experience is a highlight of the trip. The arrival into New York, in particular, is one of the great cruise experiences. Your ship will glide under the giant Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (often with just feet to spare) before passing the Statue of Liberty and the skyline of lower Manhattan.
Related: What's a cruise cabin guarantee — and can it save you money?
But as spectacular as they are, these arrivals into ports often take place very early in the morning, before you (or at least your bed-head hair) may be ready to go out into the world. What's great about having a balcony is that you don't have to get dressed and ready for the day to watch a port arrival. You can just roll out of bed in your jammies and head out on the balcony.
Of course, you have to be on the correct side of the ship to get certain views. Arriving in New York, there is an allure to watching the arrival from both sides of a vessel. From the port side, you'll get the best view of the Statue of Liberty. But the starboard side brings you the best views of downtown Manhattan, assuming you're on a vessel heading to a midtown pier.
Bottom line
Balcony cabins cost more than ocean-view cabins or windowless "inside" cabins. But they can be worth the splurge if you're the kind of person who likes a private place to be outdoors during a vacation. No matter how crowded your ship is, you always can escape to your balcony, if you have one, and watch the world go by with few distractions.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your 1st cruise
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
An impressive 72% of the 1,000 cabins on Princess's 2003-built Coral Princess, for instance, are balcony cabins. On Coral Princess, inside cabins and ocean-view cabins only make up 26% of all rooms. A breakdown of the cabin categories on that ship: Inside cabins: 108 (11%) Ocean-view cabins: 157 (16%) Balcony cabins (including mini-suites): 719 ...
Cruise by Heidi Bucolo May 28, 2024. We stayed in a new Sun Princess balcony cabin and break down all the details on how it compares to the competition in our latest review. We recently sailed on Princess Cruises' newest ship, Sun Princess. This new Sphere-Class vessel is an innovation for the brand. As the largest ship in the current ...
We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us.
At 242 to 312 square feet, Premium Deluxe Balcony staterooms have the largest balconies of non-suite staterooms on Royal Princess. These cabins can be found in the aft section of decks 8 through ...
The balcony has a floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass door and is furnished with two chairs and a small table. There are also six premium balcony cabins spread across Decks 8, 9 and 10. They differ ...
Princess Cruises has a variety of stateroom options to help you find a stateroom that is sure to meet your budget and your needs, including everything from extravagant balcony suites to budget-friendly interior cabins. Learn more about the options below and contact one of our expert cruise consultants for help picking the best one for your needs.
Regal Princess: Princess Cruises. Larger than our Standard Balcony staterooms, Premium Deluxe Balcony cabins provide approximately 233 square feet of comfort, and an approximately 41 square foot balcony and includes all the same features of the Balcony stateroom, plus an additional sofa bed for lounging or sleeping a third passenger. Some also ...
Welcome to our Deluxe Oceanview Balcony Cabin Stateroom tour video on the Discovery Princess by Princess Cruises! In this exclusive video, we invite you to j...
Copy Link. Back. to cabins. Cruises from $. Floor plan. Size: Approximately 233 - 279 sq. ft. including Balcony. Occupancy: Up to 3 guests. Amenities: Two lower beds that convert to a queen-size bed floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that lead to the balcony sofa bed desk flat-screen television spacious closet refrigerator safe telephone ...
Crown Princess: Princess Cruises. The spacious approximately 231-square-foot Balcony stateroom is appointed with amenities and outstanding views from an approximately 45-square-foot private balcony. Some staterooms also have pullman beds to accommodate 3rd and 4th passengers. These features and amenities are standard in the Balcony stateroom:
There are no public areas available on this deck. *Deck plans are subject to change at any time. Photos, floor plan diagrams, and amenities represent typical arrangements and may vary by ship and stateroom. Certain staterooms may vary in size, decor and configuration. Square footage varies based on stateroom category and deck location.
Review of Royal Princess cruise ship cabins and suites, floor plans, photos, room sizes, types, categories, amenities. ... All balcony cabins are with sliding glass doors (floor-ceiling) opening to a private step-out veranda. Most cabin balconies are relatively small (sized 40 ft2 / 4 m2) and narrow, furnished with footstools, 2 patio chairs ...
Balcony: Basic balcony cabins range in size from 214 to 257 square feet each, including the balcony. They feature the setup and amenities mentioned above. Standard balcony furniture consists of a ...
Discovery Princess has a total of 1,830 cabins onboard, available in three basic categories: windowless interior cabins; balcony staterooms; and suites of varying shapes and sizes. For those who ...
Enchanted Princess: Princess Cruises. Larger than our Standard Balcony staterooms, Deluxe Balcony cabins provide approximately 233 square feet of comfort, and an approximately 41 square foot balcony and includes all the same features of the Balcony stateroom, plus an additional sofa bed for lounging or sleeping a third passenger.
Royal Princess Deluxe Balcony Stateroom DB. Floor plan. Amenities: Two lower beds that convert to a queen-size bed a balcony separate sitting area with sofa bed and desk private bathroom with shower closet flat-screen television radio safe telephone and a hairdryer. Smoking Policy: Smoking is not permitted in staterooms or on balconies.
The list of reasons to book a balcony cabin is lengthy. One cruise line, however, ups the ante with another perk: Ultimate Balcony Dining on Princess Cruises.
Deciding which cabin to select for a cruise can be difficult. For our recent sailing on Princess Cruises' newest ship, we were guests of the cruise line so were assigned a Discovery Princess Balcony Cabin, cabin R241.. Reviewing the deck plans, this starboard side balcony cabin is considered a BB category balcony stateroom, located on Deck 14 (Riviera Deck).
Royal Princess: Princess Cruises. Larger than our Standard Balcony staterooms, Premium Deluxe Balcony cabins provide approximately 233 square feet of comfort, and an approximately 41 square foot balcony and includes all the same features of the Balcony stateroom, plus an additional sofa bed for lounging or sleeping a third passenger. Some also ...
Cruise Critic's Cabin Picks on Sun Princess. Sky Suites aboard Sun Princess average 1262 square feet and include two bedrooms and a living area (Photo: Aaron Saunders) For the Solo Cruiser: Though ...
Floor plan. Size: Approximately 231 to 271 sq. ft. including Balcony. Occupancy: 2 guests standard - some sleep 3 or 4. Amenities: Two lower beds that convert to a queen-sized bed a balcony a bathroom with shower spacious closet desk refrigerator safe flat-screen television radio phone and a hairdryer. Please Note: Balcony is partly obstructed ...
Emerald Princess: Princess Cruises. The spacious 240 to 298-square-foot Premium Balcony stateroom is appointed with the same amenities as our Balcony stateroom but also features a large balcony of 54 to 109 square feet. Select Premium Balcony staterooms have a rear-facing balcony from which to enjoy dramatic wake views.
For example, at the time of this story's publishing, fares for balcony cabins on some fall 2024 cruises out of Galveston, Texas, were just 7% more than fares for ocean-view cabins.
Sail date: May 04, 2024. Ship: Discovery Princess. Cabin type: Balcony. Cabin number: B616. Traveled as: Couple. Reviewed: 8 hours ago. Overall, we would have enjoyed seeing the Alaskan outdoors so much more if the weather had not been raining every day. Just a rainy week. As we were told, "It's real Alaska!"
Sky Princess: Princess Cruises. Larger than our Standard Balcony staterooms, Premium Deluxe Balcony cabins provide approximately 233 square feet of comfort, and an approximately 41 square foot balcony and includes all the same features of the Balcony stateroom, plus an additional sofa bed for lounging or sleeping a third passenger.