Choosing a cruise

A honeymoon is a time to get away from it all and not worry about anything. So an all-inclusive cruise is a great option! You want to be enjoying your time loved up, not worrying about money, right?

But which all-inclusive cruise should you choose? My husband and I went on an all-inclusive cruise for my honeymoon, it was our first cruise and luckily, we picked a good one!

But you shouldn’t leave a huge event like this to luck. So, I’ve listed the top seven cruise lines for honeymooners to choose from…

For a lot of these cruise lines, you’ll need to add on extra packages to make them all-inclusive. If you’re only interested in cruises that are truly all-inclusive, then check out my list of all-inclusive cruise lines for that.

1. Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is a great honeymoon option for those fun-loving couples who are always on the go. With exciting amenities on board like rock-climbing walls, zip lines and water slides, there’s never a dull moment sailing with this cruise line.

It’s also a fantastic choice if you’re planning a honeymoon with your family as the options for children are incredible. Award-winning kid’s clubs and entertainment are sure to keep the little ones occupied while you settle into the adult-only solarium or visit the speciality dining venues or casino.

Royal Caribbean is the cruise line we sailed with for our honeymoon so of course I had to put it first on the list!

What’s Included With Royal Caribbean

Standard sailings with Royal Caribbean include:

• Your accommodation
• Full-board complimentary dining options from morning to evening
• Complimentary drinks including water, lemonade, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and juices
• Entertainment featuring Broadway-style productions
• Lounges, bars, casinos and nightclubs
• Fitness facilities
• Activities such as FlowRider, rock-climbing wall, and mini golf
• Premium-level service

Anything else such as WiFi, tips, shore excursions, spa treatments, selected non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, speciality dining venues, selected activities, tours and classes will require additional charges.

Many of these can be pre-paid before boarding which makes life easier once you’re on the ship. Some of the main things people look to include are pre-paid tips, WiFi and drinks packages.

You can find out more about the prices of these packages and other additional amenities you can add with Royal Caribbean here.

Honeymoon Gifts

Couples can set up a honeymoon registry with Royal Caribbean so that friends and family can purchase selected additions including drinks packages, onboard credit, spa treatments and shore excursions. This comes with options to create a free wedding website and build a custom wedding gift list for your honeymoon wishes.

2. Celebrity Cruises 

For a modern and stylish celebration, Celebrity Cruises brings options for newlyweds seeking a more sophisticated getaway. A great choice for those cruising with older or no kids, this more premium style of sailing is ideal for spending time just the two of you.

The dining onboard is fantastic, with a wide range of options from morning until evening, alongside entertainment akin to West End-style shows and unique venues such as the Magic Carpet and Eden on-board Edge Class ships, Celebrity Cruises are a great honeymoon choice.

What’s Included With Celebrity Cruises?

Standard cruise fares with Celebrity Cruises include:

• Your accommodation
• Full-board complimentary dining options from morning to evening
• Complimentary drinks including water, lemonade, tea, coffee, and juices
• Room service from 6 am to 11 pm
• Entertainment featuring West End-style productions
• Lounges, bars, casinos and nightclubs
• Fitness facilities
• Premium-level service

Celebrity Cruises offers their standard cruises as Cruise Only fare, with the option to upgrade all sailings with their All Included package. This includes a Classic Drinks Package and Basic WiFi. You’ll still need to pay for tips though as they’re no longer included in the All Included fare.

Additional extras such as shore excursions, spa treatments, speciality dining venues, selected activities, tours and classes will also require additional charges.

However, if you want to book a suite for your Celebrity Cruises honeymoon rather than a regular stateroom, you’ll get more included…  

Suite guests get access to The Retreat – a luxury social and dining space which is exclusive to suite guests. It’s a perfect indulgence for those celebrating a special occasion like a honeymoon.

Depending on which suite you book, you’ll also get a Premium drink package, unlimited speciality dining, WiFi and laundry.

Another option for an all-inclusive honeymoon is to book a stay in one of Celebrity Cruises’ Aqua Class staterooms. 

Aqua Class staterooms get access to the exclusive clean cuisine restaurant, Blu, as well as visits to the Sea Thermal Suite, complimentary fitness classes and discounted spa packages.

Find out more about the prices of these packages and other additional amenities you can add with Celebrity Cruises here.

Honeymoon Gifts

Couples celebrating on Celebrity Cruises can also enjoy additional honeymoon cruise packages from the Bon Voyage gifts collection. These include add-ons which can be purchased by the newlyweds themselves or added by friends and family as a token gift!

The collection includes flower arrangements, wines, spirits and champagnes, keepsakes, Celebrity Cruises apparel, culinary delights and even onboard credit.

3. Virgin Voyages

Aimed at ‘sailors’ seeking a super-yacht lifestyle with plenty of fun, food and fitness, Virgin Voyages brings a fresh new approach to cruise and honeymooners.

Available only to those 18 years and over (no there will be no kids splashing you in the pool), Virgin Voyages has a party-like atmosphere while also offering modern accommodations, a breadth of foodie experiences and awe-inspiring shows.

Newlyweds who are seeking more fitness-oriented daytime activities, with late-night entertainment and incredible dining will fit in perfectly with Virgin Voyages’ audience.

What’s Included With Virgin Voyages?

Standard Virgin Voyages cruises include:

• Your accommodation
• All food from refined dining to relaxed casual at over 20 eateries
• Essential Drinks, including still and sparkling water, non-pressed juices, sodas, teas and drip coffee
• WiFi
• Tips
• Group fitness classes including yoga, meditation, cycling, HIIT and more
• Shows and entertainment
• Lounges, bars, casinos and nightclubs

To make your cruise fully all-inclusive with Virgin Voyages, you can add a Bar Tab (the cruise line’s answer to a drinks package), and this will also cover any alcoholic drinks as well as the already included Essential Drinks.

Accommodation options also include super-swanky suites such as the Massive Suite and Posh Suite. With these comes even more all-inclusive amenities such as a bottomless in-room bar, complimentary parking at the terminal in Miami, 24/7 agent attention, a daily Bar Tab, spa access and priority access to onboard and ashore experiences. 

Honeymoon Gifts

For something even more special, Virgin Voyages offers the ‘Splash of Romance Experience’. Currently only available on Scarlet Lady, this package offers enhanced boarding, wristband set, curated daily cold-pressed juices, two three-house Thermal Spa passes, a Shake for Champagne, exclusive sail away hour and foodie cabin drops.

The package is $250 per cabin for two and is limited to the first 50 cabins per voyage.

4. P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is a popular choice for honeymooners looking to sail from the UK, with most ships departing from Southampton throughout the year. This gives couples plenty of itinerary options without the need for long-haul flights, which can be especially appealing straight after a wedding.

The cruise line is tailored to British tastes, with traditional pubs, familiar dining options such as Sunday roasts, and onboard spending in pound sterling. While most ships are family-friendly, Arcadia and Aurora are adults-only, making them particularly attractive for couples seeking a quieter, more romantic atmosphere.

In December 2025, P&O Cruises expanded its offering beyond drinks-only packages by introducing optional all-inclusive-style packages on cruises of five nights or longer. Available on all fare types, these packages allow honeymooners to prepay for key onboard extras such as drinks, WiFi and speciality dining, helping to keep costs predictable.

Two package levels are available. Both include a drinks package and WiFi, along with speciality dining credit that can be used in restaurants such as Sindhu and Epicurean. The amount of dining credit increases on longer cruises and with the higher-tier package, making it easier for couples to enjoy romantic meals without worrying about the bill.

What’s Included With P&O Cruises?

All P&O Cruises fares include:

• Your accommodation
• Main dining and buffet restaurants
• Tea, coffee, water, milk, fruit juices and cordial
• Entertainment and live shows
• Gyms and fitness facilities
• Pools, whirlpools and spa access
• Daily activities and onboard events
• Children’s clubs (on family-friendly ships)
• Economy flights and coach transfers on fly-cruise packages

Additional extras include shore excursions, spa and beauty treatments, alcoholic drinks outside of packages, room service, wifi upgrades and dining in speciality restaurants beyond any included credit.

For honeymooners, P&O Cruises offers a flexible balance between a traditional cruise fare and optional all-inclusive upgrades, with adults-only ships and speciality dining venues providing plenty of opportunities for romantic experiences at sea.

Find out more about what’s included with P&O Cruises.

Honeymoon Gifts

Newlyweds can have some of the additional extras covered with the ability to pre-order gifts as part of their honeymoon registry. Friends and family can order chocolates, wine, and even tours of the ship for the newly married couple to enjoy.

5. Marella Cruises

Marella Cruises is a fantastic choice for honeymooners who want a relaxed, great-value holiday with a warm and friendly British vibe. With All Inclusive fares as standard, Marella takes the stress out of planning a honeymoon and lets couples enjoy their cruise without constantly thinking about extra costs.

Despite being a British cruise line, Marella never sails from the UK – instead, all cruises include your flights already so that you begin your holiday right in the thick of the action, whether that’s the Med, the Canary Islands, or the Caribbean.

The fleet includes adults-only ships like Marella Explorer 2, ideal for honeymooners seeking some peace and quiet.

You’ll find plenty of entertainment, delicious dining options, and a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere that’s ideal for celebrating a special occasion like your honeymoon.

What’s Included With Marella Cruises?

Marella Cruises is one of the few cruise lines where “All Inclusive” actually applies, because you get loads included in your fare:

• Your accommodation
• Dining across various restaurants, from buffet to à la carte options
• A wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks including cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, tea, and coffee
• Entertainment including West-End-style shows, live music and themed evenings
• Tips and service charges
• Flights and transfers (for fly-cruise packages)
• Access to pools, gyms, and a variety of onboard activities

While most of what you need is included in the cruise fare, there are still optional extras you can pay for – such as premium drinks packages, shore excursions, spa treatments, some speciality dining venues, and WiFi.

For those looking to go all out, Marella also offers cabins with a balcony or hot tub, and access to upgraded dining venues.

Honeymoon Gifts

You can pre-order a range of gifts and little added extras for your Marella cruise, although you do need to call to do so. These extras range from a celebration cake for around £20, right through to a “Celebrate in Style” package for £125.

This includes champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries (where available) and fresh flowers in your cabin, breakfast in bed on a day of your choice, a cake and an announcement in Cruise News onboard, plus a professional photograph.

6. Azamara

Couples looking for more of a premium-luxury experience can enjoy a honeymoon with Azamara. This cruise line offers smaller, more intimate-sized ships for travellers looking to explore destinations out-of-the-ordinary.

Newlyweds can look forward to a romantic honeymoon with a ‘just right’ feeling – the ships aren’t too large to bring big crowds with no space to yourselves, while they also aren’t too small where you feel like you have nowhere to go. These mid-sized ships are ideal for personalised service and making you both feel truly special.

The size of these ships is also what allows the cruise line to visit more unique, hidden ports of call, perfect for all inclusive honeymoons where you want to explore! Think sailing through the centre of Bordeaux or through the Amalfi Coast…

What’s Included With Azamara?

Standard cruises with Azamara include:

• Your accommodation
• Tips
• Selected standard spirits, international beers and wines
• Bottled water, soft drinks, speciality coffees and teas
• Self-service laundry
• Shuttle service to and from port communities, where available
• Concierge services for personal guidance and reservations

Balcony Plus and Suite guests receive extra amenities such as Terry plush robes and butler service, but this depends on the stateroom or suite that you choose.

You can also make your cruise even more all-inclusive with a number of packages available to purchase. This includes a Beverage Package to enjoy more options and your preferred drinks at the bar; Speciality Dining Package to visit Prime C, Aqualina and more at a fixed price. There are also options for Internet Packages for WiFi and Spa Treatments for a bit of ‘me time’.

Honeymoon Gifts

Family and friends can also purchase Bon Voyage gifts from Azamara as a thoughtful token for newlyweds on board. This includes Champagne, liquor, small plates such as flower arrangements, chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate truffles and a shrimp platter, wine and speciality items including on-board credit for the bar, spa and ship-wide. There’s even an option to order their own plush Terrycloth bathrobe!

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is a dreamy honeymoon option for couples looking for a mix of romance, relaxation, and refined experiences.

It’s a great match for newlyweds who want to explore far-flung destinations like Alaska, Asia, or the South Pacific – all while enjoying luxurious touches and award-winning dining at sea. There are plenty of sailings in more traditional destinations like the Mediterranean and Caribbean, too.

Princess is especially appealing for honeymooners who appreciate thoughtful details like Movies Under the Stars®, adult-only sanctuaries, and indulgent spa treatments. With MedallionClass® technology on board, couples can also enjoy enhanced convenience – from ordering drinks to your sunbed to finding each other anywhere on the ship.

What’s Included With Princess Cruises?

Princess Cruises offers excellent value in its standard fare, which includes:

• Your accommodation
• Main dining room meals and casual dining venues
• Complimentary room service (with limited hours)
• Entertainment, including Broadway-style shows, live music, and Movies Under the Stars®
• Pools, hot tubs, and fitness centers
• Youth and teen programs (for those traveling with family)
• Daily activities such as trivia, dance classes, enrichment talks, and more

You can also upgrade to a Princess Plus or Princess Premier fare to make your cruise a lot more inclusive. There’s too many inclusions to list everything here – check out my guide for more information.

Read more: Princess Premier Vs Princess Plus

Honeymoon Gifts

There are plenty of extras you can book before you cruise for a Princess sailing. While there’s no default gift registry option, you can share a link to allow others to buy gifts for you if you prefer. All kinds of welcoming touches are available alongside spa and dining packages.

My Recommendation

Each cruise line offers fantastic all inclusive honeymoon cruises or newlyweds, whether they’re seeking late-night entertainment or relaxing by the pool, there’s a choice for all honeymooners. 

Those wanting options to bring their family should look at cruise lines including P&O Cruises and Royal Caribbean, where you will find daily activities suited to all ages, plenty of dining options and a broad range of ships to choose from.

These have flexibility on what you can add on in terms of drinks, dining and more, so you can manage your budget accordingly too.

Couples with older children, or no children in tow, should seek out Celebrity Cruises or Virgin Voyages for a more sophisticated experience with plenty fun, food and fitness (or poolside cocktails) to keep them happy!

These include many amenities upfront, such as WiFi and drinks, so you can look to indulge a little more when sailing without worrying about extra costs!

Marella and Princess both offer fantastic packages that have more inclusions. Marella’s more British in style, while with Princess you need to make sure you choose the right fare – but both are excellent choices.

For those wanting a truly luxurious experience, Azamara includes all you might need from the start. This means you can get on board and begin your sailing together stress-free. This cruise line is also ideal for those wanting time to themselves as the ships are more intimately sized and destination-focused.

If you’re looking for the best cruise lines all round for honeymoons, take a more detailed look here: The Best Cruise Line For Honeymoons

Related Posts:

If you found this interesting, please share!

There’s something quietly brilliant about having your own balcony at sea. Whether it’s a place to catch your breath after a busy port day, a front-row seat to sunrise with a coffee in hand, or simply somewhere to air out your brain with the breeze – once you’ve had one, it’s hard to go back!

But not all balcony cabins are built the same and they are far from equal. Some are made for families, others are clever with the space, and a few are just plain unusual (in a good way).

You’ll find no Suites here. This is all about proper balcony cabins, each with its own edge. Some are roomy, others are quirky, and a couple will definitely raise some eyebrows…

Best Modern Balcony: Edge‑Class Infinite Veranda (Celebrity Cruises)

Celebrity’s Infinite Veranda cabins are a bit of a game-changer. Instead of the usual sliding doors that separate the room from the balcony, the entire outer wall is a floor-to-ceiling window that lowers at the touch of a button.

That means more usable space inside the cabin – and a breeze-on-demand setup that works surprisingly well.

These cabins feel sleek and contemporary, with a clean, boutique‑hotel vibe. You can close off the veranda with folding glass doors if you want a more traditional layout, or leave it open and let the whole room flow into the view.

It’s not quite the same as stepping out onto a traditional balcony, but for modern cruisers who value flexibility and fresh air, it’s hard to beat.

That said, if you’re someone who loves the feeling of being fully outside – feet up, sea breeze in your face, drink on the table – this style might feel a touch enclosed. But for anyone wanting extra elbow room and a sense of innovation, it’s a solid win.

Read more: Best & Worst Cabins on Celebrity Cruises Ships

Best Family Balcony: Surfside View Balcony(Royal Caribbean)

Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class ships are essentially floating theme parks, so it makes sense that they’ve designed balcony cabins with families in mind.

The Surfside View Balcony cabins overlook the family-dedicated Surfside neighbourhood – an area packed with splash zones, sweet shops and kid-friendly fun.

The Surfside Family Suites are more spacious while Surfside View Balcony rooms do tend to have a little bit of a typical layout, but their location – right next to the Neighborhood – is the stuff children dream of.

The view might not be the ocean, but kids are often more interested in seeing the splash area below than the horizon anyway. For families who want balcony access without sacrificing layout, this setup is a thoughtful (and surprisingly rare) option.

Read more: The Best & Worst Cabins For Families On Royal Caribbean Ships

Best Big Family Balcony: Deluxe Family Oceanview with Verandah (Disney Cruise Line)

If you’re cruising with kids in tow – and lots of them – Disney’s Deluxe Family Verandah cabins are about as well-designed as you’ll find without paying suite prices. These rooms sleep up to five, with a combo of queen bed, sofa bed, and pull-down bunks hidden away until bedtime.

But what really makes them work is the layout. The split bathroom (with tub!) lets kids get ready while someone else brushes their teeth next door.

A privacy curtain separates the main bed from the sitting area, which goes a long way during early bedtimes or Netflix wind‑downs.

It’s not the biggest balcony at sea, but it’s perfectly sized for watching sailaway while the kids nap inside. For sheer liveability, especially on longer cruises, Disney gets this exactly right. Which isn’t a surprise – Disney just gets families.

Best Obstructed Balcony : Prima-Class Obstructed Balcony (Norwegian Cruise Line)

Obstructed balconies aren’t usually a cause for excitement, but Norwegian Cruise Line accidentally created a bit of a cult hit with some of theirs.

On newer ships Norwegian Prima and Viva, a handful of balcony cabins are positioned right beside the towering water slides – meaning instead of an undisturbed view of the ocean, you’ve got a loop of blue plastic swooping past your eyeline.

Now, that might not sound appealing to everyone. If you’re after peace and quiet, or unspoilt views, this is a firm “nope.” But for kids and thrill‑seekers, there’s a weird charm in watching riders zoom past or listening to the occasional splash from below.

These cabins are often priced lower due to the obstruction, so they can be a savvy way to get a balcony for less – if you’re not fussed about having the perfect Instagram sunset shot. Just pack some earplugs and treat the slide like your balcony’s unexpected entertainment.

Read more: 16 Norwegian Cruise Line Cabins To Avoid

Best Enclosed Balcony: Cove Balcony (Carnival)

Not all balconies are breezy and open-air. Carnival’s Cove Balconies are tucked low on the ship, closer to the waterline, and have a solid steel bottom half with an enclosed design. It’s a bit like having your own hideaway – with a touch of sea spray, shade and a slightly secretive feel.

These balconies aren’t about big views or wide-open sunbathing space. Instead, they’re ideal for those who want a bit more privacy and don’t mind trading in sunlight for shelter. They’re also a smart choice on routes with rougher seas – less wind, less splash, more comfort.

And because they’re closer to the water, you’ll actually hear the waves more clearly – a surprisingly soothing soundtrack if you’re the kind of cruiser who likes a morning coffee in peace.

Read more: What Is A Cove Balcony On A Carnival Cruise (And Are They Worth Booking)?

Best Traditional Balcony: Verandah Stateroom (Holland America Line)

There’s something to be said for a balcony cabin that just… gets everything right.

No gimmicks, no design experiments, no trade-offs – just a roomy veranda, good furniture, a proper bathtub (yes, even in standard cabins), and a plush bed you’ll actually want to climb into.

That’s what Holland America delivers in its Verandah Staterooms. The décor might lean classic rather than flashy, but the attention to comfort is spot-on.

You’ll find ample storage, soft-close drawers, and a balcony that’s wide enough to stretch your legs and still have space for a breakfast tray.

For those who like their cruising experience smooth, restful and grown-up, this is a reliable, unshowy option. It won’t trend on TikTok – but it’ll be the cabin you want to come back to after a long port day.

Read more: Holland America Line Review

Best Balcony for Lazy Days: Sea Terrace with Hammock (Virgin Voyages)

Virgin’s Sea Terrace cabins are designed for kicking back. The décor is smart but playful, the lighting is adjustable, and the standout feature – no question – is the red woven hammock on the balcony.

These hammocks aren’t a gimmick. They’re large, supportive and ridiculously comfortable. Once you figure out how to clamber in and out (it gets easier), it becomes the spot you’ll return to again and again – book in hand, breeze on your face, cocktail balanced nearby.

Everything in these cabins leans toward laid-back. There’s no main dining room stress, no fixed schedules, and no kids – Virgin is adults-only. So, if your ideal balcony day involves lounging rather than sightseeing, this is your happy place.

Best Aft Balcony: Premium Deluxe Balcony (Princess Cruises)

There’s just something about the view from the back of a ship. The wake stretching into the distance, the quiet hum of the engines, the total sense of being ‘away from it all’. That’s what makes aft-facing balconies on Princess ships such a gem – especially the Premium Deluxe ones.

These cabins offer more space both inside and out, and the aft location means you’re mostly free from foot traffic or loud neighbours. The views are constantly changing, especially on island‑hopping itineraries where departures are just as stunning as arrivals.

Bear in mind: you might feel a little more movement back here, especially on choppier routes. But if you’re not prone to seasickness, this is one of the most peaceful, scenic spots on board.

Best Balcony for Solo Travellers: Studio Balcony (MSC Cruises)

Solo cruisers usually get the short straw when it comes to balcony cabins – pay double the price and deal with it – but MSC offers something rare: actual studio cabins with balconies on several of their ships (specifically Bellissima, Euribia, Grandiosa, Meraviglia and Virtuosa).

That said, they come with a few caveats. The beds are often sofa beds, and occasionally bunks or wall-mounted fold-downs. You might not get a full-size double, and the connecting doors (many of these rooms are next to larger family cabins) can mean a bit of extra noise.

Still, for solo travellers wanting their own slice of sea air without paying double occupancy rates, it’s a decent deal – and the balcony gives these small cabins a huge lift in terms of feel.

Just pack earplugs, and manage your expectations around bed size. You’re here for the horizon, not hotel-level luxury.

Read more: MSC Cruises Cabins to Avoid

Controversial Balcony Cabins

There are some Balcony Cabins on cruise ships that really split opinion – some people think they’re nifty but others would rather book an Inside Cabin even if it were the same cost!

Promenade Balcony (P&O Cruises)

On the newest P&O Cruises ships Iona and Arvia, there are Promenade Balcony Cabins that are particularly divisive. These cabins have a balcony that extends onto the promenade deck rather than being at the edge of the ship.

This mean you can have someone literally walking right past the end of your balcony – hardly ideal if you want privacy.

Some cruisers love the vibe and people-watching potential. Others feel it’s more like being on display in a zoo than having your own private sanctuary. A balcony in name, yes – but not quite in spirit.

Read more: P&O Iona Cabins To Avoid

Obstructed Balcony Cabins with Lifeboats – Various

Found across multiple lines and ships, these balconies have all the right features… except the view. Lifeboats sit directly below or partially across your eyeline, limiting what you can actually see when seated.

On the upside, they’re often cheaper than standard balconies, and if you’re not too fussed about the view (or plan to spend most time on deck), they can be a decent compromise. Just don’t expect those sweeping sea vistas from your deck chair.

I’ve stayed in several obstructed view cabins – some were great and some weren’t so great. So if you want to choose this cabin type, then it really pays to do your research so you know what to expect.

Overlooked Balcony Cabins – Various

It’s always a good idea to check not just the deck plans for your cruise ship, but some photos too – that’ll help you see if the higher decks on the ship are level with those below, or if they are more sunk back into the ship.

Because if they are, that means guests on the higher decks can stand on the edge of their Balcony and look down directly into the balconies below – again, not exactly what you want from a private space, right?

It’s a good idea to check and make sure you’re comfortable with who’ll be able to see your balcony if you don’t want to be on show while you relax.

Tips for Choosing a Balcony Cabin

A good balcony can absolutely make a cruise. But a poorly placed one? That can be an expensive regret. Here are a few quick tips to help you pick the right one – without relying entirely on luck.

Avoid Guarantee Where Possible

A ‘guarantee’ cabin means the cruise line picks your room for you.

You’ll usually get the category you booked – or on rare occasions, a better one – but you won’t know the location until much later.

It’s fine if you’re not fussy and want to roll the dice, but it can land you with an obstructed view, noisy neighbours, or the dreaded cabin under the nightclub.

Use the Deck Plans

Deck plans are your friend. Check what’s above, below and beside your cabin. Avoid being directly under the pool deck (scraping sun loungers at 6am) or over the theatre (evening noise). Cabins near lifts can be noisy, too – especially the late-night kind.

But also, look for protrusions from the ship that could score you a slightly bigger balcony, without costing anything extra compared to the rest of the ship.

Check YouTube, Social Media and Forums

Search your exact cabin number online – you’ll be amazed how many people film walk-throughs or post reviews.

Cruise forums and Facebook groups are packed with people sharing tips, photos and layout quirks. One five-minute video can tell you more than any brochure.

Avoid Connecting Cabins If You’re Not Using Them

Cabins with connecting doors can be noisier, as they often have thinner internal walls. Fine if you’re booking both as a family – but not ideal if you value quiet mornings.

Final Word

A balcony cabin is more than a view – it’s a mood. And depending on how you like to cruise, the right one can make your trip feel twice as relaxing, or twice as fun. Whether you’re flying solo, squeezing in the whole family, or just looking for somewhere to hide with a paperback and a breeze, there’s something out there with your name on it.

However don’t assume that a Balcony Cabin is always the best option. You might find that you can get two cruises in an Inside Cabin for the same price as a Balcony on some ships and itineraries.

And what’s better than a cruise? Two cruises.

Everyone has their own preferences and some people would never go for an Interior – if that’s you, then there are plenty of amazing Balcony options available.

Related Posts

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me