Cabins with Private Balconies

Does cabin size count? Are suites sweeter than cabins? Is a balcony desirable? What about cabin location?

Continuing the trend that Romeo and Juliet started a few Shakespearean years ago, balconies are all the rage today – in hotels, apartments, and aboard cruise ships. Once you’ve had one, you won’t be able to do without one on your next cruise. Balconies add another dimension to your home away from home. A private balcony (or ‘veranda,’ or ‘terrace’) is just that. It is a balcony (or mini-terrace) adjoining your cabin where you can sit, enjoy the view, dine, or even have a massage. The value of a private balcony, for which you pay a premium, comes into its own in warm weather areas. Balconies are like cruises: they’re addictive.

Some private balconies are less private, however. Balconies not separated by full floor-to-ceiling partitions (examples: Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Victory, P&O Oriana, Queen Mary 2, HAL’s Ryndam, Maasdam, Statendam, and Veendam)

Another downside of private balconies is that you can’t escape the loud music being played on the open swimming pool deck atop the ship – annoying when ‘island night’ goes on until the early hours. Note that many of the large resort ships have balconies too small to accommodate even two reclining chairs.

Some suites with forward-facing private balconies may not be so good, as the wind speed can make them all but unusable. And when the ship drops anchor in ports of call, the noise pollution can be deafening

All private balconies (except French balconies – see below) have railings to lean on, but the balconies in some ships have solid steel plates between railing and deck, so you cannot look out to sea when seated (examples: Costa Classica, Costa Romantica, Dawn Princess, Oceana, Sea Princess, and Sun Princess). Better are those ships with balconies that have clear glass (examples: Aurora, Brilliance of the Seas, Celebrity Century, Celebrity Galaxy, Celebrity Mercury, Empress of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas) or horizontal bars.

Don’t be fooled by brochure-speak. A French balcony is one where the doors open to fresh air, but there’s no balcony for you to step onto unless your feet are less than six inches long.

The Suite Life - Suites versus Cabins

Suites are the most luxurious and spacious of all shipboard accommodation, and typically come with butler service.

A suite (which means a ‘suite of rooms’) should measure a minimum 400 sq. ft. (37 sq. meters), and comprise a lounge or sitting room separated from a bedroom by a solid door (not just a curtain); a bedroom with a large bed; one or more bathrooms, and an abundance of closet, drawer, and other storage space.

Many cruise lines inaccurately describe some accommodation as suites, when they are nothing more than a large cabin with a curtain that divides sitting and sleeping areas.

Suites are best on long voyages with several days at sea. Be aware that in the large resort ships (those carrying more than 1,200 passengers), there may be a whole deck or two devoted to penthouses and suites, but you will have to share the rest of the ship with those in lower-priced accommodation.

That means there is no preferential seating in the showroom, the dining rooms, or on sunbathing decks.

You may, however, get separate check-in facilities and preferential treatment upon disembarkation, but your luggage will be lumped together with everyone else’s.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publications 2008