Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship Balcony Cabin: Review, Photos
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This view of Castries, St. Lucia was taken from deck ten of Freedom of the Seas, a Freedom Class ship. The Vision Class ships are the oldest and smallest of the Royal Caribbean ships. Although they include most of the typical entertainment and amenities you would expect from a Royal Caribbean fleet, the room sizes are smaller and the activities less modern. Staying in while the rest of the ship enjoys a port excursion can be a great way to enjoy some peace and quiet, especially if you have a balcony to yourself.
Balcony vs. Oceanview: Bottom Line
Another advantage of a French balcony is the ability to enjoy the view from the comfort of the bed. By opening the curtains and leaning out of the balcony, passengers can admire the breathtaking scenery without having to leave their cozy sleeping area. This convenience allows for a truly immersive experience, perfect for relaxation and enjoying the beauty of the surroundings.
Veranda
While cruise ship balcony cabins are generally more expensive than inside and ocean view cabins, they may be more affordable than you think. Years ago, there were fewer balcony rooms per cruise ship, and the cost difference may have been huge. Some have more outdoor space, while others have their balconies built into the living space. With the push of a single button, a window opens up and allows you to soak in the fresh air from the comfort of your stateroom, rather than outside. They deliver mesmerizing views as your ship pulls out of ports of call, and their balconies tend to be larger than those on the sides of the ship. Many people book them for a feeling of privacy and to enjoy peaceful moments gazing out at the ship's wake.
Oceanview vs. Balcony Cabins: A Cabin Comparison
It’s always worth checking to see if there are any promotions or past passenger rates that can make a balcony room more affordable on a cruise. It’s undeniable that one of the best reasons to book a balcony cabin on a cruise is for the amazing ocean views! Whether you enjoy being up early to catch the sunrise with a cup of coffee on your private balcony, or you love a good sunset and a glass of wine – it’s a very special experience. Celebrity, MSC Cruises, and Royal Caribbean are the only big-ship cruise lines to sport infinite veranda cabins, though some river cruise ships offer them as well. They are found exclusively on Celebrity's Edge Class of ships, as well as Royal Caribbean's Icon Class and MSC's World Class. Here's a list of the 8 best balcony cabins on cruise ships that you will want to book for your next vacation.
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. Royal Caribbean also offers two other types of balcony rooms that actually face inward towards the ship, instead of outwards to the ocean. These interior balcony rooms are only available on Oasis Class cruise ships.
Your Balcony May Not Be Private
An obstructed ocean view is not ideal, but it might be worth the upgrade from an inside cabin. Lifeboats and tenders are among the most common obstructions to ocean views and balcony cabins. Lifeboats are positioned along the ship’s side and can sometimes block a portion of your view. These innovative cabin designs are a testament to the cruise industry’s commitment to providing passengers with a luxurious and immersive French balcony experience.
What is the Difference Between a French Balcony and a Juliet Balcony?
Balcony Cabin Room Tour on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship - Royal Caribbean Blog
Balcony Cabin Room Tour on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship.
Posted: Tue, 16 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The major disadvantage is that with essentially a large window instead of a separate balcony area, the effect is not quite the same. Traditionally, there are dividers on either side of you, meaning that you won’t have your neighbor staring at you if you both decide to sit outside at the same time. Yes, you definitely can do that if you want to, but you might be surprised at how little time overall you actually spend there.
An aft balcony overlooks the back of the ship, displaying a wider view and different perspective than available from other balcony staterooms. Having a larger room midship minimizes the ships’ movement around you, making it feel more stable than in a smaller fore or aft room. In a balcony, you can also focus more clearly on the outdoors and the line of the horizon, keeping you stable and in sync with the ship’s movement. With an infinite veranda, there is no permanent wall between the cabin and the balcony.
Why do Cruise Lines Sell Cabins That Aren’t Very Obstructed as ‘Obstructed View’?
But I have a right to be disgruntled by a stateroom bathroom so small that it made a cryotherapy chamber look like a mansion. It makes sense — the Icon of the Seas looks like a giant floating amusement park. As the cheapest of the suites available, Junior Suites have some—but not all—perks included, such as bathrobes, expresso machines, luxury bathroom amenities, and priority boarding. As mentioned previously, a balcony allows you to set your own schedule when it comes to mealtimes and downtime spent out on the water. Service animals, such as Karin’s, are permitted onboard, so consider their experience in the stateroom as well. Dawn’s photo shows a loft suite on Wonder of the Seas, complete with two levels.
Balconies on some cruise ships will be larger than others, but all will have at least 2 outdoor chairs and one small table. If you book an aft facing balcony cabin, you’ll often get lucky and have deck chairs to lay out and enjoy. This is because the doors leading to balconies in balcony cabins usually are made almost entirely of glass running from floor to ceiling. Ocean-view cabins without balconies, by contrast, often have just a single window. You can savor the perks of a balcony and ocean-view cabins at a lower cost.
Obstructed view cabins can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars cheaper than similar cabins without an obstruction. I booked a mid-tier room — a step above interior staterooms, which have no window. It's a category below staterooms with a balcony, and two steps below a suite. The areas near obstructed-view cabins have fewer neighbors or foot traffic, making overall a quieter stay.
In Alaska, as you’re sailing through Glacier Bay or Endicott Arm, you’ll have a view on the glaciers and incredible scenery from the comfort of your own balcony space. You can also consider factors such as the amount of time you will spend in the room. If you think you’ll spend a lot of time in your cabin, you’ll want to invest in a more quality, enjoyable room. Photographers and nature lovers will appreciate a balcony view on beautiful natural cruises like Alaska. The closer view provides fantastic views and photo opportunities from sunrise to sunset. For larger families, or those with young children, a loft suite can provide a bigger space and a more flexible schedule.
Here, you will be able to enjoy snacks, games, a concierge, and one free night of Carnival’s late-night group babysitting. Balconies are great when the sun is out, but on rainy or cold itineraries, they are wasted space. Infinite balconies are versatile areas that can transform from a balcony into a sun room fully enclosed within your cabin. These cabins are excellent for cruisers on colder-weather itineraries, or who want the option of fresh air but do not tend to spend much time outside on their balcony. Many cruisers find wake views relaxing, even though you are technically facing backward and looking out at where you have just been.
Growing up traveling around the world, she developed a passion for diversity and cross-cultural communication. From her first cruise on Wonder of the Seas, she has delighted in the intersection between travel, diversity, and writing in the cruising world. As a step up from the Junior Suites, this view from a Grand Suite cabin on Oasis of the Seas shows just how big the 371 square foot room looks.
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