The beauty of a balcony

The great thing about a cruise ship is there’s always a stateroom to suit what you’re looking for. There are various different kinds that you can choose from on any ship, but for me you can’t look past a room with a balcony.

Balconies (sometimes referred to as a veranda, depending on who you are sailing with) are a fantastic addition to any stateroom and go some way to making your voyage all the more special. Balcony rooms might cost more but it’s 100% worth it.

In my opinion, an inside stateroom is just a place to get washed, changed and to sleep. And there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, it’s fine if that’s what you’re looking for. But if you add on an ocean view, you get to see the sights of the ports as you arrive and depart, and you’ll be guaranteed a sunrise or sunset on a daily basis.

A balcony takes this one step further. You can step outside and get more of a panoramic view, so you aren’t just restricted to a certain field of vision. You get to really soak in those sunrises and sunsets, feeling the warmth on your face in the morning or the slight chill of the fresh air as the sun drops beneath the horizon in the evening. You can hear the sounds of the port as you get near, and as they fade once the ship begins to depart.

You also get the added benefit of your own extra space, giving you more room to unwind when you’re spending a quiet hour in your stateroom. It’s great to just sit outside as your ship powers through the waters, and most cruise lines will provide blankets if you want to lie on a lounger or sit on a chair on your balcony for a nap.

What do you think of balcony staterooms? Are they an essential for every cruise booking, or can you take them or leave them? Maybe you’ve never tried one but you hope to one day. Or maybe you want to tell us about your favourite balcony that you’ve ever experienced. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

By Ian Lewis
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