What's the difference between a balcony and a veranda on a cruise ship?
Noah Mitchell
Published Jan 25, 2026
Most ocean-going cruise ships give you a choice of an “inside” cabin (no window), an “outside” cabin (a sealed window/porthole), or a “veranda” cabin, also known as a balcony cabin (floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass door leading to a balcony).
What is the difference between a verandah and a balcony on a cruise ship?
Veranda and balcony are pretty close to synonyms in their usage in descriptions of cruise ship cabin space. In the design of a house, I think of certain verandas as supported from below, while balconies are suspended or cantilevered.
What deck is the best to stay on on a cruise ship?
The best deck on a cruise ship to avoid seasickness is the lowest passenger deck. This is because the top of a ship sways from side to side much more than the bottom. To avoid motion sickness, choose a cabin close to the waterline.
What is a veranda on a cruise?
The standard verandah features an open-air balcony skirted by an acrylic wall, allowing for a full view of the horizon even while seated. The whitewall verandah offers open-air lounging with a solid wall from the deck to the railing. Most of these staterooms are located in the aft portion of the ship.
What is the best floor to be on a cruise ship?
On the typical ship, the top deck of cabins is directly below the pool and activity decks, which can be noisy during the day and even into the night (yes, the noise sometimes will waft through your ceiling). The cabin deck just below that top deck of cabins can be a good choice.
21 related questions foundIs it worth the money to get a balcony on a cruise?
But Driscoll says price may not be the deterrent it once was. A few years ago, he says, "you'd be paying double to get a balcony." Now, cabins with balconies on a standard, seven-day cruise generally cost $100 more than those with a window, and between $150 and $200 more than a stateroom inside the ship.
What is a French balcony on a cruise ship?
French Balcony – typically on the top 2 decks of a rivership, a sliding glass door opens up to railing, but you cannot step outside. This is the most common type of cabin available, and the one I recommend, excepting Viking Longships. This is also known as a “Juliet” balcony.
What is the difference between concierge and veranda?
The difference between this room and the Concierge Family Oceanview with Verandah is that the Concierge has slightly more square footage, a sofa sleeper for 2 sailors, a Queen sized bed, and one upper berth (bunk), and an extra half bathroom too.
Do river cruise ships have balconies?
The four main cabin types which you'll find on river cruise ships are a window, French balcony, balcony, and suite.
What is an infinite veranda?
The most transformational aspect of our stateroom design is the introduction of the Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda®, where with the touch of a button, your entire living space becomes the veranda, letting you walk right out to the water's edge.
Where should you not stay on a cruise?
"What cabins should I avoid on my cruise?" It's a question that first-time cruisers and even those who've been on a few can't help but wonder when planning their vacation.
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- Interior Cabins That Are Cramped and Often Windowless. ...
- Cruise Ship Cabins With Obstructed Views. ...
- Noisy Cabins. ...
- Cabins With No Privacy.
Where can you not get a room on a cruise ship?
- By a Door to the Crew's Quarters. The crew works around the clock to keep the ship going and prepare for the next day. ...
- Above Mechanical Equipment and Engine Room. ...
- Near elevators or stairs. ...
- Right Below a Public Deck or Busy Area. ...
- Cabins Prone to Motion. ...
- Family Suite Areas. ...
- Obstructed Views. ...
- Extra-Small Cabins.
Is it best to prepay gratuities on a cruise?
Bottom Line: In general, we opt to prepay gratuities on a cruise simply because we like not having to worry about them creating a higher bill once on the ship. That said, there's no harm in opting to wait as the gratuities will be charged automatically once on the ship. It all comes down to personal preference.
What is the difference between a balcony and a French balcony?
French Balconies look and act like a regular balcony, with the only exception being that there is a railing placed directly behind the glass, meaning you cannot step out onto a separate space — without splashing into the river, that is.
What is the difference between a veranda and a French balcony?
The main difference between a French balcony and a veranda on a river cruise ship is that you can step out onto a veranda but only lean out of a French balcony. Verandas often have a small table and two chairs.
What is a twin balcony?
AmaWaterways takes the position that customers want both French and full step-out balconies. So the company developed the “Twin Balcony” concept. Having both types of balconies in one stateroom has proven to be a hit with guests.
What is celebrity Aqua cabin?
AquaClass Staterooms
Edge AquaClass guests enjoy a state-of-the-art infinite veranda, king-size cashmere mattress bedding, soothing stateroom touches and complimentary fitness classes. Plus, unlimited access to the SEA Thermal Suite, complimentary dining at Blu restaurant, and a personal spa concierge.
Does Aqua class get priority boarding?
Alongside suite and Concierge Class guests, AquaClass guests receive priority boarding and debarkation, both on embarkation day and throughout the cruise while in port.
What is an infinite Veranda on celebrity edge?
Instead of a standard balcony stateroom, the ship launched with over 500 Infinite Veranda cabins. This new design is aimed at getting cruisers closer to the water by essentially turning the entire room into a balcony with the push of a button.
Can you sit on a French balcony?
2 answers. A French balcony is a small step out your sliding doors. You can sit in your room with the doors open and feel like it is outdoors, but you cannot sit on the french balcony, it is to small. However, unless you plan to spend a great time in your room, a french balcony is just fine.
What is the point of a French balcony?
Most French balconies, which are sometimes also called “Juliet balconies,” are nowhere near big enough for people to stand or sit on. Some will hold small potted plants, but others are just for show. Their main purpose is to provide the feel of a true balcony without the expense or upkeep.
What is a Juliet balcony on a cruise ship?
Juliet balconies are found on almost all river cruise ship. Even a giant floor to ceiling window that opens from the top, down to the bottom with a railing on the outside, when open transforming your entire cabin into a balcony – that's a Juliet balcony! ( Sometimes also known as French Balconies)
Can you sleep on the balcony of a cruise ship?
Can You Sleep on a Cruise Ship Balcony? There are no rules that say that passengers on cruise ships can't sleep on their balconies. That said, cruise lines do generally advise against it. Despite this many people enjoy sleeping on their balconies and you won't have any problem doing so if you want to.
Are balconies on cruise ships safe?
Balconies pose a serious risk to passenger safety and have been at the center of many cruise ship accidents. We hear too often about people falling overboard from balcony staterooms, sometimes because the passenger has had too much to drink and other times because foul play was involved.
Are there prostitutes on a cruise ship?
Highly unlikely. The pool of men who might use her services is small on a cruise ship, since most men travel with their wives. Also if she were a hooker, she would have propositioned grandpa, that's what they do.