Choosing the right stateroom can make or break your cruise, especially when you’re weighing up the savings of an interior cabin against the fresh air and views of an Oceanview or balcony.
For many travellers, the big question isn’t what the cabin types are – it’s whether paying hundreds of extra dollars for a window or private veranda is genuinely worth it over a week or more at sea. Recent pricing comparisons across major lines show that balconies typically command a 50–70% premium over interior cabins, with ocean views sitting somewhere in between, yet the real value depends heavily on how you cruise, how scenic your itinerary is, and how much time you actually spend in your room.
By looking closely at the practical differences between interior, exterior and balcony staterooms, and drilling into real-world fare data from Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises, it becomes much easier to decide when to save, when to splurge – and which line offers the smartest upgrade for your style of sailing.
Interior staterooms sit completely within the ship, with no window or balcony, so they’re dark but usually quiet and ideal for travellers who spend most of their time in public areas and just need a place to sleep and shower. Oceanview (exterior) staterooms add a fixed window or porthole, bringing natural light and a view without fresh air – a good middle ground for guests who dislike the “inside cabin cave” but don’t need outdoor space. Balcony cabins include sliding doors onto a private veranda with seating, giving you fresh air, personal outdoor space and a more spacious feel, which many cruisers find especially valuable on longer sailings and sea‑day heavy itineraries.
From a lifestyle point of view, interiors suit budget‑minded travellers, port‑intensive itineraries and those who sleep best in total darkness. Ocean views appeal to guests who want daylight and a visual sense of place without stretching the budget to a balcony. Balcony cabins are ideal for couples, scenic cruising (like the Med or Alaska), and anyone who values privacy, outdoor relaxation, and in-room views for sail-ins and sail ways.
How much more do balconies really cost?
Industry analyses that look across multiple lines show a balcony typically costs around 50–70% more than an interior on the same sailing, with ocean view cabins sitting roughly 25–30% above interior fares.
For example, one 2023–24 pricing study found balcony cabins on Royal Caribbean averaged about USD 1,008 per person versus USD 635 for an interior – roughly USD 373 or 58% more on six-night itineraries. The same study showed Princess Cruises’ balconies averaging USD 1,343 compared with USD 728 for interiors, a difference of about USD 615 or 84% more on roughly ten-night itineraries.
Oceanview pricing in that dataset sat between the two: on average, about 29% more than interior on Carnival and similar mid-tier lines, which broadly matches what you see across the market – a moderate uplift for a window, with the major jump being from ocean view to balcony. For many travellers, that balcony premium is only “worth it” on longer or more scenic cruises, or where you’re likely to use the balcony daily for breakfast, work or quiet time.
Royal Caribbean vs Princess: who wins on value?
Using the sample pricing above, balcony cabins on Royal Caribbean cost about USD 689.91 more than interiors across multiple cruises, an average premium of 68%. Princess balconies, meanwhile, came in about USD 614.79 above interiors but represented a bigger percentage jump – around 84% – because Princess’ average interior fares in the sample were slightly lower and the cruises a bit longer. In simple terms, you pay a bit more in absolute dollars for a Royal balcony, but you get more “balcony days” for your money on Princess because those itineraries are typically longer.
If the metric is percentage uplift, Royal Caribbean is the better “value” upgrade: you’re paying a smaller relative premium (about 58–68% more, depending on itinerary length) to move from interior to balcony than on Princess (often 70–80%+).
If your metric is cost per day for balcony comfort, Princess can look attractive on longer sailings where that extra space and private outdoor area are used heavily over 9–12 nights, bringing the per-day balcony premium down. Overall, for most mainstream cruisers comparing like-for-like itineraries, Royal Caribbean edges out as the value winner for balcony upgrades. At the same time, Princess wins for those willing to pay more for a slightly more traditional, destination-focused experience with strong balcony inventory on longer voyages.
Snapshot: interior vs balcony on Royal Caribbean and Princess
| Line & cabin type | Typical features | Approx. average fare* | % more than interior | Takeaway |
| Royal Caribbean interior | No window, smallest footprint, best for budget & port‑heavy trips. | ~USD 635 pp (6 nights). | – | Cheapest way onboard. |
| Royal Caribbean balcony | Private verandah, more space, great for sea days & scenic routes. | ~USD 1,008 pp (6 nights). | ~58% more. | Strong value upgrade for guests who use their balcony often. |
| Princess interior | Compact, windowless, suits value‑driven and sleep‑focused guests. | ~USD 728 pp (9.75 nights). | – | Low per‑day cost on longer itineraries. |
| Princess balcony | Larger cabin plus balcony, popular on Alaska & Med runs. | ~USD 1,343 pp (9.75 nights). | ~84% more. | Best for travellers who prioritise views and comfort over price. |
*Fares are averages from multi‑sailing 2023 data and will vary by ship, season, itinerary and promotion.
Which cabin – and which line – should you choose?
If budget is the main driver and you treat your cabin as a crash pad between long days ashore, an interior on either Royal Caribbean or Princess delivers maximum savings and opens up more funds for shore excursions, specialty dining or flights.
If natural light and at least a glimpse of the sea matter but you’re still watching costs, an Oceanview can hit the sweet spot, especially on cooler‑weather cruises where balcony use may be limited.
For travellers who value comfort, privacy and connection to the destination – especially on scenic routes like Alaska, the Med, or transoceanic crossings – balconies are usually worth the premium.
On pure value of the upgrade, Royal Caribbean comes out ahead thanks to a lower percentage jump for balconies and strong balcony inventory on many ships. On overall balcony experience over longer, destination‑rich itineraries, Princess is hard to beat, with many ships designed around balcony living and itineraries where you’ll genuinely use that outdoor space daily.
Choosing between them ultimately comes down to how much time you plan to spend in your stateroom, how scenic your itinerary is, and whether you see your cabin as simply a place to sleep – or a private retreat at sea.
