Which Cruise Lines Have the Cheapest Balcony Cabins?
If you want a balcony cabin without breaking the bank, the cruise line you choose matters -- a lot. The difference between the most and least expensive lines can easily be $50 or more per person, per night. Over a week-long cruise, that adds up fast.
We analyzed current pricing across 24,275 upcoming sailings with balcony availability to find out which cruise lines offer the best value.
The Rankings
| Rank | Cruise Line | Avg $/Night | Cheapest | Sailings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holland America | $279.44 | $77.07 | 1,055 |
| 2 | Carnival | $325.10 | $123.93 | 2,869 |
| 3 | MSC | $365.63 | $100.07 | 7,724 |
| 4 | Virgin | $376.48 | $190.50 | 473 |
| 5 | Royal Caribbean | $481.19 | $137.07 | 4,098 |
| 6 | NCL | $486.13 | $157.79 | 2,744 |
| 7 | Princess | $521.64 | $180.43 | 3,030 |
| 8 | Celebrity | $773.82 | $164.23 | 1,511 |
| 9 | Disney | $806.76 | $331.92 | 771 |
What Affects Balcony Prices?
The cruise line is the biggest factor, but it's not the only one. Several things push balcony prices up or down:
- Destination: Alaska and Europe cruises consistently cost more than Caribbean sailings. The operating costs are higher, the seasons are shorter, and demand is concentrated into fewer months.
- Time of year: Peak season (summer for Alaska, winter for Caribbean) commands higher prices. Shoulder seasons -- the weeks just before and after peak -- often offer the best value.
- Ship age: Newer ships with more balcony cabins sometimes price them lower to fill inventory. Older ships with fewer balconies can actually charge more because of scarcity.
- Demand and inventory: Like airlines, cruise lines use dynamic pricing. As cabins sell out, prices on remaining ones go up. A sailing that's 80% full will cost more than one that's 50% full.
- Booking window: How far in advance you book matters. The sweet spot varies by cruise line, but generally 3-6 months out offers the best combination of selection and pricing.
How to Find the Best Balcony Deal
The data above gives you a starting point, but finding the best deal on a specific sailing takes a bit more strategy:
- For Alaska and Europe: Book early. These itineraries sell out fast, and prices almost always go up as the departure date approaches. Six months out is a good target.
- For Caribbean: You can often afford to wait. There's more inventory, more competition between lines, and last-minute deals are common -- especially for 3-5 night sailings.
- Use price alerts: Set up a price drop alert on TrackCruisePrices for any sailing you're considering. You'll get notified when the balcony price drops, so you don't have to keep checking manually.
- Compare per-night pricing: A 5-night cruise for $800 and a 7-night cruise for $1,050 might seem similar, but the 7-night is actually cheaper per night ($150 vs. $160). Always compare on a per-night basis.
The rankings on this page update in real time as we collect new pricing data. Bookmark it and check back when you're planning your next cruise -- the numbers shift as new sailings open up and inventory changes.