Which Cruise Lines Have the Cheapest Ocean View Cabins?
Ocean view cabins sit in an interesting middle ground. You get natural light and a window to the sea without paying balcony prices. For cruisers who want more than a windowless box but don't need a private outdoor space, it's often the sweet spot.
The price gap between ocean view and inside cabins varies wildly by cruise line -- sometimes it's $10/night more, sometimes it's $50. Here's where you get the best value.
We analyzed current pricing across 23,962 upcoming sailings with ocean view availability.
The Rankings
| Rank | Cruise Line | Avg $/Night | Cheapest | Sailings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holland America | $228.65 | $59.21 | 1,363 |
| 2 | Carnival | $252.83 | $103.80 | 2,868 |
| 3 | MSC | $299.40 | $73.75 | 7,665 |
| 4 | Virgin | $304.09 | $166.83 | 473 |
| 5 | NCL | $372.70 | $131.27 | 2,695 |
| 6 | Royal Caribbean | $426.22 | $88.40 | 4,105 |
| 7 | Princess | $442.67 | $121.86 | 2,721 |
| 8 | Celebrity | $507.27 | $133.92 | 1,301 |
| 9 | Disney | $693.71 | $301.92 | 771 |
Ocean View vs. Balcony: Is It Worth the Upgrade?
This is one of the most common questions cruisers ask. Here's the honest answer:
- Scenery matters more in some destinations: For Alaska and Norway fjord cruises, a balcony is worth every penny -- you'll want to step outside and take it in. For a 4-night Bahamas run, the ocean view window is plenty.
- Porthole vs. picture window: Not all ocean view cabins are equal. Some have small round portholes, others have large rectangular windows. Check the deck plan before booking -- the experience is very different.
- The price gap narrows on older ships: On newer mega-ships, balconies are abundant and sometimes barely cost more than ocean view. On older ships with fewer balconies, ocean view is the clear value play.
- Obstructed views exist: Some ocean view cabins have lifeboats partially blocking the window. These are often discounted further -- great value if you mainly want natural light rather than a perfect view.
What Drives Ocean View Pricing?
- Supply and demand: Newer ships are built with mostly balcony and inside cabins. Ocean view inventory is shrinking, which can actually push prices up on some ships.
- Deck location: Lower-deck ocean view cabins are cheaper. Higher decks with larger windows cost more, and forward-facing cabins can carry a premium.
- Cruise line strategy: Some lines price ocean view very close to balcony to push upgrades. Others price them just above inside to make them an easy "treat yourself" step up.
- Itinerary: Sea-day-heavy itineraries make cabin choice matter more (you'll be in it more), which drives up demand for rooms with a view.
How to Find the Best Ocean View Deal
- Compare the gap: Before booking ocean view, check the price difference to both inside and balcony. Sometimes the upgrade to balcony is only $15-20/night more, making ocean view the worst value of the three.
- Watch for repositioning cruises: Long one-way sailings (like transatlantic crossings) often have deep discounts on ocean view cabins since there are many sea days and fewer port-focused travelers.
- Set price alerts: Use TrackCruisePrices to watch specific sailings. Ocean view rates tend to be more volatile than inside cabins -- the deals come and go quickly.
- Book shoulder season: The best ocean view deals appear just before and after peak season, when ships aren't sailing full.
Rankings update in real time as we collect new pricing. Bookmark this page and check back when you're planning your next cruise.
Data updated in real-time. Prices shown are per person, per night based on the lowest available ocean view rate for each sailing. Last checked: June 5, 2026.