Is a Balcony Worth It on Alaska Cruises

A balcony enhances Alaska cruises by providing private viewing of glaciers, fjords, and wildlife like whales and bears. The scenic cruising through Inside Passage and Glacier Bay offers spectacular photo opportunities from your stateroom. However, cool temperatures and frequent rain may limit outdoor use. Interior and oceanview cabins offer significant savings while maintaining access to public viewing decks.

Quick Facts: Alaska Cruise Balcony Considerations

Want to know more about which Alaska cruise lines offer the best value and experience?

When a Balcony Actually Makes Sense

Not all Alaska itineraries are created equal. The value of a balcony depends heavily on your specific route and what you’ll actually see from your room.

High-Value Balcony Scenarios

• Glacier-heavy itineraries: Routes featuring Hubbard Glacier or extended Glacier Bay cruising give you hours of continuous scenery where a private space really shines
• Early risers and night owls: Wildlife is most active at dawn and dusk. If you’re in your pajamas at 5:30 AM when whales breach beside the ship, you’ll be glad you don’t need to dress and head to public decks
• Mobility concerns: If climbing stairs to observation decks is challenging, having a best cabin choice with a balcony eliminates that obstacle
• Introverts or families: Sometimes you want to experience the scenery without crowds, commentary or someone’s selfie stick in your face
• Extended sea days: Itineraries with multiple full days of scenic cruising maximize your balcony time versus port-heavy routes

When to Skip the Balcony

• Inside Passage routes with frequent ports: You’ll be off the ship exploring Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway most days
• Tight budgets: The overall cost of an Alaska cruise adds up quickly, and balconies are a premium expense
• Social cruisers: If you prefer being where the action is, you’ll rarely use your balcony anyway
• May sailings: Earlier season cruises face colder temperatures that make balcony sitting less appealing

The Balcony Reality: What Cruise Lines Don’t Advertise

Here’s what experienced Alaska cruisers know that first-timers often discover too late.

Temperature and Weather Facts

Alaska balconies aren’t Caribbean balconies. Even in summer you’ll need a heavy fleece or jacket to sit outside comfortably. The wind chill factor when the ship is moving makes it feel 10-15 degrees colder than the actual temperature. Rain is frequent and can limit your outdoor time to minutes rather than hours on certain days.

Pro tip: If you do book a balcony, pack a waterproof blanket and hot beverage thermos. You’d be surprised how much more time you’ll spend outside when you’re cozy.

The Viewing Angle Problem

Your balcony shows you exactly one view: whatever happens to pass by on your side of the ship. Glaciers on the port side? Your starboard balcony is useless. Whales breaching behind the ship? You’ll miss them. The public decks let you chase the action, and trust me, you’ll want to chase it.

This is why understanding the best cabin location on your specific ship matters more than just having a balcony. Mid-ship balconies offer better stability and positioning than extreme forward or aft cabins.

The Crowd Factor

During major scenic moments like entering Glacier Bay or approaching Hubbard Glacier, the observation decks do get crowded. However, most ships have multiple outdoor viewing areas, and savvy cruisers know the secret spots. The forward observation lounge, the wake viewing area at the stern, and even the sports court often provide excellent viewing with far fewer people than the main pool deck.

Calculating the True Cost Difference

Looking at the price difference between inside versus balcony cabins requires more than just comparing the cruise fare.

Hidden Balcony Costs

• Many cruise lines charge higher gratuities for balcony categories
• You might spend more on room service since you have a nice space to enjoy it
• Balcony cabins are typically larger, which means more space to spread out and potentially more temptation to skip shore excursions

What You Can Do With the Savings

That $1,500 difference between cabin categories could fund:

• A helicopter glacier landing excursion ($400-600 per person)
• A float plane tour over Misty Fjords ($250-350 per person)
• A pre or post-cruise hotel stay in Anchorage or Vancouver
• Premium shore excursions at every port
• An upgrade to a specialty dining package

For many travelers, experiencing Alaska beyond the ship delivers more memorable moments than watching it from a private balcony. The best budget cabin options can free up substantial funds for these experiences.

The Best of Both Worlds Strategy

Some cruise veterans split the difference by booking an oceanview cabin with a large window instead of a balcony. You get natural light and views without the balcony premium. Many newer ships feature floor-to-ceiling windows in oceanview cabins that provide 80% of the balcony experience at 60% of the cost.

Another strategy is booking a guarantee cabin. These are discounted rates where the cruise line assigns your specific cabin closer to sailing. You might luck into a balcony at an inside cabin price, though you risk getting an obstructed view or less desirable location.

Positioning Your Balcony for Best Wildlife Viewing

If you do opt for a balcony, your cabin position affects what you’ll see. Most Alaska cruises sail northbound or southbound, and the best glacier viewing positions depend on your specific route direction.

Starboard vs. Port Side

• Northbound cruises: Port side generally faces the coastline and islands through the Inside Passage
• Southbound cruises: Starboard side gets more coastal views
• Glacier approaches: Ships typically position broadside to glaciers, so both sides get views, just from different angles

However, the ship’s captain will often rotate which side faces scenic highlights to give everyone equal viewing opportunities. Don’t stress too much about choosing the “perfect” side.

Bonus Tips Alaska Cruisers Wish They’d Known

• Binoculars are essential: Even with a balcony, wildlife viewing requires magnification. Bring or rent quality binoculars
• Sailaway and arrival matter most: The most scenic moments are often leaving and entering ports. If you have a balcony, prioritize being there during these times
• The bridge narration is only broadcast to public areas: If you’re on your balcony, you’ll miss the captain’s commentary about what you’re seeing unless you tune to the ship’s TV channel
• Balcony furniture gets wet: Morning dew and rain means you’ll need to wipe down chairs before sitting. Pack a small towel specifically for this
• Heated balconies exist: Some luxury ships feature infrared heaters on balconies. If you’re booking a premium cabin, this amenity makes a huge difference
• Light pollution affects Northern Lights viewing: If you’re cruising in shoulder season hoping to see aurora, your balcony light may need to stay off. The public decks have better darkness anyway
• Photo opportunities from public decks are superior: Professional photographers and serious hobbyists always shoot from open decks, not through balcony glass or around railings

Common Questions and FAQ

Can I use my balcony when the ship is docked in port?

Yes, though your view will be of the dock, other ships, or port buildings rather than scenery. Some passengers enjoy their balcony in port for privacy and fresh air, but you’re typically facing industrial port areas rather than Alaska’s natural beauty.

Will my balcony be on the shady side of the ship?

Alaska’s northern latitude means the sun stays relatively low on the horizon, and you’ll rarely deal with harsh direct sunlight issues like Caribbean cruises. Cloud cover is frequent, making shade concerns minimal. If anything, you might want sun rather than avoiding it.

Are balconies safe for children?

Modern cruise ships have regulations requiring balcony railings at specific heights, but young children should always be supervised. The cold weather also means kids typically prefer indoor activities over sitting on balconies. Family-friendly ships often have dedicated observation lounges with large windows that are safer and more engaging for children.

Do smoking policies affect balcony use?

Most cruise lines now prohibit smoking on balconies due to fire risks and complaints from neighboring cabins. If you smoke, you’ll need to use designated outdoor areas anyway, reducing a balcony’s convenience factor. Check your specific cruise line’s policy before booking.

Will I hear engine noise on my balcony?

Aft cabins near the propulsion system can experience vibration and mechanical sounds. Forward cabins may catch wind noise and wave sounds. Mid-ship balconies are typically quietest. Read deck plans carefully and avoid cabins directly above or below loud public areas like theaters or nightclubs.

Can I request balcony upgrades at the pier?

Last-minute upgrades occasionally happen, but Alaska cruises typically sail at very high capacity during summer season, making unsold balcony inventory rare. If upgrades are available, they’re usually offered weeks before sailing via email. Don’t count on pier upgrades for Alaska itineraries.

Personal Experience

When I booked my first Alaska cruise, I agonized over whether to splurge on a balcony. I ended up choosing an inside cabin on the Inside Passage route, and honestly, it was perfectly fine. We spent maybe an hour total in our room beyond sleeping because there was so much to see from the top decks. The main scenery – glaciers, whales, dramatic coastlines – was actually better viewed from the open-air observation areas where you could move around freely and weren’t stuck looking at whatever happened to pass by your specific balcony angle. Plus, those decks had naturalists pointing out wildlife that I definitely would have missed from my room.

That said, my friend took a similar cruise that went further out to Hubbard Glacier, and she swears her balcony made the trip. The difference? Her route spent way more time in open water and had longer stretches of continuous glacier viewing where she could sit with her coffee in privacy and just soak it in. She mentioned that during the glacier approach, the outer decks were absolutely mobbed, but she could watch the whole thing in peace from her room. So I’d say if you’re doing the Inside Passage with lots of port stops, save your money. But if your itinerary focuses on the more remote glacier routes with extended scenic cruising, the balcony might actually be worth considering.