Cruise lines generally sell four main cabin types: interior (some lines say "inside"), ocean view, balcony and suite. Royal Caribbean's balcony guide (shown as updated March 24, 2026) names the same four. What differs is how each type is measured: Princess counts the balcony inside its balcony sizes, Celebrity lists interior and veranda space separately, and Carnival gives no square-foot figures. So compare cabins inside one line, not across lines.
If you get seasick, see the seasick section below. A "guarantee" booking (explained below) leaves the choice of cabin to the line, which works against a location plan.
Sizes and guest limits, line by line
| Line (page) | Interior | Ocean view | Balcony | What the page says about the numbers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | Up to 340 sq. ft., up to 6 guests | Up to 354 sq. ft., up to 8 guests | Up to 298 sq. ft., up to 8 guests | Maximums for the whole type across the fleet, not ranges. Suites: up to 2766 sq. ft., up to 9 guests. The page does not say whether balconies are counted. |
| Norwegian | Inside: up to 142 sq. ft., up to four guests | Up to 161 sq. ft.; some sleep up to five | Balcony: up to 205 sq. ft. (Staterooms page: 1-4 guests) Family Balcony: approx. 216 sq. ft. of space plus a balcony, up to four. Club Balcony Suite: up to 285 sq. ft., up to four | Size and capacity vary by ship. For Inside, the Inside page says up to four guests and the Staterooms overview page says 1-5 guests. |
| Princess | About 136 to 162 sq. ft. | About 145 to 212 sq. ft. | About 179 to 279 sq. ft. including balcony. Mini-suite: about 304 to 329 sq. ft. including balcony | Balcony sizes include the balcony. Suites: up to 1500 sq. ft. including balcony. The rooms page lists no guest limits for these room types. |
| Virgin Voyages | Insider: 105-177 sq. ft., 1-4 people | Sea View: 130-190 sq. ft., 1-3 people | Sea Terrace: 185-225 sq. ft., 2-4 people | The page does not say whether the terrace is counted. |
| Celebrity (Celebrity Beyond page) | Inside: 181-202 sq. ft. interior space | Ocean View: 200-242 sq. ft. interior space | Veranda on Edge: 202-228 sq. ft. interior space plus a 40-89 sq. ft. veranda | Figures are for Celebrity Beyond only. The page lists interior and veranda space separately. |
| Carnival | Sleeps up to 5 guests; "Roomy" | Sleeps up to 5 guests; "Roomier" | Sleeps up to 5 guests; "Roomier" | Room size is given in words only. Suites are "Roomiest" and also sleep up to 5 guests. |
MSC appears in this guide only for its Yacht Club suites (see below). Its interior, ocean view and balcony cabins are not covered.
Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival and Princess each list basics for all cabins, such as a stateroom attendant or daily housekeeping, climate control, a TV and an in-room safe. Virgin's compare page lists WiFi, soda and water, all dining, fitness classes and entertainment for every cabin category, with a note that details may vary for some cabins.
What each type is for, in the lines' own words
- Interior. Norwegian's Inside page aims it at active travelers who plan to spend the trip on food, the pool deck and entertainment. Princess's blog describes a cozy room for guests who plan to spend most of their time exploring the ship. Virgin's compare page lists its Insider cabin as having "No window views".
- Ocean view. Norwegian's page describes views from your window and a choice of bed layouts. Princess's blog says an oceanview stateroom has a window to the sea. Virgin's Sea View cabin has a porthole window or a window seat, depending on the cabin.
- Balcony. Royal Caribbean's balcony guide says accommodations with balconies, suites included, tend to be more spacious and give you a private place to sit outside. Carnival describes its balcony rooms as steps from your own outdoor space. Celebrity's Beyond page describes an "Infinite Veranda" that opens the room to the sea at the touch of a button.
If you get seasick
- Royal Caribbean's Cruise Rooms page says guests sensitive to motion may want a stateroom lower to the waterline and closer to the center of the ship, and that layout and location vary by ship. The balcony guide calls a midship stateroom the best location for anyone who prefers not to feel the ocean's movement.
- Princess's blog says room location (midship, forward or aft) can affect motion and the view.
Neither line ranks the cabin types by motion. Both talk about where on the ship the cabin sits. The Carnival, Norwegian, Virgin and Celebrity pages cited here give no motion advice.
Does a balcony or ocean view always have a clear view?
The cited pages do not say how often a view is blocked. They show four ways a view can differ from what you expect.
- Guarantee bookings on Royal Caribbean. The guarantee page says allocated staterooms may have obstructed views.
- Balconies that face the ship. On Oasis and Icon class ships, Royal Caribbean's guarantee page says you may be assigned a Neighborhood View Balcony (Central Park, Boardwalk or Surfside). The balcony guide describes Oasis class balcony cabins that overlook the ship's interior ("Boardwalk View" or "Central Park View").
- Suites with a window, not a balcony. Princess says some suites have a window instead of a balcony and are labeled "Window Suites".
- Obstructed-view suites. A photo caption on Norwegian's Suites and Penthouses page names an obstructed-view family suite on Norwegian Pride of America. The page does not say how many such suites exist.
Before you pay for a cabin you pick by number, ask the line for the deck plan and the cabin's position.
Suites and "ship within a ship" areas
A "ship within a ship" is an area with its own restaurant, lounge or sundeck, open only to guests of certain accommodations, mostly suites. Five lines in this guide have one.
| Line and area | Where the page says it exists | What the page lists |
|---|---|---|
| Norwegian: The Haven | At the top of the ship (the page says Forward-Facing and Aft-Facing Penthouses are not located at the top of the ship). The Haven restaurant and lounge are on Prima class, Epic, Breakaway and Breakaway Plus class ships only. | 24-hour butler, concierge, private courtyard, pool and sundeck (sundeck for ages 16+), priority embarkation, and a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine. |
| MSC: Yacht Club | On 21 of 25 MSC ships, per the page. All suites are on the foredecks. The page lists 11 suite types, not all on every ship. It names a Duplex Royal Suite on MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic with two separate bedrooms and room for up to six guests. The page lists MSC World Atlantic as new, from 2027. | 24/7 butler service, a 24-hour concierge, a private restaurant, lounge, pool and sundeck; the page's footnote says the One Pool is not available on MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra or MSC Poesia. The Premium Extra Drink package and the Browse internet package for two devices per person are included. A daily limit of 15 alcoholic beverages per guest applies both inside and outside the Yacht Club area. |
| Celebrity: The Retreat | The Retreat Sundeck is not on Solstice, Eclipse, Reflection, Constellation or Infinity, per the page. | Every Retreat suite has a dedicated butler (reached through Butler Chat), access to a sundeck and lounge (Michael's Club on Celebrity Solstice, Eclipse and Reflection), and the suites-only Luminae restaurant. |
| Royal Caribbean: Royal Suite Class | Sea, Sky and Star tiers. The Royal Suite Class page lists Oasis, Quantum and Icon class ships. The Cruise Rooms page lists Oasis class and select Quantum class. | Sky Class guests have access to a Concierge. The Royal Genie is exclusive to Star Class guests on Oasis, Quantum and Icon class ships. Suite-only spaces include Coastal Kitchen and suite lounges and sun decks. |
| Princess: Sanctuary Collection | Sun Princess and Star Princess only. It covers all Suites, select Mini-Suites and select Balconies on those ships. | Princess Premier items (unlimited beverages, specialty dining, casual dining, MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, OceanNow delivery), plus the Sanctuary Club and Sanctuary Restaurant. Princess's blog says the Club is adults-only (16+). The Reserve Collection is on the rest of the fleet. |
A few more details from the pages:
- Norwegian Club Balcony Suite and Carnival suites. Norwegian's Club Balcony Suite is a step up from a balcony cabin, not a Haven suite; its page lists dining reservations as early as 125 days before sailing, a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine, treats twice per voyage and one valet laundry or pressing service. Carnival's suites list priority check-in, embarkation and debarkation; priority dinner reservations and main dining room time assignment; two complimentary large bottles of water; pillow-top mattresses; and bathrobes.
- Celebrity suite sizes. The Retreat page lists interior and terrace space separately. Examples: Sky Suite 254-362 sq. ft. interior and 57-102 terrace; Royal Suite 562-687 interior and 72-195 terrace. Perks for Royal Suites and above are listed separately and include specialty dining with lunch, daily laundry with unlimited pressing, a personalized minibar and sleepwear. Footnotes limit some other perks to named suites, so do not assume every Retreat guest gets a drink or dining package.
- Royal Caribbean Ultimate Family Suite. The page puts it in the Star tier and lists complimentary drinks, specialty dining and VOOM internet, and a Royal Genie.
- Norwegian suites outside The Haven. The Suites and Penthouses page lists butler and concierge service, a complimentary bottle of bubbly and treats each night. It marks butler service as not available on Norwegian Joy, and says actual amenities vary by ship and category. The page's size and sleeping figures do not always match the text under them, and The Haven page gives different Garden Villa figures again, so this guide gives no Garden Villa or Deluxe Owner's Suite sizes. The list gives Penthouses with Balcony as 504 sq. ft., sleeping up to four.
- Virgin RockStar Quarters. The Suites page lists Richard's Rooftop access, early booking, a curated in-room bar and RockStar Agents. Mega RockStar Quarters add a dedicated agent available 24/7, a bottomless in-room bar, a daily bar tab, daily spa access, and a private transfer or free parking (where available). The Compare Cabins page lists RockStar Quarters at 352-857 sq. ft. and Mega RockStar Quarters at 570-2167 sq. ft., both for 2-4 people; the Cabins page gives a different range for the category.
Families, groups and solo travelers
Families and groups
- Royal Caribbean. The Cruise Rooms page lists Spacious Interior rooms and connecting rooms, and names a four-bedroom Villa Suite as its top group option. The Ultimate Family Suite has two levels, an in-suite slide and a balcony jacuzzi, and the Ultimate Family Treehouse on Hero of the Seas spreads over three levels.
- Norwegian. Connecting staterooms are offered in different stateroom types. The Family Balcony stateroom has approx. 216 sq. ft. of space plus a balcony and sleeps up to four. The Suites page lists family suites, and The Haven page lists a 2-Bedroom Family Villa Suite sleeping up to six.
- Carnival. The Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite types on the Staterooms page all list connecting rooms, and the page says some cabins have a common door between them. Deluxe Ocean View staterooms sleep up to five and have an extra half-bath. Havana and Terrazza rooms require guests aged 12 or older. Carnival's ticket contract says specific stateroom assignments are not guaranteed and Carnival may move guests to a comparable stateroom, for example when a stateroom is booked with fewer than the maximum number of guests.
- Princess. The two-bedroom family suite has two interconnecting staterooms and sleeps up to eight on select ships. The page names Ruby Princess, Emerald Princess, Crown Princess and Caribbean Princess, and says to contact Customer Service because it can't be booked online. The page also says that if you book separate rooms, every stateroom needs at least one adult.
Solo travelers
- Norwegian. Solo Balcony, Oceanview and Inside staterooms and Solo Studios are "priced for one", and double-occupancy rates do not apply. Norwegian's pages say all Solo Staterooms include access to the Studio Lounge, but a footnote on the Staterooms page says the lounge is only available for Solo Studio accommodations, and a footnote on the Solo and Studio Staterooms page says it is not available on Pride of America.
- Celebrity. The Celebrity Beyond page lists an Edge Single Stateroom with an Infinite Veranda: 184 sq. ft. total living space, with a 42 sq. ft. veranda.
- Virgin Voyages. Its cabins page names solo "Sailors" for Sea View (1-3 people) and Insider (1-4 people).
Guarantee ("we pick") cabins
In a guarantee booking you buy a category, and the line chooses the cabin later. This guide covers guarantee booking in detail only for Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, the two lines with a dedicated page on it. Princess's rooms page also offers "Princess Picks your room": you still pick the room category, and the Princess team places you on the ship.
| Royal Caribbean | Norwegian | |
|---|---|---|
| What you book | A stateroom in a guaranteed category: Interior, Oceanview, Balcony or Suite, on your chosen ship and cruise. The page says the option is offered "at times". | A stateroom in the category you paid for. |
| When you learn the cabin | The line allocates it at its discretion, at any time up until check-in at the port. | No stateroom number at booking. It may be assigned any time after final payment, up to the day of sailing. |
| What is not guaranteed | The exact stateroom, number and location. Allocated staterooms may have obstructed views. | Deck, location and specific bed arrangements. Once assigned, there are no changes. |
| Other points | On Oasis and Icon class ships you may get a Neighborhood View Balcony. Guests in guarantee cabins may not be berthed with other traveling parties because of availability. On back-to-back cruises you may get a different stateroom on each cruise, and move on changeover day. |
Royal Caribbean's guarantee page carries no date. The Norwegian row comes from Norwegian's guarantee FAQ as shown on its Norway site.
Which should you choose
Pick by situation.
- You get seasick. Choose the cabin's location first: Royal Caribbean says lower down and near the middle, and Princess says location affects motion. Then choose a type. Book a specific cabin, because a guarantee leaves the location to the line.
- You will be out of the room most of the day. Norwegian and Princess describe interior cabins for guests who spend their time on the ship.
- You want a window but no balcony, or your own outdoor space. Ocean view gives a window (Norwegian) or a porthole or window seat (Virgin). A balcony gives a private place to sit outside. A balcony guarantee on an Oasis or Icon class ship can be a Neighborhood View Balcony facing the ship's interior.
- You need a particular deck, cabin number or bed layout. Book a named cabin, not a guarantee. If you do not mind where the cabin is, a guarantee is an option on Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, and Princess offers "Princess Picks your room". Read the guarantee table first.
- You travel as a family, group or alone. Look for connecting rooms or a family suite; Carnival's Havana and Terrazza rooms are for guests aged 12 or older. Solo travelers can compare Norwegian's solo rooms, Celebrity Beyond's Edge Single and Virgin's Sea View and Insider.
- You want a private restaurant, lounge or sundeck. Look at The Haven (Norwegian), Yacht Club (MSC), The Retreat (Celebrity), Royal Suite Class (Royal Caribbean) or the Sanctuary Collection (Princess). Not every ship has every part of these areas, so check the line's page for your ship.
Which cabin is "worth it" depends on the sailing, the ship and the dates. The cited pages give no cabin prices, so this guide does not compare them.
Need a cruise quote?
If you want to compare cabin categories on a specific cruise, send us your sailing, dates and number of guests, and we will come back with a quote. Contact us.
