The Virtual Balcony is a remarkable design feature in Royal Caribbean that creates an ‘ocean view’ for those in an interior stateroom (windowless), allowing the guest the experience of having a true balcony without actually having one. Instead of being stuck with four walls or a small porthole, the staterooms include a screen that goes from the ceiling to the floor that provides the guest with live, real-time video feed of the ocean and/or live footage of the ocean from cameras mounted on the outer portion of the ship. The screen also provides the guest with a display of the view that is available to them, including live video footage of the ocean, live video feeds of terrain (islands, etc.), the sunrise and sunset, and most importantly, the current weather patterns in the area where the ship is currently located.
Starting with Quantum of the Sea in 2014, the Virtual Balcony was introduced as a unique feature offered by Royal Caribbean to allow natural light and views to enter into the interior staterooms. Since then, the feature has been added to many of Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class, Oasis-class, and the newest Icon-class of ships. The technology consists of large 80-inch LED televisions that display the images captured by the high-definition camera on the exterior of the ship, thereby creating a “window to outside” illusion for the guest. For many cruisers, it is the closest thing to an actual balcony, and it does not cost them the ‘actual’ balcony premium.
How Virtual Balcony Cabins Work on Royal Caribbean Ships
The system is quite simple but very effective. Let’s see how this is so.
- Live Camera Feed: High definition camera on outside of ship, usually right outside of cabin, shows real-time from the ocean, horizon, passing ports and sky.
- LED Screen: LED wall from floor to ceiling inside cabin, 80-100 inches Diagonally replaces traditional window, flush with wall, framed as a balcony window.
- Day and Night Reality: During the daytime, the user sees the bright blue sky and ocean waves and during nighttime the user sees stars, city lights, or moonlight reflecting on the water. The camera feed adjusts automatically to the current light conditions in cabin and outside based on time of day.
- Real-Time Video Feed with Minimal Lag (< 1 Second): Live video from the ship's exterior allows you to feel more connected to the outside world than would happen with a traditional feed.
- Live Audio & Motion: The screen does not have sound; you can hear natural sounds from the ship (waves, winds). Some cruise passengers feel it is more realistic because you can hear the true ocean and watch it.
The Virtual Balcony is available only in specific cabins that have been designated as either "Interior with Virtual Balcony" or "Virtual Balcony Cabin." These cabins are the same size as standard interior cabins (approximately 150-180 sq. ft.) but are on higher decks than standard cabins and have an external camera.
Royal Caribbean Ships That Offer Virtual Balcony Staterooms
These ships have Virtual Balconies as part of the overall fleet. Majorly, Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class and some Oasis-class ships have virtual balconies installed. Virtual Balconies are there in Quantum class ships, in all interior cabins numbering 1,358 cabins.
- Quantum of the Sea (2014): This ship's Virtual Balcony is the initial installation and many of the interior cabins were developed with Virtual Balconies in mind.
- Ovation of the Sea (2016): Although the layout has changed since Quantum's first additions, the interior cabins on Ovation were designed for the incorporation of Virtual Balconies.
- Spectrum of the Sea (2019): The vast majority of the interior cabins onboard Spectrum were designed with the installation of Virtual Balconies.
- Odyssey of the Sea (2021): This was Royal Caribbean's newest Quantum class and offers Virtual Balconies.
- Icon of the Seas (2024): Royal Caribbean installed Virtual Balconies on 50% of the interior cabins.
- Star of the Sea (2025): As the sister ship to Icon of the Sea and of similar design to Icon of the Sea, the interior cabins are designed to accommodate Virtual Balconies.
Note: The Virtual Balcony option is available on four of the five Oasis-class ships - Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, and Wonder - but does not exist on the Utopia class. In addition to those five Oasis-class ships, other ships within the Freedom/Voyager Classes or older vessels will not allow passengers to enjoy a Virtual Balcony, but will include a standard interior cabin or the use of a virtual porthole instead.
How Much Are Royal Caribbean Virtual Balcony Cabins
These are the rates on cruise ships sailing for 7 days to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. (Standard Interior, Standard Virtual Balcony, Standard Oceanview, and Veranda/Balcony). The different room types will have different rates depending on the room type selected to give you an approximate idea of what a passenger might pay for their cruise reservations. Here are estimates for the various room types: (ALL SHOWN HERE ARE PRICED PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY).
Standard Interior: Ranging between $700 and $1,200*
Interior Room With Virtual Balcony: Ranging from $900 to $1,600* (a $150-$400* increase from a Standard Interior)
Oceanview Room: Ranging From $1,100 To $1,900 *
Veranda/Balcony Room: Ranging from $1,400 to $2,500+ *
For a family of four on a 7-night sailing, the Virtual Balcony upgrade can save $800–$1,600* compared to booking two real balcony cabins. On longer Alaska or Europe cruises, the price difference grows ($300–$600 per person savings vs. a real balcony).
Pro Tip: Virtual Balcony cabins often appear in “Guaranteed” (GTY) categories at a lower rate, meaning you get the room type (or better) but not the exact location. This can be a smart way to save money.
Is a Royal Caribbean Virtual Balcony Worth It
Your answer will be determined by what your priorities are.
Worth it:
- If you want natural light and a view but don’t want to spend extra for a real balcony, it may be worth it.
- For longer voyages (7+ nights), it may really matter to have an actual view from your cabin (vs. no view).
- Sometimes it is nice to have a window when you are cruising for the first time, travelling with a friend or with children (who will enjoy seeing the ocean), who will all likely prefer a cabin with some sort of outside view as opposed to one without any type of external exposure whatsoever.
- When going on cruises that take you through beautiful places (Alaska, the Mediterranean and the Norwegian fjords) the views will matter the most!
Not Worth it if:
- You’re on a short 3–5 night Bahamas cruise where you’ll spend most time in port or on deck.
- You prefer complete darkness for sleeping (the screen can be turned off but still emits a slight glow).
- You’re very budget-conscious—standard interiors save $150–$400* per person.
- You’re in a group and need connecting cabins (Virtual Balconies are rarely connecting).
The vast majority of cruisers who have recently reviewed the Virtual Balcony indicated that it is "worth the price" because of the increased amount of natural light and the improved views experienced by those on scenic routes. A number of cruisers stated that the Virtual Balcony represents the "best possible compromise in pricing options" between interior staterooms and staterooms with actual balconies.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Virtual Balcony
Utilize the virtual balcony in the best way possible:
Time it Correctly: to have the most scenic views of your cruise, use the virtual balcony during the times of sunrise, sunset or for scenic entry into ports.
Set the Room Lighting: Adjust the brightness level of your virtual balcony to coincide with the ambient light in your stateroom. This will create a nice ambiance.
Share the Virtual Balcony Experience: When meeting up with cruise acquaintances, make reference to the virtual balcony. Use it as a way to take a break from other activities during the cruise.
FAQs
1. What is a Royal Caribbean Virtual Balcony?
A Royal Caribbean Virtual Balcony is simply an internal Room Cabin whose wall contains a large LED screen simulating a window looking out onto the ocean with the aid of video cameras mounted at the exterior of the ship. The display screen can show images of sunlight during the daytime and darkness during the nighttime.
2. How does a Virtual Balcony work on Royal Caribbean ships?
The Royal Caribbean cruise ship has numerous cameras mounted on its exterior hulls that transmit live video to each of the virtual balconies via a 55 to 100-inch LED screen showing real-time animation of what is taking place outside/at sea at that present time (i.e., in other words, they work as if they were "live" on the deck of the Royal Caribbean cruise ship viewing outside at that current moment in time). In addition to showing how dark or bright it is outside by displaying that same illumination level on the display of the virtual balcony screen, the virtual balcony screens simulate windows as if they were actually open).
3. What fleet classifications of ships are available to customers with need for Virtual Balconies?
Royal Caribbean has several classes of their ships available that offer virtual balconies today. These include Quantum Class, Icon Class, and some Oasis-Class vessels. No older vessels, such as Freedom-Class, Voyager Class, or Radiance-Class will have virtual balconies as these were not designed for virtual balcony cabins.
4. What are the prices of virtual balcony vs. standard interior rooms?
On average, guests should budget $150-$400 per passenger in addition to what each passenger would pay for a standard cabin of the same size, for an itinerary of 7 days in the Caribbean. For example; A family of four traveling all together on the same cruise will pay between $900 and $1600* (per person) for a virtual balcony and will pay between $700 and $1,200* (per person) for a standard interior cabin.
5. Is a Virtual Balcony better than an interior cabin?
Yes, for most people. The added natural light, real-time ocean views, and feeling of openness make it feel closer to an oceanview or balcony cabin at a lower price. Many cruisers say it’s “the best upgrade you can make” for longer or scenic sailings.
