When you are sailing on a Disney Cruise one of the most important choices you will have to make is what category of stateroom to book.
Is the splurge on a balcony of a Disney Cruise really worth the cost?
A Room With a View
There is nothing quite like having your own private viewing spot on your own balcony.
This is particularly true on certain itineraries such as Alaska, Europe, and the Panama Canal.
The Disney Panama Canal Cruise is one of my personal favorites and having a balcony stateroom always makes it a very special experience.
Of course, you still can watch the transit through the locks and canal, but it is definitely a better experience on your own balcony.
When you are sailing through an area that is particularly interesting or beautiful, you can of course do this on deck.
However, it really isn’t the same.
You just have to decide whether the extra costs are worth that experience.
Sail Away on a Disney Cruise
Sail Away is one of the highlights of a cruise. You have most likely waited a long time for your Disney Cruise vacation and now it is time to leave port for your journey.
You could go up on the pool deck and enjoy the Sail Away with your fellow cruisers.
Or you could grab a glass of wine and enjoy the Sail Away with your partner, family, or friends on your very own balcony.
Related: Disney Cruise Staterooms to Avoid
A Disney Cruise Balcony May Not Cost as Much as You Think
When making your decision you really need to know just how much more a balcony is going to cost. Always make sure you compare the prices of different staterooms so that you can decide which one is best for you.
Here are some prices to give you an idea of the cost of a Disney Cruise balcony upgrade. Prices are for 2 guests and are subject to change.
These are some examples that I found on 25 September 2023 to give you an idea of the differences.
All prices shown are the lowest available for each category.
All price comparisons are to upgrade from an Inside Stateroom to a Verandah Balcony Stateroom.
3 Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Wish from Port Canaveral
Sailing on March 1, 2024
Here the difference between an Inside stateroom and a Balcony is $474 total. That is a $79 per person per night difference.
4 Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Wish from Port Canaveral
Sailing on September 2, 2024
For this sailing, the difference is $424 total or $53 per person per night.
7 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Disney Fantasy from Port Canaveral
Sailing on August 31, 2024
The difference here is $742 or $53 per person per night.
7 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Disney Treasure from Port Canaveral
Disney Treasure is the new ship in the fleet for late 2024.
Here are the prices for Disney Treasure sailing on May 10, 2025
If you wanted a Balcony stateroom rather than an Inside stateroom, the difference is $1232 or $88 per person per night.
As you can see it really can not be much of a costly upgrade, depending upon the dates that you sail and the itinerary.
Disney Wonder Cruise to Alaska
However, there is one cruise destination where you definitely will see a large price difference between an Inside Stateroom and a Verandah.
Sailing on June 17, 2024
A Balcony stateroom costs $4,956 more than an Inside stateroom. This is a 7-night cruise so the per person per night extra cost is $354
Sailing on September 9, 2024
The Balcony costs $2,786 more than the Inside stateroom. This is $199 per person per night extra.
Disney Magic 5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale
Sailing on September 21, 2024
Here a Balcony stateroom is $980 more than an Inside stateroom. So that works out at $98 more per person per night.
As you can see from these examples, the price difference can be relatively little. The lowest difference here is $53 per person per night.
However, on an itinerary where a balcony is seen as much more desirable because of the destination, such as Alaska, the price difference can be much higher and can be over $354 per person per night.
There is Nothing Like a Sunrise or a Sunset
Some of the most peaceful and enjoyable times on a cruise are watching the sunrise and the sunset. For me, those times have been worth the extra cost of a Disney Cruise Balcony.
Few of us ever spend time in our busy lives just taking the time to watch these daily events.
However, I have found that I always make time to do this on a cruise.
Of course, you can go up on deck and watch the sunrise.
However, there is nothing quite like just stepping out of your stateroom onto your balcony and watching the day begin.
Sunsets are also very special.
Grab a glass of wine, order an All Hands on Deck from Disney Cruise Room Service, and watch the sun go down on your private balcony.
You Get More Space with a Balcony
Disney cruise staterooms are some of the largest on the seven seas. And if you have a balcony you have your own private sanctuary outside.
It is so nice to be able to just have some time on your own, or with your partner.
If you have a balcony cabin you can get up early in the morning and have some alone time on the verandah before your partner gets up.
Or if you have children you can tuck them up in bed (or more likely let them watch Disney movies) whilst you and your partner enjoy some time together on the balcony.
Arriving in Port Watching From Your Balcony
There really is nothing quite like watching a port approaching from the privacy of our own Disney Cruise verandah.
This is true particularly if you are arriving early in the morning. Everything just seems so quiet a peaceful. The anticipation of arriving in a different port, particularly if you have never visited that place before, is one of the highlights of a cruise.
At the end of the day, it is also a very special experience sailing away from the port.
Related: What You Really Should Not Do on Your Disney Cruise Balcony
Dining on Your Disney Cruise Balcony
If you are staying in a Verandah stateroom on your Disney cruise you absolutely have to order Room Service.
One of my favorite things to do is to order a pot of coffee early in the morning from Room Service and enjoy a very peaceful start to the day.
Of course, there is food available on the Disney Ships for most of the day.
You can go to the buffet and instead of eating on the pool deck, why not take it down to your Disney Cruise balcony to enjoy?
There is nothing quite like ordering Room Service and enjoying dining on your cruise balcony. Most items on the menu are free – although always remember to tip your Room Service steward.
Is A Disney Cruise Balcony Really Worth the Cost?
I have sailed in every type of Disney Cruise stateroom. All have been amazing experiences.
Of course, I would always choose a balcony if I could. But when the budget is more important I am perfectly happy to sail in an Inside or Outside Disney cruise stateroom without a balcony.
However, as you can see, sometimes the upgrade really isn’t that hard on the wallet.
It’s a balance.
Do you want the advantages of the balcony, or to save money on the stateroom that you can spend on other experiences?
Sometimes it is a difficult choice. However, whichever stateroom you choose on a Disney Cruise you will have an amazing time.
Will you only sail if you can have a Disney Cruise Verandah Stateroom?
Is the Disney Cruise Balcony cost worth it for you?
Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.
Douglas Creek
Monday 25th of September 2023
For our first cruise ever, we opted for a Oceanview stateroom on the Disney Fantasy, but when we received our baggage tags and sail away book Disney had upgraded us to a balcony stateroom. We were hooked. We don't sail unless we have a balcony. It is well worth the extra money.
rex
Thursday 20th of January 2022
we have a balconystate room for our feburary 5th cruise we had 3 cruises canceled by Disney.so that made it possible for the upgrade, otherwise we can't afford the veranda state room we learned that you get what you pay for and Disney is worth it.