One of the questions I get asked surprisingly often about Antarctica cruises is whether it's worth spending the extra money on a balcony cabin.
I've travelled to Antarctica many times now, on quite a few different ships, and I've stayed in everything from fairly basic cabins with portholes through to large balcony suites. My slightly frustrating answer is that it really depends on the ship, the price difference and what sort of traveller you are.
A balcony in Antarcticacan be fantastic. There's something pretty special about waking up, opening the curtains and stepping outside to find yourself surrounded by icebergs. But Antarctica is also very different from a traditional cruise destination, and you might actually spend far less time in your cabin than you imagine.
So, is it worth paying extra?
The Big Advantage: Antarctica Outside Your Bedroom
The obvious reason for booking a balcony is the view.
Antarctica is one of those destinations where the scenery doesn't stop when you're sailing. In fact, some of my favourite moments have happened between scheduled activities when an iceberg, whale or particularly dramatic mountain has suddenly appeared outside the ship.
Having your own balcony means you can step outside immediately.
It's particularly nice first thing in the morning. Instead of getting dressed and heading to an observation deck, you can walk outside with a coffee and see where you've arrived overnight.
Modern expedition ships increasingly offer balconies. Ships such as the National Geographic Endurancehave numerous balcony categories, while around 80% of cabins aboard the Greg Mortimerhave private balconies.
But You Probably Won't Spend That Much Time There
This is the big counterargument.
An Antarctic expedition is busy!
On a good day you might spend the morning on a landing, return for lunch and then head straight back out for an afternoon Zodiac cruise. Back onboard there are lectures, briefings, meals and wildlife sightings.
When someone announces whales over the PA system, you'll probably also want to head to an outside deck rather than remain on your balcony. The public decks generally give you a much wider field of view and allow you to move from one side of the ship to another as wildlife moves.
That's particularly important for photography.
If I'm photographing whales, for example, I'd much rather be on a large open deck where I can move around than stuck looking in one direction from my balcony.
How Much Are You Paying for It?
This is probably the most important question.
I wouldn't look at a balcony in isolation. Look at the actual price difference between the cabin categories on your particular departure.
If upgrading from a window cabin to a balcony costs a relatively small amount, I'd be tempted. Antarctica is probably not somewhere you're going to visit every year, and having your own outside space is lovely.
However, if that upgrade costs several thousand pounds, I'd think much harder about it.
Personally, I'd prioritise the itinerary and ship before the balcony.
If I had the choice between spending an extra £3,000 on a balcony or putting that money towards a longer itinerary that included South Georgia, I'd choose South Georgia every time.
What About a Window Cabin?
There's absolutely nothing wrong with a window cabin.
Some are actually almost identical internally to balcony cabins. On National Geographic Endurance, for example, the Window Cabins are approximately 19m² and are described on Antarctica Guide as having the same interior facilities as the Balcony Suites, with two large windows replacing the balcony.
That can represent very good value.
You're still able to wake up and immediately see Antarctica, but you're not paying for outside space you may only use occasionally.
There are also cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows or French/Juliet balconies. These can be an excellent middle ground. You get enormous windows and fantastic views without necessarily paying for a full walk-out balcony.
Is a Balcony Better for Seasickness?
This is another interesting consideration.
Being able to quickly get fresh air and look at the horizon can certainly be useful if you're feeling queasy, but I wouldn't choose a cabin location purely because it has a balcony.
Where your cabin is positioned on the ship can matter more.
Generally, cabins lower down and closer to the middle of the ship experience less movement than cabins high up or towards the bow and stern. If you're particularly concerned about crossing the Drake Passage, I'd pay attention to deck and cabin position, not simply whether there's a balcony.
Who Should Book a Balcony?
I'd particularly recommend considering one if you enjoy quiet time away from other passengers, love watching scenery with a coffee in the morning, or simply value having your own outside space.
They're also lovely for couples. There is something pretty ridiculous—in a good way—about sitting together on your own balcony while icebergs drift past.
For photographers, though, I'd say it's a nice bonus rather than essential. You'll generally get better photographic opportunities from the ship's larger observation decks.
So, Is a Balcony Worth It in Antarctica?
Sometimes!
If the difference in price is reasonable, I think a balcony is a great addition to an Antarctica cruise. Being able to step directly outside and see the continent from your cabin is something you'll remember.
But I definitely wouldn't stretch your budget purely to get one.
Itinerary first, ship second, cabin third would generally be my approach.
A window cabin on a fantastic small expedition ship travelling to South Georgia and Antarctica would be far more appealing to me than an enormous balcony suite on an itinerary I wasn't as excited about.
If you're struggling to decide between cabin categories, it's worth comparing the actual cabins and prices across several ships before booking. The differences can be surprisingly large, and sometimes a balcony upgrade costs much less than you'd expect.
