Heidi BucoloDuring our recent sailings on Star of the Seas, we had the opportunity to experience two similar yet very different stateroom designs. Having stayed in both an Ocean View Balcony and an Infinite Ocean View Balcony, we can provide firsthand insights into how these two cabin categories compare. In this Star of the Seas balcony cabin review, we discuss the pros and cons to each room type to help you pick the perfect accommodations for your cruise on Royal Caribbean’s newest megaship.
TL;DR: Which Star of the Seas Balcony Should You Choose?
Traditional Ocean View Balcony: 204 sq ft interior + 50 sq ft outdoor balcony. Best for cruisers who want true outdoor space and the flexibility to enjoy fresh air while keeping the cabin air-conditioned. Perfect for warm Caribbean destinations.
Infinite Ocean View Balcony: 250 sq ft all-interior space with floor-to-ceiling windows that open. Best for cruisers who prioritize extra indoor living space and don’t mind sacrificing actual outdoor access. Note: AC turns off when window opens.
Bottom Line: Both have identical interiors (bathroom, closet, bed, storage). The decision comes down to whether you prefer a real outdoor balcony or extra indoor space. We prefer the traditional balcony for its flexibility, especially in warm climates.
Pricing: Comparable costs between both categories on most sailings.
Layout of a Star of the Seas Balcony Cabin
Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class ships offer an impressive array of stateroom options, with 28 different cabin categories to choose from across Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas. Beyond the traditional interior, ocean view, and balcony rooms found on other ships, these vessels introduce several innovative concepts including the new Infinite Balcony design and unique interior-facing balcony options. This means that not all balcony cabins face the ocean; many overlook the ships’ vibrant interior neighborhoods like Central Park or the family-friendly Surfside area.
This variety means cruisers have more choices than ever, but it also makes selecting the right cabin more complex. So, it’s important to review the ship’s deck plans or talk with a travel advisor before booking your cruise.
Here, we’re only comparing and constrasting the Ocean View Balcony vs. Infinite Ocean View Balcony options.
Ocean View Balcony
The traditional Ocean View Balcony maintains the familiar cruise ship layout that seasoned cruisers know and love. For this sailing on Star of the Seas, we stayed in cabin 8268. This portside ocean view balcony cabin is located just forward of the midship elevators.
Upon entering, you’ll find the bathroom immediately to the right, with the closet tucked around the corner. The main living space flows naturally, with the desk positioned on the left wall, a love seat across from it, and the Royal king bed positioned on the forward wall facing aft. The bed is this cabin is closer to the balcony; though, some cabins will have flipped layouts with the sofa and desk closer to the balcony.
A sliding glass door provides clear separation between the 204-square-foot interior and the dedicated 50-square-foot outdoor balcony space.
Aside from some color palette differences, this cabin is essentially the same as the one we stayed in last year on Icon of the Seas.
Infinite Ocean View Balcony
The Infinite Ocean View Balcony reimagines the traditional layout by eliminating the outdoor balcony entirely and incorporating that space into an expanded 250-square-foot interior. The room flows seamlessly from the traditional cabin area into what Royal Caribbean calls the “balcony” space. It’s essentially an extended living area with a floor-to-ceiling window that opens from the top via the push of a button along with two additional chairs and a table.
During our first look sailing on Star of the Seas, we stayed in cabin 9590. This starboard side infinite ocean view balcony cabin is located just aft of the forward elevators.
Upon entering, you’ll find the bathroom immediately to the left, with the closet tucked around the corner. The main living space continues with the Royal king bed positioned on the forward wall facing aft. Beyond the bed, the desk is positioned on the right wall and the love seat is across from it, closer to the infinite balcony. Similar to the traditional ocean view balcony cabins, some rooms will have flipped layouts with the bed closer to the infinite balcony.
Inside a Star of the Seas Balcony Cabin
While the balcony experience differs dramatically between these two stateroom categories, the interior accommodations are essentially identical. Both the Ocean View Balcony and Infinite Ocean View Balcony feature the same bathroom layout, closet design, desk configuration, love seat, and Royal king bed setup.
The upgraded finishes, abundant charging outlets, and storage solutions remain consistent across both room types. This means your decision between these cabin categories really comes down to balcony preference rather than interior amenities, as you’ll enjoy the same comfortable living space regardless of which option you choose.
Bathroom
Both cabin categories feature identical bathroom layouts with Royal Caribbean’s upgraded design. The standout feature is the rectangular shower with a glass door – a significant improvement over the curved shower stalls found on older ships. The shower includes a convenient built-in seat on one end with a towel storage shelf above, giving it a more hotel-like feel. There are also two hooks for hanging items and two small shelves to store other bath products. Still, there is only one hair and body wash dispenser.
The bathroom remains small but functional, with three small shelves beside the sink and additional small shelves behind the toilet. Both bathrooms feature a standard cruise ship vanity with minimal counter space, making our over-the-door shoe organizer essential for storing toiletries and accessories without cluttering the limited countertops.
Main Cabin Area
Storage and Organization: Both cabin types feature the same closet design. The closet divides into roughly 2/3 and 1/3 sections. The smaller section provides a full-length hanging space ideal for dresses, while the larger section combines a top clothes bar with four exposed metal storage cubes below. While these cubes work well for shoes, their wire construction isn’t ideal for delicate clothing items, and the lack of sliding tracks makes access somewhat cumbersome.
Additional storage includes shelves hidden behind the full-length mirror (where you’ll also find the safe), five desk drawers of varying sizes (you’ll also find the mini-fridge and hair dryer here), and small shelves near the television. These shelves which are tucked out of the way are perfect for storing electronics, water bottles, and other small items.
Technology and Connectivity: Both rooms excel in power options. The desk area includes one 120V outlet, one European outlet, one USB outlet, and one USB-C outlet. Additional USB outlets are positioned on both sides of the bed (one each side, though only one side has a power outlet) and near the television area (one USB and one USB-C), ensuring you’ll never struggle to keep devices charged.
Seating and Comfort: The Ocean View Balcony features a generously-sized sofa that comfortably accommodates two people working on laptops simultaneously. The Infinite Ocean View Balcony provides even more seating options with its expanded living area, including the traditional sofa plus additional seating in the “balcony” space.
The Royal king bed provided excellent sleep quality in both configurations after long days exploring the ship. And we also appreciated that the desk had a chair rather that just a stool like you often find in cruise cabins.
Balcony Experience
Traditional Ocean View Balcony: The 50-square-foot outdoor balcony provides enough space for two adjustable chairs, two small ottomans, and a round table. The separation between indoor and outdoor space allows for flexible use; one person can enjoy the fresh air and ocean views while another remains in the air-conditioned room inside. This proves particularly valuable in warm Caribbean climates.
Infinite Ocean View Balcony: Similar to the design on Celebrity’s Edge class, the “balcony” space in this cabin category functions as an extension of the interior, featuring two comfortable chairs and a table. The floor-to-ceiling window creates an impressive visual connection to the ocean. When the window opens, the entire room transforms into an indoor/outdoor living space. However, this comes with a significant trade-off: the air conditioning automatically shuts off when the window opens, meaning the cabin temperature becomes whatever the outside air temperature happens to be.
Pros and Cons Analysis: Ocean View Balcony vs. Infinite Ocean View Balcony
Ocean View Balcony Advantages:
- True, open outdoor space for fresh air and ocean breezes
- Ability to enjoy outdoor time while others remain in air-conditioned comfort
- Traditional door provides clear separation and sound barrier so early risers can enjoy coffee outside without disturbing sleeping cabinmates
- Some traditional balconies can connect with neighboring rooms for larger groups
Ocean View Balcony Disadvantages:
- Less total interior square footage
- Traditional balcony dividers provide less privacy than infinite design
- Less interior seating options compared to expanded infinite layout
- Might cause safety concerns for parents with small children
Infinite Ocean View Balcony Advantages:
- More interior living space with multiple seating areas
- Partial protection from the outdoor elements, particularly beneficial in cool or rainy conditions
- Enhanced privacy vs. traditional balconies
- Indoor/outdoor living concept with uninterrupted views
Infinite Ocean View Balcony Disadvantages:
- No true outdoor space – you’re always technically inside
- Air conditioning shuts off when window opens
- Less flexibility for couples with different temperature preferences or morning routines
- Captain can disable function in certain weather conditions eliminating access to fresh air
Our Verdict: Star of the Seas Balcony Cabin Review
While we can appreciate the innovative design and additional space of the Infinite Ocean View Balcony, we personally prefer the traditional Ocean View Balcony setup. The ability to step outside onto a true balcony while maintaining climate-controlled interior space provides the flexibility we value most. This is particularly important in Caribbean cruising, where the cabin can heat up and fog in quickly by just opening the window for a brief minute or two.
The Infinite Ocean View Balcony works best for cruisers who prioritize interior space and don’t mind sacrificing true outdoor access. It’s an excellent choice for cooler climates or for those who prefer extra privacy. However, if you enjoy balcony time in warm weather destinations or prefer the separation that traditional balconies provide, the classic Ocean View Balcony remains the superior choice.
Comments
Did you find our Star of the Seas balcony cabin review helpful? Do you prefer an Ocean View Balcony or Infinite Ocean View Balcony? Drop us an anchor below to share your stateroom preferences when you cruise.
