When you’re booking a cruise for four people, every bit of space matters. But does a balcony really make such a difference?
Is a Balcony Cabin Worth the Extra Money?
If you ask me, the answer is yes — for our family, especially in summer. A cruise cabin isn’t exactly a spacious holiday apartment, and when four people are getting ready at the same time, every extra bit of space feels valuable. A balcony brings natural light, fresh air and the feeling that the room is bigger. I love taking my morning coffee outside and watching the ship approach a new port.
There’s also a lovely little cruise tradition: passengers wave to one another as ships pass or leave port. Sometimes you see people on balconies all along the ship waving goodbye, and for a moment it feels like everyone is sharing the same adventure. It sounds small, but it always touches me.
Would an Inside Cabin Be a Mistake?
Not at all. If you plan to spend most of your time in ports, by the pools, at the theatre or exploring the ship, you may only use your cabin for sleeping and changing clothes. An inside cabin can save a substantial amount, and you still enjoy the same main dining rooms, buffet and many of the same public areas and activities. You aren’t buying a different holiday — you’re choosing how much you want to spend on your private space. Exclusive areas, such as certain Aurea benefits or Yacht Club spaces, are a separate matter.
Bella, Fantastica and Aurea Are Not Cabin Types
This confused us at first too. An inside, ocean-view or balcony cabin is the accommodation category. Bella, Fantastica and Aurea are booking Experiences. You can have a balcony with Bella — that’s exactly what we booked on MSC Orchestra in 2022. Here is the practical comparison:
| Bella | Fantastica | Aurea | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical price | Lowest | Mid-range | Higher |
| Cabin choice | Assigned by MSC | Choose an available cabin | Choose an available cabin |
| Dining | Assigned arrangements | Request a preferred sitting, subject to availability | My Choice flexible dining |
| Other benefits | Essential cruise experience | More booking convenience | Selected spa and relaxation benefits |
| Best suited to | Budget-focused travellers | Families wanting more choice | Guests seeking extra comfort |
Exact benefits vary by ship, itinerary and booking terms. Drinks packages are not automatically included with these Experiences.
Our first Bella cruise worked perfectly well for us. Later we chose Fantastica for MSC Divina in 2023, MSC Grandiosa in July and October 2024, and MSC Virtuosa in July 2025. Having more control over the cabin location was useful for us as a family. We’re booked to try Aurea on MSC World Asia in February 2027, but I won’t pretend to have an opinion about its value until we’ve experienced it.
What Would I Book Again?
If the price difference fits our budget, I would choose a balcony for a summer family cruise. The quiet moments with the sea, the sunlight and the arrivals into port are worth it to me. But if the choice is between a balcony and being able to afford the holiday at all, I would choose the holiday. Compare the cabin category and Experience separately: sometimes a Bella balcony offers exactly what you need without the extra cost of a higher Experience.
See our actual MSC Virtuosa balcony cabin experience, read whether an MSC cruise is worth the money, and check which onboard extras cost more before booking.
Always confirm the current benefits and cabin terms for your particular sailing.