Size matters – so which cruise line has the biggest balconies at sea?

To some, balconies are a luxury. To others, they’re a necessity. How big do they have to be? The bigger the better, a Cruise Passenger survey shows.

Since we first asked this question almost a decade ago, entire new luxury brands have been born and the “biggest balcony at sea” title has changed hands more than once. Here’s where things stand now.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Haven 3-Bedroom Garden Villa has held the title since 2019 – but it’s about to be knocked off the top spot. Regent Seven Seas Cruises has unveiled the Skyview Regent Suite for its new ship Seven Seas Prestige, due to launch in December 2026, with a wraparound balcony bigger than any other at sea.

Balconies in the same suite class can also differ from ship to ship, so always check the room layout and dimensions before booking if you like to spend a lot of time outdoors.

Regent Seven Seas – Skyview Regent Suite

Regent is changing the game with the new Skyview Regent Suite, set to debut on Seven Seas Prestige when it launches in December 2026. This is a two-level, two-bedroom suite Regent calls “the largest all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruise ship suite in history”. Its wraparound balcony measures 344sqm, attached to a total suite of 817sqm – roughly double the size of Regent’s current largest suite. The suite sleeps up to six and comes with a private in-suite elevator, formal dining room, glass-enclosed bar, private gym, sauna and massage room, and a dedicated butler, with rates starting around $40,000 a night.

Norwegian Cruise Line – Haven 3-Bedroom Garden Villa

Coming in a very respectable second place, the balcony in this villa makes up more than 65 per cent of the total suite space. The private wraparound terrace measures more than 335sqm on NCL’s Dawn and Gem class ships, complete with its own hot tub, private garden, dining area and lounge furniture, on top of a 212.4sqm interior. NCL now markets the villa’s total footprint (suite plus terrace) as ‘up to 622sqm’ across the ships that carry it: Norwegian Star, Dawn, Gem, Jade, Jewel and Pearl. No other cabin at sea comes close. It’s part of the exclusive ‘ship within a ship’ Haven complex, so comes with a host of other luxury extras too like private sun decks and dining areas, concierge service, and priority access.

Princess Cruises – Sky Suite

Princess’s signature suite is still going strong across its newest ships. On the original Sky Princess, the Sky Suite balcony measures 94sqm on the starboard side and 88sqm on the port side, wrapping around for a 270-degree panorama with a dining table for four, a day bed, loungers and an outdoor bar. You also get a private vantage point of the ship’s Movie Under the Stars screen and can use the Deluxe telescope for Discovery Stargazing at SEA. The same Sky Suite concept – styled as the Signature Sky Suite – has since rolled out on Sun Princess and Star Princess, Princess’s newest ships.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Regent Suite

Regent’s existing flagship suite – distinct from the new Skyview Regent Suite above – is offered on three ships (Explora, Splendor and Grandeur), and the veranda size varies slightly between them. The original, on Seven Seas Explorer, is still the biggest of the three at 131.6sqm. Seven Seas Splendor‘s version measures 119.9sqm, while the newest, on 2023’s Seven Seas Grandeur, comes in at 120sqm, complete with a heated mini-pool. All three offer 270-degree views over the ship’s bow and sit within a suite of roughly 353–413sqm.

Explora Journeys – Owner’s Residence

The newest name on this list. MSC Group’s ultra-luxury spin-off launched Explora I in 2023 and its Owner’s Residence – the line’s largest suite – comes with a terrace of 125sqm. it runs the full width of the ship and is fitted with an infinity whirlpool and a dining table for eight. The suite itself adds another 155sqm, for a total residence of just over 280sqm.

Royal Caribbean – Ultimate Family Townhouse

The title of Royal Caribbean’s biggest balcony has changed hands in recent years. The Royal Loft Suite has been eclipsed by the three-storey Ultimate Family Townhouse onboard the Icon class ships, with a 69.8sqm balcony and “backyard” attached to a 164.6sqm interior. There’s a private hot tub, plenty of seating and space for the kids to play, all with incredible views. The Royal Loft Suite is still a close second at 65.5sqm, though its size can vary between individual vessels.

Celebrity Cruises – Iconic Suite

New to this list, the Iconic Suite, found on Celebrity’s Edge-series ships (Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent and Xcel), is billed as the largest suite in the Celebrity fleet: 175.8sqm inside plus a 64sqm terrace, for more than 232sqm of combined indoor-outdoor space. Plush features await outdoors, like a hot tub, daybed, dining table and oversized ‘snugglers’ chairs made for two.

Carnival Cruise Line – Excel Presidential Suite

Carnival has made some big changes outside in recent years. Rather than the rather modest Captain’s Suite on the older Carnival Splendor (with a balcony of just 24sqm), the largest balcony in the fleet is now on the Excel-class ships (Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee and Firenze). The Presidential Suite’s balcony measures 60sqm – more than half of the suite’s 104sqm total – with a hot tub, shower, loungers and dining table.

Scenic Ocean Cruises – 2-Bedroom Penthouse Suite

You have to get a little creative to get the biggest balcony on a Scenic Discovery Yacht. Both Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II can offer a Two-Bedroom Penthouse Suite, created by combining an Owner’s Penthouse Suite with an adjacent Spa Suite. This gives you a 60sqm wraparound terrace – complete with a private jacuzzi – attached to a 195sqm interior, for a total of 255sqm. It’s the largest suite Scenic offers and one of the biggest balconies in expedition cruising.

Seabourn – Signature Suite

The balcony crown within Seabourn’s fleet has shifted to its newer expedition ships. The Signature Suite on Seabourn Venture and Pursuit has a 54.8sqm verandah, bigger than the Signature Suite balcony on the classic ocean ships Encore and Ovation (40.9sqm, attached to a 79.9sqm interior). The Wintergarden and Grand Wintergarden Suites still feature glass-enclosed solariums with a tub and day bed on select ships.

MSC Cruises – Yacht Club Owner’s Suite

MSC Cruises’ largest balconies can be found within the exclusive ‘ship within a ship’ enclave of the Yacht Club. The balconies range from 48-65sqm, depending on the deck position, and have a private hot tub surrounded by comfy lounges and a dining table. These Yacht Club Owner’s Suites are currently found on MSC Seascape, MSC Seashore, MSC World Europa and MSC World America.

Oceania Cruises – Owner’s Suite

Oceania’s new flagship vessels have supersized this luxury suite. The Owner’s Suite on Oceania Vista and its sister ship Allura have roughly doubled in size both inside and outside. These new accommodations include an expansive teak verandah off the living area and a second teak verandah off the master bedroom, totalling more than 60sqm of balconies.

Silversea – Otium Suite

The line’s new flagship accommodation, the Otium Suite was introduced on Silver Nova in 2023 followed by Silver Ray in 2024. It measures 123sqm in total, including a 40sqm balcony with a whirlpool bath. That’s roughly double the balcony size of the old Silver Whisper and Shadow Owner’s Suite (20.4 sqm), which remains Silversea’s largest suite on its older ships.