Choosing the right balcony stateroom on a Royal Caribbean cruise involves understanding the different categories and what each one offers.When booking a balcony stateroom on a Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s essential to know how the room categories differ. Here is what you need to know about these balcony room to know the difference between them all.[embedded content]1D vs 2D vs 5D vs 7DWhen you decide to book a balcony stateroom, you will see a variety of category numbers: 1D, 4D, 1A, 1E, 2F, etc. There are sixteen sub-categories of balcony staterooms across Royal Caribbean’s fleet (not including suites or interior balcony rooms).Categories like 1D, 2D, and 5D indicate the room’s location and size, with lower numbers typically signifying more desirable rooms closer to mid-ship and with more square footage. As the number increases, rooms are often further from mid-ship and may have less space, resulting in lower prices.The differences can be very subtle from one category to another, but the price tends to drop as the number climbs (i.e. a 7D tends to be cheaper than a 1D).Another difference between staterooms is the capacity of the cabin. Rooms that accommodate more guests may cost more, but it’s the only way to have three and four passengers in the room. Location on the ship is another key factor because mid-ship rooms are highly desirable for those concerned about seasickness or who prefer convenience to the elevators.Other balcony categoriesIn addition to balcony staterooms that have the letter “D” in the category, there are other categories of balcony staterooms that may be on the same ship.
- A : Ultra Spacious Ocean View with Large Balcony
- C: Ocean view with Large Balcony
- E: Obstructed Ocean View Balcony
- F: Studio Ocean View Balcony
- X: Ocean View Balcony Guarantee
Oasis Class ships2025-2026 New
Category (Start Date listed onward)Current Category (May 2021-
Start Date
Listed)ViewCategory NameCategory DescriptionSleeps Up To1A1AOcean ViewUltra Spacious Ocean View with Large Balcony/AccessibleTwo twin beds that convert to Royal King. Sofa converts to double, two Pullman beds,
private bathroom and sitting area61C1COcean ViewOcean View with Large BalconyMidship Large Balcony Quad3-42C2COcean ViewOcean View with Large Balcony – AccessibleTwo twin beds that convert to a Royal King bed2CBCBOcean ViewConnecting Oceanview BalconyTwo twin beds that convert to a Royal King bed21D1D, 3DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyMidship Balcony Quad42D2D, 4DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyMidship Balcony Double23D5D,7DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyFwd/Aft Balcony Quad4-54D6D, 8DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyFwd/Aft Balcony Double25D Ocean ViewOcean View BalconyBalcony Triple3XQXBOcean ViewQuad Balcony GuaranteeBalcony Quad Guarantee3-4XBXBOcean ViewOcean View Balcony GuaranteeBalcony Double Guarantee 1D, 2D1D, 2DOcean ViewOcean View Balcony AccessibleTwo twin beds that convert to Royal King, sitting area with sofa, full bathroom and private balcony.41C, 2C1C, 2COcean ViewConnecting Oceanview BalconyTwo twin beds that convert to a Royal King bed One double sofa bed in staterooms21D, 2D, 3D,
4D, 5D1D, 2D, 3D,
4D, 5DOcean View Two twin beds that convert to a Royal King bed One double sofa bed in staterooms4Quantum Class2025-2026 New
Category (Start Date listed onward)Current Category (May 2021-
Start Date
Listed)ViewCategory NameCategory DescriptionSleeps Up To1C1COcean ViewOcean View with Large BalconyMidship Large Balcony Quad3-42C2COcean ViewOcean View with Large BalconyMidship Large Balcony Double24C4COcean ViewOcean View with Large BalconyFwd Aft Large Balcony Double2CBCBOcean ViewConnecting Ocean View BalconyBalcony – Connecting Optional21D1D, 3DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyMidship Balcony Quad42D2D, 4DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyMidship Balcony Double23D5D,7DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyFwd Aft Balcony Quad44D6D, 8DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyFwd Aft Balcony Double25D Ocean ViewOcean View BalconyTriple Occupancy Balcony31E1EObstructedObstructed Ocean View BalconyObstructed Balcony Quad3-42E2EObstructedObstructed Ocean View BalconyObstructed Balcony Double22F2FOcean ViewStudio Ocean View BalconyStudio Single Balcony1XQ Quad Balcony GuaranteeQuad Balcony Guarantee3-4XBXBOcean ViewOcean View Balcony GuaranteeBalcony Guarantee Freedom Class2025-2026 New
Category (Start Date listed onward)Current Category (May 2021-
Start Date
Listed)ViewCategory NameCategory DescriptionSleeps Up ToSG Ocean ViewSpacious Sunset BalconySpacious Sunset Balcony3-41B1BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyMidship Large Room Quad Balcony3-42B2BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyMidship Large Room Double23B3BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyFwd Aft Large Room Quad3-44B4B, 6BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyFwd Aft Large Room Double2CBCBOcean ViewConnecting Ocean View BalconyBalcony – Connecting Optional2SB Ocean ViewSunset BalconySunset Balcony31D1D, 3D Ocean View BalconyMidship Balcony Quad42D2D, 4DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyMidship Balcony Double24D6D, 8DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyFwd Aft Balcony Double25D Ocean ViewOcean View BalconyTriple Occupancy Balcony3XQ Ocean ViewQuad Balcony GuaranteeQuad Balcony Guarantee3-4XBXBOcean ViewOcean View Balcony GuaranteeBalcony Guarantee Voyager Class2025-2026 New
Category (Start Date listed onward)Current Category (May 2021-
Start Date
Listed)ViewCategory NameCategory DescriptionSleeps Up ToSG Ocean ViewSpacious Sunset BalconySpacious Sunset Balcony3-41B1BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyMidship Large Room Quad Balcony3-42B2BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyMidship Large Room Double23B3BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyFwd Aft Large Room Quad3-44B4B, 6BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyFwd Aft Large Room Double2SB Ocean ViewSunset BalconySunset Balcony3CB Ocean ViewConnecting Ocean View BalconyBalcony – Connecting Optional21D1D, 3DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyMS Balcony Quad42D2D, 4DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyMS Balcony Double24D6D, 8DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyFW/AF Balcony Double25D Ocean ViewOcean View BalconyTriple Occupancy Balcony3XQ Ocean ViewQuad Balcony GuaranteeQuad Balcony Guarantee3-4XBXBOcean ViewOcean View Balcony GuaranteeBalcony Guarantee Radiance Class2025-2026 New
Category (Start Date listed onward)Current Category (May 2021-
Start Date
Listed)ViewCategory NameCategory DescriptionSleeps Up ToSG Ocean ViewSpacious Sunset BalconySpacious Sunset Balcony3-41B1BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyMidship Large Room Quad Balcony4-52B2BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyMidship Large Room Double23B3BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyFwd Aft Large Room Quad3-54B4B, 6BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyFwd Aft Large Room Double2CBCBOcean ViewConnecting Ocean View BalconyBalcony – Connecting Optional21D1D, 3DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyMidship Balcony Quad4-52D2D, 4DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyMidship Balcony Double23D5D,7DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyFwd Aft Balcony Quad4-54D6D, 8DOcean ViewOcean View BalconyFwd Aft Balcony Double25D Ocean ViewOcean View BalconyTriple Occupancy Balcony31E1EObstructedObstructed Ocean View BalconyObstructed Balcony Quad3-52E2EObstructedObstructed Ocean View BalconyObstructed Balcony Double2XQ Quad Balcony GuaranteeQuad Balcony Guarantee3-4XBXBOcean ViewOcean View Balcony GuaranteeBalcony Guarantee Vision Class2025-2026 New
Category (Start Date listed onward)Current Category (May 2021-
Start Date
Listed)ViewCategory NameCategory DescriptionSleeps Up ToSG Ocean ViewSpacious Sunset BalconySpacious Sunset Balcony2-41B1BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyMidship Large Room Quad Balcony4-52B2BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyMidship Large Room Double23B3BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyFwd Aft Large Room Quad2-44B4B, 6BOcean ViewSpacious Ocean View BalconyFwd Aft Large Room Double2XQ Ocean ViewQuad Balcony GuaranteeQuad Balcony Guarantee4XBXBOcean ViewOcean View Balcony GuaranteeBalcony Guarantee Which room should I book?Now that you understand what the categories mean, you might be wondering which category is the right choice for your family.First and foremost, you will be limited by the room capacity, so if you want a room that can handle 3 or 4 guests, then any category that can only sleep up to 2 guests is out of the question. Similarly, rooms that can accommodate 4 guests may be “overkill” for what you need.The other two considerations are price and location.The location of a cabin is arguably the next most important consideration, as where your room is on the ship (mid-ship, aft, forward, or somewhere inbetween) is an important consideration for some. If you are concerned about getting seasick, or prefer convenience to the elevators, then a room mid-ship should be your choice.Lastly, price moves a lot of guests one way or another. Those higher balcony room numbers (6D and 7D) are going to cost you less, but expect a longer walk down the hall. The obstructed view rooms will save you money as well, but you will not have full view out of your balcony.Ultimately, the rooms left to book and budget tend to dictate which room categories are really under consideration. Knowing how Royal Caribbean has categorized its rooms provides better insight into picking the right choice for you.
Appeared first on: Royalcaribbeanblog.com
