Balcony Staterooms

In the old days of cruising, many people didn't spend a lot of time in their staterooms, but that's no longer the case. Today's cruise ships are floating resorts, and the staterooms aspire to be holiday havens – particularly those with balconies.

Spacious sanctuary A balcony or veranda stateroom is an outside stateroom with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto a private deck – giving you access to the great outdoors. The deck is usually furnished with at least two chairs and small table for outdoor lounging.

These staterooms are usually larger than the standard staterooms, and some qualify as mini-suites, which mean they have a small sitting area with a loveseat or convertible sofa. The mini-suites sometimes have a curtain that can be drawn to separate the sleeping and sitting areas. This feature is ideal for couples, families or friends who have different sleeping habits. Night owls and early risers can pull the curtain, sit in the balcony and enjoy the stars or an early morning sunrise without waking up their significant other.

Most balconies are private; however, there are a number that are not private. On some ships, aft-facing stateroom balconies are tiered like a layer cake and this means that some balconies are visible from the decks above. The good news is these balconies are often larger than those along the sides of the ship, but these aren't the best for those that prefer some shade.

A balcony stateroom makes a cruise vacation even more enjoyable since it's a private retreat. Couples looking to get away truly enjoy the privacy by having breakfast on their balcony. Some cruise lines even offer private dinner service on balconies. Additionally, many cruise travelers prefer balcony staterooms because they like the privacy far from the throngs of passengers in public areas – it's a great place to read a book or take a nap.

Box seats to see the world

Sitting on the balcony looking out at the stars and just being able to step outside and breathe in the sea air helps differentiate cruising from a resort vacation. Even better – the views! Having a balcony in Alaska, Caribbean and Mediterranean is like having box seats to the world's most amazing places.

In Alaska, a private balcony is truly worth the splurge. As the ship glides early morning through the fjords, throw on a coat, sit back on your balcony and watch nature's show. Watch and listen as glaciers calve into the ocean. The sound of the ice falling into the ocean is like a strong thunder storm. Turn you stateroom TV on and get commentary from the ship's onboard naturalist who will point out additional features of glaciers and, if you're lucky, bald eagles, sea otters, whales, and seals.

A balcony stateroom allows you to enjoy extra space, finer amenities, and breathtaking views. Watch the sunrise, sunset, marvel at the beauty of the ocean, and have everything you need at your fingertips. Balcony suites are sweet indeed. Once you have had a balcony stateroom, there is no going back! They are the most indulgent accommodations afloat.

Anita Dunham-Potter is a Pittsburgh-based travel journalist specializing in cruise travel and cruise vacations. In addition to writing pieces for Princess Cruises, Anita is a weekly travel columnist for MSNBC.com and Tripso, and she is a contributor to Fodor's "Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises 2007.