When you imagine yourself relaxing on a cruise ship balcony, what comes to mind? Maybe it's sipping your morning coffee while watching the waves, enjoying a beautiful sunset, or simply listening to the peaceful sounds of the ocean.

But what if your balcony didn't have a direct ocean view at all?

That's exactly what we experienced when Ant and I booked a Boardwalk View Balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Instead of looking directly out at the open ocean, our balcony overlooked one of the ship's most entertaining neighborhoods, complete with restaurants, a carousel, people strolling around, and even a partial view of the AquaTheater.

Now, I know what some of you are thinking. Why would anybody book a balcony if they can't even see the ocean?

Well, after spending time in one of these cabins, I can tell you there are some definite advantages, a few drawbacks, and some things you should know before making your reservation.

Let's take a look inside!

Inside Our Wonder of the Seas Boardwalk Balcony Cabin

First things first: the cabin itself.

If you've sailed with Royal Caribbean before, you'll probably find the layout pretty familiar. Our cabin had a comfortable bed, a small sofa, a desk and vanity area, plenty of storage, and a private bathroom.

Was it enormous? Absolutely not. But cruise cabins aren't exactly known for their square footage, and I thought Royal Caribbean did a pretty good job making the space functional.

One feature I always appreciate is having a sofa. Sometimes you want somewhere to sit besides the bed, especially when you're relaxing between activities or getting ready for dinner.

And ladies, you already know how important a full-length mirror can be when you're trying to make sure your outfit is looking right before heading out for the evening!

Storage: Enough Room for Two?

One thing I always pay attention to during a cruise cabin tour is storage.

There's nothing worse than unpacking your luggage and realizing you don't have enough room for everything.

Fortunately, our Boardwalk balcony cabin had several drawers, closet space, and additional places to store smaller items.

We had room to hang clothes, organize shoes, and keep our belongings tucked away instead of scattered around the cabin.

My advice? Unpack your luggage when you arrive rather than living out of your suitcase for the entire cruise. It makes the room feel much more spacious.

The Bathroom: Small but Functional

Our bathroom featured a glass-enclosed shower, toilet, sink, and shelving for toiletries.

I personally prefer glass shower doors over those old-fashioned shower curtains that seem determined to stick to you while you're showering!

I also liked the sink design, which gave the bathroom a modern appearance.

However, like most cruise ship bathrooms, counter space was limited.

Cruise tip: Bring a small hanging toiletry organizer to keep your cosmetics, skincare products, and other essentials organized. It makes a difference when two people are sharing a bathroom.

A Few Extra Touches That Made Our Cabin Special

When we arrived, we had chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne waiting for us.

Now, that's my kind of welcome!

Royal Caribbean offers special gifts and treats that can be arranged for celebrations, romantic surprises, or simply because you want to make your vacation a little more special.

Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, birthday, honeymoon, or just the fact that you're finally on vacation, those little extras can make your cruise experience even more memorable.

Our cabin also had a small cooler. Just remember that cruise cabin coolers don't always work like traditional refrigerators, so don't automatically expect your beverages to be ice cold.

The Main Attraction: Our Boardwalk View Balcony

Now, let's talk about the real reason you're probably reading this review.

The balcony!

Unlike a traditional ocean-view balcony, our cabin overlooked the Boardwalk neighborhood on Wonder of the Seas.

If you've never sailed on one of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships, imagine a lively outdoor neighborhood with restaurants, entertainment, a carousel, and people walking around enjoying their vacation.

It's almost like having a little amusement park right outside your balcony.

And yes, I did say amusement park. On a cruise ship!

From our balcony, we could watch the activity happening below without actually having to leave our cabin.

It was a completely different experience from sitting outside and staring at the ocean.

But different doesn't necessarily mean bad.

Can You Watch the AquaTheater Show From a Boardwalk Balcony?

One of the more interesting features of our balcony was being able to see part of the AquaTheater.

The AquaTheater is located toward the aft of Wonder of the Seas and features spectacular performances with divers, acrobats, and other entertainers.

Depending on your cabin's location, you may be able to watch portions of the performance right from your balcony.

However, I wouldn't book a Boardwalk balcony expecting a perfect view of the entire show.

Our view was partial, and your experience will depend on where your cabin is positioned.

For the full experience, I would still recommend attending the show in the theater itself.

Let's Talk About the Noise!

Here's something you really need to consider before booking a Boardwalk balcony cabin.

These balconies can get loud!

And I'm not talking about a little background noise.

Think about it. You're overlooking an entertainment neighborhood with restaurants, a carousel, people talking, and activities happening throughout the day and evening.

Then there's Playmakers Sports Bar.

If there's a big game on, you might hear people cheering and celebrating.

And when the AquaTheater performances begin, that surround sound carries into the surrounding balcony areas.

So, if your idea of a perfect cruise balcony involves complete peace, quiet, and the soothing sound of ocean waves, you may want to think twice.

But here's the interesting part.

The noise really didn't bother us.

Why?

Because we weren't spending our evenings sitting in the cabin.

Wonder of the Seas has so much to do that we were usually out enjoying the ship.

By the time we returned to our room, we were generally ready to relax and get some sleep.

Still, everyone's tolerance for noise is different, and I wouldn't want someone booking this cabin expecting the same peaceful atmosphere as an ocean-facing balcony.

What About Privacy?

Another question people often have about Boardwalk balconies is privacy.

Since the cabins overlook an interior neighborhood, you can see other balconies across the way.

And yes, that means other passengers may be able to see you, too.

But one thing that surprised me was the distance between the opposite balconies.

We weren't nearly as close to our neighbors as I had imagined.

In fact, I joked that I probably wouldn't even recognize those people if I passed them somewhere else on the ship!

Nevertheless, you should remember that your balcony is visible from other areas.

If you value complete privacy while relaxing outside, an ocean-view balcony may be a better choice.

Boardwalk Balcony vs. Ocean View Balcony: Which Is Better?

This really comes down to what you want from your cruise vacation.

Neither option is automatically better than the other.

It really depends on how you plan to spend your time onboard.

Would We Book a Boardwalk Balcony Again?

So, after experiencing this cabin firsthand, would Ant and I book another Boardwalk balcony?

Yes, under the right circumstances.

I enjoyed having a different view of the ship and being able to watch some of the activities from our balcony.

I also appreciated the comfortable cabin layout and the fact that we could experience a little of the Boardwalk atmosphere without leaving our room.

However, if I'm planning a cruise where I want to spend a lot of time relaxing outside, reading, watching the sunrise, or enjoying the peaceful ocean, I'm probably going to choose a traditional ocean-view balcony.

And of course, price matters.

If a Boardwalk balcony is significantly less expensive than an ocean-view balcony, I would absolutely consider booking one again.

But if the prices are close, I would lean toward having that beautiful ocean view.

After all, there's something special about looking out over the water and remembering that you're sailing in the middle of the ocean.

Watch Our Wonder of the Seas Boardwalk Balcony Cabin Tour

Want to see exactly what our cabin looked like?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNznVUJj0-I

We filmed a complete walkthrough showing the sleeping area, bathroom, storage, balcony, and views of the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Watching the tour will give you a much better idea of what to expect before booking this cabin category.

And while you're there, make sure you subscribe to Ant & Shira Adventures for more cruise cabin tours, ship reviews, travel tips, and our adventures at sea.

Planning a Cruise on Wonder of the Seas?

Choosing the right cruise cabin can make a big difference in your overall vacation experience.

Whether you're considering a Boardwalk balcony, Central Park balcony, traditional ocean-view balcony, or another cabin category, it's important to understand what you're booking.

As a travel advisor and the owner of A Finer Travel, I help travelers compare cruise options, explore cabin categories, and plan vacations that fit their preferences and budgets.

And yes, I actually cruise on these ships myself, so I understand how important those little details can be!

If you're thinking about booking your next Royal Caribbean cruise, I'd love to help you explore your options.

Visit A Finer Travel to start planning your next adventure.

Now, We Want to Hear From You!

Would you book a cruise balcony without a direct ocean view?

Or is seeing the ocean the whole reason you book a balcony in the first place?

Some people love the excitement of a Boardwalk balcony, while others wouldn't dream of giving up their ocean view.

I'm curious which side you're on!

Leave us a comment and let us know.

Until our next adventure,

Shira & Ant

Ant & Shira Adventures

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