Today:

Read first: I am Ashley Hendrickson, an independent advisor with Travelmation. I am not affiliated with any cruise line. Everything expressed is my own opinion. To use my travel services, contact me for booking.

Viking Cabin Guide: French Balcony vs Veranda vs Suite

Cabins are where I see travelers spend money they did not need to spend, so let me walk you through it. Which cabin is worth the money? The short answer is: choose Standard for best value, French Balcony for light, Veranda for a private balcony, and a Suite for longer sailings or more space. Watch the trap: a French Balcony cabin at 135 sq ft is smaller than a Standard cabin at 150 sq ft. You pay for light, not space, and I point that out before you book, not after.

A cabin bed by a large window over the sea. The bed is where you will spend the least of your waking time, but the window is what you look at first in the morning.

A cabin with a sofa, a desk, and a bed. Bigger cabins give you room to sit and read, not just sleep.

A cabin with a balcony at sunset. A real balcony means chairs outside, and a door you can open to the air.

A cabin on a boat with a bed and a large window — A cabin on a boat, with a bed and a large window to the water. River cabins are smaller than this yacht cabin, and the window is what you are paying for in a higher cabin.

Boats on the Danube by Budapest Parliament at sunset. The view from the river is the point, whichever cabin you pick.

A boat on the Seine in Paris. The view from the river is the point, whichever cabin you pick.

Viking Longship cabin sizes

Cabin	Size	What you get
Standard E and F	150 sq ft	Half height window near the waterline, lowest deck, cheapest
French Balcony C and D	135 sq ft	Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors with a railing, no step out space, fresh air and light
Veranda A and B	205 sq ft	Full step out private balcony with seating
Veranda Suite AA	275 sq ft	Suite space, larger balcony
Explorer Suite ES	445 sq ft	Wraparound veranda, 270 degree views, separate living room

For scale, a Longship has 95 staterooms, 190 guests, and 9 suites, so the ship never feels crowded, and your cabin choice matters more than it would on a big ocean ship.

Which deck, and where on the ship?

Here is what I look for when I help you pick a cabin. Lower deck Standard cabins are cheapest, darker, and have more lock noise and movement. Mid ship, middle deck is smoothest and quietest. Avoid the bottom deck if mobility is a concern. Choose near reception and the elevator, and tell me if stairs or walking are a worry, so I can place you well.

Is a balcony worth it?

My honest answer: a balcony is worth it if you will sit in the cabin during scenic sailing, like the Rhine Gorge, Wachau, and Douro. Not worth it if you will be on deck or ashore all day, and I will tell you that straight, because I would rather save you the money. Suites are worth it for 10 to 15 night sailings, or for couples who need separate space.

French Balcony vs Veranda, in plain words

Here is the difference in plain words, because the names confuse everyone. A French Balcony is floor to ceiling sliding glass doors with a railing. There is no step out space. You get fresh air and light. A Veranda is a full step out private balcony with seating. Avalon has a third type, the Open Air Balcony, where the whole wall opens 7 ft, the bed faces the view, and there is no step out balcony. If you are choosing between the two, tell me how you spend your mornings and I will help you pick.

Questions people ask

Is a French Balcony a real balcony?

No. It is floor to ceiling sliding glass doors with a railing, and no step out space. A Veranda is a full step out private balcony with seating.

Why is a French Balcony smaller than a Standard cabin?

A French Balcony cabin is 135 sq ft, while a Standard cabin is 150 sq ft. You pay for light and fresh air, not space. That is the classic cabin trap, and it is the first thing I warn travelers about before they book.

Which cabin is best for limited mobility?

Choose a cabin near the elevator, on a middle deck, mid ship. Avoid the bottom deck. Tell me about your mobility when you ask me to check a sailing, and I will confirm the cabin location for you.

Not sure where to start?

Take the two minute quiz. It points you to one river, one line, and one cabin.

Take the Quiz

Request My Plan

Tell me what you are thinking about, and I will check a sailing for you. No payment here. No account here.

I read every request myself, and I will reply by email.

Prefer email? Email me at ashleyhendrickson@travelmation.net