Every cruiser has a decision to make when they book a new cruise: what kind of stateroom gets me the best features at a price I want to pay?
Most cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, offer a broad spectrum of cabin types, from smaller insider rooms up to grand balcony suites.
Although I’m a solo cruiser, I booked a full-sized Ocean View stateroom on Brilliance of the Seas, because I found a solo deal that reduced the single supplement most solo cruisers pay to occupy a double room alone.
An Ocean View cabin sits between an inside room and a balcony room in order of expense. In this article, I show you what to expect in your Ocean View cabin — from the good to the frayed!
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My Video Guide to the Ocean View Room on Royal Caribbean
Pros & Cons — plus what I paid!
Where to Find Ocean View Cabins
The Ocean View staterooms on the Brilliance of the Seas are located on decks 3, 4, 7 and 8. My stateroom number was 4014, on Deck 4. I thought the location was pretty quiet and I had plenty of light through the large 23-inch porthole window.
Bear in mind that an Ocean View room is not the same as a Balcony cabin, it has a window only and no direct access to an exterior space.
First Impressions and Layout
The room felt bright on entry and everything was spotlessly clean. I could see that some things were a little frayed around the edges (more on that later). But generally the room felt comfortable and clean.
It’s certainly enough room for a solo cruiser like me, but should also be good for a couple.
Room Layout and Design
The Ocean View cabins typically range from 164 to 265 square feet, depending on the specific category.
Royal Caribbean says that the larger family cabins can accommodate up to six guests with extra bunk beds.
Sleeping Area
The bed area can be separated from the bathroom and seating area by a large curtain. I did actually do this! It made the bed area feel cosier if I was taking a nap.
Bed Size and Comfort
The bed in the Ocean View cabin was a queen size, made up of two twin beds pushed together. Honestly, I could feel the join quite clearly, so be warned if that’s something which would annoy you. The bed linen was spotless and comfortable. In my view, the sheets, coverlet and pillow cases were not ironed.
Seating Options
The cabin included a small sitting area, which was more a loveseat than a sofa and had a small coffee table, the best (only) place to enjoy your room service breakfast. My sofa was quite frayed (see image below).
Wardrobe and Storage Space
There’s lots of storage in this room, including a lot of hangers and wardrobe space. Expect lots of drawers, one of which contains the hair dryer. I put my empty suitcase in the wardrobe/closet.
Bathroom Facilities
The bathroom is compact, but was pretty well-designed. There was plenty of room behind the mirror for smaller cosmetics and unguents! It didn’t feel cramped, but if you had 3 or 4 passengers sharing this cabin, I think it would start to feel small after a couple of days.
Shower and Amenities
The shower had surprisingly good water pressure, although the temperature could be a little inconsistent. Shower gel is provided, but it’s not in any way luxurious. I’d advise bringing your own. However, there were plenty of fresh towels every day.
The Ocean View
An Ocean View stateroom is in a category between the least desirable (interior) and more desirable room types (balcony). However, don’t write it off. I had an unrestricted view and the window was bigger than I expected. It can get a bit salty during the voyage, but it was cleaned during my trip to Alaska.
Television and Entertainment
The cabin was equipped with a flat-screen TV with a variety of US channels, plus some ship-specific channels showing our current location and the view from the bridge.
Mini-Bar and Coffee Facilities
There is a mini-bar in each room, but of course it’s not stocked! The ship says this is not a fridge but a “cooler”. I brought my own soft drinks, which is permitted by Royal Caribbean, although sadly not by some other lines!
Speaking of coolers, if you’re cruising somewhere warmer, you’ll need a cooler to bring cold drinks for your beach days — this soft-sided cooler is my favourite!
Room Service and Housekeeping
My room attendant, Narno, came from Indonesia and was excellent. My room was cleaned and tidied twice a day. On port days, I returned to folded towel animals!
Room service was included for breakfast or for a fee at other times of the day. The Room Service staff were bang on time and very friendly.
Overall Condition and Maintenance
The Brilliance of the Seas is an older ship and it was showing some problems in my room. It was last refurbished in 2013, with some carpet upgrades in 2018.
I want to underline the fact that housekeeping was excellent, but the sofa edges and some of the table and wardrobe edges were dented or worn, taking away from the overall sense of luxury somewhat.
Pros and Cons of Ocean View Cabins
My first preference will always be a balcony cabin, but that’s not always in budget. This Ocean View room gave me some balance between cost and comfort. The natural light does make a difference and the lower price point is a major plus!
If you like to budget carefully for your cruises, an ocean view room can sometimes be the smartest option. It works for solo travelers like me, couples or two friends. I’d not book this room for a larger family group.
Accessibility
The good news is that the Brilliance of the Seas has some accessible Ocean View cabins, with wider 32-34” entrance doors and bathroom doors.
Final Thoughts
If you’re starting to plan, check reviews carefully. I like to keep an eye on third party sites like Cruise Direct, as well as on Royal Caribbean, for deals.