If you are wondering what a balcony cabin is like on Celebrity Silhouette, my review covers it all, from the layout and storage to the bathroom, balcony space and my honest experience of staying in one.
As a solo traveller, I thought Celebrity Cruises would probably be out of my reach for a while, but sometimes a deal that seems too good to be true really does turn out to be true. That is how I found myself on a short taster cruise on Celebrity Silhouette.
With no solo supplement on this cruise, I decided to splash out on a balcony cabin, which cost only slightly more than an inside. As someone who usually books inside cabins to keep costs down, this felt like a real treat.
Like most cruisers I like to research what the best cabins are, but there is never one answer as it depends on personal preference. So, in this post I am sharing my experience of staying in a Celebrity Silhouette balcony cabin, to give you an idea of what this style of cabin is really like.
A little bit about Celebrity Silhouette
Before I get into the cabin itself, here’s a quick overview of the ship.
Celebrity Silhouette launched in 2011 and had a big refurbishment in 2020. The cabins, restaurants and lounges were updated and the whole ship now has a modern, stylish feel. Compared to the UK-market ships I often sail on, the atmosphere felt more international but still welcoming.
Silhouette is a mid-sized ship that carries 2,902 passengers. There are 1,451 cabins onboard, most of which are ocean view or balcony, so the ship is definitely designed with sea views in mind.
There is also a great choice of places to eat and drink. There are six speciality restaurants and twelve bars and lounges. I tried several of them during my short cruise and really enjoyed them all. The Sunset Bar was my favourite spot for sailaway or an afternoon drink. I also ate at the Tuscan Grille, which ended up being the best meal I had on the whole cruise.
Read more: My guide to Celebrity Silhouette restaurants and bars
Celebrity Silhouette balcony cabin
Now let’s take a closer look at the balcony cabin I stayed in…
- Category: Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Veranda
- Cabin Size: 192 sq ft
- Balcony Size: 54 sq ft
- My Cabin: 169 on Deck 7
I booked a Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Veranda, which is Celebrity’s name for a balcony cabin. At first I was given an obstructed view cabin, which did not bother me as this was not the most scenic itinerary. I am usually happy with an inside cabin so I was just pleased to have some daylight and fresh air. A few days before sailing I was upgraded to Deck 7 and ended up in Cabin 169.
The location was brilliant. It was close to the lifts and not far from The Hideaway, which is a cosy lounge that also worked as a handy landmark when I was finding my way back.
Below are some pictures which provide two views of the cabin I stayed in.
Tip: For information about cabin locations view the Celebrity Silhouette deck plans before booking your cruise.
Cabin layout & storage
When you enter the cabin the bathroom is immediately to the left.
Further in, there is a floor-to-ceiling mirror on the left wall and two coat hooks on the right. Straight ahead is a small vanity shelf with a mirror above it. It is not a full dressing table but it worked well for putting on makeup or getting ready. With so many mirrors in this cabin there was no avoiding seeing yourself before heading out.
Next to the vanity area is a large unit with a fridge on one side and three deep drawers on the other. Tea and coffee making facilities were on top of the unit and a flat screen TV was fixed to the wall above. As a Brit I appreciated having a kettle, but I am not sure if these are included on all sailings or just the UK ones. If you are sailing elsewhere you might want to check.
On the opposite side there was a wardrobe with plenty of hanging space and a large sofa. A small table by the sofa was just big enough to hold a couple of drinks while watching TV.
The bed filled the rest of the room. It was curved at the end and made up as a double, although it can also be split into two singles. The mattress and bedding had all been updated in the refurbishment and felt like something from a hotel. The bed was so comfortable that I struggled to get up most mornings.
On either side of the bed there was a lamp and a bedside table, and above the bed were two extra storage cupboards.
What I liked most was that the bed was right next to the balcony. There is nothing better than opening the curtains in the morning and seeing the sea before you have even got out of bed.
Read more | Choose the perfect cabin with my guide to which Celebrity Silhouette cabins to avoid
Bathroom
This was the biggest bathroom I’ve ever had on a cruise ship. Often cruise ship bathrooms are small and a bit cramped, but this one felt spacious and easy to move around in.
The shower was a good size and had a plastic sliding door (no shower curtains here thankfully). Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel were provided in refillable bottles attached to the wall, and there was also space for your own toiletries.
Next to the sink was a storage unit with shelves, and under the counter were three drawers. Combined with the long mirror above the sink it felt more like a hotel bathroom than a cruise ship one. If you travel with lots of toiletries you will not run out of storage here.
Balcony
The balcony was 54 square feet, which is a good size for two people. There were two chairs and a small table, perfect for sitting outside with a morning tea or an evening drink.
Directly below were the lifeboats. They did not block the view unless you looked straight down, so I did not find it a problem. Having the option to step outside for fresh air or simply sit and listen to the sea felt like a real luxury compared to my usual inside cabins.
Cabin amenities
Amenities in my Celebrity Silhouette balcony cabin included:
- Fridge
- Hairdryer
- Safe
- Telephone
- Towels
- Bathrobes
Pros & cons
Pros
- Spacious bathroom, the biggest I have had at sea
- Comfortable bed with hotel-style linens
- Being able to wake up to sea views from bed
- Plenty of storage and mirrors
- Quiet, convenient location near the lifts
Cons
- Lifeboats visible below the balcony
- Vanity area is more of a shelf than a desk
- Kettle availability may vary depending on your sailing
The last word
This cabin was modern, comfortable and had more space than I expected. The bathroom was the highlight, but the simple joy of having a balcony to sit out on made the upgrade worth every penny.
Choosing a cabin is always a personal decision. Some people would rather book a cheaper cabin so they can cruise more often, while others prefer to spend extra on the best cabin they can get. For me, this balcony cabin on Celebrity Silhouette was a real treat and I would happily book one again.
You may also like…
- Celebrity Silhouette cabins to avoid
- Guide to Celebrity Silhouette restaurants
- What to pack in your cruise carry on bag