Are you getting ready to go on a cruise on the Celebrity Silhouette and wondering what the verandah cabins or balcony cabins really look like?
Below, I’ll go over the difference between both cabin types. You can also watch my video where I give a full tour (see below).
I went on a twelve-night cruise on the Celebrity Silhouette, where I stayed in a regular balcony cabin, and my in-laws stayed in an accessible balcony cabin just a few doors down.
Since about 85% of the cabins on this ship come with balconies, I thought it would be helpful to show you both staterooms side-by-side so you can get a clear idea of the layout, the space, and what you can expect before your cruise.
Family Vacation 101 participates in affiliate programs including Amazon Associates Program and may earn from qualifying purchases.
Refurbished Cruise Ship
One of the reasons I chose a cruise on the Celebrity Silhouette is that it’s a refurbished ship. Part of Celebrity’s Solstice class, the Silhouette was originally built in 2011 and underwent a major refurbishment in 2020 as part of the Celebrity Revolution modernization program.
This renovation updated the staterooms, added new suites, refreshed public areas, and upgraded the ship’s technology, giving Celebrity Silhouette a more contemporary and luxurious feel.
One of its signature features is the Lawn Club, which has real grass right on the top deck. It’s a beautiful, relaxing outdoor space that really sets Celebrity Silhouette apart from other cruise ships.
Regular Verandah Stateroom Tour
My balcony cabin is a standard, non-accessible stateroom that my husband, son, and I stayed in, located on Deck 6. I’ll show you exactly what it looked like the moment we stepped inside on embarkation day.
First, our cruise cards were waiting for us in an envelope outside the cabin door. As soon as we entered, I noticed how bright and airy the space felt. The blond wood accents and light gray carpeting create a clean, modern look, giving the cabin a more upscale feel than many other ships I’ve sailed on.
In terms of size, it’s comparable to a typical balcony cabin—and for context, I’ve been on more than 25 cruises.
We were also pleasantly surprised to find welcome tote bags waiting for us on the bed—a thoughtful touch. The cabin steward left the daily planner, our shore excursion tickets, Captain’s Club information, and invitations neatly on the counter.
The queen-size bed was roomy enough for two adults to sleep in. The sofa converts into a bed for a third guest—in our case, my son. The sofa bed is actually pretty comfortable for a cruise cabin, no complaints from my son during our 12-night cruise. Overall, the cabin layout felt cozy yet efficient.
Now let’s step out to the balcony. This is one of my favorite parts of any cruise cabin. Our balcony had two chairs and a small table, which made it perfect for room-service breakfast.
The chairs do recline a little, but not enough to lounge or sunbathe, and the balcony itself isn’t really big enough for that anyway. So, I honestly didn’t end up using the recline feature.
I personally love having my morning coffee delivered to the cabin, and being able to sit outside and watch the ocean first thing in the morning feels like such a treat. The balcony isn’t huge, but it’s definitely spacious enough for two adults to sit comfortably and enjoy the view.
Next, let’s take a look at the bathroom. It has a modern, updated feel and comes stocked with shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, facial tissue, and a shower cap. My only complaint is that there’s no liquid hand soap—just bar soap—so I ended up having to buy some at one of the ports.
I also wish the shower included a retractable clothesline for drying swimsuits. There are two hooks, but that’s not enough to dry all of our bathing suits. Other cruise lines usually include a clothesline, so I’m not sure why this ship doesn’t.
To get around this, I have started packing magnetic hooks. Since the cabin walls are magnetic, they’re an easy way to add extra hanging space—something we definitely needed with three people sharing the cabin. Check out the magnetic hooks I use.
One important feature I always pay close attention to in a cruise cabin is the desk area, especially since my family uses it a lot. My husband needed to work during part of our twelve-night cruise, and the desk—right next to the balcony—was just enough for him.
It’s a bit small, but it did the job. The ship uses Starlink Wi-Fi, and he was actually able to get work done and even join Zoom calls without issues. It’s not the fastest Wi-Fi in the world, but it’s much better than what ships used to have.
In terms of outlets, just be aware—there aren’t many. The cabin has two US outlets and one European-style outlet. With three people and lots of devices, it wasn’t enough, so I was glad I brought a universal adapter. That allowed us to use all three outlets at once.
The counter area is small. Under the counter, you’ll find a set of drawers, a safe, and a mini-fridge. The fridge is stocked with some snacks and drinks like soda, bottled water, and beer. They’re not included in your cruise fare—you do pay for each item—so just keep that in mind.
Now for the closet. Storage in this cabin is a bit tight for three people. There is one main closet with a section for hanging clothes on one side and shelves and drawers on the other. You do get bathrobes, which is nice.
Above the bed is another cabinet where the cabin steward usually keeps extra linens, but it can also hold lighter items if you need additional storage.
Size Comparison: Regular Verandah Stateroom versus Accessible Verandah Stateroom
Before we tour the accessible balcony cabin, let’s take a look at the size difference. When you include the interior space and bathroom, a regular balcony cabin totals roughly 195 square feet, compared to about 285 square feet for the accessible cabin. That extra 100 square feet of space really makes the room feel more open and easier to move around in.
Now let’s compare the size of the balcony. The regular cabin’s balcony is about 44 square feet, while the accessible cabin’s balcony is almost twice that at around 80 square feet.
The biggest difference is the width—the accessible cabin is almost four feet wider than a standard balcony. That extra width gives you a noticeably larger cabin and a more spacious balcony, making the cabin feel much more comfortable.
Now that we’ve compared the sizes, let’s take a look inside the accessible balcony cabin and see how that extra space translates in real life.
Accessible Verandah Stateroom Tour
As soon as you enter, the cabin feels very open and roomy. The doorway is wider to accommodate wheelchairs. Inside, there’s a queen-size bed, a couch, a coffee table, and a large counter and desk area, with plenty of space to move around comfortably. Even with all the furniture, it doesn’t feel cramped like the regular cabin.
The bathroom is much larger and thoughtfully designed with accessibility in mind. It features a walk-in shower with a fold-down shower seat, multiple grab bars, an emergency pull cord, and even a phone next to the toilet for added safety.
The accessible balcony is also significantly bigger—almost twice the size of the regular balcony—and includes two chairs and a table, with plenty of space to move around outdoors.
If you or someone you’re traveling with needs accessibility features, an accessible cabin is definitely worth considering.
My mother-in-law, for example, has mobility needs and always books an accessible stateroom because she requires the shower seat. The great news is that accessible cabins cost the same as regular cabins—there’s no upcharge.
Just keep in mind that accessible cabins are limited and often sell out quickly, so it’s important to book early.
While the cruise line usually doesn’t verify whether a guest truly needs an accessible stateroom, it’s important to be considerate and only reserve one if it’s necessary. These cabins are vital for travelers who rely on them.
Trust me, it’s frustrating when I’m trying to book a family cruise and can’t get an accessible cabin for my mother-in-law.
Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise
Family Vacation 101 participates in affiliate programs including the Amazon Associates Program and may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Travel Must-Haves
Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.
Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.
Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.
Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.
Cruise Planning Essentials
Day Passes to Resorts– Booking private beach resort access in advance guarantees a comfortable beach experience at the cruise port.
Travel Insurance with CFAR Coverage– CFAR travel insurance gives you flexibility to cancel your cruise for any reason and recover part of your costs if plans change.
Last Minute Cruise Deals– Search for last minute cruise deals.
Cabin Comfort & Organization
Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).
Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!
Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.
Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.
Toiletries & Laundry
Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.
Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.
Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.
TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.
Health & Wellness
Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).
Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.
Packing & Storage
Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.
Packing cubes – I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.
Foldable duffel bag – I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space.
Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra.
Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.
Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.
Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.
Beach Essentials
Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.
Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.
Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.
Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials
Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.
Collapsible beach buckets and toys – You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.
Get Your FREE Cruise Packing List
Sign up once and you will get access to ALL exclusive content on this website. After unlocking the printable, just save the printable image and then print it. Use it to help you pack for your cruise vacation. I hope you like it!
Download my free Cruise Packing List printable.
Watch the video