Celebrity Cruises Infinite Veranda: The Lowdown
Celebrity Infinite Veranda: Pros, Cons & Reviews
Celebrity Cruises Infinite Veranda cabins on their Edge Class ships are controversial.
Some cruisers love them. Others say they are not balconies at all and would never book one again.
The disagreement isn’t really about whether the cabins are good or bad. It comes down to a much simpler question: what do you actually expect when you book a balcony cabin?
Taking in the views from an Infinity Veranda without letting in the cold. Photo: Celebrity Cruises
The Celebrity Edge Series promotes the concept of bringing the outside in, and the Infinite Veranda is one of the clearest examples. Instead of stepping through a door onto a conventional outdoor balcony, the veranda is incorporated into the cabin, with a large window that lowers electronically at the touch of a button.
It is clever. It is modern. And it is very different from a traditional cruise balcony.
I’ve looked closely at the Infinite Veranda design, how it works and the reasons passengers have such different opinions about it. So, before you book one, here’s what you really need to know.
What is a Celebrity Infinite Veranda?
An Infinite Veranda is Celebrity’s distinctive take on the balcony cabin. Rather than having a conventional balcony projecting outside the ship however, the veranda forms part of the cabin’s overall space. A large floor-to-ceiling window separates the main cabin from the veranda area, and the upper section of the window can be lowered electronically.
Infinite Veranda cabin on Celebrity Beyond with veranda section closed. Photo: Celebrity Cruises
With the window closed, you have a large sea-facing glass area.
Lower the window and the cabin opens towards the outside, allowing fresh air and the sound of the sea into the room.
There is also an internal glass door separating the main living area from the veranda section.
Celebrity lists its standard Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda at “243 square feet of total living space, including a 42-square-foot veranda.” That sounds very much like a balcony cabin, doesn’t it? But there is an important distinction.
Is an Infinite Veranda actually a balcony?
Not in the traditional sense, and this is at the heart of the controversy.
On a conventional balcony cabin, you open a door and physically step outside. You have a separate outdoor space where you can sit, read, have a drink or watch the sea while remaining completely outdoors.
Celebrity Cruises Infinite Veranda cabin- is it a balcony or is it a window? Photo: Celebrity Cruises
With an Infinite Veranda, the veranda area is incorporated into the cabin. When you lower the window, you are opening the cabin to the outside rather than stepping out onto a separate balcony.
For some cruisers, that is a brilliant idea. For others, it defeats the main reason they book a balcony cabin in the first place.
And I think this distinction is much more important than the word “Infinite” might suggest.
Why are Celebrity Infinite Verandas so controversial?
The Infinite Veranda is one of Celebrity’s most talked-about cabin features, largely because it asks cruisers to rethink what a balcony actually is.
On a traditional balcony cabin, you open a door and step outside. The balcony is a separate outdoor space, with the cabin behind you.
On Edge Class ships, the Infinite Veranda works differently. The veranda is incorporated into the cabin, with a large window that lowers at the touch of a button to create an open-air connection with the sea. A standard Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda has 243 sq ft of total living space, including a 42 sq ft veranda.
That sounds straightforward, but it has divided opinion among cruisers, and here are the main reasons:
1. It doesn’t feel like a traditional balcony
This is the biggest issue for people who dislike the design. When you sit on a conventional balcony, you are genuinely outside. You can close the cabin door behind you and enjoy a separate outdoor space.
With an Infinite Veranda, the outdoor area is effectively part of the cabin. Open the window and the space becomes open to the elements; close it and you have a large glazed section of the cabin instead.
For some cruisers, that feels like a clever use of space. For others, particularly those who specifically book a balcony because they want to sit outside in private, it simply isn’t the same experience.
And that distinction is important when booking. An Infinite Veranda is not a conventional balcony with a door. It is a different concept.
2. The air conditioning is another consideration
When the Infinite Veranda window is open, the cabin’s air conditioning does not operate in the same way as it does with the window closed.
That can be particularly noticeable in hot or humid weather. If you want the window open for fresh air, you are effectively choosing the open-air experience over maintaining a fully air-conditioned cabin. For some people that’s perfectly reasonable. For others, especially on warm-weather cruises, it can be frustrating. (To be fair this would also be true in a conventional balcony cabin if you left the doors open).
3. Expectations can make all the difference
I think this is where much of the controversy comes from.
If you book an Infinite Veranda expecting a conventional balcony, you may be disappointed.
If you understand that you are booking a larger, more flexible cabin where the outside is brought into the living space, the concept makes much more sense.
Celebrity actually promotes the design as giving guests open-air access to the sea while increasing the available living space. The company says the Infinite Veranda staterooms are 23% larger than its Solstice Series veranda staterooms.
So I wouldn’t describe the Infinite Veranda as simply good or bad. It’s a question of what you want from your balcony cabin.
If your priority is a genuine outdoor space where you can sit separately from the cabin, look carefully at Celebrity Cruises’ traditional balcony options, including the Sunset Veranda.
If your priority is a larger-feeling cabin, uninterrupted views and the ability to bring the outside into your living space, the Infinite Veranda may actually be the better choice.
plenty of cruisers love Infinite Verandas
It would be unfair to focus only on the criticism because there are plenty of good reasons to like the design.
The biggest advantage is the feeling of space.
When the window is closed, the veranda becomes an extension of the cabin rather than a separate outdoor area. You get a large glazed view of the sea and, depending on the weather, you can open the window and let the outside in.
For cooler climates, this can be particularly appealing. You can enjoy the view and the feeling of being connected to the sea without necessarily sitting outside in cold wind.
The design can also make the cabin feel more open than a conventional balcony cabin.
So while I wouldn’t describe an Infinite Veranda as a replacement for a traditional balcony, I can see why some cruisers prefer it.
What is the veranda area like?
Celebrity’s standard Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda has 243 square feet of total living space, of which 42 square feet is allocated to the veranda.
The layout incorporates:
King-size bed
Sofa
Seating area
Infinite Veranda
Floor-to-ceiling window
Electronic window control
Electronic blinds
Bathroom with shower
Wardrobe and storage
In-room lighting and climate controls
The result is a cabin that feels quite different from a conventional balcony stateroom. Rather than having a small interior room followed by a door to the balcony, the accommodation flows towards the sea.
What happens when you open the Infinite Veranda?
Press the control and the upper section of the window lowers. The veranda area is then open to the outside.
You can hear the sea and feel the air, while still technically being within the cabin’s footprint.
Note: There is an important practical point here: the air conditioning switches off while the Infinite Veranda window is open.
If the weather is warm and humid, you may not want to leave it open for long. If the weather is cool and pleasant, however, it can be a lovely way of getting fresh air without having to sit completely outside.
Infinite Veranda in hot weather
This is one of the areas where opinions differ most.
In a warm climate, opening the window allows the outside temperature and humidity into the cabin. Some passengers have found this uncomfortable, while others don’t consider it a problem because they simply close the window when the cabin becomes too warm.
My advice is straightforward:
If your main reason for booking a balcony is to sit outside in hot weather, don’t choose an Infinite Veranda without understanding the difference. A traditional outdoor veranda may suit you better.
If you mainly want a great sea view, natural light and the option of opening the cabin to the outside, the Infinite Veranda becomes much more attractive.
Infinite Veranda versus a traditional balcony
| Feature | Infinite Veranda | Traditional Balcony |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor space | Enclosed veranda integrated into the cabin | Separate outdoor balcony |
| How you access it | Large window lowers electronically | Door opens directly onto the balcony |
| Feeling of space | Brings the veranda into the cabin | Creates a distinct indoor/outdoor space |
| Fresh air | Yes, when the window is lowered | Yes, with the balcony door open |
| Air conditioning | Switches off when the Infinite Veranda window is open | Cabin air conditioning is separate from the outdoor balcony |
| Privacy | More enclosed, with less separation from the cabin | More traditional balcony experience |
| Weather protection | More sheltered when the window is closed | More exposed to wind and weather |
| Best for | Cruisers who like extra interior space and a large sea view | Cruisers who want a genuine outdoor balcony |
| Main drawback | Doesn't provide the same outdoor experience as a conventional balcony | Less integrated with the cabin's living space |
If you love sitting outside with a book, watching the wake or having breakfast in the open air, I’d lean towards a traditional balcony.
If you like the idea of a light-filled cabin with a huge sea view and the ability to open it to the outside, the Infinite Veranda could be exactly what you’re looking for.
Infinite Veranda versus Sunset Veranda on Celebrity Edge Class Ships
This is another comparison worth making before you book.
A Sunset Veranda gives you the more traditional balcony experience, with an outdoor space at the aft of the ship. An Infinite Veranda gives you the Edge Series concept of bringing the veranda into the cabin.
If your priority is:
Fresh air and sitting outside: Sunset Veranda
A large sea view from inside: Infinite Veranda
A genuinely outdoor balcony: Sunset Veranda
A modern cabin design: Infinite Veranda
Watching the sunset from your own outdoor space: Sunset Veranda
Of course, the exact view and experience also depend on the location of the cabin and the itinerary.
Are Infinite Verandas private?
They should be thought of primarily as an extension of your accommodation rather than a completely separate outdoor room. That’s another reason not to compare them directly with a traditional balcony.
If having a private outdoor space where you can sit completely outside is particularly important to you, check the alternative veranda categories before booking.
Celebrity Beyond Infinite Veranda.
Which Infinite Veranda cabins are best?
The category alone doesn’t tell you whether a particular cabin is a good choice - location matters.
Before selecting a cabin, look at the Celebrity Deck plans for your ship and check what is above, below and around it.
Think about:
Possible noise from public areas
Proximity to lifts
High-traffic areas
What is above the cabin
Potential obstructions
The position of the cabin on the ship
Whether you want to be midships or further forward or aft
The Magic Carpet is another reason to check the deck plans carefully. Its position changes depending on its operation, and some cabin locations beneath or near it have generated passenger comments about views or noise.
I’ve put together a separate guide that looks at Celebrity Beyond’s deck plans, cabin locations and the areas worth considering when choosing a stateroom.
Read: Celebrity Beyond Deck Plans: Best Cabins, Deck-by-Deck Guide & Hidden Gems
Are Infinite Verandas worth paying extra for?
This is where I think you should ignore the marketing terminology and think about how you actually cruise.
I would consider paying more for an Infinite Veranda if:
You love sea views from your cabin
You like lots of natural light
You don’t spend hours sitting outside
You like the idea of bringing fresh air into the cabin
You prefer an integrated, modern design
You are cruising somewhere where the weather may be changeable
I would think twice if:
A balcony means an outdoor space to you
You spend a lot of time sitting outside
You want to feel completely outdoors
You enjoy breakfast or drinks on your balcony
You are particularly sensitive to heat and humidity
You are expecting a conventional cruise balcony
This is why I don’t think there’s a universal answer to the question “Are Celebrity Infinite Verandas worth it?”
It depends on what you want your balcony to do.
The Lowdown
I can see exactly why Celebrity introduced the Infinite Veranda.
It’s clever, modern and makes the cabin feel connected to the sea. On the right itinerary, particularly in cooler weather, I think the concept can work extremely well.
But I also understand why some cruisers dislike it.
If what you love about cruising is opening a door, stepping outside with your morning coffee and sitting on your own private balcony, an Infinite Veranda may leave you feeling that something is missing.
Personally, I think the key question to ask before booking is very simple:
Do you want an outdoor balcony, or do you want a cabin that opens towards the sea?
If the answer is the first, choose a traditional veranda.
If the answer is the second, the Infinite Veranda could be exactly what you’re looking for.
Have you stayed in a Celebrity Infinite Veranda?
I’d love to hear what you thought. Did you love the extra space, or did you miss having a traditional balcony?
Share your experience in the comments below.
Read next: Celebrity Beyond Deck Plans: Best Cabins, Deck-by-Deck Guide & Hidden Gems
Also see: Iconic Suite on Celebrity Beyond