The Virgin Voyages Sea Terrace is one of the most popular cabin categories across all four Lady Ships. A private balcony, ocean air, the signature red hammock, and a rain shower that rivals boutique hotels on land. But “Sea Terrace” isn’t a single cabin. It’s an umbrella covering multiple subtypes with meaningful differences in size, ship placement, view quality, and price. Booking the wrong one means overpaying for features you won’t notice — or missing out on ones that would’ve made the voyage. This guide is part of our Virgin Voyages cabin types hub and breaks down every Sea Terrace subtype so you can match the right one to your budget, itinerary, and priorities.
All Sea Terraces share a core DNA: private balcony, queen bed (convertible to twins), mood lighting, rain shower, and in-cabin tech. The differences are size, ship zone, balcony view, and price tier. Virgin publishes the overall Sea Terrace category at 185–225 sq ft with occupancy for 2–4 Sailors, but the subtypes diverge meaningfully within that range.
| Subtype | Size (sq ft) | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| XL Sea Terrace | Varies | Varies | Extra space, longer voyages, bathroom comfort |
| Central Sea Terrace | Varies (Sea Terrace is 185–225) | Mid-ship | Less motion, convenience, first-time Sailors |
| Regular Sea Terrace | Varies (Sea Terrace is 185–225) | Forward or Aft | Best value unobstructed balcony |
| (Slightly) Smaller Balcony | Varies (Sea Terrace is 185–225) | Varies | Budget-friendly with full interior space |
| Limited View Sea Terrace | Varies (Sea Terrace is 185–225) | Lower decks | Cheapest balcony cabin, fresh air priority |
Pro Tip: The pricing hierarchy is usually consistent across sailings: Limited View (cheapest) → Smaller Balcony → Regular → Central → XL (most expensive). Promotions like Wave Season deals can compress the gap between tiers — sometimes Central costs barely more than Regular.
The XL Sea Terrace earns its name with roughly 30% more living space than a standard Sea Terrace — Virgin’s own description. With ~30% extra living space, the difference isn’t just floor area. The bathroom is redesigned with completely separate toilet and rain shower chambers, plus double the vanity and storage. On a 3-night sailing, that’s a nice bonus. On a 7+ night voyage or a transatlantic crossing, it changes how you live onboard.
Location varies — some XL cabins sit mid-ship, others lean forward or aft. Don’t assume “XL” means “best spot on the ship.” Check the deck plan for your specific sailing.
Best for: Longer voyages, couples who treat the cabin as a home base, and anyone who values bathroom space. The XL premium pays off when you’re spending real downtime in the room.
Skip if: You’re barely in the cabin between restaurants, shows, and pool time. Regular or Central delivers the same Sea Terrace experience for less.
The Central Sea Terrace is the same cabin layout as a Regular Sea Terrace — you’re paying for location. Mid-ship placement means less motion, faster elevator access, and shorter walks to most restaurants and venues. Virgin labels it “most popular,” and that tracks with what we see in bookings.
Mid-ship matters most on routes with rougher water potential — winter Caribbean, repositioning sailings, and itineraries with multiple consecutive sea days. If you’re motion-sensitive or this is your first voyage, Central removes one variable from the equation.
Best for: Motion sensitivity, first-time Sailors, and anyone who values being centrally located. Also a strong pick for transatlantic crossings where sea days are the main event.
Skip if: You’re not motion-sensitive and don’t mind being a couple minutes further from the action. Regular gives you the same cabin for less.
The Regular Sea Terrace is the sweet spot for most Sailors. Full-size balcony, unobstructed ocean view, the complete Sea Terrace interior — at the lowest price that doesn’t ask you to accept a compromised view. These cabins sit forward or aft rather than mid-ship.
Forward cabins can feel more motion in rougher conditions. Aft cabins may pick up faint vibration on lower decks. For the vast majority of Sailors, neither is noticeable enough to matter. If you’re concerned about specific cabin quirks, our cabins to avoid guide flags the ones worth skipping.
Virgin sells two labels at this tier: “Sea Terrace” and “The Sea Terrace” — both list forward or aft placement. The practical difference is minimal, but they can sit at different price ranks in Virgin’s category system.
Best for: Most Sailors on most itineraries. If you want a private balcony without paying extra for mid-ship or XL space, this is the default choice.
The Sea Terrace (Slightly) Smaller Balcony does exactly what the name says. The interior is identical to other Sea Terrace cabins — same bed, same bathroom, same storage. The balcony footprint is reduced. Select cabins in this category come equipped with two hammock chairs instead of the standard single hammock setup.
If you spend most of your balcony time sitting and sipping coffee rather than stretching out, this subtype saves money without changing your interior experience.
Best for: Sailors who want balcony access and fresh air but don’t need a full-size outdoor space.
The Limited View Sea Terrace is the cheapest way to get a balcony on any Virgin Voyages ship. The interior is the standard Sea Terrace layout. The trade-off is the view — partially obstructed by the ship’s lifeboats. Virgin describes these as “close to lower deck activities/spaces.”
The obstruction varies significantly by cabin number. Some Limited View cabins have a sliver of lifeboat at the edge of your sightline — barely noticeable once you’re settled. Others have a lifeboat squarely in front of you, reducing the view to a narrow strip of ocean on either side. Community reports confirm this range: “minimal obstruction” to “entire lifeboat” depending on exact placement.
Pro Tip: If you’re considering Limited View, your First Mate at Serious Sailors™ can help identify which specific cabin numbers have lighter obstructions versus heavier ones. The difference between a “barely there” lifeboat and a wall of steel is real — and it’s cabin-specific, not random.
Most do — but not all. Virgin’s own cabin comparison page states “Terrace hammock (most, but not all)” for the Sea Terrace category. Some cabins near the front or rear of the ship may have metal balcony railings instead of glass, and some of those cabins may lack the hammock entirely.
If the hammock is non-negotiable, verify the specific cabin before finalizing your booking. This is especially important for Lock It In and Base fare bookings where Virgin assigns the cabin and changes aren’t allowed.
Your fare tier determines how much control you have over which Sea Terrace you actually get.
A Lock It In Sea Terrace booking guarantees you’ll get at least a Sea Terrace — but you could be placed in any subtype at or above your booked category. Virgin’s Ticket Contract confirms that a Sea Terrace Lock It In may be upgraded to an XL Sea Terrace or higher.
Booking Tip: Even Lock It In bookings are generally eligible for Level Upgrade bids. The bid window can open from 45 days before sailing and stays open until 48 hours before departure. Community reports confirm that Sailors on Lock It In fares have received — and accepted — upgrade offers.
The decision comes down to three variables: budget, motion sensitivity, and how you use your balcony.
For a broader look at how Sea Terrace stacks up against other cabin categories, our Sea Terrace vs Sea View vs Insider comparison covers the full decision framework. And if you don’t need a balcony at all, our Insider cabin guide explains where that money goes further.
Sea Terrace cabins qualify for most Virgin Voyages promotions. Current Wave 2026 deals include 80% off the second Sailor plus up to $350 in free drinks for Base, Essential, and Premium fares — though the Bar Tab benefit doesn’t apply to Lock It In bookings.
Sea Terrace cabins also earn promotional Sailor Loot — currently $50 per cabin during the February 12–26, 2026 promotional window (on select voyages). Stacking these offers can shrink the price gap between subtypes, sometimes making Central or XL barely more than Regular.
It depends on your fare. Essential and Premium fares let you select a cabin type during booking. Base fares assign a cabin within your category automatically. Lock It In fares assign your cabin closer to sailing — potentially the day you board — with no ability to change it. Details are on Virgin’s cabin FAQ.
Virgin lists Sea Terrace occupancy at 2–4 Sailors. The third and fourth Sailor sleep on additional pull-down/convertible beds. Space is tight with four adults — XL Sea Terrace is the better option if you’re maxing occupancy.
Essential and Premium bookings can change cabin categories up to 46 days before sailing, subject to availability and fare differences. Lock It In and Base bookings cannot make cabin changes. All cabin categories except the Massive Suite are eligible for Level Upgrade bids starting 45 days before departure.
Connecting cabins are available on some sailings but limited in number. Contact your First Mate early — they sell out quickly, and availability depends on the specific ship and sailing date.
Every Virgin Voyages Sea Terrace delivers a private balcony and the onboard experience that makes the fleet stand out — the differences are location, space, and what’s between you and the ocean. Regular is the default best value. Central earns its premium if motion or convenience matters to you. XL pays off on longer voyages where cabin time is real time. And Limited View is a smart budget play — as long as you research the cabin number. Your First Mate at Serious Sailors™ can help match you to the right subtype for your sailing, your priorities, and your budget. Book with Serious Sailors and get it right the first time.
