After testing pool cabanas on 15 different ships over the past three years, I can tell you that location matters more than luxury when it comes to cabana value. The best cabanas aren't necessarily the most expensive ones — they're the ones that put you three steps from the pool with the right mix of privacy, service, and convenience.
Royal Caribbean's private island offers the most variety in pool-adjacent cabanas, but knowing which ones to book makes all the difference. I've tested five different cabana types here, and the winners might surprise you.
Coco Beach Club Cabanas #20-#25 are your sweet spot. These six cabanas sit closest to the infinity pool and Chill Grill restaurant. Cabana #23 specifically gets my vote — it's positioned so you can see both the pool and the beach, plus you're only 30 seconds from the restroom (trust me, this matters when you're drinking frozen cocktails all day).
Pricing for 2026 ranges from $1,899 for off-peak Caribbean sailings to $3,299 during spring break weeks. The Coco Beach Club includes pool access, dedicated server, premium food menu, and those Instagram-worthy infinity pool views.
The Hideout Cabanas with plunge pools offer a different experience — each cabana has its own small pool, but you're further from the main action. At $2,199-$3,899, they're pricier but give you complete pool privacy. I'd choose these if you're celebrating an anniversary or prefer adults-only spaces.
Book your Perfect Day cabana the moment your cruise opens for reservations (usually 12 months out). The best pool-adjacent spots sell out within 48 hours for popular sailing dates.
Share your CocoCay cabana experiences in our Caribbean Ports forum!
Celebrity's Resort Deck cabanas on Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, and the new Xcel represent the most sophisticated pool cabana experience at sea. These 165-square-foot spaces feel more like Miami Beach club cabanas than typical cruise ship rentals.
Cabanas 1-4 on the starboard side give you the best pool access on Celebrity Edge-class ships. You're positioned right next to the main pool complex with easy access to the Rooftop Garden Bar. The outward-facing design means you get ocean views instead of staring at other passengers.
Pricing runs $89-$149 per day depending on sea days vs port days. Here's an insider tip: book cabanas for sea days, not port days. On port days, the pool deck empties out and you don't need the premium space.
The Celebrity cabanas include dedicated service, but the food menu is limited compared to the specialty restaurants. I always pre-order room service breakfast to be delivered to the cabana — it arrives hot and you avoid the morning crowd at the buffet.
Honest con: Celebrity's pool decks can get windy, especially on Atlantic crossings. The cabana walls provide some protection, but bring a light jacket for evening use.
Discuss Celebrity cabana strategies in our Celebrity Cruises forum!
Holland America doesn't get enough credit for their Retreat cabanas, which offer the best value in pool-adjacent luxury. On ships like Koningsdam, Rotterdam, and the new Rotterdam II, these cabanas surround the Retreat pool on Deck 9.
At $75-$95 per day (2026 pricing), you get dedicated service, food delivery, and pool access in an adults-only environment. The Retreat pool is smaller than megaship pools, but it's heated year-round and rarely crowded.
Cabanas 5 and 6 position you closest to both the pool and the Retreat bar. The spacing between cabanas gives you more privacy than you'll find on other cruise lines.
Here's what makes Holland America cabanas special: the service. Your Retreat attendant remembers your drink preferences and proactively brings towels, snacks, and sunscreen. It feels more like a boutique resort than a cruise ship.
The downside: Holland America's demographic skews older, so if you're looking for a party atmosphere, these cabanas might feel too quiet.
Join the Holland America discussion in our Holland America forum!
Princess's Sanctuary cabanas on Royal Princess, Sky Princess, Majestic Princess, and Sun Princess offer a refined pool cabana experience that's often overlooked by younger cruisers.
The Sanctuary occupies the forward section of Deck 15 or 16 (depending on the ship) and includes a dedicated pool, hot tub, and food service. Cabanas 1-3 sit closest to the Sanctuary pool with unobstructed ocean views forward.
Pricing is reasonable at $65-$85 for a full day, $45-$55 for a half day. You can book half-day morning (8am-1pm) or afternoon (1pm-6pm) sessions, which gives you flexibility if you want to explore ports.
The Sanctuary pool is adults-only and maintains a quieter atmosphere than the main pool decks. The dedicated lunch menu includes items like seared ahi tuna and lobster rolls that you won't find elsewhere on the ship.
Pro tip: Book Sanctuary cabanas for sea days and rough weather days. The forward location and enclosed design provide protection from wind and waves.
After spending over $8,000 on various cruise ship cabanas, here's what I've learned about getting the best value:
The uncomfortable truth about pool cabanas: They're expensive, and on many ships, you're paying premium prices for average service. The truly exceptional experiences are at Royal Caribbean's private islands and Celebrity's Resort Deck. Everything else is good but not necessarily worth the 50-100% premium over finding a good deck chair.
That said, if you're celebrating a special occasion or want guaranteed pool access on busy ships, the right cabana transforms your sea day from crowded chaos into resort-style relaxation.
Share your pool cabana wins and fails in our Onboard Experiences forum — your insights help fellow cruisers make better choices!
Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay: The Gold Standard
Royal Caribbean's private island offers the most variety in pool-adjacent cabanas, but knowing which ones to book makes all the difference. I've tested five different cabana types here, and the winners might surprise you.
Coco Beach Club Cabanas #20-#25 are your sweet spot. These six cabanas sit closest to the infinity pool and Chill Grill restaurant. Cabana #23 specifically gets my vote — it's positioned so you can see both the pool and the beach, plus you're only 30 seconds from the restroom (trust me, this matters when you're drinking frozen cocktails all day).
Pricing for 2026 ranges from $1,899 for off-peak Caribbean sailings to $3,299 during spring break weeks. The Coco Beach Club includes pool access, dedicated server, premium food menu, and those Instagram-worthy infinity pool views.
The Hideout Cabanas with plunge pools offer a different experience — each cabana has its own small pool, but you're further from the main action. At $2,199-$3,899, they're pricier but give you complete pool privacy. I'd choose these if you're celebrating an anniversary or prefer adults-only spaces.
Book your Perfect Day cabana the moment your cruise opens for reservations (usually 12 months out). The best pool-adjacent spots sell out within 48 hours for popular sailing dates.
Share your CocoCay cabana experiences in our Caribbean Ports forum!
Celebrity Edge-Class Ships: Sophisticated Pool Deck Living
Celebrity's Resort Deck cabanas on Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, and the new Xcel represent the most sophisticated pool cabana experience at sea. These 165-square-foot spaces feel more like Miami Beach club cabanas than typical cruise ship rentals.
Cabanas 1-4 on the starboard side give you the best pool access on Celebrity Edge-class ships. You're positioned right next to the main pool complex with easy access to the Rooftop Garden Bar. The outward-facing design means you get ocean views instead of staring at other passengers.
Pricing runs $89-$149 per day depending on sea days vs port days. Here's an insider tip: book cabanas for sea days, not port days. On port days, the pool deck empties out and you don't need the premium space.
The Celebrity cabanas include dedicated service, but the food menu is limited compared to the specialty restaurants. I always pre-order room service breakfast to be delivered to the cabana — it arrives hot and you avoid the morning crowd at the buffet.
Honest con: Celebrity's pool decks can get windy, especially on Atlantic crossings. The cabana walls provide some protection, but bring a light jacket for evening use.
Discuss Celebrity cabana strategies in our Celebrity Cruises forum!
Holland America's Retreat: Best Value Pool Cabanas
Holland America doesn't get enough credit for their Retreat cabanas, which offer the best value in pool-adjacent luxury. On ships like Koningsdam, Rotterdam, and the new Rotterdam II, these cabanas surround the Retreat pool on Deck 9.
At $75-$95 per day (2026 pricing), you get dedicated service, food delivery, and pool access in an adults-only environment. The Retreat pool is smaller than megaship pools, but it's heated year-round and rarely crowded.
Cabanas 5 and 6 position you closest to both the pool and the Retreat bar. The spacing between cabanas gives you more privacy than you'll find on other cruise lines.
Here's what makes Holland America cabanas special: the service. Your Retreat attendant remembers your drink preferences and proactively brings towels, snacks, and sunscreen. It feels more like a boutique resort than a cruise ship.
The downside: Holland America's demographic skews older, so if you're looking for a party atmosphere, these cabanas might feel too quiet.
Join the Holland America discussion in our Holland America forum!
Princess Cruises Sanctuary: Adults-Only Pool Paradise
Princess's Sanctuary cabanas on Royal Princess, Sky Princess, Majestic Princess, and Sun Princess offer a refined pool cabana experience that's often overlooked by younger cruisers.
The Sanctuary occupies the forward section of Deck 15 or 16 (depending on the ship) and includes a dedicated pool, hot tub, and food service. Cabanas 1-3 sit closest to the Sanctuary pool with unobstructed ocean views forward.
Pricing is reasonable at $65-$85 for a full day, $45-$55 for a half day. You can book half-day morning (8am-1pm) or afternoon (1pm-6pm) sessions, which gives you flexibility if you want to explore ports.
The Sanctuary pool is adults-only and maintains a quieter atmosphere than the main pool decks. The dedicated lunch menu includes items like seared ahi tuna and lobster rolls that you won't find elsewhere on the ship.
Pro tip: Book Sanctuary cabanas for sea days and rough weather days. The forward location and enclosed design provide protection from wind and waves.
Insider Booking and Value Tips
After spending over $8,000 on various cruise ship cabanas, here's what I've learned about getting the best value:
- Book cabanas for sea days, not port days — you'll actually use them
- Choose cabanas closest to pools AND restrooms — convenience trumps views
- Avoid cabanas directly under water slides — they're noisy and get splash-over
- Book the moment your cruise opens for reservations — pool cabanas sell out first
- Consider half-day rentals on Princess and Celebrity — full days are often overkill
- Bring your own beach towels — cabana towel service can be slow
The uncomfortable truth about pool cabanas: They're expensive, and on many ships, you're paying premium prices for average service. The truly exceptional experiences are at Royal Caribbean's private islands and Celebrity's Resort Deck. Everything else is good but not necessarily worth the 50-100% premium over finding a good deck chair.
That said, if you're celebrating a special occasion or want guaranteed pool access on busy ships, the right cabana transforms your sea day from crowded chaos into resort-style relaxation.
Share your pool cabana wins and fails in our Onboard Experiences forum — your insights help fellow cruisers make better choices!
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