I saved nearly $1,000 off a four-night stay at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas thanks to my loyalty status with Royal Caribbean ...

I sailed in balcony rooms on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas and Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady. My Virgin Voyages' balcony room had a nicer bathroom and these cabins tend to be a good value.

I had a balcony room. I highly recommend ... Will definitely cruise again on Royal Caribbean.

Cabin sizes and layouts also vary widely across the vessels of both brands, and that's true even for basic interior, ocean view and balcony cabins. That said, Royal Caribbean still comes out ahead ...