I booked a $5,910 balcony cabin on an adults-only cruise. The 225-square-foot cabin felt large and luxurious.

I booked a $5,910 balcony cabin on an adults-only cruise. The 225-square-foot cabin felt large and luxurious. Business Insider's reporter booked a sea terrace stateroom on an adults-only Virgin Voyages cruise. Joey Hadden/Business Insider My 225-square-foot home for seven days of cruising the Mediterranean Sea felt bigger than I expected.When I booked the sea terrace room with the adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages in 2023, I was prepared to feel cramped in the tiny space, especially since I was traveling with someone else.I'm glad I was wrong.My cabin on Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady ship had a starting rate of $5,910 for a weeklong stay for two people, though Business Insider paid a media rate for the cruise.The cruise sailed round-trip from Barcelona to ports in Italy and France, including one overnight stay in Ibiza. I spent more time in my room than I thought I would because it was so comfortable and luxurious. Here's a look at every detail that made it worth the price. Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady ship has 1,408 cabins and suites. My room was toward the back of deck 12. The back of the ship docked in Marina di Carrara. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I booked a third-tier stateroom with a balcony — a step above sea-view cabins, which have only a window, and two steps above an interior room with no view. The room was 225 square feet, including the balcony. I thought the cabin efficiently used the tiny space without sacrificing luxury details. The stateroom. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Inside was a queen-size bed, a desk, a bathroom, and plenty of hidden storage compartments. Considering the room's small size, I was surprised by the ample floor space. I never felt too confined in my cabin. At the front of the cabin, the bathroom was stocked with toiletries and storage spaces to keep the counter clutter-free. The bathroom had clever storage, toiletries, and a rainfall showerhead. Joey Hadden/Business Insider The bathroom felt luxurious thanks to a rainfall showerhead. Wall shelving made it easy to keep the space looking tidy. Across from the bathroom, an iridescent curtain hid the closet. A look inside the closet. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Inside, I spotted a shelf with two empty bins for extra storage and a cabinet holding emergency life vests, towels, a safe, and drawers I filled with clothing. Next to the closet, the desk against the wall had an ottoman tucked underneath it. I thought this made the room feel bigger. The stateroom's desk. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Beneath the desk, I spotted a hidden mini fridge, which I used to keep my drinks cold.I thought the vibrant, round mirror above the desk added a unique touch of luxury. At the back of the room, there was a comfortable queen-size bed. Next to it, a thin nightstand was light enough to move around the room as needed. The back of the cabin. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I learned from the Virgin Voyages app that crew members could transform the bed into a couch upon request. This made the cabin feel more like a living room during the day. The cabin also had an in-room tablet with entertainment and smart controls. The author using the tablet to watch a movie. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I didn't have to leave my bed to change the lighting or close the curtains.From "hangover" to "photo shoot," different tablet settings changed the mood lighting throughout the room. The best part of the cabin was the balcony. It had a table, chairs, and a large, netted hammock. A hammock, two chairs, and a small table on the balcony. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I spent a lot of time on my balcony during the voyage. With the fresh air and sunset views, I thought it was worth the upgrade for a private outdoor space. With multipurpose furniture and plenty of storage, I thought the 225-square-foot room was big enough to keep two people comfortable. The author relaxes in the sea terrace cabin. Joey Hadden/Insider I'd definitely book a sea terrace cabin with Virgin Voyages again. And I'd recommend it to adult travelers who want to feel wrapped in luxury at sea. Read next Joey Hadden is a travel reporter and photojournalist at Business Insider based in NYC. She covers transportation modes, alternative lifestyles, and luxury travel. Many of Joey's stories are visual features that give readers a front-row seat to her personal experiences at home and around the world.Joey graduated from St. Edward's University in May 2019 with a BA in Photocommunications. Since joining BI in 2019, Joey has traveled by train in seven different countries, from day trips to overnight rides as long as 30 hours. She's ridden on many different train lines, including Amtrak, Via Rail, and the iconic Orient Express of the 21st century, among others. During her travels, she's slept in countless accommodations — five-star hotels, unique tiny homes, and private train cabins, to name a few.When traveling in North America, Joey takes readers inside the continent's wealthiest enclaves where billionaires hide away, from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to Medina, Washington. She spends her free time singing and playing drums for the indie-rock band Blanket Approval. You can follow Joey on Instagram or send her an email at jhadden@businessinsider.com.Popular ArticlesI spent $1,000 to have a room to myself on a 30-hour Amtrak ride. It was the best experience I've had on an overnight train in the US.I booked basic economy flights with Delta and United. 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