Where Is The Best Cabin Location On Board A Cruise Ship
16 Mar 2022
Choosing the right cabin location can seem like a difficult task. With so many to choose from, its crucial to start whittling down your options so you can end up with the stateroom thats right for you.
There is no right or wrong answer here, its all down to personal preference, as well as your budget and the cruise itinerary. Most seasoned passengers have a preference for either inside, outside , balcony, or suites but if youre a first-time cruiser, you might not have a preferred cabin location.
Best Cruise Ship Cabins For Water Babies
The most obvious room location for any aquaphile is as close to a pool as you can get. On some cruise ships, you can get a cabin on the same deck as a pool, so it’s out your door and a quick stroll to paradise. On other ships, you might have to get a cabin one deck below the pool.
For those who love the sea and its soothing sounds, outside cabins are the obvious choice. Be sure to snag a balcony room, though, if you’re on higher floors.
Best Cruise Ship Cabin Placement For The Mobility Impaired
Most cruise ships have a choice of fully accessible cabins for those that require mobility aids. If your preference is to stay in a non-modified stateroom, you can still rely on the expertise of the design engineers, who generally place modified cruise cabins near the central elevators.
That cabin placement allows the easiest access to the ships main features like dining and large entertainment venues. More importantly, that placement allows crew-assisted evacuation in an emergency.
Often the best choice for cruisers with mobility impairments is to choose a cabin nearest the ships attractions that matter most to you, whether thats the casino, the pool or the spa.
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Up At The Top: Best Cabin Location For Sweet Sea Views
If youre all about the views, the best cabin location for you is at the top of the ship. Observation towers are high up for a reason with an elevated position, you can see farther. Its no surprise that most cruise ships place their suite enclaves or swankiest cabins on upper decks. Youll enjoy amazing views of the ocean’s horizon from your upper-deck balcony or walls of windows.
Plus, upper-deck cabins are convenient to many top cruise attractions, including the pool, buffet and some specialty restaurants, top-deck active pursuits , and even the spa. You wont have to go far to find the fun from a high-up cabin.
Which Cruise Ship Cabins To Avoid
After analyzing their deck plans, we’ll list here the most famous ships and their “worst” cabins. The “bad cruise cabins” issue is not about amenities, but about location – and noise. Cabins located nearby the ships’ elevators or with some public areas above , or near public bathrooms may present some noise concern during the day or late at night.
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Seasickness The Middles For You
The cabin category isnt the only thing to take into account when selecting your perfect cabin. Youve also got to think about the best location on the ship. This is important if you suffer from sea sickness. The movement of the waves is most noticeable fore and aft of the ship and least noticeable in the middle. Also bear in mind that the further down you are towards the bottom of the ship, the less youll feel the rolling of the waves. If you know youve got a sensitive stomach, its definitely a good idea to book a cabin in the middle and down below. A balcony cabin or suite also has advantages, because fresh air and a view of the horizon can keep you from feeling unwell.
Infinite Veranda Cabins On Celebrity Cruises
On its Edge-class ships, Celebrity Cruises sought to redefine the concept of a balcony. Instead of creating private outdoor spaces that hang off the ship, the cruise line cleverly designed a way to bring the outside space in.
At the push of a button, the top half of a floor-to-ceiling wall of glass in your stateroom slides down like a car window to let in the fresh ocean air. If you want, you can close off the section of your room closest to the window by sliding shut a pair of folding doors. Once that is done, you have a cozy spot with two chairs and a cocktail table where you can admire the sea or enjoy your morning coffee even if your cabinmate is still sleeping.
If the weather turns rainy or chilly, roll that window back up and you can still enjoy the sitting area as an indoor portion of your cabin.
With no space wasted for a traditional balcony, the other benefit of this setup is expanded indoor space. These cabins are 23 percent larger than on the lines Solstice-class ships, including bigger bathrooms.
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Family Rooms: Upcharges May Apply For More Space
Family rooms are often suites that feature a separate kids’ room plus an area for a parent of parents. The spaces for kids can range from a small alcove with bunk beds to an entire adjoining cabin. Pullman beds or pullout sofas can also help families with sleeping arrangements. If you’re going to squeeze your whole troupe into one cabin, make sure the space is big enough to accommodate everyone . However, Disney Cruises is known for offering larger standard rooms meant to accomodate families.
Inside Cruise Cabins For Families
I have a friend who will only cruise in an inside cabin. Why? Because her children are early risers! And she feels the darkness that inside cabins offers tricks her children into sleeping past 5am. Inside cabins offer a lot of flexibility with price, and if you are a family of 5 interconnecting cabins may offer the best solution.
The downsides: you never know what time of day it is. Now this works for some people. However we really struggled with it.
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How To Choose The Best Cruise Ship Cabin
Now it is time to book your cruise. Perfect ship? Check. Great route and itinerary? Check. But now comes the hard part which is the best cabin?Well of course, theres no such thing as the perfect cabin theres a cabin to suit every preference. First you have to ask yourself whats important to you. Maybe you dont want to do much walking and a room close to the restaurant would be best. Or would you prefer a room with a great view and sunny balcony? Or is peace and quiet the most important thing? Once youve established what you want in a cabin, youre much better equipped to pick the one thats the right fit for you.
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Special Types Of Staterooms
- Crew cabins are located on one of the crew decks , while cruise ship staff cabins are in the passenger areas.
- Single cabins are generally difficult to find. The world’s best ships with single cabins belong to the fleets of such famous operators, like Fred Olsen and P& O on the UK market and NCL Norwegian Lines. The best of all ships with single-occupancy cabins is the NCL Norwegian Epic, boasting 128 of its 100 square foot “Epic Studios” – specifically designed for solo travelers, and features a full-size bed and a large round window looking out into the corridor.
- Family cabins – many of a standard size for its category, but with more beds and bathrooms, providing more privacy for parents. The best lines with family cabins are Carnival, Disney, Celebrity, Princess, and NCL.
- Accessible/Disabled cabins are special accommodations for passengers with mobility challenges. These rooms have wheelchair access, wide doors , a bathtub with grab bars, roll-in showers, portable ADA kits for guests with hearing impairments, closed-captioned televisions.
- SPA cabins – Spa-deck staterooms with direct access to the ship’s Spa and Fitness complex.
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Bidding For A Room Upgrade
Royal Caribbean offers guests on most sailings the opportunity to bid for a stateroom upgrade through something called RoyalUp.
RoyalUp asks guest to provide a blind bid for a stateroom upgrade on the chance the room is available. Once a bid is made, Royal Caribbean will consider it until such time that there is an upgrade opportunity.
The advantage of upgrading your room via RoyalUp is that you could move up to a higher, more desirable room, for less than booking it outright. However, there is no way to know if there is even an upgrade opportunity and there is no way to know if your bid is good enough to win.
If your RoyalUp bid is accepted, Royal Caribbean will assign your room automatically, leaving little to no choice in its location.
Or Those Below The Promenade Deck
Equally, Im sure that you dont want your alarm clock to be the rhythmic thump of those doing their morning run along the promenade deck.
Many cruise ships have a promenade that wraps itself around the ship. Perfect for those wanting to take a stroll or jog to burn off those cruise calories. But if your cabin is underneath the promenade deck, pretty soon youll be wishing that these fellow passengers were also having an exercise holiday.
In short, the best passenger deck to choose is one sandwiched between other passenger decks. Whilst you might have the occasional noisy neighbours, they are not likely to have a bass-heavy sound system or dragging furniture at all hours of the night.
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Types Of Cabins On Cruise Ships
Cruise ship cabins are often referred to as “staterooms” or “cruise accommodations”. Their furnishings can range from “comfy” to “luxurious”. The cheapest tend to be smaller than an ordinary budget hotel room. The largest staterooms rival many land-based luxury resort accommodations – both as sizes and amenities, but mostly as prices. Cabin rates are per person and usually based on double occupancy . Prices range widely by cabin types, sizes, deck location, amenities, company’s and vessel’s ratings, also by destination, season, itinerary, travel agency, inclusions, and bonuses, promotion deals, etc.
On big ships, you’ll find a number of cabin categories within each cabin type. This is according to location, size, features, quality of view, etc. Cabin rates vary not only by type and size but also by category. For a particular cabin type, brochure/online prices usually apply to the lowest category. In your cabin, every square inch is usable since the price of ships is generally determined by the number of their beds/berths. So luggage fits under the bed, while the items you unpack will be stored in closets and drawers.
Head Aft For The Best Balconies
If a balcony is a priority for you, youll find some of the best ones at the rear, or aft, of the ship. The aft cabins tend to be quite popular because they provide great views and usually dont have many neighbors.
Pro tip: for the very best rooms, try the corners. The very last port and starboard side rooms on certain decks will sometimes have expanded balconies. Some may even have enough space for a lounger, allowing you to lay out and enjoy the sun from the privacy of your own room. Now thats cruising in style!
However, you need to make sure of the location and double check what else is around the room. Some aft-facing rooms are near exhaust vents and may have an unpleasant aroma, but for the most part, this is not an issue.
Aft balconies typically are a bit longer than balconies on the port and starboard sides of the ship as well. This means you can actually lounge in that lounger with some extra leg room.
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Hidden Gems Between The Lifeboats
Youve likely heard about a cruiser who was excited to have a balcony or window only to come on board and find their view blocked by one of the ships lifeboats. Perhaps this has even been you! But if you study the ships layout, you might find that some rooms on the main deck might have a room with a balcony and/or french doors that are nestled between a couple of lifeboats, offering great views and some privacy from your neighbors.
Concierge Cabins: A Direct Connection To A Cruise Concierge
A concierge cabin comes with — you guessed it — easy access to a cruise concierge. That means hands-off dinner and spa reservations, shore excursion bookings, and requests from guest services. Their services are included in the price of many suites, and on some ships you’ll find a concierge lounge where suite guests and loyal premium-level passengers can snack, drink and relax in private. Concierge cabins may also come with in-cabin amenities like welcome drinks, fruit baskets or afternoon canapes.
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Best Room On Cruise Ship
Best Cruise Suite: Wintergarden Suite
Why? The signature feature of Seabourns 1,186-square-foot Wintergarden Suites, found on Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation, is the glass-enclosed solarium with a daybed and tub. The light-filled space is adjacent to the outdoor balcony, furnished with lounge chairs and an outdoor dining table.
The interior is no less impressive with a living room providing plenty of seating to host a gathering a dining room with a table that accommodates six a pantry with full wet bar a comfortable master bedroom and a master bath with separate whirlpool tub and shower. Seabourns trio of slightly smaller ships also have noteworthy Wintergarden Suites, but they are slightly smaller and lack an alfresco dining option.
Plan to Pay: Fares start at $2,000 per person, per night.
Best For Light Sleepers
If you want the quietest cabin possible, eliminate cabins located by noisy areas. Do not book cabins located directly under the pool deck or buffet, too close to the elevators, across the hall from a laundry or crew entry door, and under or over the casino, theater or nightclub. Youll also want to skip cabins located low and forward or at the back .
Youll need to study a deck plan for the best placement or call on a travel agent who knows the ship youre booking. However, a general rule of thumb is to surround yourself with other passenger cabins on either side of you, across from you and above and below you.
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Cabin Upgrades On A Cruise
While you can’t count on the upgrade fairy to pay you a visit after you’ve booked that low-tier cabin, you can look out for upgrade deals before you book. One common cruise-line promotion is to offer outside cabins for the price of insides, or balconies for the price of outsides.
Just be wary of any offer promising a two-category upgrade . The fine print usually indicates that the line will give you a so-called better cabin within the same category. That can simply mean you are upgraded from a standard inside cabin to a slightly larger inside cabin. You will then be stuck with whichever cabin they give you — whether you agree it’s better or not.
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Super Studio Balcony Cabins On Royal Caribbean
Single cruisers have a tough choice. They can choose an inside or windowed cabin designed and priced for solo guests but to enjoy balcony accommodations, they typically must pay a supplement to reserve a veranda cabin designed for two people to share.
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Royal Caribbean sought to level the playing field on its Quantum-class ships by creating Super Studio balcony cabins. On Quantum, Anthem, Ovation, Spectrum and Odyssey of the Seas, these solo cabins are designed and priced for one, with up to 199 square feet of interior space and a 55-foot balcony that’s large enough for two chairs and a small table.
There are only a dozen of these cabins per ship, so youll want to book as early as possible to snag one.
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So What Is The Best Cabin Location
Thats really up to you! Its important to keep in mind that there really is no bad cabin on a cruise ship. They are built to give all passengers the best experience possible, and if bad cabins were a thing, no ships would be sailing out at full capacity. Of course, its worth taking into account the above tips when choosing your cabin, but dont worry if you dont get the location you wanted youll still have an amazing experience!
Safari Voyager Owners Suite
A 2016 remodel on the 62-guest Safari Voyager added a 250 square foot Owners Suite on the bow, highlighted by a panorama of bow-facing view windows. Guests in this suite choose either a king or twin beds and enjoy a private bath with a shower and Jacuzzi tub, a separate living room/sitting area with a pull-out sofa bed to accommodate a third person, two entertainment centers as well as a wet bar and mini refrigerator , ideal for families. The room plan below really highlights this cabins largeness and versatility:
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