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Lines that have designated spa cabins on some or all ships include Celebrity Cruises, Carnival, Holland America, Azamara and MSC Cruises. As it happens, we've already done that here at TPG in our guide to cabin locations you definitely should avoid. On a typical cruise ship, cabins are spread out all over the place — high and low, and to the front, middle and back. Just be wary of any offer promising a two-category upgrade (or similar). The fine print usually indicates that the line will give you a so-called better cabin within the same category.
Butlers: Spoil Yourself With Packing Services, Personalized Minibars and More
Newer ships tend to have less engine noise and their stabilizers suppress the ship's motion, but you might get that anchor noise a couple of times a day at ports where the ship must use a tender. The cabin location is the third major factor in cruise category other than size and type. Sometimes cruise ships will offer passengers a "guarantee" cabin, which means you are paying for a category rather than a specific cabin. A guarantee cabin can be less expensive than choosing a specific cabin, but it might not give you the location you desire. You are taking a chance and leaving it up to the cruise line to assign you a cabin in a given category. Be sure to do your research before you book a "guarantee" cabin (or any cabin).
Family cabins
I stayed in a windowless cabin onboard Norwegian Star that cost $1700 — here's what my inside stateroom looked like - Cruise Blog
I stayed in a windowless cabin onboard Norwegian Star that cost $1700 — here's what my inside stateroom looked like.
Posted: Mon, 30 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Deciding if a balcony room is worth the price is something many cruisers have to consider with each booking. Ultimately, it depends on your budget and how much more it would cost to move up to a balcony room (or suite) from a lower category. They love them because the view can be spectacular, particularly as you arrive at a new port. Also, some people love the idea of being at the very front of a ship and being able to see where they're going. Some cruise vessels — particularly river ships — have cabins clustered at their backs with public areas at their fronts.
The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin
In summary, the choice between the front or back of the cruise ship ultimately comes down to personal preference and what factors are most important to you. Midship cabins tend to be the most stable in terms of movement, and being centrally located means less walking to reach various areas onboard. A room on a higher deck provides more desirable views, as well as being closer in proximity to the pool deck. Choosing the right room for you is about how you like to cruise, and what you are looking to do onboard. Shorter cruises means you will likely be running around trying to see and do everything, so investing a ton in an expensive room may not make financial sense.
Cabin and balcony size and cabin location can vary significantly within the same price range on any ship. In this age of mega-ships, cruise ship cabins now come in all shapes and sizes -- and are priced to match. Balcony cabins are a nice midway point when it comes to your vacation budget, but balconies range from those that barely hold two chairs to huge wraparound decks with hot tubs.
The best cruise ship cabin is the one that meets your top requirements for size, price and location. No matter which cabin you choose, you can find a way to make it work for you — whether by upgrading it, improving it or simply leaving it when you're not sleeping or changing clothes. Cruise cabin upgrades are rarely guaranteed, but you have a few ways to chase one. Beyond the aforementioned guarantee booking, you can look for booking promotions or loyalty program perks that allow you to pay for one category of cabin and get upgraded to the next. A few cruise line credit cards let you use your points to pay for a cabin upgrade. Within each basic cabin category, you will find specialty cabins aimed at certain types of cruisers.
Access to Exclusive Spaces on Your Cruise
The inside cabins on the lowest decks are usually the least expensive cruise ship cabins. Although the lower deck cabins will give you a smoother ride in rough seas, they are also the furthest from the common areas such as the pool and lounges. You will be hiking the stairs or riding the elevators more from a lower deck, but you can also work off some of those extra calories.
Cabins near the spa
As a general rule, assume the rhythmic back-and-forth swaying worsens with each new level, with the rocking motion growing more noticeable as you get higher up. After all, if you find yourself in the right cabin, you're bound to enjoy the majority of your vacation, ending each day of your cruise in the comfort of your little private paradise. On the flip side, if you wind up in the wrong cabin, your dream trip could turn into a nauseous nightmare. Using some inside knowledge provided by former cruise ship workers and industry experts, as well as some personal experience, we've created a list of the best cabins to book on a cruise ship. To find out which type of stateroom will be best for your particular needs, read on. Whether you're going far away or just cruising around the United States, there's plenty to look forward to once you've pulled the trigger and booked that cruise you've been talking about.
Amid Other Staterooms
All cabins come with basic amenities, such as housekeeping and turndown service, basic toiletries, climate control, and the like. Suites, the most luxurious rooms on any cruise ship, come with a variety of extras and privileges. Spa cabins will offer spa-related perks, such as yoga mats and pampering bath amenities. Concierge-level cabins will give you access to a concierge and niceties like afternoon canapes. Even solo cabins can come with extras, such as exclusive lounge access found on lines like Norwegian. While a waterline cabin might not be as scenic as a room high over the sea, these rooms afford plenty of comfort to anyone with tummy troubles.
For guests who do not care that much where exactly on the ship their room is located, a guarantee room booking can save a lot of money on the cruise fare. So if you booked a balcony guarantee, you would be assured of getting at least a stateroom with private balcony somewhere on the ship, with the exact room assignment coming later. Guarantee rooms could potentially provide a higher room category, although this is a rare occurrence.
Larger balconies also have the "hump cabins", located where the vessel's superstructure changes from narrower to wider. For more hump cabins search in the fleets of Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises. Additionally, don’t hesitate to seek the advice of travel agents or cruise experts to get personalized recommendations based on your preferences and budget. They may provide valuable insights to help you find the perfect cabin for your journey.
Visitors with mobility challenges may appreciate being closer to the activities as opposed to having to walk greater distances to participate in an event. Guests will have an easier time getting around the cruise ship on these decks rather than booking on other ones. Going on a cruise – whether it’s a river cruise or an ocean venture – should be a wonderful adventure and an experience you will always cherish. But if you are seasick, uncomfortable, or surrounded by noise, then you will not enjoy it. For this reason, choosing the best cabin on the best deck is very important.
On other ships, you might have to get a cabin one deck below the pool. Some cruise lines offer cruise cabin guarantee fares, which are typically the cheapest rate you can get for a cabin in any category. You're guaranteed (hence the name) a room on the ship in the category you paid for — or higher. Outside, or ocean view, cabins feature round porthole windows or one large picture window that cannot be opened. The rooms are often slightly larger than inside cabins; on some ships, they might have a sitting area in addition to the bed and bathroom.
