.png)
You want to make the most of your cruise experience, right? Of course! Then, you will want to consider not only what kind of stateroom to select but also where the cabin is located on the ship. Some things to think about are accessibility, view, noise, and movement of the ship. Read on to find out the best tips and tricks for selecting a cruise ship cabin so you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest!
Accessibility is very important when selecting a cabin on the ship. Do you want to be close to the elevators or stairs for easy access to all the levels? What if your favorite place to eat or hang out is on the aft, or rear, end of the ship? Would you want a cabin that is at the forward, or front, end of the ship? That depends. You may be looking to get in extra steps to offset the frequent trips to the buffet, so the answer could be yes! However, if you have mobility issues, or just prefer to spend your cruise relaxing as much as possible, you may want to book a cabin closer to where you prefer to spend your time or nearest to the elevators.
If you do require an ADA accessible cabin, make sure to book a cabin that meets your requirements from the start, as it could be difficult to accommodate a change at a later date. If you are bringing or renting a wheelchair or motorized scooter, be sure that your stateroom and it’s doorway are large enough for it to fit into. You will have a better experience overall if you consider your accessibility needs when booking a cabin.
The view from your stateroom is also an important factor when selecting your cabin location. Do you prefer to spend time relaxing in your stateroom, or do you like to be in public spaces most of the time socializing? If you are going for the lowest price and only plan on using your cabin for sleeping, then an Inside cabin could be adequate for your needs. If you like to have some natural light but still want to save money, an Oceanview cabin could be the way to go.
However, if you like to enjoy your morning coffee, cruising scenery and evening sunsets on your private balcony, then spending a little more to get that perfect space to enjoy is going to be worth it for you. The higher the balcony is on the ship, the better the views you are likely to have. Keep in mind, if you happen to be on an itinerary traveling one way where all of the beautiful landscapes are on one side of the ship, you might want to select a cabin on the scenic side to take advantage of the views. There are usually many cabin types to choose from on most cruise ships, so make sure you pick one that appeals to you. Royal Caribbean, for example, has ships with unique options like interior balcony cabins overlooking the Boardwalk or Central Park spaces and balcony suites overlooking the AquaTheater performances, to name a few.
If you are less about the visual and more about the audial, you might be worried that noise will be an issue when you are trying to unwind, or worse yet, sleep. Cruise ships are busy, and sometimes the noise can carry over from the floors above or below you into your private space. It’s a bummer, but if you know the areas to avoid, you can rest well at sea. The first area to avoid is any venue on the ship that has music. So, the theater, the nightclub, and various bars and lounges are going to be loud at times, as well as the pool deck on warm weather itineraries and the atrium on some ships. Likewise, the dining areas, especially the buffet and main dining rooms, are going to be bustling in the morning and at various times through the day. If you know, you know the "Washy Washy" man singing at the entrance of the buffet with a tambourine rocks out all day!
Let’s not forget the ship itself can be noisy just from operating, with the lowest level floors affected by this the most. Getting a cabin next to, or directly above or below, these hot spots can be bothersome. I would recommend selecting a cabin with only other cabins above and below your own, like a cabin sandwich, if possible.
Hopefully, you are not too worried about sea sickness if you are taking a cruise. But, if you suffer from it, like I do, or if you are a first time cruiser and are not sure if it will be an issue for you or not, then you will definitely want to be selective when choosing your cabin location. Typically, the closer to the middle of the ship and the lower the cabin is, the less movement there will be. If the middle is not available, try to get as close to it as possible heading towards the aft or rear end of the ship. Many people feel the aft is going to have less drastic movement than the forward or front end of the ship as it cuts through the waves. No matter where your cabin is, you might be able to find relief from motion sickness through products like over the counter medications, patches, wristbands, and even natural supplements. Do your own research and talk to your doctor to see what works best for you. Book towards the middle and don’t let a little rock slow your roll.
As you can see, the location of your cabin on the ship is important for many reasons. You want to make sure your cabin is easily accessible throughout the duration of your cruise. Having a view of an interior wall or enjoying a breathtaking iceberg from your balcony in Alaska is going to be a drastically different experience, so cabin category and location matter.
If noise is your concern, avoiding hot spots is key, but if motion sickness is a factor, get a cabin as close to the middle as you can. Now, if none of these make a big difference to you one way or another, you could always get a Guaranteed rate cabin to save some money. You will be guaranteed your selected category cabin or higher, but you will not get to select the location of your cabin. Once the cabin number is assigned by the cruise line, you will not be able to make any changes, so it is a gamble on where you end up. Do you really want to leave your vacation experience up to chance, or do you want to select the cabin you desire? You decide.
Happy travels,
Erika Williams
Travel Agent
Comments