One question we are asked frequently, especially by first time cruisers, is about choosing a stateroom on a cruise ship. While the amenities, layout and design may be identical deck-to-deck, seasoned cruisers have preferences for certain locations.
Factors to Consider
Is it important to you to be close to the dining room or the pool deck? Do you want to be close to the café for your morning latte? Or maybe you want to be close to the gym so you don’t have far to go in your workout gear. Take these things into consideration and have a look at deck plans (available on all cruise line websites) when deciding on your stateroom location.
Most cruisers would like a room with a view, whether that’s a balcony or a window, but not all rooms have a great view. Some have obstructed views (often by lifeboats or pillars) and if you’re in a lower level room you won’t see much except for the water. Prices differ based on the room category (an inside cabin is much less expensive than a balcony stateroom, for example), so you have to decide what type of room you’d like based on your budget.
You also need to think about how much space you need. Will you be spending a lot of time in your stateroom? Will you need space to work? If you don’t plan to do much else other than sleeping, you may not need a lot of space. If you want a luxurious and roomy experience, then a suite might be the best choice.
Stateroom Locations
If you are on a budget, then a cabin that is surrounded by other cabins is a good choice. In addition to a lower price point, it will be insulated from noise if there are cabins beside, above and below you. If you’re noise sensitive, avoid choosing a stateroom that is near the elevators, above or below the pool deck, casino, theatre or dance club.
Cabins at the rear, or aft of the ship are very popular because they have the best balcony views and usually have less neighbours. The very best rooms are the corners on both the port and starboard sides and often have extended balconies. Make sure, though, that the cabin isn’t located near an exhaust vent, or one of the noisy amenities listed above.
Forward-facing cabins aren’t for everyone as they are where you will likely feel the most movement. But many cruisers love them because it gives you a view of where you are traveling to, and the views can be amazing. Often these cabins have extra space because they have odd-angled interiors, but most don’t have balconies.
Another coveted location is mid-ship on an upper deck. Mid-ship means you are in a central location and it makes getting around very easy. Some cruise ships are enormous and being mid-ship can cut down some of the walking that you may need to do. Mid-ship also means that you’ll be in a more stable location and you won’t feel the boat rocking as much. If you’re prone to seasickness, this may be the right choice for you.
If a balcony isn’t in your price range, a scenic ocean view room is worthy of consideration. They often have floor to ceiling windows and are located at the front of the ship. These windows make the room feel a lot bigger than they are and are great value.
There is no right answer for which stateroom location is best, but we hope we’ve given you some insight into how to decide on the location that is best for you. If you’d like more information on choosing a stateroom or you’re ready to book your cruise, please contact us.
Check out our recent posts: LGBTQ+ Friendly Travel, My Positive Covid-19 Cruising Experience, Top 3 All Inclusive Trips You Should Book.
