It's more difficult to select a cabin on a cruise ship than it is to get a hotel room.
Not only must you consider the size of the room you require and your spending limit, but you must also choose whether to pay more for a window or private balcony, the location of your cabin on the ship, and the advantages and privileges that will go along with it. You must carefully plan how to combine different beds or room kinds to fit everyone in if your travelling company is particularly large.
If you make your reservations early enough and the cruise room types you desire aren't already sold out, that is.
Subscribe to the TPG cruise newsletter for additional cruise guides, news, and advice.
In addition, the ordinary cruise ship stateroom is substantially smaller than the typical hotel room. You might not want to employ the same strategy for your vacation at sea if you're used to booking the cheapest lodging for a land-based stay.
The first step to getting the most out of your cruise holiday and your vacation budget is picking the ideal accommodation. Here, I address the most often queries about selecting the ideal cabin for your travelling group and cruise ship rooms.
What types of staterooms are available for booking on a cruise?
When booking a hotel or resort, you may have the option of selecting a room with one king bed or two queen beds, a view of the garden or the beach, a basic room, a suite, or even a villa or casita. The primary cabin classifications on cruise ships are inner, outside (commonly termed ocean view), balcony, and suite, however, there are more subcategories.
Suites are often larger and more expensive; inner cabins are typically smaller and less priced. The many cabin types you can select when booking your cruise are detailed below.
Inside
The absence of a window and therefore of natural light makes an inside, or interior, room aboard a cruise ship distinctive. Instead of being situated along the ship's outside sides, these cabins are situated in the centre of each deck. They are often compact—about 150 square feet on average—and while they contain a small desk or vanity space, a wardrobe, and an ensuite bathroom, they don't typically offer a comfy sitting area for lounging around.
You'd be astonished to learn that many inside cabins can sleep four people thanks to upper bunks that drop down from the ceiling. The majority of inside cabins have a queen bed that can be divided into twin beds.
Both Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line have a unique category of inside cabins that are equipped with simulated windows, making them very intriguing. They are video screens that transmit imagery from outside the ship and are meant to look like a spherical porthole or floor-to-ceiling balcony door. This allows passengers to feel as though they have a window on the ship even when they do not.
Outside
The windows of the outside staterooms, also known as ocean view cabins, are either circular portholes or one enormous picture window that cannot be opened. The rooms are often a little bit more spacious than the inner cabins, and on some ships, in addition to the bed and bathroom, they may also contain a sitting area.
Outside cabins have windows so that natural light can come in, but they do not get coastal breezes. The outdoor cabins that are the most cost-effective to book are the ones that have an obscured view. This means that the windows look out on the ship's lifeboats or other buildings that prevent you from seeing the ocean beyond.
Balcony
The cruise ship cabin category with a balcony is the one that guests book the most frequently. Because of the high demand for cruise ship cabins of this type, some cruise lines have begun outfitting all of their outdoor staterooms with private verandas. There has been a recent shift toward this pattern: the cruise ships in a cruise line's fleet that are the oldest may have a limited number of balcony cabins, while the ships that are the newest may have the majority of balcony accommodations.
The interior of a balcony cabin will include a private bathroom, one or more beds, a closet area, a desk with a chair, and a small sitting area. The outer wall will be a window that extends from floor to ceiling, and there will be a door that leads out to a private balcony. On the balcony, there will often be two upright chairs and a small table for having beverages or eating meals outside.
The private outdoor spaces are typically somewhat limited in size; however, due to the structure of the ship, certain stateroom grades may provide balconies with more space than others. Verandas on cabins aft of the ship and in other locations where the architecture of the ship protrudes outwards are likely to be larger than the norm.
Onboard its Oasis-class ships, Royal Caribbean features a unique variation of the traditional balcony stateroom. These balconies do not look out onto the ocean; rather, they look out on an open-air area of the ship's interior, giving the impression that one is standing on a balcony that overlooks a city street.
Suite
Suites is the most luxurious and spacious type of cruise ship accommodations, although even within this category, there is a great deal of variety. There is no wall separating the sleeping area from the living area in a minisuite or junior suite, thus the space can be used for both. Minisuites and junior suites are slightly more spacious than balcony cabins. Larger suites may have dining tables, living rooms, several bathrooms, and vast private terraces. The bedrooms in these suites are often located in separate rooms.
Is there a standard layout for cruise ship suites?
No! The sizes and configurations of suites on cruise ships are available in a wide range of options.
The most extravagant suites might be duplexes that span two decks and have master bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and marble detailing. Additionally, these suites might have balconies with alfresco dining spaces, plush patio furniture, and a hot tub or wet bar.
The Royal Caribbean Ultimate Family Suite is a fantasy of slides, climbing walls, video games, and comfortable kid-sitting. Some family suites have additional bedrooms with bunk beds for children. It is likewise a duplex, with living areas on the lower level and bedrooms on the upper level. In addition, Cunard provides accommodations in duplex suites.
The Regent Suite aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises is probably the most magnificent suite available at sea. The 4,443-square-foot multiroom luxury enclave features a master bathroom that doubles as a spa made of gold and marble, a handmade mattress that costs $200,000 and is stuffed with horsehair, multiple balconies (one of which has a whirlpool tub), and a huge living room that is furnished with a piano and an actual Rembrandt painting.
Not only do suites offer more spacious living quarters, but they also have several VIP amenities and privileges that come standard with each reservation.
A few of the luxuries that may be included for passengers staying in the most expensive cabins are priority boarding and disembarkation, freebies (such as Wi-Fi, laundry, and drink packages), the first pick of restaurant and shore excursion reservations, special queues that allow passengers to skip the line at the front desk or main dining room, and even reserved theatre seating. You may also be able to make use of more luxurious amenities while you are on board, such as robes, stocked minibars, sheets and linens with a higher thread count, and toiletries from well-known brands.
Suite passengers on cruise ships that offer promotions in which you can choose your preferred booking bonus may be eligible to receive all of the freebies instead of just one or two of them.
In addition, guests staying in suites may have access to the services of a butler or concierge, who can make reservations for tours, dining, and shows, unpack your bags, bring you snacks and special room-service meals (perhaps from a speciality restaurant), and assist with any issues that may arise during your stay. They may even hand you invitations to exclusive events, such as cocktail parties and dinners at the captain's table if you're very helpful.
Several cruise lines, like Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises, provide their suite passengers with access to exclusive dining venues, lounges, and sun decks that are only for their use. Passengers can bypass congested public areas and enjoy good meals in a setting that is less hectic than the main dining room as a result of this.
What kinds of specialised cabins should I be aware of?
There are specialised accommodations available within each standard category of cabin, and these are catered to specific demographics of cruise passengers. You should expect these to be a little more expensive than the standard cabin in the same category, but they come with amenities that can make your trip more enjoyable.
Accessible cabins
All of the large cruise ships that sail the ocean can provide access for passengers who use wheelchairs or who have other mobility-related needs. Cruising is, in point of fact, one of the most accessible vacation options for people who are travelling with disabilities.
Cabins that are wheelchair accessible available in a variety of configurations, from insides to suites, and often offer more square footage than the standard accommodation in the same category. This extra space is intended to accommodate wheelchair-turning radius and storage needs. Roll-in showers with benches, bigger doorways, smooth thresholds, and lowered basins and counters are common features seen in accessible bathrooms. They also have wider doorways.
Before making a reservation, you should conduct some research to ensure that the accessible cabin you choose meets your needs. Older ships may have renovated a cabin to make it more accessible, but they may not be able to give all of the advantages that are available in a room that was expressly created for accessibility. In general, newer ships have better accessibility than older ships.
Related: the finest cruise lines for customers who use wheelchairs and other passengers who have restricted mobility
Spa cabins
Do you plan your trip so that you may maximise your time at the spa on the cruise ship? Then you might want to consider a spa cottage. Spa cabins can be found on a variety of ships, from Celebrity Cruises' AquaClass to MSC Cruises' Aurea suites, and typically have Zen-inspired decor.
While benefits vary greatly by line, they may include in-cabin extras like spa showerheads, healthy room service options, exercise equipment, and room diffusers as well as spa-related benefits like a spa concierge, complimentary use of the thermal suite, priority booking for spa treatments, and discounts. Even their restaurant is available to celebrities that attend AquaClass.
families' cabins
There are various types of family-friendly cruise ship cabins available from many cruise lines. These accommodations often sleep five people (or more), include a separate bedroom for children, have additional bathrooms, or have split bathrooms (shower and sink in one room, toilet and sink in another). Families with multiple generations can stay together in some family suite arrangements with connected cabins.
The Family Harbor staterooms on Carnival Cruise Line even offer access to a private family lounge with refreshments, entertainment, TVs, computers, and a concierge. Families can benefit from extras like free late-night group babysitting.
deluxe cabins
Access to the concierge (and concierge lounge) is typically a benefit reserved for suite guests and elite frequent cruisers. However, several airlines provide passengers who reserve specialised cabins that aren't suites with concierge services.
Consisting primarily of standard balcony cabins with access to a concierge and a special meal for all concierge room guests, Celebrity Cruises' concierge cabins are available on select sailings. Additionally, Oceania Cruises offers a concierge category of balcony cabin that includes complimentary laundry service, access to the spa terrace sun deck, and room service from the Grand Dining Room menu in addition to concierge services and access to a concierge lounge.
I'm on my trip. Do cabins accommodate a single person?
Single tourists frequently pay too little when reserving a cruise stateroom. If they select a normal cabin that is priced for two people, they must pay a single supplement—or, if you prefer, a lone cruiser tax—which can be equivalent to double the per-person fee. By providing solo cabins that are sized and priced for a single visitor, some cruise lines have found a solution to this issue.
Solo cabins can be interior, ocean-view, or balcony depending on the line, but they're frequently smaller than the same style of a cabin built to sleep two or more. One-person beds, either twin or full size, are available.
The Studio cabins in Norwegian offer single travellers access to a private lounge where they can socialise and enjoy some food. Solo passengers will enjoy concierge-level benefits and privileges on Oceania's new ship Vista, including access to the concierge lounge.
The six top cruise lines for lone travellers
One room is insufficient for my large family. Which cabin on the ship should we reserve?
Larger families may choose to consider family cabins and suites, which may sleep five or six people, as I already indicated. Eight-sleeper suites are available on some of the top cruise lines for families, including Norwegian's three-bedroom garden villas. What happens, though, if you're travelling with a big family, including cousins, grandparents, friends, and even a nanny? You might have to reserve adjoining rooms.
Many staterooms on cruise ships include doors that may be opened to create a shared space between two adjacent rooms. Some cruise lines, like MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean, even go so far as to group various types of cabins that may either be rented out individually or opened up into a maze of rooms that can accommodate around ten passengers.
Does it matter where on the ship my cabin is located?
Any room will do for some cruisers. For others, getting the greatest stateroom location is crucial because your ability to enjoy the cruise is on the line.
Do you frequently get seasick (or are you concerned that you will)? If you want to feel less ship movement and rocking, pick a cabin that is midship on a lower deck. A balcony cabin is also essential because it provides easy access to fresh air and a view of the horizon.
Prioritize cruise ship cabins that are not above or below common spaces, such as the pool deck, main dining room, or nightclub, if you have trouble sleeping with background noise. Avoid connecting cabins as well if you aren't hiring both rooms because they are less soundproof than ones without those additional doors.
You should reserve a cabin near an elevator bank if you have problems travelling long distances so you won't have to slog down winding halls to get to your lodging. (However, cabin locations near stairwells are some of the worst for people who don't want noisy accommodations.)
Last but not least, you can favour a cruise stateroom that is close to the areas of the ship you frequent the most. Poker players might like to be close to the casino, while fitness aficionados could choose a room close to the spa. Families might choose to stay close to the kid's club or pool.
What are the most affordable accommodations on cruise ships?
Windowless inside cabins are almost always the least expensive choice if you're on a tight budget. But where can you locate the cheapest accommodations among the various types of cabins?
Some cruise lines provide guaranteed cruise cabin costs, which are generally the lowest prices available for a cabin of any type. You can't choose your cabin, which is the catch. A room aboard the ship in the category you purchased, or one above, is guaranteed for you (thus the name).
For passengers who don't give much thought to cabin location or who don't spend much time in their cabin, these rates can be an excellent choice. The worst-case scenario is that you receive a cheap cruise in a cabin that is a little bit smaller, a little bit noisy, or has a longer walk than other rooms, and you could not be qualified for some extra-value booking advantages. The best-case scenario is an upgrade to a cabin category higher than what you originally paid for.
Can I upgrade my cruise cabin the same way I can my hotel or flight?
The free or at least discounted upgrade to a more comfortable aircraft seat or hotel room than the one that was paid for is considered by frequent fliers to be the holy grail of travel. You may be curious about whether or not there are any tips and methods for doing the same thing on a cruise.
There is a slim chance that you will receive a cruise cabin upgrade, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances. You can hunt for booking specials or loyalty programme bonuses that allow you to pay for one category of the cabin and get upgraded to the next. These options are in addition to the guaranteed booking that was previously discussed. There are several credit cards offered by cruise lines that enable you to use your points to pay for upgraded accommodation.
There are times when a cruise line will reach out to guests who have already booked a stateroom and either offer them a low-cost upgrade or the chance to bid on an upgrade. Even while these offers don't come for free, they could save you money on a nicer hotel.
And it doesn't hurt to ask, right? If you notice that the cost of your trip has gone down, you might be allowed to change the accommodation you have booked on the ship to a more upscale one if the price of the new cabin is the same as the price of the original one. Even if you play the birthday, anniversary, or special event card, it is quite unlikely that you will be able to sweet talk your way into a suite when you join your ship. However, you can always ask at the front desk when you board your ship.
Related: 5 compelling arguments against accepting an upgraded cabin on a cruise ship
Is it possible that I could spend a week cooped up in this shack?
It is true that if you try to cram four adults into a tiny inside cabin on a cruise ship, you can wind up regretting that decision by the time the voyage is over. A normal cabin on a cruise ship is much smaller than a standard hotel room. But you'd be shocked at how livable cruise rooms are. To make your cabin give the impression that it is larger than it is, the designers of cruise ships are skilled at making the most of available space by designing comfortable gathering spots and hidden storage areas.
In light of this, there are a variety of clever cruise ship cabin hacks that might be utilised to enhance the standard cabin layout. A little bit of creativity goes a long way toward helping you survive life in a small cabin, whether it's bringing essential extras like night lights or an inflatable bathtub for your toddler or creating extra storage by using your suitcase as an extra drawer under your bed. Either way, a little bit of creativity goes a long way toward helping you.
But in addition to that, what are you doing in your little cottage?! Get some fresh air and investigate the ship as well as the many points of call. Because of it, you decided to go on this trip.
Bottom line
The cruise ship cabin that most closely matches your top priorities in terms of size, cost, and location is going to be your top choice. You can always find a way to make the cabin you select work for you, whether by renovating it, improving it, or just leaving it while you are not sleeping or changing clothes. This is true regardless of which cabin you select.
If after reading this advice you are still uncertain about how to select a cabin on a trip, my recommendation is that you get in touch with a cruise travel agent that is educated in the field. They can guide you through the entirety of the booking process and possibly negotiate a more affordable rate for the cabin that you end up choosing.
Making plans for a cruise? You can get started with these tales:
These are the five-cabin positions on a cruise ship that passengers covet the most.
- An introduction to the process of selecting a cruise line.
- The eight stateroom placements that are the most undesirable on any cruise ship..
- The complete list of items that you need to bring on a cruise
- An overview of the most well-known cruise lines in the industry
- 21 helpful hints and suggestions that will make your trip more enjoyable.
- 15 reasons why cruisers are a money pit.
- The complete guide to picking the perfect accommodation on a cruise ship.