|
Home
Choosing a Cruise
Cruise Line Choices
Choosing a Cabin
All About Pricing
First Cruise
Cruise Questions
Family Cruising
Travel Insurance
Preparing to Cruise
Air/Sea Packages
Packing Tips
On Your Cruise
Dining & Dress Codes
Shore Excursions
Staying in Touch
Extra Costs
Tipping
About Us
 
Travelocity
Cruises at Priceline
 
Bid For Cruises
at SkyAuction
|
 The thought of choosing a cruise ship cabin can be daunting until you've done it a couple
of times to determine your likes and dislikes. You will need to make two basic decisions: The type of cabin you
desire (inside, outside, veranda/balcony or suite) and the location of the cabin (forward, aft, midships and either
high in the ship or low in the ship).
Types of Cabins (Staterooms)
- Inside: Generally one of the smaller
cabins onboard. No windows to the outside world. Almost always the least expensive cabin available. Advantages: Lower price, many cruisers report
sounder sleep with no light to wake them. Disadvantages: During the day there is no way to tell weather, how light it is outside.
- Outside: A view outside of the ship
through either a window (may be large or small) or a porthole. Usually a premium price over an inside cabin. Advantages: Can see outside, watching the sea
or the passing scenery. More open feeling than an inside cabin. Disadvantages:
Higher cost than inside, light from outside may wake you in the morning.
- Outside with veranda/balcony: Where
once ships had very few balcony cabins, now they are being built with upward of 80% of total cabins having balconies.
These can be small (barely enough room fo 2 small chairs and a tiny table) to very generous. Advantages:
Open to the sea. Puts a whole new spin on sailing into a port or out of
a port. A very comfortable place to relax. Disadvantages: Price. Sometimes the premium for a balcony is so ridiculous that I think the cruiseline
recoups their entire cost of building on one cruise! You may not use the balcony as much as you would expect if
you are in a very hot climate (like the Caribbean in summer) or a very cold climate (like Alaska).
- Suite: The ultimate onboard real
estate. Suites can range from just slightly larger than a conventional cabin all the way up to house-size at 3000
square feet or more. Suites will also generally carry additional amenities such as butler service, priority embarkation
and tendering, daily canapes and much more. Advantages: You need to ask? Disadvantages: Only the price, which can
be shocking. Remember that even though your room may be the nicest onboard, you are eating the same food, seeing
the same entertainment and visiting the same ports as someone in an inside cabin who may be paying 1/10th of your
fare. Many who sail only in suites will consider nothing else, though.
Location of Cabins
Subject to your budget, you will also need to make a decision about the location
of your cabin. The location of the cabin can make a good deal of difference in the cost. Generally, higher and
mid-ship is more expensive, lower and forward (front) or aft (rear) and lower is less expensive. Some of the factors
you will want to use when choosing a cabin:
Proximity to services: Compare the location of the cabin to the location of services you will use the most. For
example, we take the fitness center into consideration since we use it twice a day. On some of the mega-ships the
walk to the gym is more tiresome than the workout there! Take into account showrooms, dining rooms, buffets or
any area of the ship you feel you will be using frequently.
Movement: In general, the movement of the ship is felt more as you go up in decks and either forward or aft. In
rough seas, the most "active" of the cabins are those highest and furthest forward, followed by highest
and furthest aft. Those rooms with the least movement are generally on the lowest deck in the middle of the ship.
|
