The 5 most popular cruise cabins on any Cruise Ship
Photo: Celebrity Cruise Ocean View Cabin
Best Cruise Ship Cabin Basics:
When it comes to choosing the best cabin on a cruise ship, there are a few different things that you need to keep in mind. First, you need to decide what type of cruise ship cabin you would like. Cruise lines typically offer 5 cabin types. Inside Cabins, Oceanview Cabins, Balcony Cabins, Spa Cabins, and Suites.
In general, a midship cabin on a higher deck is usually the most popular choice on cruise ships. A midship cabin is centrally located and tends to provide a smoother ride and can limit the "motion of the ocean" when the seas are rough. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what kind of experience you want to have. Consider all your options and make the choice that's best for you.
Best Cabin On A Cruise Ship Explained
First, take a look at the deck plan and think about the size of the cruise ship cabin type. If you're traveling with a large group or family for your cruise vacation, you'll need a larger space with bunk beds or twin beds. Second, take into account the location of the cabin and the cabin category.
Our thoughts:
On a particular ship, like the Wonder of the Seas, people prefer to be closer to the action with aft cabins for Aqua Theatre while others want a more secluded spot such as a spa stateroom or balconied cabins on luxury lines with less foot traffic like Regent Seven Seas. Third, consider the amenities that are important to you like the Royal Promenade or a separate bedroom if someone is a light sleeper. Some cabins come with balconies, while others have an in-room hot tub or other luxury features. Fourth, think about your budget. Cabins can vary widely in price, so be sure to find one that fits your needs without breaking the bank or getting the worst cabin as I did.
But if you search for midship cabins you'll find yourself in a pretty decent spot because you limit having to walk all the way across from forward to aft. These cabins with a balcony are definitely a crowd favorite because you get access to the fresh sea air, you're halfway to the theatre, main dining room, and the gangway where you would exit for shore excursions.
These cabins also don't rock as much because they are in the middle of the ship. This is a great option for those who are looking for a smooth sailing and don't want to get seasick. Midship balconied cabins on luxury lines will also have less foot traffic so you'll be able to relax in peace and quiet.
Take a look at the middle ship cabin benefits below and see if this is the right choice for you on your next vacation.
Central location
Smooth sailing
Less chance of getting seasick
Quieter location
In-room tubs or other luxury features
This is a great option for those looking for a smooth sailing and don't want to get seasick. With a balcony, you'll also have less noise so you can relax in peace and quiet.
If you're looking for a great cabin option on your next cruise ship vacation, midship cabins are a great choice. With a central location and smooth sailing, you'll be sure to have a great time. Don't forget to consider the other amenities that are important to you like in-room hot tubs or luxury features. Midship cabins are a great option for those looking for a great cabin option on their next sailing.
But, let's say you're ready to expand outside of midships and try some of the other cabin options on board. By following these simple tips, you'll be sure to find the perfect cabin for your upcoming cruise.
Interior Midship Cabins
Do you often find yourself staying indoors and away from natural sunlight...also are you, Batman (just kidding)?! If so, an inner cabin on a cruise ship may be the best option for you. Here are some of the pros and cons of choosing an inside cabin.
Pros:
You'll save money on an interior cabin. Interior cabins on lower decks are typically the most affordable option on a cruise ship. You also won't have to worry about the weather like outside cabins. On most cruise ships, inside categories mean you can escape bad weather conditions like high winds and rough seas unless.
With inside cabins, you'll also limit seasickness, based on your cabin location. If you're prone to motion sickness, try to get a midship cabin and avoid the following other cabin categories: forward cabins and aft cabins.
These are the areas of the ship where you'll feel the rocking motion of the waves less than anywhere else on the vessel.
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option and don't mind staying indoors, an interior midship cabin is a great choice for your next cruise vacation.
Cons:
However, you may feel claustrophobic, they are limited on how much space is available. You also may not have enough natural light. If you're used to spending time in well-lit rooms, an inside cabin can feel quite dark and dreary. If you're not used to being in small, enclosed spaces, an interior cabin can feel quite confining. You'll miss out on the views due to you being on the ship's interior, but at least you have a lower cruise fare! On lower decks, you may see more crew or generally speaking be exposed to more noise pollution like the promenade deck with Royal Caribbean.
One of the best parts of cruising is being able to enjoy the stunning views from your cabin. With an inside cabin, you'll miss out on waking up to the ocean breeze and drinking coffee on a large balcony like in other cabin locations. For that type of experience, you'll have to head to the upper decks like the lido deck
Our thoughts:
It's not major cruise news, but you can also consider an interior cabin with a digital picture window where you can look out onto the observation deck. It's essentially a video feed streaming to a monitor in standard cabins. You can view a sample on Ovation of the Seas by Royal Caribbean
Ocean View Cabins
Photo: Harmony of the Seas Ocean View Cabin
Ocean View cabins can sometimes have a balcony, but often most cruise lines will have a porthole, unlike other cabins they offer a large round window you can see outside. If you're looking for the best ocean view cabin on a cruise ship, look no further than an ocean view cabin with a balcony (more on this later).
There are also ocean views that have a window, but it doesn't provide a full ocean panorama.
One of the best things about an ocean view is that you'll get to enjoy waking up to natural sunlight and stunning ocean views. You can also sit in your ocean view and relax while enjoying the scenery as the ship sails to the next port. ocean views tend to feel more spacious than interior cabins, and you'll also have a larger window to enjoy the views.
Pros:
There are many benefits to booking an ocean view cabin with a balcony, including enjoying the fresh air and natural sunlight, having more space to relax in, and having your own private space to enjoy the views.
Cons:
Ocean views are typically more expensive than interior cabins, but they offer a lot more in terms of natural light and space. If you're looking for a cabin with a balcony, you'll want to book an oceanview stateroom.
If you're looking for stunning ocean views and plenty of natural sunlight, an oceanview cabin is a way to go. Just be aware that they can be noisy on lower decks and are typically more expensive than an interior cabin.
You'll also want to avoid ocean view cabins on lower decks as they can be quite noisy due to being near the ship's engine.
If you're looking for stunning ocean views and natural sunlight, an ocean view cabin is a great choice for your next sailing. Just be sure to book one on an upper deck to avoid noise pollution from
Our Thoughts:
Porthole cabins can be quite noisy due to the ship's engine noise being audible. If you're looking for a quiet ocean view cabin, try to book an ocean view on a higher deck. When booking an ocean view be sure to book early to get the best selection and price. Small tip, also try to get "priority boarding", it'll come in hand when you want to get to your room sooner
Mid Ship Balcony Cabins
Photo: Royal Caribbean
One of the coolest cruise ship cabins is balconied cabins. A balcony room offers one of the best cruise ship experiences outside of a suite. While these cruise cabins do tend to be more expensive, there are definitely some perks that come along with them. Here, we will weigh the pros and cons of balcony cabins to help you decide if they are worth the extra cost.
Pros:
One of the biggest advantages of this cabin is that it offers much more privacy than other types of cabins. If you are someone who enjoys spending time in your room or likes to relax on your balcony, this can be a huge perk. These cabins also tend to have larger balconies than other types of cabins, so you will have more space to enjoy the views.
Another big advantage of balcony cabins is that they often come with upgraded amenities. For example, you may get a larger desk space or a sofa in your room. You may also find that your room is located in a quieter part of the ship.
Cons:
However, there are also some disadvantages to balcony cabins. One of the biggest is that they can be quite a bit more expensive than other types of cabins. If you are on a tight budget, this may not be the best option for you.
Spa Cabins in the Front (Forward)
When it comes to cabin locations, another option is spa staterooms. They offer a host of perks that can make your cruise experience even more relaxing and enjoyable. It's perfect for light sleepers, so let's put our cruise critic hat on and weigh the pros and cons of spa cabins on cruise ships to help you decide if one is right for you.
The Club Spa Suite on Azamara Journey (Photo: Cruise Critic)
Pros:
Unlike standard cabins or inside cabins, Spa Cabins grant you access to exclusive spa areas and amenities not available to other passengers. This can include private sun decks quicker access to the pool deck or solarium and still get many of the benefits of a midship cabin on similar deck plans.
Depending on the ship, you also get relaxation lounges and even a dedicated concierge service. With additional discounts on spa treatments: This can help you save money if you're planning on taking advantage of the ship's spa facilities during your cruise.
Cons:
Unlike lower deck cabins, these cruise cabins usually come with a much higher price tag, but hey you get what you pay for right!
Suite Cabins
Photo: Disney Wish
When it comes to balcony suite cabins on cruise ships, there are pros and cons that need to be considered. On one hand, having a balcony suite cabin gives you your own private space to relax in while enjoying the stunning views. you have much more space than standard cabins and they offer way more cruise accommodations like walk-in closets, perks for spa lovers, and you're own personal concierge depending on cabin locations. For example, Royal Caribbean ships offer Ultimate Family Suites that overlook the pool deck. On the other hand, unlike other cabins, depending on the cruise line balcony suite cabins can be quite expensive and may not be worth the price for some people.
Depending on the cruise ship some of the most expensive, and most sought-after, cabin types on cruise ships are the suites. Cruise suites offer plenty of space, and they come with a long list of amenities and perks. But they also have a few potential drawbacks that you should be aware of before you book one.
Pros:
More space: The most luxurious amenities, and often come with butler service. Suites also offer perks like early boarding, exclusive access to lounges and clubs, and priority reservations for dining and shore excursions. If you're looking for the most luxurious experience possible on a cruise ship, a suite is probably your best bet. However, suites come with a high price tag to match their luxury status.
The biggest advantage of a suite is the amount of space. Most suites are significantly larger than standard cabins, and they often have separate living areas and bedrooms. This can be great if you're traveling with a family or want some extra space to spread out.
Another advantage of balcony suite cabins is that they offer privacy and beautiful views. If you're looking for a place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the ship, a balcony suite cabin is a great option.
Cons:
One potential downside of balcony suite cabins is that they may be too small for some people. If you're traveling with a group or want more space to spread out, a larger cabin might be a better option for you. But if you're feeling fancy you can book yourself of the many designated spa cabins that a cruise line offers.
As we mentioned, one of the biggest disadvantages of balcony suite cabins is their cost. If you're on a tight budget, you may want to consider another cabin option.
Our Thoughts:
If you're thinking about booking a balcony suite cabin, weigh the pros and cons carefully to make sure it's the right decision for you. Here are some things to keep in mind. Ask about the best cabin location and spa discounts.
Avoid These Cabins on Cruise Ships
If you're curious about what types of cruise ship cabins to avoid, take a look at the deck plans and take a look at "hump cabins". Hump cabins are cabins located on the hump portion of the ship. If you look at the starboard side of the ship you will see that there is a section in the mid area of the ship that sticks out.
That is the hump. Hump cabins will have an obstructed view because of the ship's lifeboats. If you want to avoid an obstructed view, then avoid booking a hump cabin.
If you're looking for a truly luxurious cruise experience, suites are the way to go. Suites offer plenty of space and come with a long list of amenities and perks. However, they also have a few potential drawbacks that you should be aware of before you book one.
Cabins with potentially less privacy like a central park cabin: Some cruise ships have what's called a "party deck" for suite guests. This is an outdoor area where suite guests can mingle but can get loud later at night
Conclusion
Well, there you have it! These are some of the best and worst cabins on a cruise ship. If you're looking for a great cabin, make sure to keep these tips in mind. And if you're looking to save some money, an inside cabin might be the best option for you.
Do you have any other tips for finding the best cruise ship cabin? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy cruising!
