How To Choose The Best Cruise Ship Cabin For You

Table Of Content

• Inside vs. Outside Cruise Cabins: A Cabin Comparison
• You might get less seasick
• Hanging Travel Shelves
• Can I upgrade my cruise cabin like I can upgrade a flight or hotel room?
• Too Small: Majesty of the Seas' Standard Insides
• Best Cruise Tips, Tricks, Secrets, and Freebies
• What are the cheapest cruise ship cabins?

Whereas for many years solo cabins were usually interior grade, there are now oceanview and even balcony cabins available for solo travelers on some lines. The most stable place to be on any cruise ship is low down on the vessel near its equilibrium point, which is generally near its center. Since inside cabins are closer to the center of a ship than "outside" ocean-view and balcony cabins, they can be more stable in rough seas. The trick is to find an inside cabin toward the center of the ship in both directions — lengthwise and widthwise. Whether you want to sail on Deck 3 or Deck 16, you’ll have an option. And while people with balconies on high decks might be paying thousands for their location and cabin, the interior rooms — literally right across the hall — are much cheaper.

Inside vs. Outside Cruise Cabins: A Cabin Comparison

Cruise to Antarctica and discover the earth's last, unspoiled frontier. Antarctica is home to whales, penguins, icebergs and dramatic glaciers and a cruise to Antarctica will leave even the most experienced traveler awestruck with memories that will last forever. Cruising has been a way of life in northern Europe since the days of the Vikings. Register with Cruise.com to get access to exclusive rates, discounts and special offers. The Boardwalk neighborhood is full of activity during both the day and evening, and it was much louder than I expected when I initially booked the cabin.

You might get less seasick

Visit many islands, explore many cultures and relax on the warm beaches surrounded by turquoise waters. Adventure abounds with opportunities to snorkel, swim with the dolphins, take a zip line tour, go boating or enjoy many great deals while shopping. Pink coral beaches, colonial British culture, world class golf, spectacular diving and warm crystal waters to name a few. The shopping in Bermuda is world class and a cruise to Bermuda will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated with memories that will last forever.

Hanging Travel Shelves

The night light not only offers lighting, but it will only come on when someone moves around. Since there's no outside light, trying to navigate the room without lights on can be a challenge, such as when you wake up from sleeping and need to get to the bathroom. In addition to inside cabins being super small and inexpensive, they're also very dark. It takes up one outlet space and offers 3 new outlets along with 2 USB plugs. The only downside to this trick is if you either have a lot of luggage and/or your bags are oversized.

Can I upgrade my cruise cabin like I can upgrade a flight or hotel room?

As I explained in a recent story, there's nothing quite like being able to step onto a balcony on a ship to breathe in the fresh ocean air. You may also find interior rooms with virtual balconies -- floor-to-ceiling LED screens that display live footage from outside the ship, creating the sensation that you're looking out a window. Royal Caribbean has inside cabins with a view -- just not always of the ocean.

Too Small: Majesty of the Seas' Standard Insides

These cabins are located in the middle of each deck, rather than along the outer sides of the ship. They are generally small, often around 150 square feet, and while they come with an ensuite bathroom, closet and small desk or vanity area, they tend not to have a comfortable sitting area for hanging out. That means these types of staterooms boast either portholes (small, round windows) or picture windows, which let in natural light. The windows don't open, however, so don't assume that an outside cabin will also come with ocean sounds or fresh air.

At worst, you get a cheap cruise in a room that's a little smaller, somewhat noisier or a longer walk than other cabins, and you might not be eligible for certain extra-value booking perks. At best, you can get upgraded to a room in a higher cabin category than you paid for. Ultimately, the decision between inside versus outside cruise cabins comes down to whether you want a window. If you absolutely must have natural light or a way to see your external surroundings from your room, an outside cabin is for you. Otherwise, save yourself some cash, and book an inside cabin -- especially if you don't plan on spending much time in your cabin during the day. Pioneered by Norwegian Cruise Line, solo traveler cabins are becoming more common across the industry.

On my recent cruise in an inside room, I only visited my cabin to sleep, shower, and change. Instead of spending time in my small cabin, I spent my days lounging in the Solarium, enjoying a drink at the Schooner Bar, and catching a show at the AquaTheater. Whenever I’ve cruised in a balcony room or suite, I find myself spending a significant amount of time in my cabin instead of exploring the ship. Instead of attending trivia, seeing a show, or watching live music, I frequently choose to hang out on my balcony instead. Even on the newest cruise ships, power outlets in your cabin are at a premium. Juggling devices with which to plug in and which to leave unplugged is not a fun game.

And without any natural light coming in, that means it stays dark. Close the door, turn out the lights and it’s just as dark at noon as it is at midnight. If you see prices drop on your cruise, you might be able to adjust your room selection to an upgraded one if the cost for the new cabin is the same as the original one. You can always ask at the front desk when you board your ship, but even if you play the birthday/anniversary/special occasion card, you can rarely sweet talk your way to a suite. The private outdoor spaces are usually fairly small, but certain cabin categories might have roomier balconies due to the ship's layout. Look for larger-than-average verandas on cabins at the back of the ship and in places where the structure of the ship juts out.

His words stuck with me over the years, and now, I see their wisdom. Another item to remember for any cabin is a non surge protected power bar with extra outlets and USBs. I’ve yet to try this, however cruise passengers report that they love them. These space saving foldable boxes can be used to store everyone’s flip flops or other items that would otherwise be in the way. One way to make unpacking easier and faster is to use packing cubes.

Inside an $11000-Per-Night Cruise Ship Suite - Architectural Digest

Inside an $11000-Per-Night Cruise Ship Suite.

Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 12:00:00 GMT [source]

After you’re done unpacking, put one piece of luggage into the other and slide them under the bed, or ask your cabin attendant for help. So with these rooms, you get the entire cruise, but it can be literally hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars less than what others on the ship are paying… albeit with a less glamorous cabin. 6 Tips for Keeping Your Cabin Steward FriendlyBuild the best relationship with your cabin steward by following these six tips.

There are 7 different light setting too, so you can choose the color you like. This is actually a trick I've been using for years, and it works everytime. After unpacking, shove your empty luggage under your bed and it's out of sight until you need it when you have to pack. Frommer said that to me years ago during an interview about his favorite hotel rooms.

In the Galapagos, nearly half of the species are found nowhere else in the world. A cruise to the Galapagos features some of the worlds most unique animals and marine creatures in their own natural setting. The people, the places and the beauty is like no other place on earth. Dramatic fjords, breathtaking glaciers and abundant wildlife surround you as you cruise majestic Alaska.

This means you can bring magnetic hooks and hang sunhats, backpacks and more. Here are some favorite cruise cabin hacks that are especially useful for those cruising in inside cabins. Of course, this isn’t to say that having a balcony or veranda cabin isn’t wonderful.

You'll go to bed without any worry about the morning sun sneaking through your curtains to wake you prematurely. Once you turn off the lights, it will be pitch black — the kind of darkness that's almost scary to contemplate. So are nearly all the ship's onboard restaurants, bars and lounges.