PICKING THE BEST CABIN!

Look at a cruise ship’s deck plan for the first time and it quickly becomes apparent you’ll need guidance when selecting your cabin. While it’s not as complicated as it looks (20 categories of cabins!), the process isn’t intuitive and can be frustrating. At the same time, it’s a very important decision – not only in terms of comfort, but also because cabin selection determines cruise fare.

There are two major cabin variables to consider: type and location. One of the ironies of cruise-ship design is that the least-expensive cabins are almost always found on the lower decks of a vessel (the lower the cabin, the lesser the motion) with fares increasing steadily as you move towards the pricey suites located on the top decks (where, if you’re prone to seasickness, you’ll feel that motion most). While on their honeymoon cruise, my brother and his bride encountered a major storm in the Mediterranean. Because my brother gets so seasick, an officer recommended that they go down to the lowest deck and sit mid-ship. They did, and he felt fine.

Types Of Cabins
You’ll see a long list of cabin categories on most any deck plan, but there are really only four types to choose from: interior (no window or porthole), oceanview (with a window or porthole), balcony (with private verandah), or suite. It simplifies things some once you realize that interior and oceanview cabins are usually identical in terms of amenities and size, but categories and prices will vary based on their location aboard the ship.

The most popular cabins are those with balconies (balcony cabins, like interior and oceanview cabins, are generally one size as well). These cabins always sell out first, and it’s easy to see why – there are few experiences in life more sublime than enjoying breakfast on your private verandah as you glide across the water.

Suites, on the other hand, can be problematical. While the term “suite” implies that the space will be larger than one room, there are only one or two cabins on most ships that are actually that large (and they’re expensive). Add in that suites do vary in size (measured in square feet) and come with a host of vague and often unhelpful suffixes (e.g. “mini,” “junior,” “superior,” “deluxe,” “owner’s,” “penthouse,” “garden,” and “villa”) and it becomes clear you’ll want to do your homework and choose wisely.

 

So which category of cabin should you pick? In most cases, it’s your vacation budget that ultimately determines your choice. But there are other variables to consider, including cruising region and lifestyle. In Europe, for example, ships are in port every day and most passengers will disembark early to tour, so a balcony cabin may not be that useful. Alaska, on the other hand, is so spectacularly scenic that it’s probably worth cutting back in other areas so that you’ll be able to afford that private verandah. And if you’re the sort of cruiser that’s active day and night – using your cabin only to shower, change clothes, and sleep a bit – it may not make sense to book a higher category than oceanview.

Location, Location, Location
Cruise lines almost always assign their top categories to the highest possible deck, which is usually the level immediately below the Lido Deck. You’ll enjoy sweeping vistas – but it’s often the Lido Deck that causes the most problems when it comes to noise. If you don’t want to hear chairs scraping at the crack of dawn or pool parties that last well into the wee hours, then drop down a level. When it comes to noise, in fact, it’s always a good bet to select a cabin that’s both above and below other cabins.

And if, like my brother, you’re prone to seasickness (and you’ll be cruising outside of the Caribbean, where the islands act as a barrier against the rougher Atlantic Ocean), be sure to pick a cabin that’s situated mid-ship and located far below the highest decks.


by Anne Campbell