Choosing a cabin
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Learn the Lingo - A stateroom is another word for a cabin, while
a berth another word for a bed. The
sides of a cruise ship are referred to Port and Starboard: Port is left side of
ship; starboard is right side. A useful tool for remembering the difference is
the word “port” has for letters as does the word “left.” The back of the ship
of referred to as the aft and the front of the ship is referred to as the
forward.
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Do your Research – check out the deck plan. You will know if your room is obstructed or
partially obstructed and with what. Can
people see you on your balcony or is there a privacy roof. Where are the loudest places on the ship
located – DON’T choose a room above, below or next to those areas.
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What do you want from your Vacation? IF you
want to spend time alone basking in the sun, or looking for quiet nap space
often, choosing a larger room with a balcony might be worth the extra
cost.. If you want to be on the go all
the time – go for the great bargains of the inner rooms and save your pennies
for spending on other aspects of your vacation.
Types of Rooms
Interior Staterooms
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At the lowest level
tier is the interior or inside stateroom.
As the name suggests, these rooms are located in the inside corridor of
the cruise ship and do not have a window.
They typically are the least expensive on the ship and tend to be the
smallest in size.
Promenade Staterooms
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Relatively recently a
new category for staterooms has emerged.
Royal Caribbean in their most recent cruise ships have introduced a
stateroom on the interior corridor of the ship but has a window overlooking the
promenade shopping area located in the middle of the ship, rather than the
ocean.
Oceanview
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An oceanview stateroom
is a stateroom located on the outside sides of the cruise ship with some sort
of window looking out that does NOT open.
The least expensive in this class will have a port hole – small
circle. The more expensive in this class
with have a larger picture window. The presence
of a window to the outside world can open up the stateroom enormously and adds
some benefit to those who wish to spend more leisure time in their stateroom.
Balcony
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The most popular and
accessible splurge for the cruise traveler is the balcony stateroom. The balcony stateroom is categorized with a
door opening up to a private patio. A
private balcony offers the cruise traveler seemingly infinite space as the
stateroom appears to open up to an infinite degree. Usually these staterooms
are significantly more expensive than inside or ocean view staterooms, although
good deals abound.
MiniSuites
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Similar to balconies
but possess more square footage and more amenities than the standard balcony
room. Every suite is different as well
as amenities offered vary from a grand piano, to a full dining room table,
private Jacuzzis, private butlers, private bars and so on.
