Choosing a Cabin 101

Choosing a cabin

·        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.

·        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.

·        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

·        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

·        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

·        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

·        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

·        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.