Choosing the Perfect Stateroom

Did you know that it is not unheard of to be upgraded from an Inside cabin to a Balcony?

Although everyone hopes for something like this, realistically, it is extremely unlikely.  Lots of people get upgrades, but an upgrade from Inside to Balcony is very rare.

Although you don’t have to be booked in a Guarantee status to get this type of upgrade, is the best way to increase your chances of receiving one.

Most people prefer to choose their cabin ahead of time rather than choosing a Guarantee status, but what is the best cabin location?.

You would think there would be a straight-forward answer, but there is not!

The short answer is that it depends very much on what you value.

Some people want to be close to the elevators, so they can minimize their walking. Others don’t want to be anywhere near the elevators because they fear it may be noisy.

Some really like the back of the ship so they are close to the top-deck public areas. Others complain that the rumble from the ship’s engines is too loud at the back.

Underscoring all these decisions is the price, which varies depending on location. As a rule, you’ll pay more for a mid-ship cabin compared to one that is further forward or aft. A mid-ship cabin can be a whole lot more money or a just little more, depending on the specific sailing, so it’s worth asking how much it would cost to upgrade.

Here are some considerations when choosing a cabin:

Forward, Mid-ship, or Aft: The most expensive cabins are mid-ship. In reality, the staterooms are exactly the same size, but people typically want to be mid-ship, and the cruise lines are happy to charge you more in order to get them. It is true that you can feel the ship move on the bow, but you need to consider where you are sailing to figure if this makes any difference. For example, most Alaska cruises never make it to the open ocean, and as such the ship moves very little (although there are exceptions). The engine noise is more apparent in the stern but, wearing earplugs, I have never had a problem sleeping because of this.

Lower decks or Higher decks: If you are worried about feeling the ship move, it will be less noticeable on the lower decks, but again, you need to consider whether this matters for the cruise you are on. The advantage to the lower decks is that usually you are closer to the indoor public areas for dining and entertainment. Conversely, staterooms on the higher decks are usually closer to the pools and outdoor public areas on most ships.

Noise: We always bring a set of earplugs with us when we cruise, so noise is never a factor. However, if you don’t like wearing them and you are worried about noise, then when you are planning your cruise, find the ship’s deck plans online, or ask us to send you a copy, and figure out what is around your cabin. Look to see that you are not next to a laundry room or crew area, as well as stairwells and elevators. If the area is unmarked on the deck plan, you can pencil in “avoid”. Also check what is directly above and below you. There is nothing worse than being right below a galley, or right above a nightclub if you value your sleep. Regardless of where I’m located, I always bring a pair of earplugs just in case.

Inside, Oceanview or Balcony: This is highly personal choice, and many of the advantages are obvious. Personally, I don’t spend much time in our stateroom, so an inside is our best choice.  On the other hand, what would happen if you were confined to your room for a day or two? This happens more often than you might think - if you get any symptoms of a contagious bug, they will confine you to your stateroom. If the idea of being stuck in a dark, windowless room for a day or more gives you any anxiety, you should stay away from inside cabins.  If you really value the outdoor personal space a balcony provides so that you can enjoy a morning cup of coffee, or evening glass of wine in a private space, then a balcony is right for you. But, you should consider how much more you are willing to pay for this, and that changes cruise by cruise.

Again, there are no right or wrong answers here… just a series of questions that you’ll want to ask yourself before making any decisions about a stateroom location. If you book your cruise through us, we'll have a discussion about your preferences so that I can find you a cabin that exactly meets your needs, at the best possible price.