The author is looking to book on the Carnival Glory and is deciding between a porthole or inside cabin. They are both available at the same price, but they have different features. Porthole cabins are considered a downgrade from interior cabins, as they offer limited outdoor views and are typically located on lower decks closer to the ship’s center. They tend to be the lowest, offering more motion but also being far forward, which can cause noise and movement.
Outside cabins, also known as ocean view cabins, are similar in size and amenities but have either a porthole or picture window. Balcony cabins are usually slightly bigger than both. The author is having difficulty choosing between an interior upper/lower with a porthole on deck 2 near the front versus an interior on deck 6 mid-ship. They have not experienced seasickness in porthole rooms, but it depends on the roughness of the sea.
The author suggests choosing an inside cabin over a porthole cabin due to the increased motion and noise. The upper/lower cabin has a sofa and light from the porthole, making the room larger. Inside cabins are generally not significantly cheaper than outside rooms, but the investment can be well worth it if you want a view of the sea.
Staterooms with windows or portholes may be slightly more expensive than interior cabins, but the main distinguishing factor of an inside cabin is that it doesn’t have a view of the sea through a porthole or window.
📹 Inside cabin vs oceanview: worth an upgrade?
From more space to better locations, this guide will help you decide if the differences are worth an upgrade from an inside cabin to …
Where is the best rooms on a ship?
Seasick passengers should avoid sailing during hurricane season or rough bodies of water, as they may experience more movement. The center of the ship, or midship, is the closest to water level, making it the least rocking place. Mega ships have at least 1, 500 cabins, but passengers should avoid sailing during this time. Some cruise lines offer single-occupancy staterooms, but there is no single supplement required for these. Some cruise lines have lounges accessible only to single-occupancy passengers, where they can mingle and enjoy social events hosted by the entertainment staff.
Port or starboard staterooms should be considered based on the ship’s route and the side facing the scenic coastline. Port rooms are on the left side of the ship, while starboard rooms are on the right side, providing the best views. It is important to check for extra fees before booking and consider the ship’s route when booking a stateroom with a window or balcony.
What is the safest room on a cruise ship?
When booking a cruise ship, consider the following factors:
Lower decks: Choose a stateroom below the waterline or a mid-ship stateroom for stability in choppy seas. A central cabin on one of the lower decks is ideal for those feeling uneasy. However, these accommodations may feel cramped and may not have easy access to other areas of the ship.
Ocean-view balconies: If you are facing the horizon of the ocean, you may be more able to deal with motion sickness. If you are near the bottom of the ship, consider a room with a large balcony that offers a wide outlook and is suitable for situations other than illness. These rooms provide a serene location to relax and enjoy the view.
In summary, choosing a stateroom below the waterline, a balcony room on a cruise ship, and a balcony room are all essential factors to consider when booking a cruise.
What is the best room type on a cruise ship?
A suite is a great option for extra space on a cruise ship, offering separated sleeping and living spaces and some even having multiple bedrooms. There are various layouts, including two-level loft suites and Penthouse Suites with grand pianos and hot tubs. Celebrity Edge’s Iconic Suites span 1, 291 square feet with 398 square feet of outdoor space. Celebrity Flora, sailing to the Galapagos Islands, offers an all-inclusive suite and stateroom experience with a total ship occupancy of 100 guests.
What is the riskiest part of a cruise ship?
The roughest parts of a cruise ship, such as the outer decks and areas with wide spans like the pool deck, can be particularly hazardous during rough seas. To avoid injuries, passengers should select the right cabin and be aware of potential discomfort in these areas. Navigating these areas can make all the difference in rough conditions.
To enhance the cruise experience while minimizing the risk of injury, passengers should be aware of the areas they should be wary of and choose the right cabin. Midship lower deck cabins provide more stability, while balcony cabins offer views but a higher risk of falling overboard. Cruise ships use advanced weather forecasting and route planning to avoid rough seas, but passengers should still prepare by understanding motion sickness remedies, observing safety precautions, and effectively communicating with crew members.
In conclusion, cruise ship passengers should be aware of potential hazards in areas like the pool deck, dining room, and outer decks due to the destabilization of unsecured objects during rough seas.
What room on ship is best for sea sickness?
To avoid motion sickness, opt for a stateroom in the middle of the ship on a lower deck, as it reduces ship sway. If seasickness is a concern, book a stateroom with a window or veranda for fresh air and a horizon view. If lower levels are already booked or you prefer a higher deck for an elevated view or proximity to top activities, book a stateroom in the middle of the ship. The ship’s deck plans can help you find the best stateroom location for your needs.
Where is the calmest room on a cruise ship?
A midship cabin offers significant stability due to its position at the center of the ship, similar to a teeter-totter. Ships pitch forward and back around a central axis that barely moves, reducing the impact of the sea’s rocking. Those in the center of a ship are less likely to move during rough seas, even at the far ends. This position also helps those concerned about seasickness to stay low to the water.
Is it better to have an interior room on a cruise ship?
The most stable place on a cruise ship is near its equilibrium point, which is usually near its center. Inside cabins are closer to the ship’s center, making them more stable in rough seas. However, they may not offer the same view of the horizon as outside ocean-view and balcony cabins, which can be a concern for seasick individuals.
Single travelers can avoid extra fees as most cruise ship cabins are designed for two travelers, each paying their own fare. Some ships have special inside cabins specifically designed for solo travelers, which can help avoid the extra solo traveler fee, known as the “single supplement”.
Which cabins should I avoid on a cruise ship?
Cabins on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class of ships, including Oasis, Allure, Harmony, and Symphony of the Seas, are designed to be soundproofed but not located above the theatre or clubs, below the pool, above/below a busy restaurant/bar, or near lifts. To avoid noise pollution, cabins should be located above the pool, below a busy restaurant/bar, or near lifts. Specialist cruise consultants are available to advise on these matters. In addition to standard balcony cabins, new categories have been added to the Oasis class, offering views of the Boardwalk and Central Park areas.
Is the front of a cruise ship a bad room?
The front of the ship experiences the most movement, which can cause sea sickness if you’re prone to it. However, this is only an issue in choppy waters, like the Mediterranean or Caribbean. The back of the ship is considered the next best cabin position after midships, and while the front gets the most movement, the back also gets some movement. Although it’s not as bad as the front, rough seas may still cause movement.
What are the best rooms on a cruise ship to avoid seasickness?
To reduce motion sickness, take motion sickness medication, wear acupressure bracelets, and choose lower decks on cruise ships. Midship staterooms on the lowest deck are ideal as they don’t feel the vessel sway. Avoid the front and back of the ship. Choose a balcony or oceanview stateroom to enjoy the horizon and avoid sickness. For views, choose higher decks and the back of the vessel, as the higher you pick, the farther you can see.
What is the noisiest part of a cruise ship?
The engine of the cruise ship, while not inherently disturbing, can be a source of unease for some individuals, particularly those residing in the cabins on the ship. The probability of passengers on the lowest deck hearing engine or anchor sounds is the highest.
📹 10 Cabins Cruisers (Almost) Always Regret Booking
Cruise ship cabins aren’t all the same! In fact, there are some cruise cabins that people may regret booking. Some of the worst …
My daughter in law makes all the plans for the cruises. My two sons, and their wives, invited me to join them for a cruise, on the Norwegian Bliss, when it was a brand new ship. They reserved a single cabin, for me, in just the right place, on that ship, and we had a marvelous time, for that whole cruise. The was on my “bucket list”, and I was so thankful for it. Isn’t it wonderful to have your family love you that much!
The worst cabin we booked was a beautiful balcony far from the elevators and sandwiched between cabins above and cabins below us. This was a dream cabin which we booked directly with the cruise line. It was supposed to be one of the quietest cabins on the cruise. However, the teen club was directly across the hall and the noise was ear splitting! We are seniors and go to sleep early, but the noise was horrific until after eleven PM. No one considered the proximity of the teen club when we booked the cruise! 🤣
My husband and I try to get a cabin near the engine. We have found that the hum helps us sleep very well and tends to drown out other more annoying sounds for us. If we can get an aft starboard or port cabin then we also get the rocking motion that we absolutely loved. Felt like being rocked and a lullaby to fall asleep to.
I almost always pick the cheapest fare available. That means I don’t usually get assigned a cabin until the day of embarkation. I’ve been upgraded twice to VERY nice cabins including balconies. The other times I had inside cabins and it has never been a problem. I have earplugs should I be in a place where it has noises I don’t want to hear. The prices I have paid have been super discounted and I am glad I am not so sensitive to the things discussed in this article. Oh, and yeah, if you’re in the cabin next to me having sex, yeah, I can hear ya. I am glad I am not spoiled that a little bit of a orange lifeboat would be make me feel like my view is obstructed. I spend so little time in my cabin it just isn’t an issue.
I like Aft cabins. Might be a bit noisy so stay toward the higher decks. That said, even less roll than midship but there is a sweet spot. Go to either side about 10 rooms from the suites. Look at your ship and find where the stabilizer is aft. Most ships have an X or what looks like a wine bottle on its side. Within 10 rooms it’s comfy
We absolutely love the forward-facing suites on the Royal class Princess ships. These suites have a forward facing window with the balcony on the side. So there is no wind issue when under way. I prefer to see where we are going than where we’ve been. Also, we can see both sides of the ship from the front window which allows for us to see most docking operations. Our favorite suite is B102 which is on the 11th deck and on the port side which allows us to wave to all of the high-rise revealers blowing horns when leaving Port Canaveral.
All the good advice, thank you!! There is oddly another noisy spot that we experienced: the first cabin deck 5 was an upgrade to a large handicap cabin. Very good sized, two windows, huge bath! But if noise bothers you the baffle forward of your balcony vibrates continuously like a motor exhaust and is quite breezy when sailing full speed or into a headwind. If you like being on the balcony while sailing it is noisy and very low frequency sound! Otherwise some might like it. The rear baffle 3 meters away did not make noise. Tschouse!
Ilana, this is a great list and article and we follow most of these tips most of the time. But I have to admit my curiosity got the best of me. We will be in a forward facing club balcony room on the NCL Prima in 9 days. I am really excited about the view and the wrap around balcony but I did book it with my eyes wide open, completely realizing wind will be a challenge.
We have been cruising 30+ years and have made cabin mistakes. One early cruise our cabin was directly across from the medical center. Early people in the corridor waiting for it to open. I think most cruise ships now have the medical center away from cabins. We developed a rule. Short corridor going nowhere. Less party people walking by after midnight. The comment about not being below the Lido deck is correct. One exception. We have for past 5-10 years booked veranda cabin below Lido. A few doors back from the navigation bridge. Opportunity to say hi to the Captain occasionally. Never noisy. The cabin we book is not below the gym, not below the pool area, not below the running track and not below food area. It is below the spa treatment rooms – massage, etc. Virtually never used at night and no noise generated any other time of day. Movement doesn’t bother us being up front. In fact it helps us sleep. Also, only one floor away from Lido for our own private bathroom.
We are budget Cruisers so we tend to go for the interior cabins. We’ve only been on one Cruise and we booked another one for February 2024 but we watched a lot of Cruise articles before we made any cabin decisions. We learned very early on which ones to avoid and so far, even though just once, hasn’t been disappointing. We realized we like the rocking that comes with being high and forward on a ship. As long as we don’t have any loud noises around us then we are happy LOL
The best part of cruising is having a forward cabin so that you get the motion and wave sounds that make for the best sleep that you ever have. (They say you shouldn’t leave your door open at night – Posh! As long as weather allows – Do it!! When we book suites we love the aft cabins, especially the corner where we have a wrap-around deck with side and rear areas.
I follow Gary Bembridge’s advice and only book cabins with cabins above, below, and across the hall. I have booked near the elevator and noticed no excessive noise. I was apprehensive on my last cruise because the kids club was on the same floor but on the other end of the ship. Luckily I didn’t hear anything.
Hi, Ilana- We are 2 seniors who cruise 3 or more times a year. Our next cruise is next month and when we booked, the difference between an ocean view and a balcony was over 4-1/2 times! So we booked the OV. We would rather go at that price than stay home! We did request an upgrade on our last cruise from an OV to a balcony for an increase of only $30 per day, which was reasonable. I waited until the first full day after embarkation to ask and it worked out. If it works, fine. If not, you can always go to a public deck and enjoy the view. If money is no object, do what you want! We need to watch our $. We also booked a 16 day TA for $200 pp for an inside cabin. 8 of those days are sea days, so not missing that much of the view. We have Carnival stock, so both cruises earn a total of $500 OBC. Yes, these deals can be had, but you have to be vigilant and watch your travel agent’s website frequently. 😅
My all-time favorite cabin was an aft facing balcony – and my worst cabin was right over the casino. We must have been right over the speaker and they had drawings and such late into the night every single night – it was similar to what you would expect from a disco or club. Now i try to stick with floor that has rooms above and below.
We loved our aft facing balcony. The balcony is larger than normal, and it’s out of the wind. Only con was a little bit of ash from the engine exhaust on one port day due to the wind direction that caused it to fall on our balcony. Also we could hear the music from the outdoor night club that was 2 decks above us, but that is something that is ship-specific. Overall it was our favorite cabin so far in any of our cruises
We enjoy verandah (balcony) staterooms. I avoid the typical problems from above and below, but also if the across the hallway is grayed out or blank (no inside cabin numbers) because that is a crew area for their internal ship movements, including elevators for laundry, luggage, maintenance, and housekeeping. I also avoid cabins near the self-serve laundry mat because it attracts noise and loud discussions (arguing over washers).
We were the cabin ending in 3000 on Vision of the seas! It was a 10 night with 6 ports (7 if you count disembarkation). Every port morning they dropped the anchor at like 6 am! The cabin literally vibrated things off the desk! It was insane! It was soooooo loud for like 45 minutes! The only plus was we NEVER needed an alarm clock! There was no way to sleep through it. We could also always find our cabin easily after over indulging! I sleep with noise canceling ear buds and snore eraser playing that blocks almost anything so that’s saying alot. I can also sleep through the tornado siren. 25m from our house!! It that gives any type of reference!
We just stayed on a ship in a promenade-facing room with a connecting room. I usually book my cruises on line. This particular cruise was booked through a Royal Caribbean agent on the phone. I asked for an inside room, ended up with the one that faced promanade on deck 7. Yes, it was loud. Went next door and made friends with the neighbour. It was quiet for the rest of the trip as far as the neighbour went. One thing I personally didn’t like about our promenade facing room however, was the noise from the bands on deck 5. That was super loud. I will most definitely avoid a promenade-facing room next time.
One of our first cruises was horrible. We couldn’t choose our room so it was what it was. We had a window room below the promenade and at the bow of the ship. So, every time we went into a port, either the anchor or shoreline was put out about 5:30 in the morning! And, if that wasn’t bad enough, people were thumping around the deck at 7 in the morning. From that time on, we always chose our room.
The worst cabin was our first back in 1992 for our Honeymoon. Not ever having cruised before, we had no idea so we went to a travel agent. The cabin they booked us was in the front on the lowest level and the side propulsion was right under our cabin. Let’s just say there was no sleeping in on port day.
We came back from a cruise a week ago. We upgraded our cabin as we didn’t want the bunks that are in so many cabins on the Ambience. We paid £60pp to upgrade and we were given an aft cabin on the deck 11. It turned out that were directly below the buffet, which was great, a short walk to the stairwell, one deck up and straight into the Borough Market buffet. There was some noise in the cabin but not that much to write home about. We had absolutely no problem with the position of our cabin at all.
Love the stern cabins,but NOT directly over a noisy lounge which didn’t quit until 1 AM. 2 or 3 decks above would have been perfect. The people on either side of us moved elsewhere. We didn’t as it was a short cruise and I wasn’t thrilled with carnival anyway. Just went with the ride. But was glad when the next door neighbor moved as he was a peeping Tom whenever I was in a swim suit on my balcony. It isn’t fun to have a strange man actually leering at you.
On Rhapsody of the Seas we booked a cabin below the pool deck and a few doors from the elevator for an Alaskan cruise. Great location as very little use of the pool, so no pool parties, chair dragging or kids running around. Also, super close to the windjammer for quick bites throughout the day. It was a Junior suite, which was only available in this part of the ship (floor and mid ship). Doing the same in August on Radiance, hoping for the same outcome.
Our last Cruise in 2019 we booked a lovely balcony cabin unaware it was directly under the metal plate of the dining area where the large carts are pushed. Very LOUD! My husband gave a detailed description along with art drawings to the concierge desk and they sent someone to our cabin and rolled their carts and yes they agreed. As a way to apologize they gave our family a gift card of $400 to spend on the ship which was nice. Also my husband spoke with them about different wheels that would dampen the noise. This was a Carnival ship. LOL my hubby has to always look for a solution love his smarts. At least maybe the ship will utilize his suggestions🤷
Great tip on the interconnecting rooms. I just got back from a cruise on RC Quantum of the Seas, absolutely loved it, and our room – BUT – I did not love the family next door with a small child on threw huge tantrums every day. I am sure that interconnecting door meant we heard more of it than we otherwise would have. Additionally, the door moves a little bit so on the couple of sea days we had where the ship was moving a lot, the door creaked. Not ideal. Overall, still a great cruise though!
I just came off the NCL Joy. I was in 15868. When I tell you it was THE BEST room I’ve ever had I am not joking: I loved the sound of the waves, the view was extraordinary, it was so quiet because there was no foot traffic at all, the aft elevator was not far so I didn’t have far to walk to get the elevator, it was much wider than a normal balcony – I had two deck and two table chairs, there’s zero wind coming into the cabin unlike a front facing balcony so I could keep my balcony door open at all times. 💖
Some cabins we regretted: under the buffet, ands family cabin with just two of us (the closed bunk beds were always in my husband’s way). We actually loved our aft cabin on a Princess ship. It was close to a small pool that hardly anyone visited. On our last cruise on Carnival, we had an accessible room at the very front of the ship. Although it was listed as an inside cabin, it had a huge window and right out a door was an area no one ever came to – It was large and had no chairs, but was perfect for perusal the waves and spending time outdoors. There was a bench.
Hi Illana. Already subscribed, and hit the like button. Never liked being in the forward section of the ship. Normally go for the Aft or Midship. Overlooking the wake is the best. Food smells aren’t necessarily bad. Prefer to be a few decks above the casino. Like to be at least two decks below the Lido Deck. Prefer to be fairly close to the elevator. My wife had mobility problems. One cruise we were a little short of money so we booked an inside stateroom. My wife didn’t like it as much as she did a stateroom with a balcony. Funny thing is before we were married my wife mostly booked inside staterooms or an outside stateroom with a window.
My worst experience was a balcony cabin above the casino, with two hot tubs on the lanai. Oh my! The worst mistake ever! Constant smoking and loud partying ALL the time. Lesson learned though. Never again. I do my deck planning now. Great subject. Wish I had your great advice on this subject matter 10 years ago. 🤷
Great article. Been over 40 cruises since 1992. A last minute 5 day booking got me an aft ocean view lower deck OVER the propellers. Yes all the time at sea. Another 8 day was a balcony under lido. Late at night very early morning deck chair dragging and when they hosed down the deck it created a water fall down and over my balcony making it useless until dry. Yes had next to elevator bank. Ugh. Once a suite starboard bow 12 day W. Mediterranean but privacy balcony wall was only 1/2 high and the bow deck guest observation passengers always looking over and around onto balcony. I remember years ago a lifeboat partial obstruction balciny but needed a modified for mother and only one available
Oh man, only have 1 cruise under our belt but we’ve seen countless articles of yours and others to really sort of map out ships and cabins. We’ve learned quite a lot even before booking our first cruise! mid-ship, cabins below and above, and a bit away from crew closets. From a balcony cabin, I don’t think we’d ever want an interior. That circulating air is so nice to have during the week.
Totally agree with you on the obstructed view cabin. We did get a discounted price. But when we looked out the window all we saw was a large life boat right in front of us. Other than that we never had any other complaints about our cabins. We don’t prefer the inside. Like being able to see outside and tell when it is dark and light outside. Thanks for your article’s. Maybe one question to address is the diffferent levels on Carnival Cruises. Red,Gold etc. Is it really worth it trying to move up /?
I was on the Carnival Magic in an rear oceanview on deck 1. The engine / anchor when the ship was docking away from shore was very loud and had a lot of strong vibrations. It didn’t bother me because I was already awake and getting ready for the day, but for late sleepers or those that don’t intend to leave the room for the day that wouldn’t be a good experience.
Thank you for another great article! We are booking a 2025 cruise and will definitely keep these considerations in mind when choosing our cabin location. The cabin we regretted booking was just off the center atrium of a Princess ship on the deck where dance parties, balloon drops and champagne towers were celebrated. It was so difficult to make our way through the crowds on some evenings just to try to get back to our cabin. It was also noisy as the crowds sometimes spilled over into our hallway. It would have been a great cabin for younger party people but did not really work for us.
On one hand you had some great ideas, but by end of the clip it seems pretty much that the entire ship is bad. If you don’t like the sound of water sloshing or of engines rumbling, DONT GO ON A CRUISE! Rent an RV! And one last request, when filming, be aware that your constant hands flying around are disconcerting. Thank you.
Nice article. I’ve only regretted one cabin… in 2007 I booked an interior on deck 7 on a Carnival Conquest class ship. I HATED it!! It was like a matchbox! I have had OVs, balconies, forward facing cabins, balconies… My 2 favorites are the aft wrap balconies and the Havana Cabanas on the Carnival Vista class ships. My favorite balcony cabins are on Lido near the forward elevators (that’s my favorite for B2Bs and I have one on an upcoming 14 night Journeys Cruise.
I saw on Facebook a posting that the beds on Royal Caribbean are very bad. There were many confirmation post. How about a review of the beds on various lines. We have been on Carnival, Princess and about 20 on NCL. We are leaving NCL now due to so many changes we do not care for. We have a Royal Caribbean 4 day booked to introduce our 10 year old grand daughter to cruising but will be trying others as well. We would like to have a heads up on the bed comfort. We alternate between mini suites and full suites ( Haven on NCL ) but will also do balcony sometimes.
Best room ever: Carnival Dream. First level balcony. A life boat was hanging directly above my balcony but I could only see it if I looked up. This provided a super view of the beautiful water since I was low and close to the waterline. Flying fish were jumping right outside my view every morning. Room service breakfast every day was a highlight.
Wrong on almost everything. Thrilling is hearing the anchor drop. Grab a cabin by the elevator and ignore the noise. Always get a GTY guarantee cabin if you book very early or very late. Book less than a week before sail for bargains. Book very forward or aft for the most exciting feelings while the ship moves. Nothing is better than riding a storm and perusal lightning and hearing thunder. The ship is alive. Don’t run away from the noises of the kitchen, lido and buffet, kids club, disco etc… They are part of the experience. And connecting cabins-wow one of my best deals was when the cruise line needed my connecting GTY inside the very day of sail and moved me to the MSC yacht club (without the booze and internet but steeply discounted which i bought). I was on the final sail of the Carnival Holiday in the farthest forward and lowest porthole they had. Hearing the waves pound the hull and seeing the waterline go above the porthole was about the most exciting thing i have done on a cruise.
Hi Ilana, 9 days until I fly to Tampa and the following day begins my 11 night Celebrity Constellation cruise titled Ultimate Caribbean and The Americas. I’m on Aqua Class deck 9 partially under the buffet. I don’t expect any issues but it will be an adventure cruising by myself. Looking forward to it. Happy holidays from Bob and Jill in Connecticut.
I never knew about smoking sections until I watched a vlog about our ship and someone said they could smell the smoke on Deck 8 from below on Deck 5, portside. I’m glad I saw the article or my husband would have had a fit about the smoke. I suggest people watch ship tours before booking….or at least look at the deck plans.
Hi there, I am new to the website. I have been really enjoying the films that you have here. My golden rule is having a balcony first of all. Then make sure that there are rooms, above, below and to the side of you as well as inside of you. I am fairly relaxed about being near the lifts, there is not as much noise as you might expect and it certainly helps me to navigate. Cheers Stephen
I was on Carnival Glory with oceanview overlooking a secret small deck in the aft. I loved it. We could see wake from the window and two steps from our room we could go outside! Ours was obstructed oceanview but it was only obstructed because theoretically someone could have stood in front of our window. It was great. I was the only one all week who ever went on that unknown deck!
On our most recent cruise (Nov 23), we had booked a mid-ship balcony cabin on the 9th deck, of the Norwegian Getaway. It was horrible, due to the fact that crew members were in a kitchen below us on the 8th deck, cleaning pots and pans, dragging tables and chairs across the floor and slamming a heavy fridge or freezer door between the hours of 1 am to 4 am, almost every night.
Worst cabin so far was an oceanview on the lower deck on Norwegian. We had rough seas and the waves were hitting very close to the window. Will never do that again! We generally prefer the aft balconies but booked a forward obstructed balcony on Princess for our cruise to Alaska. Even though it was a metal balcony we had more than enough room to invite our friends to join us perusal the scenery as we cruised the inside passage.
Our last cruise to Greece on celebrity we weren’t aft-facing but were only two cabins up the port side from those. We were on deck 8 on the Constellation nd didn’t hear or feel and engine sounds or vibrations. Going to Ensenada from San Francisco next August and we have a corner cabin, aft wrapping to the starboard side on the Carnival Miracle on deck 5. Maybe that will be a bit noisier. Will let you know.
I think I’ve been in just about every cabin you’ve described (minus the balcony cabins.) I have memories of lots of closing doors, chains rattling in the morning, and sloshing waves. I never questioned this because I was on a ship. I love the aft – especially near the elevator. Wherever my cabin is I want to be near an elevator. I’m either lazy or in a hurry. The view from an aft window cabin is amazing to me. I’ve had noisy cabins, but not smelly cabins. The smell situation would be bothersome. As long as I can sleep a bit, day or night, I’m good. I’m on a cruise! That’s a good thing.
Just got off HAL Eurodam, Deck 8 back AFT balcony (wake view). Pro’s – Very quiet in hallway. Great easy access to AFT SeaView pool and hot tub. Also easy walk down short hall and up stairs to Deck 9 Lido market. Did not personally notice any more movement than I feel on my usual booking of Deck 4 midship. (I LIKE a little movement while sleeping.). Con – I was right below deck of SeaView pool. 6:30 am like clockwork deck lounges and chairs were being moved into position by crew. I was normally coming to about then anyway, so really not a big deal. Plus, I always bring soft, sleeping ear plugs for when needed, so could have used them if I really thought I needed to. This was my first balcony. I found myself not really spending much time on the balcony. I was out around the ship most of day with plenty of good views, so really didn’t feel the need to be on balcony. (I was sailing solo.) All that said, I could probably go back to an ocean view room w window and not feel like I’m missing out. (I have never done a total inside cabin and probably wouldn’t unless I really wanted to experiment w sailing cheap.) I’m curious – my balcony door swung open. It did not slide open. What do people do to leave a swinging balcony door open?? (Edited to say : the swinging balcony door had a lot of force to auto close, so would take something heavy to keep it swung open.) Aside, only smoking section I was aware of was SeaView pool in one corner of deck. 10-15 people there at any given time. Did not affect other passengers in any way.
Had a forward facing balcony on Iona to Norwegian Fjords in July . It was so windy I used to sit on the balcony wearing a woolly hat two fleeces and a blanket. Views were spectacular though. I have booked obscured ocean view cabins and choosing carefully the window was between 2 lifeboats so hardly any loss of view. Loved it.
Sailed on the Paradise long ago – you know, the non-smoking entirely cruise ship? Had a lovely balcony and ofc wouldn’t you know it, our neighbors used their balcony to smoke. Like what?! We complained and were told it could not be controlled. So disappointing and made our balcony practically useless the whole week. That smoke-free model went away but now I fear the same would happen again on a balcony cruise from either one if not both directions.
We just finished a cruise on a Holland America ship and our cabin was right at the forward Port elevators. Step off the elevator, turn left to the hallway and there we were. No wall or cabin across the aisle. There was even a high traffic mat outside our door to protect the rug! There was a bit of noise but mostly didn’t notice it. I would book that cabin again.
Ah yes…the regret of booking a forward cabin overlooking the front deck…in Alaska no less! What a huge mistake, massive wind and noise from the crew trying to get the ship secured whenever the docking process was underway. Opening the cabin door could empty the room of anything not tied down! BTW, we hated the Alaska cruise, bad weather, constant rain, overcast and poor fishing.
A month ago we were in a forward cabin, port side (never port again), unobstructed view overlooking the bridge. In a Cat1 Hurricane Lisa. It actually wasn’t as bad as I was afraid it would be. But my fave is aft balcony end of hallway and aft extended balcony. Booked on an aft end of hall on April 1, 2023😊
I have had lower cabin toward rear were on rough sea day waves could crest at window level causing occasonal pounding on ship side which I was able to put up with but the noise and vibration of stabilizer was impossible to ignore, then one cruise I was located on deck 2 five cabin back from front of ship and with wake cause by ship combine with waves from rough sea slapping on window, with occasional thump as bow fell down on wave pockets was a soothing rhythm so had no problem with this but 3 times I had balcony in different locations on side of ship and majority of time on sea day found it to be too cold and windy to enjoy balcony, with this knowledge I can’t understand why they would EVEN install balconies across the bow, and from my observant most ships have suites with large glass enclosure., but I don’t notice any balconies except on few of ships in ports. Usually I just accept what given but someday I just need to be willing to pay the difference and REQUEST A REAR balcony across the back to see how calm the balcony may be on sea day within the ship vacuum
I booked first cruise with Royal Caribbean in Alaska. I didn’t get to choose the cabin, just have a guaranteed balcony but was warned of the possibility of obstructed view. What people do if they finds out they aren’t satisfied with cabin at all? Is it possible to discuss with the company to be moved to another?
I’m a fairly low income person so I’m just happy to be on a cruise ship. However a girl can dream so I wanted to check out this article haha! I’m surprised to hear the negative things about the forward facing balconies as I’ve only heard good things from other bloggers about those rooms.my two cruises so far I did the guaranteed interior room and for both was upgraded to a balcony mid-ship slightly towards the back for free due to the ship being very under-crowded. My room was above the jazz club but they only were open until 2 am- I’d usually get into my room around 1am-5am so some days I would miss the music, other days I found it relaxing as i wound down for bed. I honestly did wish that my cabin was closer to the buffet as i was so far away from it, but sometimes it was nice to have the peace and quiet of not being near any of the action. Growing up very low income and never even having been on a vacation until adulthood, I honestly think I would be able to put up with / be happy with most of these situations. I do get seasick on whale watches / small boats but did very well on my 2 cruises so far – I preventively used those patches behind the ear and one on my stomach and took 2 of the regular (not non drowsy) dramamine every few hours and it worked out great. I felt a little disoriented a few times by the movement but never nauseas. Knock on wood lol.
LOL, I love to be as far aft as possible. I love the motion of the ocean. Its like an amusement park ride. As an old sailor there is nothing better than being rocked to sleep at night. Also getting your Sea Legs is part of the fun. There is also a trick to carry your coffee/drink while in rough seas. Its all in the shoulder/ LOL
Thanks for this article. It is so great to hear all the different opinions. I feel good knowing we all don’t like the same thing. I have see the aft facing rooms and I always shy away, because some of the bad stories, and the balcony is one o my favorite parts. I, too, like rooms near elevators but as low as I can get. P.S. last year at this time I was heading on my annual cruise for the holiday and your articles gave me so much comfort. I had so much fun on the half full cruise. This year, we are at it again, but I am sure it will be fully booked. At least no masks 🙂
Years ago my friend and I cruised from New York to Bermuda on a smaller ship I can’t remember the cruise line. We booked a very cheap cabin but it was beautiful. It had a gigantic shower that was tiled! We also had no windows. But being young and imbibing a lot we didn’t care and we could hear the swishing of the water which sounded like a washing machine. The great part about it for us was you could sleep anytime of the day or night because the noise and the rocking of the boat and it being dark just lulled you to sleep. And oh yeah, it was very cheap.
We have stayed in a balcony suite in the forward location. We didn’t mind it. It was a rougher than usual cruise so there were some unavoidable movements that were a little unsettling. However, given the right price, I would do it again. We have also had aft balcony cabins and once we had the wrap around balcony and I would definitely book that cabin again. Generally, we like mid ship, but sometimes the others come up at a great price.
I discovered the orientation of the bed in the room is very important. I like to be rocked to sleep so the bed needs to be in same direction as the ship is going. Our last cruise was an inside cabin and the beds were perpendicular so we were feeling the rocking from head to toe instead of side to side. My next cruise is complementary concierge class with balcony and the agent tried talking me into an aft facing cabin but when I checked the deck plan I could see the bed was again perpendicular, so I picked a cabin just a bit forward but on the starboard side. I’m hoping I picked right.
We were on a very inexpensive repositioning cruise….we did not get to pick our cabin and we totally lucked out with a handicapped cabin midship on the quieter side. Our friends had a much less spacious cabin on the same deck but on the other side and other end, next to a crew utility room and a crew access area plus under the stores and pubs so they heard stuff being moved all night and early in the a.m. Sounded like an army of elephants above. Plus they had a faint sewer smell from the drain in their shower area. We felt so bad for them.😢
I booked cabin 8710 on NCL Bliss because I wanted to avoid any cigarette smoke. This cabin location was horrible. Not only did I get cigarette smoke at all hours but I didn’t sleep at all because this cabin is right next to a crew area and they went in and out all hours of the day and night and constantly let the door slam shut. It was so frustrating.
My suggestion in regards to motion would be to test it for yourself. I’ve been on several Royal Caribbean cruises and have to admit I’ve felt the motion the most while staying in a midship stateroom than I ever did staying in either an aft stateroom or even a forward at the very front of the ship. And I don’t suffer from motion sickness at all. I’m usually in staterooms between decks 9 – 12. Personally, my favorite was in a Panoramic Suite on deck 12 of the Navigator of the Seas.
We booked a Cabin at the complete rear of the MSC Meraviglia. The rear elevators shown on the map are staff only so we needed to go mid ship to take the elevator. Also. As you stated in the article, we where right beside the crew access door and I was often waken up during the night by the door opening and closing and other sounds. The door was perpendicular to our own and my spouse even got hurt by a crew member that opened his door at the same time my spouse was coming out of our room directly on her. Another thing you didn’t mention, our balcony had a full metal rail guard instead of a glass guard. This meant that you couldn’t sit and take a look at the view, you had to stand up which kinds of defeat the purpose of a balcony if you want to sit and read a book and enjoy the view.
Love your articles! I have regretted two kinds of cabins 1) my very first cruise we booked an interior cabin. We just felt claustrophobic and I didn’t like waking up and not knowing if it was 1am or 10am because there are no windows to know if the sun has risen yet, so yeah never again, and 2) a Central Park facing balcony cabin. Just not for us because you are literally facing other cabins, and I can’t tell you how many people we could see changing and doing other stuff in their rooms because they forgot to close their curtains! If we’re paying for a balcony, definitely going for ocean view 🙂 Thanks for sharing all your amazing articles!
I’m a big fan of aft cabins. Had a forward and high cabin on Royal Caribbean going to Bermuda from Baltimore. This was a lovely Grand Suite and the room/veranda was amazing. But during 2 days of severe weather the motion was too much. We stayed in bed. So that would be my caveat about weather. Once all was clear we could definitely enjoy the cabin.
I just booked my first cruise to Alaska I booked the very first cabin on the lido deck # L107. I was told that is was the best one to get ..am I wrong? We are 60 yrs old and we are planning to get married on the ship. I still have a choice for a mid ship cabin on th Rivera deck R 411,,,,,,HELP ME PLEASE. Before I make a big mistake. We are at sea for 5 days of an 11 day cruise. HELP
Cabin 6194 on the symphony of the seas- just got off 4 weeks ago. The room had a horrible smell, I can’t even tell you what it was. The cabin attendant came in and sprayed some type of disinfectant while we were out, which I think may have been much worse. Keep in mind this was a balcony cabin. We tried to open the door to help the smell. We ended up getting a room change at midnight and what was worse was our luggage was also sprayed while it sat on the floor, it was so horrible. But the worst part was how staff handled this. It took three trips to the guest services. the lines were long btw. Two calls to the guest services, and two staff coming to the room and leave without doing anything .So stay clear.
Hi, Ilana! You are right, we should check the deck plans to see what surrounds the cabin w will book. On my last cruise my cabin was assigned to me and it was next to a crew storage. I didn’t realized that till the next morning when I started to hear all those banging noises of the crew member pushing the cleaning carts against the wall or other. carts. I am a travel agent and I always look for the cabin location when selling cabins to my clients.
Great info! We use many of the tips you included in your discussion. My advice in booking a cabin is to think about how much time you are planning on spending in a cabin? We are basically only in our cabin to sleep and to take a shower and to get dressed. Other cruisers seem to spend a great deal more time in their cabin. If you are like us, you can save significant funds by booking an inside or obstructed view balcony, or a cabin overlooking Central Park on the Oasis class ships. It all comes down to where you want to spend your money – for a cabin or dinning, drinks, or excursions. Also, consider where you are going on your cruise. If you are going to a scenic area (Alaska, Baltic, etc.) I highly recommend getting a balcony cabin to enjoy the scenic areas. If available, we prefer two decks above the main public areas (usually deck 5) and midship. The one area I try to avoid is anywhere near a crew elevator as these are used to move luggage, house keeping service carts, and crew. These can be very noisy. Recently on the Celebrity Apex, we make a last minute booking and selected an inside cabin which turned out near a crew elevator and we did notice some noise on the first and last night of the cruise. The cabin was also near a large AC ventilation fan, so the room did have a low level humming sound. While not ideal, it did not detract from us having a big time. The most noise we hear in any room is from loud and inconsiderate guest in the hallway. If you are leaving your room early or coming back late, be considerate and make an effort to be quiet – don’t slam the doors!
We booked an inside room on Lido deck on Carnival. It was just inside the doors – but so much of the day and evening – it was super noisy. Never again will we book a room near this area. It almost ruined the vacation as my husband needs quiet time every afternoon and this made it extremely difficult.
I’ve been on 3 cruises with My wife. Most recent, Aug 20 on the Oasis of the Sea. deck 9 rm. 445 And close to the Forward Elevators. No complaints! except inconsiderate individuals who let their doors slam….. Inside cabin. we’ve done all 3 cruises in Inside cabins. Liberty Of the seas deck 10. #1075, The Celebrity Summit Deck 9…….. Have not regretted at all doing Inside cabins !!! And I like Your Intro saying, ” For those just happy to be on a cruise, you might want to skip this article!”
We just got back from a Cruise to Alaska on the Celebrity Solstice. We were in Room 1535 which was in the Aqua Suites. This room turned out to be not only by the elevators but underneath the Spa Cafe Kitchen. We were woken up at 5 am with loads of banging and scraping from kitchen staff and again at midnight with the same noises. AWEFUL!
I just got back from Carnival Horizon 8 day, cabin 2211 worst cabin ever. Never slept the whole Cruise, banging crashing like metal on metal. Guest Services said it was waves. Things falling off our counters, every morning having to rehang clothes. That was cruise number 27 and l have had 18 to 20 ft waves on a ship, but nothing ever like this.
I recently returned from a cruise to the Bahamas, and because I needed a scooter to get around, I hade to get an interior cabin, I wasn’t allowed to leave my scooter in the hall. My cabin had No Window or balcony so once in the cabin pitch black. This was my 2nd cruise and my worst. My first cruise on Royal Caribbean, had a balcony and I was able to leave my scooter in the hall at nite,and my cabin steward would have it charged up for me. This last cruise was on Carnival and it will BE MY LAST CARNIVAL CRUISE. I wish I knew how to have a cabin with a view, and my scooter inside with me. 😢
we were on the Norwegian Encore about three weeks ago and had an aft facing suite on deck 10. I think it was 10918. At first we could definitely feel the vibration from the engine but that was only for the first night(well until I fell asleep anyway). It didn’t bother me. After the first evening I never felt it again. I did not suffer any motion sickness and we had some rough seas. I suffer from motion sickness on small boats and planes but not on cruise ships. At least for Alaskan cruises I will always book aft where available
We had a bottom level cabin. Slightly forward. Not near anything I know of. But one day, off and on for about an hour or two, we had a horrible sewer smell coming out of the a/c vent I think, as it wasn’t coming from the bathroom. We called stewart and of course most of the smell disappated by the time he got to our cabin. He wiped our cabin walls down with some type of minty smelling deodorizer. So I’m guessing this has happened before as he knew what to do. Any ideas what this may have been?
noise or food smells don’t bother me as long as the cabins are clean & pretty!❤ I worked very hard all year to take this cruise in November on Celebrity X and nothing! not even noise is going to ruin it! Some individuals are extremely picky but I’m not one of them. A nice glass of wine 🍷 is all needed for a good night sleep. After having so much fun all day I will be so tired I won’t hear the noise or smell anything I will be out like a lightning!😁 Like if you are spending lots of money on 🚢 cruises try to enjoy yourself because complaining too much, you are just creating your own misery.
Went on a Hawaii cruise in March, and was in an owner’s suite aft. Absolutely miserable. Lots of noise, wind, and too much motion and creaking. Could not use the balcony, as the smell and weather prohibited it. They stored the furniture cushions in my suite! I’ve cruised with Princess many times, but this was the worst. The icing on the cake was when they canceled the one shore excursion I was looking forward to.
We got an oceanview cabin near the gangway. It is also where the pilot boat hooked up. While there was some early morning noise, we enjoyed the show perusal the pier runners and a close up of the pilot leaving the ship. We also have had a cabin right under the lido deck, but it was in the aft, and not many people went there early or late. Thanks for the tips for thinking about cabin locations