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New Cruisers Tip #4: Cabin Selection
By Dave | June 8, 2008
It’s time for another tip for new cruisers. This time I will be discussing cabin selection.
The first thing you need to decide is what type of cabin you want. These are the basic categories. They might vary from line to line, and there will be others that probably won’t be mentioned because they are simply variations of the basic cabin types.
- Interior Cabin – this is the cheapest type of cabin. As the name suggests, it is in the interior of the ship. That means no window or natural light. These types of cabins are best for families and those who only plan to use their cabin for sleep and shower. As I mentioned, there is no window. So in the morning, don’t expect the sun to wake you. I’d suggest leaving a light on (when we got interiors we’d leave the bathroom light on and the door cracked open). Otherwise, the room will be pitch black. If you don’t mind sleeping in, this will be great. If not, set your clock alarm. However, these rooms are great for those on a budget, or who don’t have a lot of money to spend. I’ll personally stay in any cabin, as long as it gets me on the ship. If it has to be an interior, so be it.
- Oceanview Cabin – these are interior cabins, except located on the exterior. The difference, other than the fact that they’re on the other side of the hallway, is that they have a window. I always thought of oceanviews as middle of the line cabins. They’re not cheapest, but they’re not overly expensive. If you need to have some natural light in your room, get an oceanview. They will typically have a moderate sized window. However, some cabins will have a porthole or two. If you want a view from your cabin, but cannot afford a balcony, then an oceanview cabin is for you.
- Balcony Cabin – these cabins have their own private balcony. The window/door are usually floor-to-ceiling, so you can get a lot of light in your cabin from the outside, as well as a great view. The balcony, which is what I consider semi-private (you can easily look around the barrier to your neighbors’ balconies, or up or down), is great for getting the fresh air without having deal with those other passengers. You’ll always have a chair available, and you’ll always have your own spot at the railing for when you leave port. The downside is these cabins are a bit more expensive, and the balconies are completely private (so no naughty stuff out there!).
- Suite – I’m sure you know what these are all about just by the name. Extra large cabins with larger balconies. Usually have several rooms (or areas). As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, there are quite a few variations to the suite. Some might have two bedrooms, some might even have a second floor! It depends on the ship, the cruise line, and the cabin itself. Many also have their own hot tub. Some also have a tub in the bathroom. (Most other cabins only have showers.) If you’re looking to go all-out, then a suite is for you. Suites can also be ideal for large families who don’t want to book multiple cabins.
Again, there are variations. Some cabins have two beds, others have four. Some oceanviews have floor-to-ceiling windows, others don’t. There are many variations.
But that’s not the end of the story. There’s another part to cabin selection: where you want the cabin.
If you don’t care, book a “guarantee.” With a guarantee, you are guaranteed whatever cabin you book. (For example, booking an interior cabin on Riviera — bottom — deck.) If that cabin category sells out, you will be automatically upgraded for free. This upgrade might be small (deck-to-deck), or it could be large (interior to balcony). And of course, there might not be any upgrade. The downside to going with a guarantee is that you don’t get to select your cabin. The cruise line will place you at a random cabin, per your criteria. So if you need a cabin with two pullman beds, they won’t put you in a cabin without them.
So what do you do if you want a specific cabin? Well, you can select your cabin. When you’re booking, specify which cabin you want. If it’s available, you be booked into it. If it’s not available, select another cabin. This is good if you want a cabin in a certain area (near the elevators for easy access, as an example), or if you’re booking with friends and want to be near each other. If you’re a large family, there are even connecting cabins, which have a door in between them. I’d imagine you’d probably have to select these in order to get them. The downside to selecting your own cabin: you probably (most definitely) won’t get a free upgrade like with the guarantee.
Another rule of thumb: the lower the cabin is on the ship, the cheaper it is. An interior cabin on deck 2 will typically be cheaper than an interior cabin on deck 6.
Also don’t forget that there are wheelchair-accessible cabins for those who need this option.
That just about covers the basics of cabin selection. What type of cabin do you usually book?
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