If you’re planning a cruise, you probably have a few questions about your cruise ship and your stateroom. Will it be big enough? Will it have a view? Can we afford it? And most importantly: How do I choose my cruise cabin? Are there any cruise cabins to avoid?
You’ll most likely have the time of your life on your upcoming cruise vacation, but there are definitely ways to make the trip even more enjoyable. Choosing the right stateroom and cabin location is an important, but often overlooked, detail. The following list includes five cruise cabins to avoid when booking your next cruise
Five Cruise Staterooms to Avoid
#1 Avoid cabins that could make you seasick
According to Cleveland Clinic, women and children are more prone to motion sickness, but nausea at sea can happen to anyone. Your odds of becoming seasick are higher if you have a family history of motion sickness, are taking hormonal birth control, have an inner ear disorder, or are susceptible to migraine headaches. That’s why number one on our list of cruise cabins to avoid is one in a location that could make you seasick.
Your stateroom location plays a big role how much ocean motion you feel on your cruise. Staterooms near the front or rear of the ship are more prone to rocking and rolling. Additionally, the higher you are on the ship, typically the more you’ll feel it sway. If you’re prone to seasickness, look for a cabinon a lower deck near mid-ship to minimize movement, and avoid high-level staterooms or cabins at the far fore or aft ends of the ship.
# 2 Avoid cabins without privacy
There’s nothing like gazing out the window of your stateroom and seeing the a spectacular sunrise or sunset sea, but if those windows look out onto other people lounging on their balconies or walking along a public deck, that won’t be relaxing. If you have an oceanview stateroom with windows that look into areas where people congregate for entertainment such as pools, promenades, or bars, you might be better off getting a room with portholes instead. These rooms are usually less expensive because they still offer a view but provide much more peace of mind when it comes to your privacy.
#3 Avoid Noisy cabins
Most of us have stayed at a hotel with noisy guests nearby, and cruise ship guests are no different. While there may not be a way to guarantee that your neighbors will be quiet, you can choose your stateroom wisely to mitigate potential noise.
Unless you’re traveling with a group, avoid adjoining staterooms connected with another cabin. Those doors are thinner than you’d like them to be, and just as you don’t want to hear your neighbors music, TV, or pillow talk, they probably don’t want to hear yours either.
When booking your cabin, knowing what’s directly above and below you can also keep your stateroom noise levels at a minimum. Ideally, you want your cabin on a deck sandwiched between two other passenger decks. If you’re directly above a nightclub, kids club, or kitchen, be aware that you may hear music, shouting, or clanging dishes when you’d prefer to be sleeping. Similarly, avoid staterooms below heavily-traveled areas like pool decks, promenades, or the fitness center. You don’t want to wake up at 6 a.m. to the sound of weights crashing to the floor or pool loungers being dragged to a new location.
Finally, avoid staterooms close to the elevator or stairs. While it’s certainly convenient to get from point A to point be, The cabins that are closest to the elevators can be noisy and disruptive because guests prefer the convenience of walking out of their cabin and up a few flights of stairs rather than waiting for an elevator. In addition, cabins near staff service areas may also be noisy with staff moving in and out all day long.
#4 Avoid cabins too far from the facilities you want
Cruise ships are big. Really, really, big. A mega-cruise ship like Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas can stretch 1,000 feet in length or more and have staterooms or amenities on fifteen decks. You could easily walk several miles on a sea day without even trying to get your steps in.
Consider the places you’ll want to spend your time: The pool, the spa, the bars, or other ship features, and choose your stateroom accordingly. If you’re not sure where you’ll spend most of your time, consider choosing a stateroom mid-ship instead of fore or aft. This way you won’t have to walk as much when going from one end of the ship to another.
Although there is no set rule about how far away from an attraction your cabin should be located, depending on where it is on the ship, it could take longer for you to get there if you have mobility issues such as arthritis or limited mobility due to injury/illness/aging.
#5 Avoid guarantee cabins
Our final example of cruise cabins to avoid is a “guarantee” cabin. Sure, guarantee cabins sound like a great deal– and they are. You pay for the lowest level in your cabin class, and there’s a chance you’ll be upgraded to a higher quality room without paying more. The drawback to guarantee cabins is that your cabin location is left entirely up to the cruise line. While you might get a few extra square feet in your oceanview cabin, you might also end up in an adjoining room, with an obstructed view, or sandwiched between the pool deck and a nightclub. In our opinion, it’s better to know where your cabin will be than to gamble on a few extra square feet.
The best way to ensure a great cabin
The above pointers may all seem like simple things, but they can make your vacation one to remember– in either a good or a bad way. Taking the time to find a good cabin can help you have a great time on board and avoid potential headaches.
To ensure that your cabin will meet your needs, check the deck plan of the cruise ship you’re interested in, which can be found online. If you’re still unsure, ask a professional travel who specializes in cruises, like Sea Vixen Voyages. Fill out our inquiry form for a free consultation!
