Choosing a cruise cabin affects your entire holiday experience. Different cabins across multiple decks offer unique advantages and trade-offs. Inside cabins cost less but lack natural light, whilst balcony cabins provide outdoor space and sea views – perfect for morning coffee and wildlife spotting.
Your cabin location also impacts comfort at sea, with mid-ship rooms typically offering more stability. Every budget and preference matches a specific cabin type aboard cruise ships. The right choice combines your must-have features with your spending limit.
Cruise Cabin Tips for Smart Booking
Inside cabins save you money and suit budget-conscious travellers, whilst balcony cabins let you enjoy private outdoor space with extra comfort.
Mid-ship cabins reduce motion feelings and give you quick access to restaurants, shops and entertainment areas.
Cabins on lower decks move less and cost less, making them ideal if you worry about seasickness.
You’ll find the best cabin prices when you book either 8 months early or 6 weeks before the cruise starts.
Accessible cabins feature:
- Extra-wide doors
- Roll-in showers
- Special mobility equipment
- More floor space
- Adapted bathroom fixtures
- Read our guide to cruising with a disability
Understanding Basic Cabin Types
Cruise ships offer four main cabin types to suit different needs and budgets.
- Inside cabins give you the most affordable choice. These rooms have no windows, but many ships fit them with LED screens showing live ocean views.
- Oceanview cabins let you see the sea through actual windows or portholes. They cost more than inside cabins but offer real views at a reasonable price.
- Balcony cabins provide your own outdoor space. You get a private veranda to enjoy fresh air and sea views. These rooms offer more space than inside or oceanview options.
- Suites deliver the top-level cruise experience. They feature separate living areas and large balconies.
Most suites sit in exclusive ship areas with special keycard access. You’ll enjoy extra space and premium services in these luxury rooms.
Cabin Location Guide for Your Cruise
Higher decks give you:
- Beautiful sea views
- Quick access to pools and food
- More ship movement
Lower decks offer:
- Less motion in rough seas
- Lower prices
- Better stability for seasick travellers
Mid-ship cabins provide:
- Maximum stability
- Central access to facilities
- Balanced location
Forward cabins let you:
- Watch port arrivals
- Experience the ship’s movement
- See where you’re heading
Aft cabins feature:
- Bigger balconies
- Wake views
- Some engine noise
Smart booking tips:
- Book near your favourite venues to save walking time
- Choose guarantee cabins to save money, but you can’t pick the exact spot
- Consider your motion sensitivity when picking deck levels
The best cabin choice depends on your needs: views, stability, noise levels, and budget all matter. Pick what suits your holiday style best.
Choosing Your Perfect Cabin: Cabin Types Guide
Inside cabins suit budget-conscious travellers who use their room mainly for sleeping. These cabins offer basic amenities at the lowest prices.
Oceanview cabins provide natural light through windows, letting you watch the sea. Some windows may have partial blockages from ship equipment.
Balcony cabins offer a private outdoor space with extra room. You can enjoy fresh air and sea views from your personal veranda.
Suite cabins deliver premium features:
- Butler service
- Priority booking perks
- Luxury amenities
- More living space
- Capacity for larger groups (up to 8 people)
Most standard cabins fit 2-4 guests comfortably.
Special options include:
- Accessible cabins for guests with mobility needs
- Connecting cabins for families or groups
- Single cabins for solo travellers
Choose your cabin based on:
- Your budget
- Time you’ll spend in the room
- Group size
- Need for outdoor space
- Accessibility requirements
Budget and Value Considerations
Cruise cabin costs involve more than basic room rates. You need to calculate gratuities, drinks, spa treatments and excursions to set a realistic budget.
Interior cabins give you the most value for money. Balcony cabins balance comfort with cost. You can reduce costs by travelling in off-peak months or choosing shorter trips. The best deals appear eight months before sailing or within six weeks of departure.
Many cruise lines offer extra perks. These typically include:
- Onboard spending credits
- Pre-paid gratuities
- Free drink packages
All-inclusive packages help you manage costs better. You won’t face unexpected charges during your holiday, and you can relax knowing everything’s covered.
Money-saving tips:
- Book in advance for early booking discounts
- Watch for last-minute deals
- Travel during quieter seasons
- Compare package inclusions
- Choose shorter itineraries
Family and Group Options
Cruise ships offer various cabin choices for families and groups who want to stay together. The largest options include:
- Royal Caribbean Ultimate Family Suites (fits 8 people)
- MSC Super Family cabins (fits 10 people)
Key Family-Friendly Cabin Features:
- Disney ships have split bathrooms in their Family Ocean View rooms.
- Carnival’s Family Harbour rooms include lounge access (fits 5 people).
- Norwegian Cruise Line offers 2-bedroom suites with separate parent and child spaces.
- Princess and MSC provide connecting rooms for privacy.
Extra Benefits:
- Priority boarding
- Personal concierge help
- Special access to family areas
These cabins help families stay comfortable and close during their holiday at sea.
Each option lets parents and children enjoy their own space while remaining connected. Families can choose the setup that best matches their size and needs.
Special Needs and Accessibility
Cruise ships now provide excellent accessibility features for passengers with special needs. The accessible cabins have wide doorways of 32 inches, equipped with automatic doors and flat thresholds. Each cabin offers a spacious 5-foot turning radius for wheelchairs.
The accessible bathrooms come with practical features. Roll-in showers include pull-down seats, sturdy grab bars, and adjustable showerheads. The sinks sit at a lower height for easy reach. Safety features include emergency call buttons and visual alarm systems.
Popular cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Norwegian offer dedicated accessible rooms. These rooms feature wheelchair-friendly storage and reachable vanity units. The ships also ensure accessible public areas and transport services throughout.
Some specialised companies, such as Limitless Travel, go further by offering:
- Door-to-door pickup service
- Professional carers onboard
- Extra support throughout the journey
The ships maintain these features regularly to ensure reliability for all passengers needing accessibility support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Decorate My Cruise Cabin Door or Bring Magnetic Hooks?
Most cruise lines let you decorate your cabin door, but rules differ between companies.
Magnetic decorations work best because they don’t damage the surface. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney, Princess and Celebrity welcome door decorations.
Norwegian, MSC and Virgin Voyages don’t allow any door decorations at all.
You can bring and use magnetic hooks on your door, but avoid using adhesives or string lights.
The key is to keep your decorations simple and damage-free.
What Happens if My Cabin’s Air Conditioning or Toilet Stops Working?
Report any cabin problems straight away.
When your air conditioning or toilet stops working, contact your cabin steward or guest services. These facilities need quick repairs to maintain your comfort.
Your cabin staff will address the issue promptly. The cruise line may offer compensation for extended service disruptions.
Keep your cabin steward’s phone number ready for such situations.
Is It Possible to Get Adjoining Cabins With a Connecting Door?
Connecting cruise cabins exist on most major ships. A connecting door joins two separate cabins, letting you move freely between rooms whilst maintaining privacy.
Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Disney all offer these cabin types. The connecting doors prove ideal for families and groups travelling together.
These cabins tend to sell quickly, so early booking is essential. You can spot connecting cabins on ship deck plans or ask a travel agent to find them for you.
The setup gives you the best of both worlds – shared access when you want it and private space when you need it.
Are Cabin Safes Large Enough to Fit a Standard Laptop?
Most cruise cabin safes are too small for standard laptops. The typical safe dimensions are 10 inches by 6 inches, which works well for small valuables like passports, jewellery and wallets.
A standard 15.4-inch laptop won’t fit in these spaces. Some newer cruise ships offer larger safes, but these will only accommodate tablets or small netbooks.
You’ll need to find different storage options for your laptop. The safes specifically protect small, valuable items rather than larger electronics.
Can I Request Specific Bed Configurations Before My Cruise?
Making bed configuration requests for your cruise is simple.
Contact your cruise line or travel agent before sailing to specify your preferences. Two main options exist:
- Submit your request through the cruise line’s website
- Tell your travel agent during booking
Your cabin steward can rearrange the beds if needed once you board.
Early requests help ensure the cruise line notes your preference in their system.
Tip: Most cruise cabins offer either twin beds or a double bed setup.
Get honest cruise advice that puts your interests first.
Jo and the About2Cruise team provide expert guidance to help you choose cruises based on reality, not marketing promises. Find out more about us.
More Info On Cruise Cabins
Here are some more of our cruise cabin guides to help you find the right one, no matter which cruise you’re going on:
