Are All Cabins Created Equal?

That all depends on you, how much you have to spend, how many people will occupy the cabin, and your chosen itinerary.

Let's first review the CABIN CATEGORIES
INSIDE - cabin without windows or verandah
OUTSIDE - window or porthole with a view to the outside
BALCONY - verandah that opens off your cabin and allows you to go out into the fresh air without being on a public deck.
SUITE - mini, junior, deluxe, owners, grand, penthouse, villa - these cabins almost always have a verandah, some the size of your house, but usually from 300-1600 square feet.

Many inside and outside cabins are simply not large enough to accommodate more than 2 passengers (although some can accommodate 4 people). Prices listed are always the fare for the first 2 passengers occupying a cabin, the 3rd & 4th passengers sharing a cabin are significantly less expensive.

If you will not spend time in your cabin other than bathing and sleeping, you may want to consider an inside or outside cabin for your cruise. Inside cabins although not traditionally very spacious, are dark and excellent for sleeping. Also consider an inside or outside cabin if your itinerary does not have days at sea - if you are in a port everyday, why pay a premium for a cabin you will only bathe and sleep in!

LOCATION is important regardless of the Cabin Category and can significantly increase or decrease the price of your cabin depending on where it's located. Your real estate at sea can make you seasick (although not everyone will get seasick regardless of where they're cabin is located), or rock you gently to sleep. The lower and more centrally located your cabin is will determine your ride, regardless of the cabin category.

NOISE. Be on the lookout if your cabin is located near a self serve laundry facility, a room service pantry, or is above or below an active area of the ship (chairs scrapping, music playing, shouting, loud speakers), or near thrusters or anchors (although this has never bothered us).

BALCONIES are not all equal. Some are small, are exposed (neighbors can see onto your verandah), some are uncovered and will therefore be impossible to use in inclimate weather, where some are covered and you will not get the sun to tan. Some doors to your verandahs are sliding and on other ships they are regular type doors that will open out and therefore remove some of your useable real estate.

SIZE CAN MATTER, especially if you like to spend time in your cabin and out on your verandah, it may also matter depending on the length of your cruise.
Most cabins have a flexible bed configuration, you can have 2 twins or 1 queen or king. Cabins that will accommodate more than 2 people will have fold down (from the ceiling) beds or sofa beds that will accommodate one person normally.
Suites often times have multiple rooms in your cabin to give you more privacy.
The larger the cabin, the larger the bathroom and it's amenities. Some outside and better cabins will have a tub along with a shower (sometimes even one of each and sometimes a whirlpool bath) along with a double sink.
Suites will give you concierge or butler service along with special amenities depending on the cruise line (make no mistake about it, you pay for this special service and it's amenities).


Keep in mind that regardless of the cabin category you choose, you will get the same food, the same entertainment, and the same cruise, going to the same places that everyone else is getting, the only real difference is the cabin, it's size, it's location, it's amenities.
Ask lots of questions before you book and remember that the most important thing to take on a cruise is a good attitude.

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