Cruise Ship Balcony Cabin

What are the Best Cabin Locations on a Cruise Ship?

Planning to go on a cruise and wondering which cabins to book? If you’re a first-time cruiser, it can be overwhelming to pick the right cabin. However, choosing the correct cabin can significantly impact your cruise experience. Certain cabins may be more suitable for you, depending on your needs.

Best Cabins for Minimizing Seasickness

Mid-ship cabins on the lower decks are the best cabin locations for anyone prone to seasickness. These staterooms offer more stability, so you’ll feel less movement, even in rough seas.

Best Cabin Locations on a Cruise

Best Cabins for Cruisers with Kids

If you are cruising with kids, you want to choose a stateroom close to the kids club. Check the deck plan of the cruise ship and select a room near the kids club for convenience.

If you’re new to cruising, you’ll soon realize that the kids club drop-off hours are very short- typically around 3 hours. You’ll be asked to pick up your child for meals, so being near the kids club will make it easier to go back and forth.

Best Cabins for Cruisers Who Wants to Be Near Everything

If you want to be near everything, it’s best to be in a centrally located cabin in midship near the elevators. This way, you’ll be close to the gift shops and atrium. You are also not too far from the buffet, main dining room, and theater. With a cabin in this area, you won’t have to take long walks to get to where you want to be on the cruise ship.

Best Cabins for Cruisers Who Want to be Near the Buffet

Some cruisers like the convenience of being near the buffet so they can easily grab a snack or a cup of coffee. Buffets are usually located at the back of the cruise ship. But take a look at the deck plan of your cruise ship to double-check the buffet location. Then, select a cabin close to the elevators that are nearest to the buffet. This way, you’ll only be a quick elevator ride away.

Best Cabins for Peace and Quiet

If you want a quiet stateroom, stay away from the theater, casinos, nightclubs, pools, kids’ club, sports courts, and dining rooms. You don’t want a cabin near these noisy areas. You also don’t want a cabin located above or below these places because you will be disturbed by noise all night long! For the quietest cabins, choose the ones sandwiched between other cabins, with one above and one below.

Best Cabins for Panoramic Views

If you want a balcony cabin with a sweeping panoramic ocean view, choose an Aft balcony cabin located at the back of the cruise ship. These cabins usually have bigger balconies and offer stunning ocean views. 

However, it’s important to note that due to their positioning at the back of the ship, Aft cabins will experience more vibration and be less stable than mid-ship cabins. If you’re susceptible to seasickness, it’s best to avoid choosing Aft cabins.

Best Cabin Locations on a Cruise

Best Cabins for Cruisers Who Wants to Be Near the Pool

If you want to be near the pool, you should check the cruise ship’s deck plan to pick a cabin near the pool area. Most cruise ships have multiple pools, including indoor and adult-only pools. You will want to choose a cabin near the pool you will likely use most. 

A word of caution about picking cabins near the pool—they tend to be noisier. If your stateroom is right under the pool deck, you may even hear the cruise staff moving around the lounge chairs, even during the evening hours.

Best Cabins for Budget Cruisers

If you are on a budget, then it’s best to let the cruise line pick your cabin for you. Choosing the Guaranteed Cabin option can help you save money. This means booking a cabin in a guaranteed category (inside, oceanview, balcony, suite) and letting the cruise line assign you the cabin. 

However, remember that by choosing a Guaranteed Cabin, you may end up with less desirable cabin locations because they will assign cabins that haven’t been reserved. The best cabins are usually the first to be booked. You might be assigned Forward Cabins (at the front of the ship), which tend to be less stable and experience more motion, or cabins located near noisy areas like the nightclub and theater.

Best Cabins for Mobility Challenged Cruisers

If you have mobility challenges and require a walker or wheelchair, the best cabins for you are the accessible ones. These cabins are typically more spacious and can accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. Plus, they have features like lower grab bars, walk-in showers, and automatic doors. They are also usually centrally located, near the elevator, so you don’t have to walk far to get anywhere.

However, accessible cabins tend to sell out quickly. If none are available, your next best option is to choose cabins mid-ship near the elevators, which will keep you centrally located and close to everything. Check out 18 Worst Things that Can Ruin Your Cruise Vacation

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