Choosing a cruise ship cabin: The ultimate guide

Table Of Content

• I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. These were my 8 favorite amenities on the world's largest cruise ship.
• Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Royal Up Bidding Program
• Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America
• Scenic View Cabins
• What Cabin Amenities Matter to You?
• Choosing the Right Cabin

And like many hotels, cruise lines sell a dizzying array of cruise cabin types, often without little to distinguish them from one another without an untrained eye. Some cruise lines offer 20 or more room types per ship, which can complicate your decision even more. Some cruise lines offer cruise cabin guarantee fares, which are typically the cheapest rate you can get for a cabin in any category. You're guaranteed (hence the name) a room on the ship in the category you paid for — or higher. Sun, sand and sea are what most travelers want when they book a cruise to the Caribbean. If you want to trade chilly weather at home for warm, sunny days spent relaxing on a beach or swimming in clear blue waters, a Caribbean cruise is an ideal vacation.

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. These were my 8 favorite amenities on the world's largest cruise ship.

I booked an inside cabin on a recent cruise and found it worth the savings - Business Insider

I booked an inside cabin on a recent cruise and found it worth the savings.

Posted: Sat, 10 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The classic Western Caribbean itinerary visits Mexico (typically Cozumel or Costa Maya), Jamaica, Grand Cayman and a cruise line's private island, which is typically in the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean has inside cabins with a view -- just not always of the ocean. Several of its ships have rooms that overlook the Royal Promenade or other open public areas of the ship.

I spent 7 nights in a 200-square-foot room on Celebrity's newest cruise ship. Take a look inside my cabin - Cruise Blog

I spent 7 nights in a 200-square-foot room on Celebrity's newest cruise ship. Take a look inside my cabin.

Posted: Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Royal Up Bidding Program

In fact, the only light you might have is from the peephole in the door. So with these rooms, you get the entire cruise, but it can be literally hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars less than what others on the ship are paying… albeit with a less glamorous cabin. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. In June 2023, the ship hit a major milestone when it completed its first sea trials outside the shipyard in Turku, Finland. Next up is the colossal new ship’s first voyage, slated to depart on January 27, 2024. It will sail roundtrip from Miami to the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas.

Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America

Here’s how to select the best cruise ship cabin for your needs, whether you're seeking breathtaking views, peace and quiet, convenience, or the best value. This means you can bring magnetic hooks and hang sunhats, backpacks and more. If you’re cruising in an inside cabin, these tips will help you make the most of your cruise cabin space. The square footage of an inside cabin is usually pretty similar to an ocean view or a balcony. The standard set up of an interior cabin is either a double bed or twin bed.

The newest, largest cruise ships such as Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas' offer a huge range of ... One benefit of booking an inside cabin is that it makes you spend less time in your cabin. You have paid for everything else on the ship and if you do spend a lot of time in your cabin, you can miss out on things that are happening around the cruise ship. The majority of the crew on cruise ships have inside cabins which are located lower down in the ship. The crew typically have low down cabins close to other crew areas such as the crew mess.

The biggest thing to ever hit cruising is coming in January 2024, when Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas—which will be the largest cruise ship in the world—will debut to passengers for the first time. Sometimes a cruise line will reach out to booked passengers and offer them a low-cost upgrade or the option to bid on a cabin upgrade. While not free, these offers could get you a nicer room at a discount. Cruise cabin upgrades are rarely guaranteed, but you have a few ways to chase one. Beyond the aforementioned guarantee booking, you can look for booking promotions or loyalty program perks that allow you to pay for one category of cabin and get upgraded to the next.

What Cabin Amenities Matter to You?

The most spectacular suite at sea is likely Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Regent Suite. Family suites might include additional bedrooms with bunk beds for kids; Royal Caribbean's Ultimate Family Suite is a wonderland of slides, climbing walls, video games and comfy kid seating. It's also a duplex with bedrooms upstairs and living areas downstairs.

An interior cabin is a cabin that is located on the inside of a cruise ship. Interior cabins are also called ‘inside’ cabins and they are usually the cheapest cabin grade available on a cruise. With shorter cruises (especially 3/4-day trips), you’re likely to spend a lot of your time outside the cabin. Between exploring the ship and being in port, the time in the cabin is minimal. With longer cruises (6+ days), then there is more downtime as you usually have more days at sea and just more time in general.

Known for its lush green twin peaks known as the Pitons, St. Lucia entices travelers with postcard-perfect beaches set against jungle scenery. It even has its own volcano with sulphur springs to visit and all the usual land and sea activities. You'll be hard-pressed to find a cruise line that does not sail to the Caribbean at least for a few months a year. The big-ship lines will station multiple ships in this region year-round, with additional ships swinging by during the colder months.

Travelers with mobility concerns may prefer a stateroom close to a bank of elevators. Alternatively, you might not want to hear any music or partying, which can mean a cabin that's farther away from the ship's liveliest areas. Depending on your desire to socialize, soak up the sun or enjoy some peace and quiet, you'll want to think strategically about where your cabin is aboard the cruise ship.

Some lines only offer suites, like Silversea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn. You'll also find massive suites like the Royal Loft on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships. All cabins come with basic amenities, such as housekeeping and turndown service, basic toiletries, climate control, and the like. Suites, the most luxurious rooms on any cruise ship, come with a variety of extras and privileges.

If you are more than 2 people, like a family of 3 or 4, it’s especially important (to keep your sanity). As a matter of fact, there are many people who choose to cruise in an inside cabin, most of the time, for a variety of reasons. In the video below you’ll see that there is a door on the right hand side, this is to the next cabin and is locked unless requested to be opened by both cabins.

Cabins on middle floors offer the best combination of access to facilities and less movement in the event of rough seas. However the best solution might be these battery operated motion sensor lights ,that won’t disturb you when you’re sleeping. A cruise tip I learned from a friend and Mom of two kids, is to pack your organizer at home so it’s ready to hang and saves time unpacking on a cruise. Pullman beds can hold adults but they are not particularly comfortable if you are tall or like to roll around a lot when you sleep. I have shared an inside cabin with 3 other people before and it is okay.