Hello everyone! Welcome back to our series for first time cruisers. If this is your first time here, we are glad to have you! We are a travel agency out of Philadelphia and we specialize in all things cruises. If you enjoy cruise vacations or are looking to go on your first cruise, you're in the right place! Our goal here is to share the best and most up to date information with you so you can plan and go on an amazing cruise vacation.
This is our fourth and final installment in our series for first time cruisers. If you've never been on a cruise before, or you're interested in some tips you might not have heard of, you're in for a treat. If you want to check out this post on our YouTube channel, click here. This post is ALL about how to select your cabin for your first cruise. Let's get into it!
Choosing your cabin is a topic that everyone will have an opinion on. You'll hear everything from "It doesn't matter" to "Your cabin will make or break your cruise." In our opinion, your cabin does matter and we are here to help you make the best choice for the type of vacation you're looking to go on.
First thing you should know is that there are several different types of cabins to choose from.
The most affordable option is going to be an Inside Cabin. In this room there are no windows and no access to outside light. Here you'll have a bed, maybe a chair or sofa, a bathroom, a TV, desk, and a space to put your clothing.
From there, you have Ocean View Cabins. This is exactly what it sounds like. In these rooms you will have a window with access to outside light and a view of the ocean. Similarly, Balcony Cabins have a small balcony with a few chairs where you can sit.
Finally, you have Suites, which are the most upgraded cabins on the ship. Suites are going to give you a more luxurious experience on your cruise and range from 400 to 500 square feet to 2000 square feet and multi level.
Now, within each of these categories there are different elements that can make cabin selection important and also create a difference in cost. With Inside Cabins, where the cabin is located inside the ship is very important. The closer a cabin is to the center of the ship, the more expensive it will be as that is the most stable part of the ship. There is also the variation of a solo inside cabin which is designed for people who are cruising alone. These cabins will cost less than a standard inside cabin. If you're new to cruising remember, you don't pay per person, you pay for occupancy. If you're cruising alone and book a standard inside cabin that has an occupancy of two, you'll be paying for two (minus port fees and taxes.) This is where studio or solo cabins can be a big cost savings to single travelers. If you do book a solo cabin, you'll also get access to the solo lounge where single travelers can meet, hang out, and enjoy drinks.
There are inside cabins for 2, 3, and 4 guests. Inside cabins for 4 guests sometimes have a pullout sofa, some have pullmans beds, others bunk beds.
Depending on the cruise line you choose you'll find multiple variations on inside cabins. For example, some ships have Promenade View cabins, where you have a view to the inside space of the ship.
The two most popular forms of cabins on cruises are Inside Cabins and Balcony Cabins, with Balcony being BY FAR the most booked cabins on cruises. If you look at any mass market cruise ship, the majority of the cabins on board are going to be Inside Cabins and Balcony Cabins.
The cabin that you choose totally is up to personal preference. When we cruise as a team, most often we choose Inside Cabins. In an inside cabin, you get great sleep (it's pitch black in your room) and for us, it affords us the ability to cruise more often. Now, is it nice to have a balcony? Yes, absolutely. You can order room service, sit out on the balcony, and watch the amazing views for your entire vacation. If you're only going to go on one or two vacations a year, maybe this little extra treat is something you want to splurge on. The important part is that you're aware of the difference and make the best choice for you. If you are really trying to stick to a strict budget, an Inside Cabin is going to be the best choice for you.
If you go all out and book a Suite, you'll probably be spending a lot more time in your room than if you booked an Inside or Ocean View cabin. In a Suite you'll have the space to eat, relax, and even host parties all inside.
The last thing to consider when choosing your cabin is the location of your cabin on the ship. This is incredibly important to consider, because if you pick the wrong location it can really devastate how much you enjoy your vacation. For example, if you pick a cabin that is close to the elevators, under the pool deck, or by the engine, the noise and constant traffic could be bothersome to you. Now maybe those things don't bother you - awesome. But if you're sensitive to constant comings and goings of others, you're going to want to pick a cabin location in a place that has less constant foot traffic. Remember, the rooms on cruise ships are made of aluminum to keep the weight down, so these walls are not thick. Other places to avoid would be around the night club or the Promenade (especially if you're the type that goes to bed early.)
With all the variables, we do recommend talking to a travel agent if you are booking your first cruise. Booking through an agent will never cost you more than booking by yourself online AND the agent will be able to answer you questions and guide you to make sure there will be no unpleasant surprises on your vacation. Maybe you don't know where everything is, but you're bringing your family and want to be close to the kids club, or you need assistance and want to be close to the elevators. All of these things, a travel agent can support you with. At the end of the day, our ultimate advice is to be surrounded by rooms (rooms above, below, and around) are the best bet for a wonderful vacation.
That concludes our series for first time cruisers! Are you booking your first cruise? Was this helpful for you? Let us know! We would love to hear from you.