Our tips on choosing the cabin of your cruising dreams.

2 September, 2019   By: Tatum Stafford

Finding your perfect cruise cabin will depend on your budget, personal preference and space requirements - and luckily, there are a ton of cabin categories to choose from. Whether you'd prefer your own balcony, a porthole or a spacious triple room, here are our top tips for choosing the right cabin for your holiday. 

Location, location, location

A rule of thumb with cabin location is that the middle of the ship is more 'stable', so for passengers prone to motion sickness, rooms in this area provide some welcome relief. With that in mind, there 'midship' cabins may be a little pricier than others.

Woman on cruise balcony
Balcony rooms provide stunning ocean views

A room with a view

There are usually four cabin categories that you can choose from: inside (interior), outside (ocean view), balcony (verandah) and suite. 

Interior

Interior cabins are perfect for the more budget-conscious traveller, offering a small, basic room with no windows. If the activities both onboard and offshore are the drawcard for your cruise holiday, these indoor cabins may be a great, affordable option as a place to simply sleep, store luggage and freshen up. Some cruises will also offer a ‘virtual inside’ cabin, which features a virtual screen of a balcony to give the room a more ‘open’ feel – so be sure to investigate whether your ship offers this facility if you’re on the fence about booking an indoor cabin.

Ocean view

For those who enjoy natural light and ocean views as far as the eye can see, an outside cabin may be the perfect option. Whilst these cabins are a similar size to their indoor counterparts, this outdoor option allows the choice between a porthole and a larger window (which may raise your budget a tad).

Sky Princess balcony room
A balcony room on Sky Princess cruises

Balcony

If you’re after something a little more spacious, a balcony (or ‘verandah’) cabin features a private balcony in addition to a large window or even a sliding glass door. Most balconies will feature a table and chairs, so you are free to unwind and sink in the views from the privacy of your very own cabin.

Suite

A suite offers a more luxurious experience on board. With many featuring a separate living room, bedroom and even a private dining room, suites are naturally the most expensive cabin option a passenger can purchase. Suites can also possibly include a range onboard experiences such as drink packages, activities or spa treatments.

Family requirements

For families, cabins with adjoining, triple or quad rooms are available, however can be limited. If your family requires specific or additional room arrangements, be sure to book your cruising experience well in advance. And generally, the newer the ship, the more likely you’ll find larger suites with more connecting rooms to accommodate all of the family.

Embarking on a cruise?

Make sure you've got your travel insurance sorted before you depart. RAC offer reliable and well-priced travel insurance that will cover you overseas for a huge number of activities and scenarios. 

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