General Pointers to picking a great cabin...

I've got some info on my blog about picking a cabin, but here's a few ideas:

Cabins way at the back of the ship may have engine noise, although I actually enjoy the hum of the engines; helps me sleep. We got an inside cabin on the outside rear corner, 8th floor, on the Voyager of the Seas. For some reason, it was really creaky.

Cabins way at the front of the ship may have be noisy when dropping anchor, but then I'm always up and on deck before we pull in to port... that's the best part of the trip.

Check the decks above and below you... don't go under or over clubs or the theatre. Shows were just getting going when I was trying to sleep. We eventually ended up going to the late shows and taking an afternoon nap every day on the Carnival Victory. The best spot is probably between two cabin decks.

I don't think the balconies on higher decks are necessarily better (although they are more expensive) than the lower deck balconies. We were on 9th floor of the Norwegian Spirit and the pool side band was really loud while I tried to read quietly on the balcony. I would have preferred to be closer to the sea.

Hope that helps! (My blog address is in my profile :D)

I've got some info on my blog about picking a cabin, but here's a few ideas:

 

Cabins way at the back of the ship may have engine noise, although I actually enjoy the hum of the engines; helps me sleep. We got an inside cabin on the outside rear corner, 8th floor, on the Voyager of the Seas. For some reason, it was really creaky.

 

Cabins way at the front of the ship may have be noisy when dropping anchor, but then I'm always up and on deck before we pull in to port... that's the best part of the trip.

 

Check the decks above and below you... don't go under or over clubs or the theatre. Shows were just getting going when I was trying to sleep. We eventually ended up going to the late shows and taking an afternoon nap every day on the Carnival Victory. The best spot is probably between two cabin decks.

 

I don't think the balconies on higher decks are necessarily better (although they are more expensive) than the lower deck balconies. We were on 9th floor of the Norwegian Spirit and the pool side band was really loud while I tried to read quietly on the balcony. I would have preferred to be closer to the sea.

 

Hope that helps! (My blog address is in my profile :D)

i too don't mind some noise. i did learn that my cabin 6540 on the magic is above a lounge with karaoke/ late night comics.. do u have any clue how late the fun ends in the aft lounge? i'll probably be in there most nights except for early excursion dates.thanks

Do you kow if Volendam ship Cat C cabins have fridges or coolers as HAL calls them Thanks Irene and Stan.

We've been on quite a few ships, certainly not as many as some people here on CC, but this is how I select a cabin.

First off, I don't believe it makes much difference at all to be on a higher deck, I don't feel motion any more than I would on a lower deck. Second, if you can afford a balcony, they are well worth it. When I read about people not staying in their cabin long enough to enjoy a balcony, I know why...I've had inside and ocean view cabins and I couldn't stay in them for long either. We don't mind paying a few more $ for a higher level, usually better views and less use of elevators.

So for us, the best location has worked out to be the highest level of balcony cabin, midship fairly close to the elevator bank (although we do prefer to use the stairs). We also look for a deck that has cabins above and below us, plus if you see "white" area on the deck plan, that means it will be a linen closet, it also means a little bit more quiet. We've had a couple cabins on the "hump" on RCI ships and have enjoyed those quite a bit.

While we do enjoy aft cabins, we normally only book them if it will just be my husband and I. Others we cruise with don't like the long walk to the cabin or the vibrations, we don't mind either. Since we love cruising with our family, the aft location has to wait until they don't want to go with us.

I fully understand why some people will only book insides and only book lower levels, but it's great that we have choices :) The savings can be enormous. But....we enjoy being on the ocean on our balcony, seeing and hearing it, coffee in the morning, afternnoon reading, a glass of wine at night, going out to see the stars at night, well worth the extra $ for us.

Im the opposite of the above ...Iv booked a balcony and never used it. I also lived on the beach in a condo in S. FL and didnt use my balcony...but I tried it as so many keep saying how they love them.

I prefer on newer ships to have the extra space in a OV if its the same price as a inside. (Iv gotten free upgrades from inside gtys, port holes etc).

I live alone and cant figure out the charm of sitting on a balcony by myself when I can be up on the Lido deck in the middle of the action and people. If Im in my cabin, Im probably reading. I burn easily so dont want to sit in the sun. etc. Its either too hot or too cold sitting out most of the day... just no charm for me. If Im in the cabin, I turn on the news and catch up to the world.

The only bad cabin I got was from one of those if you listen to our sales spiel, you get a free cruise ..the free cruise was $358 and they gave us the worst cabin on the ship on Triumph, bottom deck, last inside. The walls and ceiling were vibrating badly with loud crashing and banging sounds. No wonder it was usually a storage room for the steward.

Im the opposite of the above ...Iv booked a balcony and never used it. I also lived on the beach in a condo in S. FL and didnt use my balcony...but I tried it as so many keep saying how they love them.

 

I prefer on newer ships to have the extra space in a OV if its the same price as a inside. (Iv gotten free upgrades from inside gtys, port holes etc).

 

I live alone and cant figure out the charm of sitting on a balcony by myself when I can be up on the Lido deck in the middle of the action and people. If Im in my cabin, Im probably reading. I burn easily so dont want to sit in the sun. etc. Its either too hot or too cold sitting out most of the day... just no charm for me. If Im in the cabin, I turn on the news and catch up to the world.

 

The only bad cabin I got was from one of those if you listen to our sales spiel, you get a free cruise ..the free cruise was $358 and they gave us the worst cabin on the ship on Triumph, bottom deck, last inside. The walls and ceiling were vibrating badly with loud crashing and banging sounds. No wonder it was usually a storage room for the steward.

This is the best comment regarding not wanting a balcony and I understand it completely. But, for us it's the opposite, we want to be away from all the people and all the action ;)

There is no right or wrong, just what suits each person.

I'll agree with the worst cabins being on the lowest deck. We had deck 2 once, not an inside but an ocean view. I felt like we were staying in the basement of the ship. The next cruise (same small ship RCI Monarch, when it was here on the west coast) we moved up to deck 4 and kept moving up the last few cruises. The last 2 were on deck 8 or 9, can't remember now. I wish we would have spent the money on the prior cruises for more space and better location.

Our last cruise was on the Fascination, we were on the second level, with a porthole cabin. Now, we had been balcony for the two cruises before, and I swore(since I am somewhat claustrophobic) that I would never do an inside...well an inside with a porthole, that's a window, and I don't spend too much time in there, because there is always something going on somewhere, so that was easy, and if it saves me a ton on money so I can cruise more often....I'm hooked on porthole cabins now, and plan to cruise ships that offer that as an option. Our friends had a cabin on the Riviera and they could hear the waves at night, so that's the plan for the 2012 cruise. We heard the waves on the first night when it was a bit stormy, but not on the rest of the trip.

When we book a cabin, we know exactly what we want. We have done balconies and OVs in the past and now book insides, if the location is good and the cabin is of a decent size. Like insides that are on the deck where the promenade gives us a huge wrap-around balcony.

That said, porthole cabins often represent real value. I am currently trying to decide between an immense portholed "H" on the Rotterdam vs. an inside "J" on the deck with the promenade.

Over our 14 cruises we have tried pretty much in every location. I don't do guarantees; I want a cabin with a number where I have studied and know the pluses and misuses. On our last cruise, in Aug.-Sept. on the Crown Princess we were upgraded from an inside to a partially obstructed -- radio antennas -- cabin above the bridge. Since it gave a 180-degree sweep, it was great for observing the ship arriving and departing.

Most portholes are quite close to the stern. For us, that location makes no difference, but others may not like it.

Another reason portholes have appeal is that -- if you check the Rotterdam's deck plan, for example -- portholes may come in somewhat odd shapes and often are larger than regular OVs.

We've been on quite a few ships, certainly not as many as some people here on CC, but this is how I select a cabin.

 

First off, I don't believe it makes much difference at all to be on a higher deck, I don't feel motion any more than I would on a lower deck. Second, if you can afford a balcony, they are well worth it. When I read about people not staying in their cabin long enough to enjoy a balcony, I know why...I've had inside and ocean view cabins and I couldn't stay in them for long either. We don't mind paying a few more $ for a higher level, usually better views and less use of elevators.

 

So for us, the best location has worked out to be the highest level of balcony cabin, midship fairly close to the elevator bank (although we do prefer to use the stairs). We also look for a deck that has cabins above and below us, plus if you see "white" area on the deck plan, that means it will be a linen closet, it also means a little bit more quiet. We've had a couple cabins on the "hump" on RCI ships and have enjoyed those quite a bit.

 

While we do enjoy aft cabins, we normally only book them if it will just be my husband and I. Others we cruise with don't like the long walk to the cabin or the vibrations, we don't mind either. Since we love cruising with our family, the aft location has to wait until they don't want to go with us.

 

I fully understand why some people will only book insides and only book lower levels, but it's great that we have choices :) The savings can be enormous. But....we enjoy being on the ocean on our balcony, seeing and hearing it, coffee in the morning, afternnoon reading, a glass of wine at night, going out to see the stars at night, well worth the extra $ for us.

I love the balcony too, but have had some bad experiences with smokers that made it impossible for me to be out on the balcony or even leave the doors open at night for sleeping. On our Alaskan cruise the balcony was great, we used it a LOT. Same for Hawaii. When we cruise the Caribbean we won't ever pay for a balcony again.

I love the balcony too, but have had some bad experiences with smokers that made it impossible for me to be out on the balcony or even leave the doors open at night for sleeping. On our Alaskan cruise the balcony was great, we used it a LOT. Same for Hawaii. When we cruise the Caribbean we won't ever pay for a balcony again.

True, we've had a few times with smokers contaminating our air, but we find they aren't there all the time. We just go inside for a few minutes and come back out when they're done smoking. I think consideration goes both ways and since they are within their rights, I'll be considerate of them.

We did have one cruise where a smoker below us ruined our ability to leave the cabin door open at night (Italy/Med). The good part of it was, she was out there at 2 am, so she slept in later than us...we had the smoke free balcony for coffee in the morning, wine in the evening, we never noticed her at other times. We've only left our balcony door open on cool weather cruises, when you don't require air conditioning. Leaving the door open w/air on messes with the system.

We've had all sorts of cabins, inside, outside w/porthole, outside w/window, balcony and even a few mini suites (nice ;)). After our last little cruise (just a 4 nighter) we had booked an inside cabin to save $, we have decided we'll not do that again. If we can't afford the balcony, we'll just wait until we can. For us it's just more of a cruise experience with a balcony.

When we book a cabin, we know exactly what we want. We have done balconies and OVs in the past and now book insides, if the location is good and the cabin is of a decent size. Like insides that are on the deck where the promenade gives us a huge wrap-around balcony.

That said, porthole cabins often represent real value. I am currently trying to decide between an immense portholed "H" on the Rotterdam vs. an inside "J" on the deck with the promenade.

Over our 14 cruises we have tried pretty much in every location. I don't do guarantees; I want a cabin with a number where I have studied and know the pluses and misuses. On our last cruise, in Aug.-Sept. on the Crown Princess we were upgraded from an inside to a partially obstructed -- radio antennas -- cabin above the bridge. Since it gave a 180-degree sweep, it was great for observing the ship arriving and departing.

Most portholes are quite close to the stern. For us, that location makes no difference, but others may not like it.

Another reason portholes have appeal is that -- if you check the Rotterdam's deck plan, for example -- portholes may come in somewhat odd shapes and often are larger than regular OVs.

I actually like booking guarantee rooms. However, I'm picky about when. I almost always book balcony cabins. If the ship has any obstructed view balconies on it, I won't do a guarantee room. However, if there aren't any obstructed rooms on the ship, it's a great deal & I've always been given great rooms. It may just be coincidence, but it has worked for me every time. My best rooms have been guarantees.

I admit I've loved my balconies and have enjoyed being able to open the door and go out in my jammies and enjoy the sea breeze. When DH was still able to cruise, he often took afternoon naps. The balcony was nice for me to have as I could sit outside and read and still be with him.

However, to save money I have just booked first port hole cabin - on lowest passenger deck on Fantasy and almost all the way forward. I was going to book an Inside and tough it out until I discovered this category that priced as an Inside. I'm going to be curious to see what I think.

I do have a question: Is Carnival the only line that has port hole cabins?

Fred Olsen also do porthole cabins. In fact, we are doing the Iceland and Norway tour in September and we have booked a porthole cabin on this cruise - we normally have a picture window but it was quite a bit dearer. Would never think of having an inside cabin as I get claustrophobic in enclosed spaces but one day we'll get a balcony cabin (if I can talk hubby into paying the extra!)

I love balconies.My last two cruises were with balconies,and I spent every waking hour I was in the room out there.I have had an inside room and a room with a porthole.Both were okay if you don't need to be outside.These rooms are great if trying to save money.:o

RCL has them, too.

I admit I've loved my balconies and have enjoyed being able to open the door and go out in my jammies and enjoy the sea breeze. When DH was still able to cruise, he often took afternoon naps. The balcony was nice for me to have as I could sit outside and read and still be with him.

 

However, to save money I have just booked first port hole cabin - on lowest passenger deck on Fantasy and almost all the way forward. I was going to book an Inside and tough it out until I discovered this category that priced as an Inside. I'm going to be curious to see what I think.

 

I do have a question: Is Carnival the only line that has port hole cabins?

Some HAL ships have porthole cabins as well. The ms Amsterdam, ms Maasdam, ms Prinsendam, ms Rotterdam, ms Ryndam, ms Statendam, ms Veendam, ms Volendam, and ms Zaandam all have a few still.

Check the websites for the cruiselines or ask your cruise planner they should be able to get you this information very quickly.

I have done gaurantee and it was always fine except once . They put us next to a service area so 6am carts were taken out and woke us up every day. When I complained to celebrity when I got home I was told that I should book a cabin by # in that case so I shouldn't be complaining. The cruise I just got back from I told the travel agent just make sure I'm not next to a service area!! I love a balcony but can cruise more often w inside. Had an oceanview once got an upgrade. Had a promenade once when they upgraded .Didn't even know we were getting it. My question is what is obstructed balcony? Had a balcony and.. we were 4 hours away from a hurricane the whole trip so couldn't use it It was full of salt.!!!!Also had a balcony and could smell the smoke. Really , are they suppose to be smoking on the balcony?? I hate to even go to the casino because of the smell. I really don't care where I am as long as I'm on a ship.!!

Cabins way at the back of the ship may have engine noise, although I actually enjoy the hum of the engines; helps me sleep. We got an inside cabin on the outside rear corner, 8th floor, on the Voyager of the Seas. For some reason, it was really creaky.

Hi Addicted!

I was just on Voyager (Jan. 30th) for a Seminar@Sea and everyone in our group was berthed on deck 9. Those agents who had cabins toward the back half of the ship complained of quite a lot of vibration (which caused creaking noise), too. (I had a cabin in the front half of deck 9 and didn't experience any noise or vibration.)

I was on deck 10 of Oasis (Feb. 12th) and found that there was a lot of creaking in the front half of the ship's hallway. I imagine those guests in cabins in that area heard it, too.

Thanks for your post!!!

Cricket

I have a "rule of thumb" theory for picking cabins. Always go for a cabin amidship, if you get rough seas it is the point of least movement.

The bow will move up and down and be pounded by the incoming waves, while the stern will also move up and down but will feel like being whipped about a bit. I'm from New Zealand and the waters down here can get pretty rough. We prefer balcony cabins as we like the changing view, privacy while being outside, the sound of the waves and having natural light coming in. Inside cabins feel like being in a cave. Never get one directly below any public areas, as there will be noise from foot traffic and furniture being moved. We learn't that one while cruising on Legend of the Seas, we were in an inside cabin below the pool deck and every morning awoke to the sound of chairs being moved.:cool:

Balconies are good when you discover that people have "reserved" every reasonably good lounge chair on the upper decks.

When we book a cabin, we know exactly what we want. We have done balconies and OVs in the past and now book insides, if the location is good and the cabin is of a decent size. Like insides that are on the deck where the promenade gives us a huge wrap-around balcony.

That said, porthole cabins often represent real value. I am currently trying to decide between an immense portholed "H" on the Rotterdam vs. an inside "J" on the deck with the promenade.

Over our 14 cruises we have tried pretty much in every location. I don't do guarantees; I want a cabin with a number where I have studied and know the pluses and misuses. On our last cruise, in Aug.-Sept. on the Crown Princess we were upgraded from an inside to a partially obstructed -- radio antennas -- cabin above the bridge. Since it gave a 180-degree sweep, it was great for observing the ship arriving and departing.

Most portholes are quite close to the stern. For us, that location makes no difference, but others may not like it.

Another reason portholes have appeal is that -- if you check the Rotterdam's deck plan, for example -- portholes may come in somewhat odd shapes and often are larger than regular OVs.

My sympathies on booking the Rotterdam. Hope you can escape the peeling paint, rust, leaking air conditioning that left water soaked into the carpet outside our door the entire 10 days, the hole in the cabin wall that had been painted over instead of rewallpapered, etc., etc. Good luck.

We took our first cruise last Oct on the CCL Legend. Thankfully we had the help of a wonderful PVP while selecting our cabin. We were able to get the first cabin midship in a jutted-out area (Spirit Class design) so this meant only one balcony neighbor. Also on the deck plans there was a white space across from our room. It turned out to be just a wall. We were also on a corner and had very little foot traffic. It was a PERFECT location, nice and quiet.

One other thing that I make sure of when selecting a cabin is to make sure it is between 2 doubles. This is no guarantee for quiet neighbors but it also means that there will not be 4 or 5 in a cabin either. We also make sure we are not in a connecting room. This was another great tip from our PVP.

For our upcoming cruise, we received past guest upgrades to a Lido deck balcony from a lower deck balcony. We did make sure it is in an area where there are cabins above and below us and not deck chairs or the pool or stage area. This will be on the CCL Freedom which is a Conquest style ship so we did not have the same cabin option as our first cruise. We will have to wait and see how we like being on the Lido deck.

For a future cruise I would like to try an OV cabin. My fiance loves, loves, loves having a balcony and does spend mornings and evenings out there enjoying the sound of the water but I think I would be just as happy watching it from a window as first thing in the morning and late evening are about the only times we are ever in the cabin anyways. To me, I'd rather save a few $$ but my fiance is really hooked on having a balcony so we will have to see.

:mad:Smokers have special designated areas on the cruise ships to smoke! This is a reason we have hesitated to go on Holland America as we have heard they have smokers in cabins even!

Australia doesn't tolerate smokers inside buildings or restaurants or cafes or movies and theatres and offices, so the cruise ships have to give certain areas to smoke.

We love our balconies on the cruises, but people who smoke and throw their butts over the side are asking for disaster to occur as the wind brings the lighted butt back into a lower deck to start a fire.:eek:

True, we've had a few times with smokers contaminating our air, but we find they aren't there all the time. We just go inside for a few minutes and come back out when they're done smoking. I think consideration goes both ways and since they are within their rights, I'll be considerate of them.

 

We did have one cruise where a smoker below us ruined our ability to leave the cabin door open at night (Italy/Med). The good part of it was, she was out there at 2 am, so she slept in later than us...we had the smoke free balcony for coffee in the morning, wine in the evening, we never noticed her at other times. We've only left our balcony door open on cool weather cruises, when you don't require air conditioning. Leaving the door open w/air on messes with the system.

 

We've had all sorts of cabins, inside, outside w/porthole, outside w/window, balcony and even a few mini suites (nice ;)). After our last little cruise (just a 4 nighter) we had booked an inside cabin to save $, we have decided we'll not do that again. If we can't afford the balcony, we'll just wait until we can. For us it's just more of a cruise experience with a balcony.

:mad:Smokers have special designated areas on the cruise ships to smoke! This is a reason we have hesitated to go on Holland America as we have heard they have smokers in cabins even!

We haven't had too much of a problem except one person smoking a cigar, just makes me want to throw up :mad: My hubby won't go to the casino with me because it is so smoky in there.

We haven't had too much of a problem except one person smoking a cigar, just makes me want to throw up :mad: My hubby won't go to the casino with me because it is so smoky in there.

Have you considered Celebrity?? They dont allow smoking in the casino or out on the balcony, and just as upscale as HAL to me.