Understanding room categories

[Tigerlily75]

Is there somewhere that explains room categories? For a balcony guarantee on Carnival, I have been allocated a balcony room categorized as an "8C". But I have no idea what this means as opposed to an "8A" or an "8D" etc.

[cassamanda]

Just go to the carnival Australia site and go to the deck plans or look up some of the online deck plans for your ship using mr google.

Generally speaking category 8 cabins are standard balcony cabins with A,B or C etc designating location with A being the lowest (cheapest) or least favoured, Category 7 are obstructed baconies and category 9 are Premium balconies.

Most A, B or C are on the lower decks with C being in the most favoured midhip location. Etc etc.

[Tigerlily75]

Thank you, I have the deck plans, I just couldn't figure out what makes one better than another when on the plan they look the same! Location makes sense though.

[OzKiwiJJ]

You also have to take into account that what the cruise line classes as a premium category may not be what you think is premium. For example, cruise lines often rank upper decks higher than lower decks. If you have a tendency towards motion sickness then low and midships is the best place for you.:)

[MicCanberra]

Just like on land, it is all about location, location, location.

[GUT2407]

Just like on land, it is all about location, location, location.

 

Yep.

 

But also like on land what I think is the perfect location you a not, the categories are based on what the line (based on passenger demand over time) thinks is the best location.

 

Example

 

Many love an aft facing cabin, no use for us at all. Mrs Gut's head can't handle a cabin tha far back.

[Aussieflyer]

And another thing is that cruise lines have different ways of categorising their cabins - a deluxe balcony on one is the lowest grade balcony but on another is a a step up. Some lines have mini-suites, some have junior. They are all different.

If you ever find a definitive guide do post it as it would be interesting to see. (Maybe that's something I could spend some time researching - though of course would have to try them all out first :D)

[MicCanberra]

Yep.

 

But also like on land what I think is the perfect location you a not, the categories are based on what the line (based on passenger demand over time) thinks is the best location.

Example

 

Many love an aft facing cabin, no use for us at all. Mrs Gut's head can't handle a cabin tha far back.

 

Exactly, demand determines popularity which in turn determines price.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

The different categories can be confusing.

I have generally looked on them as reflecting location, ie centre of the ship, close to stairs and elevator etc. On some lines the higher the category the more "niceties" you receive in the cabin..eg a feather pillow instead of a squashed flat foam one, a silk bedspread instead of a cotton throw over etc etc etc.:D

It may also reflect how often "stewart" services the cabin each day.:rolleyes:

 

 

[LuckiePuris]

As others have said, the categories are all about location. And a way for the cruise line to price their inventory.

 

For example, the lowest category balcony may have an obstruction and may be at the front or back of the ship which do tend to be less favourable locations, and on lower decks.

 

As the categories work their way up, this would be balconies that have no obstructions, a midship location, or a higher deck.

 

The more favourable a cabin, the higher the category.

 

When you get to a cruise line like Celebrity, there are additional categories such as Aqua and Concierge where the balconies are same as the normal balconies, however this category comes with extra services or facilities etc afternoon canapés, exclusive restaurants, spa area passes etc.

[MicCanberra]

As mentioned previously, some people prefer the cheaper cabins as their location has less traffic going past them and some people do not want the addition perks a aqua class or concierge may bring. It is all about choice and the cabins are priced according to how the cruise line sees on demand.