What Are The Best Rooms On A Cruise Ship

When it comes to choosing the right stateroom on a cruise ship, it's essential to consider your travel preferences and lifestyle. We're here to provide you with guidance on selecting the ideal accommodations to suit your needs.

Best for solo travelers

Solo cruising can be an incredible experience, yet many cruise lines impose an extra charge known as a "single supplement" on solo travelers. This fee is added to the fare of a single passenger since cruise room pricing typically assumes double occupancy. Unfortunately, this supplement can range from an additional 10% to a staggering 100% of the rate, often rendering solo cruising financially unviable for many travelers.

To make solo cruising more accessible, it's advisable to seek out cruise lines that offer single staterooms. Celebrity, for instance, provides the Edge Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda on ships like Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Ascent, along with the Single Inside Stateroom on Celebrity Silhouette. Other cruise lines, such as Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line, also feature solo and studio cabins that do not incur single supplements. Additionally, keep an eye out for special promotions where cruise lines may temporarily waive the single supplement for regular-size rooms, providing solo travelers with more affordable options.

Best for luxury

If you're seeking a cruise experience with an adult-only atmosphere or a touch of luxury, the most coveted cruise ship accommodations fall into two categories. Firstly, there are suites that offer butler service, ensuring your vacation time is free from tedious tasks. Your personal butler can handle details like securing prime-time dinner reservations at specialty restaurants, arranging shore excursions, assisting with packing and unpacking, and even preparing rose petal bubble baths. Suites of this caliber may also grant exclusive access to private pools, clubs, and lounges, offering a more opulent and serene environment compared to other parts of the ship.

Another increasingly popular category is spa suites. Norwegian Cruise Line offers Haven Spa Suites, Spa Club Balcony Suites, and Spa Balcony accommodations (found on ships like Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Epic). These spa suites offer various amenities, from serene room décor and oversized showers with body spray jets to priority access to the Mandara Spa. Celebrity Cruises features AquaClass staterooms designed with wellness in mind, offering a pillow menu, complimentary fitness pass, discounted spa packages, health-conscious room-service menu choices, access to an exclusive restaurant, a spa concierge, SEA Thermal Suite access, and a yoga mat for onboard use.

Best for disabilities

If you or someone you're traveling with has limited mobility or requires accessible accommodations, major cruise lines offer a range of options across various room types, including inside cabins, ocean views, and balconies. However, it's important to note that the availability of these accessible staterooms can vary depending on the cruise line and the ship's age. To ensure a seamless cruise experience, it's advisable to research and consider these accessible options during your cruise planning phase.

Accessible staterooms are generally more spacious than standard cabins, designed to comfortably accommodate wheelchair or scooter users. They also feature larger bathrooms and may include specific amenities catering to guests with hearing or vision impairments. For example, Holland America Line's fully accessible rooms offer ample turning space, accessibility routes throughout the room, roll-in showers, wheelchair access on both sides of the bed, as well as handlebars and hand-held shower heads, according to Sissel Bergersen, the director of rooms division at Holland America Line. Before finalizing your booking, we recommend reaching out to the cruise line and outlining your specific needs, allowing them to guide you toward the most suitable cabin.

Best for staying on budget

Consider an interior cabin as a practical choice that not only saves you money, but also offers unique advantages. While it lacks external windows or portholes, this budget-friendly cabin type frees up funds for other cruise experiences like excursions, drink packages, or souvenirs. Additionally, the absence of natural light can provide an ideal environment for midday naps or extended sleep.

Moreover, opting for an interior cabin may encourage you to explore the ship, interact with fellow travelers, and participate in various onboard activities. With fewer reasons to linger in a windowless space beyond rest and refreshment, you'll have more opportunities to fully enjoy your cruise experience. These affordable interior cabins align with your budget-conscious approach to cruising.

Best for families with kids

Many cruise lines provide family-friendly options, including cabins tailored to accommodate kids. These cabins offer a combination of in-room amenities and proximity to various child-friendly areas on the ship. For instance, on Disney's ships, all cabins feature two bathrooms, with one equipped with a sink and toilet, while the other includes a shower/tub combination (with a few exceptions where the tub may not be present). This arrangement is ideal for families needing to bathe little ones while ensuring other family members can freshen up simultaneously.

Another excellent choice is the Family Harbor cabins available on Carnival's Vista-class ships (Vista, Horizon, Panorama) and Excel-class ships (Mardi Gras, Celebration). Similar to Disney cabins, these accommodations offer two bathrooms – one complete with a shower, sink, and toilet, and the other featuring a sink and shower/tub combination. These options are designed to enhance your family's cruise experience by providing convenience and space for all.

Best for space

When it comes to selecting cruise ship cabins, it's worth considering forward-facing options. While these cabins typically lack balconies, they often offer more interior space compared to similarly priced mid-ship cabins. This extra space is a result of creative design adaptations necessary to accommodate the unique slanted structure at the front of the ship.

However, it's essential to keep in mind that forward-facing cabins may experience more pronounced movement due to their location. Therefore, if you're susceptible to motion sickness, it's advisable to opt for a different cabin location to ensure a more comfortable cruise experience.

Best for peace & quiet

For light sleepers, selecting the ideal cruise ship stateroom involves some thoughtful investigation, but it's a worthwhile effort when it's time to rest. To ensure a peaceful night's sleep, you'll want your cabin away from elevator banks and crew entrances, while being surrounded by fellow passengers who share your goal of restful sleep. Avoid cabins positioned above the ship's primary theater, beneath restaurants where chair movements might disturb you, or adjacent to lounges with late-night music.

Additionally, steer clear of lower decks positioned too far aft or forward, as these areas can be situated above noisy engine or anchor zones. Choosing the perfect cabin for your romantic cruise may seem a bit like Goldilocks seeking the right fit, but the tranquility you'll enjoy will be well worth the effort.

Best for great views

While upper decks offer panoramic views, nothing quite matches the luxury of savoring your cruise's surroundings from your personal balcony, also known as veranda cabins. Balconies provide an ideal setting to relish a morning coffee or savor a glass of champagne against a stunning sunset backdrop, all while feeling like you have the entire sea to yourself.

For an even more special experience, consider choosing rooms located at the rear of the ship. Here, you'll be treated to a mesmerizing wake trailing behind, offering the perfect photo opportunity to mark your voyage's progress. Balconies offer the added perk of access to fresh ocean air whenever you desire, creating a soothing ambiance as you listen to the ocean's gentle sounds right from your stateroom. Moreover, having a balcony enhances your chances of spotting captivating wildlife during your cruise, making it an excellent choice for an immersive cruise experience.

Best for avoiding seasickness 

Choosing cruise accommodations, also referred to as staterooms or cabins, is a critical decision that transforms your cruise into a comfortable home at sea. This choice is far from one-size-fits-all, with numerous considerations tailored to your needs and those of your fellow travelers.

Factors like room size, location, and view are pivotal. Ask yourself how many individuals will occupy the room and whether it will serve as a gathering space or primarily for rest. Consider proximity to ship amenities, such as elevators for convenience or a quieter location down the hallway.

Cruise lines recognize the importance of diversity, offering up to 28 different room types on a single ship to cater to every guest. As seasoned cruisers already know, there are various cruise tips and hidden features to uncover. Now, let's focus on finding the ideal stateroom to match your specific preferences and elevate your cruise experience, whether it's a balcony for Caribbean vistas or a suite for added luxury.

Conclusion

Choosing the best room on a cruise ship depends on your preferences and priorities, whether it's the luxury of a suite with butler service, the tranquility of a spa suite, the affordability and convenience of an interior cabin, or the accessibility features for travelers with specific needs. Fortunately, the variety of accommodations offered by cruise lines ensures there's a perfect room for every traveler. When planning your next cruise adventure, remember that Cruisebound is your ultimate online platform for booking cruises and discovering the finest cruise deals. We're here to help you find the ideal cabin to make your cruise experience truly memorable, tailored to your desires and budget.