Travel Guides Cruises
Nicole Cord-Cruz
Choosing cabins on a cruise is much more complicated than you might think. Unlike hotels, where you simply have to select rooms depending on the amenities you want and your allocated budget, picking cruise cabins involves a host of other factors, including size, access to windows, distance to the pool deck and other public spaces, and, of course, the price. If you’re prone to motion sickness, you also have to choose a cabin that is least susceptible to movement.
More often than not, most cruise ships offer four different types of rooms: Inside or interior cabins, which are the smallest option (and cheapest) and have no access to a view, outside cabins, which are slightly larger and have either a window or a porthole, and balcony rooms, which usually have private verandas and ensuite bathrooms. Suites are the most expensive of the bunch, but it’s only because they boast separate sleeping and living areas, multiple bathrooms, and bigger square footage. Guests in suites also enjoy a bunch of perks, including priority boarding, special room service, show and dinner reservations, and sometimes even access to a personal butler.
Now, you might be thinking: “I should book a suite to get all the sweet benefits and a peaceful time on deck!” You’ll definitely enjoy all the freebies, but some quiet time? Not so much. If you’re sensitive to noise and want a room away from all the hustle and bustle, avoid booking any cabins near areas with the most foot traffic.
Steer clear of cabins near communal spaces, elevators, and stairs
Jeff Whyte/Shutterstock
If you want a peaceful voyage, at least when you’re in your cabin, you should avoid selecting rooms near areas that are frequented by other guests. This means that any stateroom that is near the pool decks, casinos, dining rooms, bars, nightclubs, launderettes, and the like, must be avoided at all costs. Don’t book rooms above and below these places either unless you want your sleep to be disrupted by feet stomping, bass-thumping music, or loud chatter.
Likewise, if your cabin is near elevator banks and stairwells, be warned that guests often loiter around these areas and will definitely make noise while they wait. Unless you’re traveling with your family and want adjoining rooms for closer proximity, you should also avoid booking connecting cabins as the extra doors make them less soundproof. And besides, it’s not like you’ll be snooping into the business of your neighbor anyway, nor would you want them to do the same thing to you.
Simply put, if you want to protect your privacy, don’t book connecting staterooms. So, how do you steer clear of these cabins, you ask? Deck plans! Before you take the plunge and commit to a cabin, it’s worth reviewing your cruise ship’s deck plans to figure out what’s situated near which cabins. This will allow you to call dibs on the rooms that will hopefully have the least potential disturbances and guarantee a tranquil time throughout the cruise.
Choose cabins sandwiched between other rooms instead
Grisha Bruev/Shutterstock
For a more peaceful snooze, and a more serene time on deck in general, your best bet is to stay in rooms that are situated between other cabins. The most peaceful staterooms tend to be those that also have rooms beside, below, and above them. These other rooms will absorb the noises coming from public areas, so you’ll hear less ambient sounds when you’re inside your cabin.
While it’s not always guaranteed, cabins by the rear or aft of the cruise ship are also less susceptible to noise, as they’re further away from where all the action is typically located. The downside is that you will have to walk for longer to get to the entertainment centers, but if distance is not a problem, the back of the ship generally allows for a more peaceful environment.
Just avoid cabins near the lowest levels, unless you’re comfortable with dealing with engine-related noises. To secure the best rooms on a cruise ship, it’s always best to book early. Not only will you get to take advantage of whatever early-bird specials the cruise line is offering, but you’ll also enjoy a broader range of cabin selections and can secure the quietest rooms ahead of everyone else.
