Six Easy Mistakes To Avoid When Booking Your Cruise Ship Cabin

• Know your cabin types & grades: Inside, outside, balcony, and suite cabins offer varying space, views, and amenities; choose based on comfort, budget, and time spent onboard.

• Consider location carefully: Midship cabins minimise motion, lower decks reduce sway, and proximity to lifts, dining, or entertainment affects convenience and noise.

• Check cabin features & extras: Balcony vs. cabin space, bath vs. shower, solo/family cabins, obstructed views, and additional perks can make a big difference to your experience.

Our Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Cruise Cabin

We may be slightly biased, but there's nothing more exciting than finally deciding on a cruise and then settling down to pick the perfect cruise ship cabin to stay in.

Choosing a grade, dissecting the deck plans, and checking where the closest venues to you are is bliss. Apparently, though (or so we’ve heard), some people don’t really like the experience of choosing their cruise ship cabin.

Many may find it a chore, some find it challenging, and others just think it’s overly complicated. To make things easier, we've simplified things for you and made booking your cruise ship cabin a very simple decision with this ultimate guide!

Cutting Through The Jargon

The first thing you’ll need to do is decipher some of the jargon surrounding cruise ship cabins. A cruise ship is, in reality, no different to a hotel room (with the obvious exception that your view changes every day), but the cruise lines will insist on referring to them by different names.

You may think of it as nothing more than somewhere to rest your head for the night, but cruise lines may use terms like cabin, stateroom or other such things along a nautical theme.

Some people assume that all cruise ships have high-end suites available to book, known as suites. However, if you’re looking for a cabin at that level, this will usually come at a price, or opt for a luxury ship where most of the cabins onboard are suites.

Cabin Grades

Once you’ve figured out what to call your cabin, you’ll need to decide which grade to book. Luckily, there are only really four basic grades that you need to worry about…

Inside

An inside cabin will be just as it sounds, a cabin on the inside of the ship, and the cheapest cabin you can book!

It saves you a lot of money but does mean you'll be without a view or even a window; perfect for those that just want to get changed and sleep in their rooms, but if you’re planning on spending a lot of time in there, you may want to consider booking something else.

Outside

An outside cabin will be almost exactly the same as an inside cabin in terms of size and layout, but, unlike the inside cabin, it sits on the outside of the ship, which means you can have a window, a view and some natural daylight.

These kinds of cabins are a nice step between inside and balcony cabins for those that don’t like the sound of the inside but don't fancy stretching to a balcony cabin either.

Balcony

This will appear almost exactly like an outside cabin, perhaps a little larger, but the big difference will be that you’ll have a French window leading out onto your own private balcony!

Suites

Cruise ship suites come in all shapes and sizes, with the basic type (normally known as junior suites) just being larger balcony cabins with more floor space. Some of the biggest suites can have rooms spread over two stories, private gardens, private bars and your own Jacuzzi out on your balcony!

Location, Location, Location

Perhaps just as important as picking the type of cabin you book is choosing where your cabin is located! You'll need to take a lot of things into consideration here, especially if you suffer from sea sickness or are a light sleeper. Although, these things don't usually matter on the mega-ships...

Front of the ship

As this is where the ship cuts through the waves, the front will experience the most movement, meaning if you're prone to sea sickness, you may feel a little green!

It’s worth remembering, though, that this is normally only an issue in waters that are choppy; in places like the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, you’ll experience a lot less movement (which means no sea sickness!)

Aft of the ship

The back of the ship tends to be considered the next best cabin position after midships. Whilst the front of the ship gets the most movement, the back also does get some. Whilst it’s nowhere near as bad as the front of the ship, you may still notice some movement in rough seas.

Midship

If you imagine your cruise ship as a see-saw, then as it moves up and down, the middle stays in the same position, right?

As it moves through the waves, moving up and down, the middle of the ship will remain the most stationary, so this is a great one to feel less movement!

Top Decks

There’s an old adage in cruising: “the more you pay, the more you sway”. This rather charming idiom came about from the cruise lines charging the most money for balcony cabins at the top of the ship.

These cabins will obviously command a better view than those towards the bottom of the ship, but due to the nature of a cruise ship, you may notice a little more swaying than you would on the lower decks of the ship (towards its centre of gravity).

Bottom Decks

As we have mentioned, the lower decks may not command as much of a view, but don’t forget, you can always walk up to the top deck to enjoy it. What you’ll find in picking a cabin lower down is that you’ll save quite a bit of money, and if you’re sensitive to the motion of a ship, you'll notice it a lot less.

Walking Distances

Some modern ships are big, and even if you’re not looking to book a cruise on one of these, it’s probably still worth considering the position of your cabin when looking at the deck plans.

How far are you from the lifts? Or the main dining room? Will you have a massive walk coming back from the bar of an evening?

It’s more of an issue for those who struggle to walk long distances, but still worth considering for everyone else nonetheless.

Noise Considerations

Just as you may want to consider the position of the lifts when you think about your walking distance to them, you may also want to think about noise levels.

Will people queuing up outside them disturb you in the morning if you’re sleeping late? If you’ve gone to bed early, will people coming back after dinner wake you? If it’s the case that you’re a particularly light sleeper, then you may want to pick a cabin away from the lifts.

It’s not just the lifts you need to think about when it comes to noise considerations, though. Is your cabin the next deck up from the theatre? It won’t be an issue during the day, but the last thing you want if you fancy an early night is to be able to hear the theatre underneath you.

Does Size Matter?

How much does size matter to you? Whilst we’ve already said inside and outside cabins tend to be the same size (just with the addition/loss of a window), the size of balconies and suites can vary wildly.

The thing is, though, how much size do you need? Now the answer to that may be a lot, in which case by all means book the biggest suite you can afford.

It’s worth remembering that until you get up to the top, with the levels of suites, all you’re really paying for is extra floor space. But there are still some important points to cover.

Bath vs Shower

To save space, some balcony cabins will come equipped with a shower only, whilst others will have a full bath. That may not be a deal-breaker for most, but if a bath is important to yo,u then make sure you check the deck plans carefully. The cabins that have a bath and shower will be marked.

Balcony vs Cabin Space

Whilst we’re on the subject of floor space, it’s probably worth mentioning the age-old debate between balcony size and cabin space.

If you just glance at a deck plan, it may look as though all the balconies are the same size, but when you trawl through the fine print, you’ll notice some balconies are bigger, with the trade-off being a smaller cabin or vice versa.

Often, you won’t even realise this until you arrive. If you call and speak to a cruise specialist, they’ll always be able to check the exact balcony size for you. What you need to decide beforehand is what you’re looking for from your balcony.

Are you just looking to take in the view and maybe enjoy a morning coffee (in which case a slightly smaller balcony and the larger cabin will probably suit you best), or will you be looking to sunbathe out there (meaning you’ll need a larger balcony for the sun lounger but will probably sacrifice a bit of cabin space)?

Make sure you consider all these things and have a think about what you want before letting your cruise consultant find you the perfect cabin!

Well, That's a Bit Different!

Whilst we’ve covered the basics, there’s still a bit more to divulge.

Cruise ships aren’t just big floating hotels, despite the stigma they are often stuck with. Whereas the rooms in hotels are laid out in the exact same size, for cruise ship cabins, there’s space around the engines, the restaurants, the bars and theatre, the bridge and much more.

This means that on any given cruise ship, if you’re one of the people in the know (or you know someone who is), you can find some very quirky-shaped or designed cabins. Sometimes the cruise lines will advertise this fact, but sometimes they won’t.

Promenade Cabins

Believe it or not, it’s possible to get an inside cabin with a view! If you book a cruise on one of Royal Caribbean’s larger ships (Voyager class or above), the ships will have what’s known as the Royal Promenade.

This is a giant walkway in the centre of the ship, three or four storeys high. On the bottom level (the promenade) you’ll find shops, restaurants, bars and the occasional parade as well as live music and other entertainment.

This is where it gets good: on the higher levels, instead of just having blank walls (backing onto inside cabins), Royal Caribbean has added windows to all the cabins so you can overlook the promenade and people-watch to your heart's content.

Solo Cabins

There has been a huge rise in the demand for solo cabins, but some cruise lines have been slow to catch up with this.

Fortunately, this situation is changing now, and most new cruise ships come equipped with a small number of cabins specially designed for people travelling on their own. But be warned, they tend to sell out quickly.

Family Cabins

Many cruise ship cabins will sleep a maximum of four people. This means if you’re travelling with three or more children, you’re going to have a problem.

There are some cabins that sleep five or six (in fact, there are some suites that can sleep eight-ten people), but these tend to sell out early, especially during the summer holidays with families looking for a holiday.

If you don't manage to book one of these, then two adjoining cabins are an alternative option, and we don't just mean booking two cabins next to each other. The adjoining cabins will have an interconnecting door for just this purpose (but don't worry, it’s locked from both sides if you’re not travelling with the person in the next cabin).

Obstructed Views

The thought of booking a cabin with an obstructed view can be quite pointless to some, but by law, all cruise ships have to carry lifeboats, and these boats need to be stored somewhere.

Often, you’ll find them just outside the lower outside or balcony view cabins. You still get all the natural daylight (and in the case of a balcony, more room), but you lose out a little on the view.

For obvious reasons, the cruise lines sell these cabins at reduced costs, but if all you’re looking for is a cheap cabin with some natural daylight to alleviate the feeling of claustrophobia an inside cabin may elicit, then it might be a good choice for you.

Is That Everything?

The last thing to consider is what extras you’ll get with your cabin. As the cruise lines can’t really increase the size of most balcony cabins, rather than sell them all at the same price, they may classify some as a higher grade and just include extra ‘perks’ with them.

These ‘perks’ can range from exclusive access to restaurants or spas to your own private concierge or butler.

Frequently Asked Questions: Booking a Cruise Ship Cabin

What are the main types of cruise ship cabins?

Inside (no window), outside (window view), balcony (private balcony), and suites (larger space, extra amenities).

Where is the best cabin location to avoid seasickness?

Midship cabins on lower decks experience the least motion and are best for sensitive passengers.

Are top-deck cabins more expensive?

Yes, they often have better views and balconies, but they may experience more sway.

Should I be concerned about noise when choosing a cabin?

Yes, avoid cabins near lifts, theatres, or bars if you’re a light sleeper.

Do balconies vary in size?

Yes, some cabins have larger balconies at the cost of smaller interior space, so consider your priorities.

What are solo cabins?

Solo cabins are designed for single travellers, typically smaller and increasingly available on newer ships.

Can families stay together in one cabin?

Many cabins sleep up to four; larger families may need suites or interconnecting cabins.

What are obstructed-view cabins?

Cabins where lifeboats or structures partially block the view; they’re cheaper but still allow natural light.

Should I check for bath vs. shower?

Yes, some cabins only have showers; if a bathtub is important, verify before booking.

Do some cabins include perks or extras?

Yes, higher-grade cabins may include exclusive restaurant access, concierge services, or spa privileges.