Top Budget Travel Tips to $Category

Ships built since 1985 have more standard size cabins, making it a little easier to compare. Before 1985, ships had a great variety of cabin sizes. It's not always possible to tell much by just looking at a ship’s deck-plan. You’ll want to know the square footage of the different cabins.

Close Back To Top

Location, view, inside or outside, does it have a porthole, window or veranda. These features will determine the price and can make a huge difference in your cruise. The type and position of the beds can also make a difference. Does the stateroom have bunk beds, two side by side or one big bed ? Can two smaller beds be made into a King ? .

Close Back To Top

It's important to know what is nearby, adjacent to, above or below your cabin.
Remember, though it may be convenient being next to a stairway or elevator, it will also be noisy.
Maids or cabin attendants closets or rooms can also be noisy.
Try to avoid being located directly above or below common areas of the ship. Noise from the galley, dining room, exercise area, walking or jogging track, bars or cocktail lounges will probably keep you from sleeping.
Lower, aft cabins will usually pick up much of the engine noise and vibration.
Cabins forward and aft will be more susceptible to motion than cabins amidships.
Forward cabins will sometimes get an unscheduled wake-up when the anchor is being lowered.
Lower mid-ship cabins offer the smoothest ride, especially for those prone to motion sickness. Cabins with a view are great but watching the movement of the ocean could bother some people. Consider an inside cabin if are prone to seasickness.

Close Back To Top

If you are paying more for it, you'll want to know what exactly is the view you are buying. Not all outside, view cabins are the same. You won't want to pay extra for a view of the lifeboats or pillars. Also looking out on a busy walking or jogging track will be money wasted. Check the deck-plan carefully and evaluate your cabin's location and view. That will help you to decide whether it’s worth the extra money.

Close Back To Top

Only if you'll use it. If you are sailing where the temperatures would encourage use of a veranda, it would be worth it. Consider the size of the veranda. Is it big enough to sunbathe or is it covered and only for viewing ? How private is it ? Depending on the ship's setup, many balconies are not very private and can be looked into from other verandas. The nice, sliding glass doors make your cabin seem more open and less confined, but you might possibly get a bigger stateroom for the same or lower price without the veranda. It's a personal choice that only you can make as to the worth of this very attractive feature.

Close Back To Top