His and Her Hobbies: C is for Cabin

Monday, April 4, 2016

C is for Cabin

It's April so we are joining thousands of other bloggers and are participating in the A-Z challenge. For the A-Z challenge this year our theme is "the A-Z of cruising" where we will provide some hints and knowledge about cruising on the open ocean. If you missed any of our previous posts check out the links at the end of the post.

C is for Cabin: Today we talk about one of the most important decisions you can make on your cruise vacation, your cabin. This will be your home for the duration of the cruise and they vary in size and price. Below is a quick guide.

Interior: Interior cabins are usually the cheapest rooms on the ship. They do not have a port hole or window, but some ships offer a virtual porthole. They are usually the smallest cabins on the ship but on many ships are the same size as an oceanview cabin. Many people don't spend a lot of time in their cabin and find this an attractive option to stretch their vacation dollar. We have chosen interior cabins on all 3 of our cruises and have enjoyed them.

Oceanview: Oceanview cabins are usually the same size and layout as an interior room but have a port hole or window. These cabins are more expensive than interior but less than a balcony or suite.

Balcony: Balcony cabins are sometimes a little bigger than an interior or oceanview but offer a balcony as well making the overall space significantly larger. Some ships's balconies are fairly private where as others make you feel very close to your neighbours.

Suites: These are the largest and most expensive cabins on the ship. There are usually mini suites which are about twice the size of the other cabins and full suites that are larger still. Suites come with perks and offer privacy but come at a hefty premium.

When booking your cabin type keep in mind there are varying prices based on the deck it is located on. Generally the higher the deck, the higher the cost. Most people choose to select their own cabin when booking although you can choose to let the cruise line pick the cabin for you in what they call a "cabin guarantee" In exchange for letting them pick the cabin (and potentially getting the room underneath the night club) you can get upgraded to a better category. Take some time to ensure you aren't going to be underneath or directly above the nightclubs or bars unless you are a nightowl. You can look at the deck plans to see what is above and below your potential vacation home. There are usually 3 decks of nothing but cabins and I like to get a cabin in that middle floor. It costs a little more but its worth it to get a good night's sleep.

Which cabin is best for you is a personal decision but hopefully this guide helps out a bit. If you have questions ask someone who has cruised before or leave a comment. Which cabin category would you purchase if booking a cruise?