How to choose the right cruise cabin

Choosing a cruise is only part of the decision. Once you've found the right ship and itinerary, there's another question to answer. Which cabin should you book?

Inside, outside, balcony and suite cabins can offer very different experiences, and even two cabins in the same category can vary depending on where they are positioned on the ship.

The most expensive cabin isn't automatically the right one either. How much time you'll spend in it, where you're sailing and what matters most to you should all influence your choice.

Here's what we'd consider before booking.

New to cruising? Our guide to planning your first cruise covers everything from choosing the right cruise line and itinerary to what you can expect on board.

Inside cabins, great value if you won't spend much time there

An inside cabin doesn't have a window or balcony, but that doesn't necessarily make it a poor choice.

If you plan to spend most of your time exploring the ship, relaxing on deck or heading ashore, paying extra for a view you rarely use might not make sense.

Inside cabins can also be a clever way of making your budget stretch further. The saving could potentially pay for a drinks package, excursions, speciality dining or even allow you to choose a better itinerary.

An inside cabin could suit you if:

• Value is one of your priorities
• You mainly use your cabin for sleeping and getting ready
• You prefer spending your time elsewhere on the ship
• You'd rather put more of your budget towards experiences

One thing to consider is the lack of natural daylight. Some people barely notice it. Others discover very quickly that they miss having a window.

Outside cabins, natural light without the balcony price

Often called oceanview cabins, outside cabins give you a window or porthole but no private outdoor space.

They can offer a useful middle ground between an inside cabin and a balcony.

You get natural daylight and can see what's happening outside, while potentially paying considerably less than you would for a balcony.

Just check exactly what you're booking. Depending on the ship, windows can vary in size and some views may be partially or fully obstructed.

An outside cabin could suit you if:

• You want natural daylight
• You like being able to see outside
• A private balcony isn't important
• You want to keep the cost below a balcony cabin

Balcony cabins, your own little piece of the ship

For many cruisers, once they've experienced a balcony, it's difficult to go back.

Being able to step outside first thing in the morning, watch the ship arrive into port or sit outside with a drink can add something special to a cruise.

They're particularly appealing on scenic itineraries where the journey itself is part of the experience.

But balconies come at a premium, and they're not equally valuable on every sailing. If you have a port-intensive itinerary and expect to spend very little time in your cabin, you may decide your money is better spent elsewhere.

A balcony cabin could suit you if:

• You enjoy having your own outdoor space
• You'll spend time relaxing in your cabin
• You're taking a scenic itinerary
• The view is an important part of the experience

Suites, more than simply a bigger cabin

A suite can mean much more than additional floor space.

Depending on the cruise line and ship, booking a suite might include priority embarkation, dedicated restaurants, concierge services, larger balconies, premium drinks, exclusive lounges or access to private areas of the ship.

Some cruise lines take this much further, creating a luxury experience within the wider ship. That's why it's important to look beyond the square footage and understand what the suite actually includes.

Sometimes the additional benefits make the upgrade surprisingly attractive. On other sailings, you might decide you'd rather spend the difference elsewhere.

Location matters more than you might think

Once you've decided on a cabin type, don't automatically accept any available cabin number.

Where your cabin is located can be just as important as the category you've chosen.

A cabin directly underneath the pool deck, gym or late-night entertainment venue could be very different from an identical cabin surrounded by other accommodation.

Likewise, being close to a lift can be extremely convenient, particularly on a large ship, but you may also see more passing foot traffic.

Before choosing a cabin, check what is:

• Above you
• Below you
• On either side
• Opposite your cabin
• Nearby on the deck plan

We particularly like cabins with other cabins above and below when a quieter location is a priority.

What if you're worried about seasickness?

Cabin position can matter if you're sensitive to movement.

As a general rule, you'll tend to feel less movement lower down and closer to the middle of the ship than you would high up or towards the very front or back.

That doesn't guarantee you won't feel movement, of course. Sea conditions, the size and design of the ship, and your own sensitivity all play a part.

But if seasickness is something you're concerned about, cabin location is worth considering rather than simply choosing by price.

Forward, midship or aft?

Each part of a ship has its advantages.

Forward

Forward cabins can put you closer to certain venues and may offer some impressive views, particularly from specialist cabin categories. You may, however, notice more movement in rougher conditions.

Midship

Midship is popular because it's convenient for getting around and can experience less noticeable movement.

On very large ships, being relatively central can also save you a surprising amount of walking.

Aft

Some cruisers specifically seek out aft-facing cabins because of their views over the ship's wake. Certain ships also have particularly desirable aft balconies.

However, layouts and experiences vary enormously from ship to ship, so this is another area where checking the deck plan matters.

Think about the itinerary too

The right cabin for a Mediterranean cruise might not be the cabin we'd choose for Alaska, the Norwegian fjords or a transatlantic crossing.

On a scenic itinerary, having your own balcony could be a much bigger part of the experience.

For a busy Mediterranean sailing with a different port almost every day, you may hardly use it. And on some itineraries, people become very focused on whether they should book the port or starboard side of the ship. There isn't always a simple answer because ships can dock in different directions and itineraries can change.

Choose based on the overall experience rather than assuming one side will always have the best view.

Guarantee cabin or choose your own?

You may sometimes see a cheaper fare where the cruise line allocates your cabin later. These guarantee cabins can offer good value, but you usually have less control over exactly where you'll be located.

That can work perfectly well if you're flexible.

If you know you'd be unhappy underneath a busy deck, close to a particular venue or in an obstructed-view cabin, we'd be more cautious about giving up control simply to save a relatively small amount.

So, which cruise cabin should you choose?

There's no single "best" cabin.

If keeping the price down matters most, an inside cabin can offer excellent value.

If you want daylight without paying for outdoor space, consider an outside or oceanview cabin.

If having your own space to sit outside is part of how you picture your cruise, a balcony could be worth paying for.

And if you're looking for additional space, service and benefits, explore exactly what a suite includes before deciding whether the upgrade is worthwhile.

Most importantly, don't look at the cabin in isolation. Consider the ship, itinerary, deck location and how you actually like to holiday.

Explore our cruise holidays to discover the different ways you can take to the water, from ocean and river cruising to expedition and luxury sailings.

Let us help you choose

With hundreds of cabins across multiple decks, choosing the right one can quickly become confusing.

That's where we can help.

Tell us what matters to you and we'll look at the whole picture, from cruise line and itinerary to cabin category and location, helping you find a cruise that fits how you want to travel.

Travel, Personally Planned.