Choosing Your Stateroom

Choosing Your Stateroom
​By Mike Miller

Your choice of stateroom can be an important decision.What type of cabin do you get? Where on the ship do you want to be? My goal today is to help guide you through those questions and provide some advice. Now this will not be extremely in depth to cover every stateroom type since every cruise line has their own variety but I will do my best. 

Stateroom are broken down into 5 different types. Interior, Ocean View, Balcony, Junior Suite and Suite. Within those of course are differnt levels and as I said, can very by cruise line and ship. Lets start to break these down. 

Interior Stateroom
The interior or often referred to as inside staterooms are typiclly the least expensive. These cabins do not have a window so there is no natural light coming in. For the most part, they are the same size as an ocean view but that can depend on the ship.
As I said earlier, within these stateroom types, there are a variety of options depending on the ship. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line has Solo Staterooms on their Breakaway Class ships. They are smaller but are less expensive for the solo traveler. Royal Caribbean have cabins that are interior but they have a view of the promenade. These are usually on the Voyager or Oasis Class Ships.  There are times when you will get lucky and the stateroom is considered interior but only because of a fully obstructed view. In this case, you have the natural light coming in just no view of the ocean. 
Check out my tour of an interior stateroom on the Regal Princess. 

Inside Stateroom on Carnival

Pros

• They are located throughout the ship so you could get a high deck.
• The room gets very dark so great for sleeping.
• Perfect for a budget and the mindset of just getting on the ship.

Cons

• There is no natural light coming in so it can get claustrophobic for some
• They are at times smaller than the ocean view. 

Ocean View Stateroom
For most people this would be the ideal choice if the interior is just not your thing. The ocean views will have a window or port hole and are some times a little bigger than the interior. For the most part, the amenities are the same as an interior but these cabins are often on lower decks. 

You will find variety in these as well. Carnival Elation has staterooms they added in 2017 that have floor to ceiling windows located at the very front of the ship. The Dream and Vista Class ships on Carnival have deluxe ocean view cabins that have the split bathroom, a sink and tub/shower in one and shower and toilet in the other bathroom. These are great for families when its time to get ready for dinner. 

Ocean View Stateroom on Carnival

Pros

• This stateroom has a window allowing natural light and giving you a view of the ocean.
• Sometimes larger than the interior if not in size but in feel

Cons

• Location can be on lower decks so if you want to be higher but want the light, a balcony would be your next option
• ​Price can be higher than interior but not usually by much. 

Balcony Staterooms
Balconies are the most popular stateroom you will find on a cruise ship. All of the new ships are built with the largest percentage of staterooms having a balcony. These staterooms have a door out to a balcony usually with chairs and sometimes a table and maybe even loungers depending on the size. This allows you to get some fresh sea air without having to go out on deck. Another great feature is if you are traveling with friends or family and they are in an adjacent stateroom, the dividers between the balconies can be removed by the cabin steward. They are mostly located on the higher decks and can be in the very back, the side or even on the front. Personally, I want to sail in a balcony stateroom with a view of the back of the ship and the wake. 

The varieties in balconies range quite a bit. There are wrap around balconies and extended balconies on some newer Carnival Ships. The Oasis Class ships on Royal Caribbean have balconies that face interior over either Central Park or the Boardwalk. Carnival and Disney even have Cove Balconies. these are a cutout of the hull of the ship but its still a balcony. Just not as open. Celebrity introduced the infinity balcony on the new Edge. This is a section of the stateroom where the windows open and have the benefits of the balcony. 
Check out my tour of my balcony cabin on the Carnival Glory.

Balcony Stateroom on Carnival

Pros

• You can sit outside on your private balcony enjoying fresh air and even a drink or room service. 
• These cabins tend to be larger than the ocean view or interior. 

Cons

• The price can be higher by a little or a lot depending on how many balconies are on the ship.

Junior Suite
A step up from the Balcony Staterooms are the Junior Suites. These are larger cabins with upgraded features like the bathroom and more storage space. Most will have a fridge and some have a mini bar. These cabins have a balcony, usually larger than the balcony staterooms, have a sitting area and are located in more ideal areas. 

Junior Suite on Princess

Pros

• More space for storage and a sitting area.
• Larger balcony
• Great for families.

Cons

• Will be much more pricey than the other stateroom types we have discussed. 

Suites
These are top of the line for staterooms on really any ship. They can range to just a larger room or have multiple bedrooms The balconies are much larger and everything is upgraded. They come with benefits like on Carnival priority embarkation, robes plus more. 

The cruise lines are really trying to one up each other when it comes to suites. Royal Caribbean has their Royal Loft Suites on the Oasis Class Ships at over 1500 square feet and 2 decks high and offering a balcony over 800 square feet. Princess will introduce the Sky Suite on the new Sky Princess this year. It will be located on the top deck with a wrap around balcony where you can dine and even watch movies under the stars. 

Now these are examples of some of the best suites offered on select ships. Some ships will offer multiple suite types and can be chosen based on your party or family size.

Sky Suite on Sky Princess

Pros

• Options based on family size
• Much more space and great for large groups or families. 

Cons

• Price
• There are not as many so you have to book early in order to reserve a suite. Especially with suites like the Royal Loft

With many ships, there are specialty areas with most of the stateroom categories discussed. The Havana Area on the Carnival Vista Class ships or The Haven on Norwegian or MSC Seaside in the Yacht Club. They will come with areas only those staying in these staterooms have access to and upgraded amenities. Carnival even has an area on several of their ships for the spa enthusiast. These rooms are right next to the spa and provide amenities you would usually need to pay for not being in those cabins. 

So as you can see, staterooms are a pretty big topic and choosing one can be challenging. but follow these four criteria, in no particular order, and it will be easier. 

1. Location. Where do you want to be on the ship?
2. Type. Do you need a view or balcony?
3. Budget. How much do you have to spend on this vacation? 
4. Family Size. How many people are going and what size cabin will be comfortable for you?

Please let me know if you have any questions or need assistance with your next cruise. 

​​For all your cruise needs
Mike Miller - Travel Adviser
​Call or text
(904) 534-4318

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