White spaces on a deck plan are crew-only areas such as laundry rooms, housekeeping areas and service elevators. April 17, 2005. On cruise ships, decks are numbered from bottom to top, starting from Deck 1 and going up at high as 20 or more. We are currently booked on Level 9 on Allure in a Boardwalk Balcony? You may think of it as nothing more than somewhere to rest your head of a night but theyll use terms like cabin, stateroom or other such things along a nautical theme. Generally, standard inside and outside cabins will be your cheapest bets, with balcony cabins costing a bit more and suites and anything higher being the most expensive. These magnificent duplex Edge Villas come with their own private plunge pool and floor-to-ceiling glass. Before we start, its important to understand how the decks are numbered on a cruise ship. Anyone with children in tow can understand how frustrating it can be to get settled in your poolside deck chair and suddenly remember youve forgotten somethingthe sunblock, for example. The studio cabins on select Norwegian ships are the most famous example of this: The 100-square-foot staterooms each contain a full-size bed, nifty lighting effects and a large round window that looks out into the corridor. With so many options, it can be difficult to choose which is best for you. It's hard to beat a direct sea view (or port view in some cases), and equally wonderful to leave a ship's public areas and soak up the sun, views, or breezes from the comfort of your own cabin. Adjust your rooms lighting or temperature with the touch of a button or your Celebrity mobile app. For most people its a mid-level deck, usually decks 6 to 8. Choosing the best cabin on a cruise ship is definitely a matter of personal choice, with cost and location being the primary factors in making a decision. I wouldnt recommend booking a stateroom on the lowest decks if you like a good sleep but the slightest noises can disturb you. Started August 27, 2021, By Do you get a personal butler, or are there freebies that you can avail of? Share More sharing options. Standard balconies are separated by dividers. There are cabins at certain decks that provide obstructed views of the scenery. Caribe Deck balconies appear to be the same size as balconies on other decks. On a chilly-weather cruise to places like Alaska or the Norwegian Arctic, you might not be spending too much time outside. . For the first time cruisers, deciding the right cruise ship rooms is often not easy. Do you like how the arrangement of the pieces of furniture inside your cabin? However, you have one advantage: within minutes, you can avail yourself of most of the cruise ships amenities. If views are important to you, then selecting an upper deck will give you better views of your journey as well as potential sightseeing opportunities from above. Congress, Who doesn't love LEGO? Most cruise lines allow you to select your stateroom at the time of booking, but if youve never cruised before, where do you start? If you need a cheap room just to get changed in between activities, or you want to minimise any sickness feelings, its worth considering. Or do you think youll split your time between the sun deck and the entertainment spaces on the lower decks? So for many, the best deck on a cruise ship is at the midship and lower deck areas. Go for your morning jog while breathing in the sea air and taking in the views. 8 Things You'll Love About Celebrity Edge, 5 Things You'll Love About Holland America's Nieuw Statendam Cruise Ship, 16 Pictures of Our Favourite Cruise Balcony Views, Virtual Cabin Crawl: Symphony of the Seas Cruise Ship, How To Choose a Cruise Ship Cabin: What You Need to Know (Photo: Cruise Critic), Tides Pool on Carnival Horizon (Photo: Cruise Critic), Sky Suite living room area on Sky Princess (Image: Princess Cruises), Couple enjoying a meal in their stateroom balcony (Photo: Celebrity Cruises), The Verandah Cabin on Nieuw Amsterdam (Photo: Cruise Critic). I think the closer to aft you can get the better for these cabins. I personally will not be staying any deck one below the pool on any ship going forward. A concierge cabin comes with -- you guessed it -- easy access to a cruise concierge. I will answer this question to help you out. The lowest level available to guests is Deck 4. The best deck for you on a cruise ship would depend primarily on your needs. However, the cruise line selects the actual cabin for you. Among the changes were also upgraded bathrooms , new carpeting, new drapes, new bed linens. Lower decks might also have more room in the hallways, which eases passage for those using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. In that case, opt for a stateroom near the elevators, high up. Cruising is a popular vacation choice for many people. Search the cruise ships deck plans for the best decks on cruise ships, type and size. Those can include everything from priority boarding to in-cabin bars. It will likely be one of the cheapest locations on a ship, and it tends to be less busy when you want to catch the elevators to other decks. While the gangway on a ship isnt always in the same place because of tidal ranges and the different docking facilities in each port, you can pretty well guarantee that its going to be low down. Balconies also provide sitting area with chair and coffee table and private bath with shower, as well as closet/wardrobe, electronic safe box, mini bar, television and phone, sofa, bathrobes, hairdryer. You might think that pool decks on cruise ships are pretty quiet at night and into the morning, so staying in a cabin just below one is no big deal. On the Sun would upper deck be preferable to Empress, I know that Empress is one deck higher but appears to be beneath the resteraunts etc on the next floor up.Would upper be quieter or is the noise from above not a problem. It could be a handful of cabins, or it may be that the lowest accessible deck is where the medical facilities are located, and cabins may start on the floor above. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer incredible sea views. However, aft cabin balconies are almost always stepped out, allowing passengers in cabins above yours as well as higher deck public space to see down onto your balcony. Pool decks sometimes can be the scene of late-night revelry that's loud enough to carry down to the deck below. Decks above the ship's primary deck (#1) can be numbered as #A2 (A for Above), while those below are #2, #3, etc. Are there certain amenities you are willing to splurge on, or can you simply not justify paying for unnecessary perks? The next thing you do is to choose the cruise ship cabins. The secret porthole cabins are those sold as inside cabins that actually have windows with blocked views and the partially or fully-obstructed cabins are sold as outsides but often at the price of an inside. Alternatively, savvy parents may choose a veranda stateroom for themselves and an interior across the corridor for their kids. Most mega-ships place their lido (pool) areas on higher decks. Be an awful thing to not have cabin till just before your trip and to end up under the water wouldnt like that!!! When compared to a building, decks are the stories. Answer (1 of 29): The lower and more central you are in a ship, the less roll and sway you will feel. On my next cruise, I have a cabin on deck 1. Typically, there are 12 to 16 decks on a cruise ship. I particularly like being higher up since when we're docked it gives you a much better view of the scenery. They generally feature large balconies and extra amenities and perks. On the flip side, you might get the worst cabin in the category you chose -- the one that's slightly smaller, has an obstructed view or is in a noisy corner of the ship. Related: .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}How to Choose a Cruise Ship Cabin. Plus, its always easier to hurl overboard in case you cant keep it down. A cruise with butler service can make you feel truly spoiled. In other words, a suite can be considered the best cabin on any cruise ship. These are accessible staterooms, adapted for wheelchair users. Choose adjacent staterooms with a door between them and youve created a single family space that still allows some privacy. The highest passenger deck is Deck 15. If these decks are already occupied, then choose a deck that is closer to the center and nearer to the lowest decks. Have breakfast in one of the ships main dining rooms, which are always located on a lower deck. If youre cruising to somewhere with stunning scenery, then its wise to go for a balcony stateroom on a higher deck. They can be a good deal. Theyre clearly marked on the deck plans. The new Xcelerate Internet service allows fast streaming of music and HD movies , uploading multiple pictures , video chatting . Paying customers make up approximately two thirds of all passengers on a cruise ship. I don't like middle decks since it's a caos to get in an empty elevator. The best lines with family cabins are Carnival, Disney, Celebrity, Princess, and NCL. They arent very desirable while the quality is OK, they dont tend to be spacious and they obviously dont get much sunlight. Very few ships actually have cabins dedicated to solo travellers. From this spot, you can easily access restaurants, bars, pools, spas, theaters, lounges, and other onboard amenities. But certain room categories come with added perks. Related: .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}Avoiding Seasickness on a Cruise. Forward suites provide the same view as from the Navigation Bridge . Conversely, is your idea of a stateroom simply a place to flop into bed after midnight -- no fancy extras necessary? Amenities that complement particular decks and room types may ensure increased comfort, including fluffy robes, slippers and luxury toiletries. The top deck is where the sun deck, pools, slides, hot tubs, water parks, and other outdoor facilities are generally located. On Celebritys ships, this ultimate luxury vacation experience is called The Retreat. Noise Level: The higher up you go on the ship, the louder it can become due to more foot traffic and activities taking place above deck. The following are the pros and cons of lower decks: Once you have chosen the most appropriate deck for you, you can now choose your cabin. Again, if you are closer to the parts of the ship used by the crew to get around the ship then you may hear a lot of noise, especially early in the morning when they wake up to start their shift. Suites come in all shapes and sizes. Others might argue that the best decks for closer views of the sea and whats going on outside are the lower decks. It was great to have a less expensive balcony and still have fresh air and a view of the ocean. Be sure to join my email list for my best cruise tips and handpicked deals each week. Being on the ship itself is a thrilling get-away. This can be constant, and may disturb you if you are a light sleeper. She lives in London, where she is cruise editor of The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as well as a freelance contributor to magazines and websites worldwide. Its an Ocean View room with a picture window and Im looking forward to seeing it! Sunset Veranda Stateroom on Celebrity Edge. Cabins with lower and more central position are more stable. You can also look to see if theyve taken part in a reputable training program, such as Cruise Lines International Association , and have accreditation. You can certainly mention your needs to your travel agent or cruise line before booking. Actor Tom Sizemore dead at 61 after brain aneurysm: Reports, Remembering Tom Sizemore's career, life in photos. While you can't count on the upgrade fairy to pay you a visit after you've booked that low-tier cabin, you can look out for upgrade deals before you book. Enjoying a luxurious cruise can go hand-in-hand with maintaining your fitness routine, especially on Celebritys ships, all of which have excellent fitness centers and a wide range of classes. If you're staying on an upper deck, you're already near the action. Youll also enjoy access (on certain ships) to The Retreat Sundeck, an outdoor sanctuary of sumptuous deck chairs, a private pool or hot tub, drinks service, and The Retreat Lounge, a serene space exclusive to guests of The Retreat, perfect for unwinding or enjoying a cocktail. Near Activity Decks. Read more: Where Are The Engines Located On A Cruise Ship? Some barely fit two chairs while others come complete with loungers and cocktail tables. If you're unsure, always check deck plans, discuss cabin location with your travel professional, or inquire about rooms on the Cruise Critic forums before booking a cabin. One of the most important decisions youll have to make is which deck on the ship is best for your needs. Plus, there usually arent too many cabins on the lowest deck, which can make it a bit quicker to grab an elevator. Thus, try to stay away from family cabins. [New and Used Jet Ski Prices], Kayaking in Ohio [Best 13 Places to Kayak in Ohio], Sit-In vs Sit-On Kayak [Difference Between Sit-On-Top vs Sit-In Kayaks]. Related: What Not to Do in Your Cruise Room, Unless you enjoy the ocean sloshing against your window, a lower deck won't offer much of a view, if any view at all. One deck higher, Deck 14, has a wonderful running track that looks down on the pool and out to sea.