How important is location of a room on a cruise ship?

Question

i'm about to book a caribbean in december on carnival. it will be my honeymoon and i'll be taking my 10 month old infant. i was told the middle is best with a baby as it rocks less. i know i want a balcony but don't know if i care about anything else (first timer). balcony, not picking room is the cheapest. but where will i end up? if i want to pick my room it starts at $250 more and then more money for each deck up. should i save the money or splurge and is it worth it?

Answer 1

It is true that low and middle is where the least amount of movement occurs.  I have been in the middle and the back, and soon the front (I have been on seven cruises and have five more booked), and it is my experience that if the seas are calm, anywhere on the ship is fine, and if the seas are not calm, the entire ship is going to move.  So basically, I don't know that it makes all that much difference (though clearly low and middle will have less movement).  

As for the baby, I have read that children under two years of age don't seem to get sea sick, but I don't know how accurate that is.  Check with your doctor on that.

To save $250 I would go with a guarantee balcony.  It is true, you will end up in a balcony (or better) that no one else wanted.  If movement of the ship was the only issue, I would save the money and go with a guarantee.

However, movement of the ship is not the only issue.  You don't want to end up above or below the disco (unless you intend to be there until it closes, and with a baby on board, I doubt that is your plan).  Being right under the lido deck (the pool deck) can mean you are going to get up early, as the deck hands start to drag the chairs around on the deck, which is your ceiling, early in the morning.

For quiet, the best cabin is one that has other cabins above and below it.

There are other factors too.  For example, I like rear facing balconies.  One, they are usually bigger.  Two, the view of the wake is great.  Here is what I mean ...

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/Z...

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/Z...

For a first timer, I would recommend trying out a balcony guarantee, save the money, and see how you like it, unless one of the above factors is worth $250 to you.  If it does not work out for you, then you can pick your cabin next time.  

Have a great cruise.

Answer 2

Why don't you stop into your local travel agent and speak with an expert. They will not only clearly make you feel better about choice of cabins, but will possibly save you money. Your vacation is as important to them as it is to you.  The best last free service left in this world.

Answer 3

Low and toward the center is where the least motion is and is where the cheapest rooms are. Food is the same, entertainment is the same, ports of call are the same as if you book a suite.

The travel agents that post here will suggest that you splurge on a balcony. But the room is only important if you plan to spend a lot of time in it. Many people do little more than sleep in one. But they are not on their honeymoon (which could mean more rocking!!) or travelling with an infant.

FWIW, if it were my honeymoon, I'd rethink traveling with junior. Surely there is someone that would be willing to keep him for a few days... Then, I'd go for a room that would make the trip memorable for the right reasons. You can cruise again but you guys will only have one honeymoon...

Answer 4

Here are some of my opinions.  

Typically most people do not spend much time in their rooms so they don't need to put a lot of thought into room selection.  However, with a 10 month old you will have naps and feedings and other things that might have you in your room more than most.  Also, most standard cruise rooms only have a shower - not a bathtub.  You usually have to move up to some type of suite for a tub.  Just something to keep in mind.

Inside vs Outside - Inside cabins are pitch black with the lights out even at midday.  Outside cabins you at least get a sense of the time of day.

Balcony vs Non-Balcony - A balcony might be a great idea with the baby - while the baby naps you and hubby can be out on the balcony with a drink enjoying the scenery.

Middle of the Ship vs Non-Middle - while many people tout the middle for the lack of movement (I never feel the difference), the middle is also usually located near the elevators.  This would be extremely convenient for you with the baby.  If you decide to pick your own cabin, look at the deck plans and pick one close to the elevators.  You will have a quicker trip to the common decks and pool area if you are on the bottom level near the elevator vs the top level with a cabin all the way at the end.  Its a longer walk than you would think.

Noise - most people avoid being below restaurants or the galley - they tend to be noisy.  Also the bottom of the ship near the back can be noisy since its near the engines.

Cost - now that you've determined how much extra your selected room would cost you need to decide if it is worth it or would you rather put the money towards a shore excursion or souvaneirs or your bar tab.

BTW - if you choose not to select your own cabin, have the floor plans to study when you do get your assignment.  (not sure if carnival gives them to you ahead of time or you get them when you board)  If you are really unhappy, explain to the agent that you have an infant and is there any way you can be....(closer to the elevators, near the middle, not under the galley, etc)  If the cruise is booked they most likely will not be able to accomodate you, but they will try if its not full.  And if you don't get your cabin assignment until the day of sailing, try to get to the pier as early as possible so if you'd like the request a change you will be one of the first to ask for it.

Answer 5

Go to CruiseCritic.com and click on "Boards" at the top of the page, then "Cabin Selection Tips".  You might also be interested in "First Time Cruisers" and the board for the ship you will be on.

I've never done a balcony, because it wouldn't be worth it to me.  I never spend much time in the cabin, so I usually book an inside, so I can spend the money on other things.  However, with a baby, I might opt for an outside, because you might be spending more time in the cabin.  Although the baby could nap almost anywhere, if you take along a blanket to put him/her down on.

Middle and low in the ship is where you'll have the least rocking, although most ships have stabilizers, so there's not a lot of rocking anyway, unless there are rough seas.  You do pay more for being able to choose the exact cabin you want.  If you do a guarantee, you could end up under the casino or the dance club or the gym, etc.  You could also get lucky and get a great upgrade, too, especially if you tell them it's your honeymoon [with a "guarantee" I mean].  And, yes, the higher up you go, the more you'll spend, because you're then closer to the activities and dining, etc.  There are advantages to being more-removed - it's likely to be quieter and you get some exercise to make up for all the eating!!

Hope you have a great time!

Answer 6

Having been on several cruises, over the last few years, I would recommend that you book an outside cabin.  If you can afford it, then book a balcony as well.  An inside cabin doesn't appear as spacious, and with a baby and a husband, the extra room that you get on the outside is nice.  You also have a view to admire, even on the worst of days.  The balcony is nice, for just sitting and relaxing, or when one person is changing, the other can wait on the balcony.  None of these cabins are as spacious as they appear in the brochures.  Try to avoid picking a cabin with an obstructed view, as what you usually see is a lifeboat.  Hope this helps, and good luck, on your married life.

Answer 7

From a travel agent's point of view I generally try to get towards the middle of the ship and I don't generally pay too much for a higher deck.

Inside or outside.  It really depends on the length of the cruise.  For a short cruise, I don't spend enough time in the cabin to notice which room I'm in.  I also find thayt if I am tired and want a nap during the day bacuase I plan to stay up late for a show or the midnight buffet, then the pitch black inside cabin has it's benefits.  For longer cruises, if you can afford a balconey, get one.  Especially if you are on a cruise like Alaska or the Mediterranean where there is so much scenery to see.  The discos and bars tend to be on the ends or the tops of the ships, so low and in the center is good to avoid the boom boom of the bass as 2 am.

Generally, if you go through a travel agent, who books a lot of cabins on a cruise, when you get a guaranteed stateroom, you will frequently get upgraded.  This is not a certainty, but it definitely happens.  As the cruise sells out, and the staterooms fill, the cruise line wants to sell as many rooms as possible, they can sell more of the cheaper rooms, so they will move the already booked passengers in the guaranteed rooms up, to have some cheap rooms to sell.

As far as elevators (mentioned above) most large cruise ships have front rear and mid ship elevator banks.