Ideally, you should feel at home when at sea, so it is important to choose the right accommodation, even if most of your time in it is spent with your eyes shut.
Accommodation sizes range between 5,350 sq.ft. (497 sq. metres), and about 60 sq.ft. (5.5 sq. metres). So like houses ashore, all cabins have good and not-so-good points. Read more on cabin sizes.
Choose wisely, for if you find your cabin (incorrectly called a ‘stateroom’ by some companies) is too small when you get to the ship, it may be impossible to change it or to upgrade, as the ship could be full.
Cruise lines designate cabins only when deposits have been received (they may, however, guarantee the grade and rate requested). If this is not done, or if you find a disclaimer such as ‘All cabin assignments are confirmed upon embarkation of the vessel’, get a guarantee in writing that your cabin will not be changed on embarkation.
There are three main types of accommodation, but many variations on each theme:
- Suites: (the largest living spaces, typically with a private balcony); and ‘junior’ suites (with or without private balcony).
- Outside-view cabins: a large picture window or one or more portholes (with or without private balcony).
- Interior (no-view) cabins: so called because there is no window or porthole.
More on cabin locations
Cabin Facilities
Cabins provide some, or all, of the following:
- Private bathroom (generally small) with shower, washbasin, and toilet. Higher-grade cabins and suites may have full-size bathtubs. Some have a whirlpool bath and/or bidet, a hairdryer, and more space.
- Electrical outlets for personal appliances, usually 110 and/or 220 volts.
- Multi-channel radio, TV (regular satellite channels or closed circuit), and VCR or DVD player.
- Two beds or a lower and upper berth (possibly, another one or two upper berths) or a double-, queen- or king-size bed. In some ships, twin beds can be pushed together to form a double.
- Telephone, for inter-cabin or ship-to-shore communication.
- Depending on cabin size, a chair, or chair and table, or sofa and table, or even a separate lounge/ sitting area (higher accommodation grades).
- Refrigerator and bar (higher grades).
- Vanity/desk unit with chair or stool.
- Personal safe.
- Closet space, some drawer space, plus storage room under beds for suitcases.
- Bedside night stand/table unit.
- Towels, soap, shampoo, and conditioner. (Upscale ships provide a greater selection of items.)
Many first-time passengers are surprised to find their cabin has twin beds. Double beds are a comparative rarity except in the higher-priced suites. Aboard some ships you will find upper and lower berths. A ‘berth’ is a nautical term for a bed held in a wooden or metal frame. A ‘Pullman berth’ tucks away out of sight during the day, usually into the bulkhead or ceiling. You climb up a short ladder at night to get into an upper berth. |
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