Cruise cabin location myths debunked

There may not be any subject in the whole cruise industry that is more misunderstood than the subject of cabin location. Having spent considerable time on cruises myself and assisted thousands of travelers with their vacations, I have found this topic to be fraught with Ted’s three “M’s”: Misinformation and Misdirection leading to major Mistakes on Cabin Selection. To this day, this area of cruise vacations still irks not only the novice, but the experts as well. Perhaps some further light can be shed on this subject to bring the truth to the surface (no pun intended).

When you select a room on a ship you are hoping that this room will be the one which will most likely fit your needs for the upcoming cruise vacation. However like any purchase for something not yet seen, your selection is subject to many conditions which may or may not be under your control. And when you arrive at the ship, there be little to no opportunity to make an alternate choice, In light of a cruise vacation on a ship, you are selecting something that will be on a vessel that will be subject to unpredictable motion, different lighting conditions, varying scenery outside, changing conditions above, below and around the room not to mention features such as cabin amenities like butler service, balconies, ability to connect with other rooms and so on.

Location of the room itself in regard to life on board is another consideration: modern cruise ships can feature rock climbing walls, spas, specialty dining and a whole array of features not available in days past. So how can I decide which cabin is best for me and voice the common pitfalls?

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A Short History of Cruising

To answer to this question let’s consider the evolution of cruising itself. In the earlier days there was a dearth of choices and amenities and very little influence on cabin selection from the ship lines or otherwise.

P&O (Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company)  specializing in shipping since 1822, was one of the pioneers of passenger cruising, launching 1844. Although primitive in nature, compared to today’s standards, passengers merely joined up with existing shipping destinations,  it was not long before they started  advertising sea tours to destinations such as Gibraltar, Malta and Athens, sailing from Southampton.

Later, the advent of on-board refrigeration replaced the days of old when passengers shared the meager deck space that existed, with a ‘veritable farmyard’ of cows, sheep and poultry – dinner in the making. The new ships featured a ‘hurricane’ deck or upper deck from which ‘views’ or photographs could be taken, and then processed in the photographic studio down below.

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Functioning’ bathrooms appeared for the first time and bunk beds were replaced in first class, with sturdy iron beds with spring mattresses. Electric light lit up the saloon, folding washstands graced the cabins and the ‘novelty’ of a chest of drawers was a welcome addition.

P&O’s new steamers were designed with competition firmly in mind and a greater attention to space, speed and comfort. By the end of the decade, voyaging by sea had become much more agreeable.

In those days cabin accommodations were simple and very few options were available. Travelers were just happy to be on board and there were little expectations to be met. Soon thereafter, other cruise lines such as Cunard, began a tradition of transatlantic crossings. The industry ebbed and flowed into the mid 20th century surviving wars and world crisis’ evolving into 1960’s and beyond to to the proliferation of modernly equipped mega-ships of today.

Today’s Cruisers Have More Choices and Influences

Contemporary cruisers have high expectations that must be met, unlike the old days of sharing the journey with barnyard animals. Ships are equipped with modern stabilizers to help decrease discomfort aboard. Air condition cabins with Jacuzzi laden balconies abound, offering unlimited comforts and pampering. However old-man-sea, still may stubbornly refuse to cooperate, kicking up a storm or two and wrecking havoc on our most carefully laid vacation plans.

Today’s cruise market is governed by the cruise companies, independent travel agents and the cruise customers themselves. With fervent competition to fill up the many ship berths at hand, just as in airline industry, too many empty berths on a cruise voyages could eventually result in financial catastrophe for the industry. At the same time company revenue from cruise reservations and on-board spending, must be enough to sustain the high costs and commitment to building, maintaining and running the ships.

From my experience, today’s cruise passengers have exacting demands and, in many cases, are easily influenced by travel agents or cruise company agents trying to guide their decisions on cabin location. This may due to securing a better sale or trying to appear to be an expert in influencing the decision of the client in a way which might not be in their best interests.

When I was a top agent at a major cruise line, my pay stub greatly depended on getting travelers to pay for “better” locations on the ship and buying overpriced and undervalued insurance!

Let’s take a look at some of the ideas affecting cabin selection in today’s modern travel market.

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The Side Of the Ship Always Affects Your View

It is commonly thought that being on one side of the ship or the other can affect one’s view, depending on the cruise itinerary. Although this might be true in some cases, ocean ships don’t spend much time hugging the shore.

So it really makes little to no difference out at sea which side you are on. And when coming into port it is not always the same docking procedure or location.  Also when there is special scenery ashore such as the Na Pali Coast in Hawaii , the ship will do an about face to cover both sides of the ship.

River cruising or cruises that include scenery affecting both port and starboard sides such as the inside passage on an Alaskan cruise do not require much thought as to cabin location in regards to what is on land, both sides offer an equal opportunity.

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Cabin Location Affects Sea Sickness

Seasickness is the result of a complex physiological reaction to motion. It is a mismatch of information sent to the brain from the eyes, inner ear, and sensory nerves, such as in the feet. Although there may be many valid remedies for this condition at sea, it is nearly impossible to come up with a fix-all remedy.

Although it may be true, what some say, that getting a mid-ship cabin, or one lower in ship may help with this ailment, there is no study backing up this presumption. The idea of the ship being a fulcrum and location near the center is less subject to motion is the untested theory.

People can be prescribed medication to help which may offer varying success. Perhaps getting out and looking at the horizon may help, however I have encountered many people that seem to plagued by this problem regardless of cabin location or remedy.

Realize that the larger ships have stabilizers but even in very rough waters, there is going to be movement, and this can occur at any location of the ship. The worst sea-sickness I encountered was in a small boat being tossed about in a deep sea fishing excursion off the coast of Ft. Lauderdale Florida.

The Best Cabin Location is on the Highest Deck

Unlike hotels, cruise lines have found that they can charge more money for cabins on the top decks. The higher up you go, the more the cabin usually costs. One of the reasons for this is that Top Suite passengers like to have top deck views so that is where naval architects put the very best accommodations. But often these cabins have undesirable locations because they are immediately below the lido or swimming pool activities deck. The public outdoor deck above the top passenger deck is usually washed down late into the night when strollers have retired. Deck chairs are moved as high pressure hoses are used are cleaning. Sleeping just below this activity can be unpleasant.

If you are going to be on the highest deck, like the Lido Deck where the pool and main activities are, I like to be in the front where this no activity above or below me but instant access to the days activities.

You should try to get rooms with berthing above and below to avoid unwanted activities and noise. Balconies on lower decks can commonly be right above the deck where the lifeboats are obstructing the view.

Again there is no right answer to for all cabin placement decisions. It is best to take into consideration the ship cabin plans and the needs.

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Cabins to Avoid on a Cruise

Most ships have rooms that are potential problems that will only be discovered once you have boarded the ship and changes are impossible to make.  Norwegian Cruise ships have a “Priva-Sea” balcony is near the front of the ship. It has a wall with a cut-out view, this is to help with wind shear at the front of the ship. These cabins are not delineated as different, unlike the similarly obstructed “Cove” balconies on some Carnival Cruise Ships, which are clearly disclosed on-line.

Rooms on mass-market cruise lines with the disco or theater, above or below the cabin should be avoided because of potential noise problems and can be avoided by following the rules above.

 What Can I do to Avoid Cabin Selection Pitfalls

Try to avoid being influenced by unsubstantiated information given by other travelers or aggressive agents. Be wary of statements like “this is the only cabin left on the ship” or “the prices go up 50% if you don’t book this today”: most likely the signs of an over aggressive sales agent.

Use the services of an agent that is more interested in your needs than theirs and who backs up what he says with valid facts, referrals and no pressure tactics. Do ask about their experience and verifiable results.

Remember your vacation is not a dress-rehearsal. You want everything to be right from day one. Yes, we have come a long way in the cruise industry, you no longer have to worry about the primitive conditions of old, having more choices than ever! Just keep in mind, even with all the luxury and many selections of today’s modern cruising, you are still out in the open waters where some things will never change.