Choosing a Cabin or Stateroom
Here aboard Prow's Edge, past visitors have shared some of their tips, views and opinions about getting the right cabin or stateroom assignment.
photo courtesy The Yachts of Seabourn
Tips and Advice About Choosing a Cabin or Stateroom
Taking time to make sure you have the right stateroom is one of the most important parts of planning your cruise. It is the one space on board ship that is exclusively yours for the duration of the trip, the one place you can escape to if you want to get away from fellow passengers and if it does not suit your needs, the cruise can be ruined.
So the first issue to consider when choosing a cabin, goes the common cruise advice, is the stateroom size. Most cabins/staterooms are small. Some past guests visiting Prow’s Edge have made the wry remark that the only reason cruise lines use the word “stateroom” instead of cabin is to give the illusion of space.
For some, the more important issue to consider is the location of the cabin.
To eliminate noise late at night make sure your cabin is as far away from discos and late night venues as possible. On the other hand, for those who want to party all night, the cabin on the other side of the ship can be a nuisance.
To avoid noise early in the morning, try to book a cabin that is not directly under the jogging track, or any other public deck. There is nothing worse than being woken up by pounding feet above your head - and no, it’s not a hangover - or the even earlier sound of deck staff dragging deck chairs about to set them up for the day.
Take a look at the deck plans - most cruises line web sites will have them posted to their site and look for a cabin away from any points where people collect, like at the elevators, or the laundry room.
Another point to consider about location if you are prone to motion sickness is to chose a cabin in the middle of the ship where the movement is least noticeable.
If you don’t like to feel confined, do not chose an inside cabin. A cheaper inside cabin, a stateroom without a window, porthole or balcony may turn out to be a saving that costs you some discomfort. “Cabin fever” or claustrophobia is a very real complaint and can ruin a cruise. If you’re partying all night, however, you may not even know half the time that your stateroom has no window!
Engine vibrations and noises are not something you can always avoid when considering location. This is something that forums like this can perhaps advise you on.
Finally, a common complaint for cruise passengers is unexpectedly discovering blocked views from your cabin or stateroom. There is nothing worse than expecting a sea view only to discover a lifeboat in the way.
