What Are the Best Rooms on a Cruise Ship?

When you think of a cruise, you probably think of all of the activities you’ll do onboard the ship, as well as activities you’ll do at all the ports. With this line of thinking, your stateroom might be secondary. After all, you might only be spending time there sleeping, right?

On the contrary, your cruise ship cabin can greatly affect your onboard experience, even if you don’t anticipate spending a lot of time in your room. That’s why you must pick the best cruise ship cabin to ensure that your trip goes well. 

What are the best rooms on a cruise ship? We’re here to help. Keep reading to discover the best rooms on a cruise ship to help you find the room that will make your cruise an enjoyable experience all around.

How to Choose the Best Room on a Cruise Ship

When some people think of the best room on a cruise ship, they may automatically think of a room with an ocean view at the top of the ship. However, this isn’t the case for everyone, and you should consider the total features of the room before choosing. 

When choosing the best room for a cruise ship, there are several factors that you should consider, such as the noise, seasickness, how many people are cruising with you, your budget, and even what type of view you want.

With all of these factors in mind, you can better evaluate your options for cruise cabins to find the best one for your needs. Let’s take a look at the best rooms on a cruise ship.

Best Rooms on a Cruise Ship

Different staterooms on a cruise ship have different features, and it’s important that you consider each one to find a room that best aligns with the goals of your trip and your needs. Without further ado, here are the best rooms on a cruise ship based on different needs.

If You Want an Ocean View

An ocean view room is one of the best rooms on a cruise ship, no matter where on the ship it is located. 

If you want some sunlight as well as a glimpse of the ocean, this is a great option that costs less than rooms with a balcony but still provides you with a wonderful cruising experience.

Better yet, you can get both an ocean view and a large deck to enjoy it from in the cabin at the back of the ship, called the aft.

The aft of the ship provides some of the best-uninterrupted ocean views a cruise ship has to offer, as well as a quieter place to enjoy these views from a large deck. 

If You Want to Be Near All of the Action

As mentioned, many people embark on a cruise less to spend time relaxing in their rooms and more to take advantage of the amenities on the cruise ship. If this is your goal, one main factor that you’ll want to consider is how close your room is to the amenities on the ship.

Check out your chosen ship’s map before choosing your cruise cabin. It’s a good idea to know where the attractions are – such as the specialty restaurants, pool, and spa – and how close your room may be to them.

In general, if you plan on spending a lot of time at these attractions, it’s best to book a room near them – whether that be on the same floor or just the same side of the ship.

However, booking on the same side of the ship may be easier to move around and take less time to get to rather than having to walk 15 minutes across the ship. 

However, be aware that you should avoid cabins directly above or below noisy areas, especially if you want a good night’s rest!

If You Want a Quieter Space

If you plan on your cruise being a peaceful experience, you’ll want to seek a cabin on the quietest side of the ship. This tends to be the aft or the rear of the ship.

The aft is away from the hustle and bustle of midship, where all the action tends to happen. You’ll also get a beautiful ocean view and often more space than in other ship cabins.

If You Get Seasick

Seasickness is one reason why, even if you only plan on being in your cabin to sleep, you should prioritize choosing a cabin that’s most comfortable for your needs.

If you’re prone to seasickness, you may want to stay away from the cabins on the top deck, as attractive as they might seem. The best cruise cabin to book would be near ocean level at the ship’s center, known as mid-ship.

While ocean-level rooms aren’t considered the most luxurious options, the closer you get to water-level, the less rocking you’ll feel on the ship. Plus, these rooms are your best chance at seeing wildlife out on the ocean!

If You Want Room for Your Family

Connecting cabins are a great option if you’re traveling with a group and want to stay close, but all want your own space.

Connecting cabins are a great option for families, especially ones with older children. They’re also great if you’re traveling with a group of friends.

These types of cabins are available on most cruise lines these days, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding this option.

If You Want Access to Fresh Air

Objectively, balcony suites are often thought of as being the best rooms on a cruise ship. There’s nothing better than being able to breathe in that fresh sea air.

When choosing a veranda stateroom, you should consider the following factors, the direction the ship is facing, the deck level the cabin is on, and potentially obstructed views. You’ll also want to consider the size of the balcony, and whether it could fit everyone in your party. 

If You Want a Lot of Space

The one thing about cabins on cruise ships is that they’re all quite small. There are definitely circumstances where you would want a larger cabin, such as if you do want to spend a lot of time in your room, or if you’re cruising with kids.

If this is the case, opting for the largest suites on cruise ships is the best room choice. These suites will provide ample space for your stay and ensure that you don’t feel cooped up in your cabin.

Here are some notable large suites on major cruise lines, some of them being considered the best suites on the cruise ship:

• The Ultimate Family Suite on Royal Caribbean ships: A two-story suite with all of the games your kids could dream of, from an air hockey table to a tennis table. 
• Specialty cabins on Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival has several specialty cabins with more space than their other cabins, including the Havana suites with additional outdoor space and the Family Harbor suites with separate space for kids. 
• 3-bedroom Garden Villa on Norwegian Cruise Line: This suite is one of the most luxurious suites you’ll find on any cruise ship. It includes space for up to 8 guests and a private terrace.  

If you want to spend your budget on activities

Bigger staterooms mean more money spent on the room and potentially less spent on activities, especially if you’re cruising on a budget. 

If you’d rather save money for all the fun activities you’ll be doing, the best room on a cruise ship for you may be the most affordable one.

These are usually inside cabins, which are also a good choice for single cruisers, and those who will spend most of their time around the vessel.

Best Rooms on a Cruise Ship FAQ

The Verdict: The Best Room on a Cruise Ship

There are several contenders for the best room on a cruise ship – it all depends on what you’re looking for in a cabin and for your overall vacation.

When choosing your cabin, it’s important to consider how much time you’ll spend in your cabin, what activities you’ll be doing throughout your cruise, and how important it is to have an ocean view. This will help you decide on the best room for you to get maximum enjoyment from your cruise!