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Cruise Ship Travel: Stateroom Size |
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The better you can see the ocean, the larger the room. And the higher the cost. |
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Essentials |
The average cruise ship stateroom is a compact, miniature version of a hotel room with all the same furnishings: dresser drawers, closet, bed, nightstand, dressing table and bathroom. Some have a sitting area. Most passengers find the rooms adequate, realizing the only times they'll be in them is to sleep or change clothes. Unless the ship is in port, everyone tends to stay on deck in a lounge chair; use the swimming pool or one of the other exercise facilities. During your waking hours, you'll spend far more time in the dining room than your stateroom. Cruise lines are up front and honest about their room sizes. They're happy to tell you the following:
What's really more important in selecting a room is its proximity to:
Other important considerations:
Do you really need an ocean view or a balcony? Inside cabins, the ones with any view at all, are the least expensive rooms on a ship. Yet they're often as spacious as the ocean view rooms. With a TV camera mounted on the bridge to act as their eyes, many experienced cruising passengers opt for inside rooms. They prefer to spend their money on shore excursions or save it to use on another cruise. Prices go up for ocean view and balcony staterooms, in that order. Older passenger ships rarely had balconies. They were widely introduced only recently. Balconies, like stateroom windows, may have a seriously obstructed view. Depending on the ship's design, part of the pool deck may extend out so far that it cuts off your view. A waste of space, and a waste of your money. TIP: Save room/closet space
by putting your suitcase under your bed. Soft sided
luggage works best. NEW! Check out the Photo Gallery featuring the Brilliance of the Seas and the Disney Wonder. More Questions to Consider How much does a cruise really cost? What's included and what isn't could surprise you. What about taking children? If you have some, definitely. Otherwise, borrow one or take your grandkids. Is ship size important?
Yes, but not in ways What kind of clothing do I need? Cruises are dressier than most beach resorts. Which
dinner seating is better, early or late? Aren't the "days at sea" boring? With so many options aboard, how can they be? Can I sign up for shore excursions in advance? Or should I go my own way?
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