Agree to the nap: just make sure you wake up in time to shower, dress, and go to dinner, but ensure that your steward can enter it to do his or her evening turn-down service. :-)
My stepmom took me on my first cruise ever with a veranda cabin on Celebrity. I was spoiled from the beginning. I can't imagine NOT being able to sit outside on our own "porch". So worth the extra money!
I cruised only 1 time and I got a regular cabin with ocean view. I remember that every time my partner was getting ready I was just sitting on my bed staring at the walls, as the window was pretty blurry due to the salty air and we couldn't barely see anything outside. I would definitely consider getting a balcony next time where I could sit drinking something and watching the cruise/ocean instead.
Same happened with me. Mom in law spoiled me with the most exclusive rooms on an NCL cruise. Literally had a huge room/patio with our own butler, private restaurant, pool, and sun decks 🙃
The balcony is great for that grumpy person in the group. Anyone starts complaining or starts acting up, banished to the balcony. It's like a second room!
Your room ALWAYS matters. No matter if it's a cruise or a hotel. I've stayed in bad hotels and I swear that was the worst sleep I've ever experienced because I was uncomfortable.
It is harder for hotels to be a shock today but I do remember booking what was marketed as fabulous, arriving and being afraid to shower, or get in the bed! The pics did not even look like the same building. Today on line reviews and guests pics really help. Just like the UA-cam walk through videos.
If you’re in your early 20s and come to party, you can put up with a lot (whatever is rock bottom cheapest). Now that I’m in my mid 30s and a parent I am a lot more needy. Being reasonably close to food (extremely important) and the kids area (very important) and being able to rest are must haves.
My favorite arrangement on a Carnival cruise is to have family in the next door balcony. When they open up the partition, the balcony is twice as large. It's a very luxurious thing to have that much balcony space.
There are a number of UA-cam channels about cruising, but yours is the only one I watch! Your information is always so helpful and on point. Thanks so much!
First cruise in 2009 was an aft OV with Carnival. I absolutely hated it and swore I’d never cruise again. Fast forward to 2018…new husband who really wanted to try cruising. We booked a 10 night Caribbean out of New Orleans on NCL. We booked a balcony, but bid and were upgraded to a mini suite for only $150 more. Yes, it was the floor plan with an angled balcony (smaller than the normal mini suite balcony), but we loved it! We’ve had to reschedule our next cruise multiple times due to life and CV, but are now booked on a 7 day NYC to Bermuda cruise for June 2022 with NCL. We are planning to bid to upgrade on that one also (if it’s an option). We both agree the minimum category we will book is a balcony cabin. There’s something magical about being able to sit on your balcony with a glass of wine and watch the sun go down over the water. If it means we aren’t able to cruise as often due to the cost, that’s a concession we’re willing to make. For us it’s about quality over quantity.
I have cruised for over 50 years ( I’m 88 ) Your comments are not only useful but so apt. Took an upgrade once never again. I find your videos enjoyable and useful. Thank you. Sylx
I think that is exactly right, best I can pay for. I do not look down on those that have lower cabins but I have turned a bit green at some of the fabulous new family suites. They would be so perfect but I refuse to pay more than I can comfortably.
I do too. But if I can take my family to Mediterranean for $12,000 with Disney I’m not going to pay $35,000. There comes a point when your accommodations actually steal from the destinations budget. As I’ve told the kids before, oh I can take you to japan but you’re going to spend the week at the airport.
I've done both, inside and high end suites. I've had great times on both. What I will say high end suites really aren't worth it if you have a busy literary. My favorite is the Jr. Suite, many have bathtubs, huge closets, living rooms etc. However, post covid I will never book an inside cabin again. I want minimum balcony, for fresh air, etc.
Yep about the rooms! Our very first cruise, we had an inside room, never again! 8 cruises later, we are always mid ship, balcony, mid decks!! We will always book that way!!
My experience was the opposite: I had a solo occupancy of an outside double on the old Home Lines Oceanic in '80. Then for the next 10+ years, I spent what I could afford to occupy a guaranteed outside or inside double with a roommate on various cruise lines' ships, whether those ships were Carnival, HAL, NCL (when NCL was called Norwegian Caribbean Line, not Norwegian Cruise Lines), or RCCL ships. I recall having a roommate who thought he could sneak fruits past a Customs Agent. I warned him that making those attempts would get him fined. I also told him that if he made the attempt to bring in fruits and got caught, I wouldn't recognize him as my roommie. The benefit of having no roommies started when I finally made myself able to afford balcony cabins in the early oughts. I haven't looked back since. IMHO the best balconies were the Concierge Class cabins aboard Celebrity ships along with the Boardwalk neighborhood balcony cabins on Oasis-class ships. What about the AquaClass cabins aboard Celebrity? IMO, the real benefit of having those cabins lies in access to Blu restaurant. Speaking as a male solo cruiser occupying one of those cabins aboard Reflection in August '19, I could care less about the Persian Garden and spa-related benefits.
Agreed. After nearly 20+ years of not being able to afford balcony cabins, I finally had a higher-paying job that enabled me to book these outside and balcony cabins. That said, please take some time to look on cruise line websites to read the deck plans to decide where you want to be. Try to avoid elevator and stairwell foyers (noisy!), discos (ditto), dining and kitchen areas (ditto), and pool areas (ditto). Unfortunately, for all the time you take to decide where to stay, there are several things you can't control: weather, smokers, and loud people next door. :-)
On my first cruise, I had below deck inside cabin. We were as far up in the bow as was possible. I could hear the water swishing by. I was so freaking seasick lol
@@shepwillner7507 if your job doesn’t pay enough, get a temp part time side hustle. If you’re debt free (except mortgage), doing DoorDash/Uber Eats/delivery gig one or more nights a week or on the weekend can really add up quickly!
@@missbecky2571 Your experience could have been worse: what if that bow had bounced up and down in heavy wave action, especially during storms. I recall returning to the departure port aboard a cruise ship--not an RCCL ship--in August of '90 or '91, and the wave action was so rough that most pax could not get to the MDR to eat dinner. Fortunately, I don't get seasick, and I was able to not only come to the MDR for dinner but also eat my food. That's why I am able to report on that situation more than 30 years later.
One of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced in my lifetime was sitting by myself on our deck watching the sun setting......it was hypnotic.... the only thing I heard was the waves gently lapping against the boat! I have never in my life felt peace like that and I learned where the saying “heaven on earth” came from! I finally broke myself free to grab my hubby and get it on film just as the sun slipped away!
I have never been on these luxury cruises and this channel was suggested for me on UA-cam. This is now my 10th video or so. Very informative and beautiful images. Awesome channel 👍
I spend a good bit of time in my cabin. I love the activity of the ship, but I need downtime too. I spend a lot of time on my balcony just experiencing the ship moving through the water.
That is my biggest CV19 miss, the ocean, being surrounded by the waves, the sounds, the smell, and the peace it brings. I have had some crazy storms over the many years but I choose NOT to focus on them!
My first cruise I was very nervous about getting sea sick. I took the patch and Dr gave me meds and...we picked a cabin mid ship and on the lowest deck we could get ...it ended up being the most inexpensive Cabin smile 😃 guess what? We had very rough seas and I slept like a baby even w out using the medication. Each morning we listened to others tell stories of not sleeping at all. I was VERY thankful for the cabin we had. It was tiny and no window or balcony. It was perfect for my husband, young daughter and I.
Port vs Starboard - in some rare cases it does matter. We will be circumnavigating Iceland soon, so I selected a cabin on the starboard side since that will be the side with the coastline in view.
I am a Solo traveller,put thought into choosing my cabin,and no mistakes so far! Have had Balcony,outside…and inside and find it fine once my decision is made! Always mid ship,quite near the elevators,and never a high deck! Then get out and enjoy the great amenities provided! Love every minute💕👍
I always do a *ton* of research to get the best rooms/cabins either on land or sea, and I've found that if we have a good cabin (or hotel room), my wife and I end up intentionally spending more time there. Unless you're going to swim, why bother spending your time on a crowded pool deck when you can relax with a glass of wine and enjoy a quiet sea view on your own balcony? I've only once gotten somewhat burned on a cabin, being woken up by dragging deck chairs every morning at 5AM (though the rest of the day was fine). I did learn my lesson about connected cabins too, oddly on the hotel iteration of the Queen Mary, when we got put in a connected cabin and could hear the people in the other cabin like the door wasn't even there. We ended up having to change cabins. Some cruise lines do show connecting doors on their deck plans; I always avoid any cabins that have them like the plague.
As usual I totally agree with you. We always book away from elevators, crew access doors, laundry, etc. Select a deck between other cabin decks. Stay AWAY from family cabins unless you are the family. We always book balcony cabins for the reasons you listed.
I agree with most of what you've said. However, we selected a bottom deck cabin when we sailed on Disney a few years ago and it was one of the BEST choices EVER! The ship was set up with the main dining rooms on the third deck so it was a short climb to most things and SO QUIET! We actually booked that cabin on a follow-up cruise and hope to do so on our next one. 😃
I think the cove balconies on Carnival's Dream and Vista class ships were made with me in mind. I need a balcony, but I prefer to be in the lower decks. I don't mind ship noises -- anchors, motors, etc. But I can't deal with techno music so I'm insulated from all that, but still able to enjoy the benefits of a balcony.
Great advice👍 we agree and same. Take time choosing cabin👍 I love sitting on balcony in morning and later in day. That ocean noise and those sunsets are very special 😍
Thank you Gary for the video. I am an experienced cruiser, over 200 days at sea, and I have never been assigned a bad cabin. Forward, midships, or aft, each has advantages. In my opinion, the only cabin to avoid are the obstructed view cabins, it would be better and cheaper to get an inside cabin rather than an obstructed view. Thank you again. Looking forward to cruising again, two cruises booked.
I’ve been above a dance club and my body throbbed to the beat until early in the morning. Also had an ocean view cabin at the very rear of of the ship and the anchor dropping every morning at 4 or 5 am woke me up. Now I ALWAYS choose my cabin. Still had fun on those cruises but prefer paying a little extra and picking exactly what I want.
@@amybradley5821 If the noise you heard at the aft wasn't chains, then the sources could either be winches to let the lines go down and out to the piers for dockworkers to retrieve and put around the cleats or bullocks or the stern thrusters pushing the ship towards the dock.
If you weren't choosing your cabins before, who chose them for you w/o talking w/you about your preferences? That's why a good travel agent is a valuable resource to have in one's corner.
@@shepwillner7507 I’m not a user of Travel agents at all. I like doing everything myself. I went cheap the first couple of cruises and let the cruise line pick because the price was better. Not anymore.I’ve gotten everything I’ve wanted pretty much.
Hi Gary, with all that is going on in the cruise industry right now, my only location choice right now is: on board ! Hi from Bob and Jill in Connecticut
We always choose mid-ship near the elevators. So far I've never been bothered by the sound of the elevators. But I do like taking 3 steps from my cabin and being at the elevator.
I think your really missing a great thing. I’ve enjoyed every cruise I’ve been on. Sure it’s just like life you don’t always like everything but ships are so big you can get out of anything you don’t like.
Thank you for saying this. I chose a vista suite and got a second cabin for our teen sons. I've gotten so much flack for wasting the money and am CONSTANTLY told we won't be in our cabins. One, we have a gorgeous, wrap around the corner balcony in the vista suite so we can have our own private area. Two, we are big game players so we needed an area large enough for the 4 of us. Third. I didn't want to share my bathroom with 3 guys. LOL. Also, godforbid we have to quarantine. This is our first cruise (in June) and if we made the mistake everyone seems to think we've made, well then I know for next time. But the reverse would be so much worse.
Cabin choice is THE most important thing about cruising. We took our first cruise and did not have a cabin with a balcony. That was a huge mistake and one we never repeated again.
We always book a port side cabin with a balcony, at the bow of the ship. We don’t have a problem with sea sickness and we find the rocking of the ship calming, plus it’s quiet up there. I can’t imagine having to quarantine in an inner cabin. Another great update Gary, thanks!
I did it on a cruise from Shanghai to Fukuoka, Japan and back. Except for the one port it was all sea days so it was perfect. That said, it was a LOT of walking to get anywhere so I tried not to go back and forth too often. It was wonderful, though, and the balcony was much bigger than the ones on the sides. I even slept out there a few nights!
I disagree about a blanket statement about port vs starboard, especially on a trans iceanic voyage. Depending on which way you're traveling, you will have a sunny side of the ship and a shaded side for much of the trip. For this you may want to take the side of ship into account. Or possibly a difference in setting sunsets or sunrises.
I'm not too fond of sailing on the North Atlantic because of the huge waves. Some of those waves can create deep troughs and high crests; when small vessels encounter these things, they climb the wave to the crest and then slam to the trough, sending big vibrations throughout the boat making people seasick. I remember this happening on my first trip out into the North Atlantic on a oceanography excursion in August '78. Most of the pax got sick from this, but luckily I didn't. However, those high waves coming up and over the gunwales are scary. Those waves are probably one reason I would not do a transatlantic sailing between NYC and Southampton. I would go only part way,, such as to the Canaries and Madeira as I did in Oct '14 aboard Independence of the Seas. For that cruise, I didn't choose between port or starboard because I didn't care which side of the ship got the sunlight. To each his or her own.
@@shepwillner7507 I get you're point, especially on a smaller ship. Did QM2 crossing a few years back. Though it was summer we did have a few days of rough seas, but the ship handled it quite well, as it should being an actual ocean liner. Our experience was quite different on Oceania's Riviera in rough seas near, and beyond, the Canaries on an October crossing.
@@kristen3542 Depending on the duration A cruise ship will leave port taking its crew and passengers beyond the 12 mile limit sail in a giant circle or figure eight back nonstop to where it departed from
We have these in Singapore since last year since borders are closed. Royal Caribbean and Dream cruises. Just short getaway for 2-4 nights. Just like staying in a club Med and never stepping out.
I cruised in oceanview cabins when I was younger and less well off, but now I won't go on a cruise without a balcony -- or a sliding glass door/window on a river cruise. Location: I very much enjoy being near the stern in a large cruise ship because the steady gentle vibration from the engines makes for soothing sleep. River cruise, though, I'd rather be farther forward.
When we sail on Royal Caribbean we usually go portside as there is no smoking allowed on that side, even on the pool decks. There's less chance you'll have smoke drifting towards your balcony.
Our first couple of Cruises We did make those mistakes and LEARN the hard way,,,, but Your refrester course sure drives it home,,, Thanks J&R Nags Head
I laughed so hard when you said....we often travel with our mothers and if they aren’t near by they may get lost. Man, that’s been me on a mega ship looking for the rest of my family’s cabin! Your tips are spot on and I have learned from you and others that picking the right cabin makes all the difference. Thanks....btw, if you are live chatting this Saturday I won’t be there this time☹️. But I’ll watch it afterwards!
Well, if you travel w/a Mom whose eyesight isn't so great, then you'll be her roomie and you'll have to guide her to either her cabin or some other place she wants to go, especially if she has trouble reading large, lit signs. If Mom is using a walker, then pick a cabin as close as possible to the elevators. Regarding getting lost aboard mega-ships, some of them such as RCCL's Oasis or Allure have Way-Finders on the walls to help you find your cabin, along with similar tools near the elevators.
I love state room's with my own little balcony. I never had any problems. But for right now, I will not plan a cruise until this current bull crap is over with. Thank you for the information you shared.
Definitely cabins are important! Everyone will like & think different cabins are great. I’ve have an inside cabin & balcony. Now I won’t book nothing but a balcony. Especially with all that has happened. My traveling family members have a small list of requirements due to sea sickness.
We have been auto upgraded in the past. We had an inside cabin in a nice part of the ship and got moved to an outside cabin on a low deck at the front by the anchor and under the stage. With auto upgrade you need to be able to accept or reject the upgrade.
The only thing free in life is advice and trouble. When the cruise line wants to give you something for “free,” be very careful. That’s my advice (for free!)
Port or Starport was important on our cruise from Valparaiso to Buenos Aires. We booked our cabin, so we can look to the land - it was wonderful, standing on the balcony watching the scenary. Sorry for some writing mistakes, my english isn't so good. Greetings from Austria
The English called trips down the Nile “Port Out Starboard Home” meaning you would be on the shady side of the ship coming and going and not broil in the sun. Where we get the term “posh” meaning ritzy or high-end, since the P.O.S.H. cabins were the most expensive.
@@SandraWuerthner I think it is a trip to be enjoyed, lots of moments to savor, and many memories to be made. I am sure you will enjoy. The spring has the baby bears and other animals. Humpback whales migrate from Hawaii, Orcas and eagles searching for food for their nests. Everything is growing and greening so quickly. If very lucky, you may even see the Northern Lights. The summer has the longest days with very little darkness. Puffins, seals, sea lions, babies are everywhere. Denali opens in June and if you are blessed by the heavens you will have a crystal clear day for viewing. Fish are there at any time, just the species of Salmon varies, King, Red, Silver. Fall foliage, wait until September. Also if you hate bugs and bug spray the spring is before them and Sept is after them. I saw the Aurora the last cruise booked in Sept. More mud in the spring. They all have trade offs but they are each fabulous.
I cruise to relax and after some disappointing cruises with inside cabins, never again. A balcony is a must as that's where I can sit with my book, a drink in hand and a wonderful view. Bliss
Me too, especially if you're on a Celebrity Solstice-class ship: the pool deck and the Ocean View Cafe are on the same deck; that location is also valuable if I'm a patron of the Solarium.
We still booked an inside cabin for our Alaska cruise. A Balcony cabin was over double the price! We booked a 14nt in an inside for less than 1 week in a balcony cabin.
Great video. I need a walk-in shower rather than a shower in a tub, and at first I didn't think about it on a cruise I booked. That meant paying a bit more, as most of the verandah cabins had showers in the bathtubs. After I paid for the upgrade it motivated me to upgrade another step to a suite, and I ended up really happy I did that! it was worth it.
@@larry4111 Royal Jr suites have tub situation also. IF taller than 4’6” be prepared to sit with your knees in your nose because the tub is really small. Even smaller than one in an efficiency appt in NYC!
Absolutely be cautious with upgrades. I accepted an offer from the "Upgrade Fairy" once, from an interior to an oceanview....and the room's A/C didn't work. (!) We invoked the cruise line's satisfaction guarantee and thankfully they were able to move us to a balcony stateroom -- the ONLY cabin that was available, due to a guest cancellation. Now, of course, we're spoiled and we only book balconies...preferably aft extended ones.
£139 for a 4 night ocean view with Costa...got upgraded to an aft balcony.. it was amazing..but now I feel I dont want to go back to an inside...RIP credit card lol
Could you hear me LOL? That was so good! There have been times over this past year when I know my CC has been “overheated”. The 10 yr old came running into the room wanting me to share the funny joke(truth, she was doing history and wanted a break).
....saw the young adult with magnetic alphabet ...theres a great use of wall space in your cabin if you have them ... also good for messages too I bet ... over think your cruise day by day ... but never overpack ...
True that: many people might not know that their cabin walls and doors are magnetic, so taking magnets along will help arrange things like invites, shore excursion tix, vouchers, and any other paper object that might get lost on a small desk. In addition, on one cruise aboard RCCL's Oasis, I put up magnets on my cabin door to better identify it. Worked like a charm. Same thing as other cruises: decorate your cabin door to make it stand out from the rest, and you'll know it's your cabin when returning from bars, shore excursions, etc.
We always have a balcony. On our first cruise we did an inside. Never again. In the mornings we had to turn the telly on to see if it was light outside. Sometimes it is the only peaceful place on the ship.
Cost of cabin has to take priority for most people. I would love a balcony but paying for 3 adults and one child means we have to be realistic about how much we spend on a cabin.
Agreed. You can always go up on deck! I’ve had interior rooms that were cheaper, and was very happy. And when you save that money, you can go on more cruises!
TYVM! I was a bit surprised when you mentioned solo in the book early section until I remembered two types of solo cabins - built-as-solo vs solo supplement. The former you definitely want to book ASAP, but it seems to me the latter may be cheaper to book later.
Both types are limited and booking early you can get a cabin. If you wait you might be waiting for another sailing date. My experience, they sell out quickly.
I was glad to see that Celebrity Edge finally had solo cabins, but it took them so long to get them designed in the first place. I wish other Celebrity ships had solo cabins so I wouldn't have to pay so much for sole occupancy of the room. I know that HAL has solo cabins but they're also guaranteed, meaning you have no say where they're located. NCL has special solo cabins but I don't want to be confined to such as small space as 100 sq. ft. (or more). Does RCCL have solo cabins? Probably on the newer Oasis and Quantum-class ships.
@@shepwillner7507 Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas have them. Celebrity on Apex, Edge, and Silhouette
I have a few dealbreakers - i.e., I won't even go on the cruise if these situations arise: 1) Interconnecting cabins. NO NO NO. I made the mistake of having connecting cabins my very first cruise and I could literally hear everything - and I mean everything - from next door, from a cough to a sneeze to phone calls. 2) I HATE waiting for elevators. I spend the most time on the deck so my rule is no more than 3 decks away so I can walk up and down. I'll pull up the deck plan and if, say, the pool deck is 14, I will be no lower than 11 - even if it means a lot more money. I also try to be closer to the stairwell that goes up to the buffet. 3) Obviously for these reasons I never go with the "sail away" option. I must pick my own room even if it costs a lot more. 4) Unobstructed balcony. Everyone has their priorities - this is big for me. I won't just look at the deck plan. I will go online and pull up images of the ship and zoom in to see exactly where my room is from the outside of the ship - what's above, below, and on the sides. I remember one ship that had a see-through observation floor that went out over the ship and the people there could see into the balconies of all the rooms up to a certain point. That can be creepy. I'm aware of that now. 5) What's near me in the hallway. On one cruise all the available aft rooms were right next to all the kids' play areas - game rooms, nursery, etc.That's a no-no. I also don't want to be directly adjacent to the elevators/stairs but I don't want to be too far way, either. Speaking of which, I did do an aft balcony once and I loved the experience but it was so much walking every day that I don't think I'll do it again. Well, that's a few and I don't want my comment to be too long. Thanks, as always, for your tips!
Thanks for adding these insights. I agree. It os good to see someone who feels as passionately as me on getting the cabin right!!! I have not gone on cruises as I could not get the right cabin as know it would not be worth it...
@@larry4111 I understand the walking point. You want to enjoy a relaxing time, not feel that every time you're heading somewhere on the ship, it's like a 'strenuous walking activity' during a shore excursion, to get where you're going.
@@johnburns9634 Exactly. I'm all for exercise...I walk at least 5 miles every day...but If I am in the mood to go the hot tub and I know I'm 15 minutes away it takes away from the pleasure, especially if I forgot something and have to go back. I also tend to like the larger ships which makes getting from place to place an adventure.
We’ve always booked the mini suite apart from the first cruise we ever took which was an inside cabin, I like the balcony and the extra space in the room. Like you point out we may have to quarantine and I wouldn’t want to be in a small cabin with no way to get fresh air plus I tend to relax more in the mini suite. We’re booked for a 16 day cruise, 9 of those days are sea days and myself and my partner don’t tent to do the activities on the cruise besides eating, relaxing by the pool and seeing a couple of the shows. A cabin with outside access I find for myself is best as it gives access to natural light, fresh air and a private place to relax. Hopefully our cruise from Australia leaves and doesn’t get canceled. It’s for 2022 in February. It’s looking 50/50 atm
I'm crossing my fingers for you to go aboard the ship and enjoy that mini-suite. I've seen videos published by other cruise fans, and some of them have large balconies and large closets or wardrobe areas. If that mini-suite is the Club variety aboard Princess, you get access to a special part of the MDR that gives very special service to guests occupying those kinds of mini-suites. How do I know that? Because I watched how lines are shorter on the Club Mini-suite side of the MDR aboard Coral Princess last February--no lines at all, and people just stroll in, get shown to their tables, and enjoy the service.
@@shepwillner7507 yes it’s the same with P&O Australia, no lines and you’re treated like VIP’s. Thank you for crossing your fingers, it’s beginning to look a lot less likely that we will go on a cruise next year as Victoria keep having to go into quarantine because the government is careless with that state and people aren’t cautious when they get sick during these times. Hopefully because it leaves from south Australia that it will be all good to leave or hopefully it will be changed to a New Zealand cruise to make up for it not being able to go the the pacific islands
The very first cruise we went on was an inside room on deck two of the ship. Being an inside room you can not tell day from night, and when we slept we never had to worry about when to get up, as when the ship ported up the engine noise would shake the whole room and we knew then it was time to get up to go ashore.
We stayed right below the pool deck on our first cruise and loved it. We didn’t hear a single thing from above and we were so close to everything....including a smoking section. So I really think it depends on the boat.
I'm taking my first ever cruise summer 2022. I have no idea what I'll need and what I won't. So learning curve for me. Plus, it's free, so I will try and not be fussy. 😂 X
That was my opinion as well, and we spent most waking hours on deck and wandering around, but then we got a balcony on the rear of the ship and it completely changed our cruise as most of the time we had spent up on deck, we now spent lounging on our balcony and it was like our own private vacation (well except for meal times of course.)
@@reddevil3874 I have a family member that only wants an inside because seeing the ocean made her seasick. I had booked an aft wrap and she just did not like it. Another says never in cabin except to run in and out, change clothes, shower and sleep. And one that MUST have total darkness. Everyone is different. I am now looking for solo cabins for the next family holiday.
Always a good idea. I wish more people did that before booking their cabin and then complaining that their agent fouled them up by choosing the "wrong" cabin. Examining the deck plan will also allow you to see which public rooms, e.g., library, bar, casino, coffee shop, or internet cafe are the closest ones to your cabin and possible routes for getting to the cabin quickly if you have to use the loo. If you're aboard a Celebrity ship offering iLife lounges, those places are really convenient to book near your chosen cabin because you will be using them to check-in for your flights the day before disembarkation.
Good points. Having encountered stormy weather on my first cruise, I now tend to prefer lower decks, which seem more stable. There's not as much choice for those of us in solo cabins, but always good to be surrounded by other cabins and away from restaurants & bars to avoid noise.
I'm pretty easy when picking my stateroom. Room must be on a deck with a passenger deck above and below, don't be right above theater and don't be right underneath lido. I've been in inside, outside and balcony staterooms, and they all meet my needs. Hopefully I can spoil myself with a suite one day in the future.
Yeah, me too--regarding spoiling me w/a suite. For now, I prefer a balcony cabin close to the pool deck, bars, and buffet because I'm not traveling below for breakfast during their serving times in the MDR.
I've been a solo cruiser for most of my time at sea, and that means I'm also a night owl, but only in casinos or the internet cafe. If I peruse bars, I prefer the Schooner Bar aboard RCCL ships, or the pubs on the Royal Promenade on Voyager, Oasis, and Freedom-class ships.
On the last few cruises i barely slept, didn't even notice, would be at the clubs till 4am and waking up around 8 for activities, no alarms. Solo on a budget, mid ship, mid decks with a window, especially in stormy seasons and hold off on booking until they do a package deal that works for you. I always wait to book when premium drinks package is included, i cruise P&O, and it's normally $45 a day for all inclusive drinks on a cruise over 7 days, that was a much better deal for me at 23-28 than an extra 200 room credit. These days i don't drink as much. So id just get the normal drinks package at 11 a day and take the room credit
I always book a balcony (had an inside cabin once - never again) below the pool deck and close to the stairs (elevator) because it is a short trip to the top decks. I like to shoot hops a couple times a day, take a fast walk on the jogging track, sit around the upper decks if it is nice out, or sit under the covered area on the upper decks if the weather is not great, be close to the buffet so I can grab a cup of tea when I want, etc. I spend very little time on the lower decks except for breakfast and lunch in the dining room. That is what I love about a cruise - there is something for everyone.
If you want to shoot hoops a couple times a day, may I refer you to the RCCL Oasis Class ships? They have full court b-ball aboard their ships, and many evenings you can watch players dunk hoops in the wee hours of the night from your balcony in the Boardwalk neighborhood. I have some sympathy for those suite pax whose cabins overlook the b-ball courts and who are trying to sleep amid the ball dribbling and hoop shooting. You're also close to the bars, pools, the Windjammer Cafe, and the soft-serve ice cream machines (they're probably now staffed by crew members to avoid Covid infection), as well as the zip lines, the FlowRider wave pools, and the Ultimate Abyss dry slides.
Regarding saying "No" to the cruise line's auto-upgrade offer, I agree with the host-narrator, especially if that auto-upgrade offer is made at check-in and you have no say about where that cabin is located. Case in point: I had a solo cabin upgrade in September '04 aboard Carnival Conquest, sailing from Nawlins (aka New Orleans) to the Western Caribbean. The cabin was located one deck above the Navigation Bridge, and there was a small sign on a window that said "Please close the curtains at dusk". Why was that sign so important that it should not be ignored by cabin occupants? I'm glad you asked! Turns out the Watch Officer needs total darkness at the ship's bow to do his or her job, and that means all cabins on the front of the ships have to be darkened by dusk or twilight, e.g, around 6 PM-ish. Naturally, I knew enough about ship operations to comply with the request, but on one of the last nights of the sailing, I got a furtive knocking on my door, and when I answered the knock, a female ship's officer who shouted, "Close those curtains NOW" I replied, "Yes, Ma'am, and did just that--closed the cabin's curtains. Since that time, the only upgrades I accepted were the ones I asked my travel agent for, such as the Aqua Class cabin I occupied two years ago on Celebrity Reflection, sailing to and from the British Isles from Amsterdam during August 2019. The only good thing about staying in the Aqua Class cabin, frankly, is that you and other similar guests have a special dining room for you: Blu. Dining in Blu took some getting used to, but the service is slightly better than the MDR. That said, as a solo diner, I wished the hostess had offered to put me at a bigger table for a shared meal, but I got a two-top table towards the hostess stand rather than close to the windows. In short, I had fared no better than getting a shared table in the MDR. What's so big about the Aqua Class cabin? I'm glad you asked. Frankly, you get the same amenities as Concierge Class guests plus access to the Blu dining room and access to the Persian Garden. As for the cabin itself, amenities include: bathrobes, slippers, some canapes in the afternoon, fresh fruit, special nozzles in the shower--with no directions for their use--and a rainfall showerhead (wow, what a big deal!), a pillow menu (nope!), ice tea (another nope!), welcome bottle of sparkling wine, complimentary binoculars for use during the cruise, and a complimentary canvas tote bag. Apparently, the real reason for naming these cabins Aqua Class is related to special access to the ship's spa for overpriced treatments and the Persian Garden, along w/the Blu dining room. Whoopee doo! Yes, I'm being sarcastic. As a solo male cruiser, I could care less about the spa, especially the Persian Garden. But I generally agree with the host-narrator that when an auto-upgrade is offered in plenty of time to determine whether the new cabin is right for you, using the methods he described in his video
Your right we spend half the day in the cabin off and on but we have always been happy with an inside.i just am careful where I book the cabin anyway..I did book a balcony for next summer but I don't think we will be cruising any more after that so I thought we would try it plus I got a young fella bunking with us.
Gary you are the number one channel I watch because you are so informative and your ideas are perfect..I am a travel agent and I always include sharing your videos with my clients.. Thanks again.. Question when do you think we will start sailing out of the US again.. Do you have any cruises booked..I have a 50th High School reunion on the RCL Mariner of the Seas in April 2022 and a family trip on Carnival Mardi Gras July 2022..
I recently received notification from the cruise line that my accessible cabin, on a quiet hall and area of the ship was not available due to social distancing or some odd reason. But, I would be moved to a room with the same amenities. My thought was, hardly but this will be interesting. I waited for the change at least 6 weeks and finally sent a note asking what and where. Never got an answer but found I did get an accessible cabin but in an area that is noisier and harder to catch elevators. Time will tell, I moved from oceanview to balcony but would jump at the chance to return to my original room!
You are absolutely right about spending time in a cabin. Found this out the first time I cruised, when hearing the Anchor going up and down, as well as the feeling of claustrophobia. The views are also important! Or where the stateroom is located on the ship that makes sense for us, in comparison where we like to hangout on the ship. For example, on one cruise, every time I wanted to go the the spa (I had bought a spa package), it was located on the other end of the ship from our stateroom and one deck up. Needless to say, location is everything!
Been on several cruises. Usually an Oceanview with 2 bathrooms. Have had inside a well. Been on 2 decks, 6th deck and 7th. The worst was the 6th.bevause the cabin shook and we were in the middle of the ship. Never figured out what we were over but we are only in the room to sleep. Maybe change for an evening out. But other than that I'm our cabin to sleep. Once we are out we are out for the day.
We have over 500 days of cruising and we almost never choose a cabin. We always book an inside cabin and occasionally we get assigned to a window or obstructed view cabin. We literally spend no time in the cabin except to sleep. We've found that the stern of the ship is our favorite location.
@@wakeup7874 The stern is the back of the ship. If you are prone to seasickness then it's best to choose a cabin in the middle of the ship and on a low deck.
The only caveat I'd enter on the port vs starboard question is on Celebrity's Edge class ships, you probably don't want to be where the magic carpet travels up and down, and on the seawalk side on some Princess ships, as you can get people looking straight onto your balcony.
I just mentioned that last point in my comment, too. I forget what ship it was but they had a see-through floor that came out over the side of the ship and you could see into a lot of balconies. Kind of creepy.
This shouldn't be too much of an issue for most people. The Magic Carpet only sits on Deck 2, 5, 14, and 16. None of them block or look into any cabins. The only caveat is a small handful of Cabins on Deck 6 would look across the top of the roof when it is parked on Dk 6, so there is a partial view obstruction. It would move by your cabin on average once, maybe twice a day as it re-positions. There is also a small area on Dk 12 that will get a little more shade when it is parked on Dk 14. The Magic Carpet also does not move frequently or with people on it. It only parks on Dk 2 for tendering, so it guarantees that you're on the side of the ship likely facing land at a tender port. It parks on Dk 5 to become part of the Sushi Restaurant. It parks on the Pool deck 14 and 16 to be an overlook, a high end restaurant on occasions, and a bar/lounge. My real thought about Portside vs. Starboard was repositioning cruses, especially since many of them are east-west. You know what side of the ship the sun will be on the whole way. Some will want the sunny side to tan and see sunrises and sunsets and some might prefer the shady for comfort to get shade during durations of the day.
@@MrCwdawg Exactly my feeling RE: repositioning. I had Transatlantic cruises scheduled in 2020 and 2021 (both cancelled) and am trying a 3rd time next April. In each case I picked the side closest to the equator. I am truly a sun worshipper and love waking up on my balcony with my coffee watching the sunrise and sunset.
I was once quarantined for 2 days in my cabin. I had almost booked an inside cabin. Thank goodness I went for at least ocean view. I can't imagine being in a windowless, dark room for days. Ugh!
Relaxing on the balcony between activities is such a crucial part of cruising. The nap between the excursion and dinner/show is a real game changer.
Agree to the nap: just make sure you wake up in time to shower, dress, and go to dinner, but ensure that your steward can enter it to do his or her evening turn-down service. :-)
@Finley the Golden I nap in the same time slot! It's so refreshing before dinner and show!
Yessss!!! The nap is a must!!+
Yes! We scheduled a nap every day...a must have!
It sure is I agree
My stepmom took me on my first cruise ever with a veranda cabin on Celebrity. I was spoiled from the beginning. I can't imagine NOT being able to sit outside on our own "porch". So worth the extra money!
Agreed, and especially so when the balcony cabins on Celebrity came with afternoon canapes and replenished fruit bowls. Yum! :-)
I cruised only 1 time and I got a regular cabin with ocean view. I remember that every time my partner was getting ready I was just sitting on my bed staring at the walls, as the window was pretty blurry due to the salty air and we couldn't barely see anything outside. I would definitely consider getting a balcony next time where I could sit drinking something and watching the cruise/ocean instead.
@@KrekreDoBusao you won't regret it! Totally changes the experience!
Same happened with me. Mom in law spoiled me with the most exclusive rooms on an NCL cruise. Literally had a huge room/patio with our own butler, private restaurant, pool, and sun decks 🙃
The balcony is great for that grumpy person in the group. Anyone starts complaining or starts acting up, banished to the balcony. It's like a second room!
Agree, a cabin really counts imo. It’s a chill out place, privacy, watching sunrises and sunsets, balcony time if you’re lucky enough to have one
And especially if you run into bad weather as I did. Really nice to have a lovely space to hang out in
Your room ALWAYS matters. No matter if it's a cruise or a hotel. I've stayed in bad hotels and I swear that was the worst sleep I've ever experienced because I was uncomfortable.
It is harder for hotels to be a shock today but I do remember booking what was marketed as fabulous, arriving and being afraid to shower, or get in the bed! The pics did not even look like the same building. Today on line reviews and guests pics really help. Just like the UA-cam walk through videos.
If you’re in your early 20s and come to party, you can put up with a lot (whatever is rock bottom cheapest). Now that I’m in my mid 30s and a parent I am a lot more needy. Being reasonably close to food (extremely important) and the kids area (very important) and being able to rest are must haves.
@@SandyToes75 we used to only have printed brochures, and it was a gamble what you’d get. Now we can read reviews, watch real pictures/video.
@@horsewithnoname12345 Yes! So much better. But I do still miss the cruise line printed catalogs.
Often it's other guests being noisy in a hotel. I never travelled without earplugs. It does help.
My favorite arrangement on a Carnival cruise is to have family in the next door balcony. When they open up the partition, the balcony is twice as large. It's a very luxurious thing to have that much balcony space.
yeah I'd like that very much!
I wish that I could open the partition, I have smokers in my family. 🤮
I always spend time in the cabin, especially out on the balcony.
Our first couple of Cruises were inside
than A PORT HOLD....After that Balcony's
all the way..36 Cruises later and still enjoy...
J&R
There are a number of UA-cam channels about cruising, but yours is the only one I watch! Your information is always so helpful and on point. Thanks so much!
Thanks ! Much appreciated. Great to hear you find it so helpful
First cruise in 2009 was an aft OV with Carnival. I absolutely hated it and swore I’d never cruise again. Fast forward to 2018…new husband who really wanted to try cruising. We booked a 10 night Caribbean out of New Orleans on NCL. We booked a balcony, but bid and were upgraded to a mini suite for only $150 more. Yes, it was the floor plan with an angled balcony (smaller than the normal mini suite balcony), but we loved it! We’ve had to reschedule our next cruise multiple times due to life and CV, but are now booked on a 7 day NYC to Bermuda cruise for June 2022 with NCL. We are planning to bid to upgrade on that one also (if it’s an option). We both agree the minimum category we will book is a balcony cabin. There’s something magical about being able to sit on your balcony with a glass of wine and watch the sun go down over the water. If it means we aren’t able to cruise as often due to the cost, that’s a concession we’re willing to make. For us it’s about quality over quantity.
We have always booked a balcony room at mid ship and have enjoyed the cabins.
I have cruised for over 50 years ( I’m 88 ) Your comments are not only useful but so apt. Took an upgrade once never again. I find your videos enjoyable and useful. Thank you. Sylx
Cabin size and class is.......HUGE!!!! Always go for the nicer cabin!!!
I want the best cabin I can pay for. I spend a lot of time in my cabin. It's a sanctuary for me.
me2
Yep
Personal hot tub = my main requirement. Daytime = wandering around, seeing, enjoying, eating. Evening, time to relax in the hot tub, then go to sleep
I think that is exactly right, best I can pay for.
I do not look down on those that have lower cabins but I have turned a bit green at some of the fabulous new family suites. They would be so perfect but I refuse to pay more than I can comfortably.
I do too. But if I can take my family to Mediterranean for $12,000 with Disney I’m not going to pay $35,000. There comes a point when your accommodations actually steal from the destinations budget. As I’ve told the kids before, oh I can take you to japan but you’re going to spend the week at the airport.
LOVE the line "you only sleep in your cabin" as you say not true
I've done both, inside and high end suites. I've had great times on both. What I will say high end suites really aren't worth it if you have a busy literary. My favorite is the Jr. Suite, many have bathtubs, huge closets, living rooms etc. However, post covid I will never book an inside cabin again. I want minimum balcony, for fresh air, etc.
Yep about the rooms! Our very first cruise, we had an inside room, never again! 8 cruises later, we are always mid ship, balcony, mid decks!! We will always book that way!!
My experience was the opposite: I had a solo occupancy of an outside double on the old Home Lines Oceanic in '80. Then for the next 10+ years, I spent what I could afford to occupy a guaranteed outside or inside double with a roommate on various cruise lines' ships, whether those ships were Carnival, HAL, NCL (when NCL was called Norwegian Caribbean Line, not Norwegian Cruise Lines), or RCCL ships. I recall having a roommate who thought he could sneak fruits past a Customs Agent. I warned him that making those attempts would get him fined. I also told him that if he made the attempt to bring in fruits and got caught, I wouldn't recognize him as my roommie.
The benefit of having no roommies started when I finally made myself able to afford balcony cabins in the early oughts. I haven't looked back since. IMHO the best balconies were the Concierge Class cabins aboard Celebrity ships along with the Boardwalk neighborhood balcony cabins on Oasis-class ships. What about the AquaClass cabins aboard Celebrity? IMO, the real benefit of having those cabins lies in access to Blu restaurant. Speaking as a male solo cruiser occupying one of those cabins aboard Reflection in August '19, I could care less about the Persian Garden and spa-related benefits.
I cant imagine not having a balcony cabin. I loved it and wouldn't go for anything less now.
Agreed. After nearly 20+ years of not being able to afford balcony cabins, I finally had a higher-paying job that enabled me to book these outside and balcony cabins. That said, please take some time to look on cruise line websites to read the deck plans to decide where you want to be. Try to avoid elevator and stairwell foyers (noisy!), discos (ditto), dining and kitchen areas (ditto), and pool areas (ditto). Unfortunately, for all the time you take to decide where to stay, there are several things you can't control: weather, smokers, and loud people next door. :-)
Nothing compares to sitting out on a balcony in the morning in your p.j.'s eating room service breakfast, watching the waves go by.
On my first cruise, I had below deck inside cabin. We were as far up in the bow as was possible. I could hear the water swishing by. I was so freaking seasick lol
@@shepwillner7507 if your job doesn’t pay enough, get a temp part time side hustle. If you’re debt free (except mortgage), doing DoorDash/Uber Eats/delivery gig one or more nights a week or on the weekend can really add up quickly!
@@missbecky2571 Your experience could have been worse: what if that bow had bounced up and down in heavy wave action, especially during storms. I recall returning to the departure port aboard a cruise ship--not an RCCL ship--in August of '90 or '91, and the wave action was so rough that most pax could not get to the MDR to eat dinner. Fortunately, I don't get seasick, and I was able to not only come to the MDR for dinner but also eat my food. That's why I am able to report on that situation more than 30 years later.
One of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced in my lifetime was sitting by myself on our deck watching the sun setting......it was hypnotic.... the only thing I heard was the waves gently lapping against the boat! I have never in my life felt peace like that and I learned where the saying “heaven on earth” came from! I finally broke myself free to grab my hubby and get it on film just as the sun slipped away!
agree, it is magical
I have never been on these luxury cruises and this channel was suggested for me on UA-cam. This is now my 10th video or so. Very informative and beautiful images. Awesome channel 👍
Port or Starboard is very important on a trans Atlantic if you want sun on your balcony.
I spend a good bit of time in my cabin. I love the activity of the ship, but I need downtime too. I spend a lot of time on my balcony just experiencing the ship moving through the water.
Agree
That is my biggest CV19 miss, the ocean, being surrounded by the waves, the sounds, the smell, and the peace it brings.
I have had some crazy storms over the many years but I choose NOT to focus on them!
@@SandyToes75 I love my balcony, just sitting and watching the world sail by...
@@sarahlbeeney1920 oh Sarah, I agree!
My first cruise I was very nervous about getting sea sick. I took the patch and Dr gave me meds and...we picked a cabin mid ship and on the lowest deck we could get ...it ended up being the most inexpensive Cabin smile 😃 guess what? We had very rough seas and I slept like a baby even w out using the medication. Each morning we listened to others tell stories of not sleeping at all. I was VERY thankful for the cabin we had. It was tiny and no window or balcony. It was perfect for my husband, young daughter and I.
My tip is when you pick your cabin stick to it, don’t put in for an upgrade.
You picked it for a reason, And you could regret it.
Agreed Joyce!!!
Port vs Starboard - in some rare cases it does matter. We will be circumnavigating Iceland soon, so I selected a cabin on the starboard side since that will be the side with the coastline in view.
I am a Solo traveller,put thought into choosing my cabin,and no mistakes so far! Have had Balcony,outside…and inside and find it fine once my decision is made! Always mid ship,quite near the elevators,and never a high deck!
Then get out and enjoy the great amenities provided! Love every minute💕👍
I always do a *ton* of research to get the best rooms/cabins either on land or sea, and I've found that if we have a good cabin (or hotel room), my wife and I end up intentionally spending more time there. Unless you're going to swim, why bother spending your time on a crowded pool deck when you can relax with a glass of wine and enjoy a quiet sea view on your own balcony? I've only once gotten somewhat burned on a cabin, being woken up by dragging deck chairs every morning at 5AM (though the rest of the day was fine). I did learn my lesson about connected cabins too, oddly on the hotel iteration of the Queen Mary, when we got put in a connected cabin and could hear the people in the other cabin like the door wasn't even there. We ended up having to change cabins. Some cruise lines do show connecting doors on their deck plans; I always avoid any cabins that have them like the plague.
As usual I totally agree with you. We always book away from elevators, crew access doors, laundry, etc. Select a deck between other cabin decks. Stay AWAY from family cabins unless you are the family. We always book balcony cabins for the reasons you listed.
I agree with most of what you've said. However, we selected a bottom deck cabin when we sailed on Disney a few years ago and it was one of the BEST choices EVER! The ship was set up with the main dining rooms on the third deck so it was a short climb to most things and SO QUIET! We actually booked that cabin on a follow-up cruise and hope to do so on our next one. 😃
I love a midship, lower deck cave. Dark, cold and quiet….
I think the cove balconies on Carnival's Dream and Vista class ships were made with me in mind. I need a balcony, but I prefer to be in the lower decks. I don't mind ship noises -- anchors, motors, etc. But I can't deal with techno music so I'm insulated from all that, but still able to enjoy the benefits of a balcony.
Great advice👍 we agree and same. Take time choosing cabin👍 I love sitting on balcony in morning and later in day. That ocean noise and those sunsets are very special 😍
So true!
Another great video. Love my balcony. Smoked salmon and coffee in the morning and a cheeseburger at 1am well reading my favourite novel.
Agree. I also like the sound of your breakfast!
I had to read your comment twice....I thought you meant you 'smoked (verb) salmon' ie, like a cigarette!
@@PetroicaRodinogaster264 🤣
Thank you Gary for the video. I am an experienced cruiser, over 200 days at sea, and I have never been assigned a bad cabin. Forward, midships, or aft, each has advantages. In my opinion, the only cabin to avoid are the obstructed view cabins, it would be better and cheaper to get an inside cabin rather than an obstructed view. Thank you again. Looking forward to cruising again, two cruises booked.
actually a partial ocean view is less $ than unobstructed, but a little more $ than an inside, the way it should be.
Sounds like you had a view of lifeboats.
I’ve been above a dance club and my body throbbed to the beat until early in the morning. Also had an ocean view cabin at the very rear of of the ship and the anchor dropping every morning at 4 or 5 am woke me up. Now I ALWAYS choose my cabin. Still had fun on those cruises but prefer paying a little extra and picking exactly what I want.
Uh...the anchors are in the bow, not the stern
@@tazman572 well then I don’t know what it was but I was in the very back cabin and it sounded like chains running out almost every morning.
@@amybradley5821 If the noise you heard at the aft wasn't chains, then the sources could either be winches to let the lines go down and out to the piers for dockworkers to retrieve and put around the cleats or bullocks or the stern thrusters pushing the ship towards the dock.
If you weren't choosing your cabins before, who chose them for you w/o talking w/you about your preferences? That's why a good travel agent is a valuable resource to have in one's corner.
@@shepwillner7507 I’m not a user of Travel agents at all. I like doing everything myself. I went cheap the first couple of cruises and let the cruise line pick because the price was better. Not anymore.I’ve gotten everything I’ve wanted pretty much.
Hi Gary, with all that is going on in the cruise industry right now, my only location choice right now is: on board ! Hi from Bob and Jill in Connecticut
For many that will be the same........
We always choose mid-ship near the elevators. So far I've never been bothered by the sound of the elevators. But I do like taking 3 steps from my cabin and being at the elevator.
Nice. If the cabin is just behind the elevator area it can usually be ok. I agree
I’ve never been on a cruise. I never want to go on a cruise, but boy I love watching this guy!
isn't his accent the best? And the production of these videos is really stellar
I think your really missing a great thing. I’ve enjoyed every cruise I’ve been on. Sure it’s just like life you don’t always like everything but ships are so big you can get out of anything you don’t like.
You are making a HUGE mistake.
Thank you for saying this. I chose a vista suite and got a second cabin for our teen sons. I've gotten so much flack for wasting the money and am CONSTANTLY told we won't be in our cabins. One, we have a gorgeous, wrap around the corner balcony in the vista suite so we can have our own private area. Two, we are big game players so we needed an area large enough for the 4 of us. Third. I didn't want to share my bathroom with 3 guys. LOL. Also, godforbid we have to quarantine.
This is our first cruise (in June) and if we made the mistake everyone seems to think we've made, well then I know for next time. But the reverse would be so much worse.
Cabin choice is THE most important thing about cruising. We took our first cruise and did not have a cabin with a balcony. That was a huge mistake and one we never repeated again.
If a balcony cabin is stretching the budget too much, at least get a window - but book early to get one, they tend to sell out first.
We always book a port side cabin with a balcony, at the bow of the ship. We don’t have a problem with sea sickness and we find the rocking of the ship calming, plus it’s quiet up there. I can’t imagine having to quarantine in an inner cabin. Another great update Gary, thanks!
We lucked into an aft-facing balcony on last cruise, it was amazing, and we will always try to get that type again.
They can be great!!
Had one on a Celebrity Alaska cruise was awesome!
Interesting. We never thought of an aft facing balcony. Hmmm, maybe our next trip.
My absolute favourite too
I did it on a cruise from Shanghai to Fukuoka, Japan and back. Except for the one port it was all sea days so it was perfect. That said, it was a LOT of walking to get anywhere so I tried not to go back and forth too often. It was wonderful, though, and the balcony was much bigger than the ones on the sides. I even slept out there a few nights!
I spend the most time in my cabin unwinding and chilling!! Balcony cabins are the way to go.
I disagree about a blanket statement about port vs starboard, especially on a trans iceanic voyage. Depending on which way you're traveling, you will have a sunny side of the ship and a shaded side for much of the trip. For this you may want to take the side of ship into account. Or possibly a difference in setting sunsets or sunrises.
I'm not too fond of sailing on the North Atlantic because of the huge waves. Some of those waves can create deep troughs and high crests; when small vessels encounter these things, they climb the wave to the crest and then slam to the trough, sending big vibrations throughout the boat making people seasick. I remember this happening on my first trip out into the North Atlantic on a oceanography excursion in August '78. Most of the pax got sick from this, but luckily I didn't. However, those high waves coming up and over the gunwales are scary. Those waves are probably one reason I would not do a transatlantic sailing between NYC and Southampton. I would go only part way,, such as to the Canaries and Madeira as I did in Oct '14 aboard Independence of the Seas. For that cruise, I didn't choose between port or starboard because I didn't care which side of the ship got the sunlight. To each his or her own.
@@shepwillner7507 I get you're point, especially on a smaller ship. Did QM2 crossing a few years back. Though it was summer we did have a few days of rough seas, but the ship handled it quite well, as it should being an actual ocean liner. Our experience was quite different on Oceania's Riviera in rough seas near, and beyond, the Canaries on an October crossing.
Now that Disney and Virgin have announced a summer programme of cruises to nowhere
Cabin choice is even more important than it was before
Cruises to nowhere? I have never heard of this, what are they?
@@kristen3542 Depending on the duration
A cruise ship will leave port taking its crew and passengers beyond the 12 mile limit sail in a giant circle or figure eight back nonstop to where it departed from
@@michaelnunnery6394 Hopefully they are deeply discounted... that sounds terrible ha ha 😎
We have these in Singapore since last year since borders are closed. Royal Caribbean and Dream cruises. Just short getaway for 2-4 nights. Just like staying in a club Med and never stepping out.
Yes, been there, done that.
I cruised in oceanview cabins when I was younger and less well off, but now I won't go on a cruise without a balcony -- or a sliding glass door/window on a river cruise. Location: I very much enjoy being near the stern in a large cruise ship because the steady gentle vibration from the engines makes for soothing sleep. River cruise, though, I'd rather be farther forward.
When we sail on Royal Caribbean we usually go portside as there is no smoking allowed on that side, even on the pool decks. There's less chance you'll have smoke drifting towards your balcony.
New sub. Never been on a cruise but am thinking seriously of trying one. Thanks for these videos.
Our first couple of Cruises We did make those mistakes
and LEARN the hard way,,,, but Your refrester course
sure drives it home,,, Thanks
J&R Nags Head
I laughed so hard when you said....we often travel with our mothers and if they aren’t near by they may get lost. Man, that’s been me on a mega ship looking for the rest of my family’s cabin! Your tips are spot on and I have learned from you and others that picking the right cabin makes all the difference. Thanks....btw, if you are live chatting this Saturday I won’t be there this time☹️. But I’ll watch it afterwards!
Glad to hear you had the same! Sorry you won't be there on Saturday :-)
Well, if you travel w/a Mom whose eyesight isn't so great, then you'll be her roomie and you'll have to guide her to either her cabin or some other place she wants to go, especially if she has trouble reading large, lit signs. If Mom is using a walker, then pick a cabin as close as possible to the elevators. Regarding getting lost aboard mega-ships, some of them such as RCCL's Oasis or Allure have Way-Finders on the walls to help you find your cabin, along with similar tools near the elevators.
I love state room's with my own little balcony. I never had any problems.
But for right now, I will not plan a cruise until this current bull crap is over with.
Thank you for the information you shared.
Definitely cabins are important! Everyone will like & think different cabins are great. I’ve have an inside cabin & balcony. Now I won’t book nothing but a balcony. Especially with all that has happened. My traveling family members have a small list of requirements due to sea sickness.
We have been auto upgraded in the past. We had an inside cabin in a nice part of the ship and got moved to an outside cabin on a low deck at the front by the anchor and under the stage. With auto upgrade you need to be able to accept or reject the upgrade.
The only thing free in life is advice and trouble. When the cruise line wants to give you something for “free,” be very careful. That’s my advice (for free!)
Invaluable advice, especially disallowing auto upgrades. I always want passenger decks above and below.
Why Maurie?
@@salimas7979 less noise than having public spaces over or under your cabin
@@maurieshakespeare5835 ohhh. Makes sense. Thx for explaining that.
POSH = Port Out Starboard Home, on Atlantic crossings. It's interesting to consider the sun and changing cabins for an advantageous direction.
Port or Starport was important on our cruise from Valparaiso to Buenos Aires. We booked our cabin, so we can look to the land - it was wonderful, standing on the balcony watching the scenary. Sorry for some writing mistakes, my english isn't so good. Greetings from Austria
Your English is so much better than my Austrian German! I am sorry. I won’t even try to translate. The same process is great for an Alaskan cruise.
@@SandyToes75 thx :) Aladka is also on ny bucketlist
The English called trips down the Nile “Port Out Starboard Home” meaning you would be on the shady side of the ship coming and going and not broil in the sun. Where we get the term “posh” meaning ritzy or high-end, since the P.O.S.H. cabins were the most expensive.
@@SandraWuerthner I think it is a trip to be enjoyed, lots of moments to savor, and many memories to be made. I am sure you will enjoy. The spring has the baby bears and other animals. Humpback whales migrate from Hawaii, Orcas and eagles searching for food for their nests. Everything is growing and greening so quickly. If very lucky, you may even see the Northern Lights. The summer has the longest days with very little darkness. Puffins, seals, sea lions, babies are everywhere. Denali opens in June and if you are blessed by the heavens you will have a crystal clear day for viewing. Fish are there at any time, just the species of Salmon varies, King, Red, Silver. Fall foliage, wait until September. Also if you hate bugs and bug spray the spring is before them and Sept is after them. I saw the Aurora the last cruise booked in Sept. More mud in the spring. They all have trade offs but they are each fabulous.
@@Boertje247 That is the best Britishism I have heard! Thank you so much for sharing!
POSH, won’t forget that one.
I cruise to relax and after some disappointing cruises with inside cabins, never again. A balcony is a must as that's where I can sit with my book, a drink in hand and a wonderful view. Bliss
Another great video. I like a high deck, I prefer to have a deck between me and the pool deck!
Me too, especially if you're on a Celebrity Solstice-class ship: the pool deck and the Ocean View Cafe are on the same deck; that location is also valuable if I'm a patron of the Solarium.
I always enjoy listening to you. Very calming -and knowledgeable! I’ve learned so much. Thank you.
Really great advice , hope they listen 30 day trip to Tahiti , 400 sq ft gets very small Thanks
We still booked an inside cabin for our Alaska cruise. A Balcony cabin was over double the price! We booked a 14nt in an inside for less than 1 week in a balcony cabin.
Great video. I need a walk-in shower rather than a shower in a tub, and at first I didn't think about it on a cruise I booked. That meant paying a bit more, as most of the verandah cabins had showers in the bathtubs. After I paid for the upgrade it motivated me to upgrade another step to a suite, and I ended up really happy I did that! it was worth it.
Those dreaded shower curtains 🙄🙄🙄🙄 right? On same page 👍
I didn't know they had rooms with tubs!
@@larry4111 Princess mini suites have the shower in the tub. I found it quite hard to negotiate especially in rough seas.
@@aussiejohn5835 I can imagine!
@@larry4111 Royal Jr suites have tub situation also. IF taller than 4’6” be prepared to sit with your knees in your nose because the tub is really small. Even smaller than one in an efficiency appt in NYC!
I agree 100%! I went with the "cheap seats" once. Never again.
Absolutely be cautious with upgrades. I accepted an offer from the "Upgrade Fairy" once, from an interior to an oceanview....and the room's A/C didn't work. (!)
We invoked the cruise line's satisfaction guarantee and thankfully they were able to move us to a balcony stateroom -- the ONLY cabin that was available, due to a guest cancellation.
Now, of course, we're spoiled and we only book balconies...preferably aft extended ones.
£139 for a 4 night ocean view with Costa...got upgraded to an aft balcony.. it was amazing..but now I feel I dont want to go back to an inside...RIP credit card lol
Could you hear me LOL? That was so good! There have been times over this past year when I know my CC has been “overheated”. The 10 yr old came running into the room wanting me to share the funny joke(truth, she was doing history and wanted a break).
....saw the young adult with magnetic alphabet ...theres a great use of wall space in your cabin if you have them ... also good for messages too I bet ... over think your cruise day by day ... but never overpack ...
True that: many people might not know that their cabin walls and doors are magnetic, so taking magnets along will help arrange things like invites, shore excursion tix, vouchers, and any other paper object that might get lost on a small desk. In addition, on one cruise aboard RCCL's Oasis, I put up magnets on my cabin door to better identify it. Worked like a charm. Same thing as other cruises: decorate your cabin door to make it stand out from the rest, and you'll know it's your cabin when returning from bars, shore excursions, etc.
We always have a balcony. On our first cruise we did an inside. Never again. In the mornings we had to turn the telly on to see if it was light outside. Sometimes it is the only peaceful place on the ship.
Cost of cabin has to take priority for most people. I would love a balcony but paying for 3 adults and one child means we have to be realistic about how much we spend on a cabin.
Agreed. You can always go up on deck! I’ve had interior rooms that were cheaper, and was very happy. And when you save that money, you can go on more cruises!
TYVM! I was a bit surprised when you mentioned solo in the book early section until I remembered two types of solo cabins - built-as-solo vs solo supplement. The former you definitely want to book ASAP, but it seems to me the latter may be cheaper to book later.
Both types are limited and booking early you can get a cabin. If you wait you might be waiting for another sailing date. My experience, they sell out quickly.
I was glad to see that Celebrity Edge finally had solo cabins, but it took them so long to get them designed in the first place. I wish other Celebrity ships had solo cabins so I wouldn't have to pay so much for sole occupancy of the room. I know that HAL has solo cabins but they're also guaranteed, meaning you have no say where they're located. NCL has special solo cabins but I don't want to be confined to such as small space as 100 sq. ft. (or more). Does RCCL have solo cabins? Probably on the newer Oasis and Quantum-class ships.
@@shepwillner7507 Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas have them. Celebrity on Apex, Edge, and Silhouette
I have a few dealbreakers - i.e., I won't even go on the cruise if these situations arise: 1) Interconnecting cabins. NO NO NO. I made the mistake of having connecting cabins my very first cruise and I could literally hear everything - and I mean everything - from next door, from a cough to a sneeze to phone calls. 2) I HATE waiting for elevators. I spend the most time on the deck so my rule is no more than 3 decks away so I can walk up and down. I'll pull up the deck plan and if, say, the pool deck is 14, I will be no lower than 11 - even if it means a lot more money. I also try to be closer to the stairwell that goes up to the buffet. 3) Obviously for these reasons I never go with the "sail away" option. I must pick my own room even if it costs a lot more. 4) Unobstructed balcony. Everyone has their priorities - this is big for me. I won't just look at the deck plan. I will go online and pull up images of the ship and zoom in to see exactly where my room is from the outside of the ship - what's above, below, and on the sides. I remember one ship that had a see-through observation floor that went out over the ship and the people there could see into the balconies of all the rooms up to a certain point. That can be creepy. I'm aware of that now. 5) What's near me in the hallway. On one cruise all the available aft rooms were right next to all the kids' play areas - game rooms, nursery, etc.That's a no-no. I also don't want to be directly adjacent to the elevators/stairs but I don't want to be too far way, either. Speaking of which, I did do an aft balcony once and I loved the experience but it was so much walking every day that I don't think I'll do it again. Well, that's a few and I don't want my comment to be too long. Thanks, as always, for your tips!
Thanks for adding these insights. I agree. It os good to see someone who feels as passionately as me on getting the cabin right!!! I have not gone on cruises as I could not get the right cabin as know it would not be worth it...
@@tipsfortravellers Thanks! When I started cruising I was overwhelmed by all the options. It's much easier now since I can eliminate 90% of them.
@@larry4111 I understand the walking point. You want to enjoy a relaxing time, not feel that every time you're heading somewhere on the ship, it's like a 'strenuous walking activity' during a shore excursion, to get where you're going.
@@johnburns9634 Exactly. I'm all for exercise...I walk at least 5 miles every day...but If I am in the mood to go the hot tub and I know I'm 15 minutes away it takes away from the pleasure, especially if I forgot something and have to go back. I also tend to like the larger ships which makes getting from place to place an adventure.
You are so knowledgeable, thank you. Love 💕 your channel
We’ve always booked the mini suite apart from the first cruise we ever took which was an inside cabin, I like the balcony and the extra space in the room. Like you point out we may have to quarantine and I wouldn’t want to be in a small cabin with no way to get fresh air plus I tend to relax more in the mini suite. We’re booked for a 16 day cruise, 9 of those days are sea days and myself and my partner don’t tent to do the activities on the cruise besides eating, relaxing by the pool and seeing a couple of the shows.
A cabin with outside access I find for myself is best as it gives access to natural light, fresh air and a private place to relax.
Hopefully our cruise from Australia leaves and doesn’t get canceled. It’s for 2022 in February. It’s looking 50/50 atm
I'm crossing my fingers for you to go aboard the ship and enjoy that mini-suite. I've seen videos published by other cruise fans, and some of them have large balconies and large closets or wardrobe areas. If that mini-suite is the Club variety aboard Princess, you get access to a special part of the MDR that gives very special service to guests occupying those kinds of mini-suites. How do I know that? Because I watched how lines are shorter on the Club Mini-suite side of the MDR aboard Coral Princess last February--no lines at all, and people just stroll in, get shown to their tables, and enjoy the service.
@@shepwillner7507 yes it’s the same with P&O Australia, no lines and you’re treated like VIP’s.
Thank you for crossing your fingers, it’s beginning to look a lot less likely that we will go on a cruise next year as Victoria keep having to go into quarantine because the government is careless with that state and people aren’t cautious when they get sick during these times. Hopefully because it leaves from south Australia that it will be all good to leave or hopefully it will be changed to a New Zealand cruise to make up for it not being able to go the the pacific islands
The very first cruise we went on was an inside room on deck two of the ship. Being an inside room you can not tell day from night, and when we slept we never had to worry about when to get up, as when the ship ported up the engine noise would shake the whole room and we knew then it was time to get up to go ashore.
I have stayed mostly in inside cabins. The last time got one with ocean view. Although I loved the window, the inside cabins weren't bad, either.
We stayed right below the pool deck on our first cruise and loved it. We didn’t hear a single thing from above and we were so close to everything....including a smoking section. So I really think it depends on the boat.
GREAT INFO! Always a good vlog! Thanks!!!
Love how you bring up things I never would have thought of. So much great information. Thank you for all the hard work you do.
You are so welcome!
I'm taking my first ever cruise summer 2022. I have no idea what I'll need and what I won't. So learning curve for me. Plus, it's free, so I will try and not be fussy. 😂 X
Fantastic advice. With the return to sailing, it will so important to get it right
Absolutely!
I beg to differ, love my inside cabin, we don’t lounge in it, we sleep, shower and get ready for the day, to each their own,
I like to sleep in a completely dark room, an inside cabin is perfect for that.
Though an inside cabin is extremely claustrophobic, even a large one.
Absolutely agree with you...we've had balcony, interior with a window and inside and I would sooner spend the money enjoying myself.
That was my opinion as well, and we spent most waking hours on deck and wandering around, but then we got a balcony on the rear of the ship and it completely changed our cruise as most of the time we had spent up on deck, we now spent lounging on our balcony and it was like our own private vacation (well except for meal times of course.)
@@reddevil3874 I have a family member that only wants an inside because seeing the ocean made her seasick. I had booked an aft wrap and she just did not like it.
Another says never in cabin except to run in and out, change clothes, shower and sleep. And one that MUST have total darkness. Everyone is different. I am now looking for solo cabins for the next family holiday.
@@johnpatz8395 I LOVE the aft wrap balcony cabins. So calming.
I always look at the deck plan before choosing my cabin.
Always a good idea. I wish more people did that before booking their cabin and then complaining that their agent fouled them up by choosing the "wrong" cabin. Examining the deck plan will also allow you to see which public rooms, e.g., library, bar, casino, coffee shop, or internet cafe are the closest ones to your cabin and possible routes for getting to the cabin quickly if you have to use the loo. If you're aboard a Celebrity ship offering iLife lounges, those places are really convenient to book near your chosen cabin because you will be using them to check-in for your flights the day before disembarkation.
As one should, to see what is under you, next to you or above you.
I got an upgrade to a ocean view once and it was pretty nice. Though we were in the 2nd floor
Talk about an eye opener. Thank you for these videos.
Good points. Having encountered stormy weather on my first cruise, I now tend to prefer lower decks, which seem more stable. There's not as much choice for those of us in solo cabins, but always good to be surrounded by other cabins and away from restaurants & bars to avoid noise.
I'm pretty easy when picking my stateroom. Room must be on a deck with a passenger deck above and below, don't be right above theater and don't be right underneath lido. I've been in inside, outside and balcony staterooms, and they all meet my needs. Hopefully I can spoil myself with a suite one day in the future.
Yeah, me too--regarding spoiling me w/a suite. For now, I prefer a balcony cabin close to the pool deck, bars, and buffet because I'm not traveling below for breakfast during their serving times in the MDR.
These are so helpful! I’m a potential solo traveler who’s a bit of a night owl.
I travel solo too, so size isn't a big worry, but noise is! So far have not had issues with it but would be very uncomfortable if there was noise.
I've been a solo cruiser for most of my time at sea, and that means I'm also a night owl, but only in casinos or the internet cafe. If I peruse bars, I prefer the Schooner Bar aboard RCCL ships, or the pubs on the Royal Promenade on Voyager, Oasis, and Freedom-class ships.
On the last few cruises i barely slept, didn't even notice, would be at the clubs till 4am and waking up around 8 for activities, no alarms.
Solo on a budget, mid ship, mid decks with a window, especially in stormy seasons and hold off on booking until they do a package deal that works for you.
I always wait to book when premium drinks package is included, i cruise P&O, and it's normally $45 a day for all inclusive drinks on a cruise over 7 days, that was a much better deal for me at 23-28 than an extra 200 room credit.
These days i don't drink as much. So id just get the normal drinks package at 11 a day and take the room credit
I always book a balcony (had an inside cabin once - never again) below the pool deck and close to the stairs (elevator) because it is a short trip to the top decks. I like to shoot hops a couple times a day, take a fast walk on the jogging track, sit around the upper decks if it is nice out, or sit under the covered area on the upper decks if the weather is not great, be close to the buffet so I can grab a cup of tea when I want, etc. I spend very little time on the lower decks except for breakfast and lunch in the dining room. That is what I love about a cruise - there is something for everyone.
If you want to shoot hoops a couple times a day, may I refer you to the RCCL Oasis Class ships? They have full court b-ball aboard their ships, and many evenings you can watch players dunk hoops in the wee hours of the night from your balcony in the Boardwalk neighborhood. I have some sympathy for those suite pax whose cabins overlook the b-ball courts and who are trying to sleep amid the ball dribbling and hoop shooting. You're also close to the bars, pools, the Windjammer Cafe, and the soft-serve ice cream machines (they're probably now staffed by crew members to avoid Covid infection), as well as the zip lines, the FlowRider wave pools, and the Ultimate Abyss dry slides.
Regarding saying "No" to the cruise line's auto-upgrade offer, I agree with the host-narrator, especially if that auto-upgrade offer is made at check-in and you have no say about where that cabin is located. Case in point: I had a solo cabin upgrade in September '04 aboard Carnival Conquest, sailing from Nawlins (aka New Orleans) to the Western Caribbean. The cabin was located one deck above the Navigation Bridge, and there was a small sign on a window that said "Please close the curtains at dusk".
Why was that sign so important that it should not be ignored by cabin occupants? I'm glad you asked! Turns out the Watch Officer needs total darkness at the ship's bow to do his or her job, and that means all cabins on the front of the ships have to be darkened by dusk or twilight, e.g, around 6 PM-ish. Naturally, I knew enough about ship operations to comply with the request, but on one of the last nights of the sailing, I got a furtive knocking on my door, and when I answered the knock, a female ship's officer who shouted, "Close those curtains NOW" I replied, "Yes, Ma'am, and did just that--closed the cabin's curtains.
Since that time, the only upgrades I accepted were the ones I asked my travel agent for, such as the Aqua Class cabin I occupied two years ago on Celebrity Reflection, sailing to and from the British Isles from Amsterdam during August 2019. The only good thing about staying in the Aqua Class cabin, frankly, is that you and other similar guests have a special dining room for you: Blu. Dining in Blu took some getting used to, but the service is slightly better than the MDR. That said, as a solo diner, I wished the hostess had offered to put me at a bigger table for a shared meal, but I got a two-top table towards the hostess stand rather than close to the windows. In short, I had fared no better than getting a shared table in the MDR.
What's so big about the Aqua Class cabin? I'm glad you asked. Frankly, you get the same amenities as Concierge Class guests plus access to the Blu dining room and access to the Persian Garden. As for the cabin itself, amenities include: bathrobes, slippers, some canapes in the afternoon, fresh fruit, special nozzles in the shower--with no directions for their use--and a rainfall showerhead (wow, what a big deal!), a pillow menu (nope!), ice tea (another nope!), welcome bottle of sparkling wine, complimentary binoculars for use during the cruise, and a complimentary canvas tote bag. Apparently, the real reason for naming these cabins Aqua Class is related to special access to the ship's spa for overpriced treatments and the Persian Garden, along w/the Blu dining room. Whoopee doo! Yes, I'm being sarcastic. As a solo male cruiser, I could care less about the spa, especially the Persian Garden.
But I generally agree with the host-narrator that when an auto-upgrade is offered in plenty of time to determine whether the new cabin is right for you, using the methods he described in his video
Your right we spend half the day in the cabin off and on but we have always been happy with an inside.i just am careful where I book the cabin anyway..I did book a balcony for next summer but I don't think we will be cruising any more after that so I thought we would try it plus I got a young fella bunking with us.
Your channel is so informative! And you're right most people wouldn't think of these types of things when preparing to cruise.
If you are worried how far the walk is to the gym maybe the gym isn't for you :-)
Lol!
Hard facts!
Truth!
Where is the f****** climbing wall for craps sake?
🤣🤣
My favorite part of the day is enjoying morning coffee on the balcony. ☕️ Bliss!
Agree! Though sunset with a drink is good too 😀
Gary you are the number one channel I watch because you are so informative and your ideas are perfect..I am a travel agent and I always include sharing your videos with my clients.. Thanks again.. Question when do you think we will start sailing out of the US again.. Do you have any cruises booked..I have a 50th High School reunion on the RCL Mariner of the Seas in April 2022 and a family trip on Carnival Mardi Gras July 2022..
I recently received notification from the cruise line that my accessible cabin, on a quiet hall and area of the ship was not available due to social distancing or some odd reason. But, I would be moved to a room with the same amenities. My thought was, hardly but this will be interesting. I waited for the change at least 6 weeks and finally sent a note asking what and where. Never got an answer but found I did get an accessible cabin but in an area that is noisier and harder to catch elevators. Time will tell, I moved from oceanview to balcony but would jump at the chance to return to my original room!
You are absolutely right about spending time in a cabin. Found this out the first time I cruised, when hearing the Anchor going up and down, as well as the feeling of claustrophobia. The views are also important! Or where the stateroom is located on the ship that makes sense for us, in comparison where we like to hangout on the ship. For example, on one cruise, every time I wanted to go the the spa (I had bought a spa package), it was located on the other end of the ship from our stateroom and one deck up. Needless to say, location is everything!
Been on several cruises. Usually an Oceanview with 2 bathrooms. Have had inside a well. Been on 2 decks, 6th deck and 7th. The worst was the 6th.bevause the cabin shook and we were in the middle of the ship. Never figured out what we were over but we are only in the room to sleep. Maybe change for an evening out. But other than that I'm our cabin to sleep. Once we are out we are out for the day.
What line has 2 BR in their OV?
@@SandyToes75 Oceanview delux on carnival. Has a bathroom with tub shower toilet and sink and the other a sink and shower.
@@kimberleybedford5000 WOW am going to have to talk with my TA about that! Sounds wonderful! Thanks.
@@SandyToes75 ya is great for keeping the toilet free but still being able to shower.
We have over 500 days of cruising and we almost never choose a cabin. We always book an inside cabin and occasionally we get assigned to a window or obstructed view cabin. We literally spend no time in the cabin except to sleep. We've found that the stern of the ship is our favorite location.
is the stern the front? also your thoughts make this video useless
@@wakeup7874 The stern is the back of the ship. If you are prone to seasickness then it's best to choose a cabin in the middle of the ship and on a low deck.
We book midship , balcony and quite area.
The only caveat I'd enter on the port vs starboard question is on Celebrity's Edge class ships, you probably don't want to be where the magic carpet travels up and down, and on the seawalk side on some Princess ships, as you can get people looking straight onto your balcony.
I just mentioned that last point in my comment, too. I forget what ship it was but they had a see-through floor that came out over the side of the ship and you could see into a lot of balconies. Kind of creepy.
Good point, thanks for that
This shouldn't be too much of an issue for most people. The Magic Carpet only sits on Deck 2, 5, 14, and 16. None of them block or look into any cabins. The only caveat is a small handful of Cabins on Deck 6 would look across the top of the roof when it is parked on Dk 6, so there is a partial view obstruction. It would move by your cabin on average once, maybe twice a day as it re-positions. There is also a small area on Dk 12 that will get a little more shade when it is parked on Dk 14.
The Magic Carpet also does not move frequently or with people on it. It only parks on Dk 2 for tendering, so it guarantees that you're on the side of the ship likely facing land at a tender port. It parks on Dk 5 to become part of the Sushi Restaurant. It parks on the Pool deck 14 and 16 to be an overlook, a high end restaurant on occasions, and a bar/lounge.
My real thought about Portside vs. Starboard was repositioning cruses, especially since many of them are east-west. You know what side of the ship the sun will be on the whole way. Some will want the sunny side to tan and see sunrises and sunsets and some might prefer the shady for comfort to get shade during durations of the day.
@@MrCwdawg Exactly my feeling RE: repositioning. I had Transatlantic cruises scheduled in 2020 and 2021 (both cancelled) and am trying a 3rd time next April. In each case I picked the side closest to the equator. I am truly a sun worshipper and love waking up on my balcony with my coffee watching the sunrise and sunset.
I was once quarantined for 2 days in my cabin. I had almost booked an inside cabin. Thank goodness I went for at least ocean view. I can't imagine being in a windowless, dark room for days. Ugh!
Love these tips. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching! Great to hear