Cruise Tips:
Location, Location, Location
Perhaps just as important as the type of stateroom you book, is the location of the stateroom on the ship. The location of your stateroom, along with the size and category, will determine its cost. Generally speaking (there are always exceptions), cabins located toward the center of the ship (amidships) are more desirable, and therefore, more expensive than those located at the fore or aft sections of the ship. Also, the higher up on the ship a cabin is located, the more expensive. A balcony cabin on Deck 10 amidships will generally be more expensive than the same cabin on Deck 6 forward or aft.
Knowledgeable cruise enthusiasts are well aware of the art of selecting a good stateroom based on its location. Here are a few tips that might prove helpful:
Higher up is generally quieter, but subject to more motion - One reason that cabins located on upper decks are more expensive is that they are further away from the mechanical parts of the ship. The engine room, thrusters, anchors, main galley and crew quarters are all located on the lowest decks. Trust me, if you have never been awakened by the sound of an anchor being lowered at 6:00am, consider yourself fortunate! With only one exception that I can think of, a cabin on an upper deck (8,9,10,11) will generally be quieter than one on a low deck (1,2,3,4,5). The one exception would be a higher deck with a cabin located directly under the pool deck.
Booking a stateroom directly underneath the pool deck can present its own set of challenges. We have experienced a fair amount of noise early in the morning as the crew begins to arrange the pool deck loungers. The chairs, tables and lounge chairs on the pool deck are usually moved and stacked off to the sides of the pool deck each evening so that the crew can clean the deck, or perhaps for a dance or pool BBQ. Early each morning, say 5:00am or so, the crew begins unstacking all of the chairs and moving/dragging everything back into place. Trust me, this can be quite annoying if you are a light sleeper.
One of the disadvantages to being on a higher deck is the additional rolling (side-to-side) motion. On most modern ships equipped with stabilizers, you will rarely experience any rolling motion at all. However, if you do encounter rough seas, and if there is any side-to-side (rolling) motion, you will notice it more the higher up you are on the ship.
Lower decks are less expensive, but can be noisier - The lower you are on a ship, the closer you will be to the engine and mechanical noise and vibrations of the ship. This is the main reason that these decks are less expensive than the upper decks. However, on most modern ships, as long as there is a passenger deck between you and the crew decks, you will probably be okay.
TIP: If you book a stateroom on a lower deck, try to get a room near the center of the ship. Aft staterooms will have noise from the engines and aft thrusters, forward staterooms will have noise from the ship's anchors and bow thrusters. A stateroom on a lower deck, near the center of the ship will have the least motion and noise.
Did you ever wonder why most ships place their main dining rooms on the lowest decks? Have you noticed where Royal Caribbean locates the ice skating rinks on its Freedom-class and Voyager-class ships? Low and in the middle. The biggest advantage of booking a lower deck, other than the cost savings, is the reduction in rolling motion should the ship encounter any rough seas. So, if you are prone to motion sickness, you are going to be better off on a lower deck.
So where is the best stateroom location?
Everybody has their favorites, and it really depends on the individual. Also, every ship is different.
Budget Minded: If you are not concerned with motion or noise, you will get your best deal booking low and forward or low and aft. Cabins located forward are more likely to experience the sound of anchors being raised and lowered, while cabins located aft are more subject to the sounds of the engine and propulsion systems.
Budget but sensitive to motion: If you are concerned with motion, but want the best bargain, book amidships and low. You will also avoid much of the noise by being away from the aft and forward sections of the ship.
Money is no object, but sensitive to motion: If you are going to be on one of the upper decks, you will get less motion the closer you are to the center of the ship.
Advice For Selecting The Best Stateroom
Use a travel professional - The best advice is always to consult with a travel professional before booking a cruise. Make them aware of your concerns and requirements so that they can help you select the best stateroom.
Book far in advance - You will always have more choice in staterooms the earlier you book. If you wait until 30 days before the cruise, you are going to be choosing from what is left.
#inCruises
