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Types of Cruise Ship Cabins

The price you pay for a cruise ship cabin or stateroom, either term is correct, is depends on its size, layout, and location. Cabins on large mainstream cruise ships are often advertised as standard inside, ocean view, balconied, or suite. Cabin size and location can vary significantly within the same price range on any ship, so carefully determine your own personal requirements before booking your cabin.

Standard Cruise Ship Cabins - Inside Cabins - No Window

The cheapest, inside standard cabins on a typical cruise ship are anywhere from 120 square feet to 180 square feet. Since most cruise ships are newer in design or have been remodeled, the cabins, generally, are tastefully decorated and have twin beds that can be pushed together to make a queen-sized bed. The staterooms have wall-to-wall carpeting, individually controlled air conditioning/heating, dresser or storage space, closet, telephone, and satellite television. The television usually has news, sports, local on-ship channels for broadcasting information on shore excursions or from guest lecturers, and movies. Some cabins will have a VCR or DVD player, and some televisions also have radio/music channels. Typical decor will also include a night table, reading lamps, and a chair. Some staterooms also come with personal safes, table, desk with chair, convertible loveseat, mini-refrigerator, and even Internet access, although more expensive than in the standard internet lounges now onboard many ships. Check your cruise line brochure or Web site for specifics of what amenities are in each cabin. Standard cabin bathrooms are small and most only have a shower, no tub. The bathroom also has a sink, toiletry shelves, and a noisy vacuum toilet like on an airplane The bathrooms also usually have a retractable clothesline for drying your swimsuit.

Standard Cruise Ship Cabins - Outside Ocean View Cabins (Porthole or Window)

Often the ocean view standard cabins and the inside standard cabins are identical in size and layout, the only difference being the window. Most modern ships have large picture windows rather than portholes, but these windows cannot be opened. Some ships have both porthole cabins and those with windows. The porthole cabins are on the lowest decks and are the cheapest. They also don't offer much of a view, allowing in most cases to determine whether it's day or night.

Cabins with Balconies or Verandahs

The next step class of cabin is one with a balcony (verandah). These cabins have sliding glass doors, giving you access to the outside and a much better view from within the cabin. These cabins are also larger, and some qualify as mini-suites. which means they have a small sitting area with a loveseat or convertible sofa. The mini-suites sometimes have a curtain that can be drawn to separate the sleeping and sitting areas. The balconies are often narrow, just wide enough for two chairs and a small table. For larger balconies, look for cabins near the rear of the ship. The balconies on some ships offer little or no privacy so be mindful of your attire, especially during daylight hours.

Cruise Ship Designs - Cabins - Staterooms