Which cabins cruise passengers are most satisfied with – it’s not the expensive ones!

When you go on a cruise, you want a cabin with a balcony. A survey of more than 3,000 people who have already taken a cruise shows that this is not necessarily the best choice.

At the beginning of the year, the cruise travel portal Kreuzfahrtberater.de asked more than 3,000 cruise passengers how satisfied they were with their last cruise, the price and the booked cabin. The aim was to find out whether it is worth paying more for a balcony stateroom and whether guests with a higher stateroom category are more satisfied with their cruise than others.

The surprising result: Guests in inside and outside cabins are generally happier than those in balcony cabins. According to the survey, inside cabins are recommended more frequently than the more expensive cabins with a veranda. “We didn’t expect the result like this,” says Frank Riecke, Managing Director of cruise consultants.de, in a press release. Riecke sees one explanation for this, among other things, in the price awareness of customers and in the cruise experience itself: “Overall, the average cruise passenger spends little time in his cabin. After all, it’s about discovering new destinations every day. Either way, guests are out in the fresh air for much of the day.”

How to find the ideal cabin for your cruise

There are many other things to consider when choosing a cabin on a cruise ship, depending on your preferences. For example, where you can hear the hustle and bustle and in which cabin there is absolute silence. The following details will help you with a booking.

Here it is louder on cruise ships

In general, rooms that are close to sundecks, elevators, theaters, or nightclubs can be very noisy. Even cubicles that are provided with a connecting door to their neighbors are often less well insulated and allow noise from next door to penetrate more easily.

The machines on board are also decisive for the volume level: At the stern, the ship’s engine and propeller sometimes make a noise, on the lower deck in the front part the anchor chain can be heard when loading and unloading. In the front third of the ship, the bow thruster, a built-in drive for better maneuvering, causes noise.

You should also pay attention to this when making a booking

Not only the volume can determine whether the trip will be relaxing or not, there are a few other factors on cruise ships that can spoil the joy of vacation.

undulations

Travelers who get seasick easily should stay neither at the bow nor at the stern – there they would be more exposed to the waves. If you have a sensitive stomach, cabins in the center of the ship are recommended.

soot

In cabins on older ships that have stern-facing balconies, the funnel can be a problem. Chunks of soot can fall down, making sunbathing on the private lounger a dusty undertaking. Be sure to inquire about possible soot problems before booking.

wind

On balconies that face the front, the sometimes strong wind could make it difficult to step on.

cigarette smoke

Non-smokers should consider choosing their balcony stateroom away from a public deck. If passengers light a cigarette there, the smoke can spread to the adjacent balconies and disturb residents.

Ways too long

Travelers with restricted walking should pay attention to the length of the connecting routes when booking. Your cabin should not be too far from stairwells, elevators, restaurants or the pool area to avoid unnecessary walking.

These cabin categories are available for a cruise

The inside cabin

Interior cruise cabins are inexpensive and, due to their small size, are primarily used for simple overnight accommodation. In most cases, those who live there do not have a balcony, let alone a view of the sea. On more modern ships, a virtual balcony with a simulated sea view is sometimes offered. However, a window with a view of the ship’s own shopping mile is more likely.

The outside cabin

Occupants of this room type have a porthole or window that faces the outside. However, the description is particularly important: Whenever a “restricted view” is mentioned, lifeboats, for example, have been fixed in front of the window, which disturb the view. Alternatively, there are also cabins with small French balconies that allow you to step outside, or the larger variant, on which loungers, tables and chairs are also available.

The suite

The suites are the crème de la crème of cruise ship cabins. They are often 100 square meters in size, have a fully equipped inventory and even nice extras such as a piano or their own whirlpool. In most cases, residents of these cabins are offered special 24-hour concierge services.

Suites are subdivided into “normal” suites, junior suites and premium suites. There is even a penthouse suite on the new AIDAcosma. “The new Penthouse Suite extends over 73 square meters spread over two light-flooded decks. Spectacular views are offered through the panoramic windows and from the 20 square meter sun deck,” says AIDAcosma General Manager Goelen, describing the luxury rooms when asked by TRAVELBOOK.

The cancellation booth

A cancellation cabin would be ideal for bargain hunters and spontaneous vacationers. These often become available at very short notice if the cruise ship is not fully booked or if trips already booked cannot be started. The good thing is also the bad thing about it: cabins can become available in every category – there is a chance of a suite or an inside cabin.

Nevertheless, the price is an unbeatable argument. The offers for canceled rooms are often five to 70 percent cheaper than in the normal case. “Some guests wait a long time to book, hoping to get a better price. I recommend booking if the price, the ship and the route agree. The price of a cabin can go down and up again,” Goelen points out.