Cruise Ship Rooms and Suites | Best Cabin Staterooms | Royal Caribbean Cruises (2024)

FAQs

What is the best floor to stay on a cruise ship? ›

On most cruise ships, the most luxurious accommodation is on the upper decks. Here, you'll find a selection of elegant suites, with generous outdoor space, separate living areas, and amenities ranging from all-inclusive drinks to the service of a concierge.

An upgraded cabin is almost always better than the most basic room on board. The only thing stopping you from splurging on a larger space, a private balcony and extra perks is your budget. If you change your mind once you've booked, you'll find several ways to upgrade your cabin to a higher-category room.

Midship cabins

The big allure of a midship cabin is its stability. You won't feel the rocking of the sea in a midship cabin nearly as much as you will in a cabin toward the front or back of a vessel. This is because ships are like teeter-totters. They pitch forward and back around a central axis that barely moves.

Even on smaller, more luxurious ships that don't feel crowded, a balcony is desirable; if the weather is such that you can spend a lot of time on your balcony, it's like having an additional room.

Cruise lines sometimes offer special promotions in which two different cabin categories are priced equally -- so if you book the usually pricier cabin at the lower-cabin cost, you're theoretically getting a free upgrade.

How many people can sleep in a suite? In general, suites are designed to sleep two people, though most have a sofa that pulls out to accommodate a third passenger. Some suites that are specifically designated for families have room for four, five, six or even more.

If you're worried about seasickness, a cabin on a low deck and mid-ship is the best option. That's where both pitch and roll is most reduced, and why restaurants are often located on lower decks.

Staterooms on the Lower Decks. The noisiest staterooms at sea located on the lower decks should be avoided when possible. While the amount of noise you will hear will tend to be dependent on the itinerary of your cruise, it is important to note the potential for noise in these rooms.

What is the cheapest cabin on a cruise ship? ›

Interior staterooms are limited in space and privacy

The standard (and least expensive) room on any cruise ship is typically called an inside or interior stateroom. These cabins often sleep three to four people and are located in the middle of the ship, with no exterior view of the vessel's surroundings.

Depending on the cruise line and type of room, you should expect a daily charge of $16 to $23 for gratuities. There are a couple of good reasons why you might want to prepay, including getting to spend less during your trip and locking in the current rate.

Suites: If you're looking for luxury on your cruise, suites offer the most space and best room locations, often with separate living and sleeping areas. They generally feature large balconies, and extra amenities and perks. In other words, a suite can be considered the best cabin on any cruise ship.

For passengers looking to enjoy views, especially the scenery in the wake of a ship, we recommend higher decks and the back of the vessel. The higher you pick, the farther you'll see. If you're after views, the best room on a cruise ship will be a balcony cabin at the ship's rear end.

The higher the deck, the better and, often, more panoramic the view. Cabins on top decks aren't always the best on the ship, but many suites and specialty cabin categories are typically located on upper decks. Like to be near all the action? Most mega-ships place their lido (pool) areas on higher decks.

Choosing the Best Deck for You

Think About Motion Sensitivity: If you are sensitive to motion, lower decks towards the middle of the ship offer the most stability. The higher and further forward (or aft) you go, the more motion you will feel, especially in rough seas.

You may have noticed that many cruise ships omit deck thirteen from construction plans. Certain vessels also avoid numbering cabins with the superstitious digit, for fear of bad luck.