You may also like
Dismiss
Club Spa Suite on Azamara Pursuit (Photo: Cruise Critic)
Club Spa Suite on Azamara Pursuit (Photo: Cruise Critic)

What to Expect on a Cruise: Cruise Rooms

Club Spa Suite on Azamara Pursuit (Photo: Cruise Critic)
Club Spa Suite on Azamara Pursuit (Photo: Cruise Critic)
Assistant SEO Editor
Marilyn Borth

Last updated
Feb 6, 2023

Read time
7 min read

When choosing your perfect cruise, there can be a surprising number of things you need to consider before officially hitting that "book" button -- and your cruise room, or cabin, is just one of them.

There are various cruise categories to peruse, views to admire, amenities to enjoy, and so much more. That's why we have compiled our most frequently asked questions about cruise rooms so you can book the ideal cabin for you and truly relax during your time on the high seas even more.

What Can I Expect in Cruise Ship Rooms? Are They like Hotel Rooms?

A deluxe oceanview cabin on Sky Princess with sun shining
Deluxe oceanview cabin

Rooms on cruise ships -- called "cabins" or "staterooms" -- are like hotel rooms in that each features a bed, desk or vanity, closet, drawer space, and en suite bathroom. You access your room with a keycard, put up "do not disturb" signs and order room service.

However, there are notable differences between cruise ship cabins and hotel rooms. For one, cruise cabins are significantly smaller than hotel rooms and do not offer a choice of two double or queen beds as a standard feature.

Secondly, storage space will be more limited in a cruise ship room, and not all cruise ship accommodations have windows while the same can't typically be said of hotel rooms.

Unlike at a hotel, it is also difficult to switch rooms once onboard should you have a problem or find your cabin not to your liking.

How Big Is My Cruise Ship Room?

Shot of a blue, white and orange porthole cabin with bunk beds on Janssonius
Cabin on Janssonius (Photo: Oceanwide Expeditions)

Cruise cabins run the gamut when it comes to size. Most cabins on the biggest cruise lines will be smaller than the average hotel room, which can make things feel a little cramped even with only two people.

The biggest cabins are the suites, which can be large single-room spaces or multiroom, multideck areas where square footage rivals that of an apartment. In general, the bigger your cabin, the more you will pay.

Can I Choose My Cabin?

Woman looking at Celebrity Edge reviews from Cruise Critic on laptop (Photo: WAYHOME studio/Shutterstock/Cruise Critic)
Woman looking at Celebrity Edge reviews from Cruise Critic on laptop (Photo: WAYHOME studio/Shutterstock/Cruise Critic)

Choosing a cruise ship cabin is a bit like choosing a seat on an airplane. You'll find deck plans on all cruise line websites, most travel agent sites and here on Cruise Critic (these are tied to our ship review pages).

You can pick a cabin by specific room number, and deck plans will show you where cabins are in relation to one another if you're booking multiple cabins.

If the exact cabin doesn't matter to you, deck plans are color coded so you can choose by cabin category, how high or low on the ship you want to be or if you want a room at the front, middle or back of the cruise ship.

What Is a Cabin Category?

Sirena Cabins
Sirena Cabins

You'll often see the term "cabin category" on a cruise or travel agent website. It refers to the type of cabin you book, and the price of your cruise is dependent on what type of room you choose.

Essentially, you can book several different cabins: an inside cabin (no windows or view), an oceanview or outside (you'll have a window or porthole, but you won't be able to open the window), a balcony (also called a "verandah" cabin, this will have a small balcony with two chairs and a small table), and a suite (large cabins that often include living and dining space separate from the bedroom and perks, such as a personal butler, full bar setup and advanced access to things like boarding and dinner reservations).

Most cruise lines also offer adjoining cabins and wheelchair-accessible cabins across multiple categories, as well as specialty room types, such as family-focused cabins or spa-themed rooms. Find out more about choosing a cabin by reading our article.

What Is the Best Room on a Cruise Ship?

Unfortunately, there is no right or wrong answer to this question as all cabins offer various advantages and disadvantages, and the answer is a subjective one. Instead, check out our article on the best cabins on a cruise ship to see your best options.

What Is a Cruise Cabin Bathroom like?

Restroom on River Empress
Restroom on River Empress

Generally, cruise ship bathrooms are small but efficient. You'll have the necessities: toilet, shower, sink, mirror and small shelves. All cruise lines provide basic toiletries; some offer individual bars of soap and bottles of shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, but others go with a combo shampoo/conditioner in a dispenser.

Usually, you'll find a clothesline in the shower for hanging wet bathing suits. Bathtubs are a rarity in lower-level cabins; Holland America Line and Disney Cruise Line are exceptions, along with some luxury lines. Hair dryers are often found in a drawer in the vanity and not in the bathroom.

If you bring a lot of toiletries, you might not have space to keep all of them spread out on the bathroom's counter and shelves. Hooks for hanging items tend to be limited as well. Showers can also be tight and tricky to maneuver in.

What Is a Cruise Ship Bed like?

Interior shot of a cabin bed on African Dream
Cabin on African Dream (Photo: CroisiEurope)

For the most part, each cabin includes two twin beds that can be pushed together to form a king- or queen-size bed.

Mattresses and linens are similar to what you'll find in a good hotel. A standard linen setup doesn't include a top sheet, but you can request one, along with things like egg crate mattress toppers and hypoallergenic pillows. Some high-end cruise lines or top suites will feature pillow menus.

In addition to the main bed, some cabins have Pullman beds, which drop from the ceiling to accommodate more passengers in a bunk bed-like setup. Other cruise line cabins have pull-out couches and portable cribs are available on request.

Not all cabins sleep three or four with extra beds, so if you need this scenario, be sure to book a room that can accommodate everyone.

What Is the Storage Space like in a Cruise Room?

Suitcase with Summer Clothes (Photo: Africa Studio/Shutterstock)
Suitcase with Summer Clothes (Photo: Africa Studio/Shutterstock)

Cabins are designed with efficiency in mind, so storage options can be creative. Most standard cabins include closets with hanging or shelf space, and desks or vanities with drawer and shelf space.

Other options, like nightstands with drawers and a few hooks for hanging jackets, are common. Some ships have above-bed storage units. Beds are high enough that you can store luggage beneath.

Typically, two people sharing a room on a weeklong cruise will have plenty of storage space, but when adding more people to the cabin, storage space can begin to get tight.

What Other Amenities Are Included in My Cruise Cabin?

Mini Fridge with Water & Soft Drinks (Photo: Cruise Critic)
Mini Fridge with Water & Soft Drinks (Photo: Cruise Critic)

Most cruise line cabins include safes, low-wattage hair dryers, telephones, minibars or minifridges (usually, using items from these will incur a fee), TVs and stationery with a pen.

Some cabins include robes and slippers for onboard use; for others, you'll have to request them even if they are complimentary. Ships that sail primarily with U.S. passengers feature outlets that accommodate U.S. plugs, but be warned: Most cabins have only a few outlets, which makes charging devices difficult, especially because power strips are also prohibited.

You'll also find life preservers in the closet, in case of an emergency.

What Won't I Find in My Cruise Cabin?

You won't find any clothes irons because they're fire hazards and are therefore prohibited. Unlike hotel rooms, many cruise ship rooms do not come with alarm clocks or coffee- or tea-making facilities.

DVD players, radios or other music players might be available on some cruise lines or certain cabin types, but are not standard.

Is There a Maid for My Cruise Ship Room?

How Much Should I Tip My Room Steward on a Cruise? (Photo: Princess Cruises)
Cabin Stewardess on Princess Cruises (Photo: Princess Cruises)

On cruise ships, you don't have a maid; you have a "cabin steward." Your steward will clean your cabin and make your bed each morning and turn down your bed each evening.

He or she will also deliver the daily ship's newsletter, shore excursion tickets, reminders about dinner reservations and can handle simple special requests, such as bringing ice or taking laundry to be cleaned.

The steward is assigned a small block of cabins for which they are responsible. You'll probably hear a knock at the door the first day onboard from your steward, who will introduce themselves. This is the time to make special requests, such as, "I'd like a full ice bucket each afternoon."

Can I Stay in a Cruise Cabin by Myself?

Traveling Alone for a Cruise (Photo: santypan/Shutterstock)
Traveling Alone for a Cruise (Photo: santypan/Shutterstock)

Cruise lines count on cabins having at least double occupancy and price their fares accordingly. When someone cruises alone, cruise lines charge a "single supplement." A single supplement is an additional fee that will cost a solo traveler an additional 10 percent to 100 percent of their cruise fare.

Some cruise lines offer single cabins designed specifically for the solo cruiser, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line. Passengers in these cabins don't have to pay a single supplement. However, solo cabins are limited and tend to sell out quickly.

How Can I Learn More about Cruise Rooms?

Are you looking for more information on cruise rooms prior to finalizing your booking? Check out the following articles:

The 'Guarantee' Gamble: The Odds of an Upgrade When the Cruise Line Picks Your Cabin Solo Cruising Basics Best Family-Friendly Cabins

The What to Expect on a Cruise series, written by Cruise Critic's editorial staff, is a resource guide, where we answer the most common questions about cruise ship life -- including cruise food, cabins, drinks and onboard fun -- as well as money matters before and during your cruise and visiting ports of call on your cruise.

Publish date February 06, 2023
How was this article?

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.