Cruising 101: Which Cabin Should I Book?

One of the most talked-about aspects of cruising is the cabin.

There's good reason for that! Going from an Oceanview cabin with a relatively small window or porthole to a balcony or veranda can make a big difference, not just in comfort, but also in price.

This article aims to help you decide which cabin you might prefer and give you a high-level look at all of the options!

When you start looking at a cruise, you'll usually see four main types of cabins: Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, and Suite.

The names can vary a little depending on the cruise line, but the basic idea is generally the same. As you move from an Inside cabin to a Suite, you're typically getting more space, more amenities, and a higher price.

But here's the thing: more expensive doesn't always mean better for you.

Some travelers would rather save money on the cabin and spend it on excursions, specialty dining, or other parts of the trip. Others are perfectly happy paying more because they know they're going to spend a lot of time in their cabin.

When I'm working with a client who isn't sure which cabin to choose, I usually start with a balcony. It's also the cabin type I sell most often to my clients.

That doesn't mean everyone needs a balcony. There are good reasons to choose any of these four categories depending on your budget, itinerary, and how you plan to use the cabin.

So let's break down the options.

An Inside cabin is exactly what it sounds like. There's no window, no porthole, and no private outdoor space.

These are generally the least expensive cabins on the ship, making them a popular choice for travelers who don't plan to spend much time in their cabin.

And honestly, there's nothing wrong with that.

If you're getting up in the morning, heading out for breakfast, spending the day exploring the port, coming back for dinner, seeing a show, and then going to bed, you might not need a cabin with a view.

The biggest downside?

You don't know what time it is without looking at a clock.

For travelers who primarily use their cabin as a place to sleep, shower, and change clothes, an Inside cabin can be a great way to keep the cruise price down.

An Oceanview cabin gives you a window or porthole so you can actually see outside.

The natural light alone can make the cabin feel very different from an Inside.

Oceanview cabins are often a good middle ground for travelers who want a view but don't necessarily need their own outdoor space.

The catch is that the window isn't always the huge picture window you might be imagining.

Depending on the ship and cabin category, you could have a relatively small porthole or window, and some Oceanview cabins can still be fairly compact.

This is where you really want to look at the specific ship and cabin, rather than just the category name.

Now we get to the cabin category that gets a lot of attention: the Balcony.

A Balcony cabin gives you your own private outdoor space where you can sit, relax, and watch the world go by.

And there is something pretty great about waking up, opening the door, and stepping outside to see where you've arrived.

It's also the cabin type I sell most often to my clients.

I find it gives travelers a really nice balance between comfort, space, and price. You get natural light, a view, and your own outdoor space without making the jump all the way up to a suite.

Whether it's worth the additional cost can depend heavily on the cruise and itinerary.

For example, I think a balcony can make a lot of sense on an Alaska cruise, where you're surrounded by incredible scenery and may spend a lot of time watching the landscape go by.

At the top of the traditional cabin categories are Suites.

Suites generally offer significantly more space and can come with additional amenities, perks, and services depending on the cruise line and specific suite category.

You may get a larger living area, a bigger balcony, upgraded bathroom facilities, priority embarkation or disembarkation, specialty dining benefits, concierge services, or other perks.

But suites can also be a significant jump in price.

For some travelers, the additional space and perks are exactly what they want. For others, it makes more sense to put that money toward the rest of the vacation.

There really isn't one "best" cabin for everyone.

The best cabin is the one that fits the way you want to cruise.

Here's where cruising can get a little confusing.

The four main cabin types give you a good starting point, but many cruise lines have created different levels of cabins within those categories. These can come with different amenities, dining options, lounges, or other perks.

This is one of the reasons I always recommend looking at the specific ship and cabin category, rather than simply saying, "I want a balcony."

For example, on Celebrity Cruises, you may see categories such as Concierge Class and AquaClass.

A Concierge Class stateroom is essentially a balcony-style stateroom with additional amenities and perks.

AquaClass takes things a step further and is designed around the spa and wellness experience. Depending on the ship, it can include enhanced spa-related amenities and access to Blu, Celebrity's specialty restaurant for AquaClass guests.

And then there is the Infinite Veranda, which changes the physical design of the balcony itself. Instead of a traditional balcony that sits outside the cabin, the exterior area opens into the stateroom.

So two Celebrity guests could both say, "I booked a balcony," but have very different experiences.

Princess Does This Too

Princess Cruises has its own examples.

A traditional balcony cabin is one option, but you can also move up to a Mini-Suite, which provides more space and additional features without being a full suite.

On select Princess ships, you'll also find higher-end accommodations tied to the Sanctuary Collection, which can include access to the Sanctuary, an exclusive outdoor area.

And you'll see similar concepts throughout the cruise industry. Holland America has Club Orange and Norwegian has The Haven.

The point isn't to memorize every cruise line's terminology.

It's to understand that a balcony isn't always just a balcony.

The cruise line, ship, cabin category, view, size, and included perks can all change the experience.

Now you've picked your cabin. Great!

Then you start shopping around and things get confusing again.

You see one website advertising the cruise for $3,000 per person, another showing $4,000, and maybe another showing $5,000.

They're all showing the same ship. Same sailing. Same cabin type.

So what's going on?

Are they actually selling the same thing?

Sometimes yes.

Sometimes absolutely not.

Cruise pricing can be confusing because the price you see isn't always telling you the entire story. Different websites, travel agencies, and even the cruise line itself may be showing different fares, promotions, or packages.

You might see a lower fare while another price includes things like:

Suddenly, that $3,000 fare and the $5,000 fare aren't necessarily the same vacation.

Cruise lines also change their promotions constantly. One promotion might reduce the cruise fare, while another might include a beverage package or onboard credit.

That's why I always recommend looking at the total cost of the cruise and what you're actually getting for that price, rather than simply comparing the headline fare.

You'll also want to pay attention to taxes, port fees, and other charges and make sure you're comparing the final price.

So don't just compare:

$3,000 vs. $5,000

Compare:

What do I actually pay, and what do I actually get?

That's a much better way to shop for a cruise.

After all of that, you might be wondering:

So Frederick, which cabin would you actually recommend?

For most of my clients, I start with a balcony.

It's the cabin type I sell most often, and I think it offers a really nice balance between price, comfort, and experience.

You get a view, natural light, and your own outdoor space without making the jump to a suite. And on the right itinerary, that balcony can become part of the vacation itself.

But that doesn't mean I automatically recommend the most expensive balcony or tell everyone they need one.

It depends on the trip.

For an Alaska cruise, for example, I'm much more likely to recommend spending a little more on a good balcony. Being able to step outside and watch the scenery go by can be a big part of the experience.

For a cruise where you're going to be off the ship most of the day and have a packed schedule onboard, I may be more comfortable recommending an Oceanview or even an Inside cabin if it makes sense for the traveler.

And for families or multigenerational groups, the answer can be completely different again. Sometimes having connecting cabins, additional space, or a Mini-Suite makes more sense than simply putting everyone into the cheapest available cabin.

If the budget allows and you really value space, privacy, and additional perks, a Suite can be an incredible way to cruise.

But I don't think you need a Suite to have a great cruise.

I'd much rather see a traveler book a balcony they're comfortable paying for and have money left over to enjoy the destination than stretch their budget just to say they stayed in a Suite.

At the end of the day, your cabin should fit your vacation, not the other way around.

That's really the biggest piece of advice I can give when choosing a cabin.

Start with the experience you want.

Then look at the itinerary, the ship, the cabin category, what's included, and your budget.

And if you're still not sure?

That's what I'm here for!