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Noise:
For some reason, most cruise lines assign their highest level of
cabins to the highest decks, usually just below the Lido Deck (most
likely because if you have a window or balcony, you have a more
sweeping vista). Still, it's the Lido Deck that often causes the
most noise problems, so if you don't want to hear scraping chairs
at the crack of dawn or yee-hawing pool parties until the wee hours,
go down a level. In fact, when it comes to noise, the best bet is
to select a cabin that is both above and below other cabins. Other
pitfalls? Service areas adjacent to or above your stateroom; show
lounges or bars adjacent to, above or below your stateroom; and
those that are either low and aft (because of their proximity to
engine noise, vibration and anchor), or low and forward (bow thrusters).
For your viewing pleasure:
When aft balconied staterooms first became available in the late
1990's, they were disdained by most for at least ayear. And then,
with the help of Cruise Critic's member boards and other communications
outlets, cruisers discussed their experiences, and the aft balconied
cabins became the most prized standard balconied cabins afloat.
Why? Because they can make you feel as though you are at the end
of the world, offering 180-degree views over the stern's wake. And,
the balconies are almost always at least 50 percent bigger than
standard balconies located along the sides of the ship. There are
three drawbacks to this location, none of which serve to deter those
who love these cabins. They are at the very back and therefore are
far away from a lot of activities. Also, they are usually uncovered
or only partially covered. Finally, they are almost always "stepped
out," allowing not only those in cabins above yours to see down
into your balcony, but those looking over the rail from the Lido
and other public decks at the aft as well.
Some standard rooms and many suites are located at the aft "corners"
of a ship, with a balcony that curves up the side. Take one of those,
and you can see where you're going and where you've been at the
same time!
Front-facing balconied cabins are almost always suites.
There are some passengers who love, and swear by, cabins located
on the promenade deck, but the design has changed in most recently-built
ships and outside promenades are usually located on activity decks
now. Still, Holland America's Statendam-class ships, or NCL's Norwegian
Wind and Dream, have outside cabins that face the promenade deck
and offer the advantage of easy access to fresh air without paying
for a balcony.
Holland America, in particular, has maximized this for their guests
— there are doors to the outside located every few feet. The two
biggest drawbacks of promenade-deck staterooms are that they tend
to be dark because of the wide overhang above the deck, and anyone
can see into them when the lights are on. Close those drapes!
Other viewing pitfalls include balconied cabins under the Lido overhang,
which limits visibility; cabins above or adjacent to the lifeboats;
and forward balconied cabins located close to the bridge wing.
If the amount of view you get relative to the amount of money you
spend is important to you, look for "secret porthole" insides, or
"obstructed view" outsides. The secret porthole cabins are those
sold as inside cabins that actually have windows with obstructed
views and the obstructed (or fully obstructed) cabins are sold as
outsides but often at the price of an inside. And look into the
interior-view cabins, like the atrium views that look out onto the
interior promenades on Royal Caribbean's Voyager-class ships. These
are typically sold at a price that falls somewhere between the insides
and outsides.
Finally, take a good look at your cruise itinerary before selecting
your cabin, specifically if you are choosing an outside or balcony.
On a roundtrip Caribbean cruise or a trans-Atlantic crossing, for
example, the side of the ship you are on doesn't really matter.
If, on the other hand, you are doing a southbound Alaska cruise,
or a trip from Barcelona to Rome, you might want to consider choosing
a cabin on the side of the ship that faces the land. Sometimes the
views can be breathtaking and you won't get those views from the
cabins that face out to the open sea.
What cabin Do I Need?
Firstly you must decide what type of cabin you want. Do you want
an inside cabin with no natural light, an outside cabin with a porthole
or a non opening window, a balcony cabin or a suite? Your budget
will usually dictate your choice however there are times when paying
the extra is well worth it. For example, would you really want to
wake up in Alaska and not be able to look out at the incredible
scenery? It can work both ways too - for example, is it worth booking
a balcony cabin on a transatlantic crossing in winter when it may
be too cold to make full use of it? Sometimes cruise ships will
offer passengers a "guarantee" cabin, which means you are paying
for a category rather than a specific cabin. A guarantee cabin can
be less expensive than choosing a specific cabin, but it might not
give you the location you desire. You are taking a chance and leaving
it up to the cruise line to assign you a cabin in a given category.
But, by choosing a guarantee you have an excellent chance of being
upgraded to a slightly higher category, usually within the same
cabin type (inside to inside, outside to outside, verandah to verandah
etc.). Beyond that, while it does happen, it's rare to be upgraded
to a higher cabin type.
Upgrades
From time to time, a cruise line has a ship in which a certain category
of cabin has sold out or is in an "oversell" situation, meaning
that more cabins have been sold in that category than actually exist.
The cruise line can hardly downgrade someone who has paid for their
cruise, so they select certain passengers at random and upgrade
them to whatever has more availability. That's where a guarantee
category can be a good deal; as for the random selection, it's just
the luck of the draw that can make certain people very happy indeed.
Location, location, location!Inside cabins are the cheapest option
but as with all other cabin types, the higher you are the more you
will pay. If you are on a budget but you cannot bear to have an
inside cabin, why not ask for an outside with a restricted view
- these are usually partially blocked by lifeboats but they do at
least let natural light in.Being near a lift may be handy for those
who have difficulty in walking but they can be noisy at night. Other
areas that can be noisy are below the pool deck, below the buffet
or near the disco so please bear these in mind especially if you
are a light sleeper!! Noise isn't the only factor when choosing
the location - if you suffer from sea sickness then the lower and
more central your cabin, the better as that is the most stable place
to be when sailing through choppy waters.If you are looking for
a bit more privacy when in port, cabins at the front or back of
the ship are a better option, they are usually bigger too.
Balcony cabins
Once you have had a balcony cabin you may not want to give up the
luxury! The attraction is fairly obvious, somewhere private to sit
in the sun, a place to read or snooze as well as the view and sound
of the ocean.Balcony cabins are a fantastic choice when sailing
to destinations of great beauty such as the Norwegian Fjords or
Alaska but we aware that some ships have tiered decks that allow
people above to peer down.
Suite decision
Suites are out of the reach of many budgets but those who do decide
to take the plunge will not be disappointed. Suites come in all
shapes and sizes but most have a separate sitting area and big bathrooms
- many with a bath and shower, some even have a second toilet. Most
have a separate changing room/area, double sized balcony and the
latest in technology - dvds, plasma etc.If you choose to cruise
with Crystal in a Penthouse suite for example, you get a personal
butler while those who in a top-end suite with Silversea get a valet,
free laundry service and plenty of champagne. NCL's newest ships
have Garden Villas which have 3 bedrooms, a private courtyard with
pool, hot tub and sun deck. Travel enough and you'll make your choices
instinctively. Until then, make a checklist based on things that
are important to you in terms of comfort etc and then seek further
advice from a travel agent before booking.
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