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Cruise cabins and suites

Cruise ship rooms, floor plans, photos.

CruiseMapper's cabin and suites section allows you to explore cruise staterooms by ship. Each page provides extensive information on all passengers accommodations on a particular vessel, including floor plans, room types and categories (grades used upon booking), cabin sizes, deck location. Also provided is an extensive review of all ticket price inclusive en-suite amenities, along with furniture details and additional / bonus perks (if available).  

Here you will find brief descriptions by category of all stateroom types that can be found on cruise ship deck plans . You will find more information and many useful tips on staterooms at our best and worst cabins article. Here you can search for a particular ship (via the above search bar) or you can skip the introduction (explanations) and go down directly to our list of large passenger ships' cabin pages .

Cruise staterooms booking rates are usually based on deck location. Lower-deck accommodations are the cheapest. Midship rooms cost more. Balcony staterooms and Suites located aft or forward are the most expensive. Most cruise companies (especially those with large-sized vessels in the fleets) divide the main cabin types into subcategories. These grades are marked with numbers (like for balcony cabins - B1, B2, B3, B4) and are displayed on the deck layouts with different colors.

Cruise ship suites

Cruise suite accommodations are premium grades cabins. They are usually larger in comparison to balcony staterooms and feature more amenities. As a rule, suites have a full-size bathtub, larger shower, bigger closets and balcony (some have 2 private balconies). Amenities include coffee makers, premium sound systems, large-size TVs, complimentary butler service.

Loft Suites (aka Duplex Suites)

Loft Suites are "duplex suites" (on two levels) and available on the world's largest passenger ships of Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class and Quantum-class. The following layout is of Harmony of the Seas and its largest accommodation - the Royal Loft Suite.

Grand Suite

Twin beds in this type of cabin can be joined in a king bed. Grand Suites have also a double sofa bed and large private balcony, sitting area with 2-armchairs and a coffee table, desk, dressing area with vanity, walk-in closet, safe box, TV, phone, refrigerator, mini-bar, private bath with whirlpool tub and shower, patio chair and table, balcony lounge chair, pillow menu, bathrobes, hairdryer. See below the magnificent Oceania Marina ship's Owner Suite plan.

Captain Suite

Captains Suite accommodations have a huge 220 ft2 (20,5 m2) separate bedroom, while the living area is sized 290 ft2 (27 m2). There are 2 upper beds and a sofa bed, private bathroom with whirlpool hot tub and glass shower, safe, TV and phone, mini-bar, bathrobes, hairdryer.

A table and 3 patio chairs are on the balcony.

Owners Suite

Owner's Suites are some of the most luxurious accommodations at sea. They usually feature two separate bedrooms, private balcony (with luxury lounge furniture, even dining area and hot tub), living room (with sofa bed), luxury bathroom (with whirlpool bathtub and separate shower), second bathroom (WC), dining room, dressing area. Some Owner's Suites (like NCL's) can accommodate up to 10 passengers when connected to an adjacent Suite.

Ocean Suite

OS stands for "Ocean Suite" and category SS is "Spa Suite", recently changed to Junior Suite. These cabins have: twin beds that convert to king, sitting area with armchair and coffee table, sofa, dressing area with vanity, large balcony, wall safe, 2 big closets, mini-bar, refrigerator, private whirlpool bath with tub and shower, television and phone, balcony lounge chair, patio chair and table, pillow menu, bathrobes, hairdryer.

2-Bedroom Mozart Suite (largest stateroom on a riverboat)

World's largest accommodation found on a riverboat is Riverside Mozart 's French Balcony Suite. The vessel has two such accommodations, each sized 885 ft2 / 82 m2. Must be noted, that the stateroom is combined with an adjacent French Balcony cabin.

Penthouse Suite

Penthouse Suites have a twin beds configuration (beds can convert to queen). The other features are a large balcony, dressing area with vanity, sitting area with armchair and coffee table, wall safe, mini bar, private bath with whirlpool tub and shower, television and phone, refrigerator, bathrobes and hairdryer. Some cabins are without whirlpool tub, sofa or coffee table.

Balcony staterooms

Most balcony cruise ship cabins feature floor-ceiling sliding glass doors leading to a private step-out veranda. The balcony also is furnished with a table and pair of chairs/loungers. Standard balconies are separated by dividers. As sizes, balcony cabins on cruise ships vary, with those on Princess and NCl ships being among the smallest compared to other big-ship lines. In our cruise deck plans, we also list room sizes and the size of the balcony. Balcony – Apart from the balcony they can offer You twin beds that can be converted to King-size bed. Balconies also provide sitting area with chair and coffee table and private bath with shower, as well as closet/wardrobe, electronic safe box, mini bar, television and phone, sofa, bathrobes, hairdryer. Most verandas are between 30-60 ft2 ( approx 3-6 m2). Below are shown the layouts of the Anthem ship's Deluxe and Accessible balcony cabins.

Premium Balcony

Premium Balcony cabins also have twin beds that convert to King-size, their wraparound balcony enfolds the stateroom. Balcony's windows are often floor-ceiling and wall-to-wall.

Cove Balcony Staterooms

Cove balconies, unlike Balconies, have two patio chairs and a table. The rest of the stuff is identical. First of all-balcony, and again twin beds that convert to king, sofa, private bath with shower, safe, closet, mini bar, television and phone, sitting area with chair and coffee table, bathrobes and hairdryer.

Cove Balcony rooms are CCL-Carnival's specialty, available on some of the "Fun Ships", and are interesting because they are located on lower decks (thus closer to waterline).

Oceanview staterooms

Oceanview cabins: as sizes are similar to Interior staterooms on cruise ships, but each of them has a Porthole or normal window (both types do not open). Their window sizes also vary by line and ship. On some ocean ships and some luxury river ships, such staterooms feature floor-ceiling windows. Oceanview rooms' window sizes are usually 4x3 ft (1,2x0,9 m). As furniture, Oceanview cruise cabins have twin beds that convert to King-size, sofa, TV and phone, sitting area, safe, mini bar, private bath with shower, and also a washroom with sink and a junior tub, bathrobes and a hairdryer and of course a picture window. You should take a look at the cruise ship deck plans again as Cabins of 5A category have two porthole windows. Unlike deluxe, there is no washroom with sink and junior tub. Below are the layouts of Ovation of the Seas Oceanview cabins (categories standard, large, and superior).

Deluxe Oceanview

These cabins have no balconies but still can offer a marvelous view through their picture window as well as twin beds that convert to King-size. However, beds in Category 6N can't be joined (to King) and sleeps max 5 people.

Other amenities include sofabed, TV, phone, seating, safe, mini-bar, a bathroom with shower, a washroom (with junior tub), bathrobes, hairdryer.

Scenic Oceanview

The interior is the same - twin beds convertible to King-size, picture window, sofa, TV, phone, seating, safe, mini-bar, bath with shower, washroom with sink and junior tub, bathrobes, hairdryer.

The difference is that Scenic Oceanviews are larger.

Inside staterooms

Inside cruise ship cabins' best feature is their price - you book them with the line's cheapest rates available. These cruise accommodations don't offer window views. Still, on some of the newest cruise ships of Royal Caribbean and Disney, there are categories Interior staterooms with a "virtual window", which is a large LED screen displaying outside cam views. The screen doesn't have TV functions.

On some Carnival ships, there are Inside cabins with a "French Balcony" (with opening glass doors). Also, some "interior staterooms" are actually Oceanview (with a non-opening window), but since their views are obstructed, they are booked as Interior. On Royal Caribbean ships, some Inside cabins have a window looking out to the ship's interior promenade (street)

Inside cruise cabins are fitted with twin beds (convertible to King or Queen), private bathroom (shower), sitting area. Next are shown the layouts of Interior rooms on Harmony OTS .

Small Interior Stateroom (as the name implies) is the least spacious standard cabin category on cruise ships. These cabins have two beds – (upper and lower), private bath (WC/shower), a small sitting area.

Single cabins (Studios)

Single occupancy staterooms could be either Inside or Balcony. Some river cruise lines even offer single suites (booking with single occupancy rates). The most famous liner having plenty of single cabins (designed specifically for solo travelers) is Norwegian Epic .

This huge vessel has a total of 128 "Studios".

Next are shown layouts of Quantum OTS single-occupancy cabins (balcony and interior).

Connecting cabins (for large families)

The next layout shows RCI's "Family Connected Junior Suite" plan ( Quantum OTS ). Ship's main cabin grades (Balcony, Oceanview, Inside) are all combined here into a 10-person "Family Suite". The layout also shows the exact positioning of furniture, 3 baths (1 with hot tub), large seating area, 2 double-sofabeds, 2 connecting balconies.

How to choose cabins on cruise ships?

If you are planning a cruise, booking a cabin is certainly as important as picking up the cruise line (brand) or the boat. Before you take that decision, consider some issues related to your own personality and the other people traveling with you.

• The first important thing you have to be honest with your conscious is whether you can get seasick .
• Secondly, what type of person you are and what exactly do you intend to do onboard? Are you a party type or you just would like to spend several calm days at sea, away from the office jungle on land. Would you enjoy the pool with its all opportunities for contacts or you would rather have a rest lying at a balcony?
• No matter the stateroom type, it could still be noisy or make you seasick. The more central and lower position your cabin has, the more stable it is.
• In case you and the rest of the family members / friends are thin or you just don't intend to spend too much time in the cabin, you can pick a small one. Usually, staterooms are able to house no more than 4 people. Two passengers pay full fares and the other receive discounted rates.
• If you need stateroom for 4+ passengers, connecting cabins are the best option, and it will cost you less than a suite. Bathtub-fitted cabins are not so many per vessel. All cruise deck plans show such information (bathtub, sofabed, double bed, bunk beds, etc).

Noise issues - which cabins on the ship to avoid?

If you are a party type and louder sounds are not bothering, everything would be OK. If you organize a family voyage, however, you should look for a cabin away from the noisiest areas in the cruise ship deck plans. The first thing to look for in the cruise ship plan is the engine room location. Along with the noises, there are also vibrations.

Staterooms under discos, sport playgrounds, gym centers are usually very noisy. Cabins under Lido Deck (aka Pool Deck) are also among those to avoid. The buffet restaurant on this deck generates noises from moving tables and chairs and tableware. Staircases are also very noisy.

Take a good look at the cruise ship deck plan - room location is crucial!

Cabin's deck location is of great importance. Lower and more central-positioned accommodations are more stable. However, "cool cabins" are usually on higher decks, which means spending more money won't necessarily save you from seasickness.

Stern cabins (aft) have the largest balconies. Forward suites provide the same view as from the Navigation Bridge (wheelhouse). Some cabins are with limited / obstructed seaview due to lifeboats or other equipment.

Guarantee staterooms - take your chance!

If you are not set on selecting something particular and location is not a priority, you should not investigate the cruise ship deck plan so cautiously. The so-called ''guarantee'' cabin grades can turn to be among the best booking options. The "guarantee stateroom" booking allows you to pick up a category, not a cabin. In case the category is sold out you'll be proposed a higher category lodging. The first cabins to be booked are both the cheapest and the most expensive ones, be aware when you choose to test your luck. However, it could be a bit risky so it's more reasonable to get back to the cruise ship deck plans.

Shipboard facilities

If want to cruise with your children you'd better book a stateroom close to kids entertainment facilities. Cruise ship deck plans can once again help you to choose from the many opportunities created to meet passengers' requirements. Spa cabins are recently available for instance. Passengers get free access to the steam room and other connected facilities. These cabins are of course close to the SPA and you can move between in your bathrobe only.

NCL's The Haven and MSC's Yacht Club accommodations are located within an exclusive complex and offer ''ship within ship'' amenities and services. Passengers (who can afford them) enjoy private sundecks with swimming pools and jacuzzis and exclusive facilities like restaurants, bar lounges, gyms and spas.

Prefabricated cruise ship cabin

On May 24, 2016, a new "Lightweight Composite Cabin" design was unveiled in Southampton, England. The innovation was funded by the UK Government. Involved in the cabin's designing, engineering, manufacturing and furbishing were the companies Carnival UK ( Carnival Corporation 's subsidiary), Gurit Ltd (global composite materials supplier), Lloyd's Register Group Ltd (technical / business services, maritime classification company), PE Composites Ltd (composite designer / manufacturer), Trimline Ltd (marine interior refurbishment specialist) and the University of Southampton.

The new modular cabin prototype is half the weight of a typical cruise room. It also fully complies with the FTP Code's requirements (International Code for the Application of Fire Test Procedures). Reducing the ship's topdecks weight is an important issue for naval architects as the trend for building large-capacity cruise vessels continues. The new (prefabricated) module's halved weight opens up opportunities for adding more passenger rooms to newbuild ships, without adding to the ship's DWT weight.

Note: The following list of cruise lines cabins (per ship) includes only CruiseMapper's largest companies' fleets and only ocean-going vessels. For all other vessels (including small-fleet shipping companies , cruiseferries and riverboats ) use the search box at page top .

List of cruise ships with deck plans

Carnival cruise line.

• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Celebration
• Carnival Conquest
• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Elation
• Carnival Firenze
• Carnival Freedom
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Jubilee
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Luminosa
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Mardi Gras
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Pride
• Carnival Radiance
• Carnival Spirit
• Carnival Splendor
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Valor
• Carnival Venezia
• Carnival Vista

Princess Cruises

• Caribbean Princess
• Coral Princess
• Crown Princess
• Diamond Princess
• Discovery Princess
• Emerald Princess
• Enchanted Princess
• Grand Princess
• Island Princess
• Majestic Princess
• Regal Princess
• Royal Princess
• Ruby Princess
• Sapphire Princess
• Sky Princess
• Star Princess
• Sun Princess

Disney Cruise Line

• Disney Destiny
• Disney Dream
• Disney Fantasy
• Disney Magic
• Disney Treasure
• Disney Wish
• Disney Wonder
• Queen Elizabeth
• Queen Mary 2
• Queen Victoria

AIDA Cruises

Viking cruises.

• Viking Jupiter
• Viking Mars
• Viking Neptune
• Viking Octantis
• Viking Orion
• Viking Polaris
• Viking Saturn
• Viking Star
• Viking Vela
• Viking Venus
• Viking Vesta
• Zhao Shang Yi Dun-Viking Sun

Royal Caribbean

• Adventure Of The Seas
• Allure Of The Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Brilliance Of The Seas
• Enchantment Of The Seas
• Explorer Of The Seas
• Freedom Of The Seas
• Grandeur Of The Seas
• Harmony Of The Seas
• Icon Of The Seas
• Independence Of The Seas
• Jewel Of The Seas
• Liberty Of The Seas
• Mariner Of The Seas
• Navigator Of The Seas
• Oasis Of The Seas
• Odyssey Of The Seas
• Ovation Of The Seas
• Quantum Of The Seas
• Radiance Of The Seas
• Rhapsody Of The Seas
• Serenade Of The Seas
• Spectrum Of The Seas
• Star Of The Seas
• Symphony Of The Seas
• Utopia Of The Seas
• Vision Of The Seas
• Voyager Of The Seas
• Wonder Of The Seas

Holland America

• ms Koningsdam
• ms Nieuw Amsterdam
• ms Nieuw Statendam
• ms Oosterdam
• ms Rotterdam
• ms Volendam
• ms Westerdam
• ms Zuiderdam

P&O Cruises

• Pacific Adventure
• Pacific Encounter
• Pacific Explorer

Costa Cruises

• Costa Deliziosa
• Costa Diadema
• Costa Fascinosa
• Costa Favolosa
• Costa Fortuna
• Costa Pacifica
• Costa Serena
• Costa Smeralda
• Costa Toscana

Azamara Cruises

• Azamara Journey
• Azamara Onward
• Azamara Pursuit
• Azamara Quest

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

• Seven Seas Explorer
• Seven Seas Grandeur
• Seven Seas Mariner
• Seven Seas Navigator
• Seven Seas Splendor
• Seven Seas Voyager

Norwegian Cruise Line

• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Dawn
• Norwegian Encore
• Norwegian Epic
• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Gem
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Jade
• Norwegian Jewel
• Norwegian Joy
• Norwegian Pearl
• Norwegian Prima
• Norwegian Sky
• Norwegian Spirit
• Norwegian Star
• Norwegian Sun
• Norwegian Viva
• Pride of America

Celebrity Cruises

• Celebrity Apex
• Celebrity Ascent
• Celebrity Beyond
• Celebrity Constellation
• Celebrity Eclipse
• Celebrity Edge
• Celebrity Equinox
• Celebrity Flora
• Celebrity Infinity
• Celebrity Millennium
• Celebrity Reflection
• Celebrity Silhouette
• Celebrity Solstice
• Celebrity Summit
• Celebrity Xcel
• Celebrity Xpedition
• Celebrity Xploration

Marella Cruises

• Marella Discovery
• Marella Discovery 2
• Marella Explorer
• Marella Explorer 2
• Marella Voyager

MSC Cruises

• MSC Armonia
• MSC Bellissima
• MSC Euribia
• MSC Fantasia
• MSC Grandiosa
• MSC Magnifica
• MSC Meraviglia
• MSC Orchestra
• MSC Preziosa
• MSC Seascape
• MSC Seashore
• MSC Seaside
• MSC Seaview
• MSC Sinfonia
• MSC Splendida
• MSC Virtuosa
• MSC World America
• MSC World Asia
• MSC World Europa

Oceania Cruises

• Oceania Allura
• Oceania Insignia
• Oceania Marina
• Oceania Nautica
• Oceania Regatta
• Oceania Riviera
• Oceania Sirena
• Oceania Vista

Silversea Cruises

• Silver Cloud
• Silver Dawn
• Silver Endeavour
• Silver Galapagos
• Silver Moon
• Silver Muse
• Silver Nova
• Silver Origin
• Silver Shadow
• Silver Spirit
• Silver Whisper
• Silver Wind

Seabourn Cruises

• Seabourn Encore
• Seabourn Odyssey
• Seabourn Ovation
• Seabourn Pursuit
• Seabourn Quest
• Seabourn Sojourn
• Seabourn Venture

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• Cruises for Families

10 Best Cruise Ship Family Cabins

Feb 26, 2020

See recent posts by Jeff Bogle

Taking a cruise with kids ensures a memorable family vacation, whether you book an interior cabin to save money or decide to throw down roots in a standard balcony stateroom. But some cruise ship family cabins elevate the vacation at sea to something far more grandiose, photogenic, and jaw-dropping.

In these cruise ship family cabins, you’ll enjoy extra space in which to spread out, amazing amenities, stellar views, and in some cases, exclusive access to luxuriously private areas of the ship. 

1. Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas – Ultimate Family Suite

This vibrantly colorful family cabin is an epic two-level suite that overdelivers on Royal Caribbean ’s trademarked thrills and chills at sea promise. Inside this cruise ship cabin for families is an in-suite slide; massive LEGO construction wall; a private cinema room with the latest gaming consoles , life-sized Connect Four and other old-school gaming tables (who’s up for air hockey and Ping-Pong ?); a full-size whirlpool on the balcony, and the best combo views of the ship and sea found anywhere on the Symphony of the Seas.

As if the room itself isn’t enough, guests staying in the Ultimate Family Suite also receive a red carpet arrival and a complimentary personal Royal Genie. That’s a crew member who will coordinate surprises for everyone in your own crew, from front-row seats to theatrical performances to out-of-this-world excursions .

2. Carnival Vista-Class Ships – Family Harbor Staterooms

Nearly one million kids cruise Carnival every year, enjoying Hasbro The Game Show, rated-PG comedians in the Punchliner Comedy Club, epic waterslides and so much more. When those lucky kids get to stay in nautical-themed Family Harbor Staterooms on Vista-class ships (Vista, Horizon, Panorama and coming soon, Mardi Gras), their vacation at sea is even more fun. The Family Harbor cabins sleep up to five guests, have two bathrooms, and crucially, offer exclusive access to the Family Habor Lounge, a private area stocked with big HD TVs , video games , breakfast, and snacks throughout the day.

3. Norwegian Encore – Family Oceanview with Large Picture Window

Bigger than most New York City apartments, this expansive, forward-facing cabin on the glimmering new Norwegian Encore fits families comfortably for a cruise of any length. After a day of go-kart racing, laser tag and water sliding over the ocean blue, kids can stretch their growing legs while chilling out on the large picture window seat, kick back and watch a movie on the massive flat-screen TV, relax on the sofa, or play hide and seek in the enormous closets and storage (possibly the biggest at sea!) while mom soaks in the tub (that’s right, a bathtub!) in the oversized bathroom. Best of all, this cabin is not considered a suite, so budget-conscious families can afford to get the space they crave at sea!

4. Princess Cruises – Family Suites

By cruise ship standards, and even when compared to most hotels on dry land , the two-bedroom family suites found on Princess cruise ships are downright massive. Accommodating up to a whopping eight family members, the cabins have a queen and a pair of twin beds, two bathrooms (one with a walk-in shower, the other with a tub/shower combination), and an oversized living room. Three TVs in total are in the family suite, along with a large closet, a desk, plenty of drawers, a couple of sofas (each doubling as additional beds), and an expansive private balcony with seating for six. While staying in a family suite, you and your kids will be living, and sailing, like royalty on Princess.

5. Disney Fantasy and Dream Suite

Catering to the family cruise market is what Disney does best, and its cabin options reflect this commitment—see the bath and a half inside most all staterooms. Additionally, more than 70 percent of staterooms on both the Dream and Fantasy feature outdoor verandahs and of those that don’t, nearly all offer ocean views, some using the Magical Porthole. This piece of Disney innovation gives little kids and their favorite mouse-eared grown-ups a glimpse at the outside world with the appearance of a porthole in which you’ll see animated characters popping up to say hello!

With 500 connecting doors and connected verandah cabins, families can choose multiple rooms and still be together, or opt for one of the 21 suites on decks 11 and 12. These well-appointed upscale family cabins each have two bathrooms, one of which has a whirlpool bathtub and a TV built into the mirror for mom and dad to properly unwind after a blissfully exhausting day of doing everything or absolutely nothing. Kids may not appreciate the marble finishing, thread counts, or the finer touches of a Disney suite, but we guarantee they’ll find the walk-in closets a fun play area and enjoy the 42-inch HD flat screen TV and Blu-ray player , as well as the Wave Phones to communicate with each other inside and out of the cabin. These suites are truly the most magical cabins at sea.

Related: 5 Ways to Stay Connected on a Cruise Ship

6. Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas – Ultimate Panoramic Suite

The $16-million amplification of Oasis yielded many family-friendly results—the AquaTheater and Ultimate Abyss dry slide chiefly among them, as well as the Ultimate Panoramic Suite . This dreamy cabin features the same 200-degree views that the Captain enjoys from the bridge, with windows that are wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling. Those epic pano sight lines are even available from the bubble bath oasis of your bathroom tub! This suite gives families over 900 square feet of space to spread out during their Royal Caribbean cruise vacation. The Ultimate deck 14 suites accommodate up to four, have a bathroom that itself is bigger than most cruise cabins, are stocked with upgraded amenities like L’Occitane toiletries, and have premium bedding, complimentary VOOM Wi-Fi, complimentary specialty dining, and exclusive private access to specific areas of the ship and private islands. Speaking of the AquaTheater, there are suites bearing that name with a pair of bedrooms, a massive living room, and two bathrooms.

7. Norwegian – The Haven Family Villa

Available on nine Norwegian ships, these two-bedroom family villas with a balcony are located in The Haven , the ship within a ship area that’s reserved exclusively for Haven guests. The villas offer roughly 600 square feet of space spread out over an oceanview master bedroom featuring a king-size bed and private bathroom that has both a tub and separate shower, and a second bedroom with a sofa bed for two and its own bathroom. There’s also a living room and dining area with an additional single sofa bed. For families of four, five, or six that are cruising Norwegian, the Haven Family Villa, with its refined decor and ample space, plus the 24-hour butlers, private dining, and courtyard with pool, is impossible to beat. 

8. Celebrity Solstice-Class Ships – Family Veranda Stateroom

Families cruising with Celebrity are going into the experience expecting a certain level of sophistication and class. The Solstice-class ships deliver that plus an incredible amount of space in the Family Veranda Staterooms . Measuring 575 square feet, this family cabin can easily be the happy home at sea for up to six thanks to two bedrooms, a living room with at least one pullout sofa, and that private veranda advertised in its name. The only knock on these fine digs is the lone bathroom with just a shower. That seems lacking, but on the plus side, the ability to connect to adjacent ocean view cabins is a neat twist that can add to the max capacity for larger families cruising together.

9. MSC Meraviglia – Super Family Plus Balcony and Deluxe Suite

As a family-owned company, MSC takes special care to tailor the onboard experience for families, making accommodations that suit the individual needs of families regardless of size and age of children. On Meraviglia, a combination of connected staterooms are used—under titles like Super Family Plus Balcony and Family Ocean View —to provide groups with the beds, bathrooms, sight lines and space required to ensure every member of every family enjoys their cruise vacation. Fitting up to nine guests, the Super Family Plus Balcony uses a pair of balcony cabins plus an interior stateroom, all connected with adjoining doors to be as close or apart as you wish! Meanwhile, the ship’s Duplex Suite gives families of five or fewer total members a memorable two-deck-high cabin experience. On the main level there’s an open living and dining room with a sofa that converts to a double bed, while upstairs is the master bedroom’s king-size bed. 

10. MSC Seaside – Grand Suite

The Grand Suite on the MSC Seaside is as advertised: grand, indeed! This two-bedroom family cabin has a king bed in the master bedroom and pair of twin beds that can convert to a queen, plus a single pullman bed, in the second bedroom. There are two bathrooms allowing your kids to have their own shower, while you enjoy the choice of a relaxing hot shower or a long warm soak in the tub. There’s plenty of space for your stuff as well as for your family in this oversized cruise ship cabin. The walk-in closet is impressive as is the family room with sofa and seating for five. But the real star is the balcony with stellar ocean views and enough seating for everyone to truly relax and get away from the crowds on the public decks. 

Jeff Bogle lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his two teen daughters, two cats, one dog and six (yes, six) guinea pigs. He is an award-winning photographer and respected travel journalist with bylines on Reader’s Digest, Good Housekeeping, PBS, Esquire and more. Jeff (probably) spends too much time in England watching football and far too many hours plotting his family’s future travel adventures. Find Jeff on his own site, Out With the Kids . 

What to Pack for Your Next Trip

Teen girl’s cool cruise outfit for summer, shop the look.

Colwyn Shirt

Bleach Joni Shorts

Canvas Tote Bag

Moment Espadrille

Teen boy’s cool cruise outfit for summer.

Pink Lemonade Shirt

Stone Utility Shorts

Polarized Sunglasses

Women’s/Mom’s Cool Overwater Bungalow Swimsuit for Summer

Summer Standard™ Sun Hat

Havana Bikini

Waterproof Apple Watch

Seafolly Tassel-Trimmed Caftan

Dad’s/Men’s Outfit for a Family Vacation in Vegas in Summer/Spring

Cotton Pocket Tee

Beach Sweat Shorts

57mm Phantos Aviator Polarized Sunglasses

Travel Laptop Backpack

Nike Roshe Run

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• Carnival Cruise Lines

Any Carnival ship staterooms for families of 6 or more?

By gpgirl , June 5, 2015 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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I am looking on the Carnival website and it lists staterooms for families of 5 only.

Are there staterooms or suites on any of the Carnival ships that sleep 6 or more?

I know of another cruise line ;) that offers 6 or more in suite but you have to call in to book and you cannot book it online. Is this the same for Carnival? Do you need to call in to the reservation line to inquire about staterooms that accommodate 6 or more people?

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There are Family cabins on the newer ships (Breeze, Magic etc) that sleep six. These have two bathrooms--- one regular and one that has a sink and tub, no toilet.

Should be able to book it online.

There are Family cabins on the newer ships (Breeze, Magic etc) that sleep six. These have two bathrooms--- one regular and one that has a sink and tub, no toilet. Should be able to book it online.

I thought that the Breeze would accommodate larger groups. When you go to book online, however, the option is up to 5 people or multiple staterooms. Not 6 or more people. Unless I am missing something?

CruiseHobbit

You might have to call Carnival or a TA to book them. I don't think you can through the website. I would suggest booking two adjoining rooms. You get more room, two bathrooms, and a little extra privacy for almost the same price as a comparable single room that holds 5/6.

meatloafsfan

I think these only sleep 5. There are two twin beds, the convertible couch, and two fold down ceiling beds.

You're right.

lovecarnivalcruises

But you may be able to add a roll away

Not on any ship launched after 2000. Dream class launched 2009. EM

Warm Breezes

Get 2 connecting rooms or if the kids are old enough side by side or across the hall. We've done it all three ways.

They will not let you, coast guard regulations.

We are a family of 6 going on the Breeze in January. When we booked we were told the highest per cabin is 5 and they only have a few of those, all OVs on deck 1. We found that the price of 2 cabins is often close to the price of a suite or larger cabin anyway, then you have extra space and privacy. I would aim for connecting cabins. Call in to ask though as it's almost impossible to see them yourself online.

There is a website I cannot list here which has pictures of cruise ship rooms. Cruise sip rooms dot com. Might find some there.

I find you can see them on deck plans but can't see which ones are available. Do you know if that website shows which ones are available?

A TA can assist with that. The website they look at can tell which rooms connect and also how many they sleep.

I was struggling to find cabins on the website and when I called, the rep found 3 in a row and allowed me to book hubby, myself and the youngest in the middle cabin and the boys on one side and the girls on the other side. Those cabins were not showing as available on the website.

Carnival must not show ALL available cabins on their website.

Good Luck!!

I was struggling to find cabins on the website and when I called, the rep found 3 in a row and allowed me to book hubby, myself and the youngest in the middle cabin and the boys on one side and the girls on the other side. Those cabins were not showing as available on the website.   Carnival must not show ALL available cabins on their website.   Good Luck!!

Carnival limits the number of cabins displayed to

Prevent people holding without depositing.

Yep, we are a family of 5, and we have done all 3 of these as well. We are always open to all three options. I think our favorite is to have connecting rooms, but I don't know...lately we've been loving having one balcony cabin and one interior across the hall. It saves money, too...since the interior is cheaper!!

The bonus of the TWO rooms, however you do it (connecting or across the hall) is that you get two complete bathrooms. I don't love that the 2nd bath in the Deluxe Oceanview rooms on the Dream, Breeze, and Magic only include one toilet.

Disneyjunkie

I just used a TA to book a block of rooms on the Breeze for a July 2016 family reunion. My sister have a family of six. We were told there aren't any cabins that will hold 6 people.

They decided to go with connecting balcony cabins.

I just used a TA to book a block of rooms on the Breeze for a July 2016 family reunion. My sister have a family of six. We were told there aren't any cabins that will hold 6 people.       They decided to go with connecting balcony cabins.

Carnival does not have any rooms that can accommodate six people,so what you were told is correct.

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Wrap up a full day of Carnival fun… and you're gonna need a good night's sleep. Our staterooms are here to help.

ROOM TYPES FOR ALL TYPES

When it comes to staterooms, one size only fits some. That's why we've got enough variety to satisfy any type of fun seeker.

Interior Staterooms

The most affordable way to experience all the Carnival excitement, without cutting corners on comfort. Here’s the perfect spot to curl up after a long day’s fun.

Available On : All ships

Available Features

Ocean View Staterooms

These comfy rooms with a view let you sail along to beautiful destinations while gazing at the sort of vistas you simply won't find anywhere on land.

Balcony Staterooms

Any time you’re in your room, you’re steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis… designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views.

Get all the comforts of home and then some, with absolutely none of the hassles. Get comfy… stretch out, put your feet up. Or just spend time on your balcony — you’ve got one of our most spacious rooms.

Exclusive Amenities:

• VIP check-in, plus priority embarkation and debarkation
• Priority dinner reservations and main dining room time assignment
• One complimentary load of laundry service
• Two complimentary large bottles of water

Exclusive Amenities

• Priority check-in, embarkation & debarkation
• Priority dinner reservations & main dining room time assignment
• Pillow-top mattresses

Family Harbor Staterooms & Suites

The term “family room” brings to mind that comfy place where kids and parents can do the all-important work of having fun simply being together. That’s precisely why there’s Family Harbor. You’ll notice that Family Harbor staterooms sport a classically American nautical décor... but benefits don’t stop at your door. Family Harbor staterooms are located near the Family Harbor Lounge, an exclusive spot featuring breakfast in the morning, snacks throughout the day, plus activities like board games, family movies, video games and more. As you explore the rest of the ship, the Family Harbor benefits come along, with your kids eating free in most onboard specialty restaurants... plus one free evening of Night Owls babysitting service, so you can enjoy some much-deserved alone time.

Available On : Carnival Celebration ® , Carnival Horizon ® , Carnival Jubilee ™ , Mardi Gras ® , Carnival Panorama ® and Carnival Vista ®

Cloud 9 Spa Staterooms & Suites

Cloud 9 Spa ™ staterooms do things a little different than ordinary staterooms. For starters, we dare you to cross the threshold without feeling a little more relaxed. Once you're inside, you'll find pleasing decor and in-room amenities like ELEMIS bath products and spa-branded bathrobes and slippers to enhance your stay.

What’s more, your excellent stateroom choice gets you priority spa reservations, free fitness classes, unlimited access to the thermal suites, exclusive discounts on treatments during port days... and more. (And on ships with a Hydrotherapy Pool, you’re welcome to use it as much as you want!)

And the best part? We've got a full range of rooms with that Cloud 9 mojo, from cozy Interiors to stretch-out Suites, ensuring you'll never have to sacrifice comfort for value.

Available On : Carnival Breeze ® , Carnival Celebration ® , Carnival Dream ® , Carnival Horizon ® , Carnival Jubilee ™ , Carnival Luminosa ® ,Carnival Magic ® , Mardi Gras. ® , Carnival Panorama ® , Carnival Radiance ® , Carnival Splendor ® , Carnival Sunrise ® , Carnival Sunshine ® and Carnival Vista ®

Havana Staterooms & Suites

At Carnival we love to cruise as much as anyone, but when you book a Havana stateroom, it's like you're no longer on a ship... you're at an exclusive island resort. But unlike most spots on land, you're never far from the ocean... or from the Havana Bar & Pool. (You'll enjoy exclusive access to the pool area!) Inside, all Havana staterooms feature a unique décor, but step up to a Havana Cabana for an extra-large outdoor chill space featuring a lounge-ready hammock chair. Step into a Havana Cabana suite for even more space, plus a luxurious rain shower. (All Havana stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Terrazza Staterooms

Have you ever thought “maybe I could live like an Italian”? Well there’s a place you can kind of try out the lifestyle, at least for one vacation: Terrazza Staterooms aboard a Carnival cruise! You’ll find these aboard any of our Fun Italian Style ships, and the resort layout gives you everything you need for comfort and style in one place. For starters, all the staterooms feature a fresh style inside… and some add premium open-air benefits like a patio lounging area or balcony. And on a select few, the balcony is — how shall we put it? — grandissimo! But guess what’s included with every Terrazza stateroom? Exclusive access to a private deck featuring amenities like all-day lounging with great drinks, entertainment, whirlpools and more. (All Terrazza stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Available On : Carnival Firenze ™ and Carnival Venezia ™

ALL THE PERKS, IN EVERY ROOM

With all this comfort and all these standard features, you've gotta try real hard to get homesick on a Carnival cruise.

• Dedicated stateroom attendant
• Soft, cozy linens
• Stateroom climate control
• Plenty of closet and drawer space
• Bathrobes upon request
• In-room safe for valuables

YEP, WE THOUGHT OF THAT TOO

Beyond the basics, you’ll find rooms that take your vacation to the next level — we’re talking stuff that matters most to groups, families, folks with special needs and more!

Adding friends equals multiplying the fun. That’s why many Carnival staterooms can be configured in different ways — some sleep up to five!

Keep the group together. Some cabins have connecting rooms with a common door between them.

When it comes to bathrooms, an extra might be a good idea. Deluxe Ocean View staterooms sleep up to five and come with an extra half-bath.

Specially modified rooms are available for guests with special needs .

TOP-TO-BOTTOM, FRONT-TO-BACK FUN

Wherever on the ship you make your home base, good times aren't far.

• Lower decks
• Upper decks

For arts and entertainment, health and relaxation, stay up front. The fitness center and spa are nearby, not to mention great performances in the show lounge.

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I worked on cruise ships for 6 years. Here are the 5 best and 5 worst rooms to book for your trip.

When I worked on cruise ships , I learned that choosing the right cabin can make a big difference.

Staterooms vary in view and location, and each cruiser should select the best one for their needs.

Avoiding certain staterooms can minimize outside noise, extra fees, and other inconveniences.

During my six years working for two different cruise lines, I learned how much a cruiser's cabin can affect their onboard experience.

Although I ultimately ended up as an entertainment host, I started my career in guest services, where I frequently dealt with passengers' room complaints .

Here are what I consider to be the best and worst staterooms to book on a cruise.

BEST ROOMS TO BOOK ON A CRUISE

Ocean-level cabins.

If you're prone to seasickness, the center of the ship, also called the midship, is the place to be. It's the closest you can get to water level, where you'll feel the least amount of rocking .

The smaller the ship is, the more movement you're likely to feel, so those who feel queasy on the water may want to consider booking one of these rooms on a mega ship, which is a vessel with at least 1,500 cabins.

Passengers who suffer from seasickness should avoid sailing during hurricane season, which loosely runs from June to November, or traveling on rough bodies of water, such as the Drake Passage.

Studio rooms 

Certain cruise lines — such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Virgin Voyages — offer single-occupancy staterooms.

In the past, cruise lines expected solo cruisers to pay a single supplement , a surcharge for individuals staying in staterooms designed to accommodate more than one person. I've never seen a single supplement required for those staying in a studio or solo cabin, which are intended for one person. It's always a good idea to check for extra fees ahead of booking though.

Some cruise lines, like NCL , have lounges near these cabins that are only accessible to people staying in single-occupancy rooms. There, solo cruisers can mingle and enjoy social events hosted by the entertainment staff .

Port or starboard staterooms

You might want to consider your ship's route before booking a stateroom with a window or balcony.

If you're going down a scenic coastline in one direction, know which side of the ship will face it. That way, you'll know whether to choose a port room, which is on the left side of the ship, or a starboard room, which is on the right side of the ship, to get the best views.

Cabins close to popular attractions

If you expect to spend a lot of your time in one place — such as the spa, pool deck, or casino — you may want to book a nearby stateroom, or at least one that's on the same side of the ship.

As an entertainment host who was often running around the ship to host different activities, I found that it was a lot easier to move around vertically than horizontally.

Having a cabin on the same side of the ship as your favorite attractions will save you a lot of time, especially on bigger vessels.

Rooms by elevators

Those who don't want to walk far or are physically unable to do so may want to book a room close to the elevators so they don't have to travel far to get to the ship's public areas.

Even though all US-based cruises are somewhat accessible because of the US Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) , travelers with disabilities should always check each specific ship's layout, features, and accessibility beforehand.

Potential downside: Being located near an elevator may be convenient, but the extra foot traffic in the hallway can result in noise directly outside your room.

WORST ROOMS TO BOOK ON A CRUISE

Think about your priorities before selecting your room. Debbie Ann Powell/Shutterstock

Staterooms directly above or below busy areas 

Not every ship has noise issues, but if it does, those problems tend to originate from public areas rather than other staterooms.

Look at deck plans before booking to make sure your cabin isn't above or below the casino, buffet, galley, main theater, bar, gym, or pool deck. When I worked in guest services, noise complaints often came from people staying in staterooms located near these busy areas.

Staterooms surrounded by other staterooms tend to be the quietest. If noise issues do arise there, guest services can send security to deal with noisy neighbors .

Obstructed ocean-view rooms 

Partially obstructed ocean-view staterooms have a window that's usually at least a little blocked by a lifeboat.

Although many people book these rooms because they're slightly cheaper than ocean-view rooms, the view ends up being more obstructed than expected most of the time.

I've heard many complaints about heavily obstructed ocean-view rooms, so I suggest saving your money with an interior stateroom or splurging on an ocean-view room to manage your expectations.

Cabins near the anchor

If your cruise goes to a tender port , where the ship anchors off the shore and transports guests to land on small boats, avoid rooms near the bow on the lower decks.

Crew cabins are usually located there , so I'm very familiar with the loud clunking and ticking sounds the anchor makes as it's lowered, which usually happens very early in the morning.

Adjoining rooms with other parties 

Some cruise ships have adjoining staterooms with an internal door separating the two neighboring cabins. This option is convenient for families or groups that are traveling together and want to feel like they're sharing one large room.

If you don't know the people staying next door, the conjoining door remains locked for the duration of the cruise. However, the sound may carry through it a lot more than it would through a wall.

The wrong room for your personal preferences

Introverts and those who need their own space may find public areas crowded and overwhelming . They should consider booking balcony rooms, as having a private space overlooking the ocean provides a sense of calmness.

Extroverts who want to spend most of their time engaging in activities and enjoying the ship's features are unlikely to spend much time in their staterooms and might as well cut costs by getting an interior cabin . The lack of natural light may also help them sleep well and recoup for the next day's activities.

This story was originally published on February 21, 2023, and most recently updated on January 30, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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More From Forbes

How to choose the best cruise ship cabin for you.

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Balcony staterooms on Norwegian Prima feature a Scandinavian color palette with some modern design ... [+] touches.

Choosing your cruise ship cabin or stateroom is an essential part of planning a dream cruise vacation. The right accommodation can enhance your cruise experience, providing you with a comfortable retreat after a day of adventure, but some choices may turn out to be an expensive mistake.

Here’s how to select the best cruise ship cabin for your needs, whether you're seeking breathtaking views, peace and quiet, convenience, or the best value.

Cruise Ship Cabin Grades

From motel-sized inside cabins to luxurious suites that rival the most expensive land-based hotels, cruise ships offer a range of accommodation grades to suit all preferences and budgets:

Interior Cabins : The most budget-friendly option, these cabins are located inside the ship and have no windows. Although they are often just as spacious as oceanview cabins, the lack of natural light may be off-putting to some.

Oceanview Cabins : Offering a window or porthole, these cabins provide natural light and views of the ocean or ports, a good middle-ground option. On modern ships, such cabins will likely be located towards the bottom of the ship, as balcony cabins now dominate ship exteriors.

Balcony Cabins : These cabins feature private balconies allowing direct access to ocean breezes and private views. These cabins are perfect for those who prefer to enjoy the scenery privately.

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Some ships offer cabins with direct access to the promenade deck, while the largest ships, including MSC World Europa , offer balconies overlooking an internal courtyard or promenade.

The newest, largest cruise ships such as Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas' offer a huge range of ... [+] cabin grades and locations.

Suites : The most spacious and luxurious option, suites often come with extra amenities and services, ideal for travelers looking for a premium experience. Separate bedrooms, wraparound balconies, and even butler service are some common features of cruise ship suites.

Pioneered by Norwegian Cruise Line, solo traveler cabins are becoming more common across the industry. Whereas for many years solo cabins were usually interior grade, there are now oceanview and even balcony cabins available for solo travelers on some lines.

Consider The Location

Perhaps more so than the accommodation grade, the cabin location can significantly impact your cruise experience.

Top-to-bottom : Cabins on lower decks are usually cheaper with the added benefit of experiencing less movement in rough seas.

However, depending on the size of the ship, they could be farther from entertainment and dining areas. On big ships, there may be 10 or even more flights of stairs between your cabin and the pool, sun deck, buffet, and other amenities found at the top of the ship. There will be elevators, of course, but you should expect queues at busy times.

Cabins on higher decks will provide better views from balconies and suites, and good access to many of the ship’s amenities, but passengers may feel the ship's movement more. You may also hear more noise from outdoor activities on the pool deck.

Cabins on middle floors offer the best combination of access to facilities and less movement in the event of rough seas.

Front-to-back : Just as important as the deck number is the cabin’s location between the ship’s front and rear.

Cabins located at the very front and very back of the ship will experience significantly more movement in the event of rough seas, so choose a cabin towards the middle of the ship if you’re facing multiple sea days or sailing off-season.

Inside cabins on the 'P&O Arvia' cruise ship are a good value accommodation option. They can be ... [+] configured with a double or twin beds.

It’s also worth knowing that most cruise ships feature main dining venues at the rear and the main theater at the front.

The Budget Accommodation Choice

When choosing a cabin, start with understanding your budget. Decide how much you’re willing to spend and remember that while the cabin is important, you’ll also want to budget for on-board activities, excursions, beverages, and other expenses.

If budget matters above all else, an interior cabin is a wise choice. You could also save money by booking a saver fare offered by some cruise lines.

These fares typically don't allow you to select your cabin in advance. This will likely result in you being allocated a cabin at the front or back of the ship, but it will save you money.

Questions To Ask Yourself

If you have more flexibility in your budget, consider what’s important to you in accommodation. If you plan to spend a lot of time in your cabin, you might value a balcony or a spacious room more. Families might look for cabins with connecting doors or extra bed options.

Before booking, read reviews of the ship and specific cabins on websites such as Cruise Critic or watching YouTube reviews. Previous travelers can offer invaluable insight into noise levels, views, and overall satisfaction.

Examine the ship’s layout to see where your cabin is in relation to key areas like the lido deck, dining rooms, and entertainment venues. Consider potential noise from above or below your cabin, especially if it’s immediately above or below a dance floor, crew area, or near the pool.

Your cruise itinerary might also influence your choice of accommodation. For scenic cruises, such as those in Alaska or the Norwegian fjords , a balcony might be worth the splurge to enjoy the magnificent views in relative peace. A balcony breakfast while sailing along a fjord will be an experience to remember.

On the other hand, if you plan to spend most of your time exploring ports and partaking in onboard activities, the type and location of cabin might be of less importance.

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THIS IS THE NEW

Sound of whoa, award-winning & awe inspiring accommodations.

Welcome to the perfect spot to rest your head after a day spent discovering record-breaking thrills, spectacular shows and palette-pleasing flavors onboard the largest cruise ship in the world, Symphony of the Seas®. Serving up spectacular views and deluxe amenities, our staterooms are an alluring escape from the non-stop action our ships are known for — and the perfect place to recharge in between adventures. 

THE ALL NEW ULTIMATE FAMILY SUITE

The Ultimate Family Suite is two stories of awesome thrills on every level. Like your very own in-suite slide where there’s never a line, an air hockey table, and table tennis on your balcony.

HOT TUB HANGOUT

Unwind on your balcony in your very own private jacuzzi or take part in a game of table tennis — all while enjoying ocean views.

ADVENTURE ON DEMAND

From planning the perfect date night at sea, to arranging exclusive one-of-a-kind experiences designed around you, your Royal Genie will make sure every aspect of your adventure is taken care of.

GAME TIME ANYTIME

Amp up your stay with a little friendly competition in your own private game room complete with video game systems, life-size Connect-Four and more. You can even transform the space into a karaoke spot where you can bond while belting out your favorite hits.  

THE LUXURIOUS ROYAL SUITE CLASS

Real luxury is so much more than design and amenities. It’s about unforgettable experiences — moments that inspire, service that exceeds expectations, and one-of-a-kind adventures that give you stories to bring home. You’ll discover all that and more when you sail in  Royal Suite Class.

EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES

Elevate every aspect of your travel adventure with exclusive access and unique experiences you’ll treasure for years to come, crafted just for you by a Royal Genie or dedicated Concierge.

INCLUSIVE AMENITIES

Sometimes, the smallest details make the biggest difference. Our Sea, Sky and Star Class Suites offer complimentary services and amenities that make every moment unforgettable.

UNPARALLELED ACCOMMODATIONS

In between awe-inspiring vacation experiences, retreat to the most spacious luxury cruise suites. When you sail in Royal Suite Class, you’ll find every detail has been carefully considered with you in mind.  

DESIGNED TO MATCH YOUR TRAVEL STYLE

Relax, unwind and make yourself at home after a full day of adventure. From thread-count comfort and deluxe amenities to breathtaking views, you'll find all the creature comforts you'd expect during your vacation – and some you probably haven't even thought of — in a range of rooms to suit your travel style.

INTERIOR STATEROOMS

OCEAN VIEW STATEROOMS

BALCONY STATEROOMS

VIRTUAL BALCONY STATEROOMS

Designed to match your comfort needs.

24-hour room service for fueling up between thrills. A daily stateroom attendant dedicated to making sure your stay is spectacular. Nightly turn down service so you can rest easy before the next day’s adventures. Whether you’re traveling with kids, a group of fellow explorers, or require any kind of specialized services, we’ve thought of all the creature comforts you’d expect during your vacation — plus a few more.

BABY ONBOARD

Vacationing with a baby? Let us know and we’ll provide a crib and supplies to make your little one comfy.

BRINGING THE CREW

Keep the whole squad together on your next getaway. Select staterooms can connect to accommodate more guests.

COUPLES RETREAT

Our staterooms offer spa-like comfort so you can disconnect from reality and reconnect with your partner-in-adventure.

SPECIAL NEEDS

All of our cruise ships are equipped to accommodate any special needs — just let us know and we’ll make you feel at home.

EVERY DETAIL ACCOUNTED FOR SERVICES & AMENITIES JUST FOR YOU

BABY FRIENDLY

ROOM SERVICE

CONNECTED STATEROOMS

SPA-LIKE SERVICES

IN-ROOM VOOM WIFI

daily cleaning SERVICE

COUPLEs RETREAT

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Cruise cabins vs. hotel rooms: the similarities and differences.

Cruises take all the best parts of a traditional vacation while injecting some seriously exciting non traditional elements too. If you’re a fan of staying in hotels, with all the pampering, amenities, and comfort they offer, you’ll find a cruise cabin pretty familiar, but with one important difference – instead of a view of a parking lot, you’ll have a view of the ocean. Cruise cabins also offer far more value than luxury hotels, since you’re not just getting a room. You’re getting access to our almost all-included luxury experience, and the ability to step out of your room and into a new port almost every day. Here’s what every prospective Sailor should know about our cruise cabins. 

What are cruise cabins (staterooms) like on cruise ships?

Cruise cabins, also known as staterooms, are your oasis within an oasis. Your home base. Your inner sanctum. And on our adults-only ships, these inner sanctums are equipped with cutting-edge technology like mood lighting and room keys in the form of a wearable band . You can also make purchases with your wearable band, really taking the convenience to the next level. The best part about having a cruise cabin as your home base is that you can visit multiple destinations and only unpack once, and you don’t even have to leave the room to feel like you’re on a tropical vacation. Just relax on your balcony hammock and soak in the sun and sea breeze.

Similarities between cruise cabins and hotel rooms

Although standard cruise cabins are smaller than hotel rooms, there are several similarities that will make hotel veterans feel right at home. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to come home after a long day of exploring, flop down on the hotel bed, turn on the AC, and bliss out with some TV, a cruise cabin will more than quench your thirst for relaxation. Like hotels, there are multiple options available depending on your party size – solo rooms, double occupancy, or larger , more luxurious suites called RockStar Quarters . You can also choose between insider, ocean view, and balcony rooms. Here’s what you can expect from our luxurious cabins.

Room essentials for cruise cabins & hotel rooms

Hotels and cruises ultimately offer vastly different vacation experiences, but their lodgings are cut from the same cloth. Here’s what you can expect from your cruise cabin.

Baggage Porter Service

Much like bellhops at hotels, we offer a baggage porter service that delivers your luggage from the port to the cruise cabin. 

Room Service

Everyone’s favorite part of staying in a hotel, room service means enjoying your favorite meals from the comfort of your own bed. On our ships, not only can you get food delivered to your room, but also towels and other amenities you might need. And the best part is – gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise.

Room Cleanliness

Unlike Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, who have cut their housekeeping services back to once a day , you can expect our housekeeping to clean your room twice per day, meaning our cruise cabins are typically cleaner than the average hotel room . 

Queen or King Size Bed Options

Like hotel rooms, you can choose between Queen or King size beds for sleeping comfortably, depending on whether you’re traveling solo or with a partner (and how cozy you feel like getting with that partner). You can also opt for two double beds, for those traveling with a friend. 

Free Breakfast

Okay, we lied before. The best part about staying in hotels (most hotels, anyway) is the free breakfast. Well, we hear you. While not every hotel offers free breakfast, Virgin Voyages does, along with a host of other free dining options in our 20+ onboard eateries included with your cruise cabin fare.

Air Conditioning

An essential that you might not even think about until you realize it’s missing. Our Sailors can adjust the room temperature, so you can cool down after a long day lounging in the heat, or warm up after taking a dip in one of our Redemption Spa’s cold plunge pools.

Complimentary water

Not only do Virgin Voyages cruise cabins come with complimentary water, there are water stations across the ship where you can refill your personal water bottle. 

Obviously, like hotel rooms, your cruise cabin will have a private bathroom with a sink, shower, and toilet. The bathrooms might be a little cozy, but they’re modern, sustainably designed, and have all the essentials you need for a comfortable voyage.

Clean Towels & Rags

Fresh towels and rags are available from our housekeeping service. You can even ask for them to be delivered between cleanings. 

Bathroom Essentials & Toiletries

This isn’t one of those Airbnbs where you show up to find an empty bathroom, and need to make a last-minute run to a convenience store just to brush your teeth. Expect to find the basic toiletries in your cabin bathroom – including a hairdryer – which can be restocked at any time by room service.

As much as we encourage disconnecting and enjoying your time at sea, we’re realistic too. Staying connected is important. That’s why – unlike some hotels and many other cruise lines – we offer free Wi-Fi in all our cruise cabins.

Power Outlets and USB Connector

To help you stay even more connected, we made sure each room has both power outlets and a USB connector for conveniently charging your devices.

Flat-Screen TV

Every cruise cabin has a flat-screen TV, so you can unwind and zone out after a busy day exploring a port and our onboard amenities.

We know that working from home is all the rage right now, but we want to take WFH to the next level – working from sea. To make this easier on our remote working Sailors, each room has a dedicated work desk. Or, you know, you could just set up your laptop on your balcony hammock (though we’re not sure how much work you’ll actually get done).

Closet and Luggage Storage Areas

Like hotel rooms, you’ll find a closet and storage area to hang clothes and store your suitcases, as well as a safe to protect your valuables.

Differences between cruise cabin & hotel rooms

Despite these similarities, there are also plenty of differences between a hotel room and cruise cabin, from the view to the experiences waiting outside your door. Indeed, many even claim to sleep better on cruise ships than in any other type of lodging. These are the key differences between cruise ship rooms and hotel rooms.

It probably comes as no surprise that a standard cruise cabin is smaller than a typical hotel room, but that’s because cruise cabins are built for ultimate convenience. Cabin layouts take advantage of small spaces to give you everything you need without any excess space. 

Sure, hotel rooms have windows, but they usually overlook freeways and parking lots. While not all cruise cabins have windows, those that do overlook a spectacular ocean horizon, and many of our rooms even have balconies with hammocks, perfect for spending a lazy morning.

Room Access

Gone are the days of wiggling a key in a lock, or even digging through your wallet to find a key card. Our Sailors access their cabins with a smart wristband, which also gives them entrance to the ship itself after returning from Shore Things.

Clever Rooms with Mood Lighting

In most hotels, you can’t control the lighting beyond flipping a switch on and off. In our cabins, an easy-to-use tablet gives you access to sophisticated lighting controls, including mood lighting. 

Clothes Iron and Steamers

While we can’t keep irons or steamers in our rooms, as hotels do, for safety reasons, we can provide steamers upon special request.

TV Stations

Sailors can browse dozens of stations on our HDTV, and though you might not find every channel you’re used to back home, you can stream shows and movies using our fast Wi-Fi connection on your own devices. 

Room for a Couch

Our rooms are designed with versatility in mind. That means you can transform the Seabed into a couch setup, forming an L-shaped lounging couch perfect for group gatherings. 

Balcony with a Hammock

Some hotel rooms have balconies, but the balconies in our rooms come with our signature red hammocks, perfect for sleeping in the sea breeze. It’s so comfortable, you can even sleep in it. No need to bring the mattress outside, like on some cruise lines . 

Included Dining

Most hotels have restaurants, but they’re usually pretty pricey, and the food often sacrifices quality for convenience. Within just a few minutes’ walk of your cruise cabin, you’ll find over 20 free onboard dining options.

Included Amenities

Our pool and outdoor hot tubs are a staple of our ship, but unlike hotels, Sailors can also look forward to a full spa with pools of varying temperatures, as well as group fitness classes.

Included Entertainment

Hotels might have plenty of amenities, but we’re willing to bet they don’t have Broadway-caliber entertainment. We’ve got immersive shows in our Red Room theater that you wouldn’t even find in Vegas.

Comparing cost and value with what’s included

When you’re booking cruise ship rooms, you want to make sure you’re getting the best value for your money. Our cabins represent over $1,000 in value, including over 20 onboard dining options, Wi-Fi, group fitness classes, free bookable karaoke rooms, shows and entertainment, and essential soft drinks and water.

Destination, location and views are everything for travel accommodations

It can be easy to get caught up in the destination when you’re booking a vacation, and almost forget to consider what your accommodations will look like. Your lodging can make or break a trip, which is why we like our cruise cabins to be part of the vacation experience itself. When you book a cruise ship room, you’re getting a destination and accommodation all in one. All it takes to feel transported to another world is opening your blinds, or stepping onto your balcony, and taking in the scenery of a new port or enjoying the vast ocean views. 

Plan ahead to book the best cruise cabins 

Like booking a hotel room, when booking your cruise cabin of choice it’s essential to plan ahead. Our Sailor Services team makes it easy to plan a cruise in advance , assisting not only with cabins, but also booking flights and even hotels for the days prior to or following your departure. No matter your destination, a cruise cabin is the perfect way to enjoy the luxury of a hotel, but with all the exciting amenities unique to our cruise ships – not to mention waking up to shimmering ocean views.

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7 Little-Known Secrets to Getting the Most Out of Your Cruise Experience

T here are some things that newer cruisers tend to not be familiar with, but that could greatly enhance their on-board experience. Here are seven things I always make sure to do when taking a cruise that you can use to make sure you have the best time possible.

1. Know what room locations to avoid

Years ago, I booked a balcony room on a cruise, and was excited that it was only one deck away from the casino and specialty restaurants. But it was also directly on top of the theater, which essentially turned into a nightclub after the last performance was over.

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Cruise lines make deck plans available online (try a Google search for "'SHIP NAME' deck plans" if you can't find them). One tip is to choose a room with nothing but other cabins directly above or below it, and away from high-traffic public areas.

2. Familiarize yourself with the ship ahead of time

Speaking of deck plans, they can be a great tool to get to know the layout of your ship ahead of time. Another thing I always do before I cruise on a ship I've never been on is to watch a ship tour on YouTube. There are usually 10-15-minute walkthroughs that are easy to find, and these can be an excellent planning tool.

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3. Maximize your space

If you've never cruised before, you might be surprised at how much smaller the typical cruise ship cabin is, compared with the average hotel room. To be fair, cruise lines do a great job of maximizing the storage area (tip: beds are usually designed to fit at least two full-size suitcases underneath). But anything you can bring to maximize your space can make a big difference, especially if you're traveling with kids, like I usually do.

Just to name a few things, we never leave for a cruise without a pop-up clothes hamper, over-the-door shoe rack, magnetic hooks to put on the walls, and a few other organizational items.

4. Fly the day before

This tip is more about avoiding potential disasters in your travel plans. One rookie mistake cruisers often make is to book flights for the day of the trip, only to encounter weather delays or find out that it takes longer to get from the airport to the cruise terminal than anticipated.

If it's possible, plan to fly to the cruise port the night before. It's worth paying for a night at a hotel to make sure you get there on time. And if you live close enough and are driving to the cruise port, be sure to add some wiggle room into your schedule in case you run into unexpected delays.

5. Book all you can ahead of time

There is likely to be some excellent free entertainment on your cruise -- but you might need to have a reservation to get a seat. Top specialty restaurants and shore excursions tend to fill up as well. By booking ahead of time , you can avoid disappointment and make sure you do all the things you want to do. Different cruise lines have different booking timetables (shows might open for booking 30 days before the sailing, for example).

It's also worth noting that booking shore excursions, specialty dining, and drink packages ahead of time can also be a good personal finance move. As an example, I'm booked on a Royal Caribbean cruise in a couple months and the drink package is 30% cheaper if I buy it ahead of time, as are many of the shore excursions.

6. Check in as soon as you can

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, cruise lines have done a great job of minimizing wait times at the terminal by offering online check-in. You can upload your passport information, register for kids' activities, and more before you ever arrive. Cruise lines open online check-in well before the sailing, but the exact timetable depends on the particular company.

One other thing you can do in the online check-in process is reserve a boarding time. To reduce overcrowding, there are typically half-hour arrival windows, and as you might expect, the earliest ones fill up quickly. By checking in as soon as you can, you can get an early boarding time and enjoy a few extra hours on the ship.

7. Find out what you can bring

Many first-timers don't realize this, but there is usually some sort of beverage allowance. One unopened bottle of wine per adult is standard, and you may be able to bring some other beverages as well. You are also allowed to bring some snacks to keep in your room. I get it -- there's free food in many places on a cruise ship. But it can be a long walk to the nearest food, and sometimes your kids (or you) just want a little snack.

The bottom line is that by knowing these tips, you can maximize the value you're getting from your cruise, avoid any delays or mishaps, and be sure you don't miss out on things you'd like to see.

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A company is turning former cruise ships into floating hotels — see inside its largest 'floatel'

• Bridgemans ServicesGroup operates a fleet of former cruise ships turned into hotels. 
• Its "floatels" are designed to house workers during long-term projects.
• See its largest 652-cabin floatel with a game room and buffet.

Some old and unwanted cruise ships meet their demise at ship-breaking yards , where they are disassembled and sold for scrap.

Other vessels find a more fortunate fate, receiving a second chance to do what they already do best: serve as floating hotels.

Canada-based Bridgemans Services Group buys and charters former cruise ships to turn into "floatels," outfitted with standard cruise amenities like daily housekeeping, buffets, and relaxing lounges.

But the ships aren't designed to transport tourists from one destination to another anymore. Instead, companies turn to Bridgeman when they need to house workers for a long-term project, whether it be the construction of an offshore wind farm in Europe or the shooting of a major film in a remote destination.

Floatels can accommodate workers in remote destinations where hotels might not be an option.

In more metropolitan areas, Bridgemans says its ships could lessen the stress an inundation of workers might have on the local housing market.

And once they are no longer needed, the vessels depart and "leave no trace behind," the company said.

Over the last decade, Bridgemans has deployed its ships for 15 projects on every continent, Brian Grange, the company's president, told Business Insider.

Grange said that its deployments — most often for liquified natural gas companies — last for an average of two years.

In the past, it has also provided accommodations for MSC Cruises at its Ocean Cay private island and housing for more than 1,000 workers in the Philippines' on a project for the Manila International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company's three ships range from 150 to 652 cabins.

The floatel operator acquired its largest ship, the 561-foot-long MV Isabelle X, in 2023.

In its past life, the 35-year-old vessel sailed around the Baltic Sea as one of Estonia-based Tallink Gruipp's cruise ships.

But gone are its days of leisurely cruising. The 35,000 gross-ton ship is now on its first deployment in Howe Sound, just north of Vancouver, where it's housing more than 600 workers who are building Woodfibre LNG's "net zero" LNG export facility.

Isabelle X underwent a six-month retrofit before it was sent to Howe Sound.

The process included updating the ship's cabins and adding amenities like a game room and an 8,000-square-foot gym.

The latter two are especially important: "We need to make sure we delineate between work and home," Grange told BI. "We have to create a social environment on board these vessels that makes it attractive for workforces around the world."

During their free time, workers can play billiards, relax in the outdoor lounge, or use the ship’s WiFi to catch up on social media.

The sports lounge has large television screens, while the games lounge has darts, ping pong tables, and air hockey.

The 'quiet lounges' are the go-to space for people who need to unwind after a long work day.

Or, they could recharge and catch up on the latest shows in their cabins, which all come with desks, storage, and 32-inch televisions.

Like a typical cruise ship, Bridgemans' vessels have buffets with live cooking stations, a dessert bar, and the occasional themed night.

The ships' chefs tailor their menus to the demographic and dietary restrictions of the workers on board, the company's president told BI.

Residents can expect at least four protein options, plenty of veggies, and handmade bread and desserts.

Unlike most cruise lines, Bridgemans can pre-purchase all the food it needs before deployment.

Grange says this allows the ships to maintain food quality and consistency in remote locations.

Remember that deployment in the Philippines during COVID-19? He said the ship had packed almost 800 tons of food ahead of the project.

He wouldn’t disclose the cost to rent one of Bridgemans’ floatels.

But he did note that the cost of a cabin on the Woodfibre LNG project in Howe Sound is comparable to a hotel room in nearby Vancouver, as is the case with most of its projects near major cities.

The company’s most recent acquisition, the 150-cabin Diamond XI, is currently being retrofitted and would be ready for deployment this year.

According to the company's president, the vessel is small and high-end, likely to be used for sporting events and movie shoots.

It could also be the start of a greater expansion: He hopes to add two or three more vessels to its fleet in the next five years.

"The world has opened up to this as a valued alternative to housing," Grange told BI.

Who knows, the next time you see a cruise ship off the coast, there's a slim but possible chance it could be housing workers — not vacationers.

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