The 5 Best Cabin Locations On Any Cruise Ship

On any give ship, the best cabin location for one person might not be the best choice for another. This is why when asked ‘what are the best cabin locations on any cruise ship?’ it’s not an easy one to answer.

On a typical cruise ship, cabins are spread out all over the place. From high and low to the front, middle and back. Some cruise vessels, in particular river ships, also have cabins clustered at the back with the public areas at the front. Others, such as those operated by luxury lines Seabourn and Silversea Cruises, have cabins clustered at the front with public areas at the back.

Each ship is different along with a variety of amenities and benefits, with some lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line offering a huge range of room options. With a huge variety to pick from, we’ve pulled together the top 5 best cabin locations and which one might be best suited to your needs.

Midship Cabins

Best for: Those prone to seasickness

A big drawcard to a midship cabin is its stability. You don’t feel the rocking of the sea in these cabins, not nearly as much as one towards the front or the back. If you are in the center of a ship, you are in the center of the axis that shifts, meaning even in very rough seas, you’re not going to move nearly as much. Another advantage is being at the center of everything. On larger ships, where activity areas are spread far apart, a midship cabin will put you close to most areas.

Cabins At The Very Back

Best for: The best balcony view

Rear-facing balcony cabins are among the best balcony cabins on any ship. They often boast bigger balconies compared to side-facing cabins, and also feel a touch quieter. There are very few balcony cabins at the back of a ship compared to side cabins, meaning you don’t hear a lot of noise from your neighbors. Most rear-facing cabins are however, larg, pricey suites, but this isn’t always the case, with some being reasonably priced.

Cabins At The Very Front

Best for: A Spectacular View

Many people love forward-facing cabins due to the spectacular view, particularly as you arrive at port. They do also sometimes come with extra space. This is due to the odd angled interior spaces that are caused from the slanted fronts on ships. Being at the font means that forward-facing cabins will often not have balconies, as the wind over the bow of a ship that’s underway with a balcony isn’t practical. Instead they’ll have large windows, sometimes floor-to-ceiling, that offer amazing views.

Cabins Surrounded By Others

Best for: Light Sleepers

If you don’t like to be bothered by noise, the best cabin for you is one that is surrounded by other cabins. This means a cabin that has a cabin directly above it, below it as well as on both sides. If you’re looking for ultimate quiet, you’ll also want to avoid any cabins near elevators, passenger launderettes and other areas that draw a decent amount of foot traffic. It can take some studying of deck plans, but if you’re a light sleeper, it’s worth it.

Cabins Near The Spa

Best for: The kind that can spend hours getting treatments 

If you’re a big spa fan, you’ll want a cabin right near your ship’s spa. You don’t want to be walking long distances across a busy ship in your robe and slippers, it can get a bit weird. Cruise lines are beginning to cater to spa lovers, with special spa cabins that not only are close to the spa, but also come with some special spa amenities including plush robes, slippers, scrub kits and even yoga mats.