Monday, April 22, 2024

Upper vs Lower Deck: A Cabin Comparison

best deck on cruise ship

We had a high deck, but it would have been even better to see them up close from a lower deck. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Noises may be from loud, booming voices, chairs scraping, water splashing, boisterous giggling, conversations, and cheering. The only advantage to booking in this area is that, within minutes, you are close to all amenities.

best deck on cruise ship

What Decks Should be Avoided

But at certain times of day, in bad weather and especially when a ship is manoeuvring into and out of a port, you will hear more noise here than you would on a higher deck. While they tend to be best if motion sickness is a concern, the views may not be as great, and some floors can be noisy. If this is your first time on a cruise and you are unsure about seasickness, you may want to book a cabin with less rocking to be sure that the trip is enjoyable.

best deck on cruise ship

Best Deck for Those with Mobility Concerns

Cabins located on the aft and forward decks of a cruise ship are coveted for their distinctive perspectives and experiences. However, cabins on the lower decks typically do not offer balconies due to their proximity to the sea. If you’re someone who treasures expansive ocean vistas, you might find the upper decks more appealing with their lofty perspectives. However, if you’re sensitive to the sea’s movements, the stability found closer to the waterline on lower decks could be your preferred choice. Choosing the perfect deck on a cruise ship can make or break your vacation.

Solo Travelers

While some might love the views from a high deck, others prefer to be low down where they won’t feel the motion as much. A balcony stateroom, as you might have guessed, has a balcony with a sliding door that allows you to get some fresh air and take in the views. The upside is outside access and a private space for breakfast or stargazing.

Often, the balconies on rear-facing cabins are bigger than the balconies on side-facing cabins, and they also feel quiet. There are far fewer balcony cabins at the back of a ship than on the sides of a ship, so you don't hear a lot of noise from your neighbors. On very large ships, where activity areas are spread far apart, midship cabins also offer the advantage of being at the center of everything. The main pool deck, for instance, is likely right above you when you are in a midship cabin — not a long walk away.

As I mentioned earlier, larger families can look into family cabins and suites that accommodate five or six people. Some of the best cruise lines for families will have suites that can sleep eight, such as Norwegian's three-bedroom garden villas. But what if you're traveling in a large family group with cousins, grandparents, friends, even a nanny in tow? Single travelers often get short-changed when booking a cruise cabin. If they choose a regular cabin, priced for two people, they have to pay a single supplement — a solo cruiser tax, if you will, that can be akin to paying double the per-person fare. Some cruise lines have solved this problem by offering solo cabins designed and priced for one traveler.

Most inside cabins sleep two with a queen bed that can separate into twins, but you'd be surprised that many can sleep four with upper bunks that pull down from the ceiling. When it comes to accommodations on the base passenger deck, one can typically find more budget-friendly options. Having a cabin on the deck where passengers disembark might seem convenient, particularly for those eager to start their day at port right away. Despite this, the unique visual and sensory experiences afforded by both aft and forward deck accommodations make them highly desirable for travelers seeking a different angle on their voyage. However, it’s worth noting that these positions may experience more movement than those situated mid-ship, a consideration for those sensitive to seasickness. However, the vantage point provided by the higher decks offers a comprehensive view that captures the grandeur of your voyage’s scenic passages in a single, sweeping gaze.

If You’re Prone To Seasickness, Pick A Low Deck

Other vessels, such as most of the ocean ships operated by luxury lines Seabourn, Silversea Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises, have cabins clustered at their fronts with public areas at their backs. These have special one-way glass that looks like a mirror from the outside. However, if someone were to put their face right up the glass, they could almost certainly see right into your room. The problem with cabins on the promenade deck is that people can often see straight into your room. That means that some cabins will have a Jacuzzi blocking their view of the ocean.

Lower Deck Cabin Cons

Cruise ships are known for their dining options, and the decks are no exception. Most ships have multiple dining options, ranging from casual buffets to formal dining rooms. The main dining room is usually located on one of the lower decks and offers a formal dining experience. Buffet-style dining is typically available on the upper decks, and there are usually several specialty restaurants scattered throughout the ship. This is because they sometimes incorporate the oddly angled interior spaces that exist at the front of ships, which often have slanted fronts.

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If you prefer to avoid taking the elevator on a cruise ship, you should choose a cabin on a mid-level deck. That way, you won’t have too many floors to climb in one go, whether you’re going up to the pool or down to the dining room. I would say that an Ocean View room on the lowest deck in a mid-ship location is the best room on a cruise ship for motion sickness. The sea was very rough on our cruise and I heard a lot of people requesting sea sickness tablets at the reception desk, but we had no issues at all in our room.

If you’re really worried about whether you’ll feel seasick, you should consider booking a cabin with a balcony. If you’re able to sit on the balcony and look out to sea, you’ll feel much better than if you lie down in bed in a windowless inside cabin. Aside from cabin varieties, you may be interested in knowing the best spot to be on a cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean has an unusual type of balcony cabin on its Oasis-class ships. Instead of facing out to sea, these balconies look out on an interior yet open-air section of the ship, as if you had a balcony that overlooked a city street. The most affordable outside cabins have an obstructed view, meaning the windows look out on the lifeboats or other ship structures that block your view of the ocean beyond. When you’re planning a cruise, you’ll have the option of booking a ‘guarantee’ cabin for cheaper than selecting your own.

The best location to book your cabin will be in the center of the cruise ship and on the lower deck. The lower you go down, the less rocking you will experience during your trip. Going on a cruise – whether it’s a river cruise or an ocean venture – should be a wonderful adventure and an experience you will always cherish. But if you are seasick, uncomfortable, or surrounded by noise, then you will not enjoy it. For this reason, choosing the best cabin on the best deck is very important.

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