🚢🗺️ CABIN LOCATION SECRETS

How to choose the best cabin location for YOUR perfect cruise — and what to avoid! 🔎🛏️🚢

You've chosen your:

🚢 Ship

📅 Dates

🌍 Itinerary

💷 Budget

And you've even decided:

Inside?..Ocean View?..Balcony?..Suite?

Fantastic.

So you just pick any cabin…

ANY CABIN…

and you're done?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. 😂

Because here's something experienced cruisers know:

WHERE YOUR CABIN IS CAN MATTER JUST AS MUCH AS WHAT CABIN YOU BOOK.

You could have:

✨ The same size

✨ The same category

✨ The same ship

✨ Even roughly the same price

…and have two completely different experiences.

One person gets:

🌅 Beautiful views

😴 Quiet nights

🚶 Easy access

The other gets:

🔊 Noise

🛗 Lift traffic

🏊 People overhead

🌊 More movement

And they're technically in:

THE SAME CABIN CATEGORY.

So...Where should you actually be?

Forward?..Aft?..Midship?..High?..Low?..Near the lifts?..Far from the lifts?

And most importantly…

WHAT SHOULD YOU AVOID? 👀

Let's find your perfect spot on the ship.

1️⃣ 🧠 FIRST — WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY WANT FROM YOUR CABIN?

“Before we start looking at deck plans…

STOP.

Think about how you actually cruise.

Because there isn't one:

‘BEST CABIN LOCATION.’

There is only:

THE BEST CABIN LOCATION FOR YOU.

For example…

🤢 WORRIED ABOUT SEASICKNESS?

You may prioritise:

⚓ Midship

⬇️ Lower/middle deck

👨‍👩‍👧 FAMILY?

You may want:

🏊 Near the pool

🎮 Near children's facilities

🍕 Near casual dining

💑 COUPLE?

You might prioritise:

😴 Quiet

🍷 Restaurants

🎭 Entertainment

🌅 Scenic views

🧓 MOBILITY CONSIDERATIONS?

You might value:

🛗 Easy lift access

🚶 Shorter walking distances

🌊 LOTS OF SEA DAYS?

You may want:

🌅 Balcony

☀️ Outdoor space

😌 A really comfortable location

🏝️ PORT-HEAVY ITINERARY?

You may care more about:

💷 Price

😴 Quiet

🛏️ Comfort

than having the perfect view.

So…

START WITH YOUR HOLIDAY.

Then choose your cabin.”

2️⃣ ⚓ MIDSHIP — THE SAFE BET

“Let's start with the middle.

MIDSHIP.

If someone said to me:

‘I don't know where to book.’

this is probably where I'd start.

Why?

The middle of the ship generally experiences less movement than the extreme forward or aft sections.

So if you're worried about:

🌊 Seasickness

🤢 Motion

😬 Feeling the ship move

MIDSHIP IS A GOOD STARTING POINT.

It can also put you reasonably close to the main areas of the ship.

Restaurants.

Entertainment.

Pools.

Depending on the ship.

But…

MIDSHIP ISN'T AUTOMATICALLY PERFECT.

Because location within midship matters too.

A midship cabin directly under a nightclub?

Still a bad idea. 😂”

3️⃣ 🚢 FORWARD — THE FRONT OF THE SHIP

“Now let's go right to the front.

FORWARD.

Forward cabins can give you:

🌅 Amazing views

🚢 A great sense of sailing into a destination

📸 Some fantastic photo opportunities

And if you're lucky enough to have a forward-facing cabin…

WOW. 😍

But…

YOU MAY FEEL MORE MOVEMENT.

Especially when the sea gets rough.

So if you're prone to motion sickness…

EXTREME FORWARD MAY NOT BE YOUR FRIEND.

Unless…

THE VIEW IS WORTH IT TO YOU.”

4️⃣ 🌅 AFT — THE BACK OF THE SHIP

“Now the other end:

AFT.

And this can be one of the hidden gems.

Aft cabins can give you:

🌊 Wake views

🌅 Beautiful sunsets

🚢 A completely different perspective

And depending on the ship…

SOME OF THE BEST BALCONIES ON BOARD.

But…

you may also notice:

⚠️ More vibration

⚠️ Engine noise on some ships

⚠️ More movement

And that is why I keep saying:

RESEARCH THE EXACT SHIP.

Not every aft cabin is created equal.”

5️⃣ 🏆 AFT BALCONIES — THE SECRET GOLDEN FIND

“If you're booking a balcony…

CHECK THE BACK OF THE SHIP.

Some ships have:

WRAPAROUND AFT BALCONIES.

And these can be incredible.

You might get:

🌊 Huge outdoor space

🌅 Amazing wake views

☀️ Great sun exposure

📸 Fantastic photos

And sometimes:

MORE SPACE FOR THE SAME CABIN CATEGORY.

But…

BIG DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY MEAN PERFECT.

Check:

🌬️ Wind

🔊 Vibration

👀 Privacy

🪑 Actual balcony layout

RESEARCH THE CABIN NUMBER.

That is where the real secret is.”

6️⃣ ⬇️ LOWER DECKS — STEADIER, BUT CHECK WHAT'S AROUND YOU

“Now let's head downstairs.

LOWER DECKS.

A lot of people think:

‘Higher = better.’

Not necessarily.

Lower cabins can be useful if you're concerned about:

🌊 Movement

and can sometimes be better value.

But…

LOOK AROUND YOU.

Because lower decks can also be closer to operational areas such as:

⚓ Tender operations

🛠️ Service areas

🚢 Working parts of the ship

depending on the ship.

And the last thing you want is to be woken by:

BANG. SCRAPE. CLANK.

at 6am. 😂

So again:

CHECK THE DECK PLAN.”

7️⃣ ⬆️ HIGH DECKS — GREAT FOR VIEWS, BUT CHECK THE NOISE

“Now go up.

HIGHER DECKS.

These can be fantastic if you want:

🌊 Views

🏊 Pool access

☀️ Sun deck

🍹 Bars

🎭 Entertainment

But here's your warning:

CHECK WHAT'S ABOVE YOU.

Because if your cabin is immediately below:

🏊 Pool deck

🍽️ Buffet

🎉 Entertainment

you could be hearing:

THUMP. THUMP. SCRAPE.

at times when you'd rather be sleeping. 😂

So:

HIGH DECK = GREAT

but…

HIGH DECK UNDER A BUSY PUBLIC AREA = CHECK IT.”

8️⃣ 🔊 THE MOST IMPORTANT CABIN SECRET — LOOK ABOVE YOU

“This is probably my number-one location rule.

LOOK ABOVE YOUR CABIN.

Not just your own deck.

THE DECK ABOVE.

You've found:

🌅 Balcony

💷 Good price

📍 Great location

Then you check above…

POOL DECK.

Oh no.

😂

Maybe at 11pm everything is fine.

But at 5am…

SCRAPE. SCRAPE. SCRAPE.

Someone is moving deck furniture.

GOOD MORNING! 😂

So when researching:

⬆️ LOOK ABOVE

⬇️ LOOK BELOW

⬅️ LOOK BESIDE

That one little check can save you a very noisy cruise.”

9️⃣ 🚨 CABIN LOCATIONS I'D CHECK VERY CAREFULLY

“Before booking a cabin directly beside or underneath:

🎉 Nightclubs

🎭 Theatres

🏊 Pool decks

🍽️ Buffets

🍹 Bars

🎤 Entertainment venues

🛗 Lift lobbies

🚪 Stairwells

🛠️ Crew/service areas

I would stop.

Research it.

And look for real passenger feedback.

Some people will tell you:

‘We heard absolutely nothing.’

Others:

‘NEVER AGAIN.’ 😂

And that's exactly why exact-cabin research matters.”

🔟 🛗 NEAR THE LIFTS — CONVENIENT OR CHAOS?

“Now…

THE LIFTS.

At first you think:

‘Brilliant!’

No walking.

Easy access.

Perfect.

But…

EVERYONE ELSE THINKS THAT TOO. 😂

Near the lift can mean:

👥 People waiting

🗣️ Conversations

👨‍👩‍👧 Families

🎭 People leaving shows

🍹 Late-night passengers

And if someone has had a few too many cocktails…

YOU MAY HEAR ABOUT IT. 😂

So if you're a light sleeper…

MOVE A LITTLE FURTHER AWAY.”

1️⃣1️⃣ 🚪 STAIRWELLS — ANOTHER ONE TO WATCH

“Same problem with stairwells.

Convenient?

Yes.

Quiet?

Not always.

They can get busy around:

🚢 Embarkation

🍽️ Dinner

🎭 Show times

🌙 Late evenings

So don't just look at the cabin directly beside yours.

Look at:

THE AREA AROUND IT.

Because the noisy thing might not actually be touching your cabin.”

1️⃣2️⃣ 🍹 NEAR THE BAR — GREAT IDEA… UNTIL BEDTIME

“You think:

‘I'll book next to the bar.’

Perfect.

Two minutes from drinks.

WAIT. 😂

Because now you're also two minutes from:

🗣️ Conversations

🎵 Music

😂 Laughter

🚶 Foot traffic

🍹 People returning late

A bar nearby can be brilliant.

But if you want:

EARLY NIGHT + PEACEFUL SLEEP

maybe don't book directly beside it.

CONVENIENCE HAS A PRICE.”

1️⃣3️⃣ 🍽️ RESTAURANT & BUFFET LOCATIONS

Good Morning!! Washy Washy!!

“Being close to a restaurant can be great.

Breakfast?

Two minutes.

Dinner?

Two minutes.

But:

DIRECTLY UNDER A BUSY BUFFET?

I'd be cautious.

Think:

🪑 Furniture moving

🛒 Service carts

👣 Footsteps

🍽️ Early-morning preparation

🧹 Late-night clean-up

So I would rather be:

NEAR THE RESTAURANT

than:

DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE BUSY RESTAURANT.

1️⃣4️⃣ 🏊 NEAR THE POOL — YES OR NO?

“If you're travelling with kids:

NEAR THE POOL SOUNDS PERFECT.

And it can be.

But:

DON'T CONFUSE ‘NEAR’ WITH ‘UNDER’. 😂

Being one or two decks away?

Great.

Being directly under the pool deck?

You may hear:

👣 Footsteps

🪑 Sun loungers moving

📢 Announcements

🎵 Music

AT ALL HOURS.

So:

CLOSE = GOOD.

DIRECTLY BELOW = CHECK IT.”

1️⃣5️⃣ 👨‍👩‍👧 FAMILY CABIN LOCATION — THE SWEET SPOT

“If you're cruising as a family…

I'd look for:

🏊 Pool access

🎮 Kids' club

🍕 Casual dining

🎭 Family entertainment

But…

don't necessarily book:

RIGHT BESIDE THE KIDS' CLUB.

Because…

THAT'S WHERE ALL THE KIDS ARE. 😂

A sweet spot can be:

CLOSE ENOUGH TO WALK QUICKLY

but:

FAR ENOUGH AWAY TO SLEEP.

That's your target.”

1️⃣6️⃣ ❤️ COUPLES — THINK ABOUT YOUR DAILY ROUTINE

“For couples, your priorities may be different.

You might want:

🌅 Quiet

🍷 Dining

🎭 Shows

🍹 Bars

🧘 Relaxation

Maybe you're not interested in:

🎮 Kids' activities

🏊 Family pool

🎢 Waterpark

So ask:

WHERE ARE WE ACTUALLY GOING EVERY DAY?

Then choose your cabin around that.

Not around what looks impressive on the deck plan.”

1️⃣7️⃣ 🧓 MOBILITY — THINK ABOUT WALKING DISTANCE

“Cruise ships are:

HUGE.

And I'm talking:

REALLY HUGE.

A cabin can look ‘close’ on a deck plan…

until you're actually walking:

🚶 To breakfast

🚶 To the theatre

🚶 To the pool

🚶 Back to the cabin

and doing that multiple times a day.

So if mobility is a consideration:

LOOK AT DISTANCE.

Not just deck number.

Think about:

🛗 Lift access

🍽️ Dining

🎭 Theatre

🏊 Facilities

And choose what makes your everyday life easier.”

1️⃣8️⃣ 🏃 THE “I FORGOT MY PHONE” TEST

“Here's a ridiculous but very realistic test.

You're at dinner.

You realise:

PHONE IN CABIN.

How long is the walk?

😂

Now:

You've left your sunglasses.

Your charger.

Your passport.

Your medication.

Your watch.

ANOTHER WALK.

If your cabin is miles from everything…

YOU'LL KNOW ABOUT IT. 😂

Think about how often you actually return to your cabin.

That's your clue.”

1️⃣9️⃣ 🧭 PORT OR STARBOARD?

“Now we're going into dangerous territory.

PORT OR STARBOARD?

⬅️ Left.

➡️ Right.

People get VERY passionate about this.

‘You MUST have starboard.’

‘No! Port is definitely better.’

😂

Here's the truth:

IT DEPENDS.

On:

🌍 The itinerary

🚢 The ship

📍 Where you dock

🧭 Which direction the ship approaches

And here's the important bit:

THE SHIP TURNS.

So don't pay hundreds extra just because someone said:

‘That side gets the better view.’

Check the actual sailing.”

2️⃣0️⃣ 🌅 SCENIC CRUISES — WHEN LOCATION REALLY MATTERS

“If you're cruising somewhere spectacular:

🇳🇴 Norwegian Fjords

🇦🇱 Alaska

🇮🇸 Iceland

🇯🇵 Japan

then cabin location can become part of the holiday.

This is where I'd seriously consider:

🌅 Balcony

🪟 Large window

🌊 Scenic-facing cabin

And I'd research:

VIEW..SIDE..DECK..CABIN NUMBER

because when the scenery is the destination…

YOUR WINDOW IS PART OF IT. ❤️”

2️⃣1️⃣ 🏝️ PORT-HEAVY CRUISE? YOU CAN BE MORE FLEXIBLE

“Now turn that around.

If you're doing a port-heavy itinerary where you're off the ship:

EVERY DAY

your cabin is basically:

🛏️ Sleep

🚿 Shower

👕 Change

🍽️ Dinner

😴 Sleep.

In that case…

I'd probably prioritise:

QUIET + VALUE

over:

THE PERFECT VIEW.

Because you're barely going to use it.

And you could put that money towards:

🏝️ Excursions

🍹 Drinks

🍽️ Dining

💷 Another cruise.”

2️⃣2️⃣ 🌊 LOTS OF SEA DAYS? NOW LOCATION MATTERS MORE

“If you're doing:

🌊 Transatlantic

🌊 Lots of sea days

🚢 Longer cruise

😌 Relaxation-focused cruise

then you're spending much more time onboard.

That's when I'd be thinking about:

🌅 Balcony

⚓ Comfortable location

😴 Quiet

☀️ Outdoor space

Because now…

YOUR CABIN IS PART OF THE HOLIDAY.”

2️⃣3️⃣ 🛟 OBSTRUCTED VIEWS — DON'T GET CAUGHT OUT

“Now…

here's one that catches people.

Your booking says:

OCEAN VIEW.

You think:

🌊 Beautiful.

You arrive…

HELLO, LIFEBOAT. 😂

Same with balconies.

You could have:

🛟 Lifeboat

🚢 Structural equipment

🧱 Part of the ship

blocking some of the view.

Now…

THIS DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE IT A BAD CABIN.

If it's significantly cheaper…

you might actually have a fantastic bargain.

But:

KNOW WHAT YOU'RE BUYING.

Don't assume:

Ocean View = perfect ocean view.”

2️⃣4️⃣ 💷 CATEGORY DOESN'T EQUAL EXPERIENCE

“Let's say:

Ocean View — £1,100

Balcony — £1,500

But the balcony is partially obstructed…

and the Ocean View has a completely clear window.

Suddenly:

THE CHEAPER CABIN MAY HAVE THE BETTER VIEW.

That's why:

CATEGORY ≠ EXPERIENCE.

And:

PRICE ≠ VALUE.”

2️⃣5️⃣ 🧱 SAME CATEGORY, DIFFERENT CABIN

“Here's something people miss.

Two cabins in the same category can have completely different layouts.

One might have:

🛋️ More sitting space

🧳 More storage

🪟 Better positioning

🌅 Different view

🌊 Bigger balcony

So if you've found two cabins in the same category…

DON'T JUST TAKE THE FIRST ONE.

Check the actual deck plan.

And check the actual cabin.”

2️⃣6️⃣ 🌅 FORWARD-FACING VS AFT-FACING BALCONIES

“Some ships also have:

Forward-facing balconies

and:

Aft-facing balconies.

Forward:

🌅 Sunrise

🚢 Watch the ship's direction

🌊 Dramatic views

Aft:

🌅 Sunset

🌊 Wake views

🚢 Watch the ship sail away

Both can be fantastic.

But…

THEY CAN BE WINDIER.

So don't assume:

BIG VIEW = PERFECT BALCONY.

Again…

RESEARCH THE EXACT CABIN.”

2️⃣7️⃣ 🔧 CREW & SERVICE AREAS — THE SECRET NOISY LOCATIONS

“This is one experienced cruisers pay attention to.

Look for:

🛠️ Crew entrances

🧺 Laundry areas

🍽️ Galley/service areas

🚪 Service doors

⚓ Working decks

Why?

Because crew work:

24 HOURS A DAY.

And you might hear:

🛒 Carts

🚪 Doors

📦 Deliveries

🧹 Cleaning

early in the morning or late at night.

You may never notice it…

OR YOU MAY NOTICE IT AT 5AM. 😂”

2️⃣8️⃣ 🛏️ THE CABINS-ABOVE-AND-BELOW SECRET

“If you only remember one cabin-location hack…

THIS IS IT.

When possible:

🛏️ CABINS ABOVE YOU

🛏️ CABINS BELOW YOU

And ideally:

CABINS BESIDE YOU.

Why?

Because you're less likely to have:

🏊 Pool

🍽️ Buffet

🎭 Theatre

🎉 Nightclub

directly above your head.

It's not exciting.

But…

QUIET IS A LUXURY. 😴❤️”

2️⃣9️⃣ 🕵️ THE EXACT CABIN NUMBER — THE REAL SECRET

“Now we've reached the most important point.

You've decided:

Midship...Balcony...Deck 10.

Great.

Don't just book:

‘Balcony Cabin.’

Find the:

EXACT CABIN NUMBER.

Then research it.

Look at:

🗺️ Deck plans

📸 Passenger photos

🎥 Video tours

💬 Cruise forums

⭐ Reviews

Search:

‘[Ship name] + [cabin number] review.’

And you might discover:

‘DO NOT BOOK THIS CABIN.’

or:

‘BEST CABIN WE'VE EVER HAD.’

😂

That is the difference between booking a category…

and booking:

THE RIGHT CABIN.”

so...

“Here's the real secret.

THE PERFECT CABIN IS THE ONE THAT FITS YOUR PERFECT CRUISE. ❤️🚢

So before you press:

BOOK NOW

zoom in.

Look above.

Look below.

Look beside.

Check the deck.

Check the reviews.

Check the view.

Check the noise.

And then…

BOOK IT. 🎉..ENJOY THE VIEW. 🌊❤️

🚢❤️SEE YOU ON BOARD!