🚢 CHOOSING THE PERFECT CABIN

Inside, Ocean View, Balcony, Infinity or Suite — Which One Is Actually Worth Your Money? 🛏️🚢

“Right…

I've found my cruise. 🎉

I've got the ship.

I've got the dates.

I've got the itinerary.

I've even checked the flights.

Now all I have to do is choose my cabin.

Easy, right?

I've got:

🛏️ Inside

🌊 Ocean View

🌅 Balcony

🌊 Infinity Balcony

💎 Suite

How difficult can it be?

So I pick a cabin.

Book it.

And then I discover…

I'm directly underneath the nightclub. 🔊

My balcony overlooks a lifeboat.

And every morning at 6am…

I can hear the crew moving deckchairs around.

😂

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE PERFECT CABIN?

Because it's not always about choosing the biggest…

or the most expensive.

It's about choosing the RIGHT cabin for YOU.

So let's get into it.”

1️⃣ 🛏️ FIRST THING — YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND A FORTUNE

“Let's get this out of the way first.

You do NOT need a balcony.

You do NOT need a suite.

And you certainly don't need to spend thousands more because someone told you:

‘You HAVE to have a balcony on a cruise.’ 😂

Your cabin is basically your:

🛏️ Bedroom
🚿 Bathroom
🧳 Dressing room
😴 Somewhere to escape after a long day

Because let's be honest…

you're probably going to spend most of your day:

🚢 Exploring the ship
🏝️ Visiting ports
🍹 Having drinks
🍽️ Eating
🎭 Watching shows
🏊 Swimming
🎯 Doing activities

So the first question isn't:

‘What's the fanciest cabin I can afford?’

It's:

‘HOW MUCH TIME AM I ACTUALLY GOING TO SPEND IN IT?’”

2️⃣ 💰 THE INSIDE CABIN — THE BUDGET HERO

“Let's start with the cheapest option.

🛏️ THE INSIDE CABIN.

No window.

No balcony.

Just four walls…

and absolutely no idea whether it's morning, afternoon or Tuesday. 😂

You wake up…

look around…

and think:

‘Is it 7am or 7pm?’

But here's the thing.

Inside cabins can be fantastic value.

And if you're the type of person who:

😴 Sleeps well in darkness
🚢 Spends all day exploring
💰 Wants to keep the cruise cost down
🏝️ Gets off in every port

an inside cabin could be perfect.

And here's a little secret…

They can be REALLY dark.

If you struggle to sleep when it's light outside?

You might actually love it.

Just remember to set an alarm…

because your body has absolutely no idea what's happening. 😂”

3️⃣ 🌊 OCEAN VIEW — A WINDOW WITHOUT THE BALCONY

“Next up:

🌊 OCEAN VIEW.

You've got a window.

You can see the sea.

You can see the destination.

You can wake up and know:

‘Yep… we're definitely at sea.’ 😂

But you don't have a balcony.

This can be a great middle ground if:

💰 You don't want to pay balcony prices

👀 You really want natural light

🌊 You love seeing the ocean

But…

make sure you understand exactly what you're booking.

Some cabins may have:

🪟 Large windows

🪟 Smaller windows

🪟 Portholes

🪟 Obstructed views

And that last one is VERY important.”

4️⃣ 🚢 BEWARE THE ‘OBSTRUCTED VIEW’

“You've found an ocean-view cabin.

Amazing!

You open the curtains…

and…

HELLO, LIFEBOAT! 😂

Or perhaps:

🛟 Lifeboat

🚢 Ship equipment

🧱 Part of the ship

blocking some of your view.

Some cruise lines identify cabins with obstructed views, but the degree of obstruction can vary.

So before you book…

CHECK THE CABIN.

Don't just look at:

‘Ocean View.’

Find the actual cabin number.

Then investigate it.

Because:

OCEAN VIEW ≠ GUARANTEED PERFECT VIEW.

And that's a very important Cruise & Confused lesson.”

5️⃣ 🌅 THE BALCONY — THE CRUISE DREAM

“Ahhh…

THE BALCONY. 😍

This is what everyone imagines when they think:

‘I'm going on a cruise.’

You wake up.

Open the curtains.

Step outside.

And…

🌊 Ocean.

☀️ Sunshine.

🚢 Nothing but sea.

Coffee in hand…

PERFECT.

And honestly?

A balcony can be AMAZING.

Especially on:

🇳🇴 Norwegian Fjords
🌊 Mediterranean
🌴 Caribbean
🇯🇵 Japan
🇦🇺 Australia

because there's often something beautiful to look at.

But here's the question:

IS IT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY?”

6️⃣ 🌊 THE INFINITY BALCONY — THE BALCONY FOR BALCONY FANATICS

“Now…

what if you're an absolute:

BALCONY FANATIC? 😍

You love having your own outdoor space.

You love waking up to the ocean.

You love sitting with a coffee watching the world go by.

But…

you look at the price of a traditional balcony and think:

‘Do I REALLY want to pay that much?’ 💷

Well…

there's another option you might want to consider.

THE INFINITY BALCONY. 🌊

And this is where things get clever.

Instead of having a traditional balcony that sticks out from the side of the ship…

the cabin itself has a large floor-to-ceiling window.

Press a button…

👇

the top section lowers…

and suddenly…

YOUR CABIN HAS BECOME AN OPEN-AIR SPACE.

It's almost like having a balcony…

WITHOUT ACTUALLY STEPPING OUT ONTO ONE. 😂

And for someone who loves balconies?

This could be a very interesting compromise.”

🔘 HOW DOES IT WORK?

“Imagine you're sitting in your cabin.

You've got:

🛏️ Your bed

🛋️ Your seating area

🌊 Floor-to-ceiling ocean view

And then…

you press a button.

WHOOSH!

The window lowers.

Fresh sea air comes in.

You've got that open-air feeling…

and suddenly you're sitting right beside the ocean.

BALCONY MODE: ACTIVATED. 🌊😂

And because the ‘balcony’ is incorporated into the cabin…

you can use that area as part of the room when the window is closed.”

7️⃣ TRADITIONAL BALCONY 🆚 INFINITY BALCONY

“Now…

before you immediately run off and book one…

there are some BIG differences.

Let's compare them.”

🌅 Traditional Balcony

🌊 Infinity Balcony

Outdoor space

✅ Yes

⚠️ Created by opening the window

Separate balcony area

✅ Yes

❌ No

Fresh air

✅ Yes

Sit completely outside

✅ Yes

❌ Not in the same way

Large views

✅ Often

Extra usable cabin space

❌

✅ Yes

Weather protection

❌ Limited

⚠️ More sheltered

Privacy

✅ Better

⚠️ Less

Traditional balcony feeling

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Interior living space

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“So…

which one wins?

Well…it depends.”

8️⃣ ❤️ THE PROS OF AN INFINITY BALCONY

1️⃣ 🌊 HUGE VIEWS

“Floor-to-ceiling glass can give you an amazing connection to the ocean.

Instead of sitting inside looking through a small window…

you can have a much more open view.

And when that window comes down…

hello, sea breeze! 🌊”

2️⃣ 🛋️ MORE USABLE CABIN SPACE

“With a traditional balcony, part of your holiday space is outside the cabin.

With an infinity-style cabin…

the space is integrated into the room.

When you're not using the open-air feature…

you can use that area as part of your cabin.”

3️⃣ 🌧️ MORE PROTECTED FROM THE WEATHER

“Traditional balcony?

Wind.

Rain.

Cold.

Sometimes even a rather enthusiastic seagull. 😂

With an infinity balcony, you're still inside the cabin.

So you can potentially enjoy the view and fresh air while being more protected from the elements.

4️⃣ ☕ OCEAN VIEWS FROM BED

“And this…

I LOVE.

Depending on the cabin design…

you may be able to lie in bed and look straight out at the ocean.

Imagine waking up:

🌅 Sunrise

☕ Coffee

🛏️ Still in bed

🌊 Ocean outside

YES PLEASE. 😍”

5️⃣ 👨‍👩‍👧 GREAT FOR FAMILIES

“For families, that extra usable interior space can be really useful.

Because let's be honest…

cruise cabins aren't exactly known for being enormous. 😂

Having the balcony area incorporated into the room can make the cabin feel more flexible.”

9️⃣ 😬 BUT HERE'S THE CATCH…

“Because…

OF COURSE THERE'S A CATCH. 😂

An infinity balcony isn't a traditional balcony.

And there are some things you might genuinely miss.”

❌ YOU CAN'T REALLY ‘STEP OUT’ ONTO IT

“This is the BIG one.

With a traditional balcony…

you open the door…

and you're outside.

You can:

🪑 Sit outside

🌊 Lean on the railing

☕ Have your coffee

🌅 Watch the sunset

With an infinity balcony…

you're still inside the cabin.

So if your dream is:

‘I'm going to sit outside on my private balcony every morning.’

A traditional balcony may still win.”

🔊 NOISE

“When that window is open…

you're effectively opening your cabin to the outside.

So you're going to hear more:

🌊 Ocean

💨 Wind

🚢 Ship sounds

📢 Announcements

👥 People outside

Traditional balcony?

You can step outside and close the cabin door behind you.

That's a completely different experience.”

🔒 LESS PRIVACY

“Another difference.

Traditional balcony?

You've got:

A DOOR.

Close it.

You're inside.

With an infinity balcony, the opening is part of the cabin.

Depending on the ship's design and neighbouring cabins…

you may feel less separated from the outside.

So if privacy is really important to you…check the actual cabin design.”

💨 WIND CAN BE A THING!

“And if you've ever stood on the deck of a cruise ship while it's moving…

you'll know:

THE OCEAN IS WINDY. 😂

Open that window while the ship is sailing at speed…

and suddenly your peaceful morning coffee becomes:

THE GREAT HAIR-DO DISASTER OF 2026. 💨😂”

🔟 💷 AND IS AN INFINITY BALCONY ACTUALLY CHEAPER?

“Now…

this is where I want you to be careful.

Don't automatically assume:

Infinity = cheaper.

It doesn't always.

On some ships, an infinity-style cabin can actually cost as much as or more than a traditional balcony.

So compare the actual price.

If you've got:

Traditional Balcony — £1,500

Infinity Balcony — £1,450

Now…

that's interesting. 👀

But if it's:

Traditional Balcony — £1,500

Infinity Balcony — £1,750

I'd be asking myself:

**‘Do I want more cabin space…or do I want an ACTUAL balcony?’**

And that's the question.”

1️⃣1️⃣ ❤️ WHEN IS A TRADITIONAL BALCONY WORTH IT?

“Here's when I'd seriously consider paying extra for one.

❤️ YOU LOVE YOUR OWN SPACE

You can sit outside without fighting for a sun lounger.

🌅 YOU LOVE SCENERY

If you're cruising through the Norwegian Fjords… I'd REALLY want a balcony.

🏝️ YOU'RE ON A SCENIC ITINERARY

Some destinations are practically made for balcony cruising.

🚢 YOU'RE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME ON THE SHIP

If you're doing sea days…that private outdoor space becomes much more valuable.

☕ YOU LOVE A QUIET MORNING

Coffee.

Robe.

Balcony.

Ocean.

No children shouting.

Just…bliss. 😍”

1️⃣2️⃣ 🤔 WHEN IS A BALCONY NOT WORTH IT?

“Now let's be controversial.😂

If you're going on a port-intensive itinerary where you're getting off the ship almost every day…

you might barely use it.

Imagine:

7am — breakfast

8am — off the ship

5pm — back onboard

6pm — dinner

7pm — show

10pm — bed

And your balcony has been sitting there all day thinking:

‘Does this woman even know I exist?’ 😂

If that's you…maybe put the extra money towards:

🍹 Drinks
🏝️ Excursions
🍽️ Dining
✈️ Flights
🚢 Your next cruise”

1️⃣3️⃣ 💎 SUITES — NOW WE'RE TALKING!

“Okay…we've reached:

SUITE LIFE. 💎

And this isn't just:

‘A slightly bigger cabin.’

Depending on the cruise line and suite category, you may get:

🛏️ Much more space
🛋️ Separate living areas
🌅 Larger balconies
🛁 Bigger bathrooms
🍾 Extra amenities
⭐ Priority services
🚢 Suite-only areas
🍽️ Special dining
🛎️ Concierge-style services

And sometimes…

THE SUITE EXPERIENCE IS THE PRODUCT.

You're not just paying for the room.

You're paying for the perks.”

1️⃣4️⃣ 💸 DON'T JUST LOOK AT THE SIZE OF A SUITE

“You see:

Balcony — £1,500

Suite — £2,500

And think:

‘£1,000 more for a bigger room?’

But that's not necessarily the whole story.

You need to ask:

WHAT DOES THE SUITE INCLUDE?

Does it include:

🍹 Drinks?

📱 Wi-Fi?

🍽️ Speciality dining?

⭐ Priority boarding?

🛎️ Concierge?

🏝️ Exclusive areas?

If it does…

the £1,000 difference might not really be £1,000.

That's why you need to compare:

THE TOTAL VALUE

not just the cabin size.”

1️⃣5️⃣ 🗺️ NOW WE'VE CHOSEN THE CABIN TYPE — WHERE ON THE SHIP?

“Right.

You've decided:

Inside?

Ocean View?

Balcony?

Infinity?

Suite?

Great.

But…

WE'RE NOT DONE...

Because two identical cabins can feel completely different depending on:

📍 WHERE they are on the ship.

And there are three things I want you thinking about:

LOCATION

MOVEMENT

NOISE.

Let's break it down.”

1️⃣6️⃣ ⚓ MIDSHIP — THE SAFE BET

“If you're worried about seasickness…

a cabin around the:

MIDSHIP

is often worth considering.

Why?

Because the ship generally experiences less movement around the middle than at the very front or back.

So if you're sensitive to movement…

you might want:

🛏️ Midship

📍 Lower or middle decks

rather than:

🚢 Extreme forward
🚢 Extreme aft
⬆️ Very high decks

It's not a guarantee that you'll feel nothing…but it can be a sensible choice.”

(We've sailed a few ships, both extreme AFT & FWD decks 12-16 and felt absolute zero movement)

1️⃣7️⃣ 🚢 FORWARD VS AFT

“Let's talk about the front and back.

🚢 FORWARD

You may notice more movement here, particularly in rough seas.

But you can get some fantastic views.

🚢 AFT

The back of the ship.

And depending on the ship…

you might get:

🌅 Incredible wake views

🍹 Fantastic balconies

😍 Some of the best sunset views

But you may also notice more vibration on some ships.

So if you're sensitive to movement or noise…

MIDSHIP IS YOUR FRIEND.”

1️⃣8️⃣ 🔊 THE CABIN LOCATION MISTAKES YOU DON'T WANT TO MAKE

“You don't want your dream cabin sitting underneath:

🎉 Nightclub

🍹 Bar

🎭 Theatre

🏊 Pool deck

🍽️ Buffet

🏋The Gym

Because imagine this…

You get into bed at midnight.

And above you:

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

😂

So before booking…

LOOK AT WHAT'S ABOVE YOU.

And what's below you.

And what's beside you.

A good rule:

CABIN DECK + ONE DECK ABOVE + ONE DECK BELOW.

Check all three.”

1️⃣9️⃣ 🚨 THE CABIN NUMBER IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU THINK

“Don't just book:

‘Balcony cabin.’

Book:

THE RIGHT BALCONY CABIN.

Once you've got the cabin number…research it.

Look at:

🗺️ Deck plans

📸 Photos

🔎 Cabin reviews

🛏️ Bed position

🚪 Door position

🛟 Obstructions

🔊 Nearby venues

Because someone may already have stayed in that exact cabin.

And they may tell you:

‘DO NOT BOOK THIS CABIN.’

😂

Or…

‘BEST CABIN WE'VE EVER HAD.’

2️⃣0️⃣ 🛏️ BED CONFIGURATION — YES, IT MATTERS

“Now here's one people don't think about.

WHERE IS THE BED?

Depending on the ship and cabin configuration, the bed may be closer to:

🚪 The entrance

🪟 The balcony/window.

And personally…

if I'm paying for a balcony…

I want to walk in and see:

THE BALCONY. 😍

Not:

🚿 Bathroom

🧳 Wardrobe

🚪 Door

😂

Also check:

👫 Twin beds or double?

🛋️ Sofa bed?

👶 Pull-down beds?

👨‍👩‍👧 Family configuration?

Because if you're travelling with four people…

you don't want to discover that the fourth bed comes down from the ceiling after you've already boarded.

😂”

2️⃣1️⃣ 👨‍👩‍👧 FAMILIES — CABIN CHOICE IS DIFFERENT

“If you're cruising with children…

your priorities change.

You might want:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family cabin

🛏️ Connecting cabins

🚪 Adjoining cabins

🛁 More bathroom space

📍 Close to the kids' clubs

🏊 Close to pools

But…

don't automatically choose the cabin closest to the kids' club.

Because guess where all the kids are?

AT THE KIDS' CLUB. 😂

And sometimes…

you might actually prefer being a few decks away.”

2️⃣2️⃣ 🧓 THINK ABOUT THE WALK

“Cruise ships are HUGE.

And I mean:

HUGE.

You could walk:

🚶‍♀️ 10 minutes

🚶‍♀️ 15 minutes

🚶‍♀️ 20 minutes

just getting from one end to the other.

So if mobility is a consideration…

think carefully about where your cabin is.

You might want to be closer to:

🛗 Lifts

🍽️ Dining

🎭 Theatre

🏊 Pool

or whichever areas you use most.

But…

don't book directly beside the lifts if you're sensitive to noise.

Because:

everyone else is also using the lifts. 😂”

2️⃣3️⃣ 🛗 CABIN BESIDE THE LIFTS — GOOD OR BAD?

“Convenient?

Absolutely.

Quiet?

Maybe not. 😂

You've got people coming back from:

🍹 The bar

🎭 The theatre

🎉 The nightclub

🏝️ Shore excursions

at all hours.

And guess where they're standing?

RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR.

So if you're a light sleeper…

I'd consider moving a little further away.”

2️⃣4️⃣ 🌅 DON'T FORGET THE BACK OF THE SHIP

“Now…

if you're looking for something a little different…

AFT BALCONIES.

These are cabins at the back of the ship.

And depending on the ship design, some can have:

🌅 Amazing sunset views

🌊 Incredible wake views

🛳️ A huge sense of space

And sometimes…

bigger balconies.

But don't assume every aft cabin is automatically better.

Check the specific ship.

Some can experience more vibration.

Some may be partially overlooked.

And some are absolutely fantastic.

Research the exact cabin.”

2️⃣5️⃣ 🛟 THE OBSTRUCTED BALCONY

“Here's another one.

You find a balcony for £1,200.

The next balcony is £1,450.

Why?

Because your £1,200 balcony might have:

🛟 Lifeboats

🚢 Structural equipment

🧱 Part of the ship

blocking some of the view.

Now…

that doesn't necessarily make it a bad cabin.

If you're happy with the obstruction…

£250 saved! 💰

But don't accidentally book it thinking you've got:

360-degree Caribbean views. 😂”

2️⃣6️⃣ 🧭 PORT OR STARBOARD?

“Here's another fun one.

PORT OR STARBOARD?

That's:

⬅️ Left side

➡️ Right side

of the ship.

And depending on your itinerary…

one side might have a better view at certain points.

But here's the catch:

The ship turns around. 😂

So don't spend £1,000 extra because someone told you:

‘YOU MUST HAVE THE PORT SIDE.’

Sometimes you'll have the perfect view.

Sometimes the other side will.

And sometimes…

you're looking at another cruise ship. 😂”

2️⃣7️⃣ 💰 HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU ACTUALLY SPEND?

“So here's my favourite cabin question:

WHAT WOULD YOU RATHER DO WITH THE MONEY?

Imagine:

Inside cabin — £1,000

Ocean View — £1,200

Balcony — £1,700

Infinity — £1,750

Suite — £3,000

Ask yourself:.....Would I rather spend that extra money on:

🏝️ Excursions?

🍹 Drinks?

🍽️ Dining?

✈️ Flights?

🏨 Hotels?

🚢 Another cruise?

Or…

that balcony?

There isn't a right answer.

If the balcony makes your holiday?

BUY THE BALCONY. ❤️

If you don't care?

SAVE THE MONEY. 💰”

2️⃣8️⃣ 🧠 THE CRUISE & CONFUSED CABIN FORMULA

“So here's the simplest way I can explain it.

💰 ON A BUDGET?

Inside.

👀 WANT NATURAL LIGHT?

Ocean View.

🌅 WANT A TRUE OUTDOOR SPACE?

Traditional Balcony.

🌊 WANT BIG VIEWS + MORE INTERIOR SPACE?

Infinity Balcony.

💎 WANT SPACE + PERKS?

Suite.

🌊 WORRIED ABOUT MOVEMENT?

Midship + lower/middle deck.

🔊 WORRIED ABOUT NOISE?

Check what's above and below.

👨‍👩‍👧 TRAVELLING AS A FAMILY?

Look at connecting/family cabins.

♿ NEED EASY ACCESS?

Think carefully about distance from lifts and facilities.

And most importantly:

CHECK THE ACTUAL CABIN NUMBER.”

2️⃣9️⃣ 🕵️ THE CABIN INVESTIGATION

“Before you press:

BOOK NOW

I want you to do five things.

1️⃣ FIND THE CABIN NUMBER

Don't just book the category.

2️⃣ LOOK AT THE DECK PLAN 🗺️

See what's around you.

3️⃣ LOOK ABOVE AND BELOW 👆👇

What's on the decks around you?

4️⃣ SEARCH FOR REVIEWS 🔎

Has someone stayed there?

5️⃣ LOOK AT PHOTOS 📸

Because sometimes…

a deck plan doesn't tell you everything.”

🏆 3️⃣0️⃣ THE CRUISE & CONFUSED CABIN CHECKLIST

“Before booking, ask yourself:

🛏️ WHAT CABIN TYPE?

Inside?

Ocean View?

Balcony?

Infinity?

Suite?

📍 WHERE IS IT?

Forward?

Midship?

Aft?

⬆️ WHAT'S ABOVE?

Pool?

Bar?

Theatre?

Gym?

⬇️ WHAT'S BELOW?

Cabins?

Kitchen?

Crew area?

🔊 WHAT'S NEXT DOOR?

Lift?

Stairs?

Public area?

🌊 HOW MUCH MOVEMENT?

Particularly important if you're sensitive to motion.

🛟 IS THE VIEW OBSTRUCTED?

Don't assume.

🛏️ WHERE IS THE BED?

Check the layout.

🚪 CONNECTING?

Useful for families…but potentially noisier.

💰 WHAT DOES IT COST?

And finally:

IS THE UPGRADE ACTUALLY WORTH IT?”

❤️ FINAL VERDICT

“So…

WHAT IS THE PERFECT CRUISE CABIN?

Here's the answer:

There isn't one.

The perfect cabin is the one that fits:

YOUR budget.

YOUR itinerary.

YOUR travel style.

YOUR tolerance for movement.

And…

YOUR idea of a good holiday. ❤️

If you're never in your cabin…save the money.

If you love waking up with a coffee overlooking the ocean… GET THE BALCONY. ☕🌅

If you're a balcony fanatic but want more usable cabin space…LOOK AT AN INFINITY BALCONY. 🌊

If you're cruising somewhere spectacular…

like the Norwegian Fjords…

I'd be seriously tempted by that balcony.

If you're doing a port-heavy Mediterranean cruise…

maybe I'd save the money and spend it on exploring.

If you get seasick…

MIDSHIP.

If you're a light sleeper…

CHECK WHAT'S ABOVE YOU.

And if you find a cabin that looks perfect…

CHECK THE CABIN NUMBER BEFORE YOU BOOK IT.

Because the difference between:

‘What a fantastic cabin!’ 😍

and:

‘Why can I hear the nightclub at 2am?’ 😳

could literally be one cabin number. 😂

So don't just choose:

A CABIN.

Choose:

THE RIGHT CABIN. 🚢❤️

The best cabin isn't necessarily the most expensive one.

It's the one you can't wait to come back to after a day at sea.

🚢❤️ ”See you on board!”