Staterooms Explained!

Robin Sweat, owner, RLS Travel Boutique, LLC.

08.07.23

Have you ever wondered what the different stateroom names mean? Actually, do you even know what a stateroom is?

A stateroom (or cabin), is the room on a cruise ship that you sleep & shower in. Similar to a hotel room. When considering what stateroom to book, you will want to consider the type of cabin, and the location of the cabin. Let’s discuss stateroom types. By the way, I will switch back & forth between “stateroom” and “cabin”, they mean the same thing.

Inside/Interior Cabin

This type of stateroom has no windows. They get a bad rap for being too small and making people feel “claustrophobic”. Each cruise line is different, and the rooms can even vary from ship to ship. They are typically smaller, usually 150-185 sq ft, and they are located throughout the ship. Typically, inside/interior rooms are cheaper, making them great for budget-conscious cruisers. Technically, they can fit 4 people, but that tends to be very crowded. If you do not spend a ton of time in the room, if you want a cool, dark place to sleep, and if you want to save some money, this is the room for you! In fact, I used to be a balcony-only person, but now I enjoy inside rooms! I can cruise more often by choosing inside rooms!

Oceanview/Outside Cabin

Oceanview staterooms (sometimes called “outside” staterooms) have a window in the form of either a porthole (a small, round window) or a square window. These rooms are more expensive than an inside cabin but cheaper than a balcony cabin. When planning your cruise and considering this stateroom type, it is important to know where on the ship the specific room is located. Often, this type of stateroom is on a lower deck, and there is a chance that you will feel a lot of movement from the ship. Sometimes, the water splashes against the window. If you are prone to motion sickness, you do not want this location! However, on larger, newer ships, and on certain cruise lines, oceanview rooms may be higher on the ship, have very large windows, and be a great choice for a stateroom. Your travel advisor can help you with this!

Balcony Cabin

Balcony staterooms are very desirable for many cruisers. They are typically larger than inside and oceanview staterooms, and they have balconies that face the ocean. However, there are exceptions with some cruise lines having balcony staterooms that overlook the walkways inside the ship instead. When choosing a balcony room, make sure you are facing the direction you desire. Your travel advisor can assist you with this. There are a few downsides to consider with balcony rooms. The three most immediate ones are temperature, sunlight, and price. While the doors to the balcony usually have curtains, light can still shine through in the early morning. Additionally, due to the door leading to the outside, these rooms can sometimes be warmer than others. Finally, balcony staterooms tend to be the most expensive among the three basic stateroom types. However, the pleasure of sitting out on the balcony and enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning or a drink in the evening is truly delightful.

Suite

Suites vary greatly from cruise line to cruise line, and also from ship to ship. There are junior suites, grand suites, excel suites, and many more. If you can afford the price tag, this is the way to travel in luxury. Additionally, there are concierge level suites that elevate the experience even further. Suite guests usually board earlier than other guests, have priority in booking excursions through the cruise line, and enjoy other benefits, which vary greatly between cruise lines as well! Your travel advisor will be a great resource for choosing the suite that suits your preferences.

Double Occupancy

What does double occupancy mean? Almost all staterooms are priced for two people. This means that at least two people should be in each room. If there are more, typically the third and fourth guests are cheaper. If you choose to cruise solo in your stateroom, most of the time you will be required to pay what is called a “single supplement.” The single supplement is the cost of the second guest in the stateroom. In other words, you will pay for two guests even if you are solo. There are a few cruise lines that allow you to cruise solo without paying the single supplement!

There are many factors when choosing a stateroom and the type is very important.