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Is it better to be high or low on a cruise ship?

For passengers looking to enjoy views, especially the scenery in the wake of a ship, we recommend higher decks and the back of the vessel. The higher you pick, the farther you'll see. If you're after views, the best room on a cruise ship will be a balcony cabin at the ship's rear end.



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If you're worried about seasickness, pick a cabin that's as close to the water level as possible and in the center of the ship. You'll be at the ship's fulcrum point, which means you'll feel less movement than people on higher decks with cabins far forward or all the way at the back.

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The lower and more central you are in a ship, the less roll and sway you will feel. Even if you choose a balcony room, choose a low level and a room closest to the ship's center. The higher decks and cabins at the front (forward) or back (aft) of the ship will rock and roll the most.

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On the Lower Decks On the plus side, they usually offer the best deals, and being lower in the ship also provides a more stable ride. However, on the downside, the lower decks are far from most activities and can be very loud and crowded on port days when cruisers walk through the halls to get to the gangway.

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5 Cruise Ship Decks To Avoid
  • The deck below the Lido Deck. Many of the noise problems that cause complaints on cruise ships come from the pool deck. ...
  • The lowest deck. ...
  • The landing deck. ...
  • The promenade deck. ...
  • The deck above an interior promenade.


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Lower Deck cabins are – as the name suggests – below deck, away from the busier communal areas of the ship. This means they're quieter, and therefore better for sleeping, with a whole extra floor separating you and the restaurant, bar, and top deck above.

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The middle of the ship and not too high is your safest bet. A mid-ship stateroom with a balcony for quick access to fresh air may be ideal. If not available, consider a room that is either lower or closer to the back, as the front of the ship tends to experience the most movement.

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Generally, Deck 7 is considered a good deck to have a cruise cabin, but it will depend on the ship. Deck 7 is normally roughly the same distance between the dining rooms and the pool decks, and it is normally surrounded by cabins above and below.

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Eastbound cruises get the most sun on the port side; westbound on the starboard side. Watching a sunset over the ocean or seeing the sun slip behind distant islands can also be a reason for a side preference. To catch sunsets, you'll want to be on the port side on northbound cruises and starboard on southbound cruises.

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If you are inclined to motion sickness but want to ensure an enjoyable cruise, take the following steps to avoid seasickness.
  1. Pack Your Medicine. ...
  2. Get a Good Night's Sleep. ...
  3. Remember to Eat. ...
  4. Get Some Air. ...
  5. Watch the Horizon. ...
  6. Avoid Books and Screens. ...
  7. Head to the Middle. ...
  8. Try Acupressure.


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You want to be as close to the pivot point as possible to feel the least movement. Avoid cabins near the front (bow) or back (stern) and on decks higher than the middle deck of the ship. So, on a ship with fourteen passenger decks, your best options are below deck seven.

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Another advantage of staying on a low deck is the lack of movement you may perceive. The common piece of advice regarding avoiding seasickness is booking a cabin on a low deck, mid ship. Since deck 2 (or 3) is the lowest decks you can book, those sensitive to motion sickness may find these low decks beneficial.

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Lower Decks This is because this part of the ship, its lowest and most central area, is the most stable during rough sea conditions. A central cabin on one of the lower decks is the best place you can be when you're feeling nauseous. Note that these cabins can feel a bit claustrophobic, though.

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The lowest deck In the lowest part of a cruise ship, there's a whole lot of noisy stuff so you may hear the hum of the engine, the blast of the bow thrusters and the clanging of the anchor chain. Depending on the ship, you may also feel vibrations that could make the hangers in your wardrobe rattle!

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The back of the ship tends to be considered the next best cabin position after midships. Whilst the front of the ship gets the most movement the back also does get some. Whilst it's nowhere near as bad as the front of the ship, you may still notice some movement in rough seas.

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Most of the newer ships average around 1050 feet which equals . 2 miles if you were to walk from end-to-end of the ship. Depending on where your cabin is or what locations on the ship you like, that mileage could add up.

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The forward is subject to the most movement out of anywhere on a ship. And the higher the deck, the more pronounced that rolling and swaying motion tends to feel. Movement at the aft is a bit less drastic than the forward, but still isn't the most stable place for those who are prone to seasickness.

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There's no Deck 13; seafarers are a superstitious crowd and the number is considered unlucky.

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On a cruise vessel, the majority of cameras are focused on the decks where most people gather and would thus be ineffective at performing this task. Another problem that people commonly run into is being able to differentiate between objects that are thrown overboard as opposed to people going overboard.

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