Is it better to go higher or lower on a cruise?

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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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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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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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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Cabins that are near the ship's anchor You might not know where the anchor is placed on the deck plans, but typically, it is on a lower deck near the front (or forward) of the ship. If you want to ensure a peaceful morning, try to avoid cabins that might be located near the anchor.

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Aft of the ship 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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There is no one side of a cruise ship that is always “the best.” Whether a cruise ship's port versus starboard side is better for you on a given itinerary will be a personal calculation based on preferences, route and what you want to see.

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Staterooms on the Lower Decks The noisiest staterooms at sea located on the lower decks should be avoided when possible.

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To reduce motion sickness, choose a stateroom in the middle of the ship on a lower deck. You will feel any sway of the ship less in this section.

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Cabins at the Front of the Ship This is because the front of the ship is more exposed to the movement of the water as they plough through the rough seas. If you're prone to seasickness, it's best to avoid cabins at the front of the ship.

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Go online and create a mock booking Before your cruise departs, you can head online and recreate your booking. This will tell you whether certain cabin categories are sold out, as well as a rough estimate of how many rooms are available within each.

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Those mid-ship are more in demand and will be more expensive than those located fore and aft. This is partly because of convenience (much less walking down corridors on big ships) and partly because mid-ship is more stable. Cabins are often slightly larger since ships curve inwards towards either end.

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When the stabilizers aren't needed, they are retracted into the vessel's side. Older and smaller ships are less likely to have this technology and are much more apt to feel the motion of the ocean. A mega-ship, such as Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, might just be the best cruise ship to avoid seasickness.

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Midship staterooms on the lowest passenger deck are the most excellent spot to be on a cruise ship in this instance because you don't feel the vessel sway as much.

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Staterooms directly below public and entertainment areas Examine these carefully to identify cabins that are near public areas. Avoid choosing a cabin above, below or nearby the cruise ship's theatre, bars, nightclub, buffet restaurant and Kids' Clubs.

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Technically, you can..... but the cruise line will discourage it for obvious reasons (if the A/C or heat is running, you get the idea). If you leave the door open, your cabin steward will keep shutting it. We turn our air off this time of year while cruising, and do sleep with the door open.

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The safety measures that cruise lines have on balconies are not foolproof. Kids can be very creative to get what they want. Always keep the balcony door locked, and accompany your children on the balcony. Talk to your kids about balcony safety and explain your rules, even if your kids are older and should know better.

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