Wondering how to choose the best cruise ship cabin? Here’s what we learned about inside, ocean view, balcony and suite rooms on our Alaska cruise aboard the Solstice.
Planning Our First Cruise
When we started planning our 35th anniversary trip, we decided a cruise would be the perfect way to celebrate. But as soon as we opened the cruise line websites, we were quickly overwhelmed. The choices felt endless!
Rather than wading through all the decisions on our own, we asked a few experienced cruising friends for advice. One of them recommended her spunky, 80-year-old travel agent, who had been on countless cruises all over the world. What a gift it was to sit down with her and hear all her wise tips! She graciously explained so many details and helped guide us through the decisions to get the ball rolling.
The first big choice was the cruise line. After hearing her recommendations, we settled on one of the lines she suggested. Whew, one decision made! Then came the next big one: choosing our room.
Cruise Cabin Types Explained
Our travel agent helped us think through the pros and cons of each cabin type. My best advice is this: Be aware of your personal needs and preferences first, then let budget be the next consideration.
Here are the main options to consider:
Inside Cabin
- No window, usually the least expensive.
- Our travel agent told us she actually prefers inside cabins, because, in her words, “you’re never in your room anyway!” (That’s true for some people… but not for us…)
- Perfect for those who love to be out and about where the action is. If you love being where everything happens, this might be just perfect for you! There’s no shortage of activities on the ship, and there are plenty of quiet spots to sit with a book or lounge comfortably while watching the ocean views out the window. We saw people bundled up in blankets in the open air on lounge chairs, having lovely naps while activity happened all around them!
- Can feel cozy and dark, which some people love for sleeping.
- If you picture yourself spending all your time enjoying the ship and only using your room for sleeping and getting ready, an inside cabin might just be your cup of tea!
- Another thing to consider: if excursions are more important to you than the type of room you stay in, you might choose this type of room and spend the extra money on the excursions of your dreams. (Some of them are VERY expensive.) And if you have any claustrophobic tendencies, this room is NOT for you!!
Window Cabins (Obstructed or Unobstructed)
- A step up from inside rooms, with natural light.
- Some windows may be partially obstructed (a rope or beam across it) or fully obstructed (like a lifeboat in front).
- If you want light but don’t care about the view, this is a nice middle ground.
Balcony Cabins (Our Choice!)
- You’ll have your own balcony window and private outdoor space. Even though you’re going to Alaska, it might be warm enough to sit out there quite a bit (we sure did…). We loved sipping coffee on our balcony, watching the stunning Alaskan scenery (and wildlife), and having a quiet retreat when we needed downtime.
- As an “extroverted introvert,” I enjoyed chatting and meeting new people at meals, but I also needed to recharge. We often found ourselves going back to our room to rest up for the next big event.
- Bonus: It was the perfect spot to view the breathtaking passage into Dawes Glacier.
In all honesty, I couldn’t imagine travelling on a cruise ship without at least a window with a good view (one that opens, too). Now that I’ve done it, I’ll boldly say I’d never choose to cruise without a balcony room. ;) We’re so glad we chose to pay extra for it (and saved money on excursions…).
Tour Our Balcony Stateroom!
Click the play button below to see the details of our cruise ship cabin:
Suites
- Larger rooms, extra perks and sometimes butler service.
- Best if you want a luxury experience or are celebrating something extra special. Honestly, I didn’t do any research on luxury rooms, but if they fit your budget, I’d encourage you to check them out.
***Pro-tip: Search online video sites for tours of cruise ship cabins. You’ll find quite a selection there from fellow travellers.
Rooms to Avoid
Our travel agent also gave us a few insider tips on what to avoid when choosing your “home on the ship”. Here are some room placements you might want to skip:
- By the elevators – constant dinging and chatter from people.
- Under restaurants, bars or the theatre – you’ll hear scraping chairs and activity overhead late at night and early in the morning.
Some people don’t mind noise at all, but if you’re a light sleeper, these things matter!
Tips for Choosing the Right Room for YOU
- Budget traveller? Inside or obstructed-view rooms are the most economical.
- Light sleeper? Avoid high-traffic, noisy areas.
- First-time cruiser? A midship balcony balances views with stability.
- Special celebration? Consider a suite for extra pampering.
Concerned About Seasickness?
If seasickness is a worry, the best location is midship on a lower deck. This part of the ship moves the least when seas are rough. The farther forward or aft (back) you go, and the higher the deck, the more you’ll feel the motion.
Here’s the general advice travel experts give:
- Best for motion sensitivity / seasickness: Midship (the middle of the ship, both lengthwise and vertically on lower decks) is the most stable part of the ship. The higher and farther forward or back you go, the more movement you’ll feel.
- Back of the ship (aft): Some cruisers love aft balconies for the wide wake views, but you’ll feel more motion there than midship. Not the best choice if seasickness is a concern. Note: Our balcony room was toward the back of the ship on a lower deck, and we had no trouble. But I did take some seasickness medicine and wristbands along just in case.
- Front of the ship (forward): Tends to have the most noticeable movement and can make motion sickness worse.
Watch the Daily Travel Vlog
Want to see what an Alaskan cruise is really like? We filmed our entire 7-day journey, from travel days and embarkation to balcony room tours, dining and breathtaking views at sea.
Click below to watch the full Alaska cruise playlist on video and follow along day by day!
