What cabin category do you recommend for a first time traveler? Most cruise lines have several cabin categories. The category names vary from cruise line to cruise line, but the categories are usually very similar among the different lines.
"Planning your first cruise is such an exciting endeavor," said Emily Motycka of AAA Travel. Ms. Motycka is a travel agent whose speciality is helping travelers find a good cruise. "It can sometimes feel overwhelming to new cruisers, though - there are so many choices to make!" Picking the right cabin is one of those difficult choices.
Most cruise lines have several cabin categories. The category names vary from cruise line to cruise line, but the categories are usually very similar among the different lines. An interior or inside cabin is usually the smallest cabin category, and is located along an interior hallway with no exterior windows. An ocean view cabin is usually larger than an inside cabin, and features a window to the outside - either a small porthole or a larger window. A balcony or verandah cabin offers cruisers the added feature of a small, private deck accessible via a sliding glass door from their cabin. Though small, the balcony gives the cabin a roomier feel, and also allows cruisers a chance to lounge outdoors in privacy. Most cruise ships also offer suites, which are much larger - and much more expensive.
What's the right choice, especially for a first-time cruiser? "Depending on their budget, I usually recommend an ocean view cabin for my clients," said Ms. Motycka. "With a first time cruiser, being in a small, dark inside cabin can really intimidate them."
"I personally think the inside cabins feel small and claustrophobic," she said. "Not because of the square footage, but because of the lighting." Because they are along an interior corridor with no natural light coming in, all of the lighting in an inside cabin is provided by artificial light sources - lamps, lights, and mirrors. This lack of natural lighting can really bother some travelers, and can put a damper on a first-time cruise experience. According to Ms. Motycka, many travelers simply enjoy themselves more when they can see the outside - and get some natural light - from their rooms.
However, Ms. Motycka explained, "It's really a personal preference with budget and preferences in mind." Many travelers always choose the inside cabins because they are less expensive. These travelers, according to Ms. Motycka, "feel that they are not in the cabin very often, and taking the least expensive option allows them to sail more often by keeping their costs down."
If you're having trouble determining which cabin size is right for you, it might help to think about factors such as how many people you are cruising with, the length of your cruise, and how much time you plan to spend in your cabin.
If you're traveling alone or with just one other person, an interior cabin might be sufficient, especially on a short cruise. Trips with the whole family, or longer trips, might warrant spending the extra money on a larger cabin with an ocean view or balcony.
Which cabin category is right for you is usually a matter of "choosing between lower cost and higher amenities," said Ms. Motycka. Each traveler needs to decide whether they are willing to pay extra for the ability to see outside, or to even sit outside during their cruise.
