Furnishing

All cabins are equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning, limited closet space, and a private bathroom---usually closet-size, with a toilet, small shower, and washbasin. More expensive cabins, especially on newer ships, may have a bathtub. Most cabins also have a small desk or dresser, a reading light, and, on many ships, a TV and sometimes even a VCR. Except on some older and smaller ships, all cabins also come with a phone.


Depending upon the ship and category, a cabin may have beds or berths. The most expensive cabins usually have king- or queen-size beds. Cabins priced in the midrange often have doubles or twins. In cabins with twins, the beds may be positioned side by side or at right angles. On most newer ships, the twin beds in many cabins can be pushed together to form a double. If this is what you want, get written confirmation that your specific cabin number has this capability. On some older ships, though, the beds are nailed to the floor, so you can't put them together. This may be especially true on ships where they beds are laid out in an L-shaped configuration. Less expensive cabins and cabins on smaller or older ships, especially those that accommodate three or four people, may have upper and lower bunks, or berths; these are folded into the wall by day to provide more living space. Sofa beds replace upper berths on some newer ships.

Location

On all ships, regardless of size or design, the bow (front) and stern (back) pitch up and down on the waves far more than the hull amidships (middle). Ships also experience a side-to-side motion known as roll. The closer your deck is to the true center of the ship---about halfway between the bottom of the hull and the highest deck and midway between the bow and the stern---the less you will feel the ship's movement. Some cruise lines charge more for cabins amidships; most charge more for the higher decks.


Outside cabins have portholes or windows (which cannot be opened); on the upper decks, the view from outside cabins may be partially obstructed by lifeboats or overlook a public deck. Because outside cabins are more desirable, newer ships are configured with mostly outside cabins or with outside cabins only. Increasingly, an outside cabin on an upper deck comes with a private veranda. Windows are mirrored in cabins that overlook an outdoor promenade so that passersby can't see in---at least by day; after dark, you need to draw your curtains.

Inside cabins on older vessels are often smaller and oddly shaped. On newer ships, the floor plans of inside cabins are virtually identical to those of outside cabins. Providing you don't feel claustrophobic without a window, inside cabins represent an excellent value.

Cabin Size

Cabins vary greatly depending upon the type of ship you choose. On every ship, though, there are different cabin categories priced according to their size, location, and amenities. Cruise brochures show the ship's layout deck by deck and the approximate location and shape of every cabin and suite. Use the deck plan to make sure the cabin you pick is not near public rooms, which may be noisy, or the ship's engines, which can vibrate at certain speeds, and make sure that you are near stairs or an elevator to avoid walking down long corridors every time you return to your cabin.

Cruise lines offer a wide variety of cabins , with a variety of names. The brochures also usually show representative cabin layouts, but be aware that configurations within each category can differ.

Accommodations

Cabins vary greatly depending upon the type of ship you choose. On every ship, though, there are different cabin categories priced according to their size, location, and amenities. Cruise brochures show the ship's layout deck by deck and the approximate location and shape of every cabin and suite. Use the deck plan to make sure the cabin you pick is not near public rooms, which may be noisy, or the ship's engines, which can vibrate at certain speeds, and make sure that you are near stairs or an elevator to avoid walking down long corridors every time you return to your cabin.

Cruise lines offer a wide variety of cabins , with a variety of names. The brochures also usually show representative cabin layouts, but be aware that configurations within each category can differ.