Choosing The Right Cabin For Your Cruise

Avoid Cabin Fever â€" Tips on Choosing the Right Cabin for your Cruise

For many a weary traveler, a cruise is the vacation of a lifetime. Whether you are thinking of taking a cruise to the tropical islands or to majestic Alaska, the experience you will have is unique, and the opportunities for rest and relaxation as well as stupendous sightseeing are unequaled by any other kind of vacation. If you enjoy fine dining, then a cruise will tantalize your taste buds with delectable morsels in a picturesque setting. If you love to go shopping, you will find the on-board boutiques and stores to rival even the finest land-mall. If you are looking forward to curling up with a good book, the gentle breeze on deck and a comfortable deck chair will make it possible!

As you can see, there is no end to the wonderful ways in which you can enjoy a cruise. Yet, the savvy traveler will need to realize that there are also some pitfalls to be avoided in order to minimize any potential flies in the ointment. One such pitfall may very well be the accommodations. Granted, the cabins will be clean and luxurious, yet there are some tips on choosing the right cabin for your cruise and avoiding a latter case of cabin fever and buyer's remorse. Here are some tried and true tips that will help any traveler, novice or experienced, to quickly and easily get the right cabin for you:

First and foremost, when you book your cruise you will be given the choice of receiving an “inside� or an “outside� cabin. No, “outside� does not mean that you have to camp out in the lifeboat. Instead, it simply refers to the choice of having a window in your cabin or not. If you choose to be “outside� and wish to have the window, you will have a spectacular view of the ocean, islands, or any other sights as your ship approaches them. The downside of an “outside� cabin is the fact that you will have to pay for this view. The “inside� cabin are a lot less expensive and just as luxurious, yet devoid of the natural light streaming through the window. Would you feel slightly claustrophobic in a room without a window? Would you miss the natural light? If this is an important factor for you, it is imperative that you discuss these options with your travel agent and decide on the best cabin choice for you.

If you do decide that the natural light is the way to go, it is time for some further research. Did you know that some “outside� cabins may be had at sensational bargains, only to come and find out upon arrival that your porthole is partially or completely obstructed by a lifeboat? Similarly, if you wish to have a view of the ocean, yet your window faces a deck where you will see more traffic than ocean, will this bother you? It is the wise traveler indeed who will request to take a look at the ship's floor plan to ascertain whether there is an obstruction in front of a window or not. A seasoned travel agent can be a wonderful source of information here, too!

Once you have figured out if your cabin will have a view or not, you will need to pay attention to the actual location of your cabin. Do you wish to be as far away from the tourists as possible? If so, you may be tempted to book on the lower decks; however, you will need to be aware that the lower decks are closer to the ship's functionality rooms and crew quarters, so while you may not have a lot of noise from fellow travelers, you will have the commotion of shift changes, engine rooms and bow thrusters. Quite often the mechanical noises are also accompanied by vibration, which may be relatively pronounced in the early morning hours. Are you willing to endure such during your journey?

If you choose to book on one of the upper decks, you are still not home free! Consider the actual location of your cabin: is it located underneath the exercise room? Is it located above the dance club? If so, you will have frequent and consistent disturbances. Again, a floor plan will come in rather handy prior to deciding upon a location for your cabin!

As you can see, with a little bit of foresight, your trip of a lifetime will be enjoyable and truly well worth the expense!