Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

I am proud to be certified by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) as an Elite Cruise Counselor. The Cruise Counselor Certification Program is CLIA's most comprehensive training which requires agents to successfully complete a number of compulsory training courses and exams, attend cruise conferences, and conduct ship inspections. Anita Thompson, Attheta Travel, dba Cruise Holidays.

Monday, February 5, 2018

Pick the Right Stateroom

You’re ready to take a cruise and it’s time to pick a stateroom! Take a pause; this isn’t something that should be done quickly. In general, your choice will be guided by your budget. But, in addition to determining the category of stateroom that you can afford (which will also dictate what deck you’re on), you need to consider your stateroom’s location.

To make your choice, it’s helpful to understand some of the terminology of cruise ship staterooms.

Cabin, Stateroom, Suite. Cabin and stateroom are used interchangeably to refer to accommodations on a cruise ship. A suite is a type of cabin or stateroom that usually offers more space and amenities, and often has a balcony as well.

Inside or Outside. Cabins and staterooms can be located either in the interior of the ship (inside) or along the exterior walls of the ship (outside). Inside cabins have no windows. Passengers choose these cabins because they are budget-friendly; because they don’t mind the lack of windows; or because they love to be on deck or on shore all day and use their cabins just to sleep. Outside cabins offer a window, ranging from a small porthole to expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, depending on the deck.

Veranda or Balcony. These are really the same thing: a private space on the exterior of your cabin where you can enjoy the fresh sea air and views. That said, the term veranda implies a larger space that is covered; some ships offer both balconies and verandas, others use the terms interchangeably.

Port and Starboard. Left (port) and right (starboard), as you face toward the front of the ship. Being port or starboard can be important if you’ll cruise through a scenic area and want to take in the view from your stateroom.

Fore, Midship, Aft. The front, middle and back of the ship. Midship is preferred by people who tend to feel motion sickness: even with great stabilizers, the ship’s movement can be more noticeable in the fore and aft sections. Reasons to go fore or aft include the potential for larger balconies and easier access to fitness centers and spas (they tend to be fore) or dining rooms (they tend to be aft).

There may be more to consider: for example, if you have mobility issues, you may want to be near an elevator; if you’re a light sleeper, you may want to be away from the elevators. Fortunately, Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert can help you make sense of it all and pick the stateroom that’s best for you.

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