Chapter 2: Cruise Logistics - Excerpt
Staterooms
On cruise ships your bedroom, or cabin, is called a stateroom. A standard stateroom is comparable to a nice hotel room on land, except that it is usually smaller. While there is enough room for a bed, desk and small couch, you’re not going to be able to work out on the floor, or have more than one person in the bathroom at the same time (unless one is in the shower). On most ships, standard staterooms come in three varieties: inside cabins, outside cabins and balcony cabins.
Inside Cabin
Inside cabins have no windows. These cabins are located on higher, middle and lower decks of the ship. The big advantage these cabins have, is that they are usually the cheapest rooms on the ship. But even though they are the cheapest rooms, their occupants still enjoy the same dining room, ships’ facilities and activities, as all other passengers (even those in the Owner’s Suites). Tip: If you are in an inside cabin, bring a nightlight. Being inside means being in pitch darkness all the time, and if you want to see your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night, you’ll appreciate the help. Another thing you can do, is to tune your TV to the channel showing the ship’s Bridge Camera. Most ships broadcast this footage (showing real-time views from the front of the ship) and leaving it on will help you distinguish day from night, and show you where you are. It’s almost like having a window!
Inside cabin on Sapphire Princess (Princess Cruises)
OceanView/Outside Cabin
Outside cabins are exactly like inside cabins, except that there is a window. Some outside cabins have a full view from big picture windows. Others have portholes (large, round windows). These windows do not open; they are for viewing only. Outside cabins are usually a little more expensive than inside cabins, and are usually located toward the bottom of the ship, although sometimes you can find them on middle or upper decks. Tip: If you want to see daylight, but also want to save money, consider booking an ‘obstructed view’ cabin. These cabins have windows that are partially blocked by outside equipment (usually the lifeboats), so you may not see as much, but you’ll still be able to tell day from night, and get an idea of the weather.
Outside cabin on Vision of the Seas (Royal Carribean)
