Selecting the right cabin on a cruise ship is one of the most important decisions you will make for your vacation, yet it is often treated as an afterthought. The best cabins on cruise ships can significantly influence how well you sleep, how comfortable your sea days feel, and how much you truly enjoy your time onboard.
While itineraries, dining venues, and entertainment receive the spotlight in marketing materials, your stateroom plays an equally important role.
After sailing on dozens of cruises across mainstream and premium lines, I have learned that cabin choice is rarely just about size. In fact, I’d argue that location can matter more than category.
A thoughtfully positioned interior cabin can be a far better choice than a balcony cabin located directly below the bar or nightclub. At the same time, even a beautiful cabin can disappoint if it sits beneath a noisy deck or at the very front of the ship in rough seas.
Over time, certain cabin types have consistently stood out for the right reasons. Others have taught me what to avoid. The difference often comes down to small details that are easy to overlook during booking but impossible to ignore once onboard.
Here are the best cruise cabins that I’d recommend to anyone setting sail, including a few that I would absolutely avoid.
1. Junior Suites
Junior suites are some of the best cruise cabins for the cost on any ship, often finding a good balance between comfort and cost. Junior suites are typically larger than standard balcony cabins, so you’ll have more space to relax.
In addition, these cabins often come with enhanced perks, including priority embarkation, access to exclusive venues, upgraded bathrooms, and additional seating areas that make longer sailings noticeably more comfortable.
On Odyssey of the Seas, I upgraded to a junior suite through Royal Caribbean’s RoyalUp program. The price was reasonable at just $300 per person for a 12-night cruise, so we couldn’t resist the offer.
We absolutely loved having more space to relax, making the cabin feel much more comfortable. We had room to sit comfortably without perching on the edge of the bed, along with an expanded balcony with loungers. The split bathroom separated the toilet from the shower and bathtub, which was something I never knew I needed!
Another perk was having access to the suites-only Coastal Kitchen, which provided a quieter dining option throughout the sailing.
A junior suite can be an affordable way to upgrade your stateroom experience with luxurious perks and more space, but it doesn’t have to break the bank.
2. Celebrity’s AquaClass cabins
Certain cabin categories are focused more on elevating the experience, even with a standard-sized cabin. For instance, Celebrity’s AquaClass is a wellness-focused cabin experience that can truly elevate your cruise with additional perks and benefits.
I booked an AquaClass cabin for the first time, and it was one of the best cabin experiences I’ve ever had on a cruise ship!
When I sailed in Aqua Class on Celebrity Edge, the cabin itself was modern and thoughtfully designed. The Infinite Veranda design created an open layout that allowed more light into the cabin and versatile use of the space.
However, the biggest highlights of the AquaClass cabins include access to Blu restaurant and the thermal spa. Dining in Blu was much more relaxing than the main dining room, and the wellness focused menu had an excellent selection of entrees.
In addition, having spa access throughout the cruise was something we took advantage of each day of the cruise!
3. Connecting cabins for groups
Connecting staterooms are often overlooked, but they can be invaluable for families or groups traveling together. On a recent cruise through Asia aboard Anthem of the Seas, my family booked two connecting balcony cabins for the sailing. My sister and I stayed in one cabin while our parents were next door.
Halfway through the sailing, my dad came down with a nasty cold. Because our rooms were connected, we could move between cabins privately and easily.
My mom ended up sleeping on our couch while still being able to hop between cabins in the night. The shared balcony effectively became one extended outdoor space, allowing us to spend time together without crowding into a single room.
This kind of flexibility is a huge advantage of booking a connecting cabin, as this would not have been possible with separate cabins across the hall. In our experience, connecting rooms create convenience and peace of mind when traveling with loved ones.
At the same time, I would absolutely avoid booking connecting cabins unless I know who will be on the other side. The interior door can allow additional sound to travel between rooms, which can be disruptive. This isn’t always the case, but it can definitely create a noisy cabin experience if you don’t know your neighbors.
4. Balcony cabins for scenic sailings
For itineraries with scenic sailing, a balcony cabin is an absolute must, as it can become the highlight of your entire trip.
On cruises through destinations such as Alaska, Norway, New Zealand, or Iceland, scenery often unfolds slowly and unexpectedly. You don’t want to miss a moment of the breathtaking views by running to the upper decks to catch a glimpse!
Having private outdoor space means you can step outside at any moment without competing for space on crowded decks. Watching glaciers from your balcony or tracing the coastline of a fjord in the early morning light feels personal in a way that public viewing areas rarely do.
On scenic itineraries, a balcony is more than a luxury, as it becomes a practical way to fully experience the destination. I highly recommend booking a balcony cabin if you’re sailing anywhere with beautiful scenery.
5. Cove or porthole balconies
Cove and porthole style balconies offer a different perspective than a traditional open balcony, and in some cases, they can feel even more special.
When I booked a cove balcony on Carnival Jubilee, I was not entirely sure what to expect. The balcony sits lower on the ship and is partially enclosed by the hull, which immediately makes it feel more private.
We also loved how it felt protected from the wind, as the space was still usable and comfortable during breezy sea days. Additionally, being positioned closer to the water also changed the experience. Instead of looking down from several decks above, you feel almost level with the sea!
Similarly, I had a similar experience when I booked a deluxe porthole balcony on Celebrity Apex toward the back of the ship.
The balcony was more enclosed than a standard veranda, framed by the ship’s structure, which added privacy and a slightly cozier feel. Like the cove balcony, it was intimate and relaxing with a more private space, making it perfect for sailing through the Norwegian fjords.
6. Family-sized or deluxe interior cabins
Interior cabins are frequently dismissed because they lack windows, but they can offer excellent value for many cruisers. I’ve stayed in countless interior cabins, and many of those experiences were wonderful.
For example, on a 15-night sailing aboard Celebrity Solstice from Australia to Singapore, I booked a deluxe interior cabin with my sister. We expected the cabin to feel tight over two weeks, but the layout was surprisingly spacious. The stateroom had ample storage for all of our belongings, and we actually liked how cool the cabin stayed as we traveled to warmer weather.
For port intensive itineraries, an interior cabin often makes financial sense. If you plan to spend most of your time exploring ashore or enjoying public spaces onboard, the cabin functions primarily as a place to rest.
Choosing a midship location also helps minimize motion and shorten walking distances. However, if you’re someone who likes to spend a lot of time in your cabin, this could be a cabin category to avoid.
7. Cabins surrounded by other cabins
Beyond category and price, studying the deck plan is one of the most important steps in booking a cruise. The quietest cabins are typically surrounded by other staterooms on all sides, including above and below.
Before placing your deposit, make sure to look at the cruise ship’s deck plans. I always examine the decks that are both above and below the stateroom that I am considering booking. Cabins adjacent to public venues, restaurants, crew areas, or mechanical spaces are more likely to experience noise.
Also, white spaces on deck plans often indicate non cabin areas or crew serving areas. Those spaces can bring rolling carts, foot traffic, or unwanted activity at unpredictable hours. A few extra minutes reviewing the layout can prevent frustration later. Prioritize booking a cabin that is surrounded by other cabins to ensure a restful stateroom experience.
Cruise cabins to avoid
In my opinion, your cruise cabin’s location is the most important consideration when booking a sailing. Depending on your budget, this is one area where I don’t like to skimp. I will pay extra to choose my cabin location, as I’ve had too many poor stateroom experiences.
While cruising on Brilliance of the Seas a few years ago, we booked a cabin directly beneath the pool deck. Each morning, I woke to the scraping of lounge chairs being arranged overhead. The noise traveled clearly through the ceiling and started early every single morning. Even though the cabin itself was comfortable, disrupted sleep left us exhausted by the end of the cruise.
Also, cabins next to elevator shafts can also be problematic. On Carnival Sunshine, I once stayed in a cabin that shared a wall with the elevator machinery. The mechanical thumping and vibration could be heard at all hours of the night. I was so frustrated by the end of the cruise that I was nearly in tears from lack of sleep!
While proximity to elevators can be convenient, being directly adjacent to the elevator should be avoided at all costs.
Finally, cabins at the very front of the ship tend to feel the most motion. On Pride of America, I stayed in a spacious two bedroom suite at the very front of the vessel. The views were impressive, and the cabin was extremely spacious and impressive. However, the constant motion during rough seas made it difficult to sleep
For cruisers sensitive to motion, midship cabins on lower decks are generally more stable.
