If you are like me and know you will barely be in your room, then I wouldn’t splurge for a suite.  I almost always get an inside cabin room but next time I cruise I will get a Balcony for the experience. If you know you will spend a lot of time in your room then get something nicer that has a little bit more space.

Do you want a view

Do you want to have breakfast on a balcony or spend an evening reading by the ocean?  I would go for a balcony room.  I would also get a balcony room if you know you are a little claustrophobic and would like to be able to open the door for the extra space.  If you’re towards the front of the ship then a balcony room could be great for Motion Sickness.  If you start to feel sick you can watch the horizon to help ease the motion sickness.

What can your budget afford?

If you can get a killer deal on a balcony room or a suite, do it!  If you know your budget can only afford an inside room, don’t splurge.  I always make the most of my inside cabin and since I’m not in the room very often, I don’t care.

Location

• Where will you spend most of your time on the ship? Study the deck plan and try to find a room that is close to where you will spend most of your time.
• Noise – If you are concerned about noise then avoid the stairways and elevators.  I would also avoid being under one of the clubs or main dining areas.  I made the mistake of booking a room right by the employee-only area of the ship and it was pretty loud all night long.
• If you know you are someone who gets motion sickness then stays low and towards the middle of the ship.  I have been on 5 or 6 cruises now and there have been a few times when I felt a little queasy and needed to be in my cabin. It has been super helpful to have a cabin that is on a lower level and towards the middle of the ship.  I know you’re probably wondering why I even cruise if I get sick, but I love them! If you’re worried about getting sick then read my article here on how to avoid motion sickness.

How many people will be in your stateroom?

If you are going as a couple, make sure you get a room that has the beds together and not a room that only has bunk beds.  If you’re going to have four people in your stateroom then maybe go for a larger room.  Pay attention to the square footage of the rooms and select one that has a little bit more space.  I was in a room with four teenage girls (me being one of them)on my first cruise and it was CRAMPED.  Teenage girls overpack to the extreme.  I wish I would’ve known then to get a bigger room for not much more money.