How I Always Get the Best Cruise Cabin (and Avoid the Worst Ones)

What I Now Do to Get a Great Cruise Cabin Every Time

Many cruise passengers tell me they never gamble. Yet, without realising it, they gamble with the most important part of their cruise — their cabin.
After more than 120 cruises, I’ve seen how easily travellers end up in disappointing cabins simply because they followed common but flawed advice. So, here’s exactly what I now do — and what I recommend you do — to ensure you always get a great cabin every time you cruise.


Avoid Guaranteed Fares: Why They’re a Gamble

“Guaranteed” fares sound tempting. You book a grade — inside, oceanview, balcony, or suite — and let the cruise line assign your specific cabin. The catch? You’re almost always given what’s left over after everyone else has chosen.

Cruise lines sell these fares to fill the least desirable cabins: those with smaller balconies, obstructed views, or poor locations. It’s like playing the slots — occasionally you’ll win with a great cabin, but most of the time you’ll end up with the dregs.

What surprises many travellers is that choosing your own cabin doesn’t always cost more. On several recent Celebrity and Holland America cruises, I paid exactly the same price to select my cabin as a guaranteed fare. Even if there’s a small premium, it’s worth it for peace of mind and the ability to choose wisely.


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Choose the Right Location

When it comes to cabin satisfaction, location really does matter — both along the length of the ship and vertically between decks.

Mid-Ship Stability

If you’re prone to seasickness, the middle of the ship is your best friend. Ships pivot around their centre, meaning there’s less motion in mid-ship cabins. Avoid cabins right at the front (bow) or back (stern) if you want smoother sailing.

Noise and Vibration

Aft-facing cabins can be beautiful, offering sweeping views as you sail away, but they can also suffer from engine vibration. Forward cabins may wake you early when the anchor drops in tender ports. Mid-ship cabins strike the best balance — both for motion and quiet.

Deck Height

Try to book cabins mid-way between the busy public decks below (theatre, dining rooms, casino) and above (pool deck, buffet). This keeps you equidistant from everything and shields you from noise.


I Cruise On A Ship After It’s Been Split in Half & Stretched - Star Pride Ship Tour

Be Surrounded by Cabins

One of my golden rules: make sure your cabin is surrounded on all sides by other cabins — above, below, and beside.

This helps buffer sound from venues and service areas. Always check the deck plan carefully before booking. Avoid cabins opposite laundries, crew access doors, or service corridors, as foot traffic and noise can be constant.


Avoid Noisy Venues and Areas

Noise is one of the biggest sources of cabin regret. Here are areas I always avoid:

  • Nightclubs and Bars: During the day they’re quiet, but come evening, the bass thumps until late.

  • Under Pool Decks: Early-morning chair scraping and late-night deck parties make these among the worst spots.

  • Running Tracks: That rhythmic thud-thud of early joggers can be surprisingly loud.

  • Theatres: Rehearsals and multiple nightly shows create vibrations and noise well into the evening.

  • Fitness Centres: Weights being dropped and fitness classes with booming bass travel through floors.

  • Laundry Rooms: Noisy machines and chattering guests are constant.

  • Lift Areas: Ding-ding from elevators and passengers chatting outside can be disruptive.

A quick look at the deck plan before booking can save you many sleepless nights.

MSC Armonia Pool deck


Watch for Interconnecting Cabins

Unless you’re travelling with friends or family, avoid cabins with connecting doors. Sound carries through those doors far more than solid walls. I’ve had countless messages from cruisers complaining about loud neighbours on the other side of a connecting door.


Be Careful with Upgrades

An upgrade can seem exciting — until it isn’t.

Most cruise lines automatically enrol you for “auto-upgrades” unless you opt out. That means they can move you from your chosen cabin to a supposedly “better” one, often without consulting you. The problem? You can’t revert to your original choice if you dislike the new location.

Cruisers have found themselves relocated to forward cabins on rough transatlantic voyages, regretting their “upgrade” for days.

Bidding for Upgrades

You may also receive emails inviting you to bid for upgrades. Before you do, compare the cost of simply paying to move to that cabin directly. Often, it’s cheaper — and gives you control.
Also, remember that bids are per person, even if you’re travelling solo.


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Port or Starboard? It Rarely Matters

People often obsess over which side of the ship to book — port (left) or starboard (right). In truth, it seldom makes a difference. Ships can dock on either side, and for most sea days there’s nothing but ocean to see.

There are a few exceptions, such as when sailing into Manhattan (port side for Statue of Liberty views) or certain scenic routes. But even then, the best views are from deck, not your balcony.

Fun fact: the word posh originated from the days when travellers booked “Port Out, Starboard Home” cabins to stay out of the sun — not something you need to worry about today.


Consider Isolation Scenarios

Illness outbreaks like Norovirus or COVID are rare, but if you ever must isolate, cabin choice suddenly matters. I learned this firsthand early in my cruising days when confined to a small oceanview cabin beneath a jogging track. The noise and lack of outside space made it miserable.

Now, I always book a balcony cabin so I have access to fresh air — just in case.


Anthem of the Seas Oceanview Stateroom with balcony

Book Accessible Cabins Early

If you require an accessible cabin, plan far ahead. These cabins are limited and in high demand. Book as early as possible, and check that the line offers accessible options across multiple grades, not just one.


Final Thoughts

Finding the perfect cruise cabin isn’t luck — it’s strategy.
Avoid gambling with guaranteed fares, know exactly where on the ship you want to be, check deck plans carefully, and think about noise, movement, and access.

By following these steps, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of getting a great cabin — and avoiding one that spoils your trip.


Want more practical cruise advice from someone who’s sailed on over 120 cruises? Subscribe to my Tips For Travellers YouTube channel or join me on Patreon for behind-the-scenes cruise insights and exclusive updates.

Gary Bembridge

In 2005, I launched Tips for Travellers to make it easy and fun for people to discover, plan and enjoy incredible cruise vacations based on my first-hand advice and tips from going on well over 100 and counting cruises. I have most subscribed to cruise-focused vlogger channel on YouTube.

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1 Response

  1. Maria Moore says:

    Thanks for all the tips. We booked a guarantee cabin for a Viking ocean cruise. The cruise leaves in a week and we still don’t have cabin assigned. We usually pick cabins midship. No more booking guarantee cabins for us!

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