The few cabins on cruise ships that are booked up quickly
Have you ever wondered which cruise ship cabins are booked up the fastest? Planning a cruise vacation and wondering how soon you need to book your cabin?
There are all kinds of cabins you can book on a cruise ship, but not all of them are created equal. Many long-time cruisers know that there are a handful of categories that stand out, and they tend to book up quickly.
If you’re like me, you don’t want to miss out on the best cabin choice, so here’s what you need to know about cruise ship cabins that aren’t very plentiful and a lot of people will want to book.
Upper floor and luxury suites
(Luxury Suite Aboard Disney Cruise Line Disney Wish Ship)
Each cruise line calls its luxury cabins something different. Most deluxe cabins are any suite and are often separated into their own category. These categories of cabins have names such as “Concierge”, “The Haven” or “The Retreat”, for example.
These rooms are often categorized as suites and offer the most luxurious accommodations on board cruise ships. Guests staying in luxury cruise cabins often enjoy special access to exclusive areas of the ship, as well as amenities. Some of these exclusive areas reserved for suite guests are terraces, swimming pools, lounges and restaurants with key card access only.
Rooms in these Deluxe categories tend to offer more square footage in their rooms, have separate bedrooms, living areas, and private balconies. Some of these suites feature luxuries such as private whirlpool tubs, king-size beds, dedicated butler staff, and lavish decor.
Suites and luxury cabins tend to book up quickly on board because there are fewer of these rooms on board. For example, there may be a few hundred standard ocean view rooms on board a ship, but only ten premier suites.
Interior cabins
(Inside stateroom aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship, Norwegian Prima)
Inside cabins are often the most numerous cabins on board cruise ships. These rooms tend to be the most economical and offer the best deals to travelers. These rooms offer standard amenities for guests and are an excellent introductory cruise cabin for passengers.
Although these rooms are often the most numerous on board, they usually offer the best deals and therefore fill up quite quickly.
Interior or interior cabins are as described. They usually don’t have a window or a way to see outside. These rooms usually have a queen bed which can be converted into two twin beds upon request. These rooms, although smaller, can comfortably accommodate two people and are often cozy and a great place to call home on board.
Due to their favorable price, it is recommended that guests planning a cruise book these interior rooms as soon as possible. Booking these rooms early in the cruise planning process can help secure the best onboard price.
Cabins for solo travelers
(Example of a solo cabin on board the MSC)
Solo Cruiser cabins are relatively new to the cruise industry, but are rapidly gaining popularity. These staterooms are designed specifically for solo travelers and sometimes offer access to exclusive areas of the ship, such as solo traveler lounges.
These rooms are generally the smallest on board and have a studio-like layout. These rooms generally have a small twin bed or a large bed, a bathroom, a small office area and a television. These rooms are generally classified as interior and therefore do not have a window to the exterior of the ship. However, some cruise lines offer different categories of solo cabins, and some of these categories offer solo travelers their own windows or even balconies.
Some popular cruise lines that have Solo Traveler cabins are: Celebrity Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
The only pet-friendly cruise
What is very rare in the cruise industry are ships that allow pets on board. Currently, there is only one cruise line and one ship that allows pets on board; Cunard’s ship, the Queen Mary 2. This ship is well known for its transatlantic routes from New York to Southhampton in England, and back.
“Dogs and cats continue to travel across the Atlantic in style on board the Queen Mary 2. There are 24 kennels, plenty of room to play and an owner’s lounge. In order not to cause homesickness, British dogs familiarize themselves with a lamp post taken from the Cunard building in Liverpool and dogs in the United States naturally take advantage of a fire hydrant in New York,” notes Cunard about accommodation of passengers’ furry friends on board.
Because it is the only cruise ship that allows pets on board, it is very rare to have a cabin on board, as well as space for your four-legged friend. Cunard currently operates a waiting list in order to secure a cabin on board, as well as a kennel for guest pets. Many passengers wishing to travel on this ship often have to book their crossings more than a year in advance, then join the waiting list and hope they can secure a place on the desired sailing. Currently, the only way to get on the pet travel waitlist is to make a reservation. There are a very limited number of kennels on board Queen Mary 2, and interested passengers should book as soon as they can, in order to have the best chance of securing space for their pets.
Conclusion
Here are some of the cruise ship cabins that tend to book up the fastest. The cruise industry has grown so much over the past few decades that most ships have cabins of many categories to choose from.
Most cruise lines have cabins tailored to each customer’s desires and budgets.
Which cabin will you choose for your next trip?
