How To Find The Best Rooms On A Cruise Ship
Picture this: You’re gliding across the ocean, champagne in hand, soaking in breathtaking views from your private balcony. Sounds like a dream vacation, right? Or maybe you’re looking forward to taking your kids to the pool and want a room that makes it easy. Our rooms are the best in the industry, and you’ll want to choose one that meets your needs and helps you create the adventure of a lifetime.
When researching how to plan a cruise, the most important detail (after selecting a destination) is choosing cabin accommodations on the cruise ship. From cozy interior cabins to sprawling suites with VIP perks, each stateroom offers a different experience, but how do you know which one is right for you? Whether you're after budget-friendly comfort or luxury at sea, Princess has a cabin that suits your travel style. Read on for tips on how to choose the best rooms on a cruise ship to create the perfect Princess experience.
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First-time cruisers guide on how to choose the best room on a cruise ship
Setting sail on a Princess cruise? You’ve picked out the perfect destination, but now it’s time to pick your room. What’s the best room for your first-time cruise? The answer will depend on your own preferences, but many Princess guests pick their rooms based on these criteria:
Views and balconies
You’re standing on a balcony overlooking the crystal blue ocean while basking in the tropical sun. For some guests, having a spectacular view from their room is a priority for their trip — while others love a cozy escape. These are some of the different views and balconies that you can choose from:
- Interior rooms. These cabins don’t have a window, but that just makes them the perfect place to enjoy sleeping in on your vacation. They’re often the best budget pick and a great fit for people who want to relax and enjoy a cozy, intimate space.
- Oceanview rooms. Enjoy a room with a window that has a sea view, without a balcony. They’re perfect for the guests who want to pull back the curtains and enjoy the natural light that shines through each morning and watch the waves.
- Balcony rooms. Step outside of your room for a minute and take in a view with your own private balcony that faces out to sea. This might be the right fit for you if you want to sit out on your own private deck and relax.
- Mini-Suite rooms. A complimentary glass of bubbly isn’t the only perk you enjoy when you choose a Mini-Suite. It’s substantially larger than a balcony stateroom and includes a separate seating area with a sofa bed and two flat-panel TVs — perfect for families who want the extra space to spread out and relax.
- Suite rooms. When you book a Suite you get some of the most luxurious rooms on the ship, but it’s more than a room. With a Suite, you get premium amenities like priority disembarkation, access to private lounges, priority reservations at speciality dining restaurants, and upgraded furnishings.
Some of your options can be combined to create your perfect vacation room; for example, you could get an oceanview suite with a balcony where you have a front-row seat to all the best views, the top Princess luxuries, and extra space.
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Space and capacity
Depending on the size of your party, you might have unique space needs. If you’re a couple on a romantic getaway, you can fit in any room, but you might love the perks of upgrading to a cruise package or choosing a special suite to commemorate your relationship. Families might want to book connecting rooms, so everyone can get together quickly.
Even without extra company, you might want a little extra space to stretch out. Staterooms and suites come with more square footage to help you feel right at home, like a sofa, large bathroom and a spacious closet.
Sun Princess® and Star Princess® Sanctuary Collection
Aboard Sun Princess® and Star Princess® ships, you can choose the Sanctuary Collection package, which includes:
- Premium stateroom location
- Exclusive access to the Sanctuary Restaurant with no reservations required Sanctuary Collection dining options without having to make a reservation
- Priority specialty dining reservations
- Exclusive access to adult-only (16+) top-deck space, the Sanctuary Club
- Suite guests can access the Access to the Signature Suite Lounge, the perfect spot to sip your morning coffee and relax
- Option to book a suite, mini-suite or balcony room
- Priority disembarkation at tender ports where there are no docks and the end of your cruise
- The Princess Luxury Bed designed by sleep specialists
- Complimentary one-time wine set-up on embarkation day, with one full bottle of wine
- Complimentary premium evening canapés upon request
- Upgraded terry shawl bathrobes
Aboard Sun Princess® and Star Princess® ships, you can choose the Sanctuary Collection package, which includes:
- Premium stateroom location
- Exclusive access to the Sanctuary Restaurant with no reservations required Sanctuary Collection dining options without having to make a reservation
- Priority specialty dining reservations
- Exclusive access to adult-only (16+) top-deck space, the Sanctuary Club
- Suite guests can access the Access to the Signature Suite Lounge, the perfect spot to sip your morning coffee and relax
- Option to book a suite, mini-suite or balcony room
- Priority disembarkation at tender ports where there are no docks and the end of your cruise
- The Princess Luxury Bed designed by sleep specialists
- Complimentary one-time wine set-up on embarkation day, with one full bottle of wine
- Complimentary premium evening canapés upon request
- Upgraded terry shawl bathrobes
Reserve Collection
Does your dream vacation involve private dining, private dining and upgraded amenities? If so, then you’re going to want to book a Reserve Collection suite or mini-suite with upgraded furniture, more convenience, and the best food on the seven seas. These are some of the different levels of perks and amenities you can find with the Reserve Collection available on all ships but Sun Princess® and Star Princess®:
- Upgraded dining. This lets you enjoy your meals in a special area of the main dining room — with no reservation required! Enjoy expedited seating and personalized service from a dedicated wait staff. Plus you’ll get additional menu options, so you can enjoy the best food on the seven seas.
- Unparalleled amenities. These include prime stateroom locations, priority disembarkation and premium bathrobes so fluffy that you’ll never want to take them off. Plus you get the best of the best in your room with upgraded furniture — including the sleep expert approved Princess Luxury Bed — and 24-hour room service.
- Maximum relaxation and comfort. Sit back and relax with a welcome bottle of wine and complimentary premium canapés on demand. Sit back on your upgraded patio furniture and enjoy the views with the peace of mind that Princess will take care of the rest.
Deciding what your dream vacation involves can help you determine which package would be a good fit for your Princess experience.
Location on the ship
Want to be closer to the pool? Hoping to be able to roll out of bed and walk only a few feet to breakfast? Whether you’re looking for proximity to the drink station or thinking about potential sea sickness, these are some of the factors you might keep in mind:
- Sea sickness. If you’re prone to motion sickness, you might want to choose a room on the lower deck and middle of the ship for more stability. These rooms typically experience less movement, so you have a haven to relax. Balcony rooms are another great option for sea sickness because you’ll have access to fresh air whenever you’re feeling a little queasy.
- Activity proximity. Depending on what your dream vacation looks like, you might want to be close (or very far) from ship activities like spas, pools, dining venues, clubs, lounges, elevators, and shows. If there’s a particular spot you want easy access to, pick a room nearby. When in doubt, choose a mid-ship room. Almost all of them are close enough to elevators, and you’ll be able to get back to your room without a trek down the hall.
Noise. If you’re on a romantic getaway, you probably don’t want to hear kids splashing in the pool. Depending on what your vacation entails or your own comfort, you might want to choose quieter rooms away from the main activity areas. A room directly next to an elevator is incredibly convenient if you’re an early riser.
Best rooms on a cruise ship
The best room on a cruise ship depends on your own needs and preferences. You might prioritize room location and amenities while somebody else chooses the best budget pick. To decide what room to choose, evaluate all of these factors and determine what’s most important for your vacation. There’s no right answer for what room to pick, and you’ll have a wonderful vacation no matter where you choose to stay.
Best rooms for cruising on a budget
Cruising on a budget? Interior rooms are typically your best choice. While these rooms don’t come with a view, they include twin beds (which can turn into a queen in most rooms), 100% Egyptian cotton sheets, a TV, a mini-fridge, daily housekeeping and a dedicated stateroom steward. When you cruise with Princess, no matter what room you choose, you’ll be sailing in comfort.
A peek inside Princess suites
Premier rooms and upgraded suites
When you book a suite, you can enjoy these perks:
- Bigger bathroom size, more toiletry products, and comfy robes
- The best views from your private balcony*
- Larger patio sizes and upgraded furniture
- Access to special lounges and areas
- Complimentary Services
- Complimentary laundry and dry cleaning
- Suite experience manager to help with all your onboard reservations
- Reservations at shows and events, so you don’t miss anything
*Some Suites have windows rather than balconies and are labeled as Window Suites.
The luxury experience from Princess lets you sit back and relax as you enjoy the vacation of a lifetime.
Learn more about Princess cruise rooms to get started picking out the perfect room for your upcoming vacation.