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The Best and Worst Cabins on Icon of the Seas

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsCruise TipsRoyal Caribbean

Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, has 2,805 staterooms and suites. And within those, there are 28 different categories of room. So how can you pick the one that’s best for you?

The 'Icon of the Seas' cruise ship by Royal Caribbean sails on calm seas during a vibrant sunset, with a coastal landscape in the background. This massive white ship features an array of amenities visible on the top decks, including colorful water slides and outdoor pools.

In this guide, I’m going to give you a rundown of all 28 cabin categories. I’ll tell you which are the best, as well as specific cabins to avoid. I’ll be using real customer reviews, taking an in-depth look at the deck plans and much more.

After reading this guide, you’ll be able to decide which stateroom or suite will best meet your needs aboard Icon of the Seas. So let’s go!

Icon of the Seas cabins – an overview

At the most basic level, there are four broad categories of stateroom/suite on Icon of the Seas. All of those 28 categories of cabin I mentioned fit into one of those four categories.

Room Sleeps Size (inc balcony)
Interior 2 to 4 157 to 187 sq ft
Ocean View 2 to 4 160 to 258 sq ft
Balcony 2 to 6 196 to 285 sq ft
Suite 2 to 8 322 to 1,772 sq ft

Interior Staterooms

Interior view of a stateroom on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas' featuring a cozy arrangement. The room includes a round wooden table, a plush gray sofa, a comfortable bed with white and blue bedding, and colorful throw pillows. Artwork and mirrors decorate the walls, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere.

Here’s a quick list of all the interior stateroom options:

  • Interior
  • Interior Plus
  • Spacious Interior
  • Surfside Family View Interior
  • Central Park View Interior

Traditionally, an interior stateroom is one that has no windows, and therefore no natural light. This makes them the least desirable option for many guests, but also the cheapest.

Suggested read: Why I (Almost) Always Choose an Inside Cabin for a Family Cruise

That’s broadly true on Icon of the Seas too, but not entirely. Two of the interior stateroom options have a window that faces the inside spaces in the ship, namely Central Park or Surfside. 

Interior view of another stateroom aboard Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas,' showcasing modern amenities and décor. The room features a plush bed with blue and white bedding, colorful accent pillows, a beige sofa, and a small work desk with an oval mirror. A large porthole-style window provides a view of the ship's exterior passageways, adding natural light to the space.

They might be a good option if you want some natural light, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them – more on that later.

Interior Plus only has additional storage space, so it’s not really a bigger stateroom. If you want a larger interior room, choose the Spacious Interior option.

Ocean View Staterooms

Elegantly appointed ocean view stateroom on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas,' featuring a large bed with pristine white linens and vibrant blue and orange accent pillows. A large porthole window offers a serene view of the ocean, complemented by stylish furnishings including a beige sofa, a flat-screen TV, and a small work area with modern amenities.

There are only two types of ocean view stateroom on Icon of the Seas:

  • Ocean View
  • Panoramic Ocean View

As the name suggests, a Panoramic Ocean View is a larger stateroom with a much better view. They’re all situated on Deck 14, and you do get quite an impressive sight when you look out of the window.

Otherwise, the standard Ocean View rooms are a good alternative to an Interior, especially if you want to see the sea but you don’t want to pay for a Balcony room. You can get them from Decks 3 to 11. I’d recommend the lowest decks if you suffer from seasickness.

Balcony Staterooms

Balcony stateroom on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas' featuring a stylish and spacious interior. This room offers a bed with blue and white bedding, a large gray sofa adorned with colorful throw pillows, and a balcony view of the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows. The room is further enhanced by contemporary artwork, a wooden desk with a yellow chair, and a carpet with blue tones.

There are an impressive number of stateroom options available if you want a Balcony room:

  • Ocean View Balcony
  • Ocean View Large Balcony
  • Infinite Ocean View Balcony
  • Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony
  • Connecting Ocean View Balcony
  • Central Park View Balcony
  • Infinite Central Park View Balcony
  • Surfside Family View Balcony

You can see from the list that there’s a mix of balcony and infinite balcony options. The regular balconies are those you’d expect from a cruise ship, with a sliding or hinged door that opens into an outside balcony area.

Infinite balconies are different, in that there isn’t really a separate balcony. Instead you get a section of the stateroom to treat as a balcony, and an infinity window that lets you slide down the entire upper half of the window.

View from the 'Infinite Balcony' aboard Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas,' showing a bustling port scene. The large window frames a view of colorful cargo containers and the port infrastructure, blending the indoor comfort with the industrial exterior. A subtle, wicker chair is partially visible, enhancing the room's connection to the outdoor scenery.

Some guests have complained in reviews about this, saying they didn’t realise what they were paying for:

“I booked two connecting rooms which were suppose to be infinity ocean view deck. The room was ocean view but did not have a deck. It was a large window which came partially down. Paid more money for this room which was told to me by the Royal Caribbean agents was a larger deck ocean room not ocean view no deck.”

Many of the balcony staterooms don’t face the ocean, but instead face either the Central Park or Surfside internal neighbourhood.

This means someone will have a balcony stateroom directly opposite you as well! But they are cheaper than balcony rooms with an ocean view.

Lively central park area inside Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas,' featuring multiple levels of staterooms with colorful shutters in red, orange, and yellow. The open-air atrium is bustling with activity, adorned with green plants, outdoor seating areas, and a curving pathway, creating a vibrant community space onboard the cruise ship.

Finally, a quick but important note on Guarantee staterooms. Each category of stateroom (Inside, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite) has a Guarantee option. This is cheaper, but you’ll be assigned a room by the cruise line instead of choosing your own. It’s a risky move, but one that some people prefer due to the lower cost.

Within the Balcony category, if you want to make sure your room is in a neighbourhood or has an ocean view, you can actually select a Balcony Guarantee OR a Neighbourhood Balcony Guarantee.

Suites

Aerial view of a luxurious suite on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas.' The suite features an expansive balcony with multiple lounging areas, both shaded and sunlit, furnished with blue and white upholstered chairs and sofas. Inside, the suite is elegantly decorated with a plush seating area, a dining space, and private sleeping quarters, all designed with a cohesive nautical theme.

Finally, there are the suites on Icon of the Seas. There are loads of these! They range from the entry-level Junior Suites all the way up to the very best multi-storey suites, such as the Ultimate Family Townhouse and the Royal Loft Suite.

Suites are the most expensive accommodation, but come with a host of extra perks, depending on which suite you choose. They’re also the most spacious options. So if you like to spend a lot of time relaxing in your own private space, they’re worth considering.

With so many suite options, it’s best to read my dedicated guide to Icon of the Seas suites if you want to know more about them.

The Cabins To Avoid On Icon Of The Seas

Here are the cabins that you might want to avoid, although it’ll depend on your personal preferences.

1. Surfside Staterooms if you don’t have kids

Vibrant and colorful view of the Surfside neighborhood on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas.' This bustling area showcases a playful design with multicolored floors, bright beach umbrellas, and various recreational activities. Overlooking this lively scene are multiple levels of staterooms with pastel-colored balconies, while towering water slides curl down into the area, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

Surfside is a fantastic new addition to Icon of the Seas. This is a neighbourhood specifically targeted to younger families, primarily with kids aged between 0 and 6. They have attractions suitable for them, spaces for parents to unwind, and accommodation that’s family-friendly.

However, young kids can be noisy! Not all of them, but you shouldn’t expect peace and quiet in an area of the ship designed for fun, especially if you have balconies near the pools where the sound’s going to carry.

So if you don’t have young kids, it’s best to avoid booking the Surfside Family View Interior Staterooms, but especially the Surfside Family View Balcony Staterooms and Surfside Family Suites. 

2. Rooms directly below Chill Island

14164 to 14286, 14565 to 14686

Common advice when booking any cruise cabin is to try to avoid any staterooms directly under the pool. The main pools on Icon to be concerned with are around Chill Island, which hosts several pools, whirlpools and loungers.

Busy pool deck scene at 'Chill Island' on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas,' featuring a large, vibrant swimming area. Guests relax in blue sun loungers and enjoy the water in circular pools, while others gather under a large white canopy. The area is accented with colorful, vertical stripes, creating a lively, vacation-ready atmosphere.

The area can be pretty noisy, both early in the morning and late at night. The crew will often be moving loungers around, which can scrape on the floor. Then at the end of the day they’ll stack the chairs, which can cause more noise disruption. And that’s without the sound of people enjoying Chill Island during the day!

The early mornings and late nights are more of a concern though, so best to avoid these rooms if you value a lie-in or an early night.

3. Rooms below The Hideaway

14288 to 14350, 14352 to 14362, 14688 to 14750, 14752 to 14762

I’ve already explained how the kids’ area and pool area can be quite loud. Surprisingly, the adults-only space can also be one of the worst offenders for noise!

Dynamic view of 'The Hideaway' pool area on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas,' bustling with activity. This vibrant deck features a large rectangular pool flanked by pink and white loungers, and is overshadowed by towering, multicolored water slides. Guests enjoy the sun and water in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.

Icon of the Seas doesn’t have a peaceful Solarium, like many other Royal Caribbean ships do. Instead it has The Hideaway, a space with an infinity pool, bar and some luxurious day beds to enjoy. But this definitely has more of a party atmosphere.

So if you book a stateroom directly below The Hideaway, don’t be surprised to hear loud music above you.

4. Rooms close to the AquaDome

12134 to 12162, 12530 to 12562, 14538 to 14562, 14138 to 14162

This is another new neighbourhood for Royal Caribbean. It’s close to the AquaDome with a modern space that offers entertainment throughout the day and evening, with some amazing productions to enjoy.

Spectacular performance at the AquaDome on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas.' The dome-shaped venue is bathed in vibrant purple lighting, featuring a circular water stage where an acrobat performs mid-air, surrounded by cascading water curtains. The audience, filling the surrounding seats, watches in awe, creating an immersive and theatrical atmosphere.

Those productions often use a lot of music, with a pretty thumping bass track. There are also rehearsals, but they tend to happen during the day when you’re more likely to be exploring the ship or ashore.

Still, if you’re likely to be tucked up in bed a little earlier, stay clear of this part of the ship when choosing your stateroom. 

5. Surfside and Central Park Interior Staterooms

These two odd stateroom categories could be a great choice for a lot of people. Personally, I’m not too sure. 

Although technically classed as an ‘Interior’ room, they do offer some natural light through a reasonably sized window. They’re also bigger than standard Interior or Spacious Interior Staterooms, so they have that going for them.

But I don’t know how often you’ll want to have your curtains open in these rooms. There is a serious amount of foot traffic walking right past your stateroom window, meaning any sense of privacy is essentially gone.

View from the window of an interior stateroom on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas,' overlooking the ship's colorful and lively Surfside neighborhood. The window frames a bustling children's area featuring a whimsical carousel under a large blue and white striped umbrella, surrounded by vibrant playground equipment and seating areas.

Interior-facing balcony staterooms also have some privacy issues, since you’re directly opposite someone else, although that’s not as bad. At worst, you’re exposed when enjoying your balcony, or to the room directly across from you.

But the interior rooms that are right at eye-level for anyone walking past in Surfside or Central Park? I’m not a fan.

6. Suites forward and high if you get seasick

Aerial view of Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas' during sunset, highlighting two prominent features with red arrows pointing at them. The ship is seen cruising through calm waters, showcasing its massive structure and colorful top deck activities including water slides and pools, against a backdrop of scattered islands under a glowing sky.

Icon of the Seas utilises all kinds of amazing technology, including the very latest in stabilisers.

However, tech can’t do everything, and the ship is utterly massive. So it’s going to rock when it hits rough seas, and there’s no way of preventing that.

The general advice for anyone who suffers from seasickness is to stay in cabins on lower decks, in the middle of the ship. They should ideally have an ocean-facing balcony too, as it can help to have fresh air and a horizon to focus on.

Many of the top suites on Icon of the Seas are situated on Decks 16, 17 and 18, right at the front of the ship. That’s the worst area you could be in if you feel seasick. So if you get it pretty bad, I’d look elsewhere.

7. Rooms with sofa beds if your kids are bigger

Well-appointed stateroom on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas' featuring a serene ocean view through a large window. The room is elegantly furnished with a gray sofa, a yellow chair at a small desk, and a comfortable bed adorned with blue and white bedding accented with colorful pillows. Artwork of tropical leaves and minimalist designs add a touch of sophistication to the space.

Here’s something I didn’t expect to be an issue for a ship this modern, but it’s a comment I saw several times when researching!

Icon of the Seas has moved away from using pull-down Pullman beds for kids, and instead prioritises sofa beds where possible. On many ships that would be preferable, because there’s no risk of children falling out (or, more likely, adults bumping their heads on the bed).

But the sofa beds in many of the staterooms aren’t very big. If you’ve got an older child, or two smaller children who want to share, you might find that it’s a bit uncomfortable for them:

“There is just one major item where we felt that RC Royally messed up on which I hope they address for the future ships is the new sofa bed is awful for a family of 4 sharing a balcony room!”

If you’re travelling with older kids, it’s best to look at staterooms or suites that are larger, and have better bed options than these sofa beds. You want to make sure they’re fully rested for all the activities!

The Best Rooms On Icon Of The Seas

The vast majority of cabin options on Icon of the Seas are pretty good. Even if you do get one that’s not ideal, you probably won’t be too upset considering how much time you’ll spend outside of your room.

I’ve picked out some of the new stateroom/suite categories as the best ones. Unsurprisingly, they’re all aimed at families, since the ship is very family-oriented.

Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony

Family-friendly Infinite Ocean View Balcony stateroom on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas.' The room features a cozy bunk bed setup with a bottom twin bed and a top loft-style bed, a playful yellow-striped ceiling, and nautical-themed décor. A small desk area with a chalkboard, books, and maritime-inspired accessories create a fun and inviting space for children.

Of all the different balcony cabin options for families, this one’s probably the best, and that’s mainly down to the layout of the room.

As I’ve mentioned, many of the family rooms use smaller sofa beds. However, the Family Infinite Ocean View has a separate bedroom area, with cool bunk beds that each have their own TV. So as long as there’s no arguments about the volume, everyone can watch what they want!

The room also has a split bathroom, which is a huge perk that not many Royal Caribbean staterooms can offer. Having a shower while your children use their own toilet, instead of interrupting you, is a bigger win than it might sound!

These are the best and the most spacious balcony staterooms. You’ll pay a premium compared to other balcony options, but it’s still cheaper than choosing a suite. It’s absolutely worth the extra money if you’re travelling with kids, especially older kids who would struggle on a sofa bed.

Surfside Family Suite (with young children)

The Surfside Family Suite on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas' offers a spacious and stylish living area. The room features a large bed with navy blue accents, a comfortable sitting area with modern chairs and a round table, and contemporary artwork on the walls. Large sliding glass doors open onto a balcony overlooking the colorful and vibrant Surfside neighborhood below.

The Surfside Family Suite might be an odd choice for one of the ‘best’ rooms, since it is facing the often-noisy Surfside area and only has a sofa bed for children.

But for younger kids, I think it’s great. That sofa bed is in a half-bedroom of its own, which can be partitioned off and has its own huge TV.

If you’re travelling with younger children, you can let them enjoy their own entertainment while you unwind in the spacious main suite area. And again, you have the perks of a split bathroom.

The Surfside Family Suite is a Sky Class suite, which means it’s considered a mid-tier suite. There are many additional extras, including access to The Grove sun deck when the kids are in Adventure Ocean, access to the Coastal Kitchen and the Suite Lounge, and priority dining reservations. 

You also get VOOM internet included, which is perfect if your kids prefer to watch their favourite shows on a tablet or phone.

The Family Infinite Balcony is a better choice for older kids. But I’d say the suite perks for parents, and the proximity to Surfside, make this the best choice for young families who aren’t super-rich.

However, if you ARE super-rich…

Ultimate Family Townhouse

Aerial view of the Ultimate Family Townhouse on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas.' This unique suite is spread over multiple levels and features an assortment of family-friendly amenities, including an outdoor slide into a private pool, colorful play areas, and various lounging spaces. The suite overlooks the ocean, blending luxurious living spaces with exhilarating outdoor activities, perfect for family entertainment.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse really is the best of the best when it comes to family suite accommodations. The price tag is a serious caveat – expect to pay around £20,000 per person for a week. It really is a suite only for those with a huge amount of money to spend.

It has an amazing location on the aft corner of the ship. There is direct access to the Surfside neighbourhood from its own picket-fenced backyard area, which is super-cute. 

It’s a three-storey suite and super-spacious, around 11 times the size of an Interior Stateroom. The perks include separate bedrooms for kids and parents, gaming tables, a karaoke machine, a slide from the upper levels, a piano staircase (that plays notes as you walk up or down it), and much more.

Close-up view of the Ultimate Family Townhouse on Royal Caribbean's 'Icon of the Seas.' This multi-story suite features expansive glass balconies offering panoramic views of the sea and the ship's vibrant Surfside neighborhood below. The suite includes playful outdoor areas with slides and pools, and luxurious indoor spaces with modern furnishings, all designed to cater to a high-energy, family vacation experience.

Plus, as a Star Class suite, you get complimentary gratuities, complimentary drinks packages, and your own Royal Genie (essentially a butler).

Sure, most people reading this will never book the Ultimate Family Townhouse. But it’s called ‘Ultimate’ for a reason, so I had to include it. 

Read more about the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…

Final word

Icon of the Seas is still a relatively new cruise ship. So the recommendations in this guide are a little broad, and are based on real customer reviews and my investigation of the deck plans.

There might be odd staterooms or suites that have an unusual quirk or issue. These are likely to come to light as more people sail on the ship. If you’ve experienced anything like that, please let me know in the comments so I can add it to the list!

Generally, the ship’s accommodations are comfortable and very modern. Most people will have an incredible cruise onboard, with their stateroom often just being used for sleep, showering and getting dressed.

If you want to book a particular cabin on Icon of the Seas, you can check to see if someone has reviewed it already. Here are some of the resources I used to write this guide:

Related Posts:

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The Best & Worst Rooms on the Ship

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsCruise TipsPrincess Cruises

The Grand Princess was the largest cruise ship in the world when she first launched in 1998, although she has of course been surpassed since. Yet the former Princess Cruises flagship remains a popular choice for many cruise passengers.

grand princess cruise ship rooms

She is part of the Grand Class of ships for Princess, and also a part of the wider Grand Class of ships that was built for both Princess and P&O Cruises, which includes six other ships still in the Princess fleet.

If you’re considering booking a cruise on the Grand Princess, make sure you read this guide first. Here I’ll tell you about all the different cabin options on-board, and which ones you may wish to avoid, depending on your own preferences for your holiday.

Grand Princess Cabin Types

There are seven main types of accommodation on Grand Princess.

Accommodation Sleeps Size (incl. balcony)
Interior 2 to 4 160 to 182 sq. ft.
Oceanview 2 to 4 163 to 171 sq. ft
Premium Oceanview 2 206 sq. ft
Balcony 2 to 4 232 to 274 sq. ft.
Premium Balcony 2 to 4 274 sq. ft.
Mini Suite 2 to 4 323 sq. ft.
Suite 2 to 6 319 to 730 sq. ft.

Not every ship in the Princess fleet has Oceanview rooms, but Grand Princess does, including some at the front of the ship that let you look ahead to where you’re sailing. But the majority of rooms on the ship are either Interior, Balcony or Premium Balcony.

However, the decision of which room you should book is a lot more than just picking a cabin type. There’s a lot to consider, as within each type there are different categories, some of which are better than others, and then you also need to think about the location on the ship as well, and how close you want to be to certain facilities (or how far away, if you want a quieter room).

Because there’s a lot to think about, I’ve made a checklist that tells you everything you need to be aware of. And you can get it free here:

Grand Princess Inside Cabins

grand princess inside cabin

On most cruise ships, the most ‘basic’ accommodation you can book is an interior or inside cabin, and Grand Princess is no different. These rooms are on the inside of the ship, as the name suggests, which means you don’t have any windows for natural light. 

They’re normally designed for two people but there are some that can sleep four. Often inside rooms are the smallest on a ship, but there are some smaller Oceanview cabins on Grand Princess – though not by much.

These rooms are ideal for anyone who either doesn’t like to be woken up by sunlight, and thinks they may get a better sleep without any windows, or for anyone who just isn’t too bothered by having a nice view. After all, there are plenty of open decks where you can go when you do want to see the sea.

And interior cabins are the cheapest available, which frees up more of your budget for onboard activities or even for your next cruise. There are some wheelchair-accessible interior cabins on Grand Princess, and they’re some of the most spacious rooms on the ship that aren’t suites.

Beds are flexible – they’re normally twin beds that can be converted into a double – while the cabins that sleep up to four will have Pullman beds that are more suited to children but can support some adults.

Pullman beds are either fold-down from the wall, or they’re hidden in the ceiling, and on Grand Princess, it’s the fold-down from the wall version. These aren’t as good, because people in the twin beds can bump their heads on the Pullman even when folded up.

Grand Princess Inside Cabin Grades

Every cabin on Grand Princess has a two-letter code that tells you the grade. The first letter makes clear the cabin type, while the second character (a mix of numbers and letters) tells you where it is on the ship, and what sub-type of room it is.

Inside cabins begin with I, and the second letter runs from A to F. A is considered the best due to the location, while F is the worst. Costs vary, so an IA will cost more than an IF – if you want the best location, you have to pay a little more.

Grade Sleeps up to Average size (sq ft)
IA 2 160
IB 4 160
IC 2 160 – 182
ID 2 160
IE 2 160
IF 4 160

Grand Princess Oceanview Cabins

grand princess ocean view

If you want to enjoy a view from your room, or the thought of no natural light leaves you feeling a bit cramped, then an Oceanview is the next step up. Cheaper than a Balcony, you tend to get just a little more space than an Interior cabin, but more importantly some view of the ocean.

Bear in mind that some of the Oceanview cabins on Grand Princess have an obstructed view, either caused by the lifeboats or by the bridge at the front of the ship. These are cheaper, so if you’re not so worried about the view and just want some sunlight, these could be ideal.

And if you want a little more floor space, you can choose a Premium Oceanview cabin – they’re around 20% bigger. Also be aware that the OE cabins only have a porthole – these don’t offer a great deal of light or an amazing view, but they are a little cheaper than some other cabins.

Grand Princess Oceanview Cabin Grades

Grade Type Sleeps up to Average size (sq ft)
O3 Premium Oceanview 2 206
OC Oceanview 2 163 – 171
OE Oceanview (Porthole) 2 168
OF Oceanview 2 163 – 171
OV Oceanview (Obstructed) 4 168
OW Oceanview (Obstructed) 2 168
OY Oceanview (Obstructed) 2 168
OZ Oceanview (Obstructed) 2 168

Grand Princess Balcony Cabins

grand princess balcony cabin

Looking for a little more space again, and the chance to soak up some fresh air from the comfort of your own room? That’s when you want a Balcony cabin. These have sliding doors opening onto your own miniature veranda where you’ll have a couple of chairs and you can sit and relax with a view.

Within the Balcony category, there are a couple of different options available – Balcony and Premium Balcony. Premium Balconies have more space and are in some premium locations, including the aft of the ship overlooking the wake.

Grand Princess Balcony Cabin Grades

Grade Type Sleeps up to Average size (sq ft)
B2 Premium Balcony 4 274
B4 Premium Balcony 4 274
BA Balcony 4 232
BB Balcony 4 232
BC Balcony 4 232
BD Balcony 3 232 – 274
BE Balcony 2 232 – 274
BF Balcony 2 232

Grand Princess Mini Suites

grand princess mini suite

The Mini Suites on Grand Princess are a middle step between a Balcony stateroom and a full-size suite. This has some plusses and some drawbacks – you get more space, and you get a few extra benefits, but not as many as if you were to make the step up all the way to a full suite. However, you’re also not paying the same price as you would be for a Suite, so there is that to consider as well.

The perks you get in a Mini Suite on Grand Princess are:

  • A separate sitting area in your suite, with a sofa bed and a coffee table
  • A curtain so that you can separate the sofa bed from the main bed area, creating two bedrooms
  • An extra TV – the usual one facing the bed, and a second in the sitting area
  • A better bathroom that has a bathtub and a massage shower
  • An upgraded bed, that has better pillows and a plump mattress topper
  • Additional balcony chairs – up to four (instead of the normal two)
  • A glass of sparkling wine as you board the ship
canapes
Complimentary canapes are available on request

Grand Princess Mini Suite Grades

Grade Type Sleeps up to Average size (sq ft)
M1 Club Class Mini Suite 3 323
MB Mini Suite 4 323
MD Mini Suite 4 323
ME Mini Suite 4 323

Club Class Mini Suites

If Mini Suites are a halfway house between Balcony cabins and Suites, then Club Class are a two-thirds house…in that they’re a premium subclass of Mini Suites that have some additional perks, despite not being any larger.

Grand Princess Club Class Mini Suite perks:

  • Priority embarkation and disembarkation queues at the start and the end of your cruise
  • An even comfier bed
  • Bathrobes provided for each guest for the duration of the cruise (don’t steal them!)
  • A half bottle of red wine and a half bottle of white wine in your Mini Suite on embarkation day
  • Evening canapes served in your room (on request)
  • Access to an exclusive seating area in the Main Dining Room, with additional menu options to choose from.
back shot of a man and woman

If you’re thinking about making the step up to a Mini Suite or a Club Class Mini Suite, it’s worth taking the time to consider whether these extra benefits are worth it to you. And if they are, then you might also want to pay a little more for a full-sized Suite.

If the suite perks aren’t something you want to pay more for, then it’s not worth booking a Club Class Mini Suite, although you may prefer the extra room that a regular Mini Suite gives you compared to a Balcony cabin.

Grand Princess Suites

grand princess suite

If you want to really live the high life, or you just want the most space to be able to relax in the privacy of your own room, then a Suite is the way to go. Grand Princess has some fantastic Suite options, giving you all of the perks of a Club Class Mini Suite, as well as a long list of additional extras as well.

Grand Princess Suite Perks:

  • Priority queues for embarkation and disembarkation, and for shore excursions/tenders
  • Priority lines for booking shore excursions and for guest services desks
  • Priority booking for the speciality dining venues
  • Access to the Club Class Dining area of the Main Dining Room with its extra menu choices
  • Access to the exclusive Lotus Spa Thermal Suite
  • An upgraded room service menu to choose from
  • Your boarding drink is upgraded to Champagne
  • A free mini bar in you room, a fruit bowl (topped up on request) and a fresh vase of orchids in your suite for your arrival
  • A free mimosa served at breakfast every day
  • A twice-daily ice service
  • Tea served in your suite
  • A cruise card wallet
  • Complimentary use of umbrellas as necessary
  • Free laundry, dry cleaning and shoe-shining
  • One free private portrait photograph taken by the ship’s photographer

Grand Princess Suite Grades

Grade Type Sleeps up to Average size (sq ft)
S1 Grand Suite 4 730
S2 Owner’s Suite 4 692
S3 Penthouse Suite 4 468 – 473
S4 Penthouse Suite 4 536
S6 Vista Suite 4 484 – 527
S7 Window Suite 3 319 – 341
S8 Family Suite 6 595

Grand Vs. Owner’s Vs. Penthouse Vs. Vista Vs. Window

There are six different types of Suite on the Grand Princess, although one of those is a speciality category aimed at families – more on that below.

But when comparing the other suites, the best is the Grand Suite. There are two Grand Suites, situated high on the ship on Deck 14 in a mid-ship location, giving them great access to the pools and other facilities on the higher decks. They’re the most spacious suites on the ship with a large, wide balcony.

The two Owner’s Suites are situated on Deck 11, occupying the aft corners. They’re also exceptionally spacious, and have fantastic views across the wake.

Some of the Penthouse Suites are also situated at the aft in a more central location, as are the smaller Vista Suites – although they are on a lower deck, so you don’t get quite as expansive a view.

The S4 Penthouse Suites are situated mid-ship, and while these views aren’t as sought after, it does mean that you’re closer to all of the amenities of the ship. If you want to head to the Lotus Spa then you’re a lot closer than an Owner’s Suite guest.

The Window Suites are on Deck 6 and are situated mid-ship, right next to the casino. They’re the only suites to not have a balcony, but they are much more spacious that other ocean view rooms.

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Special Cabin Types

Grand Princess Aft Rooms

Most people covet an aft room because of the views you can enjoy. Looking out of the wake is pretty exciting, and you’re sheltered from a lot of the winds that stream past the ship while you’re sailing too. Plus, the rooms tend to be larger, so you’re getting more space and a wonderful view every morning.

On the Grand Princess, the aft-facing rooms include:

  • Premium Balcony Cabins – Decks 8 to 10
  • Vista Suites – Decks 8 to 10
  • Penthouse Suites – Decks 10 and 11
  • Owner’s Suites – Deck 11

Technically there are also Oceanview rooms at the aft on Deck 12, but these are those that only have a porthole – you won’t really be able to take advantage of the view over the wake of the ship.

Grand Princess Family Suites

Towards the front of the ship on Deck 9, you’ll find two Family Suites. Each suite is actually listed as two separate rooms on the Grand Princess deck plans but they must be booked together.

Despite the fact that they are listed as separate rooms within one suite, they have been converted so instead of a shared door, they have a shared living space and fully open balcony area. 

Plus, you get all the benefits of booking a suite too, and because there are two sofa beds the suites sleep up to 6 guests. So, if you’re looking for something special for your family, or you’re travelling with a larger group, these could be ideal.

What makes this even more interesting is that Grand Princess, unlike many other ships in the fleet, doesn’t have any other connecting cabins. So if you want to share a room with family, then these suites are your only option.

Grand Princess Accessible Rooms

While the public areas of the ship are fully accessible for wheelchair users, not every cabin is really suited. There is a selection of dedicated accessible cabins though, which have wider doorways, more floorspace around the bed to allow a chair to manoeuvre, and a wet room.

These are really popular and will often book up quickly, so if you’re interested then you should definitely try to book in advance. And if you don’t need an accessible cabin, try not to book them so that those who do require the space don’t miss out.

The accessible cabins on Grand Princess include:

  • Interior Cabins – Decks 8, 10, 11, 12 and 14
  • Obstructed Oceanview Cabins – Deck 8
  • Balcony Cabins – Decks 10 to 12
  • Premium Balcony Cabins – Deck 10
  • Mini Suites – Deck 9
  • Window Suite – Deck 6

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Grand Princess Cabins to Avoid

Now that we’ve run through every type of accommodation you can book on Grand Princess, it’s time to pick out those individual cabins that maybe aren’t the best choice.

I’ve scoured forums and Facebook groups to find the rooms on Grand Princess that people haven’t been too happy with, and made a note of them for you here. But remember that a lot of this is subjective, and some of these might actually be a good choice for you.

None of the recommendations here are down to a ‘bad’ room. These are all tips based on the location of the rooms, and what surrounds them.

With that clarified, here are the Grand Princess cabins you might want to avoid.

1. Cabins That Are Under the Lido Deck

A310 to 751

A common thread you see on forums and Facebook groups about cruise ships is problems with the noise from pool decks. There are a lot of rooms that are situated directly underneath the wooden decking of the pools, and when guests wake up nice and early to secure themselves and deck chair, they will often scrape it along the floor to get it into position.

And that sound carries through the floor.

grand princess lido deck

What was interesting was that it wasn’t just complaints about the passengers in the morning that I read about, but also about crew working late to clean the Lido, scraping the deck as they cleaned it as late as almost midnight.

When the guest in question complained they did get an apology, as well as a credit to their on-board spend account, so that should show it’s not a super-regular thing. But if you are someone who appreciates a lie-in then definitely consider booking a room that isn’t underneath the scraping deck chairs.

2. Balcony Cabins Near the Front of the Ship

L201 and 202, A201 and 202, B201 and 202, C101 and 102, D105 and 106,

A few cruise lines have balcony cabins situated in a forward position on the ship, but they’re rendered completely unusable while the ship is sailing because of the high winds – barring some that have special reinforced panels in place.

While Grand Princess doesn’t have forward-facing balconies (except in two Premium Suites), it does have some that are situated close to the front of the ship. These balconies may be out of bounds during particularly high winds, but even when you are allowed to use them I saw a couple of people saying that it wasn’t a pleasant experience – it was too breezy to be able to relax.

grand princess cruise ship

If your idea of a balcony is one where things are peaceful, a mid-ship location may be a better choice.

3. Cabins That Can Be Worse for Seasickness

L201 to 308, A201 to 304 and 618 to 749, B201 to 304 and 618 to 751, C101 to 304 and 618 to 753

If you’re someone that’s worried about potentially getting seasick, then you’ll want to avoid cabins where you will feel the motion the most. Those are the cabins on the higher decks towards the front and aft of the ship.

It’s particularly important on Grand Princess as a couple of people have mentioned on the Facebook groups that itineraries departing from San Francisco – where the ship is often based – can have some choppy waters.

It’s not a reason to avoid Grand Princess altogether, but aim for a mid-ship room on a lower deck if you are concerned, as you’ll feel the rocking of the ship less.

4. Cabins Directly Adjacent to the Laundromat

D714 and 715, B714 and 715, A316 and 317

There are a handful of laundry rooms on Grand Princess, meaning guests don’t have to cart their dirty clothes up many floors in the elevator. However, there are a couple of staterooms that are directly adjacent to these rooms, and you may want to avoid them.

And there are two reasons – firstly, the obvious noise of the machines. This isn’t terrible but it can also cause vibrations in the room.

The other issue is just traffic – you may have a lot of noise from people coming and going. So maybe consider avoiding these cabins if you can.

5. Cabins at the Front of the Ship Near Crew Stairwells

P200 to 201, E100 to 103, C101 to 102, D102 to 105

There are three main staircases on the Grand Princess that go from Deck 5 to the higher decks. One at the front of the ship, one mid-ship and one at the aft. The mid-ship and aft staircases are open to passengers, which means they actually get the least use – because everyone uses the elevators.

The staircase at the front of the ship is for crew only, and some guests have reported that there can be some noise early in the morning when the crew are moving around between floors to get everything ready for guests waking up.

It’s not a comment I saw a lot, but I did see it a couple of times, so it’s worth being aware of it if you like a lie-in.

6. Obstructed View Rooms if a View Is Important to You

Any OV, OW, OY or OZ cabin (Deck 8) or OE (Deck 12)

There are a number of Oceanview cabins on Deck 8 that have an obstructed view caused by the ship’s lifeboats.

This isn’t a problem if you don’t want a view and only want some natural sunlight – you’ll still get that, and you can save money. But if you want a good view, it’s best to book an unobstructed room since you don’t know just how much you’ll be able to see.

Technically the porthole rooms aren’t obstructed, but the view is so limited that I wanted to include it here.

7. Window Suites if You Want a Peaceful Room

F301 to 315

The Window Suites are situated on Deck 6 (Fiesta), adjacent to the casino. So, if you’re looking for a relaxing place to unwind in the evening, it might not be the best location.

The doors leading into the casino are separate from the corridor and situated next to the lift, so you won’t have people walking past your room all the time. But it will still be a bit noisier than some other locations – the casino is a lively place.

If you really want the extra floorspace then they’re worth considering – and they’re great if you intend to spend a lot of time in the casino yourself – but of all the suites they’re definitely the least appealing, even if the cost reflects that.

8. Aft Cabins if You Don’t Want to Risk Soot

A746 to 748, B748 to 751

Some guests have reported that when they’ve booked an aft balcony room, there have been some soot build-ups coming from the stacks.

It’s not something that you’ll always have to deal with, but it is a risk for the cabins that are higher up. You may notice a fine dusting of soot on the deck and if you leave any clothes out there, they may get a coating too.

grand princess cruise ship

Booking a lower balcony will minimise the risk, but will sacrifice some of the view, so it’s something you need to balance.

The Best Cabins on Grand Princess

1. Family Suites

The two family suites are a great option for any larger groups who want to sail on Grand Princess. They aren’t necessarily packed with fun activities for the kids, like some family-oriented suites are on other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, but they’re really spacious and they have a good-sized balcony that everyone can enjoy.

The only real downside is their forward location, which means some amenities on the ship will be a long walk away. But that’s worth it to not be living underneath each other’s noses or having to book multiple cabins.

2. The Cheapest Cabins

The cheapest cabins on Grand Princess are some of the inside cabins, especially those situated towards the front of the ship. They’re not the biggest, and they’re a decent walk from many of the amenities, but for someone who plans on spending a very small amount of time in their room they are ideal.

You’ll save a lot of money – often paying half of what a guest in a Premium Balcony or Mini Suite may be paying – which can go towards all your onboard experiences or even your next cruise holiday.

3. Staterooms Adjacent to the Terrace Pool

Specifically the Interior rooms A744 and A745, the Balcony cabins A742 and 743, and the Oceanview cabins A746 to A749.

These are right next to the Terrace Pool at the back of the ship, which gives you first dibs on a relaxing deck chair overlooking the wake. Not many people tend to rush here in the morning and you can literally step out of your room and be by the pool in around 10 yards. It’s like your own little private haven.

grand princess terrace pool

Other guests will sometimes come this way and so there can be increased traffic, but if you’re awake then you will never miss a deck chair from these rooms.

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To Conclude

There really aren’t any bad cabins on the Grand Princess cruise ship, but depending on your preferences for noise, location and how prone you are to feeling sick, there may be some that are better for you than others.

I took a lot of this feedback from Facebook groups and forums, so it’s always a good idea to check those out yourself, too. People love to write their own Grand Princess cabin reviews!

You can even ask about a specific cabin – someone in the groups will normally be able to tell you about their own experiences.

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Grand Princess Accommodation FAQs

When was Grand Princess last refurbished?

Grand Princess last underwent a refurbishment in March 2019, although she has been updated a few times since she first launched in 1998. The latest refurbishment updated the decor and furnishings, and added new top-deck dining venues and a revamp of the Princess Theater’s audio setup.

What is the oldest Princess Cruises ship?

Grand Princess is the oldest ship in the Princess fleet, first launching in 1998. When she entered service she was the largest cruise ship in the world. She’s undergone multiple refurbishments since then and remains an important ship in the fleet.

How many cabins are on Grand Princess?

Grand Princess has a total of 1,303 cabins, of which 366 are Inside and 937 have either a window or a balcony. There are 37 suites in total on the ship – more than on some other Grand Class ships due to the extra Window and Penthouse suites mid-ship.

What is the sister ship of Grand Princess?

Grand Princess used to have two sister ships – Golden Princess and Star Princess. Both ships have since transferred to P&O Cruises Australia, leaving Grand Princess as the last of the original Grand Class ships for the cruise line.

What is the difference between Balcony and Premium Balcony on Grand Princess?

Premium Balcony cabins are larger than Balcony cabins and are usually situated in better locations, including at the aft of the ship with views over the wake. There are no other benefits beyond the extra floor space and the better location.

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What Is A Pullman Bed? (See Real Photos)

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsFirst time cruisers

In cruise ship cabins that sleep more than two people, the third and fourth beds may be sofa beds or Pullman beds. But what is a Pullman bed, exactly?

What Is an Upper Pullman on a Cruise Ship?

An upper Pullman bed is a top bunk bed that pulls down from the ceiling or comes out of the wall of a cruise ship cabin. Pullman beds are most often used for children but may also be used by adults, provided that they meet the weight requirements.

Pullman beds take their name from inventor George M Pullman who designed the concept for the sleeper cars of trains in the late 1850s. Pullman beds are also known as ‘upper beds’, ‘bunk beds’ or ‘pull down beds’.

Cruise ship cabins can have either one or two Pullman beds. Underneath the Pullman bed may be a single bed, a double or queen-sized bed or the floor.

A Pullman mattress for cruiseship staterooms won’t be super thick but it’ll be comfortable enough.

What Does a Pullman Bed Look Like?

When they are not in use, Pullman beds may be folded up against the wall or hidden away in the ceiling so that they are barely visible at all.

The photo below shows Pullman beds folded up against the wall…

Pullman bed when not unfolded
Pullman beds against wall on P&O Cruises’ Britannia

The photo below shows one Pullman bed which has been lowered and one which remains hidden in the ceiling…

Pullman bed coming down from ceiling
Pullman bed hidden in ceiling on Royal Caribean’s Mariner of the Seas

I made a video of our cabin on Britannia, which shows the Pullman bed upright and lowered along with footage of the ladder and the extra railing to prevent young kids from falling out of bed. See it here: P&O Britannia Inside Cabin Review

Can Adults Use Pullman Beds?

Adults are allowed to use the Pullman beds on cruise ships. This means that it’s possible for up to four adults to share a cabin. If your child is too young to use the top bunk, you can put them in the bottom bed and take the top bunk yourself.

Pullman bed on a cruise
Photo: Linda McHugh

What Is the Weight Limit on a Pullman Bed?

As upper Pullman beds are attached to the wall or ceiling, there are limits to the weight that they can hold safely. Pullman beds are suitable for most adults but are not recommended for particularly heavy people. The table below shows the maximum Pullman bed weight limit for each cruise line.

Cruise Line Pullman max weight
(kg)		 Pullman max weight
(lb)
Carnival 113 kg 250 lbs
Celebrity Cruises 90 kg 200 lbs
Cunard 130 kg* 287 lbs
MSC Cruises 150 kg 330 lbs
Norwegian Cruise Line 163 kg 360 lbs
P&O Cruises 130 kg* 287 lbs
Princess Cruises 113 kg 250 lbs
Royal Caribbean 136 KG 300 lbs

*On P&O Cruises and Cunard, the restriction of 130 kg applies to the bunk ladder. There is no restriction on the bed itself, and it has been ‘shock tested’ to 300 kg.

Is There a Height Limit for a Pullman Bed?

On Royal Caribbean cruises, the maximum height to use an upper Pullman bed is 6 feet 6 inches. The other cruise lines don’t specify a maximum height. Pullman beds are usually the same length as a standard single bed.

What Age Can Children Use Pullman Beds?

Most cruise lines do not have any age limits on who can use a Pullman bed on a ship. However, on Royal Caribbean cruises and Celebrity Cruises, children must be at least six years old to use a Pullman bed. This is not monitored, however. I let my five-year-old sleep in a Pullman bed with no issues.

When deciding who should sleep in the Pullman bed – you or your child – it’s important to think about the sleeping habits of your own child and the bed they sleep in at home. If your older child or teenager is prone to sleepwalking, then a Pullman bed probably isn’t the best option. It really depends on the child.

I allowed my daughter to use the top Pullman bed on MSC Preziosa when she was two years old. The bed was positioned over a double bed so if she were to jump out, the fall would only be a couple of feet onto the bed below, rather than further on to the hard floor.

If you would prefer your child not to use a Pullman bed, there are some beds available for third and fourth passengers in a cabin that are at floor level. These include sofa beds (where a sofa converts into a bed) or pull-out beds (also known as trundle beds, where a bed rolls out from under another.)

Usually, when there is a sofa bed, it’s a single sofa bed for the third passenger. If you have four people in your room, the fourth may have a Pullman bed above the sofa.

Pullman bed on Iona

You’ll need to make sure that you’re happy with the bed type when you book your cruise, as you won’t be able to change it once you’re on-board.

Read more: How To Upgrade Your Cruise Cabin After Purchase

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Do Pullman Beds Have Guard Rails?

Pullman beds have guard rails to prevent people from falling out. However, the size of the guard rail can vary considerably depending on the ship.

The photo below shows the Pullman bed on Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas with a very small rail. I asked the cabin attendant if there was any option to have a larger rail but he said no.

Pullman bed with small guard rail on Mariner of the Seas
Small guard rail on Mariner of the Seas

The photo below shows the guard rail on Allure of the Seas which is a little larger.

Photo credit: Kay Blake
Larger guard rails on Allure of the Seas

The photo below shows an ocean view cabin on Liberty of the Seas which has large guard rails and a double bed beneath.

Liberty of the Seas Ocean View cabin with Pullman beds
Photo credit: Shara Busser
Large guard rails on Liberty of the Seas

The photo below shows the standard guard rail on P&O Cruises Britannia (the silver one) with the additional guard rail which was provided on request by our stateroom attendant.

Pullman bed with extra guard rail on Britannia
Extra guard rail on Britannia

If your Pullman bed has no guard rail at all, lift up the mattress and you’ll likely find it under there. If you’re in any way concerned, just call your cabin attendant and they’ll be happy to help in any way they can.

How To Stop Your Child From Falling Out of Bed on a Cruise

If you’re at all worried that your child may fall out of bed on your cruise, there are some things you can do to prevent this. These are:

  1. Ask for an extra guard rail. This is available on some ships but not others.
  2. Bring your own guard rail. Inflatable guard rails are available to buy from Amazon.
  3. Ask for an extra blanket. You can roll this up to create extra padding between your child and the edge of the bed.
  4. Put your child in the lower bed. This may mean that an adult has to sleep in the upper Pullman bed.
  5. Place the mattress on the floor. Some cabins have enough space to do this, but not all do.
  6. Allow your child to sleep on the sofa. Some cabins have a small sofa which can be turned around so that kids can’t fall off it.
  7. Bring your own inflatable bed. Ready beds are available to buy on Amazon.

Whilst a Pullman bed might look like a safe place for a child to sleep, it’s important to pay attention to the weather. If the ship passed through a storm in the night, this could increase the chance of your child being rocked out of bed.

It’s also important to think about what they would fall onto if they did fall out. Would it be onto a double bed below, or onto the floor?

Can You Put the Pullman Beds Up and Down?

On a cruise, your cabin steward will raise the Pullman beds during the day and lower them again while you’re out for the evening. It’s usually not possible to do this yourself.

sign on Pullman bed on a Disney Cruise ship

How Big Is a Pullman Bed?

Pullman beds vary in size but are generally the size of a single bed or slightly narrower. Space above the bed is limited so an adult may not be able to fully sit up in bed.

Pullman beds are generally best suited to children and smaller adults. If you have three of four adults in your cabin, it would probably make sense for the smaller adults who are most capable of climbing a ladder to use the top bunk.

What Is a Convertible Bed?

A convertible bed on a cruise ship is two single beds that can be joined together to create a queen size bed. An extra thin mattress is placed on top so that you don’t feel the join in the middle. Convertible beds enable cruise ship cabins to be used by people who prefer double or twin beds.

A lower convertible bed usually means a sofa that converts into a bed. These are suitable for children or adults.

Disney cruise ships don’t have convertible beds, they are always Queen beds. However, there is a sofa that converts into an extra single bed for friends who don’t wish to share a bed.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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Carnival Becomes First Cruise Line to Have 7 Million Guests Sail From New Orleans

by Diplomacy

Carnival Cruise Line celebrated a significant milestone this week when they became the first cruise line to have 7 millions guests sail from New Orleans.

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Carnival Valor

Carnival began sailing year-round from New Orleans in 1994 and they now have two cruise ships sailing from the port.

The seven millionth guests were Thomas and Julie Litteral, and their children Zachary and Zoey. They are avid Carnival cruisers from the state of Georgia.

The Litterals were welcomed on board by Captain Antonio Modaffari, and the ship’s team led an impromptu celebration of the seven millionth embarkation.

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, gave the following statement:

“Sharing this landmark embarkation in New Orleans with loyal guests, a family that clearly loves the fun they find when they sail with us, makes this moment truly special.

“Seven million guests cruising with us from Port NOLA signifies our unwavering commitment as the market leader in this vibrant city. Just after celebrating 30 years of year-round service here this spring, we’re proud to continue building on our important partnership with the New Orleans community.”

Carnival Valor and Carnival Liberty both homeport in New Orleans offering cruises to the Western Caribbean.

400,000 guests board a Carnival cruise ship from New Orleans each year.

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5 Best Multi-Plug Adapters NOT Banned on Ships

by Diplomacy

Confused about what kind of multi-plug adapters and USB chargers you can bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

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The rules just changed recently.  Regular multi-plug adapters are banned on Royal Caribbean ships, but we found some of the best multi-plug chargers you can buy online. 

And yes, bringing these on the ship to charge your devices is perfectly acceptable.

*This post contains affiliate links which may provide us with a small commission if you make a purchase through them.  We thank you for your support.

Royal Caribbean just updated their list of what is not allowed on board.  In the uproar and confusion that followed, the cruise line then amended their policy page yet again.

It first stated that any multi-plug adapters were no longer allowed on board.  A few days later the cruise line clarified that USB multi-plug adapters were an exception and could be used.

In other words, multi-plug adapters with several 110/120 volt outlets (like the standard wall outlets you have at home) are banned. 

Adapters with several USB outlets are permitted.  Keep in mind that any extension cords or power strips with surge protectors are NOT allowed on board.

The cruise line’s updated policy page states this: “We do allow consumer type power conversion device USB charger (multi-plug blocks on which the outputs are for USB cables). Note: Devices must be stamped with US/Europe recognized Conformance Marking to demonstrate compliance with Electrical Safety standards.”

We found some of the most useful adapters for a Royal Caribbean cruise and listed them below.

Best Overall: Anker Desktop Charger

With USB Type A and Type C integrated into this device, Anker has made a sleek design with 112W and 6 USB outlets to use.   With one adapter you can charge your laptop on a cruise, along with a tablet, smart phone, headphones, and smartwatch.

The fast-charging features on this adapter mean that you don’t have to keep things plugged in very long on the ship as well, so you can charge up and head back out.

Purchase this charger here on Amazon

 

Best for Price with Fast-Charging: 40W USB C Charger Cube

This 40W USB-C and USB-A charger cube is a great packing list item for your cruise vacation. Its compact design and powerful output make it ideal for keeping all your devices powered up, even when you’re out at sea.

With 4 USB outlets, this adapter works great if you want to use both USB-C and USB-A, and its USB 3.1 generation helps to quick charge those devices.

This is currently priced at $19.99 for 2.

Purchase this charger here on Amazon

 

Best Space-Saving Adapter: Hootek 3 Port Charger

If you only have a few devices you want to charge up with one outlet, this might be the adapter for you.  The three USB outlets are USB-A Type 3.1.

Not only is this the most affordable multi-plug adapter on our list, but it’s also the easiest to pack, having the smallest footprint.

It’s small enough not to block any other outlets nearby, but the USB outlets are pretty close together.

Purchase this charger here on Amazon

Best for USB-A Only: Anker 60W 6 Port

If you aren’t packing any devices on your cruise that have a USB-C connector, then this 6 port adapter may serve you better than the first Anker unit listed above.

The longer cord means you don’t have to be hunched over the cruise cabin desk too.

PowerIQ and VoltageBoost combine to provide a fast charge up to 2.4 amps per port or 12 amps overall.

Purchase this charger here on Amazon

Best for Home and Cruise Use:100W GaN 6-in-1

If you need a USB charging station at home and don’t want to buy one just for a cruise, this is a great pick.

This powerful and versatile charger is best for anyone looking to quickly and efficiently charge multiple devices. With its 100W GaN technology, six ports (three USB C and three USB A), and fast charging speeds, it’s the perfect solution for cruise cabins with lots of devices and computer desks at home.

Purchase this charger here on Amazon

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Where Two Cruise Ships Transitioning to Carnival Cruise Line Are Open for Bookings

by Diplomacy

Two cruise ships that are being converted over to Carnival Cruise Line have sailings that are open for bookings, but not through Carnival.com.

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Carnival Corporation is eliminating their P&O Cruises Australia line and both of their ships (Adventure and Encounter) will be converted over to Carnival Fun Ships.

Pacific Adventure will become Carnival Adventure and Pacific Encounter will be renamed Carnival Encounter. Both cruise ships will continue to sail in and around Australia joined by sister ships Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa. 

Cruises on both of these ships are open for bookings although not through Carnival.com. They will only be available to book on POCruises.com.au until March 10, 2025. After this date, you will be able to book them on Carnival.com and Carnival.com.au.

Carnival Adventure will offer cruises from Sydney and Carnival Encounter will homeport in Brisbane.

Both cruise ships will begin to sail under Carnival Cruise Line in the spring of 2025.

A few small changes will be made to the ships as well as technology upgrades. Both vessels will add the availability of Carnival’s HubApp so guests can have easier access to dining, shore excursions and more.

The two ships will also add another class of ships to Carnival Cruise Line. These two Grand class ships originally sailed with Princess Cruises before moving over to P&O Cruises Australia a couple years ago.

They are each just under 109,000 gross tons in size and carry 2,600 passengers at double occupancy.

The addition of these two vessels will give Carnival 29 cruise ships in their fleet. This will give them one more than Royal Caribbean who currently has the most ships (28) in service out of all cruise lines.

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Carnival Cruise Line Offering Combination of 3 Cruise Deals

by Diplomacy

For the next three days, Carnival Cruise Line is offering a combination of three cruise deals that is good on cruises through April 2027.

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Carnival Celebration cruise ship

Carnival is known as America’s Cruise Line because they offer cruises from more ports in the U.S. than any other line.

From now through October 5, 2024, they are offering a “Early Saver Bonus Sale” that is a combination of three different cruise deals.

Here’s what’s included in this special offer from Carnival:

  • Up to 40% off cruise fares
  • 2-for-1 deposits (50% off) on every Carnival cruise ship and cruise
  • BONUS: Up to a 4-category free upgrade
  • Good on cruises through April 2027
  • Ends at midnight on October 5, 2024
  • Request rate code: PEH
  • View Best Prices on Carnival

Cruises booked as part of this deal also receive Carnival’s Early Saver Price Protection. If the price of your cruise drops before your sailing, you can switch to the lower price guaranteeing you the best possible price for your vacation.

50% reduced deposit is applicable to cruises outside of final payment due date, and is valid for all cruise ships, stateroom types and sail dates.

Upgrades are automatically assigned at the time of booking and are based on availability in like-to-like categories only (interior to interior, ocean view to ocean view and balcony to balcony).

However, free room location upgrade is not available on upper/lower, obstructed, and cove categories.

This offer applies to new bookings only.

For complete terms and details of this sale from Carnival Cruise Line, contact your local travel professional or visit Carnival.com.

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Alaska Residents Vote on Cruise Ship Ban, Results Looking Decisive

by Diplomacy

In Juneau, Alaska, residents voted on Tuesday on a ballot initiative that would ban large cruise ships from the city on Saturdays if approved.

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cruise ships in Juneau Alaska

The measure, which was proposed by a resident of the city, was dubbed “Ship-Free Saturdays” and would also ban any large cruise ships from visiting Juneau on the Fourth of July.

So far, it looks like a majority of voters are rejecting the proposal.  According to initial results, about 60% of voters opposed the ban.

Ballots are still being counted through Friday of this week, but a change in the outcome is unlikely.

The cruise ship ban would have severely affected ship itineraries, as any ship with 250 passengers or more would not be allowed to let passengers off the vessels on Saturdays.

Just last year, almost 1.7 million cruise passengers visited Juneau.  According to McKinley Research Group for the City and Borough of Juneau, this accounted for $375 million dollars for the city, creating almost 4,000 jobs.

Alaska has been one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world and traffic to Juneau has doubled in the last couple decades.

Some are estimating that if the “Ship-Free Saturdays” proposal was passed it would remove about $30 million in revenue from the city’s coffers. 

While some local residents have complained about over-tourism and its impacts, shop owners and business leaders have come to rely on the revenue that comes in through cruise ships.  They fear that banning cruise ships on one day of the week will lead to more bans in the future.

Cruise traffic has already been limited in Juneau.  Last year officials decided to cap cruise ships to five per day in the capital city.   

In 2026, passengers will be limited to 16,000 a day and 12,000 a day on Saturdays.

Cruise lines were already planning legal action if the recent proposal passes, claiming that the ban would be against the U.S. Constitution’s Commerce Clause.

Juneau Chamber of Commerce also contributed over $1 million to a campaign opposing the ban.  Proponents of the ban raised about $1,000.

“This is a victory for Juneau’s economy and our way of life,” said Beth Weldon, the city’s mayor, who was reelected in Tuesday’s election. “Tourism is a vital part of our community, and we need to continue to support our local businesses.”

Supporters of the ban are concerned about Juneau’s infrastructure being able to handle the influx of tourists.  It’s a careful balance between livelihood and the environment that will keep this debate in the headlines well into the future.

But for now, it looks like cruise ships will be able to sail to Juneau on Saturdays and also when the “rockets red glare” are lighting up the sky.

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Cruise Line Continues to Be Ranked #1

by Diplomacy

Viking, an adults only cruise line, has been voted #1 again by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.

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Viking Sky, one of Viking’s ocean cruise ships. Photo Credit: Cruise Fever

For the second consecutive year, Viking was voted the #1 cruise line in three categories by Condé Nast Traveler.

The three categories were:

  • Best Ocean Cruise Line
  • Best River Cruise Line
  • Best Expedition Cruise Line

Viking is the only company to be named #1 in all three categories in the same year. They also did it in 2023.

Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, gave the following statement about this achievement:

“It was quite something to be voted #1 for rivers, oceans and expeditions in the same year. For our guests, Condé Nast Traveler readers, to award us the same honor two years in a row is truly special. Thank you to our entire Viking family for delivering the experiences around the world that make these awards possible.

“We have a clear focus, and we do not try to be all things to all people. We are pleased that our guests appreciate this different approach, and we look forward to introducing more curious travelers to the Viking way of exploration in the years to come.”

A Viking ocean ship, river ship and expedition ship in Amsterdam. Photo Credit: Viking

Viking has consistently won the title for best cruise line year after year by just about all major publications. This includes Travel + Leisure, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and Cruise Critic.

Viking is an adults only cruise line what offers the following in all cruise fares:

  • One shore excursion in every port
  • WiFi
  • All dining options
  • Thermal suite access (ocean and expedition)
  • Beer, wine and soft drinks during lunch and dinner
  • Specialty coffees

Viking has now won more than 450 awards since they were founded in 1997.

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Royal Caribbean’s New Cruise Ship Floats for the First Time

by Diplomacy

Royal Caribbean’s next new cruise ship, Star of the Seas, touched water for the first time when the vessel was floated out at the shipyard.

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Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas

Star of the Seas is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. The vessel will be the second Icon class ship from Royal Caribbean and will debut in August 2025.

The Icon class from Royal Caribbean are the largest class of cruise ships in the world.

Star of the Seas’ float marks a big milestone in the construction of ship. Now that the exterior of the vessel has been put together, it will move to the outfitting stage.

Star of the Seas has been under construction for the past 19 months. The dry dock was flooded with 92 million gallons of water, a process that took nine hours.

Star of the Seas will homeport at Port Canaveral and sail week long cruises to the Caribbean. All sailings will visit the cruise line’s award winning private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The ship will be nearly identical to sister ship Icon of the Seas and have more than 40 dining and drink venues.

The ship will be divided up into eight neighborhoods with an insane waterpark on the top deck.

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