On most cruises, you cannot take your pets with you. If they are permitted, they usually have to stay in kennels. But the Villa Vie Odyssey, and her epic three-and-a-half-year itinerary, is no ordinary cruise.
Three years is a long time to be away from home, with many guests planning to stay onboard the Villa Vie Odyssey indefinitely. So it makes sense that some have special permission to sail with their beloved pets in tow.
Holly Hennessy is a Florida resident who has embarked on the cruise with her cat Captain. I spoke to her to learn more about cruising with a cat.
Holly has purchased a cabin on Villa Vie Odyssey, which gives her the option to use it well beyond the initial three and a half years of sailing. It’s expected that the useful life of the ship will be 15 years.
I love ships. I’ve done three word cruises and countless others. My winter home in Florida was a 53′ boat, and it was Captain’s winter home since he was a kitten (he’s 8 now).
After 17 years of owning my boat, I had just grown tired of the headaches and being disappointed by people who maintained her. And the costs of maintaining a private vessel were becoming crazy. So to be on the water when someone else takes care of all those things? Perfect!
A perpetual world cruise in your own cabin really is ideal, esepcially if you want to explore as many countries as possible in luxurious comfort.
Holly admits that Captain, the ‘Cruising Kitty’, had been cramping her travel style and limiting her options. But now Villa Vie Odyssey offers an exciting opportunity to travel the world together:
The few times I did go away and left him in the care of dear friends who knew him well, his normally very social self didn’t love it, and let everyone know. So I was resigned to the fact that my travel had to include him. Villa Vie is the perfect solution. I love ships, and I love Captain. I can have them both!
Captain’s time onboard (and ashore if possible)
Captain was lucky enough to get a peek at his cabin before the much-delayed cruise set sail, but otherwise he spent the time ashore with Holly while they waited for the ship to launch.
Now that the ship is sailing, Captain enjoys free rein within his cabin. There is also a special area outdoors where cat owners are allowed to enjoy their pets in public.
The company hopes for it to be a social spot so those who left their fur babies at home, and crave some love, can come and share. There has been a contingency of cat haters emerge, and some passengers are allergic. All cat owners will be very respectful and stay out of the way of these passengers.
With a balcony cabin, Captain does still get plenty of fresh air. Although when the balcony door is open, he’s kept in his playpen or on a leash to prevent him getting too adventurous!
Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, Captain won’t be spending much time ashore. There are lots of rules and regulations around bringing animals into other countries. But there is some hope that Captain may get to explore the world a little.
As a private yachtie, I have been a member of a Facebook group called Gatos Del Mar. These are private yachts all over the world cruising with feline crew and they share the hassles in various places. The cruise company will clear us as needed.
Holly made it clear that the cat owners didn’t want to ask for anything that forced the crew to go above and beyond. The fact that cats are allowed onboard at all is definitely seen as enough. However, if she could have anything, there was one feature she would like to make life a little easier for her and Captain:
My wish list would include litter to be for sale at the ship shop so I don’t need to waste precious port time finding litter and having to carry heavy bags of it back to the ship.
There is one other cat on the ship, and some others joining the cruise along the way. So maybe the cat owners can work together on sourcing the litter they need. The cruise line was also going to allow small dogs for the cruise, but that plan had to be cancelled once they purchased the ship, since it does not have the right facilities for dogs.
Getting to the departure port
Before the ship set sail, Holly and Captain had to get to Belfast from Florida. I asked how that went.
Captain has always been a great traveller. We would go between our Florida and Wisconsin homes multiple times of year, both flying and driving.
Holly has some travel tips for anyone who wants to take their cat with them on their next cruise:
Check with your airline multiple times. Policies regarding pets can change at the last minute, and aircraft can vary in terms of under-seat space for pet carriers.
Always check the paperwork needed for travel in advance, and arrange to visit the vet close to departure. It’s important to understand all requirements long before you set off.
Packing light
Packing for any cruise can create a few logistical challenges, never mind a three and a half year itinerary. Thankfully, there’s reliable laundry services onboard! But when you add a cat to the equation, there are a few extra things to think about.
With the UK not allowing pets in flight cabins, Holly flew to Dublin instead, and then took a specialist pet taxi to get to Belfast. She was able to use this wisely:
He was kind enough to let me have all the things a cat needs shipped to his home, so Captain had a litter box, litter, and a scratch pad waiting for him. I do that in the States when we’re flying somewhere he hasn’t been. Hotels are usually very good about holding packages.
Cats, in Holly’s words, are just more portable than dogs. So once you can arrange the associated paraphernalia, it’s relatively easy.
Food is a different matter though, especially with a fussy eater. Captain only eats two types of dry food along with some wet food, so Holly packed as much as she could (with a kind guest bringing back another bag from the US). The ship was originally scheduled to return to the US, but that changed, meaning a re-think was needed:
We are not going to the east coast of the US as originally planned, so I ordered multiple large bags of food to pick up in the Caribbean. Thank goodness for Walmart.com.
Other tips and advice for cruising with a cat
Holly admits that she doesn’t know the full list of challenges she’ll face when sailing with Captain. It’s a question that can be answered as the cruise unfolds.
There is a retired vet tech onboard who has offered to help in case of emergencies, and vets will be visiting the ship for vaccinations as needed too.
I am a tiny bit concerned about really rough seas, which are bound to happen. The last slip I had my cat in was quite bouncy, so he’s had a taste, but big swells will be a new thing for him. Vet says he can have tiny amounts of Dramamine if it comes to that.
Cruising with pets is still a very limited market. You can bring your pets across the Atlantic with Cunard on the Queen Mary 2, but they must remain in the kennels onboard.
Holly has tried to find alternative options too…
I once saw a golden retriever in a Viking commercial, but when I asked, they said no pets. Because I have cruised so much, I have top or near top status with most major cruise lines, and the answer was still no pets.
And when I asked Holly what she was most excited about with this cruise, her answer was touching:
Just the fact that I can live how I have always wanted to live and he can be with me.
The Villa Vie Odyssey has now finally set sail, but not every guest is staying onboard for the whole three-years-plus itinerary, and there are cabins available.
So, if you’d like to try a cruise with your cat, why not get in touch with Villa Vie and see if you can join Holly and Captain on their shared odyssey?
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.
You know that feeling at the end of a cruise where you’re sad that you have to get back to everyday life…
Wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to worry about that feeling ever again? Can you live on a cruise ship permanently?
It’s actually not as far-fetched a thought as you might think. In this guide, I’ll take you through all the options for living on a cruise ship. You’ll learn how much it costs, and what you’d need to think about if you wanted to try it.
Can You Live Permanently on a Cruise Ship?
It is possible to live on a cruise ship and there are several cruise lines that allow you to purchase an apartment onboard. Alternatively, you could book a series of short cruises on a mainstream cruise line.
It’s better to choose a cruise ship designed for long-term living than one from a mainstream cruise line. Logistically, booking back-to-back cruises with a standard cruise line is often not possible and you may have to change rooms regularly or even switch ships.
Cruise Ships You Can Live On Permanently
Technically you could live on any cruise ship, but it might not be possible. Cruises don’t always sell out, but the most popular staterooms and cabins book up far in advance. You would have to constantly look at booking cruises to make sure you have somewhere to stay.
Let’s look at your options in a little more detail…
Traditional Cruises
You can book yourself onto a traditional cruise ship for the long term. You would need to book each itinerary, one after the other.
If you wanted the same cabin on every cruise, it’s wise to make sure that you’re first in line when bookings open. That’s the only way to make sure you can secure the same room for the long term. Otherwise, someone could book your room and essentially kick you out.
Cruises are available to book around 18 to 24 months in advance, so you’ll need to plan ahead.
Moving cabins might not be the end of the world – but it would be a lot easier if you didn’t have to pack and unpack at the start of every new itinerary.
Note: Some cruise lines might make you leave the ship and re-board between itineraries
World Cruises
The easiest way to enjoy living on a cruise ship for the long term would be to look for world cruises. These itineraries can last a long time. Some of the longest run for six months, but three months is more common.
However, don’t expect world cruises to run back-to-back. Typically a cruise ship that is offering a world cruise will go back to offering more regular sailings for the rest of the year, so you would need to keep booking new cruises every time.
These cruises are often expensive too, so the cost of booking world cruises as frequently as possible may not be something you can afford to do.
I was keen to see what a world cruise ship was like, and I managed to book myself a place on board just for the first two days. You can see what the ship was like in my video…
Ship-Hopping
Another option is to ship-hop every few weeks. This may work out cheaper, especially on some cruise lines that offer cheap nightly rates and one-way repositioning cruises.
You should bear in mind how much work would be involved in constantly booking your next cruise, plus the added stress of worrying about whether you’d miss your chance and end up without a cabin.
It can be done though. One person who’s doing just that is Fraser from the YouTube channel Fraser At Sea. Check out this video where he announced his plans to live on cruise ships in 2023:
I’ve taken cruises that cost as little as £40 ($50) per night with all meals included. So if you’re savvy, living on cruise ships can be pretty cheap.
Below you can see examples of some of the best cruise deals available right now…
Cruise Ships Designed For Permanent Living
Arguably the better way to live on a cruise ship is to choose one that’s designed for permanent living.
There aren’t too many of these in existence, but there are some ships that are planned with full-time living in mind, removing all of the worry about making sure you stay booked onto the ship.
Here are the ships that are designed for full-time living:
Ship name
Operated By
Year of Launch
The World
Residences at Sea
2002
Victoria Majestic
Victoria Cruise Line
2024
Somnio
Somnio Superyachts
2024
Villa Vie Residences
Villa Vie
2024
MS Utopia
Utopia Residences
2025
MV Narrative
Storyline Cruises
2025
Njord
Ocean Residences
2025
MS Dark Island
Clydebuilt Dark Island Residences
2026
It’s important to note that these are all planned launch dates. Already some have been pushed back – MS Utopia was originally scheduled for 2023. If you’re interested in living on a cruise ship, you probably need to be flexible on your start year, as plans can change.
1. The World
Me with The World cruise ship in Piraeus, Greece
The World is the largest private residential ship on the planet with 165 residences. It has 106 two- and three-bedroom apartments, 19 one- and two-bedroom studio apartments and 40 studios.
Instead of booking individual cruises, people purchase one of the residences on the ship and are then free to use it as and when they want. Some people live on the ship full-time while others come and go, using it as a vacation home or an alternative to owning a yacht.
The World tries to distance itself in some ways from comparisons to a traditional cruise ship, but there are a lot of similarities, including in the onboard experience.
Take a look at this video to see what you can expect from life on board…
The ship features guest speakers, musicians, and cultural performances to entertain guests, similar to those which would feature on traditional luxury world cruises.
Daytime activities are available too, with two swimming pools as well as a tennis court, and a gym offering exercise classes like yoga and cardio. This is good, considering there are six gourmet restaurants on the ship!
The residences also have their own kitchens, and there’s a grocery store on the ship, if you want to cook for yourself.
The World has a spa, just like you would find on a cruise ship. So really, the experience is very comparable to a typical cruise ship – the only difference is that you have your own kitchen area and that you’re able to stay on the ship long term.
Although, one more difference is the option to host guests. You own your residence and so you’re able to welcome guests onto the ship if you wish.
The ship isn’t particularly family-friendly – kids are welcome, but there isn’t much for them to do. Understandably, the ship is primarily aimed at a mature audience as it’s likely to be retirees who wish to live on a cruise ship.
But that doesn’t mean your family won’t want to visit every now and then, and they will be permitted onto the ship to say hello, although you may be charged if they use some of the facilities, including the restaurants.
2. MS Utopia
Utopia is a planned luxury residential ocean liner project costing $1.1 billion that was originally ordered all the way back in 2009 by Utopia Residences.
The ship has had the launch date regularly pushed back, with the latest launch date announced as 2025. Everything has since gone a little quiet, so there are no guarantees that this project will actually reach completion.
The ship’s yearly itinerary includes stops at some of the world’s most premier events, such as Wimbledon in London, Carnival in Rio De Janeiro, Running of the Bulls in Spain, and Cannes Film Festival in France.
If it does go ahead as planned, Utopia will have 190 residences and will also feature a 175-room hotel, casino, 16,000-square-foot spa, nightclub, and many other amenities typical of large-scale commercial cruise ships.
3. Victoria Majestic
The former ms Veendam for Holland America Line, Victoria Majestic has now been turned into a residential ship and will soon set sail with Victoria Cruises.
Billed as the “world’s first affordable residential ship”, she doesn’t allow guests to purchase a room, but instead lease one on a long-term basis.
The longer you rent a cabin, the higher a discount you’ll get. For example, an Inside Cabin typically costs $8,000 per month (with a $10,000 refundable deposit), but if you book one of the longest leases for 37 months, you’ll get a 40% discount, meaning you’ll pay $4,800 per month. And that’s for two people – $2,400 per person, per month is a pretty great deal for living on a ship!
The ship will offer plenty of onboard facilities to keep guests entertained, and WiFi access means that you could work remotely from the ship if you’re able to.
The planned itinerary for the ship sees her sail from the US around the Caribbean and then down around South America, back up to the west coast of the US before crossing the Pacific to Asia, then onto Africa and a comprehensive tour of Europe for her first 212 days.
4. Somnio
Not a lot is known about Somnio – the superyacht is still cloaked in mystery, and details are only available to those invited to apply for a residence onboard. It’s that kind of exclusive.
But here’s what we do know…
There are just 39 residential apartments on this exquisite vessel, each of which is customisable to fit the needs of the buyer. Prices are believed to start from around $11 million, with maintenance fees payable on top of that to the tune of around $100,000 or more.
For the money, you get use of the aft deck – the main hub of the yacht where you can enjoy a large lap pool, two spa pools and various bars and seating areas. Watersports equipment is also available, along with boats if you want to go fishing or diving.
The ship will sail a leisurely itinerary, cruising the world slowly to allow guests more time to explore in port (and to be more environmentally friendly, burning less fuel at slower speeds).
5. Villa Vie Residences
Villa Vie Residences is another new live-on-board world cruise option that has an interesting offering. You can choose to own a cabin, or you can just craft your own world cruise by paying for a cabin like you normally would on a ship, for your chosen segment of the cruise.
And that cruise is epic – it’s a planned 3.5 year journey that will visit over 420 ports in 147 continents across all seven continents. And it’ll continue running this cruise in perpetuity, so once it completes the first navigation, it all begins again.
If you choose to own a cabin, prices start from just $99,999, although there is then a monthly fee you need to pay on top of that. However, you can welcome guests to your cabin and only pay the daily port fees and gratuities for them ($33 per day), and what’s cool is you can rent out your cabin when you aren’t on the ship – making your money back.
Otherwise, if you prefer the Voyagers Program, it works like any other cruise. Prices start at $89 per person, per night and there are a range of itinerary options from 35 days up to 120 days, with the option to combine any that you like.
The cruise is all-inclusive with beer and wine served at meals, complimentary healthcare, free high-speed WiFi, selected free excursions, and free laundry.
And even with the monthly fees, it’s one of the best-value options for living on a cruise ship full time.
MV Narrative is a contemporary superyacht offering a luxury residential community at sea. Belonging to Storylines, it’s a more affordable choice than some of the other ships you can live on, with the cheapest residences starting at $875,000.
It’s also much larger, with 547 residences available and 18 decks.
You also have the option of leasing a residence on the yacht, if you can’t afford to buy one outright. This means you can pay yearly fees at a much more reasonable five-figure sum, but the downside is that once your 12- or 24-year lease is finished, you don’t own the residence.
It’s a very beautiful yacht with lots of relaxing places to unwind. There are three swimming pools, along with a mammoth 20 restaurants to choose from. You can also borrow from the 10,000 books in the library, or enjoy a drink brewed in the ship’s own microbrewery.
Everything’s included with MV Narrative, including laundry services, high-speed WiFi, premium satellite TV and even regular wellness visits with the onboard doctors and nutritionists, so you can make sure you stay fit and healthy while enjoying your life at sea.
If you have children, it’s by far the best option. There’s a ‘worldschooling’ program with onboard teachers offering hands-on learning through field trips, tutoring, classes and clubs.
Njord by Ocean Residences is a planned superyacht due to launch in 2025, with a wide variety of luxury residences that you can buy.
Studios on the yacht range from two to six bedrooms, so you can really splash out on a luxury pad for entertaining guests if you want to. The biggest suites are 9,000 square feet – consider how an average interior room on a cruise ship is around 130 square feet, and you get the picture.
Everything about this yacht will be extremely luxurious, including hand-picked furnishings, high-end appliances from Gaggenau and integrated smart-home tech throughout.
The yacht has seven onboard restaurants, an extensive spa and fitness suite, its own concierge hospital and medical centre, a cinema, a games room, arts and craft studios, and even a kids club should you wish to bring the family. There are two pools including an aft infinity pool.
Suites on the Njord start from $8.5 million so this is definitely a yacht aimed at the super-rich.
8. MS Dark Island
Dark Island is another residential cruise ship which is planned to be built by 2026.
The ship offers adventurous itineraries, visiting destinations around the world, with lectures, forums, discussions and field trips by leading academics preceding the destinations and expeditions.
There are 101 ultra-luxurious suites to choose from, each with a balcony and a choice of one, two or three bedrooms.
The Dark Island is built to minimise its impact on the environment, with a focus on sustainability and green initiatives.
The Three-Year World Cruise
There was one more option – and this was designed as a middle option between traditional cruising and residential cruising. That’s the ultra-long-term world cruise option announced by Life At Sea Cruises.
However, just as the ship was due to launch on her three-year itinerary in November 2023, the company cancelled the cruise after revealing they had not been able to secure a suitable ship.Read about the cancellation here.
The company had originally announced a three-year itinerary on their ship MV Gemini, with all-inclusive fares starting at $29,999 per person, per year. At the time, this looked like one of the most affordable long-term options for anyone interested in living on a cruise ship.
But then there were challenges about whether the ship was seaworthy, and so a second ship was sought. But with a deal lined up, the cruise line didn’t pay for the AIDAaura when it came up for sale, and instead it was purchased by Celestyal Cruises.
The cruise was due to set sail on 1st November 2023 and visit 135 countries until late 2026, covering 130,000 miles.
Guests had already travelled to Istanbul for the departure, and are now facing a wait for refunds. The company has promised to repay guests but using monthly installments, which suggests the money may have been spent – hopefully everyone gets their money back.
How Much It Costs To Live on A Cruise Ship
The cost of buying an apartment on a residential cruise ship is between $1 million and $14 million. There are also annual fees of between $60,000 and $300,000 to pay. In theory, you could cruise on traditional cruise ships for around $35,000 per year, if you choose a basic cruise.
There’s no getting away from the fact that residential cruise ships are expensive. That’s because they’re more like luxury ships, and they’re very exclusive. Plus you’re buying an asset, which can be sold on at a later date.
It’s difficult to compare costs directly since ships include different levels of service within their fares, plus you don’t know how long you’re going to want to live on a cruise ship.
But for the sake of comparison, let’s look at the estimated costs of living aboard three residential cruise ships, three traditional cruise lines and the new three-year world cruise.
Table comparing the cost of living on cruise ships for 10 years
Type
Cruise line/ship
Purchase price
Cruise Fare / Fees (10 years)
Taxes (10 years)
Tips (10 years)
Drinks (10 years)
Estimated WiFi cost
Total cost for 10 years (for 2 people)
Asset value after 10 years
Cheap cruise
Carnival
n/a
$156,000
$127,750
$52,925
$219,000
$70,000
$1,251,340
$0
Mainstream cruise
Royal Caribbean
n/a
$360,000
$58,400
$56,300
$325,000
$66,000
$1,731,400
$0
Luxury cruise
Regent Seven Seas
n/a
$2,190,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$4,380,000
$0
Residential
MS The World
$3,000,000
$1,000,000*
Included
Included
Included
Included
$4,000,000
$3,000,000
Residential
Somnio
$11,000,000
$1,000,000*
Included
Included
Included
Included
$12,000,000
$11,000,000
Residential
Villa Vie
$99,999
$419,880
Included
Included
Included
Included
$519,879
$99,999
Residential (lease)
Victoria Majestic
$10,000 deposit
$576,000
Included
Included
Included
Included
$606,000
$30,000
Residential
MV Narrative
$1,000,000
$650,000
Included
Included
Included
Included
$1,650,000
$1,000,000
Notes about the data
It’s difficult to compare costs directly since ships include different levels of service within their fares, plus you don’t know how long you’re going to want to live on a cruise ship. You can’t really compare the price of owning a residential place on a ship to cruising for just one year. If you’re looking to buy a place on one of the residential ships, you’ll probably be looking to use it for the long term.
With that in mind, I’ve used 10 years as a guideline, comparing the price of buying a room on a residential ship for 10 years, against the cost of booking traditional cruises for the same time period.
The costs for each option is based on the cheapest accommodation using reported figures.
For the Carnival price, I have used a typical 4-day cruise and included the cost of the Cheers drinks package and the premium WiFi packages.
For Regent Seven Seas I’ve based the price on a typical 10-day cruise. Drinks, WiFi, tips and taxes are included as standard.
Where I’ve placed an asterisk for annual costs – these aren’t published by Residences at Sea or Somnio Superyachts, so I’ve used the best estimate I can find.
How To Live On a Cruise Ship Cheaply
The cheapest way to live on a cruise ship would be to choose Life At Sea’s Three Year World cruise. They have the cheapest fares for long-term living, starting at $29,999 per person, per year and including everything you need.
You can even pay monthly if you prefer, with financing options starting at $5,227 per month – a figure that may be within reach for many digital nomads.
With Life at Seas, you get:
Free family & friend visits
Medical consultations during your cruise
Access to a Business Center onboard
Alcohol served with dinner
All port fees and taxes
High-speed internet
Laundry and housekeeping
All entertainment and enrichment seminars
If you would rather stick to a traditional cruise line, you can still keep prices low, but remember you’ll be booking cruises regularly, and you would need to avoid paying for many extras on the ship. You’ll also want to look at cruising with the cheapest cruise lines in the world, such as Carnival or MSC Cruises.
When you’re booking a Carnival cruise, the cheapest fare you can get will be one where you only pay for the cruise itself and the necessary extras – the port fees, taxes and gratuities.
And trust me, while it is possible to opt out of gratuities, you definitely don’t want to do that when you’re living on a cruise ship!
If you cruised in this way – choosing an inside cabin, eating only in the free restaurants and sticking to the free drinks you get on the ship (water, juices, basic tea and coffee at breakfast) then you could possibly cruise for around $35,000 per year.
This would mean you’d have no internet access and you would have to pay for any other drinks separately, but you would be able to enjoy the free accommodation, days at port, and the included daytime and evening entertainment on the ship, along with meals in the main dining restaurant, the buffet and any other included venues on the ship.
Life at Sea’s three-year cruise remains cheaper, and you get more included, but it depends on whether you like the idea of cruising with a more established mainstream cruise line or taking a punt on something new.
How To Live On A Cruise Ship For Free
The absolute cheapest way to live on a cruise ship is to work on one – although it probably isn’t what you had in mind when you thought about living on a cruise ship!
It’s the cheapest option because you’d actually be making money – and your room and food would be free. But you would be working six or seven days a week with only very rare days off, and often for long hours.
In some cases, senior officers, including the ship’s captain and cruise director, may be allowed to have their families staying on the ship with them. It isn’t really standard practice, and most officers live on the ships alone, but if you really wanted to live on a cruise ship for free, then try convincing your partner to take up a career as a ship’s senior officer and then see what the cruise line can do for you!
Comparing The Cost of Cruise Ship Living With Other Options
A cruise ship offers a number of perks over regular living, the main one being that you get to see the world. Living on a cruise ship means travelling all across the globe, experiencing new cultures and thrilling experiences.
But how does the cost compare to regular living?
Is it cheaper to live on a cruise ship than in a house?
It costs a similar amount to live on a cruise ship as it does in a house. In the UK, the average cost of living is £2,200 per month, equal to around $2,650, and in the US the average cost is $3,200. You can live on a cruise ship for around $2,500-$3,000 per month.
Surprising, right? The average cost of living stats for the UK and for the US include typical rent payments, the cost of food, transport and entertainment, so we’re looking at very comparable rates. The UK’s cost of living makes it being cheaper than the average cruise, while the US is slightly more expensive.
Again, these are average costs for the countries. If we just look at the most expensive places to live, then London becomes £3,200 a month, or $3,800, while New York is approximately $5,100. So living on a cruise ship could actually work out cheaper!
Is it cheaper to live on a cruise ship than in a nursing home?
It is usually cheaper to live on a cruise ship than in a nursing home. The UK average cost for living in a care home is £3,550 per month ($4,250), while the US average is much higher at $7,900 per month. It is possible to live on a cruise ship from $2,500 per month.
Of course, if you need to live in a care home, there’s a good chance you need a carer. If that carer’s responsibilities aren’t specialised – if a family member is capable of taking care of you – then you just need to pay for a second person to join you on a cruise.
But that can still work out to be cheaper than paying for a care home.
Accommodation option
Monthly cost for 1 person plus carer
Nursing Home in UK
$4,250
Nursing Home in US
$7,900
3-Year World Cruise (Life At Sea)
$5,000
Mainstream Cruise (Carnival)
$5,800
Luxury Cruise (Regent)
$36,500
So, if you don’t need any specialist medical care and have someone in mind who would like to travel the world with you, then paying for the two of you to live on a cruise ship could work out cheaper than living in a care home.
However, one thing that you’ll certainly need to factor in is travel insurance and medical costs. Travel insurance for such a trip could be very costly indeed, and it is mandatory.
Cruise ships do have doctors, but visits to the onboard medical centre can be very costly indeed, and for any serious medical issues, you would need to visit a hospital on land.
The People Who Live On Cruise Ships
What we’ve gathered from this guide is that financially, it is viable to live on a cruise ship, although you need to plan your cruise carefully.
But is it actually an option, or are we being fanciful?
I’ve looked into some real-life examples of people who have lived on cruise ships, and there are some notable examples that prove it is a lifestyle within reach.
1. Lee Wachtstetter
Lee Wachtstetter was an American author who began living on cruise ships back in 2005, choosing Holland America Line’s MS Prinsendam as her ship of choice. She moved in 2008 to Crystal Serenity, and I love the reason why – it’s because Holland America stopped providing dancing partners.
Wachtstetter remained on Crystal Serenity until 2018 when she apparently had to return to land due to ill health. She’s published a book about her experiences, called I May Be Homeless, But You Should See My Yacht.
2. Morton Jablin
Morton Jablin, affectionately nicknamed ‘Captain’, is another long-term cruise passenger. As of 2018, when Jablin was 94 years old, he had spent 13 years living on Seven Seas Navigator, enjoying a life of luxury.
3. Mario Salcedo
Perhaps the most famous case is of Mario Salcedo, nicknamed Super Mario. Mario has lived continuously on Royal Caribbean ships since 2000, with an average of 15 days a year spent on land to handle life admin. He did live on land for 15 months during the COVID-19 pandemic too.
Salcedo isn’t a retiree – he works on the ship, managing investments for various high-worth individuals. And he isn’t tied to a single ship – at the end of his cruises he will return to his condo in Miami for a few hours, before embarking on his next voyage, often flying to a different port to meet the ship.
Things To Consider When Living On A Cruise Ship
Here are some of the things you’ll need to consider when you’re living on a cruise ship.
1. Tax
There are two main things to mention when considering tax on your cruise.
Firstly, every cruise you take has taxes that need to be paid. On residential cruise ships or long-term world cruises, these are incorporated into the cost, but if you choose to book traditional cruises back-to-back, the taxes and fees may be separate – so be careful when you’re budgeting.
The second tax consideration is if you decide to work while you cruise. Even if you cruise on a ship permanently, you’ll still need to have a home country of residence, and you’ll need to obey the tax laws for that country.
However, there are often exclusions if you spend less than a set number of days residing in the country, so it’s worth checking your local tax laws and speaking to your accountant for advice.
As an example, in the UK you usually only pay tax if you live in the country for more than half the year. So, by living on a cruise ship permanently, you may not have to pay tax at all.
In theory, you could get a work-from-home job and work on a cruise ship, and potentially save yourself tax money by not being permanently based in your home country! And if you’re a high earner, it could even be more cost-effective to work at sea since the cost of the cruise fare may be less than the tax you save.
Especially when you consider that your cruise fare includes your room and food – maybe this is something I need to think about?
Just be careful, though because you may also be paying other benefits at home that you could miss out on if living on a ship. For example, in the UK, if you don’t make National Insurance payments, you won’t get the full state pension later in life.
2. Insurance
Normal travel insurance isn’t going to cover you if you decide to live on a cruise ship. Travel insurance policies count on the fact that medical cover is a rarity when you travel for 2-3 weeks of the year.
You’ll need to look into long-term health insurance, so that you have cover should anything go wrong while you’re sailing, and this is likely to be significantly more expensive than regular travel insurance.
3. Health
Speaking of health, you’ll need to consider how you’re going to stay healthy while living on a cruise ship. Cruise ships generally have a doctor onboard but visits to see them are costly, and they don’t offer most dental treatments.
It would be better to have the option of returning to land on a semi-regular basis to see a doctor and dentist, where prices will be lower.
If you intend to eat in the cruise ship restaurants, remember that they are aimed at vacation guests, and so meals will be richer and higher in calories than a regular diet may be. You might need to be careful with your meal choices, and you’ll want to make sure you visit the gym regularly, or find other ways to stay active.
You probably shouldn’t eat this for breakfast every day!
4. Mail
A minor consideration, but if you sail on a cruise ship, receiving mail isn’t as easy as it would be at home. It is possible for someone to write to you at a cruise port via the port agency, but this requires you to reach an agreement for them to hold your mail.
It may be better to have a post box somewhere that you visit regularly – essentially, set up a home port where you can visit medical services and pick up any mail that you need.
FAQs About Living On A Cruise Ship
Is there a cruise ship you can live on?
There are several cruise ships designed for permanent living. The World is the only one sailing currently but more are coming soon – though you need to be flexible on dates, as launches are often postponed.
How much does it cost to live on a cruise ship for a month?
Living on a cruise ship costs between $2,800 and $6,000 per month for most mainstream cruise lines, including drinks packages and WiFi. Luxury cruise lines can cost more, up to $40,000 per month for a typical suite.
How much does it cost to retire and live on a cruise ship?
You can retire and live on a cruise ship from $2,500 per month, if you choose world cruise itineraries on the cheapest ship options. Choosing other long-term residential cruises, or back-to-back cruises that include drinks and internet access, can cost a lot more than this.
The Bottom Line
That’s a lot of information, but considering how we’re talking about as big a decision as living your life on a cruise ship, there’s always going to be a ton of information you need.
Is it realistic? Yes, it clearly is since others have done it, but it’s not something you can do without having some decent savings.
You’ll need at least $3,000 a month on most cruises, often more, and that’s per person – if you want to live solo then costs may be inflated as well, so bear that in mind.
The best option is to choose one of the specialist cruises aimed at residential guests – such as the MV Narrative from Storylines. These offer the comfort of a long-term solution, while being more affordable than the ultra-luxury MS The World.
It’s definitely a tempting way of living out your retirement, with the chance to be cooked for and pampered while being whisked around the world. Are you considering it?
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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.
After a slight delay (a mild understatement), the Villa Vie Odyssey departed on a world cruise in September 2024, with an initial 3.5-year itinerary lined up.
During the cruise, the ship will sail to hundreds of exciting destinations, and life onboard for those who are staying throughout the cruise will certainly be packed with amazing experiences.
There are some who wish to share that journey with the world, and so are posting video updates of their time on the ship on YouTube.
Here’s a look at some of the YouTubers you’ll want to follow if you’d like to keep up with this incredible cruise experience.
MidLife Cruising
As some of the most prolific YouTubers living on the Villa Vie Odyssey, Steve and Angela are documenting every aspect of their trip on the ship.
The couple, from the US, had originally posted a handful of hiking videos on their channel, but then restarted it in 2024 with updates on their decision to purchase a cabin on the ship.
Such is their dedication, they posted almost 50 videos before they had even been permitted to board the ship, documenting their adventures in Belfast.
You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram if you want to see more!
Living Life on a Cruise
Living Life on a Cruise is a YouTube channel run by Johan Bodin and Lanette Canen, a couple who relocated from Maui in Hawaii to document their world cruise experience.
The couple admit that they aren’t retired or wealthy, and will therefore be working from the ship – it’ll be fascinating to see how easy that is for them while they go on their adventures!
They’ve also posted many updates from their adventure so far, along with other travel vlogs from destinations around the world.
You can check out all their social channels and blog from their Linktree page.
The Kiwi Odyssey
Katrina Howard is a New Zealander who runs The Kiwi Odyssey channel, which is solely dedicated to her experience on the cruise with her husband Mike.
While Katrina isn’t posting videos as often as MidLife Cruising and Living Life on a Cruise, she’s still offering regular updates that are worth checking out if you want to see more of life onboard the ship.
Katrina hasn’t shared other social media details yet but I’ll add anything to this guide if she does.
JJ Cruise
JJ Cruise is a YouTube channel run by Jared and Jordan, a married couple who say they’ve already spent more than 700 nights at sea on various cruises around the world.
They announced at the start of 2024 that they would be joining the Villa Vie Odyssey, but then their plans changed.
In a follow-up, they announced that they still do plan on joining the ship for part of the world cruise, but they won’t be onboard immediately.
It’s worth subscribing so you can see when/if that still goes ahead, and they have plenty of other videos for you to check out as well.
Final word
So, whether you’re interested in following the daily life of those onboard, or just curious about the Villa Vie Odyssey itself, these YouTube channels offer an engaging way to stay connected to the cruise.
From the adventurous MidLife Cruising duo to the working-travelling pair behind Living Life on a Cruise, and even Katrina’s more laid-back updates on The Kiwi Odyssey, there’s plenty of content to enjoy.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on JJ Cruise too, as their journey might still take them aboard.
Be sure to subscribe and follow along as these creators document every step of this incredible voyage!
Considering booking a cruise on Sapphire Princess? She’s a fantastic ship, part of the Gem Class for Princess that forms a part of the larger Grand Class overall, and she has plenty of great places to eat, relax and have fun.
She also has some fantastic accommodation choices too – though some rooms are definitely better than others. There aren’t any ‘bad’ cabins to pick from, but depending on the location and the cost, some may be better suited to you than others.
So to help explore, let’s take a look at the various types of accommodation you can book on Sapphire Princess, and identify which ones are the best and which ones you might prefer to avoid when you are planning your cruise.
I’ve spent time pouring over the Sapphire Princess deck plans to help identify the best and worst cabins, and looked at reviews and forum posts from past guests too.
Sapphire Princess Cabin Types
There are seven main types of rooms on Sapphire Princess.
Accommodation
Sleeps
Size (incl. balcony)
Interior
2 to 4
168 to 182 sq. ft.
Oceanview
2 to 4
183 sq. ft
Premium Oceanview
2
200 sq. ft
Balcony
2 to 4
237 to 277 sq. ft.
Premium Balcony
2 to 4
237 to 277 sq. ft.
Mini Suite
2 to 4
354 sq. ft.
Suite
2 to 4
525 to 1,329 sq. ft.
Not every ship in the Princess fleet has Oceanview rooms, but Sapphire 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:
Sapphire Princess Inside Cabins
On most cruise ships, the most ‘basic’ accommodation you can book is an interior or inside cabin, and Sapphire 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 Sapphire 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 on-board activities or even for your next cruise. There are some wheelchair accessible interior cabins on Sapphire 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 Sapphire 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.
Sapphire Princess Inside Cabin Grades
Every cabin on Sapphire 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
168
IB
4
168 – 182
IC
2
168 – 182
ID
2
168
IE
2
168
IF
4
168
Sapphire Princess Oceanview Cabins
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 Sapphire 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 10% bigger.
Sapphire Princess Oceanview Cabin Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
O5
Premium Oceanview
2
200
OC
Oceanview
2
183
OF
Oceanview
2
183
OV
Oceanview (Obstructed)
4
183
OW
Oceanview (Obstructed)
2
183
OY
Oceanview (Obstructed)
2
183
OZ
Oceanview (Obstructed)
2
183
Sapphire Princess Balcony Cabins
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.
Sapphire Princess Balcony Cabin Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
B2
Premium Balcony
4
277
B4
Premium Balcony
4
237 – 277
BA
Balcony
4
237
BB
Balcony
4
237
BC
Balcony
4
237
BD
Balcony
3
237 – 277
BE
Balcony
2
237 – 277
BF
Balcony
2
237
Sapphire Princess Mini Suites
The Mini Suites on Sapphire 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 your would be for a Suite, so there is that to consider as well.
The perks you get in a Mini Suite on Sapphire 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
Sapphire Princess Mini Suite Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
M1
Club Class Mini Suite
3
354
MB
Mini Suite
4
354
MD
Mini Suite
4
354
ME
Mini Suite
4
354
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.
Sapphire 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 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 in your room (on request)
Access to an exclusive seating area in the Main Dining Room, with additional menu options to choose from.
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 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.
Sapphire Princess Suites
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. Sapphire 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.
Sapphire 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
Sapphire Princess Suite Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
S1
Grand Suite
4
1,329
S2
Owner’s Suite
3
692
S3
Penthouse Suite
3
525 – 572
S4
Penthouse Suite
3
555
S5
Premium Suite
3
705
S6
Vista Suite
3
525 – 548
S8
Family Suite
6
618
Grand Vs. Owner’s Vs. Penthouse Vs. Premium Vs. Vista
There are six different types of Suites on the Sapphire 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. Not only is it the most spacious, but it has a prime location at the aft corner of the ship, giving you the biggest balcony area and what many believe to be the best view. It also has multiple seating areas and is great for hosting.
The Owner’s Suite is situated on the same deck as the Grand Suite, but in the opposite corner. It is still exceptionally spacious and is maybe a better choice if you aren’t likely to have people visiting your room.
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 Premium Suites are located in a forward position, with balconies at the front of the ship. There may be times that you can’t use these balconies because of the winds as the ship is sailing – so bear that in mind.
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Special Cabin Types
Sapphire 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 Sapphire Princess, the aft-facing rooms include:
Connecting rooms are designed for any groups that are travelling together that either can’t fit into one cabin, or that want a little more space. They’re two cabins side-by-side that have a door between them. This door is locked by default, so that any guest can book these rooms without a stranger wandering in. But if you book both rooms you can have this connecting door unlocked so that you can wander between the two rooms freely.
On Sapphire Princess, there are a few choices when it comes to connecting rooms:
Two Obstructed Oceanview Cabins
Two Balcony Cabins
Two Premium Balcony Cabins
Sapphire Princess Family Suites
There is another type of connecting room that’s a little more special – the Family Suite. Technically each of the two Family Suites are just two Balcony cabins at the front of the ship, but they must be booked together – you can’t book these rooms individually.
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.
Sapphire Princess Accessible Rooms
While the public areas of the ship are fully accessible for wheelchair users, not every cabin is really suited. There are 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 Sapphire Princess include:
Interior Cabins – Decks 8, 10, 12 and 14
Obstructed Oceanview Cabins – Deck 8
Balcony Cabins – Decks 10-12
Premium Balcony Cabins – Decks 10 and 12
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Sapphire Princess Cabins to Avoid
Now that we’ve run through every type of accommodation you can book on Sapphire 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 Sapphire 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 Sapphire 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.
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
L200 and 201, A104 and 201, B104 and 107, C104 and 107, D104 and 105,
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 Sapphire 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.
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
L200 to 311, A104 to 301 and 628 to 751, B100 to 301 and 628 to 757, C100 to 301 and 628 to 757
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 Sapphire 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 Sapphire 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
D226 and D229, C610 and C611, B708 and B711
There are a handful of laundry rooms on Sapphire 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, especially as each of the cabins I’ve listed is between the laundromat and the lift.
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 Sapphire 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. It’s best to check the deck plans and find a cabin surrounded by other cabins in all directions if you want the least noise.
6. Obstructed View Rooms if a View Is Important to You
Any OV, OW, OY or OZ cabin (Deck 8), C100 to 103, 105 to 106 and 109 (Deck 10), B100 to 103, 105 (Deck 11)
There are a number of Oceanview cabins on Deck 8 that have an obstructed view caused by the ship’s lifeboats. And equally in the Oceanview cabins at the front of Decks 10 and 11, the bridge causes an obstruction too.
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.
7. Connecting Cabins if You Don’t Need Them
Various
The connecting cabins are great for travelling families, but if you aren’t planning on booking both connecting rooms then it’s a good idea to avoid booking one of them at all.
The connecting door will always remain locked, so you don’t have to worry about a stranger wandering in. But that door is not as well insulated for sound as an actual wall, and so you may hear your neighbours a lot – and they might hear you.
If you like privacy, then avoid a connecting room unless you need it.
8. Aft Cabins if You Don’t Want to Risk Soot
A744, 746, 749 and 751, B750, 751 and 753
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.
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 Sapphire Princess
1. Family Suites
The two family suites are a great option for any larger groups who want to sail on Sapphire 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 Sapphire 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 A740 and R745, the Balcony cabins A752 and 747, and the Premium Balcony cabins A746 and A751 (which have slightly extended balconies too).
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.
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 Sapphire Princess, 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 writing their Sapphire Princess cabin reviews in a lot of detail!
You can even ask about a specific cabin – someone in the group will normally be happy to tell you about their own experiences, and many people take their own photos of their Sapphire Princess rooms too, so you can see what your specific room will look like.
And I’d recommend you check out the Sapphire Princess deck plan for yourself too – it’s always worth checking just before you confirm your booking, to make sure it’s in a good location.
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Sapphire Princess Accommodation FAQs
When was the Sapphire Princess last refurbished?
Sapphire Princess was last refurbished in March 2018, when a couple of new dining venues were added to the ship along with upgrades to the beds in the rooms and other décor and furnishing improvements.
What class of ship is Sapphire Princess?
Sapphire Princess is considered part of two different classes. Alongside her sister ship Diamond Princess she makes up the Gem Class, which is part of a larger Grand Class which spans both Princess and P&O Cruises.
How many pools does Sapphire Princess have?
Sapphire Princess has four swimming pools, including the Calypso Reef and Pool, which has a retractable roof meaning you can enjoy it even when the weather isn’t ideal. There are also numerous hot tubs across the ship and in the spa.
How many passengers does Sapphire Princess hold?
Sapphire Princess has a maximum capacity of 2,670 passengers and 1,100 crew, for a total capacity of 3,770. There are over 1,300 cabins and suites for passengers, most of which have either an ocean view or a balcony.
How many decks does Sapphire Princess have?
There are 13 passenger decks on Sapphire Princess, and 3 decks that are accessible to crew members only. Passenger decks range from Deck 4 to Deck 17, with no Deck 13 due to superstition.
What is the best deck on Sapphire Princess?
There’s no simple answer on what the best deck is on Sapphire Princess – it depends on your preference. Try to book a deck that has cabins above and below for the least noise, or check the Sapphire Princess deck plan to find a room near the facilities you’ll use most.
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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.
Drinks on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are pretty pricey. We’re taking $14 for a cocktail, $8 for a beer or $3.50 for a soda.
The good news is that Royal Caribbean cruises include certain drinks for free. And if you want to enjoy unlimited drinks you can purchase one of Royal Caribbean’s all-inclusive drinks packages.
To work out if the drink package is worth it, it’s a good idea to take a look at the Royal Caribbean drink menus to see how much drinks will actually cost on your cruise.
This article lists the drink prices on Royal Caribbean cruises, along with photos of Royal Caribbean drinks menus, to help you to work out how much you will likely to spend on drinks during your cruise.
Or, to do a quick calculation, you can use my drinks package calculator tool. Just pop your details in the form below, and it will be sent straight to your inbox, for free.
Royal Caribbean Drink Prices 2024
The cost of drinks on Royal Caribbean cruises is in the mid to high range compared to other cruise lines. Drinks are priced in US dollars no matter where in the world you cruise.
Unfortunately, if you’re used to pub-priced drinks on P&O Cruises, you might be a little disappointed to find that drinks on Royal Caribbean ships cost a little more than you would pay in your local pub at home.
Royal Caribbean alcohol prices vary slightly depending on the ship, with drinks on the newer ships costing up to $1 more per drink.
How Much Are Drinks on Royal Caribbean Cruises?
These are the average Royal Caribbean drinks prices in 2024:
Beer – $8.25
Glass of wine – $9 to $16+
Cocktail – $14
Mocktail – $7
Spirit and mixer – $9 to $11+
Soda – $3.50
Coffee – $4
Energy drink – $5
Fruit juice – $3.50
Bottle of water – $3.25
Beers & Ciders
Price
Corona Extra
$8.25
Coors Lite
$8.25
Bud Light
$8.25
Budweiser
$8.25
Miller Lite
$8.25
Red Stripe
$8.75
Angry Orchard
$8.25
Amstel Light
$8.25
Blue Moon Belgian White
$8.25
Daura Damm (Gluten-Free)
$8.25
Dos Equis
$8.25
Foster’s Oil Can (750ml)
$9.75
Paulaner Weiss
$8.25
Stella Artois
$8.25
Strongbow Hard Cider
$8.25
O’Douls Alcohol-Free
$7.75
Heineken Alcohol-Free
$7.75
Cocktails
Price
All cocktails
$14
All mocktails
$7
For wines, there are a lot of different variants – so I’ve grouped together the different wine types for simplicity.
Wines (by the glass)
Price
Sauvignon Blanc
$11
Pinot Grigio
$10
Chardonnay
$11
White Zinfandel
$8
White Blend
$16
Rose Cotes de Provence
$14
Brut
$13
Prosecco
$11
Pinot Noir
$11-12
Merlot
$12
Cabernet Sauvignon
$9-11
Spirits
Price
Rum
$8.99-12.99
Vodka
$9.99-13.99
Gin
$10.99-12.99
Tequila
$9.99-13.99
Whiskey
$9.99-12.99
Cointreau
$10.99
Jagermeister
$10.99
Bailey’s
$10.99
Kahlua
$10.99
Aperol
$10.99
Pimms
$10.99
Southern Comfort
$10.99
Hennessy VS
$10.99
Remy Martin
$12.99
Sambuca
$10.99
Non Alcoholic Drinks
Price
Sodas
$3.50
Red Bull
$4.95
Coffee
$4
Fruit Juice
$3.50
Bottle of water
$3.25
This cocktail cost me $14
Free Drinks on Royal Caribbean Cruises
These beverages are included for free on Royal Caribbean cruise ships:
Tea and coffee
Iced tea
Hot chocolate
Lemonade
Flavoured water
Water
Milk
Fruit juices with breakfast
The flavoured waters are really good, more like cordial or squash than water. There’s certainly enough choice to keep most kids happy with the free drinks without paying extra for fizzy drinks, freshly squeezed juices and mocktails.
The free drinks aren’t available in all venues and at all times, but you can find out exactly where and when to get them here: Guide To Royal Caribbean’s Free Drinks.
When it comes to drinking the tap water, it’s fine to do so in most places. But you’ll want to avoid drinking the water in any public handwashing stations and instead stick to water dispensers or the bathroom in your stateroom.
Tip: I like to take a tiny bottle of super concentrated cordial and add it to tap water for the kids
Royal Caribbean Drink Menus 2024
To see a detailed Royal Caribbean drink prices list, take a look at these photos of Royal Caribbean bar menus which I took onboard Anthem of the Seas from Southampton in May 2022. The prices do vary slightly depending on which ship you choose, too, so bear that in mind.
Good to know: US cruises Vs. UK cruises
On most cruises, including cruises departing from the US, an automatic gratuity of 18% is added to the cost of each drink when you receive the bill.
On cruises departing from the UK, the gratuity is included in the price of each drink as shown on the menu, so the menu prices may appear higher.
These photos of Royal Caribbean drinks menus are from the UK, so there will be no gratuity automatically added on top.
Royal Caribbean Pool Bar Menu
This is the pool bar menu from Anthem of the Seas. These are the drinks that are available at all of the outdoor bars. Other drinks are available on request, too. The prices may be slightly out of date but it’s good to see the options.
Schooner Bar Menu
The Schooner Bar is a classic bar that you’ll find on most Royal Caribbean ships. Here’s the drinks menu that shows the prices of beers, wines, cocktails and spirits.
Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room Wine List
This is a copy of the wine list from the main dining room of Anthem of the Seas from the UK. As you can see, there’s not a large choice of wines.
Wonderland Cocktail Menu
Speciality restaurants like Wonderland have their own menus. The cocktails in Wonderland are particularly special and are priced at $13 on this menu…
However, I suspect that this may have been an older menu on our 2022 cruise, as when we received the drinks receipt we were actually charged $14 and $7 for the virgin versions without alcohol.
More Royal Caribbean Drinks Menus
Below is a selection of menu photos from my 2019 cruise on Mariner of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida. The drinks prices are a little cheaper here, but, as this ship sailed from the US, an 18% gratuity was added afterwards.
So, in reality, the drinks were actually cheaper on my 2022 cruise from the UK as the menu prices included the gratuity on that cruise. The prices do vary and I’ve added more up-to-date pricing earlier in this article, but I think that looking at these menus is useful as it shows you what drinks are available…
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The Main Royal Caribbean Drinks Menu
This is the drinks menu which you’ll find at many of the onboard bars such as the Pool Bar and the Viking Crown Lounge.
The menu has a focus on cocktails, with a different page for each spirit – rum, vodka, gin, tequila and whiskey. This makes it a bit easier to narrow down your choice. It also has a wine list at the back.
Despite the huge choice of cocktails, the bar staff on Mariner of the Seas always seemed keen to conjure up something new and often said: “What do you like? Tell me some flavours and I’ll make up something.”
Schooner Bar Drinks Menu
The Schooner Bar is a cosy nautical-themed bar with a piano at the centre. You’ll find this bar onboard all Royal Caribbean ships. The Schooner Bar also offers a large choice of cocktails, as well as beers and lots of wines by the glass or bottle.
Here is the Schooner Bar drinks menu and wine list…
The Bamboo Room Menu
The Bamboo Room is a quirky Polynesian-themed cocktail bar that was added to Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas when they were renovated as part of the Royal Amplified program.
The menu has cocktails, beers and wines.
Royal Caribbean’s English Pub Menu
Most Royal Caribbean ships have an English-style pub on the main promenade featuring expansive beer collections and live music. If you want a good draft beer, this is the place to go.
Cafe Promenade Menu
Most Royal Caribbean ships have a Cafe Promenade which offers complimentary food as well as complimentary basic teas and coffees.
Speciality teas, coffees and hot chocolates have an extra charge, as can be seen from the menu below…
Royal Caribbean Starbucks Menu
Some Royal Caribbean cruise ships also have Starbucks cafes onboard. Coffees are priced between $4 and $6.
Playmakers Bar Menu
Playmakers is a sports bar that can be found onboard several ships in the fleet, including the Freedom-class ships, some of the Oasis-class ships, and the Icon-class ships.
Here, you’ll find a great selection of beverages including craft ales, draft and bottled beers, ciders, cocktails and wines.
Each Royal Caribbean ship has different bars and lounges, and there are lots to choose from on each ship. Favourites include Boleros, R-Bar, Two70, and the Rising Tide Bar which moves between decks on Oasis Class ships. Many bars will have their own unique menu.
Royal Caribbean Mini-Bar Menu
Royal Caribbean also has a mini-bar menu. Rather than arriving to a fully-stocked mini-bar, you’ll find that your mini-bar is empty and you can request what you like in it via a menu that you tick off and hang on your door handle.
As someone who doesn’t use the mini-bar except to store my own drinks and children’s milk, I love having an empty mini-bar.
You Can’t Buy Bottles of Liquor on Royal Caribbean
Some cruise lines such as P&O Cruises allow you to buy bottles of spirits such as vodka, rum or whiskey to drink in your stateroom.
Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean does not allow guests to buy bottles of liquor to drink on board the ship. If you buy duty-free liquor from the onboard shop, it will be delivered to your stateroom on the final evening of your cruise.
Bringing Your Own Drinks on Royal Caribbean Cruises
Royal Caribbean carry-on rules state that each stateroom may bring up to two 750 ml bottles of wine or champagne to drink in your stateroom.
If you wish to drink your wine in one of the public areas, a corkage fee of $15 per bottle will be charged.
Guests may also bring non-alcoholic drinks on board. The limit is 12 cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom. You may also bring milk and water for babies or medical use.
If you’re doing a fly-cruise, it’s probably not worth the hassle of bringing your own drinks on-board. But, when we cruise from the UK and don’t have a drinks package, we’ll definitely be bringing two bottles of wine and 12 cans of Pepsi Max to drink in our room to save a bit of money.
If you do plan to bring your own wine on a cruise, then I’d recommend that you buy an inflatable bottle protector from Amazon to make sure that it arrives in one piece and doesn’t smash in your suitcase.
How awful would it be to open your suitcase to find broken glass and wine all over your clothes?
How To Sneak Alcohol on a Royal Caribbean Cruise
Sneaking alcohol on a Royal Caribbean cruise is a bad idea because if you are caught, you could be kicked off the ship. Royal Caribbean’s alcohol policy states:
“Guests who attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points may be disembarked or not allowed to board”
That said, many people do successfully sneak alcohol on to cruise ships. You can find out how they do it here: How to sneak alcohol on a cruise ship
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Royal Caribbean Drink Packages
Royal Caribbean offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks packages. When you buy a drinks package, you pay a set price, and then all your drinks are included free of charge.
Before you buy a Royal Caribbean drinks package, it’s important to work out whether it offers good value, or whether you would save money if you buy drinks individually. So, now that you know how much drinks cost on Royal Caribbean, you can start to work that out.
My next article gives you all the info on Royal Caribbean drink packages to help you decide whether to get one or not.
Alternatively, you can use my drinks package calculator tool to work out whether the drinks package is good value based on how many drinks you’re likely to have. Just pop your details in the form below, and I’ll email it to you right away.
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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.
Caribbean Princess stands as the lone ship in Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Class, a sub-class of the Grand Class of ship built for both Princess and P&O. She first launched in 2004 and was a modification of the original Grand Princess design, with an extra deck to accommodate more passengers.
This also meant a shuffle around in the types of cabins that were offered – more were needed for the extra capacity, but different types of stateroom were added to this ship too, giving guests a wealth of choice for their cabin.
I’ve looked through the Princess Cruises Facebook groups and cruise forums to find the best and worst rooms on the ship, and spent a while poring over the Caribbean Princess deck plans too. None of the cabins are outright bad, but depending on your preferences some will be more suitable than others, mainly based on the location.
Let’s take a look at the best and worst cabins on Caribbean Princess.
Caribbean Princess Cabin Types
There are six main types of cabin on Caribbean Princess.
Accommodation
Sleeps
Size (incl. balcony)
Interior
2 to 4
162 to 234 sq. ft.
Oceanview
2 to 4
158 to 181 sq. ft
Balcony
2 to 4
231 to 271 sq. ft.
Premium Balcony
2 to 4
231 to 298 sq. ft.
Mini Suite
2 to 4
323 sq. ft.
Suite
2 to 4
319 to 777 sq. ft.
Not every ship in the Princess fleet has Oceanview rooms, but Caribbean 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:
Caribbean Princess Inside Cabins
On most cruise ships, the most ‘basic’ accommodation you can book is an interior or inside cabin, and Caribbean 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 Caribbean 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 on-board activities or even for your next cruise. There are some wheelchair-accessible interior cabins on Caribbean 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 so long as you’re not too heavy.
Pullman beds are either fold-down from the wall, or they’re hidden in the ceiling, and on Caribbean 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.
Caribbean Princess Inside Cabin Grades
Every cabin on Caribbean 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
162
IB
4
162 – 182
IC
2
162 – 182
ID
2
162
IE
2
162
IF
4
162
Caribbean Princess Oceanview Cabins
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 Caribbean 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.
Caribbean Princess Oceanview Cabin Grades
Grade
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
OC
2
179
OE (Porthole)
2
179
OF
2
179
OV – Obstructed
4
179
OW – Obstructed
2
179
OY – Obstructed
2
179
OZ – Obstructed
2
158 – 179
Caribbean Princess Balcony Cabins
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.
Caribbean Princess Balcony Cabin Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
B1
Premium Balcony
4
271
B2
Premium Balcony
4
271
B4
Premium Balcony
4
240 – 298
BA
Balcony
4
231
BB
Balcony
4
231
BC
Balcony
4
231
BD
Balcony
3
231 – 271
BE
Balcony
2
231 – 271
BF
Balcony
2
231
Caribbean Princess Mini Suites
The Mini Suites on Caribbean 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 your would be for a Suite, so there is that to consider as well.
The perks you get in a Mini Suite on Caribbean 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
Caribbean 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.
Caribbean 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.
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 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.
Caribbean Princess Suites
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. Caribbean 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.
Caribbean 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
Caribbean Princess Suite Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
S1
Grand Suite
3
1,277
S2
Owner’s Suite
3
687
S3
Penthouse Suite
3
524 – 531
S4
Penthouse Suite
3
533
S5
Premium Suite
3
568
S6
Vista Suite
3
460 – 495
S7
Window Suite
3
319 – 341
S8
Family Suite
6
606
Grand Vs. Owner’s Vs. Penthouse Vs. Premium Vs. Vista Vs. Window
There are sevendifferent types of Suite on the Caribbean Princess, although one of those is a speciality category aimed at families – more on that below.
Caribbean Princess is the only ship in the Grand Class for Princess Cruises to have all types of suite – the others are either missing Grand Suites, Premium Suites or Window Suites. You get the most choice when you book on Caribbean Princess.
But when comparing the suites, the best is the Grand Suite. Not only is it the most spacious, but it has a prime location at the aft corner of the ship, giving you the biggest balcony area and what many believe to be the best view.
Also sharing a similar view is the Owner’s Suite, in the opposite aft corner on Deck 12. It’s almost half the size though, but still the second most spacious accommodation you can enjoy on the ship.
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 Premium Suites are located in a forward position, with balconies at the front of the ship. There may be times that you can’t use these balconies because of the winds as the ship is sailing – so bear that in mind.
Vista Suites are smaller suites that are also located on multiple decks at the aft of the ship, so while they don’t offer the most space, they do have a great view.
The cheapest suite you can choose is the S7 Window Suite. These are on a low deck, and as the name suggests they don’t have a balcony, but they have a window instead.
They offer a nice view, but really the reason you’d choose this suite is if you want the perks of being a suite customer but you don’t have the budget for a larger room further up the ship.
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Special Cabin Types
Caribbean 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 Caribbean Princess, the aft-facing rooms include:
Connecting rooms are designed for any groups that are travelling together that either can’t fit into one cabin, or that want a little more space. They’re two cabins side-by-side that have a door between them. This door is locked by default, so that any guest can book these rooms without a stranger wandering in. But if you book both rooms you can have this connecting door unlocked so that you can wander between the two rooms freely.
On Caribbean Princess, there are a lot of choices when it comes to connecting rooms:
Two Interior Cabins
Two Oceanview Cabins
Two Balcony Cabins
Two Premium Balcony Cabins
Two Mini Suites
Caribbean Princess Family Suites
There is another type of connecting room that’s a little more special – the Family Suite. Technically each of the two Family Suites are just two Balcony cabins at the front of the ship, but they must be booked together – you can’t book these rooms individually.
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.
Caribbean Princess Accessible Rooms
While the public areas of the ship are fully accessible for wheelchair users, not every cabin is really suited. There are 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 Caribbean Princess include:
Interior Cabins – Decks 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15
Oceanview Cabins – Deck 8
Balcony Cabins – Decks 10, 11, 12 and 14
Premium Balcony Cabins – Decks 10 and 11
Window Suite – Deck 6
Vista Suite – Deck 10
Penthouse Suite – Deck 10
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Caribbean Princess Cabins to Avoid
Now that we’ve run through every type of accommodation you can book on Caribbean 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 Caribbean 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 Caribbean Princess cabins you might want to avoid.
1. Cabins That Are Under the Lido Deck
R311 to R525
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.
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
L106 and 107, R201 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 Caribbean 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.
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
L101 to 311, R201 to 301 and 628 to 751, A201 to 301 and 628 to 751, B201 to 301 and 628 to 757
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 Caribbean 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 Caribbean 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 Laundry
A628, C312, D720, P212
There are a handful of laundry rooms on Caribbean 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. This is less of an issue for P212 as while this is next door to the laundromat, it is perpendicular and so the machines aren’t all sharing a wall with the room – unlike the other cabins I’ve listed above.
The other issue is just traffic – you may have a lot of noise from people coming and going, especially as each of the cabins I’ve listed is between the laundromat and the lift.
5. Cabins at the Front of the Ship Near Crew Stairwells
E101 to 104, D103 to 104, C101 to 102, B201 to 204, A201 to 204, R201 to 204
There are three main staircases on the Caribbean Princess that go from Decks 7 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), L101 to 104 (Deck 14)
There are a number of Oceanview cabins on Deck 8 that have an obstructed view caused by the ship’s lifeboats. And equally, in the Oceanview cabins at the front of Deck 14, the bridge causes an obstruction too.
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.
7. Connecting Cabins if You Don’t Need Them
Various
The connecting cabins are great for travelling families, but if you aren’t planning on booking both connecting rooms then it’s a good idea to avoid booking one of them at all.
The connecting door will always remain locked, so you don’t have to worry about a stranger wandering in. But that door is not as well insulated for sound as an actual wall, and so you may hear your neighbours a lot – and they might hear you.
If you like privacy, then avoid a connecting room unless you need it. You can see the cabins on the deck plans – just check the box for connecting rooms and they’ll be highlighted.
8. Aft Cabins if You Don’t Want to Risk Soot
R748 to 751, A750 to 753, B748 to 757
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’lll 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.
Booking a lower balcony will minimise the risk, but will sacrifice some of the view, so it’s something you need to balance.
9. 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.
The Best Cabins on Caribbean Princess
1. Family Suites
The two family suites are a great option for any larger groups who want to sail on Caribbean 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 Caribbean 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 R744 and R745, Balcony cabin R746 (which has a slightly extended balcony too) and the Oceanview cabins R747 to R750.
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.
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.
Of these rooms, I would maybe avoid the Oceanview ones – those porthole views aren’t great.
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To Conclude
There really aren’t any bad cabins on the Caribbean 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. You can even ask about a specific cabin – someone on the groups will normally be able to tell you about their own experiences.
They often post their own Caribbean Princess cabin photos, so you might be able to check a specific photo of your room.
And I’d always recommend one last check of the Caribbean Princess deck plan before confirming a booking – it’s good to just make sure you’ve picked a good location.
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Caribbean Princess Accommodation FAQs
When was Caribbean Princess last refurbished?
Caribbean Princess was last refurbished in May of 2019, which completed the upgrade to the Grand Class ships in the fleet. She received some new dining venues, along with a re-imagined Reef Splash Zone and upgraded staterooms.
How many cabins does Caribbean Princess have?
Caribbean Princess has 1,569 cabins in total, with 1,111 of those having either a window or a balcony. The ship has a total passenger capacity of 3,080 and carries a crew of 1,200.
What class is Caribbean Princess?
Caribbean Princess is part of the Grand Class along with six other ships, although it also is classified as a Caribbean Class ship as a sub-class. It’s the only Caribbean Class ship sailing in the Princess fleet.
Is Caribbean Princess a MedallionClass ship?
Yes, Caribbean Princess is a MedallionClass ship. All Princess Cruises ships have received the MedallionClass upgrades, which allows guests to use their medallion as their room key, or to add purchases to their account, or track their travelling party around the ship.
What is the best deck on Caribbean Princess?
There’s no single answer – the best deck depends on your preferences. Decks 9 to 12 have only cabins above and below them, which tends to make for less noise. Higher decks will have a better view, but are also worse if you tend to get seasick. Check the Caribbean Princess deck plans to find cabins near your favourite facilities.
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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.
In a recent vote on 1st October 2024, residents of Juneau, Alaska, opted against banning large cruise ships from visiting the town on Saturdays and the 4th of July.
The results are still awaiting confirmation but around 60% of voters opposed the ban, with 3,873 voting against and 2,586 in favour.
Juneau is a favoured stop for cruise ships, particularly during the summer months. The city is renowned for its stunning scenery and vibrant culture, which draw numerous visitors.
Nonetheless, an increase in tourists places additional strain on local resources and services. Despite these challenges, the vote indicates that many residents of Juneau view the cruise industry as vital for employment and the local economy.
Local businesses such as shops, restaurants, and tour companies rely heavily on the revenue generated by cruise visitors.
The summer season is particularly busy for these enterprises, and there were concerns about potential financial losses if the ban were implemented.
Additionally, Juneau benefits financially from a fee levied on each cruise passenger, which contributes to funding city services.
Despite the economic advantages, some residents are concerned about the impact of the large number of tourists on the environment and community life. An increase in visitors can lead to heightened pollution and damage to natural areas.
To address these issues, Juneau reached an agreement with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) earlier in 2024.
This agreement caps the number of cruise passengers at 16,000 per day and 12,000 on Saturdays. This measure aims to balance economic needs with environmental protection.
The vote on the “ship-free Saturdays” plan revealed differing opinions among Juneau’s residents.
Some prioritise safeguarding the environment and quality of life, while others emphasise the employment opportunities and revenue generated by cruise ships.
The decision not to impose a ban underscores the challenge of balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.
It’s interesting to see that, despite other ports around the world also pushing to limit cruise ship visitor numbers, the residents of Juneau seem to support the industry still.
Silversea Cruises is set to enhance its Antarctic voyages with the construction of a brand-new luxury hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile, which will be completed in 2025.
This development aims to make travelling to the world’s southernmost city more convenient and comfortable for guests embarking on expeditions to the “White Continent.”
The hotel will feature 150 rooms overlooking the stunning Beagle Channel, offering views of forests, water, and snow-capped mountains.
Designed with guest comfort in mind, the hotel will include amenities such as a restaurant, bar, lounge, fitness centre, and a gift shop selling local artisan crafts, contributing to the local economy.
“We’re thrilled to enhance the Antarctic travel experience by offering seamless journeys that remove traditional barriers for guests to this region. This development not only differentiates us from other polar expeditions but also reaffirms our commitment to innovation and excellence as Silversea continues to set the standard in experiential luxury travel.”
Bert Hernandez, president of Silversea
The new hotel will provide a luxurious space for guests to relax before and after their Antarctic expeditions, further elevating the brand’s reputation for delivering exclusive travel experiences.
Currently, travellers to Silversea’s Antarctic cruises fly to Puerto Williams via Santiago as part of the line’s Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise program.
The new hotel will make the journey even smoother by offering a high-end base for pre- and post-cruise stays.
A luxury cruise innovator
Silversea Cruises, part of the Royal Caribbean Group, is a leader in luxury polar expeditions with a fleet of small ships designed for intimate voyages to remote destinations.
The new hotel is being developed in partnership with Chilean investors, aiming not only to serve guests but also to boost the local economy while preserving the cultural heritage of Puerto Williams.
Silversea is getting ready for its 2024-2025 Antarctic season, with several itineraries ranging from six to 20 days aboard ships such as Silver Endeavour, Silver Wind, and Silver Cloud.
The season kicks off on 29th October 2024, with an 18-night voyage on Silver Endeavour, visiting the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica.
The best way to book a Silversea cruise
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Ever wondered about electricity on cruise ships? It’s an engineering marvel that demands constant attention to ensure everything from the lighting to the latest tech is powered up. For a better grasp of this intricate system, you may want to learn more.
This post plunges you behind the scenes of these floating cities, revealing the complexities and the experts who master them. With countless factors involved, creating safe and efficient energy at sea is no small feat.
Get ready to explore how ships leverage high voltage electrical systems, how they solve unique challenges, and ways they maximize energy efficiency. Brace yourself for an illuminating journey into cruise ship electricity.
The Power Source of Cruise Ships
If you’ve ever wondered what powers a cruise ship, look no further than diesel-electric power plants. These complex systems are the heart of every ship.
Diesel-Electric Systems
Diesel engines are attached to large generators, converting mechanical energy into electricity. This power is then used to run all onboard operations.
Electricity produced by these generators runs everything from crucial navigation systems, to the luxurious amenities passengers enjoy during their voyage.
Energy Efficiency
Modern cruise ships also prioritize energy efficiency. They employ advanced technologies, recuperating heat generated by engines to produce additional electricity.
Moreover, efficient energy management can considerably decrease fuel consumption and reduce a ship’s environmental impact significantly.
Backup Power Systems
In an unexpected situation, backup power systems will spring into action. These safety measures ensure you’re never left in the dark aboard.
These backup systems supply vital areas like navigation systems and communication facilities to remain operational in emergency situations.
How Electricity is Distributed Onboard
When you step onto a cruise ship, you’re stepping onto a floating city powered by electricity. This power supports every deck, amenity, and cabin.
The power generation on ships occurs within enormous onboard generator sets. These machines convert fuel into the necessary power for all functions on the ship.
Propulsion System: It propels the ship forward or backward. Without electric power, the ship wouldn’t be able to move in any direction.
Lighting Systems: Every corner of the extensive vessel is illuminated with strategically placed lighting systems, powered by generated electricity.
Hospitality Amenities: From elevators to restaurants, all require consistent electrical supply for their operation and to ensure passenger comfort.
Safety Systems: Emergency systems like fire alarms and sprinkler systems rely on constant electricity to remain alert for possible dangers.
This entire system is kept stable by an electrical distribution network. This technology ensures that every corner of the gigantic floating city stays powered.
If a generator malfunctions or fails unexpectedly, automatic systems immediately switch over to backup generators to prevent blackouts and keep everyone safe and comfortable.
Starting and Stopping the Engines
Ever wondered how cruise ship engines start and stop? They use electrical power derived from colossal diesel-powered generators located below the deck.
The Electrical Nerve Center
The control room, often referred to as the “Electrical Nerve Center”, is where electricity distribution is supervised, ensuring uninterrupted power.
Power Regulators and Safety
All the power regulators are installed with safety mechanisms. They dismantle electricity flow during an overload, preventing any possible electrical fires.
Uninterrupted Electrical Supply (UES)
In case of a generator malfunction, other generators seamlessly take over. They ensure an Uninterrupted Electrical Supply, retaining normal operations on board.
Battery-Powered Cruises
Emerging trends show battery-operated cruises. Such ships store energy in large battery packs that can be used when necessary, reducing environmental impacts.
Energy Efficient Practices Onboard
Exploring the unseen energy efficiency measures on cruise ships can be both intriguing and educational.
How Is Electricity Generated Onboard?
Electricity is typically generated from diesel engines, working in conjunction with generators to power all onboard electricity needs.
What Powers The Ship’s Propulsion?
The ship’s propulsion system is powered by specific marine diesel engines, separate from those used for generating electricity.
Are Renewable Energy Sources Utilized At All?
Some modern cruise ships are designed to harness wind and solar power, contributing to their overall energy mix.
Do Cruise Ships Feature Energy-Saving Measures?
Cruise ships employ energy-saving measures like LED lighting, water heat recovery, and efficient air conditioning systems.
What Happens To The Excess Heat Generated?
Excess heat from engines is often harnessed to handle various ship functions, such as heating water or fuel.
Is There A Way To Reduce Fossil Fuel Use?
They are investing in new technologies like LNG (liquefied natural gas) to steer away from traditional fossil fuel use.
Generating Power for Entertainment
The heartbeat of every cruise ship is its array of vibrant entertainment options. Without a steady source of electricity, these highlights would fade into darkness.
Electricity at Sea
A cruise ship’s operations include generating its own power. This self-sustainability guarantees uninterrupted shows, amusement activities, and music events even on high seas.
The ship’s power plant converts fuel into electricity, powering everything onboard from theater spotlights to musical equipment. A ceaseless hum of energy keeps the fun going.
The Role of Engineers
Behind the scenes, a skilled team of engineers maintains this intricate electrical network. They ensure all the electrical systems are functioning impeccably.
Their work guarantees smooth running show lights and booming sound systems. These factors enrich your experience on a cruise ship known for its top-notch entertainment.
Balancing Energy Consumption
Managing the energy utilization on a cruise ship is an essential task. The crew balances energy needs to ensure there’s enough power for every service.
This balancing act helps manage resources better, sustaining both the non-stop entertainment and bare essentials like lighting and food preparation in harmony.
Cruise Ship Lighting and Power Safety
Ensuring the safety of cruise ship’s electricity supply is an intricate process. It starts with structured wiring, high-tech electrical panels, and efficient distribution systems.
Regulatory bodies demand rigorous electrical inspections; ships ‘pass’ with a mix of stellar power management systems, skilled engineers, and meticulous electrical maintenance routines.
One of the critical safety areas lies in lightning protection. Advanced technological solutions safeguard both the ship’s structure and onboard electrical equipment from potential damage.
Proactive System Maintenance: Regular inspections help identify potential issues before they become problematic. Malfunctioning parts are promptly replaced to maintain power safety.
High-quality Equipment: Using top-tier materials for wiring and conducting systems prolongs life span and increases safety standards.
Advanced safety measures: Modern cruise ships employ sophisticated fire suppression systems to handle any possible electrical fires.
You might wonder how ships are protected against lightning-induced challenges. For detailed information, explore a useful article we found at Safety4Sea.
To put it simply, next-generation marine technology plays an invaluable role in a cruise ship’s powerhouse: from maintaining temperature control onboard to keeping the lights on for you to enjoy your stay.
Emergencies and the Role of Electricity
Electricity is the lifeblood of a cruise ship, especially in emergencies. It powers navigation systems, communication tools, and safety equipment on board.
When emergencies occur, continuous power supply is necessary to ensure safety. Electricity drives lift systems for emergency evacuation and enables proper lighting for visibility.
Emergency System
Power Requirement
Backup System
Navigation Systems
Main Power
Battery Backup
Communication Tools
Main Power with UPS
Diesel Generators
Safety Equipment
Main Power with UPS
Battery Backup
Lift Systems
Main Power
Diesel Generators
The availability of constant electricity on a ship cannot be overstated. By understanding its role, you appreciate the complexity of cruise ship operation.
You might find yourself asking about power sources. Cruise ships primarily leverage diesel generators, but are increasingly incorporating alternative energy inputs.
Power at Sea
Your understanding of cruise ship electricity has expanded. You’ve learned about distribution, engine control, energy efficiency, entertainment power, safety and emergencies.
Carnival Cruise Line has announced that lockers will be available for guests at its upcoming private destination, Celebration Key, set to open in August 2025.
The decision follows requests from passengers eager for a secure place to store their belongings while enjoying the island’s attractions.
John Heald, Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, confirmed the news after receiving feedback from travellers on his popular Facebook page.
Guests had expressed concerns about leaving valuables like phones, cameras, and wallets unattended while enjoying the water and other activities.
One guest strongly suggested, “Build lockers at Celebration Cay for phones, cameras, and wallets… This is crazy bad planning by Carnival. Put it right for Celebration [Key].”
Several other passengers agreed, saying that lockers would make the experience more relaxing and convenient.
In response, Heald assured travellers that the suggestion had been taken seriously and passed on to the relevant team.
“Yesterday it was requested that we install lockers at the lagoons on Celebration Key. The beards … read your comments, so I was told last night that they would indeed install lockers there for those who need them.
John Heald
The installation of lockers is expected to be straightforward, given that Celebration Key is still under construction. This allows ample time to strategically place locker banks around the island without compromising the destination’s design and aesthetic.
About Celebration Key
Celebration Key, currently being developed on Grand Bahama Island, is Carnival Cruise Line’s first exclusive destination designed specifically for its guests.
While Carnival does have other private islands/resorts within the business group, Celebration Key is designed with Carnival Cruise Line guests specifically in mind.
Construction on the $200 million project began in May 2022, with the aim of creating a vibrant destination that caters to a wide variety of interests.
The island will offer something for everyone, with distinct zones featuring different atmospheres.
There will be an adults-only area, several dining options, lagoons, beaches, and a local marketplace. The design of Celebration Key will highlight Bahamian culture, with local artists contributing to the project’s visual and artistic elements.
Celebration Key is scheduled to open in August 2025. Carnival has already made over 400 sailings available, giving travellers a wide range of options to visit the new destination.
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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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