Booking a suite on a Royal Caribbean ship is an incredible experience – these are some of the most luxurious accommodations you can find outside of the ultra-luxury cruise lines. But, with that comes a pretty hefty price tag.
If you’re thinking about booking a Royal Caribbean suite then you’ll want to know what perks you’re getting for your chunky cruise fare. And depending on the ship and the suite, it will vary.
So, let’s dive into the different Royal Caribbean suite class perks you can enjoy.
Royal Caribbean suite perks explained
There are a number of benefits of booking a suite on a Royal Caribbean ship. All suite guests enjoy priority boarding, as well as luxury bathroom amenities, a Royal Caribbean bathrobe (for onboard use only) and an espresso coffee machine. Many more perks are available in higher suite tiers.
The Royal Caribbean Suite benefits can be a little confusing because the perks that you get depend on which ship you cruise on. So, the first thing that you need to know is whether your ship is a Royal Suite Class ship, or whether it has the old Royal Caribbean Suites Program.
Royal Suite Class (for newer ships)
Available on: Utopia of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean Suites Program (for older ships)
Available on: Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas.
Basically, the Icon-, Oasis-, Quantum- and Quantum Ultra-class ships (every ship built since 2009) have Royal Suite Class. All of the older ships (built before 2009) have the Royal Caribbean Suites Program.
So first, let’s take a look at the Royal Suite Class perks. If your cruise is on one of the older ships, you can scroll straight down to the Royal Caribbean Suites Program section.
Royal Suite Class Deals
I recommend booking with luxury specialists Panache Cruises for the best service.
Royal Suite Class perks
On ships that have Royal Suite Class, the suites are grouped into three different tiers:
Sea Class
Sky Class
Star Class
Let’s delve a little deeper into each of those…
Sea Class
The suites in the Sea Class tier of the Royal Suite Class program are:
Junior Suites
Junior Suites with a Large Balcony
If you book a Sea Class suite, you’ll get:
A Royal Caribbean bathrobe (not to be kept, but to be used onboard)
A luxury pillowtop mattress
Luxury bathroom toiletries
A Lavazza espresso coffee machine to use in your suite
Dinner at Coastal Kitchen (reservations are needed and drinks aren’t included)
The Sea Class benefits are pretty similar to the Junior Suite perks on the older ships in the fleet, except that you lose priority boarding. Instead, you get the pillowtop mattress and you get to enjoy dinner at Coastal Kitchen, a contemporary restaurant exclusively for suite guests.
The suites in the Sea Class tier of the Royal Suite Class program are:
Sky Loft Suite
Spacious AquaTheater Suite – 1 Bedroom
AquaTheater Suite – 1 Bedroom
Crown Loft Suite
Owner’s Suite – 1 Bedroom
Grand Suite – 2 Bedroom
Grand Suite with Large Balcony – 1 Bedroom
Grand Suite – 1 Bedroom
Golden Balcony
Golden Junior Suite
With a Sky Class suite, you get the same selection of perks that you would in the Sea Class, along with a whole lot more:
Concierge Service
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Coastal Kitchen (reservations are needed for dinner, and drinks aren’t included)
Speciality bottled water in your suite on arrival
Complimentary VOOM internet access (one device per guest)
Flexible arrival times and priority departure
Priority dining reservations
Early access to seating in some entertainment venues
Access to the Suite Lounge (complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails every evening)
Access to the exclusive Suite Sun Deck
These are Royal Caribbean’s standard suite benefits and they include a whole host of valuable extras. Many cruisers rave about the food in the Coastal Kitchen and having access to other VIP areas like the Suite Lounge makes you feel really special.
Suite Deck on Wonder of the Seas
Star Class
The suites in the Star Class tier of the Royal Suite Class program are:
Ultimate Family Suite
Ultimate Family Townhouse
Royal Loft Suite
Villa Suite – 4 Bedrooms
Owner’s Loft Suite
Grand Loft Suite
Owner’s Panoramic Suite – 1 Bedroom
Grand Panoramic Suite – 1 Bedroom
Ultimate Panoramic Suite
Star Loft Suite
Spacious AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony – 2 Bedrooms
AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony – 2 Bedrooms
As you’d expect, booking a Star Class suite will get you all of the perks of the Sky and Sea classes, as well as some additional benefits:
Exclusive access to the Royal Genie Service
Complimentary dining in speciality restaurants, including Chef’s Table
Complimentary Deluxe Beverage drinks package for adults
Complimentary Refreshments soda package for children
Still and sparkling water provided in-suite and refreshed daily
Complimentary gratuities
Expedited boarding and departure
Access to the best seats for entertainment shows
Priority entrance to many onboard activities
Complimentary minibar stocked with Coca-Cola drinks and water
Complimentary laundry and pressing services
Luxury Frette linens
It’s worth explaining some of these in a little more detail.
Royal Genie
The Royal Genie Service is essentially Royal Caribbean’s version of a butler – but because Royal Caribbean is modern, it prefers to call its staff ‘Genies’. They can definitely make your wishes come true though, and are on hand to help with various tasks, including:
Escorting you onboard and making sure your luggage is expedited
Arranging your seating in entertainment venues
Managing your dining reservations (and making recommendations)
Planning celebration requests if you have a birthday or anniversary while sailing
Royal Genie
Priority access
The priority access to activities includes things like the FlowRider or iFly. Those are really popular attractions and sometimes you would normally have to queue for a little while to get a turn.
Not with your Royal Genie’s help – they can get you priority access so that you can try them without all the waiting around. They can’t work miracles though, so this is only outside of peak times (so not between 1 pm and 4 pm on sea days).
It’s worth pointing out that these services are only available to guests who are booked in the Star Class. So, if you’re travelling with a larger group but you’re the only ones sailing in Star Class, your Genie can’t make reservations for the rest of your party.
Complimentary gratuities
It’s also important to clarify that your complimentary gratuities just cover the ‘standard’ tips, so that’s your general housekeeping, stateroom and dining staff.
Your genie doesn’t get a tip as part of your complimentary package, so if you want to reward them you’ll need to do that separately. The same applies to your Concierge too.
There are a lot more benefits when you book one of the Grand, Panoramic or Owner’s Suites on your Royal Caribbean ship.
As well as all the benefits of a Junior Suite, you also get:
A pillowtop mattress
Priority departure on disembarkation day
A Concierge service
Access to the Suite Lounge or Concierge Club, with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails every evening
Priority dining reservations, spa bookings and short excursion tickets
A Suite Party invitation (on cruises of 5 nights or more)
Tours of the Bridge, Galley and Backstage
VIP pool deck seating (on Voyager Class ships and above)
Priority tendering for shore excursions, where available
A welcome gift of fruit and Evian water
The option to enjoy the Main Dining Room menu in your suite
Complimentary 24-hour room service
Private lunch and breakfast seating
A departure breakfast
Access to a reserved section in the Theatre
Complimentary outfit pressing on the first formal night
No sign-up fee for luggage valet service
That’s quite a lot! Royal Caribbean want to make your suite stay special, and if you book one of these suites then you’re going to have an amazing experience with all these extra added in.
Not to be confused with ‘Royal Suite Class’, Royal Suites and Villa Suites are the best suites available on the older ships in the fleet.
With these, you get all of the perks from the lower suite grades, as well as:
An officer will escort you onboard when you check-in
A welcome bottle of Moet & Chandon
It might not seem like a long list, but when you already have all the perks of the lower suite grades, it’s plenty.
You’ll feel like actual royalty being escorted onboard by an officer of the ship, and if you like Champagne then you’ll love having a bottle of Moet waiting for you in your suite – the perfect way to toast the start of your cruise!
Royal Suite
Are suites worth it with Royal Caribbean? It depends…
Royal Caribbean suites aren’t cheap but they are a lot more spacious and come with a lot of benefits. Whether it’s worth it depends on your cruising style – Royal Caribbean ships are packed with activities, so you may not spend much time in your suite at all.
If you’re the sort of person to only use your accommodation as a place to sleep and get ready, then you can save a lot of money by not choosing a suite. You’ll miss out on perks like the best seats in venues, or priority boarding, but many of the other benefits are things you can pay for on an ad-hoc basis.
You don’t need complimentary speciality dining if you only want to visit one of those restaurants, you can just pay for it as a one-off.
But there’s no denying that Royal Caribbean suites are special, especially with Royal Suite Class on the newest ships in the fleet. If you have the budget, and you enjoy spending a bit of time in your suite, then there are few better trips you could book.
To help you avoid these worst cabins on Royal Caribbean, I’ve created a cabin checklist that you can get for free.
Just enter your email address below and you’ll receive it in your inbox straight away.
Royal Suite Class Deals
I recommend booking with luxury specialists Panache Cruises for the best service.
Related posts:
Royal Caribbean Suite guides:
If you found this interesting, please share!
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.
Aviator is an extraordinary online game that has gained great popularity among gamers and betting fans because it includes a hint of chance and strategy. The mechanic is so simple, yet engaging. The player sees a flying virtual plane taking off, and it rises higher. Before starting the fun, you should get acquainted with how it goes and work out effective strategies to bring maximum gains.
Basic Description of Aviator
Aviator, if simplified, is a game of multipliers. Players place their bets ahead of time as the virtual plane takes off. A multiplier starts growing immediately as the plane gains altitude. The goal is to withdraw in time and not let an airplane disappear into the distance with your prospective wins. The more you wait, the bigger the multiplier is, but it’s also riskier. There is a possibility that you get an incredible return on your stake if you cash out at the right time, but if you stay in too long, you could walk away with nothing.
Getting Started on Aviator
Among the great places to play Aviator, one may mention Jackpot City as it has a friendly interface and hot promotions. First of all, one needs to log in to the website or app of Jackpot City and register. Further, it will be necessary to deposit funds into the account and go to the section of Aviation games. The interface is very intuitive; even for beginners, it will be easy to make a bet and understand how to play.
Playing jackpot city aviator, when you get the chance, involves using welcome bonuses or other promotions that can give you more money to familiarize yourself with the game without using your own. Knowing features such as auto cash-out options can be particularly helpful in helping one to manage his bets while trying to get used to a new game.
Understanding Game Dynamics
The mechanics behind Aviator might be quite simple, but a lot of dynamics may come into play to alter your approach. This is all about multipliers and payouts, with each rise of the plane increasing the former. Therefore, timing your cash-out becomes the most critical step in securing your win. You can definitely hold on a bit longer for higher potential payouts, but you increase the chances of losing everything.
Most sites, including Jackpot City, have a part for game history where you can see previous rounds. You could look at patterns and trends from that data, but you should consider that each round is completely independent due to the RNG for this game.
Consider introducing some kind of budgeting strategy into your game-either cash out more conservatively early or be more aggressive, waiting for higher multipliers. In any case, you would want to stick with your chosen strategy. This auto cash-out feature comes in very handy for those who might get carried away in the heat of the action.
The Exclusive Atmosphere of Aviator Gaming on a Cruise Ship
Now, put yourself on a cruiseship, lying in the sun, having the waves of the sea smoothly rock the ship. What could be bigger for such a feeling of holiday than playing Aviator, sitting comfortably with your mobile device? Many cruise lines offer Wi-Fi onboard for their guests to access all their favorite online games.
The Aviator can offer this unique atmosphere while gaming on a cruise liner. Heaving waves and the general vibrancy in the air serve as a very exciting backdrop to place your bets. This is your chance at great entertainment, with breathtaking ocean views all around you.
However, it is very important during your holiday to gamble responsibly. Set limits on gameplay and the amount spent, making sure gaming remains fun for you and not taking away from your vacation enjoyment.
The Social Aspect of Playing Aviator
Apart from that, another positive aspect of the Aviator game, both online and even on a cruise ship is the social factor. In case you go on holiday with friends or family members, you can make the experience more group-oriented. You can discuss strategies, share your wins, and give words of encouragement if one loses. Most online games also feature a chat feature that enables you to interact with people from all walks of life.
Final Tips for New Players
Smaller bets as a new player are advised so you get a feel without much finances at risk. Practice being patient and don’t rush to cash out. Take some time to appreciate how the plane ascends and take calculated moves.
Knowing all the updates, improvements in the game, and insights from the community will be an added advantage to you on the Jackpot City platform. Last but not least, remember that it is more important to have fun. Emotionally, the experience of playing Aviator-let alone on a cruise ship-can easily outweigh any cash prize.
In the end, understanding how Aviator works and elaborating strategies will surely pay off when gaming. Whether at Jackpot City or on the vivid cruise ship, be excited yet responsible, and you will surely enjoy the ride!
If you’ve never taken a cruise before, the whole culture around tipping can be a little confusing. Especially if you’re from the UK where tipping regularly is not a part of our culture.
There are two different types of tips on a cruise ship – that which you’re expected to pay, which are referred to as the gratuities, and then extra tips that you may want to give to the people helping you to enjoy your cruise.
If you’re a novice with tipping, don’t worry. I’ve spent hours browsing the best cruise forums to find out what other experienced cruisers tip above and beyond the standard gratuities.
I’ve collected a ton of data that will help you to compare yourself to others and find a level that feels right for you. Because at the end of the day, it’s totally up to you how much extra to tip, and whether to tip at all.
So, let’s take a look at how much to tip cruise staff, as a guide.
About Cruise Gratuities
Cruise gratuities are the tips that you are expected to pay during your cruise. They apply to all guests and are divided up between different members of the crew, including housekeeping, your room attendant, and those that work behind the scenes that you otherwise wouldn’t see, and therefore wouldn’t have the chance to tip.
Note that I say you are ‘expected’ to pay these. They’ll be added to your cruise account automatically, and you’ll need to pay them to clear your account, although on most cruise lines you can ask for them to be removed.
But you should be aware that for many cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, NCL and Carnival, the crewmembers rely on the tips that passengers are expected to pay. People only tend to remove them if they’ve had terrible service, and even on those rare occasions, most passengers still pay them.
Sometimes, your gratuities are already included in your fare. That’s the case with:
MSC Cruises (when booked in the UK)
P&O Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Marella Cruises
Celestyal Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Silversea
Many other cruise lines let you prepay your gratuities, too. It’s still a separate charge, but this means you can get it paid for upfront, and then you don’t have to worry about it later.
These include:
MSC Cruises (when booked in the US)
Disney Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean
Princess Cruises
NCL
Holland America Line
Carnival
There may be some times when you’re asked to pay them upfront. One example is Royal Caribbean’s MyTime Dining plan – if you want the flexibility to eat dinner at a time that suits you, you have to prepay your gratuities.
Otherwise, you’ll have the gratuities added to your account, and you’ll be expected to pay them off at the end, along with any other charges that you’ve accrued during your cruise.
As a rough guide, most cruise lines tend to charge around $15 per person per day for gratuities. It may be slightly more or slightly less. If you book a suite, expect the cost to be closer to $20 per person per day.
Drinks Gratuities
While your normal gratuities cover most staff on the ship, there may be times when you are asked to pay additional gratuities.
One of these is when you order a drinks package, which usually gives you unlimited drinks during the cruise.
While you’ll see an advertised price for your drinks package, some cruise lines – including Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises – will add on a fixed gratuity fee when you pay, which is usually 18%.
Sometimes, a gratuity is added on to every drink, whether you have a package or not. This really depends on the cruise line and which country your ship departs from. The rules vary a lot, so you’ll need to check the terms and conditions of your booking to be sure.
Spa Gratuities
It’s similar with spa treatments. You’ll see an advertised price for your spa treatment, but many cruise lines will add on an additional gratuity to the price you pay – somewhere between 15% and 20%.
With your regular gratuities, and these additional gratuities for drinks packages and spa treatments, you aren’t expected to tip any extra.
Indeed, some cruise lines are very clear that tipping is not expected – especially P&O Cruises, since it’s a British cruise line where tipping culture is not the norm.
Some even discourage it. MSC’s official line from their UK website is: “MSC Cruises does not recommend tipping individual members of staff.”
But on most cruise lines, many passengers do – especially American passengers where tipping is part of the culture. And so if you want to do the same, let’s take a look at average tipping amounts for different crew members…
There is no set amount for how much to tip on a cruise, and once you have paid your gratuities, there’s no need to tip more if you don’t want to. Average extra tips vary, with most cruisers averaging $1-2 for drinks or room service, and $10-20 per day for cabin stewards.
It’s up to you if you decide to tip extra, but your automatic gratuity charge covers all the essentials. Anything extra is just to say thank you to crewmembers for looking after you, or a way to get a slight ‘edge’ in the service they provide.
They can’t go too far above and beyond but if you tip well then crewmembers might be able to offer a few small touches to make your cruise more special, such as serving you quicker at the bar or spending a little more time to create you a special towel animal in your room.
How Much to Tip Your Room Steward
The typical amounts tipped to room stewards varies between around $2 and $20 per day, although it will depend on the length of the cruise. Many people prefer to tip extra at the start of their cruise, to ensure they get the best service for the duration of their sailing.
One of the lower amounts I’ve seen, for those who want to tip extra, is $20 extra at the start of the cruise and then maybe a little more each night. CruisingNewb on the Royal Caribbean Blog forum suggests this was plenty to ensure proactive service.
Many people tip cabin attendants $10 per day, or $50 to 100 as a lump sum either at the start or end of the cruise.
Of course, some people choose not to tip any extra, and are still happy with the service they receive.
How Much to Tip Your Waiter
Main Dining Room waiting staff tend to be covered in daily gratuities, but for people who like to tip extra, an average is usually $100 per week. Some people prefer to tip on a per-meal basis, and tend to weight the tips more for dinner – $20 per dinner, $10 for lunch and $5 for breakfast.
Depending on your cruise line and your choice of dining plan, you might get the same waiter every night. You’ll then really notice just how good their service is – they will usually remember you and your preferences, and be able to make dinner feel like a really special occasion each night. That may be something you want to reward.
But then, there are plenty of others who view the Main Dining Room staff as already having been tipped as part of the gratuities, and, therefore, won’t tip any more than they need to.
Nowadays, more and more cruises offer flexible dining, so you will have a different team of waiters every night. When this is the case, people are less likely to tip waiters in cash as they probably won’t see them again during the cruise.
How Much to Tip Your Bartender
Many cruise passengers will tip their bartender on a per-drink basis, usually $1-2 per drink ordered. Some passengers prefer to tip their bartender a larger one-off amount if they intend to stay at a bar for a little while – up to $20 is seen as normal.
Some cruise ships like Disney and Royal Caribbean will give you a receipt to sign for every drink. Here, you have the option to write on an additional tip amount, which will be charged to your onboard account. This way, you can use any onboard credit that you have accrued to pay for tips.
Alternatively, you can tip in cash with $1 or $2 bills if you prefer. Of course, pounds sterling, Euros or any other currency will also be welcomed by crew members as they often travel the world and can always change it ashore if needed. Just try not to tip with coins.
Some passengers believe that tipping bartenders extra is a nice thank-you for the busy staff who may be making you complex cocktails. Others see tipping as a way of ensuring they get served first, where possible – hence tipping a $20 bill upfront.
If you’ve paid for a drinks package, you’ll already likely have paid an additional gratuity, and so many people don’t then like to tip again.
Passengers tend to tip cruise butlers more than other crewmembers because they tend to offer more services and are more hands-on in making your cruise special. $200 to 300 per cruise is average, although some may prefer to tip more.
Butlers tend to be offered on luxury cruise lines, and many of those – including Regent Seven Seas and Silversea – have tips already included, which are designed to cover the butler. But that doesn’t stop people from tipping extra.
Butlers are also used in suites on some other cruise lines, including Celebrity Cruises and P&O Cruises. Royal Caribbean has ‘Royal Genies’ instead of butlers, and there is specific advice given that they are not included in typical cruise gratuities, so any tipping needs to be offered separately.
Most people tend to tip $1-2 per item ordered from the room service menu, or a $5 total for a meal or a larger order. Many people only order small items for room service, and so don’t tend to tip large sums because the cost of what they are ordering is already low.
Again though, this is a personal decision and can vary. You might feel that room service is more effort for the crew, since they aren’t just pouring you a drink at a bar where they’re working, but they’re delivering it all the way to your stateroom.
Or you might take the view that you’ve paid your daily gratuities, and this service is included as part of that.
How Much to Tip Your Porter at the Cruise Terminal
Most people offer a small tip to the baggage handlers at the cruise terminal, to ensure their bags are looked after as they are taken onto the ship. It normally varies between $2 and $5 per bag, although a total tip of $10 for a family’s luggage would be sufficient.
Again, there’s no need to tip your porter, but bear in mind how much luggage they are carrying onto the ship. It’s a nice way to thank them for not having to drag your suitcases around with you all day.
When on a cruise excursion, it’s normal to tip the guide to thank them for their efforts in showing you around – this can vary from $5 per person up to $30 per person for longer tours. If your excursion has a coach or taxi, a tip of $1 per person is more in line with the average.
Tipping your guide or driver won’t tend to get you better service, and so it’s normally done at the end of the day more as a thank-you.
Shore excursion in Monaco
What Currency To Use for Tips
Most people tend to tip in the same currency used on the ship, but generally, it doesn’t matter. You can tip in your own currency if you prefer – crew tend to be grateful for all their tips, and they can bank them all regardless.
The only difference would be on an excursion, where it’s best to either tip in the local currency, or in US dollars, which are accepted more widely.
The Bottom Line
If you’re travelling from the UK, you’ll know that tipping isn’t always something that we’re used to. And you might feel awkward tipping on a cruise when you’ve already paid your gratuities. That’s absolutely fine – there is no obligation at all, and you’ll still get great service.
But you might feel equally awkward travelling on a cruise where you know that tipping a little extra is the done thing, and so you might want to take some extra money with you for tips. Don’t tip more than you’re comfortable doing though – you don’t want to stress yourself out budgeting for tips when you have covered the gratuities already.
Related Posts
If you found this interesting, please share!
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.
Royal Caribbean is increasing gratuity prices from 1st November, adding $0.50 per guest per day to each category.
This means that guests in a regular stateroom will pay $18.50 per person, per day, up from $18.
And anyone staying in a Suite will now pay $21 per person, per day, up from $20.50.
While this may seem like a small increase, it comes just a year after the last increase of $2 across all categories, which followed another $1.50 increase in 2022.
This means that guests are now paying around 25% more than they were two years ago for gratuities.
However, anyone who books their cruise before 1st November 2024 and pre-pays their gratuities before the end of 31st October 2024 will secure them at the current rates, not the increased prices, regardless of the sailing date.
Automatic gratuities – right or wrong?
Automatic gratuities remain a controversial topic. Some guests understand that they help to reward the hard-working crew, including those behind the scenes who might not normally receive tips from guests.
Other guests prefer to give tips manually, where they feel they have received good service. And of course, tipping culture varies around the world too.
Automatic gratuities, including these with Royal Caribbean, are not mandatory. They are added to guests’ accounts, but guests can remove them if they really want to.
It’s not recommended, because unfortunately a lot of crew rely on the tips for their pay. Even if a guest receives bad service, it’s not fair to punish the rest of the crew.
The increased charges don’t impact the gratuity automatically added to drinks purchases (18%) and spa and salon treatments (20%).
Majestic Princess is a ship that truly lives up to her name – she really is majestic in every way, with some fantastic restaurants, places to relax and accommodation. But not all rooms are created equally.
So, before you make a snap decision and book a cabin that isn’t right for you, it’s important that you learn about the options available.
That’s why I’ve created this guide to all of the stateroom options onboard Majestic Princess. I’ve scoured the deck plans, read up on the cruise forums and Majestic Princess reviews, and I’ve spent time in various social media groups dedicated to the ship to learn everything I can. It’s been a hectic task!
In this guide to accommodation on Majestic Princess, I’ll give you the most comprehensive information on the internet to help you make the right choice for your stateroom. I’ve included everything on the best and worst cabins on Majestic Princess.
It’s worth reading through the whole guide. Even if you’re someone who only wants the cheapest room available, or you’re set on a Suite, it’s good to learn about the various options.
But most importantly, make sure you don’t skip the ‘cabins to avoid’ section – that’s got some great tips that the cruise line won’t necessarily tell you.
Majestic Princess Cabin Types
There are five main cabin types available on Majestic Princess.
Accommodation
Sleeps
Size (incl. balcony)
Interior
2 to 4
166 to 175 sq. ft.
Balcony
2 to 4
222 to 232 sq. ft.
Deluxe Balcony
2 to 4
242 to 312 sq. ft.
Mini Suite
2 to 4
299 to 329 sq. ft.
Suite
2 to 4
440 to 682 sq. ft.
The Majestic Princess was the last of the Royal-Class ships built without Ocean View staterooms – these were introduced on the Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess.
So, on Majestic Princess, you’ve either got the choice of having a private balcony, or no view at all from an Interior room.
There’s more to booking your cruise accommodation than deciding on whether you want a view though. You need to think about your budget (and where you want to prioritise spending it), and the location of the room on the ship.
Don’t worry though, I’ve made it simple with my own checklist of things you need to think about when you’re deciding which cabin to book. Get your copy of the checklist here:
Majestic Princess Inside Cabins
The cheapest accommodation you’ll find on Majestic Princess is the interior cabins. As the name suggests, they’re on the inside of the ship, which means no windows and therefore no natural light.
They’re also the smallest rooms, but many of them can still accommodate up to four guests, even if they’re better suited for two people. If you aren’t too fussed about spending a lot of time in your room and your priority is to get the cheapest cruise, then an interior room is a good option.
Remember that you’re never too far away from an open deck or a lounge with windows for when you do want to watch the sunset. Choosing an interior frees up more of your budget to spend on speciality dining, or on excursions.
Interior cabins all come with twin beds that can be zipped together to create a queen-sized one for couples who want to share. Grades IA to IE, which can all sleep up to four people, have Pullman beds too.
Pullman beds are fold-down beds that will either be stored attached to the wall, or hidden in the ceiling. They’re better for children than they are for adults, but grown-ups can use them at a push.
Just be aware that the interior cabins on Majestic Princess are the fold-down type, which means it’s annoyingly easy for guests in the main beds to bash their heads on them when sitting up.
Take a look at this video to see more of an inside cabin on Majestic Princess:
Princess Cruises assigns every stateroom a grade. These grades are made up of two characters – the first is always a letter, and for most cabin types the second will be too, though sometimes it is a number.
The first letter tells you what kind of cabin it is, with Interior cabins all beginning with “I”. So far, so simple.
The second character refers to where the cabin is on the ship. The higher the letter or lower the number, the more prime the location. So an IA cabin is a better choice than an IF. However, you will pay more too.
Grade
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
IA
4
175
IB
4
166 – 175
IC
4
166 – 175
ID
4
166
IE
4
166
IF
2
166
Majestic Princess Balcony Cabins
If you’re someone who needs natural light in their stateroom to avoid feeling a little claustrophobic, or you like the idea of sitting outside in your own private space with a view, then a Balcony cabin is what you need. You’ll have a small balcony of your own, accessed via sliding doors from your main cabin.
The balconies are usually quite small unless you buy one of the more premium grade cabins. You’ll be able to sit, but most only have space for two chairs at most.
And remember that a balcony doesn’t guarantee a great view. You might think you’ll be able to enjoy the sights of the port, but you might be unlucky enough to be on the wrong side of the ship.
Here’s a video of a Balcony Stateroom on Majestic Princess:
Majestic Princess has five different types of balcony cabins:
Balcony
Balcony with Obstructed View
Deluxe Balcony
Deluxe Balcony with Obstructed View
Premium Deluxe Balcony
An obstructed view balcony cabin means that your view is partially blocked. These rooms are all on Deck 8 and the cause is the lifeboats – they hang on the sides of the ship just outside these cabins.
If you’re clever you can book an ‘obstructed’ room that has its balcony between two lifeboats, which means they only hang slightly into your view. You still save money too. More on that later.
Majestic Princess Balcony Cabin Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
D4
Premium Deluxe Balcony
4
242 – 312
DA
Deluxe Balcony
3
233
DB
Deluxe Balcony
4
233
DC
Deluxe Balcony
4
233
DD
Deluxe Balcony
3
233
DE
Deluxe Balcony
4
233
DF
Deluxe Balcony
4
233
BA
Balcony
2
222
BB
Balcony
4
222
BC
Balcony
4
222
BD
Balcony
4
222
BE
Balcony
4
222
BF
Balcony
4
222
DW
Deluxe Balcony (Obstructed)
4
233
BW
Balcony (Obstructed)
4
222
Standard Vs. Deluxe Vs. Premium Deluxe Balcony
As you can see from the table of grades, the main difference between a Standard Balcony cabin and a Deluxe or Premium Deluxe option is the space available.
You get around 5% more floor space in total when you upgrade from Standard to Deluxe and 18% more when you opt for a Premium Deluxe room. This extra floor space just makes things a little more comfortable, but the furniture included is still mainly the same.
Here’s a video of the Premium Deluxe Stateroom for you to compare with the Standard Balcony video you saw earlier…
The only furniture difference is in the bed configurations – you get a sofa bed with both a Deluxe and Premium Deluxe room. These are designed to sleep one person, which means that the 3-berth rooms have no Pullman beds at all, and the 4-berth rooms have just one Pullman bed.
If you’ve got a child that’s younger that you don’t want to risk in a higher bunk, choosing a Deluxe or Premium Deluxe Balcony is therefore ideal since you can put them in the sofa bed instead. It’s a more comfortable choice for three adults travelling together too.
Majestic Princess Mini Suites
Looking for something a little more luxurious than a Balcony stateroom but don’t quite have the budget for a full-blown Suite? Mini Suites offer a good middle ground.
You get some extra perks, although nowhere near as many as a Suite offers. But you don’t pay Suite prices either, so it’s a balance.
Majestic Princess Mini Suite Perks:
A dedicated sitting area for the sofa bed, with a coffee table and an extra TV
A curtain to separate the sofa bed area from the bed, creating two ‘bedrooms’
A better bathroom with a bathtub and a massage shower
An improved bed with an extra luxurious mattress topper and more premium pillows
More chairs on the balcony (up to 4)
A free glass of sparkling wine when you board the ship
Majestic Princess Mini Suite Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
M1
Club Class Mini Suite
4
314
M6
Club Class Mini Suite
3
314
MA
Mini Suite
4
314
MB
Mini Suite
4
299 – 329
MC
Mini Suite
4
299
ME
Mini Suite
4
299
MF
Mini Suite
3
299
Club Class Mini Suites
An extra step up from your standard Mini Suites, the premium Club Class Mini Suites are even more spacious and they have a few extra perks to offer too. It’s up to you whether you think these are worth the extra cruise fare.
Majestic Princess Club Class Mini Suite Perks:
Priority embarkation and disembarkation queues at the start and end of your cruise
An enhanced bed designed to be more comfortable
A half bottle of red and half bottle of white wine provided in your cabin on embarkation day
Bathrobes for every guest in the room
Evening canapes served in your Mini Suite (though you have to ask for them)
Exclusive seating in the Main Dining Room with a few extra menu options too
So, take a look at this list – do you like the idea of shorter queue times and a nicer bed? Or would it be better to save the money? The decision on whether to upgrade to Club Class purely depends on your own preferences.
Check out this video of a Club Class Mini Suite on Majestic Princess…
Majestic Princess Suites
If you want the best of the best for your cruise holiday, you’re going to want to book one of the Majestic Princess Suites. These are much bigger rooms with a properly distinct bedroom and sitting area and the largest balconies too.
As well as all the benefits of a Club Class Mini Suite, there’s quite the list of extra perks you get too.
Majestic Princess Suite Perks:
Priority queues for excursions, as well as for embarkation and disembarkation
Priority queues at the guest services and shore excursion desks
Priority booking for the speciality dining venues
Exclusive Club Class dining with extra menu options
Access to the exclusive Lotus Spa Thermal Suite
An enhanced room service menu
A welcome glass of Champagne when you board the ship, and a free mimosa with every breakfast
A complimentary mini-bar in your room along with fresh orchids and a fruit bowl (topped up on request)
Twice-daily ice service
In-suite tea service
A cruise card wallet
Free laundry and dry cleaning, and a shoe-shining service
Free use of umbrellas if needed
A free private portrait sitting with the ship’s photographer
Majestic Princess Suite Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
S2
Owner’s Suite
3
879
S3
Penthouse Suite
3
587 – 682
S4
Penthouse Suite
3
440
S5
Premium Suite
4
554
Premium Suites Vs. Penthouse Suites Vs. Owner’s Suites
Within the Suite class, there are three different options: Premium, Penthouse and Owner’s.
Owner’s Suites are the crème de la crème of accommodation options, and they’re the most expensive. Penthouse Suites aren’t far behind and are just a little smaller. They only sleep 3 people though, so if you’re a group of 4 then you’ll want to look at Premium Suites instead.
The Premium Suites are situated towards the front of the ship, but they aren’t forward-facing. They’re closer to the elevators and have balconies facing the port or starboard side.
The Owner’s and Penthouse Suites are at the aft (back) of the ship with amazing views over the wake. The balconies are much larger than any other accommodation class on the ship and wrap around the aft.
The Owner’s Suites are situated on Deck 8 and are the biggest rooms on the ship. If you want the absolute best room on Majestic Princess, these are the ones to go for. The Penthouse Suites with the biggest balconies are higher up the ship on Decks 14 and 15.
If you’re trying to decide between the different suites, then here are some links to videos of each, which is the best way to have a look around before you book:
Special Cabin Types
Here are some special room types that may be perfect for you, depending on your situation…
Majestic Princess Aft Rooms
Some of the most popular staterooms on any ship are those located at the aft (back of the ship). The view over the wake of a ship is pretty stunning, and because you’re facing away from the direction of travel, you don’t have the wind smacking you in the face either – bonus. Often aft rooms are larger too.
On Majestic Princess there are three choices for aft-facing staterooms:
Premium Deluxe Balcony Rooms
Penthouse Suites
Owner’s Suite
Every deck from 9 to 15 has two Penthouse Suites in the respective aft corners, and then four Premium Deluxe Balcony rooms between them. The biggest rooms are the Owner’s Suites, which are both situated on Deck 8.
Majestic Princess Connecting Rooms
If you’re travelling with more than four people, or you just don’t want to rely on Pullman and sofa beds, you’ll want to consider connecting rooms. These are staterooms that have a connecting door between them. These doors stay locked unless you’ve requested for them to be unlocked to link the rooms together.
It’s best to try to avoid a connecting room if you are only booking one stateroom. No one can get through the locked door, but they’re not as soundproof, and sometimes there’s a draught under the door too.
On Majestic Princess you’ve got the following options for connecting staterooms:
Two Interior cabins
Two Standard Balcony cabins
An Obstructed Balcony and a Standard Balcony
An Obstructed Balcony and a Deluxe Balcony
Two Obstructed Deluxe Balcony rooms
Two Deluxe Balcony Rooms
Two Mini Suites
Two Club Class Mini Suites
Majestic Princess Accessible Rooms
There is a selection of accessible rooms available on Majestic Princess – these are specially designed for users of wheelchairs or scooters. They’re slightly larger and have widened doors to make it easier to get in and out. The bathroom is also a full wet room rather than having a separate shower cubicle.
Understandably, given how popular cruising is with less able-bodied people, these rooms are really popular. So, if you need one then try to book as far in advance as possible.
Majestic Princess’ accessible staterooms are as follows:
Interior – Decks 8 and 9
Balcony – Decks 9-12, Deck 15
Mini Suites – Decks 10, 11 and 12
Club Class Mini Suites – Decks 11 and 12
Penthouse Suites – Deck 14
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Princess Cruises offers…
Majestic Princess Cabins to Avoid
OK, now you know the different options for cabin grades and all the factual information, let’s delve a little deeper into the specific cabins you’ll want to avoid.
This is the stuff the cruise line might hold back on telling you, or may not make completely obvious when you book. So, let’s take a look at the cabins you shouldn’t book for your Majestic Princess cruise holiday.
1. Cabins That May Make Seasickness Worse
L101 to L229, M101 to M229, R101 to R229
If you’re one of the poor few to suffer from seasickness, the last thing you want is a stateroom that can amplify the motion of the ocean and make you feel queasy. This is a general tip for any cruise ship rather than a specific Majestic Princess once, which is why I’m getting it out of the way early.
The rule is that the closer you are to the middle of the ship, the less you’ll feel the movement. So, avoid higher decks, and avoid the front or aft of the ship. The worst staterooms are those on high decks in a forward or aft position. If you know you’re likely to get seasick, ask for a lower mid-ship room instead.
2. Interconnecting Rooms That You Don’t Need
Various
Another tip that applies to any cruise ship rather than specifically Majestic Princess. If you don’t plan on booking two interconnecting rooms together and opening the door between them, you’ll want to avoid booking one of them altogether.
It’s not like you’ll get strangers wandering into your room – the door stays locked. But, that door is a lot less solid than an actual cabin wall, so don’t be surprised if you hear next door’s TV, a baby crying, or any other noises they might be making.
Interconnecting rooms are great for people who want to share two cabins, but otherwise, definitely one to avoid.
3. Obstructed View Rooms
Most of Deck 8 – cabins beginning with E
The lifeboats on Majestic Princess hang in front of the balconies on Deck 8, which means you’ll have an obstructed view. The whole point of paying for a Balcony stateroom is so that you can enjoy the ocean sights in comfort – not see the bottom of a lifeboat in front of your face.
However, there are some rooms that are between lifeboats, which only have a partially-blocked view. So if you don’t mind only seeing between two boats, or you don’t care about the view at all and just want to enjoy the fresh sea air, then you can save money by choosing one of these options instead.
When you check the Majestic Princess Deck plan, you can see the shapes of the lifeboats on Deck 8. The gaps between, such as where E310 is, are where you’ll want to aim for with your obstructed view cabin. This way, you’ll be able to see right through the gap.
The good thing about obstructed views on Majestic Princess is that the lifeboats are a little lower than on some other ships, so you can see over them. Check out this video to see what to expect from this cabin type…
4. Front-Facing Rooms With Limited Balcony Access
L101 to L108, M101 to M108
On the higher decks on Majestic Princess, there is a selection of forward-facing staterooms that have good-sized balconies. The catch is that you’re only allowed to use them in port, and they aren’t made of glass, so you only get a really good view when you’re stood up.
This is because the wind speed caused by the ship’s movement is pretty fast. It’s not safe to open the cabin doors while the ship is moving and it wouldn’t be particularly comfortable for you either.
If you want to use your balcony while the ship is sailing, don’t choose one of these cabins.
5. Rooms Underneath the Lido Deck or Sun Deck
M302 to M436, L101 to L301
These are the staterooms that you’ll want to avoid if you don’t want to hear sounds during the daytime. And that daytime could be very early hours, as other guests rush to secure themselves a deck chair on these decks.
While they’re dragging chairs around, it might not sound too loud to them, but the sound will definitely amplify through your ceiling. If you prefer a lie-in in the morning, try to avoid a room that’s directly underneath an area where guests might be moving furniture around.
6. Rooms Above the Entertainment at Night
E125, E130, E201 to E225, E445 to E612, E630 to E733
While the rooms on higher decks are at risk of noise above, it’s the rooms on Deck 8 situated above some of the entertainment venues that can cause problems in the evening. Some of the live music and shows can go onto the later hours, and the sound will carry through your floor.
If you are a light sleeper and you enjoy getting an early night ahead of another day of cruise adventures, then maybe book a room a little higher up the ship, away from the theatre and lounges.
M722, M723, M724, M725, M726, M727 (Overlooked by the Wake View Bar Terrace)
D145 to D277, D701 to D725(Overlooked by cabins above)
There are three areas on the ship where you’re at risk of being overlooked when you’re sitting on your balcony.
The first is in the staterooms below the SeaWalk – the glass-bottomed walkway that comes out from the side of the ship. Bear in mind too that not only can people see down into your balcony, but you can see them. Maybe don’t wear a skirt when you walk the SeaWalk yourself!
The other location is at the aft of the ship, where the design means that each balcony juts out a little further as you progress down the decks. It’s not usually an issue for any rooms below Deck 15 since you’d have to stand at the edge of your balcony looking down.
But on Deck 16 near the Wake View Bar, that’s exactly what some cruise guests do – stand at the railing to look out to sea. If they look down, they’ll see right into your balcony. Maybe opt for a lower deck or a mid-ship location if you value your privacy.
On Deck 9, some of the Deluxe Balcony staterooms have large balconies that jut out further than the rest. These are overlooked from above as you can see in this photo:
The Best Cabins on Majestic Princess
We’ve been through the cabins to avoid, but which are the best rooms on Majestic Princess? Well, there are a few that stand out as offering great value for money or special touches that might be worth splashing out on. These are…
1. Interior Stateroom
The cheapest and smallest accommodation on the ship – and one of the best? Well yes, if you don’t care about your room too much and you want to save money.
Majestic Princess is packed with places where you can relax and hang out, whether that’s a lounge or the theatre or just a deck chair beside the pool. You may only need your stateroom for a quick shower, a change of clothes and sleep. Why overspend if you don’t really care about relaxing in your own private space?
Mini Suites and above can sometimes be twice the price of an Interior room, if not more. Would you rather have one cruise in a Mini Suite, or two cruises in an Interior? One to think about.
If you’re a real budget cruiser like me, you can get some great deals by having four adults in an inside stateroom and taking advantage of discounts for third and fourth passengers. Sometimes, they can cruise for just a nominal extra fee – making your cruise virtually half price!
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Princess Cruises offers…
2. Owner’s Suite
From one end of the scale to the other – Owner’s Suites are definitely amazing and if you have the money for them – they do make your holiday feel so much more special.
As well as having all the space you could want to unwind in peace, you get a lot of extra perks both within your room and as part of your overall cruise experience.
But, you can’t ignore the price, which makes it a personal decision as to whether they are right for you or not. If you want all those extras then go for it, but consider whether two cruises in a Balcony stateroom would be a better use of your hard-earned money.
3. Rooms With Larger Balconies
Not every balcony on Majestic Princess is the same. Some of the mid-ship balconies have angle balconies, which makes them larger. Look at this section of the deck plan to see what I mean:
You can find these balconies in some Mini Suites, including Club Class Mini Suites. They’re also an option on Decks 8 and 9 for Balcony and Deluxe Balcony staterooms too, although the ones on Deck 8 are those with an obstructed view because of the lifeboats.
If a larger balcony appeals, then make sure you try to secure one of these options with an angled veranda.
4. ‘White Noise’ Rooms
If you’re the kind of person who likes to fall asleep to the gentle sound of white noise, then this little hint might be right up your street. There are some interior cabins on Deck 10 from C316 to C335 that are next to an air vent from the funnels. It generates a low background humming noise.
The cruisers that have commented on this have said that it’s not annoying at all because it’s so quiet, but it is audible when the ship is peaceful, and it’s apparently quite relaxing. If you like the sound of a gentle hum sending you to sleep at night then consider one of these rooms – no white noise app required!
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Princess Cruises offers…
Majestic Princess Accommodation FAQs
Do you still have questions about Majestic Princess staterooms and suites? Here are some of the top ones I’ve been asked…
Does Majestic Princess have single cabins?
There are no dedicated single cabins on Majestic Princess. Solo travellers will need to book a two-berth room and may need to pay the full amount for two people, but you may avoid that if you book early enough and secure a deal.
How many suites are on the Majestic Princess?
There are 36 Suites available on Majestic Princess. There are 12 aft-facing Penthouse Suites, 14 mid-ship Penthouse Suites, 8 Premium Suites and 2 Owner’s Suites.
What deck is the SeaWalk on Majestic Princess?
The SeaWalk on Majestic Princess is situated on Deck 16, the Lido Deck. If you choose a Balcony Stateroom on Decks 15 (M403 to M431) or 14 (R403 to R437), you should be aware that people on the SeaWalk can see onto the balconies.
How old is the Majestic Princess cruise ship?
Majestic Princess is one of the Royal-class ships in the Princess Cruises fleet and she launched in 2017. Originally designed for the Chinese market, she has since started offering itineraries in Oceania and on the west coast of America too.
Has Majestic Princess been refurbished?
Majestic Princess has not been refurbished. She was launched in 2017 and so hasn’t needed to be updated yet. Sister ship Royal Princess, which launched the Royal-class of ships in 2013, was refurbished in 2018, so Majestic Princess may be refurbished in the near future.
The Bottom Line
Majestic Princess is a wonderful cruise ship, but as with any ship, there are some rooms that are better than others. It usually doesn’t cost any extra to choose your room on a Princess Cruise, so it’s worth spending a little time to make sure that you choose a great one, rather than having any room assigned to you.
After all, the rooms that are assigned will, by default, be the rooms that nobody else has chosen!
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Princess Cruises offers…
Related Posts:
More Princess Cruises Cabin Guides
If you found this interesting, please share!
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.
Have you already booked a cruise but are worried that you’ve chosen a poor cabin location? Or perhaps you’re just wondering if there’s an option to upgrade your accommodation to something a bit more indulgent? Whatever your reasons, a cabin upgrade is always a nice perk to add to your cruise.
If you want to upgrade your cruise cabin after you’ve booked, this guide will tell you exactly how to do it…
Can You Change Your Cabin on a Cruise?
You should have no problems changing your cruise cabin after booking, although you will have to pay extra. It’s very easy to upgrade by contacting the cruise line or your travel agent. Some cruise lines also offer programs to allow you to bid for upgrades closer to the departure date.
The rules are a little different for each cruise line though, so read on for all the details…
But first, you’ll want to make sure that your new cabin doesn’t have any issues like noise or being far from the main amenities. Grab a copy of my free checklist to know what to look out for to avoid picking a bad stateroom:
Is It Worth Paying Extra for a Balcony on a Cruise?
On some cruises, it’s definitely worth paying extra for a balcony, but on others, you may barely use it.If you’re sailing to a scenic destination such as the Norwegian Fjords, the extra cost of a balcony is a small price to pay for the enjoyment you would get in return. However, on a cold, windy, transatlantic cruise you’re unlikely to spend much time on your balcony.
I don’t usually get a balcony, but I did on this cruise
Balcony cabins are the next option to upgrade to after Inside and Ocean View cabins. They provide additional outdoor space, which is entirely your own, and often come with furniture such as a table and chairs to relax on while outside.
Sailing to hot destinations is a great time to opt for a balcony as you can enjoy the warm weather all to yourself without hunting for a sun lounger on the pool deck. For families, it also offers more space to spread out without leaving your room. This is great for when you’re getting ready in the morning or if you want somewhere to sit and relax once the little ones go to bed.
If you suffer from claustrophobia, you may not enjoy the feeling of staying in a small, windowless room, so a balcony can be an essential upgrade for some.
When deciding whether to upgrade to a balcony room on your cruise, be sure to consider how much extra it costs. Balcony staterooms can be pricey, sometimes even double the cost of an inside cabin!
A suite is the top level of accommodation on a cruise, and if you ever have the opportunity to upgrade, it’s more than worth it. Suites come with all the benefits of the cabins before them as well as additional extras, though the exact perks depend on the cruise line and the type of suite you book.
Suites have enough space to entertain friends
Typical perks you would find in a suite include butler service and delicious canapes and snacks delivered to your room daily. You’ll enjoy luxurious amenities from top brands such as Le Labo bathroom toiletries or Venchi goodnight chocolates. Suites also come with exclusive access to a range of dining venues, lounges and even VIP pools on some ships.
If you decide that you want to go for a suite, be sure to have a look at the different suite options that are available. Entry-level suites are called Mini Suites and these don’t always come with the perks of a suite – on some cruise ships, they’re not that different to balcony rooms.
The suite perks vary depending on the cruise line, but here are a few guides that may help you to decide whether to upgrade to a suite or stick with the balcony room…
How to Upgrade Your Cruise to the Cabin Number You Want
To upgrade your cruise accommodation to the cabin number you want, you should speak with the cruise line directly, or via your travel agent if you’ve booked with one. This allows them to advise you on the latest availability as well as any necessary charges such as admin fees or upgrade prices.
Some cruise lines offer a choice of different fares when booking such as P&O Cruises which offers an Early Saver Fare, a Saver Fare and Select Fare.
If you initially booked an Early Saver or Saver Fare you would have received a great price but wouldn’t have had the option to choose your cabin number as this is assigned by P&O Cruises. In this instance, to upgrade you would need to switch to Select Fare where you can enjoy alternative benefits including being able to choose your cabin location and being amongst the first to be offered upgrades where available.
The best time to upgrade your cruise to the cabin number you want is as soon as possible, especially if you have a specific location on the ship in mind. The longer you leave this option open, the more likely it is that the cabin you want will be booked by someone else and no longer be available.
How to Get a Cruise Upgrade for Cheap
If you’re not fussy about cabin location, you may be able to opt for a cruise line program that allows you to upgrade for cheaper. If you’re eligible for one of these, you should receive an email from the cruise line to invite you to bid a few weeks before your cruise departs.
Only selected cruise lines offer upgrade bidding and it’s only available on cruises that haven’t sold out.
Cruise lines that offer the bidding process for cheap upgrades:
Here’s what the upgrade emails I’ve received look like…
The bidding process is similar to a blind auction. You enter your maximum bid for each cabin type and whichever guests bid the most will win and be upgraded. Sometimes, the gains are incredible with people snapping up fantastic deals on their cabin upgrades for much cheaper than they would have originally cost.
You have to be careful though. Oftentimes, the system will allow you to bid more than the room originally cost, so be careful not to get carried away and bid too much!
The bidding process isn’t always open to everyone. If limited rooms are available it may be offered to those who are loyal passengers to the cruise line and sometimes also based on how much you paid for your cruise in the first instance. Other factors in the process include how many cabins are remaining on the ship and the category of accommodation you have originally booked.
Invites to make a bid are shared via email, so make sure you have opted into the cruise line’s marketing emails. If you haven’t received one, you may be able to log into the cruise planner section on their website to check.
It’s key to know that the bid process doesn’t guarantee an upgrade, nor does it guarantee a specific room location or attributes. In most cases, if your bid wins and is accepted, you will be charged immediately, and the upgrade amount is non-refundable.
How to Get a Cruise Upgrade for Free
One of the best ways to get a cabin upgrade for free is with a cruise line promotion. Quite often, cruise lines will offer upgrades on staterooms, such as from an Ocean View to a Balcony, for free if you book during the promotional period.
Free upgrades are most commonly offered on winter cruises where most people will opt for an inside cabin. You may find that the balcony cabins are the same price as the insides, so there’s no reason for most people not to book one.
Another way to be upgraded for free is with a guaranteed cabin. This is an option when you book with certain cruise lines and simply means that can’t choose your cabin number. Instead, you are guaranteed a room at the grade you’ve chosen, or higher. The cabin number will be assigned to you before you board.
As the cruise lines always try to ensure that their ships are full to capacity, if they find that a specific grade is sold out, they might offer upgrades to those in that grade in order to continue offering a cheap rate.
This is something Cruise.co.uk mention as working time and time again. For example, you could book a guaranteed inside cabin and after a while, all the inside staterooms sell out. The cruise line could offer you an ocean view or balcony cabin to make room for more of the cheaper insides that they can then sell.
Free upgrades are more likely to happen if you book a cruise on a ship with fewer inside rooms. Once they sell out, you’re more likely to be upgraded.
Alternatively, if you book a cruise on a ship like P&O Cruises’ Britannia that has no sea view rooms, if you get upgraded from an inside room you’ll skip straight to the balcony tier!
Cruising off-peak is another great tip as the ships are usually quieter. This offers more options for the cruise lines to offer upgrades. If you’ve booked with a travel agent, get them to check if any free upgrades are available in the last few weeks before your embarkation. Some people on Cruise Critic’s message boards have said they have been able to upgrade this way on their last two cruises.
Another tip to bag a free upgrade is to join the cruise line’s loyalty programmes. Each cruise line has one and while it might not offer a completely free upgrade, there are perks including discounts on balcony rooms and suites.
Cabin Upgrade FAQs
On a Royal Caribbean cruise can I upgrade room after final payment?
If you’ve passed the final payment deadline for your cruise, you can still upgrade your cabin if another is available. Just be aware that you’ll need to pay the difference in full, immediately when calling to upgrade. You won’t get an extra deadline to pay off the difference.
How does the MSC Upgrade Program work?
The MSC Upgrade option works similar to other cruise lines – you can place a bid on an upgraded stateroom and, if your bid is highest, you automatically win and will be charged the difference. You can wait for the MSC Upgrade email to be sent to let you know when bidding is open, or keep checking your online account.
Can I change my cabin on a P&O cruise?
P&O cabin upgrades are possible, provided you’ve booked a Select Fare. If you booked a Saver Fare then you’ll need to switch to a Select Fare and pay the difference in order to choose a new room.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of ways you can upgrade your cabin after purchase, even if it’s within the same stateroom category or just moving to another deck. These small changes can sometimes make or break your cruise.
It’s worth researching the grades and stateroom categories for the ship you’re booking beforehand, to check you would be happy upgrading to anything and everything, or if you have a specific stateroom in mind. After all, once you upgrade it can be difficult to move back to your original cabin selection.
If you’re booking through a travel agent, let them know you want to upgrade if any become available and they can be on the lookout for a good deal too.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss these hot cruise offers…
Related Posts:
If you found this interesting, please share!
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.
It seems that most people expect to gain weight when they cruise. Around 68% of people who responded to the question on Facebook said they normally gained weight.
Around 12.5% said that they actually lost weight when they cruised. This was either because they were so active when walking around the ship or the ports they visited, or because they used the onboard gyms and tried to be reasonable with their dining and drinking.
The rest of the people who responded said that they would usually stay around the same weight, balancing out activity with eating and drinking on the ship.
Still, that’s the majority of people who will gain weight. And not an insignificant amount either, with an average of around 6 lb (2.7 kg) put on during a typical cruise.
Some people even said that they worked hard before their cruise to lose weight so that, by the end, it all balanced out:
I also think that some people might be in denial…
Not everyone gains weight on a cruise…
There were still plenty of people who said that they didn’t gain weight on a cruise, and either stayed roughly the same or even lost weight.
A lot of people explained how they try to keep similar routines to what they do at home, or they just didn’t go overboard (pun not intended) when they cruised. But for some, it’s just a metabolism thing. Lucky people!
If you’ve never cruised before, then based on the vast majority of responses you should probably expect to gain some weight, and maybe as much as 6 to 7 lb.
The main reasons people gain weight on a cruise
If you want to try and cruise without putting on any extra timber, then some responses highlighted the main reasons people put on weight:
1. Free ice cream
A lot of cruise lines will offer free ice cream by the pool deck, and there’s no limit on how many cones you enjoy. It can be very tempting to just grab another one every hour or so, especially when you’re cruising in a hot destination.
However, while each cone might feel small, they soon add up in terms of calories, sugars and fats. So they can be a key reason why people put on weight.
2. All those amazing desserts
The food on cruises is amazing, and it’s not just the starters/appetisers and the main courses/entrees. Desserts are often spectacular, and the waiters are always happy to get you more than one…
If you don’t tend to eat many sweet things at home, you’ll soon find that the dessert menu will expand that waistline for you.
3. Just all that food and alcohol!
Ultimately, the reason people tend to gain weight on a cruise is because food and drink is freely available, especially if you’ve booked a drinks package.
It’s often booze that’s the problem. People don’t think as much about the calories they’re drinking compared to those they’re eating.
A couple of beers, wines or cocktails can go down so easily, and yet you’re consuming a lot more energy than you need, meaning you’re going to gain weight.
4. Water retention
The other consideration with drinks on a ship is water retention. If you’re drinking more than you normally would (whether alcohol or soft drinks such as coffees), then you’re more likely to retain water, especially in hotter weather.
The good news about this type of weight gain is that it usually corrects itself within a week or two of getting home, with minimal effort.
Top tips to stay in shape on a cruise
Here are some tips from the cruise guests who managed to either maintain their weight or even lose some while on a ship.
1. Use the stairs
One of the top tips from so many people – and something I try to do as well – is to take the stairs when you’re moving between floors on a cruise ship.
It’s not always possible. You might have mobility issues, or you’re right at the bottom of the ship and just don’t want to be flustered when heading for the top deck.
But if you’re able to, and you’re only moving between a few floors, then the stairs can be your ticket to keeping the weight under control as you sail.
As a family, we usually pick a number for how many floors we will do without using the list and then stick to that. So if we decide that four floors or fewer is walkable, then we’ll only use the lift for five or more.
2. Eat when you’re hungry
Food is pretty much available 24/7 on most cruise ships, typically in vast quantities and without anything extra to pay. It’s generally very good quality too, which means it can be tempting to go back for more again, and again, and again…
Remember that you have plenty of days on your cruise to try everything, so don’t overindulge too early. Try to limit your eating to when you’re actually hungry. Make sure your eyes aren’t bigger than your belly, as the saying goes.
Eat what you like, but don’t go so far that you end up feeling bloated and uncomfortable when you should be relaxing.
3. Don’t overdo the booze
Alcohol can be the sneaky issue for anyone who doesn’t want to put on weight during a cruise. It won’t necessarily make you feel full in the same way food will, but the calories will add up.
Cocktails can be particularly bad as they usually have a lot of sugary fruit juice and some even have milk, cream or chocolate sauce in them.
If you don’t drink alcohol, you’ve got a serious advantage. Try to stick to water or sugar-free drinks if you can, and limit the mocktails, coffees and sugar-rich drinks.
But if you like alcoholic drinks, and you’re conscious of weight gain, try to stick to spirits with zero-sugar mixers.
4. Get your exercise in
Cruise ships offer plenty of ways to stay fit and healthy during your cruise if you want to. There’s almost always a gym that’s free for guests to use. There may be exercise classes too, although these may come with an additional charge.
Personally, I just enjoy using the running/walking track around the ship. You get to enjoy amazing views and the fresh sea air as you complete your laps, making it a much more enjoyable experience.
Of course, on port-heavy itineraries you might do a lot of walking ashore too, so bear that in mind. The more sea days, and the more time spent relaxing by the pool, the more you might want to force yourself to get up and walk, jog or swim onboard.
Do what makes you happy!
Assuming you have no health issues, it doesn’t matter if you gain or lose weight on a cruise. There’s a lot of great food and drink to enjoy, so if you want to, then go for it.
The important thing is that you enjoy yourself, and that you’re happy by the end of it. If that means moderation so that you stay in shape, that’s fine. If it means completely letting go and not caring what the scales say, then that’s fine too!
Your cruise holiday is yours to enjoy as you see fit and as long as you’re respectful of other people, and how they choose to cruise, then that’s all that matters.
Don’t be like this, whatever you do:
Oh, and one more key bit of advice from me and other cruisers: pack some stretchy or bigger clothes to wear on the second half of your cruise, especially if it’s a longer one!
Planning a family cruise can be tough, and one of the main problems that families face is being overwhelmed by all the options. There are so many cruise lines for families to choose from, each with its own unique offerings.
I’ve worked in the cruise industry for over eight years and have taken my children on lots of different cruises in that time. So I’d love to use my experience to help you find the best cruise line for your family.
There’s no single answer on the best cruise line for kids, though. Some cruise ships, which are fantastic for teenagers, would be a nightmare for parents of toddlers. Some family cruise lines have lots of activities for parents and kids to do together, whereas others have fantastic kids’ clubs that your children won’t want to leave.
When considering the best cruise lines for families, you should look at all the options and decide which aligns best with what you and your kids will enjoy. So, here’s 10 of the best kid friendly cruises options, including something for all ages.
The 10 Best Cruise Lines for Kids
To help you in your decision, here are some things that you need to know about each of the best cruise lines for families with kids of various ages…
1. Disney Cruise Line
Best for: A really special experience
What Are the Ships Like?
The five Disney cruise ships are luxurious and fun. On board, you’ll find excellent entertainment packed with Disney magic and bump into characters such as Donald Duck as they stroll the decks.
Here I am with Mickey and Minnie on the Disney Wish. It’s one of my favourite cruise ships ever! You can read my Disney Wish review here.
Activities On-Board
Disney cruises have a great focus on entertainment. You’ll enjoy themed deck parties, character meet and greets, award-winning live shows and 3D Disney movies. There’s loads to do, making them one of the best cruise for kids options.
The swimming pools on Disney ships are really fun, including some shaped like Mickey Mouse’s head and older kids will love the water slides.
Age Group Most Suited To
Disney Cruises offer a magical experience for kids of any age. Under threes can be cared for in the nursery, but this is quite expensive.
The free-of-charge kids’ clubs for three to 12-year-olds are out of this world. You’ll struggle to prise your kids away. Tweens and teens also have their own fun hangouts.
Can You Sail From the UK?
Yes. Disney Dream has a good choice of itineraries sailing from Southampton.
Passengers
Disney Cruises are pretty much exclusively for families and are popular with children of all ages, but there are plenty of adult-only areas too.
Price
Disney is one of the more expensive cruise lines with few reductions for children. Take a look at my article to find out how much a Disney cruise costs.
2. Royal Caribbean
Best for: Active families with older kids
What Are the Ships Like?
Royal Caribbean International has 27 ships with more being built all the time. The newest Royal Caribbean ships are the biggest in the world, accommodating as many as 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members.
On board, you’ll find the most exciting features at sea, outstanding food and a fun atmosphere. Here we are in the North Star observation pod which extends 300 feet above Anthem of the Seas.
Activities On-Board
These vary by ship, but may include things like rock climbing, mini golf, surfing machines, sports courts, water slides, zip line, ice skating, skydiving simulator, parades, escape room game, trampolines, trapeze school and laser tag.
Age Group Most Suited To
Many of Royal Caribbean’s onboard activities have age and height restrictions which you can see here.
This means that if your children are younger than eight, they may be disappointed that they’re not allowed to take part in everything. Plus, you’ll essentially be paying for things you don’t use.
That said, on our most recent cruise on Anthem of the Seas, my five-year-old loved the iFly skydiving simulator, the North Star observation pod and the bumper cars, while his seven-year-old sister was a huge fan of the rock climbing wall.
Can You Sail From the UK?
Yes. Between May and October, you can sail from Southampton on Anthem of the Seas. In 2025, that will change as Independence of the Seas returns to Southampton.
Passengers
You’ll find a mix of couples and families of all ages. On sailings from the UK you can expect a lot of British travellers, whereas, on Caribbean sailings, the passengers will be mostly American.
Price
Royal Caribbean cruises are mid-range in terms of price. You can add on a drinks package to make your cruise all-inclusive, but these can be pricy. Look out for special offers where you might get drinks included in your cruise fare.
3. Carnival
Best for: US families on a budget
What Are the Ships Like?
With Carnival Cruises, the emphasis is on fun. The ships are brightly coloured with a real American feel.
Activities On-Board
Carnival’s newest ships have amazing facilities such as the SkyRide (which is a bit like riding a bike around a track in the sky).
Carnival Mardi Gras, which launched in 2021, features the first-ever rollercoaster at sea. There are waterslides aplenty and you’ll also find Dr Seuss characters on board.
Age Group Most Suited To
Carnival cruise ships are best suited for children aged eight and over.
The waterslides and activities have height restrictions of between 42 and 48 inches. Unlike other cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Line bans children in swimming nappies from the spray parks as well as the pools, so these ships aren’t great for toddlers.
Can You Sail From the UK?
Only occasionally do Carnival ships sail from the UK. Their
ships are predominantly based in the Caribbean, although you can sail from
European ports too.
Passengers
Carnival ships are very popular with American families. On
short cruises, you may find a lot of groups, particularly during college spring
break, which you should avoid as it would be like taking your children on an
18-30 holiday!
Price
Carnival cruises are fairly cheap, although this could be outweighed by the fact that you have to pay for flights in most cases.
4. MSC Cruises
Best for: Families with babies and toddlers
What Are the Ships Like?
MSC Cruises ships are very glitzy and glamorous, with Swarovski crystal staircases and lots of marble. The newer ships have water slides and splash areas.
Partnerships with LEGO and Chicco ensure that children have lots of fun on board and my two loved their time in the kids club.
Activities On-Board
Some of the facilities such as the 4D cinema, bowling,
racing car simulator and the arcade are chargeable, so you’ll need to budget
for that if your children will want to do these things. There’s lots of fun to
be had in the kids’ club such as whole days devoted to LEGO building.
Age Group Most Suited To
MSC Cruises is great for babies. On many ships, you’ll find a dedicated baby area where parents can bring their babies at certain times.
The dining room offers a special baby menu for children aged 6-12 months and pushchairs are available to hire free of charge. All other age groups will have a great time too, although it’s worth noting that their friends in the kids’ club will probably speak a variety of languages.
Can You Sail From the UK?
Yes, but only on selected ships. MSC Cruises is unusual in that passengers embark and disembark at various points during the cruise, rather than all starting their cruise at the same port. This means that the choice of itineraries from the UK is somewhat limited.
Passengers
MSC Cruises is an Italian cruise line and is popular with passengers from all over Europe. Because of this, all the announcements and signage are in six different languages and the entertainment often doesn’t include much speaking – think acrobats rather than comedians.
You won’t find many Brits on board, but when you do, you’ll probably remember them and say hello when you bump into them again.
Price
MSC Cruises can be really cheap. We paid £399pp for a 7-night cruise and the children were almost free as they were very young. The MSC drinks packages are also the most reasonable that you’ll find at sea.
5. P&O Cruises
Best for: British families with younger kids
What Are the Ships Like?
P&O Cruises offer both family and adults-only ships. They vary in size from medium to large and offer a modern, friendly, British atmosphere.
Activities On-Board
You won’t find loads of activities on-board P&O Cruises ships, but there will be several swimming pools and Jacuzzis and some ships have a splash area for the little ones. Most kids’ activities will take place in the kids’ club.
Age Group Most Suited To
P&O Cruises accept two-year-old children in the kids’ club, whereas on most other cruise lines the minimum age is three. This is one great reason for anyone cruising with a toddler to choose P&O Cruises.
Under-fives can be dropped off at the night nursery where they’ll be cared for, free of charge, between 6 pm and 2 am. And P&O Cruises is one of the only cruise lines to allow babies and toddlers wearing swimming nappies to use the swimming pools.
Whilst this cruise line is good for children of any age, those older than seven or eight may have more fun on a ship with more facilities.
Can You Sail From the UK?
Yes! P&O Cruises offers a wide choice of cruises sailing from Southampton all year round. From two-night taster cruises to 14-night sailings around the Mediterranean, there’s something for everyone.
Passengers
Being a British cruise line, you’ll find that the vast majority of passengers on-board are British. The type of passengers on board will be different, with shorter cruises attracting a younger crowd than longer voyages.
Price
P&O Cruises is one of the cheapest family-friendly cruise lines. From time to time they offer reduced kids’ prices, with children able to sail from as little as £1, which makes for fantastic value for money.
The drinks on-board are cheaper than many other cruise lines, being similar to local pub prices. And, importantly, you don’t have to pay any gratuities (tips) as you do on most other cruise lines, which saves you around £10 per person, per day.
6. A-ROSA River Cruises
Best for: River cruises with the kids
What Are the Ships Like?
A-ROSA is a river cruise line, so the ships are a lot smaller than ocean cruise ships. One of the newest ships, A-ROSA SENA, was the first river cruise ship built with families in mind, so this is definitely the best ship to choose out of the fleet.
The ships don’t have a lot of space for running around, but this does at least mean it’s easy to keep an eye on the kids – they can’t get lost.
Activities On-Board
Don’t expect anywhere near the facilities that you would get on an ocean cruise ship. However, there are kids clubs at least, which offer various programs for kids aged 4 to 15 with experienced entertainers.
A-ROSA SENA also has a sun deck with a separate kids’ pool so you don’t need to worry about them splashing anyone and 28-square-foot family cabins that sleep up to five people.
Age Group Most Suited To
Because there’s not a huge amount to do onboard, A-ROSA river cruises are better suited to older children who don’t mind a bit of quiet time where they can entertain themselves. Family-friendly shore excursions are probably more targeted at older kids too.
On the sun deck of the A-ROSA Donna
Can You Sail From the UK?
You can’t sail from the UK with A-ROSA, as their family cruises take place on the Danube, Rhine, Seine and Rhone rivers, so you’ll need flights.
Passengers
There’s normally quite a mix of nationalities on an A-ROSA river cruise, including guests from around Europe and also from the US. River cruise guests generally prefer a quieter sailing so don’t expect a boisterous crowd – the kids can have fun but they won’t be able to run amok.
Price
A-ROSA river cruises cost a lot less than some other premium river cruise lines, and kids up to 15 sail for free when travelling with a paying adult. The fares are all-inclusive too, so they’re actually quite good value.
7. Norwegian Cruise Line
Best for: Cruising with total flexibility
What Are the Ships Like?
NCL ships are colourful and packed with fun. The cruising experience is all about enjoying the flexibility to cruise your own way, with a huge choice of dining options and places to relax and have fun, and no real set dining times.
The older ships aren’t quite as fun, but waterparks and slides feature heavily and there’s definitely a kid-friendly vibe across the whole fleet.
Norwegian Encore
Activities On-Board
There is a serious amount of things you can do on an NCL ship, including aqua parks with multiple exciting water slides (some of which are aimed at younger guests), immersive VR experiences, bowling, and even go-karting on some of the newest ships.
Age Group Most Suited To
NCL is good for kids of all ages. The best activities onboard are probably aimed more at kids aged 7+ but the splash parks are suitable for younger kids, while there are dedicated groups in the Splash Academy kids clubs for 3- to 5-year-olds with tailored activities for that age group.
Can You Sail From the UK?
There are some NCL ships that sail from Southampton, including some of the newest and biggest ships in the fleet. Cruises are available from the UK from April to October.
Passengers
NCL cruises generally include a mix of families and couples, but there’s definitely a younger vibe to the cruise line – don’t expect as many older couples to be sailing.
Price
Normally there are significant discounts on kids travelling with their parents. As for the cruise line in general, prices are mid-range, and there are often package deals to add things like drinks or WiFi for a reduced cost.
One thing to be aware of though is that a lot of the activities do cost extra. Yes, the virtual reality arcades are fun, but they are very expensive so if you have older kids you’ll need to budget for that.
8. Costa Cruises
Best for: Italian-style cruising on a budget
What Are the Ships Like?
Costa’s ships are not the most exciting or feature-packed, and they feel like they’re a bit of a budget cruise line at times. They don’t look cheap, but they aren’t offering some of the glitz and wow-factor moments that other cruise lines do. Expect a lot of great pizza and ice cream, though.
Activities On-Board
Costa isn’t known for being super-innovative so don’t expect fancy features like roller-coasters or go-kart tracks. But they do have some good facilities for kids, including splash parks and dedicated teen rooms that are age-appropriate. Affiliations with Peppa Pig are great for younger kids, including themed water areas and activities in the younger kids’ clubs.
Age Group Most Suited To
Costa is better suited to families with younger children under 6, as much of the theming and activities are targeted at these age groups. Older children might get a bit bored with the lack of variety when they want to hang out with their friends, although if your teens enjoy relaxing by the pool then they might enjoy the atmosphere.
Can You Sail From the UK?
Costa doesn’t offer any sailings from the UK – instead you’ll need to fly to Europe, where there are many different departure ports to choose from.
Passengers
Costa passengers tend to include a mix of ages and nationalities, which is reflected in the kid’s clubs too – your children will be able to mix and mingle with others from various countries, which can be exciting for them.
Price
Costa cruises tend to be towards the lower end, and kids sail free on many sailings too, making them a good option if you’re on a budget.
9. Princess Cruises
Best for: Bringing the grandparents
What Are the Ships Like?
Princess Cruises ships are medium to large in size and offer understated luxury with excellent food and service. Princess Cruises are very popular with multi-generational families who want to cruise with kids, parents and grandparents all together.
With my mum on Enchanted Princess
Activities On-Board
Aside from the usual swimming pools and hot tubs, you won’t find many family activities outside of the kids’ clubs. However, the offering here is very good for those aged three to 17 and has a particular focus on education, thanks to partnerships with Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel.
Age Group Most Suited To
Princess Cruises is a good cruise line for children of all ages. Under-threes are allowed in the kids’ club when accompanied by an adult and free baby food is available (either in a jar or pureed fresh).
Older children may have more fun on a cruise line with more for them to do on board.
The nationality of passengers varies depending on the
itinerary, with lots of Brits sailing from Southampton and lots of Americans
sailing from other ports, including European ports. The passengers can be
slightly older than some of the other family-friendly cruise lines.
Price
Princess Cruises are around mid-range in terms of price. Cruises under seven nights are rare, so you won’t find many cheap taster cruises.
10. Celebrity Cruises
Best for: Chilled-out teens
What Are the Ships Like?
Celebrity cruises offer a 5-star cruising experience on board modern and luxurious ships. The newest ships Celebrity ships have some uber-cool features such as real grass lawns, a ‘flying carpet’ that moves up and down the side of the ship and a silent disco.
Activities On-Board
You won’t find masses of kids’ facilities on-board Celebrity Cruises ships. However, there are Xbox stations where children can play solo or take part in tournaments.
Kids can also take part in iTake, a programme that involves storyboarding a movie, heading out to capture the shots on a GoPro camera and editing them in the iLounge.
Age Group Most Suited To
Celebrity Cruises are most suited to children aged 12 and over. The teen hangout is really cool and the glamorous onboard atmosphere is better suited to teenagers than children.
Can You Sail From the UK?
Yes, but only on-board certain ships and only between April and October.
Passengers
Similar to Princess cruises, the type of passengers you’ll
find on Celebrity Cruises varies depending on the itinerary. This cruise line
is popular with affluent couples.
Price
Being a 5-star cruise line, the price of a Celebrity Cruise is usually towards the higher end of the scale, although great deals can often be spotted.
What Are the Best Cruises for Families?
Do a couple of cruise lines from this list take your fancy in particular? You’ll find that the ships that each cruise line owns can be quite different, so be sure to take a look at this post next: The best cruise ships for kids
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.
Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, has 2,805 staterooms and suites. And within those, there are 28 different categories of room. So how can you pick the one that’s best for you?
In this guide, I’m going to give you a rundown of all 28 cabin categories. I’ll tell you which are the best, as well as specific cabins to avoid. I’ll be using real customer reviews, taking an in-depth look at the deck plans and much more.
After reading this guide, you’ll be able to decide which stateroom or suite will best meet your needs aboard Icon of the Seas. So let’s go!
Icon of the Seas cabins – an overview
At the most basic level, there are four broad categories of stateroom/suite on Icon of the Seas. All of those 28 categories of cabin I mentioned fit into one of those four categories.
Room
Sleeps
Size (inc balcony)
Interior
2 to 4
157 to 187 sq ft
Ocean View
2 to 4
160 to 258 sq ft
Balcony
2 to 6
196 to 285 sq ft
Suite
2 to 8
322 to 1,772 sq ft
Interior Staterooms
Here’s a quick list of all the interior stateroom options:
Interior
Interior Plus
Spacious Interior
Surfside Family View Interior
Central Park View Interior
Traditionally, an interior stateroom is one that has no windows, and therefore no natural light. This makes them the least desirable option for many guests, but also the cheapest.
That’s broadly true on Icon of the Seas too, but not entirely. Two of the interior stateroom options have a window that faces the inside spaces in the ship, namely Central Park or Surfside.
They might be a good option if you want some natural light, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them – more on that later.
Interior Plus only has additional storage space, so it’s not really a bigger stateroom. If you want a larger interior room, choose the Spacious Interior option.
Ocean View Staterooms
There are only two types of ocean view stateroom on Icon of the Seas:
Ocean View
Panoramic Ocean View
As the name suggests, a Panoramic Ocean View is a larger stateroom with a much better view. They’re all situated on Deck 14, and you do get quite an impressive sight when you look out of the window.
Otherwise, the standard Ocean View rooms are a good alternative to an Interior, especially if you want to see the sea but you don’t want to pay for a Balcony room. You can get them from Decks 3 to 11. I’d recommend the lowest decks if you suffer from seasickness.
Balcony Staterooms
There are an impressive number of stateroom options available if you want a Balcony room:
Ocean View Balcony
Ocean View Large Balcony
Infinite Ocean View Balcony
Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony
Connecting Ocean View Balcony
Central Park View Balcony
Infinite Central Park View Balcony
Surfside Family View Balcony
You can see from the list that there’s a mix of balcony and infinite balcony options. The regular balconies are those you’d expect from a cruise ship, with a sliding or hinged door that opens into an outside balcony area.
Infinite balconies are different, in that there isn’t really a separate balcony. Instead you get a section of the stateroom to treat as a balcony, and an infinity window that lets you slide down the entire upper half of the window.
Some guests have complained in reviews about this, saying they didn’t realise what they were paying for:
Many of the balcony staterooms don’t face the ocean, but instead face either the Central Park or Surfside internal neighbourhood.
This means someone will have a balcony stateroom directly opposite you as well! But they are cheaper than balcony rooms with an ocean view.
Finally, a quick but important note on Guarantee staterooms. Each category of stateroom (Inside, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite) has a Guarantee option. This is cheaper, but you’ll be assigned a room by the cruise line instead of choosing your own. It’s a risky move, but one that some people prefer due to the lower cost.
Within the Balcony category, if you want to make sure your room is in a neighbourhood or has an ocean view, you can actually select a Balcony Guarantee OR a Neighbourhood Balcony Guarantee.
Suites
Finally, there are the suites on Icon of the Seas. There are loads of these! They range from the entry-level Junior Suites all the way up to the very best multi-storey suites, such as the Ultimate Family Townhouse and the Royal Loft Suite.
Suites are the most expensive accommodation, but come with a host of extra perks, depending on which suite you choose. They’re also the most spacious options. So if you like to spend a lot of time relaxing in your own private space, they’re worth considering.
With so many suite options, it’s best to read my dedicated guide to Icon of the Seas suites if you want to know more about them.
The Cabins To Avoid On Icon Of The Seas
Here are the cabins that you might want to avoid, although it’ll depend on your personal preferences.
1. Surfside Staterooms if you don’t have kids
Surfside is a fantastic new addition to Icon of the Seas. This is a neighbourhood specifically targeted to younger families, primarily with kids aged between 0 and 6. They have attractions suitable for them, spaces for parents to unwind, and accommodation that’s family-friendly.
However, young kids can be noisy! Not all of them, but you shouldn’t expect peace and quiet in an area of the ship designed for fun, especially if you have balconies near the pools where the sound’s going to carry.
So if you don’t have young kids, it’s best to avoid booking the Surfside Family View Interior Staterooms, but especially the Surfside Family View Balcony Staterooms and Surfside Family Suites.
2. Rooms directly below Chill Island
14164 to 14286, 14565 to 14686
Common advice when booking any cruise cabin is to try to avoid any staterooms directly under the pool. The main pools on Icon to be concerned with are around Chill Island, which hosts several pools, whirlpools and loungers.
The area can be pretty noisy, both early in the morning and late at night. The crew will often be moving loungers around, which can scrape on the floor. Then at the end of the day they’ll stack the chairs, which can cause more noise disruption. And that’s without the sound of people enjoying Chill Island during the day!
The early mornings and late nights are more of a concern though, so best to avoid these rooms if you value a lie-in or an early night.
3. Rooms below The Hideaway
14288 to 14350, 14352 to 14362, 14688 to 14750, 14752 to 14762
I’ve already explained how the kids’ area and pool area can be quite loud. Surprisingly, the adults-only space can also be one of the worst offenders for noise!
Icon of the Seas doesn’t have a peaceful Solarium, like many other Royal Caribbean ships do. Instead it has The Hideaway, a space with an infinity pool, bar and some luxurious day beds to enjoy. But this definitely has more of a party atmosphere.
So if you book a stateroom directly below The Hideaway, don’t be surprised to hear loud music above you.
4. Rooms close to the AquaDome
12134 to 12162, 12530 to 12562, 14538 to 14562, 14138 to 14162
This is another new neighbourhood for Royal Caribbean. It’s close to the AquaDome with a modern space that offers entertainment throughout the day and evening, with some amazing productions to enjoy.
Those productions often use a lot of music, with a pretty thumping bass track. There are also rehearsals, but they tend to happen during the day when you’re more likely to be exploring the ship or ashore.
Still, if you’re likely to be tucked up in bed a little earlier, stay clear of this part of the ship when choosing your stateroom.
5. Surfside and Central Park Interior Staterooms
These two odd stateroom categories could be a great choice for a lot of people. Personally, I’m not too sure.
Although technically classed as an ‘Interior’ room, they do offer some natural light through a reasonably sized window. They’re also bigger than standard Interior or Spacious Interior Staterooms, so they have that going for them.
But I don’t know how often you’ll want to have your curtains open in these rooms. There is a serious amount of foot traffic walking right past your stateroom window, meaning any sense of privacy is essentially gone.
Interior-facing balcony staterooms also have some privacy issues, since you’re directly opposite someone else, although that’s not as bad. At worst, you’re exposed when enjoying your balcony, or to the room directly across from you.
But the interior rooms that are right at eye-level for anyone walking past in Surfside or Central Park? I’m not a fan.
6. Suites forward and high if you get seasick
Icon of the Seas utilises all kinds of amazing technology, including the very latest in stabilisers.
However, tech can’t do everything, and the ship is utterly massive. So it’s going to rock when it hits rough seas, and there’s no way of preventing that.
The general advice for anyone who suffers from seasickness is to stay in cabins on lower decks, in the middle of the ship. They should ideally have an ocean-facing balcony too, as it can help to have fresh air and a horizon to focus on.
Many of the top suites on Icon of the Seas are situated on Decks 16, 17 and 18, right at the front of the ship. That’s the worst area you could be in if you feel seasick. So if you get it pretty bad, I’d look elsewhere.
7. Rooms with sofa beds if your kids are bigger
Here’s something I didn’t expect to be an issue for a ship this modern, but it’s a comment I saw several times when researching!
Icon of the Seas has moved away from using pull-down Pullman beds for kids, and instead prioritises sofa beds where possible. On many ships that would be preferable, because there’s no risk of children falling out (or, more likely, adults bumping their heads on the bed).
But the sofa beds in many of the staterooms aren’t very big. If you’ve got an older child, or two smaller children who want to share, you might find that it’s a bit uncomfortable for them:
If you’re travelling with older kids, it’s best to look at staterooms or suites that are larger, and have better bed options than these sofa beds. You want to make sure they’re fully rested for all the activities!
The Best Rooms On Icon Of The Seas
The vast majority of cabin options on Icon of the Seas are pretty good. Even if you do get one that’s not ideal, you probably won’t be too upset considering how much time you’ll spend outside of your room.
I’ve picked out some of the new stateroom/suite categories as the best ones. Unsurprisingly, they’re all aimed at families, since the ship is very family-oriented.
Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony
Of all the different balcony cabin options for families, this one’s probably the best, and that’s mainly down to the layout of the room.
As I’ve mentioned, many of the family rooms use smaller sofa beds. However, the Family Infinite Ocean View has a separate bedroom area, with cool bunk beds that each have their own TV. So as long as there’s no arguments about the volume, everyone can watch what they want!
The room also has a split bathroom, which is a huge perk that not many Royal Caribbean staterooms can offer. Having a shower while your children use their own toilet, instead of interrupting you, is a bigger win than it might sound!
These are the best and the most spacious balcony staterooms. You’ll pay a premium compared to other balcony options, but it’s still cheaper than choosing a suite. It’s absolutely worth the extra money if you’re travelling with kids, especially older kids who would struggle on a sofa bed.
Surfside Family Suite (with young children)
The Surfside Family Suite might be an odd choice for one of the ‘best’ rooms, since it is facing the often-noisy Surfside area and only has a sofa bed for children.
But for younger kids, I think it’s great. That sofa bed is in a half-bedroom of its own, which can be partitioned off and has its own huge TV.
If you’re travelling with younger children, you can let them enjoy their own entertainment while you unwind in the spacious main suite area. And again, you have the perks of a split bathroom.
The Surfside Family Suite is a Sky Class suite, which means it’s considered a mid-tier suite. There are many additional extras, including access to The Grove sun deck when the kids are in Adventure Ocean, access to the Coastal Kitchen and the Suite Lounge, and priority dining reservations.
You also get VOOM internet included, which is perfect if your kids prefer to watch their favourite shows on a tablet or phone.
The Family Infinite Balcony is a better choice for older kids. But I’d say the suite perks for parents, and the proximity to Surfside, make this the best choice for young families who aren’t super-rich.
However, if you ARE super-rich…
Ultimate Family Townhouse
The Ultimate Family Townhouse really is the best of the best when it comes to family suite accommodations. The price tag is a serious caveat – expect to pay around £20,000 per person for a week. It really is a suite only for those with a huge amount of money to spend.
It has an amazing location on the aft corner of the ship. There is direct access to the Surfside neighbourhood from its own picket-fenced backyard area, which is super-cute.
It’s a three-storey suite and super-spacious, around 11 times the size of an Interior Stateroom. The perks include separate bedrooms for kids and parents, gaming tables, a karaoke machine, a slide from the upper levels, a piano staircase (that plays notes as you walk up or down it), and much more.
Plus, as a Star Class suite, you get complimentary gratuities, complimentary drinks packages, and your own Royal Genie (essentially a butler).
Sure, most people reading this will never book the Ultimate Family Townhouse. But it’s called ‘Ultimate’ for a reason, so I had to include it.
Icon of the Seas is still a relatively new cruise ship. So the recommendations in this guide are a little broad, and are based on real customer reviews and my investigation of the deck plans.
There might be odd staterooms or suites that have an unusual quirk or issue. These are likely to come to light as more people sail on the ship. If you’ve experienced anything like that, please let me know in the comments so I can add it to the list!
Generally, the ship’s accommodations are comfortable and very modern. Most people will have an incredible cruise onboard, with their stateroom often just being used for sleep, showering and getting dressed.
If you want to book a particular cabin on Icon of the Seas, you can check to see if someone has reviewed it already. Here are some of the resources I used to write this guide:
The Grand Princess was the largest cruise ship in the world when she first launched in 1998, although she has of course been surpassed since. Yet the former Princess Cruises flagship remains a popular choice for many cruise passengers.
She is part of the Grand Class of ships for Princess, and also a part of the wider Grand Class of ships that was built for both Princess and P&O Cruises, which includes six other ships still in the Princess fleet.
If you’re considering booking a cruise on the Grand Princess, make sure you read this guide first. Here I’ll tell you about all the different cabin options on-board, and which ones you may wish to avoid, depending on your own preferences for your holiday.
Grand Princess Cabin Types
There are seven main types of accommodation on Grand Princess.
Accommodation
Sleeps
Size (incl. balcony)
Interior
2 to 4
160 to 182 sq. ft.
Oceanview
2 to 4
163 to 171 sq. ft
Premium Oceanview
2
206 sq. ft
Balcony
2 to 4
232 to 274 sq. ft.
Premium Balcony
2 to 4
274 sq. ft.
Mini Suite
2 to 4
323 sq. ft.
Suite
2 to 6
319 to 730 sq. ft.
Not every ship in the Princess fleet has Oceanview rooms, but Grand Princess does, including some at the front of the ship that let you look ahead to where you’re sailing. But the majority of rooms on the ship are either Interior, Balcony or Premium Balcony.
However, the decision of which room you should book is a lot more than just picking a cabin type. There’s a lot to consider, as within each type there are different categories, some of which are better than others, and then you also need to think about the location on the ship as well, and how close you want to be to certain facilities (or how far away, if you want a quieter room).
Because there’s a lot to think about, I’ve made a checklist that tells you everything you need to be aware of. And you can get it free here:
Grand Princess Inside Cabins
On most cruise ships, the most ‘basic’ accommodation you can book is an interior or inside cabin, and Grand Princess is no different. These rooms are on the inside of the ship, as the name suggests, which means you don’t have any windows for natural light.
They’re normally designed for two people but there are some that can sleep four. Often inside rooms are the smallest on a ship, but there are some smaller Oceanview cabins on Grand Princess – though not by much.
These rooms are ideal for anyone who either doesn’t like to be woken up by sunlight, and thinks they may get a better sleep without any windows, or for anyone who just isn’t too bothered by having a nice view. After all, there are plenty of open decks where you can go when you do want to see the sea.
And interior cabins are the cheapest available, which frees up more of your budget for onboard activities or even for your next cruise. There are some wheelchair-accessible interior cabins on Grand Princess, and they’re some of the most spacious rooms on the ship that aren’t suites.
Beds are flexible – they’re normally twin beds that can be converted into a double – while the cabins that sleep up to four will have Pullman beds that are more suited to children but can support some adults.
Pullman beds are either fold-down from the wall, or they’re hidden in the ceiling, and on Grand Princess, it’s the fold-down from the wall version. These aren’t as good, because people in the twin beds can bump their heads on the Pullman even when folded up.
Grand Princess Inside Cabin Grades
Every cabin on Grand Princess has a two-letter code that tells you the grade. The first letter makes clear the cabin type, while the second character (a mix of numbers and letters) tells you where it is on the ship, and what sub-type of room it is.
Inside cabins begin with I, and the second letter runs from A to F. A is considered the best due to the location, while F is the worst. Costs vary, so an IA will cost more than an IF – if you want the best location, you have to pay a little more.
Grade
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
IA
2
160
IB
4
160
IC
2
160 – 182
ID
2
160
IE
2
160
IF
4
160
Grand Princess Oceanview Cabins
If you want to enjoy a view from your room, or the thought of no natural light leaves you feeling a bit cramped, then an Oceanview is the next step up. Cheaper than a Balcony, you tend to get just a little more space than an Interior cabin, but more importantly some view of the ocean.
Bear in mind that some of the Oceanview cabins on Grand Princess have an obstructed view, either caused by the lifeboats or by the bridge at the front of the ship. These are cheaper, so if you’re not so worried about the view and just want some sunlight, these could be ideal.
And if you want a little more floor space, you can choose a Premium Oceanview cabin – they’re around 20% bigger. Also be aware that the OE cabins only have a porthole – these don’t offer a great deal of light or an amazing view, but they are a little cheaper than some other cabins.
Grand Princess Oceanview Cabin Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
O3
Premium Oceanview
2
206
OC
Oceanview
2
163 – 171
OE
Oceanview (Porthole)
2
168
OF
Oceanview
2
163 – 171
OV
Oceanview (Obstructed)
4
168
OW
Oceanview (Obstructed)
2
168
OY
Oceanview (Obstructed)
2
168
OZ
Oceanview (Obstructed)
2
168
Grand Princess Balcony Cabins
Looking for a little more space again, and the chance to soak up some fresh air from the comfort of your own room? That’s when you want a Balcony cabin. These have sliding doors opening onto your own miniature veranda where you’ll have a couple of chairs and you can sit and relax with a view.
Within the Balcony category, there are a couple of different options available – Balcony and Premium Balcony. Premium Balconies have more space and are in some premium locations, including the aft of the ship overlooking the wake.
Grand Princess Balcony Cabin Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
B2
Premium Balcony
4
274
B4
Premium Balcony
4
274
BA
Balcony
4
232
BB
Balcony
4
232
BC
Balcony
4
232
BD
Balcony
3
232 – 274
BE
Balcony
2
232 – 274
BF
Balcony
2
232
Grand Princess Mini Suites
The Mini Suites on Grand Princess are a middle step between a Balcony stateroom and a full-size suite. This has some plusses and some drawbacks – you get more space, and you get a few extra benefits, but not as many as if you were to make the step up all the way to a full suite. However, you’re also not paying the same price as you would be for a Suite, so there is that to consider as well.
The perks you get in a Mini Suite on Grand Princess are:
A separate sitting area in your suite, with a sofa bed and a coffee table
A curtain so that you can separate the sofa bed from the main bed area, creating two bedrooms
An extra TV – the usual one facing the bed, and a second in the sitting area
A better bathroom that has a bathtub and a massage shower
An upgraded bed, that has better pillows and a plump mattress topper
Additional balcony chairs – up to four (instead of the normal two)
A glass of sparkling wine as you board the ship
Complimentary canapes are available on request
Grand Princess Mini Suite Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
M1
Club Class Mini Suite
3
323
MB
Mini Suite
4
323
MD
Mini Suite
4
323
ME
Mini Suite
4
323
Club Class Mini Suites
If Mini Suites are a halfway house between Balcony cabins and Suites, then Club Class are a two-thirds house…in that they’re a premium subclass of Mini Suites that have some additional perks, despite not being any larger.
Grand Princess Club Class Mini Suite perks:
Priority embarkation and disembarkation queues at the start and the end of your cruise
An even comfier bed
Bathrobes provided for each guest for the duration of the cruise (don’t steal them!)
A half bottle of red wine and a half bottle of white wine in your Mini Suite on embarkation day
Evening canapes served in your room (on request)
Access to an exclusive seating area in the Main Dining Room, with additional menu options to choose from.
If you’re thinking about making the step up to a Mini Suite or a Club Class Mini Suite, it’s worth taking the time to consider whether these extra benefits are worth it to you. And if they are, then you might also want to pay a little more for a full-sized Suite.
If the suite perks aren’t something you want to pay more for, then it’s not worth booking a Club Class Mini Suite, although you may prefer the extra room that a regular Mini Suite gives you compared to a Balcony cabin.
Grand Princess Suites
If you want to really live the high life, or you just want the most space to be able to relax in the privacy of your own room, then a Suite is the way to go. Grand Princess has some fantastic Suite options, giving you all of the perks of a Club Class Mini Suite, as well as a long list of additional extras as well.
Grand Princess Suite Perks:
Priority queues for embarkation and disembarkation, and for shore excursions/tenders
Priority lines for booking shore excursions and for guest services desks
Priority booking for the speciality dining venues
Access to the Club Class Dining area of the Main Dining Room with its extra menu choices
Access to the exclusive Lotus Spa Thermal Suite
An upgraded room service menu to choose from
Your boarding drink is upgraded to Champagne
A free mini bar in you room, a fruit bowl (topped up on request) and a fresh vase of orchids in your suite for your arrival
A free mimosa served at breakfast every day
A twice-daily ice service
Tea served in your suite
A cruise card wallet
Complimentary use of umbrellas as necessary
Free laundry, dry cleaning and shoe-shining
One free private portrait photograph taken by the ship’s photographer
Grand Princess Suite Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size (sq ft)
S1
Grand Suite
4
730
S2
Owner’s Suite
4
692
S3
Penthouse Suite
4
468 – 473
S4
Penthouse Suite
4
536
S6
Vista Suite
4
484 – 527
S7
Window Suite
3
319 – 341
S8
Family Suite
6
595
Grand Vs. Owner’s Vs. Penthouse Vs. Vista Vs. Window
There are six different types of Suite on the Grand Princess, although one of those is a speciality category aimed at families – more on that below.
But when comparing the other suites, the best is the Grand Suite. There are two Grand Suites, situated high on the ship on Deck 14 in a mid-ship location, giving them great access to the pools and other facilities on the higher decks. They’re the most spacious suites on the ship with a large, wide balcony.
The two Owner’s Suites are situated on Deck 11, occupying the aft corners. They’re also exceptionally spacious, and have fantastic views across the wake.
Some of the Penthouse Suites are also situated at the aft in a more central location, as are the smaller Vista Suites – although they are on a lower deck, so you don’t get quite as expansive a view.
The S4 Penthouse Suites are situated mid-ship, and while these views aren’t as sought after, it does mean that you’re closer to all of the amenities of the ship. If you want to head to the Lotus Spa then you’re a lot closer than an Owner’s Suite guest.
The Window Suites are on Deck 6 and are situated mid-ship, right next to the casino. They’re the only suites to not have a balcony, but they are much more spacious that other ocean view rooms.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Princess Cruises offers…
Special Cabin Types
Grand Princess Aft Rooms
Most people covet an aft room because of the views you can enjoy. Looking out of the wake is pretty exciting, and you’re sheltered from a lot of the winds that stream past the ship while you’re sailing too. Plus, the rooms tend to be larger, so you’re getting more space and a wonderful view every morning.
On the Grand Princess, the aft-facing rooms include:
Premium Balcony Cabins – Decks 8 to 10
Vista Suites – Decks 8 to 10
Penthouse Suites – Decks 10 and 11
Owner’s Suites – Deck 11
Technically there are also Oceanview rooms at the aft on Deck 12, but these are those that only have a porthole – you won’t really be able to take advantage of the view over the wake of the ship.
Grand Princess Family Suites
Towards the front of the ship on Deck 9, you’ll find two Family Suites. Each suite is actually listed as two separate rooms on the Grand Princess deck plans but they must be booked together.
Despite the fact that they are listed as separate rooms within one suite, they have been converted so instead of a shared door, they have a shared living space and fully open balcony area.
Plus, you get all the benefits of booking a suite too, and because there are two sofa beds the suites sleep up to 6 guests. So, if you’re looking for something special for your family, or you’re travelling with a larger group, these could be ideal.
What makes this even more interesting is that Grand Princess, unlike many other ships in the fleet, doesn’t have any other connecting cabins. So if you want to share a room with family, then these suites are your only option.
Grand Princess Accessible Rooms
While the public areas of the ship are fully accessible for wheelchair users, not every cabin is really suited. There is a selection of dedicated accessible cabins though, which have wider doorways, more floorspace around the bed to allow a chair to manoeuvre, and a wet room.
These are really popular and will often book up quickly, so if you’re interested then you should definitely try to book in advance. And if you don’t need an accessible cabin, try not to book them so that those who do require the space don’t miss out.
The accessible cabins on Grand Princess include:
Interior Cabins – Decks 8, 10, 11, 12 and 14
Obstructed Oceanview Cabins – Deck 8
Balcony Cabins – Decks 10 to 12
Premium Balcony Cabins – Deck 10
Mini Suites – Deck 9
Window Suite – Deck 6
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Princess Cruises offers…
Grand Princess Cabins to Avoid
Now that we’ve run through every type of accommodation you can book on Grand Princess, it’s time to pick out those individual cabins that maybe aren’t the best choice.
I’ve scoured forums and Facebook groups to find the rooms on Grand Princess that people haven’t been too happy with, and made a note of them for you here. But remember that a lot of this is subjective, and some of these might actually be a good choice for you.
None of the recommendations here are down to a ‘bad’ room. These are all tips based on the location of the rooms, and what surrounds them.
With that clarified, here are the Grand Princess cabins you might want to avoid.
1. Cabins That Are Under the Lido Deck
A310 to 751
A common thread you see on forums and Facebook groups about cruise ships is problems with the noise from pool decks. There are a lot of rooms that are situated directly underneath the wooden decking of the pools, and when guests wake up nice and early to secure themselves and deck chair, they will often scrape it along the floor to get it into position.
And that sound carries through the floor.
What was interesting was that it wasn’t just complaints about the passengers in the morning that I read about, but also about crew working late to clean the Lido, scraping the deck as they cleaned it as late as almost midnight.
When the guest in question complained they did get an apology, as well as a credit to their on-board spend account, so that should show it’s not a super-regular thing. But if you are someone who appreciates a lie-in then definitely consider booking a room that isn’t underneath the scraping deck chairs.
2. Balcony Cabins Near the Front of the Ship
L201 and 202, A201 and 202, B201 and 202, C101 and 102, D105 and 106,
A few cruise lines have balcony cabins situated in a forward position on the ship, but they’re rendered completely unusable while the ship is sailing because of the high winds – barring some that have special reinforced panels in place.
While Grand Princess doesn’t have forward-facing balconies (except in two Premium Suites), it does have some that are situated close to the front of the ship. These balconies may be out of bounds during particularly high winds, but even when you are allowed to use them I saw a couple of people saying that it wasn’t a pleasant experience – it was too breezy to be able to relax.
If your idea of a balcony is one where things are peaceful, a mid-ship location may be a better choice.
3. Cabins That Can Be Worse for Seasickness
L201 to 308, A201 to 304 and 618 to 749, B201 to 304 and 618 to 751, C101 to 304 and 618 to 753
If you’re someone that’s worried about potentially getting seasick, then you’ll want to avoid cabins where you will feel the motion the most. Those are the cabins on the higher decks towards the front and aft of the ship.
It’s particularly important on Grand Princess as a couple of people have mentioned on the Facebook groups that itineraries departing from San Francisco – where the ship is often based – can have some choppy waters.
It’s not a reason to avoid Grand Princess altogether, but aim for a mid-ship room on a lower deck if you are concerned, as you’ll feel the rocking of the ship less.
4. Cabins Directly Adjacent to the Laundromat
D714 and 715, B714 and 715, A316 and 317
There are a handful of laundry rooms on Grand Princess, meaning guests don’t have to cart their dirty clothes up many floors in the elevator. However, there are a couple of staterooms that are directly adjacent to these rooms, and you may want to avoid them.
And there are two reasons – firstly, the obvious noise of the machines. This isn’t terrible but it can also cause vibrations in the room.
The other issue is just traffic – you may have a lot of noise from people coming and going. So maybe consider avoiding these cabins if you can.
5. Cabins at the Front of the Ship Near Crew Stairwells
P200 to 201, E100 to 103, C101 to 102, D102 to 105
There are three main staircases on the Grand Princess that go from Deck 5 to the higher decks. One at the front of the ship, one mid-ship and one at the aft. The mid-ship and aft staircases are open to passengers, which means they actually get the least use – because everyone uses the elevators.
The staircase at the front of the ship is for crew only, and some guests have reported that there can be some noise early in the morning when the crew are moving around between floors to get everything ready for guests waking up.
It’s not a comment I saw a lot, but I did see it a couple of times, so it’s worth being aware of it if you like a lie-in.
6. Obstructed View Rooms if a View Is Important to You
Any OV, OW, OY or OZ cabin (Deck 8)or OE (Deck 12)
There are a number of Oceanview cabins on Deck 8 that have an obstructed view caused by the ship’s lifeboats.
This isn’t a problem if you don’t want a view and only want some natural sunlight – you’ll still get that, and you can save money. But if you want a good view, it’s best to book an unobstructed room since you don’t know just how much you’ll be able to see.
Technically the porthole rooms aren’t obstructed, but the view is so limited that I wanted to include it here.
7. Window Suites if You Want a Peaceful Room
F301 to 315
The Window Suites are situated on Deck 6 (Fiesta), adjacent to the casino. So, if you’re looking for a relaxing place to unwind in the evening, it might not be the best location.
The doors leading into the casino are separate from the corridor and situated next to the lift, so you won’t have people walking past your room all the time. But it will still be a bit noisier than some other locations – the casino is a lively place.
If you really want the extra floorspace then they’re worth considering – and they’re great if you intend to spend a lot of time in the casino yourself – but of all the suites they’re definitely the least appealing, even if the cost reflects that.
8. Aft Cabins if You Don’t Want to Risk Soot
A746 to 748, B748 to 751
Some guests have reported that when they’ve booked an aft balcony room, there have been some soot build-ups coming from the stacks.
It’s not something that you’ll always have to deal with, but it is a risk for the cabins that are higher up. You may notice a fine dusting of soot on the deck and if you leave any clothes out there, they may get a coating too.
Booking a lower balcony will minimise the risk, but will sacrifice some of the view, so it’s something you need to balance.
The Best Cabins on Grand Princess
1. Family Suites
The two family suites are a great option for any larger groups who want to sail on Grand Princess. They aren’t necessarily packed with fun activities for the kids, like some family-oriented suites are on other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, but they’re really spacious and they have a good-sized balcony that everyone can enjoy.
The only real downside is their forward location, which means some amenities on the ship will be a long walk away. But that’s worth it to not be living underneath each other’s noses or having to book multiple cabins.
2. The Cheapest Cabins
The cheapest cabins on Grand Princess are some of the inside cabins, especially those situated towards the front of the ship. They’re not the biggest, and they’re a decent walk from many of the amenities, but for someone who plans on spending a very small amount of time in their room they are ideal.
You’ll save a lot of money – often paying half of what a guest in a Premium Balcony or Mini Suite may be paying – which can go towards all your onboard experiences or even your next cruise holiday.
3. Staterooms Adjacent to the Terrace Pool
Specifically the Interior rooms A744 and A745, the Balcony cabins A742 and 743, and the Oceanview cabins A746 to A749.
These are right next to the Terrace Pool at the back of the ship, which gives you first dibs on a relaxing deck chair overlooking the wake. Not many people tend to rush here in the morning and you can literally step out of your room and be by the pool in around 10 yards. It’s like your own little private haven.
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.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Princess Cruises offers…
To Conclude
There really aren’t any bad cabins on the Grand Princess cruise ship, but depending on your preferences for noise, location and how prone you are to feeling sick, there may be some that are better for you than others.
I took a lot of this feedback from Facebook groups and forums, so it’s always a good idea to check those out yourself, too. People love to write their own Grand Princess cabin reviews!
You can even ask about a specific cabin – someone in the groups will normally be able to tell you about their own experiences.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Princess Cruises offers…
Grand Princess Accommodation FAQs
When was Grand Princess last refurbished?
Grand Princess last underwent a refurbishment in March 2019, although she has been updated a few times since she first launched in 1998. The latest refurbishment updated the decor and furnishings, and added new top-deck dining venues and a revamp of the Princess Theater’s audio setup.
What is the oldest Princess Cruises ship?
Grand Princess is the oldest ship in the Princess fleet, first launching in 1998. When she entered service she was the largest cruise ship in the world. She’s undergone multiple refurbishments since then and remains an important ship in the fleet.
How many cabins are on Grand Princess?
Grand Princess has a total of 1,303 cabins, of which 366 are Inside and 937 have either a window or a balcony. There are 37 suites in total on the ship – more than on some other Grand Class ships due to the extra Window and Penthouse suites mid-ship.
What is the sister ship of Grand Princess?
Grand Princess used to have two sister ships – Golden Princess and Star Princess. Both ships have since transferred to P&O Cruises Australia, leaving Grand Princess as the last of the original Grand Class ships for the cruise line.
What is the difference between Balcony and Premium Balcony on Grand Princess?
Premium Balcony cabins are larger than Balcony cabins and are usually situated in better locations, including at the aft of the ship with views over the wake. There are no other benefits beyond the extra floor space and the better location.
Related Posts:
More Princess Cruises Cabin Guides
If you found this interesting, please share!
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.
