The Enchanted Princess cabins to avoid are mostly ones with a specific location problem rather than a bad category: midship balconies on Deck 8 (Emerald) where lifeboats block the downward view, rooms directly beneath the pool deck, buffet or gym on Decks 15 and 16, and cabins right above the Princess Theater or beside busy lift lobbies and laundry rooms. The best cabins are usually midship on Decks 9 to 12 or 14, with passenger cabins above and below you.
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Below is a practical guide to every stateroom type on this Royal-class ship, what each one is like, and how to spot the rooms worth skipping before you pay a deposit.
Enchanted Princess Cabins at a Glance
Enchanted Princess is a balcony-heavy ship. Most of its staterooms have a private veranda, and there are no standard oceanview (window) cabins at all, so your realistic choices are inside, balcony, deluxe balcony, mini-suite or a full suite. Cabins sit on Decks 8 to 12 and 14 to 16, with the two Sky Suites up on Deck 18. Decks 5 to 7 are public spaces, and there is no Deck 13.
| Cabin type | Approx. size (cabin / balcony) | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside | 165 to 175 sq ft / none | Budget, port-heavy itineraries | No natural light; lifts and laundry neighbours |
| Balcony | about 180 sq ft / about 40 sq ft | Most couples | No sofa; obstructed (BW) rooms on Deck 8 |
| Deluxe balcony | 195 to 250 sq ft / about 40 sq ft | A little more space and a small sofa | Some obstructed-view variants |
| Mini-suite | 245 to 335 sq ft / about 40 sq ft | Families, longer cruises | Balcony is no bigger than a standard one |
| Suites (Penthouse, Premium, Owner’s) | about 330 to 470 sq ft / 70 to 210 sq ft | Space, perks, priority service | Price; check the location as carefully as any other cabin |
| Sky Suite | about 1,500 sq ft / about 700 sq ft | Groups and big celebrations | Only two on board; book very early |
Sizes are approximate and vary by exact location, so confirm the figures for the specific stateroom on the Princess Cruises website before booking.
Enchanted Princess Cabins to Avoid (and Why)
No cabin on the ship is genuinely bad, but some locations come with trade-offs that many guests would rather avoid. These are the ones to check for on the deck plan.
1. Obstructed-view balconies on Deck 8 (Emerald)
Many midship balconies on Deck 8 look out over the lifeboats. In most of them you can still see the horizon, but the view straight down to the water is blocked, and some feel less private. These rooms are sold as obstructed categories (such as BW) and are usually cheaper. If you mainly want fresh air and a sea view while sitting down, they can be decent value. If watching the water or arriving into port from your balcony matters to you, choose a higher deck.
2. Cabins under the pool deck, buffet or gym
The upper cabin decks (15 and 16) sit beneath the busiest outdoor areas. Rooms directly under the pools and the Horizon Court buffet can hear sun loungers being dragged and carts rolling early in the morning, and those below the fitness centre may hear weights being dropped. Late-night events on the open decks can also carry down.
3. Cabins above the theatre and entertainment venues
Forward cabins on Deck 8 sit above the Princess Theater, and some midship rooms on the same deck are above bars and lounges. Bass from shows and live music can travel upward, especially in the evening.
4. Rooms beside lift lobbies, laundries and crew doors
Staterooms right next to a lift bank or stairwell see a lot of foot traffic and conversation. Self-service launderettes are found on the cabin decks, and rooms beside them may hear dryers and doors. A blank wall at the end of a corridor on the deck plan sometimes hides a crew service door, which can be busy at odd hours.
5. Far forward and far aft cabins if you are prone to seasickness
Motion is felt most at the bow, and the stern can pick up more vibration from the engines and propulsion. Forward cabins can also hear the bow thrusters when the ship docks or leaves port. If you get seasick, a low-to-mid deck midship is the steadiest choice.
6. Connecting cabins (if you are not travelling as a group)
Connecting staterooms share a locked internal door, which tends to let more sound through than a solid wall. They are perfect for families, but couples who value quiet may prefer a non-connecting room. Deck plans mark them with a symbol.
Enchanted Princess Best Cabins by Type
Inside cabins
Inside staterooms are among the more generous on a mainstream ship, at roughly 165 to 175 square feet, and they come with the Princess Luxury Bed, a fridge and a wardrobe. They suit guests who spend little time in their room. Pick one midship on Decks 9 to 12 or 14, away from lifts and launderettes.
Enchanted Princess balcony cabins
Standard balconies make up the largest group of rooms on the ship. The main thing to know is that there is no sofa or armchair inside, so seating is limited to the vanity chair and the bed. The veranda itself is fairly compact. For the best experience, avoid the obstructed categories on Deck 8 and aim for a midship room on Decks 9 to 12 or 14.
Deluxe and premium deluxe balconies
Deluxe balconies add a little more floor space and a small sofa, which makes a real difference on a cruise of a week or more. Aft-facing premium balconies offer more room inside and out, plus wake views, though they can feel more vibration and occasionally catch funnel soot on the upper decks.
Mini-suites and Reserve Collection mini-suites
Mini-suites are noticeably larger, with a sitting area, a sofa bed and a curtain dividing the bedroom area, making them a popular choice for families of three or four. The balcony is the same size as a standard one, though. Princess’s former Club Class mini-suites are now sold as Reserve Collection mini-suites. According to Princess, they add Reserve Dining in a dedicated area of the main dining room, priority embarkation and disembarkation, upgraded bathrobes and amenities, and a welcome bottle of wine.
Suites and Sky Suites
The ship’s full suites (Penthouse, Premium and Owner’s) offer separate living and sleeping areas, larger balconies and Princess’s suite perks such as priority boarding and an upgraded minibar setup. At the top are the two Sky Suites on Deck 18: around 1,500 square feet of interior space with two bedrooms and a huge wraparound terrace looking over the main pool and the outdoor movie screen. They are among the most requested rooms in the fleet, so expect to book well ahead.
How to Check a Cabin Before You Book
This is the part many guides skip. A few minutes with the deck plan will tell you more than any category name.
- Look up and down, not just sideways. Open the deck plan for the decks above and below your cabin. The safest result is passenger cabins on both sides, often called a cabin sandwich.
- Find the lifeboats. On Deck 8, check whether your room sits over the lifeboat line. If the category name includes “obstructed”, it does.
- Count the doors to the lifts. Two or three cabins away from a lift lobby is usually close enough to be convenient without the foot traffic.
- Spot the service areas. Laundries, crew doors and pantries are shown as blank or labelled spaces. Avoid rooms directly beside them.
- Think about guarantees and upgrade bids. A guarantee fare lets Princess pick your room. You save money but give up control, so only take one in a category that is mostly midship on mid-level decks. If you win an upgrade bid, check the new room against this list before accepting.
- Check accessibility needs early. The ship has a limited number of wheelchair-accessible cabins, split between inside and balcony categories, and they sell out early.
Which Cabin Should You Choose?
If you want value, a midship inside cabin on Decks 9 to 12 is hard to beat. If you want sea air on a budget, an obstructed Deck 8 balcony can work as long as you accept the lifeboat view. Most couples will be happiest in a standard or deluxe balcony away from the pool and buffet decks, while families should look at mini-suites or a pair of connecting balconies. Guests who want the full experience should consider a Reserve Collection mini-suite or a suite.
Prices change constantly, so it is worth comparing current fares; our guide to cruise deals for 2027 is a good place to start. If you are weighing up other ships, see how cabins compare in our best and worst cabins on P&O Arvia guide, or our ranking of every suite on Carnival Mardi Gras.
Sailing on Enchanted Princess’s near-identical sister instead? Our guide to Sky Princess cabins to avoid covers the same Royal-class layout from that ship’s perspective.
Booking one of Enchanted Princess’s sisters instead? Our guide to Discovery Princess cabins to avoid covers the same Royal-class layout ship by ship.
FAQs
Which decks should you avoid on Enchanted Princess?
Deck 8 has many midship balconies with lifeboat-obstructed views, and the upper cabin decks (15 and 16) can hear noise from the pools, buffet and gym above. Check the deck plan rather than ruling out a whole deck.
Which deck is best on Enchanted Princess?
Decks 9 to 12 and 14 are usually the best, especially midship, because they have passenger cabins above and below and sit away from the busiest public areas.
Do Enchanted Princess balcony cabins have a sofa?
Standard balcony cabins do not have a sofa or armchair. If you want one, book a deluxe balcony or a mini-suite.
Does Enchanted Princess have oceanview cabins?
No. The ship has inside cabins, balconies, mini-suites and suites, but no standard window-only oceanview rooms.
Do these Enchanted Princess tips work on Majestic, Sky and Discovery Princess?
Largely, yes. Enchanted Princess is a Royal-class ship, and its sisters Majestic, Sky and Discovery Princess share the same basic layout, including the Deck 8 balconies above the lifeboats and the cabins under the pool and buffet decks. Venue names and some cabin numbers differ, so check your own ship’s deck plan. See our Sky Princess cabins to avoid guide for that ship.
What is the best room location on a cruise ship?
For most people, a midship cabin on a mid-level deck, with cabins above and below, offers the least motion and the least noise.
