The Caribbean Princess cabins to avoid are mostly about location rather than category: obstructed-view oceanview cabins behind the lifeboats, rooms right next to lifts, launderettes or crew doors, cabins on the top Riviera and Lido decks that sit close to the pool deck, and far-forward cabins if you are prone to seasickness. The best-value picks are midship balcony cabins on the Baja and Aloha decks, Emerald-deck mini-suites with covered balconies, and the aft-facing balconies for anyone who wants a wake view.
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Below you will find every cabin type on Caribbean Princess, which ones suit couples, families and light sleepers, and a simple way to check any cabin number on the deck plan before you pay a deposit.
Caribbean Princess at a glance in 2026-27
Caribbean Princess is a modified Grand-class ship that launched in 2004. At around 112,900 gross tons and roughly 3,140 guests at double occupancy, she is slightly bigger than her sisters because of an extra deck of cabins, the Riviera deck, added during construction. Deck-plan sites list around 1,569 cabins across more than 30 price grades, so there is a lot of choice and a lot of variation within each category.
The ship is still very much part of the Princess fleet. For winter 2026-27 she is based in Fort Lauderdale, mainly on 12-night round-trip Caribbean voyages, as part of Princess’s large Caribbean deployment. In summer 2027 she is one of four Princess ships assigned to Northern Europe, with sailings from Copenhagen, before Canada and New England voyages in the autumn and a return to Fort Lauderdale. Itineraries do change, so always confirm the exact sailing on princess.com.
Caribbean Princess was last refurbished in 2019, when Princess updated staterooms, dining and the children’s areas and added the Reef Splash Zone. An earlier 2017 refit replaced all beds with the Princess Luxury Bed and, according to CruiseMapper, created extra pairs of interconnecting cabins, which is good news for families.
Caribbean Princess cabin categories compared
Sizes below are approximate and vary within each category, especially for balconies. Use them as a guide rather than a guarantee.
| Cabin type | Approx. size (sq ft) | Where you find them | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | 160-180 | Most cabin decks, from Plaza (5) to Lido (15) | Budget travellers, port-intensive itineraries, dark rooms for sleeping |
| Oceanview | 160-190 | Plaza (5), Emerald (8), Riviera (14), Lido (15) | Natural light without balcony prices; check for lifeboat obstructions |
| Balcony | about 170 plus a 45-90 sq ft balcony | Emerald (8) up to Lido (15) | Most couples; Caribbean sailaways and Northern Europe scenery |
| Mini-suite | about 275 plus a 45 sq ft balcony | Emerald (8) and Dolphin (9) | Extra living space, a sofa bed and a bathtub |
| Club Class mini-suite (Reserve Collection) | same as a mini-suite | Mini-suite decks | Guests who want a reserved dining area and priority perks without suite prices |
| Window suite | 320-340, no balcony | Fiesta (6), forward | Suite space and perks at a lower price than balcony suites |
| Two-bedroom family suite | about 340 plus a 90 sq ft balcony | Dolphin (9), forward | Large families or groups of up to eight |
| Balcony suites (Vista, Premium, Penthouse, Owner’s) | about 305-410 plus 155-180 sq ft balconies | Several decks, including some aft-facing | Space, a large balcony and suite perks |
| Grand Suite | about 615 plus a 115 sq ft balcony | Aloha (12), aft | The biggest cabin on the ship |
Interior and oceanview cabins
Inside cabins on Caribbean Princess are a sensible size for the price and work well on busy port itineraries where you are rarely in the room. Oceanview cabins sit on fewer decks than you might expect. The key thing to know is that Princess sells several oceanview grades (OV, OW, OY and OZ on deck-plan sites) where the window is partly or fully blocked by lifeboats or ship structures. Cruisedeckplans lists obstructed cabins on the Emerald deck, for example in the E101-E121 and E401-E425 ranges. They are cheaper for a reason, so only book one knowingly.
Balcony cabins
With hundreds of standard balcony cabins, this is the most popular choice. Balconies vary in depth: corner and aft positions are often larger, while some Caribe-deck balconies have a ceiling overhang that covers the first few feet. That overhang gives shade in the Caribbean sun, which many guests see as a plus.
Mini-suites and Club Class
Mini-suites are on the Emerald and Dolphin decks. Cruisedeckplans notes that Dolphin-deck mini-suite balconies are uncovered and can be seen from decks above, because the ship steps out below them. If privacy and shade matter, the Emerald-deck mini-suites are usually the safer pick. Club Class mini-suites, now sold under Princess’s Reserve Collection banner, are the same size as standard mini-suites but add a reserved section of the dining room, extra in-cabin touches and priority boarding and tendering.
Suites: Grand, Owner’s, Penthouse, Premium, Vista and Window
The single Grand Suite is aft on the Aloha deck and is the largest room onboard. Owner’s and Penthouse suites have the biggest balconies after that, and Premium and Vista suites are a step down in size. Window suites on the Fiesta deck have no balcony but offer suite space and perks for less money, which suits guests who rarely sit outside.
The best cabins on Caribbean Princess by traveller type
Couples and first-timers
A standard balcony on the Baja (11) or Aloha (12) deck, as close to midship as your budget allows, is hard to beat. These decks have cabins above and below them, which is the simplest way to avoid noise from public spaces, and midship cabins are close to the lifts without being right next to them.
Wake-view lovers
Aft-facing balcony cabins and suites look straight out over the wake and often have bigger balconies. The trade-off is that you may notice more vibration when the ship manoeuvres in port, and aft cabins are a long walk from the forward theatre.
Families
The two-bedroom family suites on the Dolphin deck sleep up to eight and give each bedroom its own bathroom. Their balcony is at the front of the ship, so it can be windy and may be unusable in strong winds while sailing. Connecting cabins are another good option since the 2017 refit added more of them; ask Princess or your agent to block a connecting pair early, as they go fast in school holidays.
Accessible cabins
CruiseMapper lists 25 wheelchair-accessible staterooms across suite, balcony, oceanview and interior grades. Numbers are limited, so book as early as possible and confirm the exact features (roll-in shower, door widths, balcony threshold) directly with Princess.
Caribbean Princess cabins to avoid
No cabin on this ship is truly bad, but some locations come with trade-offs that catch people out. These are the ones to think twice about.
- Cabins near the pool and buffet decks. The Riviera (14) and Lido (15) decks sit right by the main pool deck, World Fresh Marketplace buffet and sun loungers. Some cabins here can pick up early-morning chair scraping and deck cleaning. Check exactly what is above any cabin on these decks.
- Obstructed-view oceanviews. Fine if the price is right and you only want daylight, but disappointing if you expected a sea view.
- Cabins next to lifts, stairwells, launderettes or crew doors. Expect corridor chatter, slamming doors and trolleys. The self-service launderettes are popular on sea days.
- Dolphin-deck mini-suites, if privacy matters. The uncovered balconies can be overlooked from above.
- Far forward cabins on rough itineraries. The front of the ship moves the most in a swell, which matters more on transatlantic crossings and North Atlantic or Baltic sailings than in the Caribbean.
- Lower-deck cabins near the gangway or tender platforms. These can be noisy on port mornings.
| If you were going to book… | Consider instead |
|---|---|
| An oceanview in an obstructed grade | An unobstructed oceanview or an interior, depending on whether you want a view or just a low price |
| A Riviera or Lido deck cabin under a busy public area | A balcony on Baja or Aloha with cabins above and below |
| A Dolphin-deck mini-suite for privacy | An Emerald-deck mini-suite with a covered balcony |
| A forward cabin if you get seasick | A midship cabin on a lower cabin deck such as Emerald or Dolphin |
| A cabin beside the lift lobby | A cabin a few doors along the same corridor |
Best cabins on Caribbean Princess for seasickness and light sleepers
Motion is felt least low and in the middle of the ship. If you are worried about seasickness, choose a midship cabin on the Emerald (8) or Dolphin (9) deck. A balcony helps too, as fresh air and a view of the horizon make many people feel better. This matters most on the Northern Europe, transatlantic and New England sailings, where seas are often rougher than in the Caribbean.
Light sleepers should prioritise a cabin sandwiched between other cabin decks, away from lifts and service areas, and should avoid the very top cabin decks under the pool area and the cabins nearest the aft nightclub and family areas on the upper decks. An interior cabin is also the darkest option if you like to sleep late.
How to check a Caribbean Princess cabin before you book
- Get the cabin number. If you are booking a specific cabin, ask for the number before paying. A guarantee fare (where Princess assigns the cabin later) is cheaper but means you cannot control location, so avoid guarantees if noise or motion really matter to you.
- Look at the deck above and below. Open the official Princess deck plan or a cabin-check tool such as the one on cruisedeckplans.com and see what sits directly over and under your cabin.
- Check the grade code. Oceanview grades marked obstructed and some balcony grades flagged for partial views will be listed on the booking page.
- Look along the corridor. Spot the lifts, stairs, launderette and any crew doors.
- Read recent cabin reviews. Search the cabin number on forums to see if anyone has reported vent smells, noise or an unusual balcony shape.
If you like the Grand-class layout, the same approach works for her sisters; see our guides to Crown Princess cabins and Emerald Princess cabins. If you are still deciding on a ship, our round-up of cruise deals for 2027 is a good place to compare prices.
Quick checklist: picking the best rooms on a cruise ship like Caribbean Princess
- Midship and lower for a smoother ride.
- Cabins above and below you for a quieter night.
- Not next to the lifts, launderette or crew doors.
- Emerald-deck rather than Dolphin-deck mini-suites if balcony privacy matters.
- Avoid obstructed grades unless the saving is worth it to you.
- Book early for family suites, connecting cabins and accessible cabins.
Planning a cruise in Asia instead? Our guide to Sapphire Princess cabins to avoid gives the same kind of advice for a Princess ship based there.
Caribbean Princess grew out of the Grand-class design, so our guide to Grand Princess cabins to avoid covers many similar layout issues.
FAQs
Which cabins should I avoid on Caribbean Princess?
Avoid obstructed-view oceanview grades if you want a sea view, cabins beside lifts, launderettes and crew doors, cabins on the top Riviera and Lido decks directly under busy pool or buffet areas, and far forward cabins if you are prone to seasickness.
What is the best deck on Caribbean Princess?
For most guests, the Baja (11) and Aloha (12) balcony decks are the best balance: they have cabins above and below, easy access to the lifts and buffet, and good balcony choice. Seasick-prone travellers may prefer the lower Emerald (8) or Dolphin (9) decks midship.
What does an obstructed balcony or oceanview mean on Princess Cruises?
It means part or all of the view is blocked, usually by lifeboats or ship structures. Princess prices these grades lower. You still get daylight, but you may not see the sea clearly from your bed.
Are aft cabins on Caribbean Princess worth it?
Aft-facing balconies are often larger and have a wake view many cruisers love. The trade-offs are a longer walk to forward venues and possible vibration when the ship manoeuvres in port.
What are the best rooms on a cruise ship for families?
On Caribbean Princess, the two-bedroom family suites sleep up to eight, and connecting cabins are a flexible alternative. Book early, as both sell out quickly in school holidays.
