
Get exclusive travel offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
Updated
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Comfort. Luxury. Room size. A window. They’re the kind of qualities that can make or break your cruise holiday. Get one wrong and you could find yourself moaning and groaning yourself to sleep at night.
With so many cabin or stateroom options available, you can find yourself scratching your head over which works best for your party and budget. With the help of our handy guide, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting yourself into before you board your ship. Bon voyage.
Now that you’ve got the type of room you’d like down pat, it’s time to consider where on the ship you’d prefer your room to be. Here are some things to consider to help you plan the perfect onboard experience:
There are three main types of room on cruise ships: standard, balcony and suite. Here’s a breakdown of what each category generally includes.
This is a low-cost budget option. It has all basic amenities such as a bathroom, desk, chairs and wardrobe, but may lack space and a view.
Standard rooms come in two types: inside and outside (ocean view). Typically their dimensions are similar, the main difference being that outside rooms have portholes which provide natural light. For this reason, ocean view rooms tend to be pricier.
Rooms in this category come in all shapes and sizes and can vary from a run-of-the-mill twin occupancy cabin, to family rooms with greater sleeping capacity, and spa rooms with a zen-like ambience and access to the ship’s spa facilities.
Image: Princess Cruises
Room size | Occupancy | Bed configuration | Bathroom facilities | Room facilities | Room types | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carnival Cruise Line | 17m2 | Up to 4 people | Twin beds that can convert into a queen | Full private bathroom. Deluxe rooms can come with an extra half-bath | TV, safe, closet and drawers, 24-hour room service, bathrobes | Standard, family and spa rooms |
Royal Caribbean | 11–30m2 | Up to 6 people | Twin beds that can convert into a king. Pull-out sofa beds available in larger rooms | Full private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer | TV, safe, closet and drawers, 24-hour room service, mini bar, virtual balconies with real-time footage from the deck | Standard |
Princess | 15–16m2 | Up to 4 people | Twin beds that can convert into a queen. Pull-out sofa beds available in some rooms | Full private bathroom with shower, complimentary shampoo, conditioner and body lotion, vanity area and hairdryer | TV, safe, closet and drawers, 24-hour room service, mini bar, daily housekeeping and night turndown | Standard |
P&O | 13–17m2 | Up to 4 people | Twin-, double-, triple- and quad-share available | Full private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer | TV, safe, closet and drawers, telephone, desk and chairs | Standard |
Norwegian | Up to 13m2 | Up to 4 people | Twin beds that can convert into a queen. Third and fourth beds available | Full private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer | TV, safe, closet and drawers, 24-hour room service, fridge | Standard |
Room size | Occupancy | Bed configuration | Bathroom facilities | Room facilities | Room types | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carnival Cruise Line | 11–21m2 | Up to 5 people | Twin beds that can convert into a queen | Full private bathroom. Deluxe rooms can come with an extra half-bath | TV, safe, closet and drawers, 24-hour room service, bathrobes | Standard ocean view, family and spa rooms |
Royal Caribbean | 17–31m2 | Up to 4 people | Twin beds that can convert into a queen. Pull-out sofa beds available in larger rooms | Full private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer | TV, safe, closet and drawers, 24-hour room service, mini bar | Standard outside view |
Princess | 15–17m2 | Up to 4 people. | Twin beds, many of which can convert into a queen. Pullman beds available for 3rd and 4th passengers. | Full private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer | TV, safe, closet and drawers, daily housekeeping, nightly turndown, mini bar | Standard oceanview and oceanview with obstructed view |
P&O | 13–17m2 | Up to 4 people | Twin-, double-, triple- and quad-share available | Full private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer | TV, safe, closet and drawers, telephone, desk and chairs | Standard outside view |
Norwegian | 15m2 | Up to 5 people | Twin beds that can convert into a queen. Additional bedding available for more guests | Full private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer | TV, safe, closet and drawers, room service, sitting area, telephone, desk and chairs | Oceanview picture window, family oceanview, mid-ship oceanview and obstructed oceanview |
Balcony rooms offer the luxury of a private balcony, which means you don't need to walk onto a common deck to enjoy the view.
Room sizes vary from the same as a standard excluding the balcony, to a little more spacious. Balcony sizes can also vary depending on the room and its location.
Cost-wise, they are generally more expensive than a standard room.
Image: Princess Cruises
Room size | Occupancy | Bed configuration | Bathroom facilities | Room facilities | Room types | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carnival Cruise Line | 17m2 plus 3.2–7m2 balcony | Up to 5 people | Twin beds that can convert into a queen | Full private bathroom | Floor to ceiling doors that open onto your private balcony. TV, safe, closet and drawers, 24-hour room service, bathrobes | Spa and premium |
Royal Caribbean | 16–20m2 plus 6m2 balcony | Up to 4 people | Twin beds or one king bed. Sofa can convert into a bed | Full private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer | TV, safe, closet and drawers, 24-hour room service, mini bar, virtual balconies with real-time footage from the deck | Oceanview connected stateroom, deluxe obstructed oceanview, super studio ocean view, family oceanview, boardwalk view, Central Park view and superior oceanview. |
Princess | 20–22m2 plus 4m2 balcony | Up to 4 people | Twin beds or one queen bed. Sofa can convert into a bed | Full private bathroom with shower, complimentary shampoo, conditioner and body lotion, vanity area and hairdryer | TV, safe, closet and drawers, 24-hour room service, mini bar, phone, desk, daily housekeeping and evening turndown | Deluxe and premium |
P&O | 16–24m2 including balcony | Up to 3 people | Twin beds that can convert into a queen bed. Third and fourth beds available | Full private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer | TV, safe, closet and drawers, telephone, desk and chairs, private balcony with outdoor furniture | Balcony. |
Norwegian | 19m2 plus 3.5m2 balcony | Up to 4 people | Queen bed, drop-down beds for more guests | Full private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer | TV, safe, closet and drawers, telephone, desk and chairs, private balcony with outdoor furniture | Balcony and spa |
Suites vary a lot depending on which cruise line you are sailing with. They can include anything from a spa, to a prime position above the top deck.
More luxurious than other rooms, you'll pay for the extra amenities, room size, views and VIP treatment, but it’s worth it for the comfort that suites afford, especially on long sails.
Most suites include a balcony, though this is not mandatory.
Image: Royal Caribbean
Room size | Occupancy | Bed configuration | Bathroom facilities | Room facilities | Room types | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carnival Cruise Line | 25.5–32m2 plus 3.3-10.7m2 balcony | Up to four people | King bed and convertible sofa | Deluxe bathroom with whirlpool tub | Private verandah, mini fridge, living room, walk-in closet, telephone, VIP check-in, television, safe and sofa | Grand, spa, ocean and junior |
Royal Caribbean | 30–110m2 plus 16m2 balcony | Up to 4 people | King bed and pull-out sofa that can convert into a queen | Full private bathroom with bathtub, vanity area and hairdryer | Priority check-in, luggage valet, concierge service, 24-hour room service, balcony, sitting area, television, fridge or mini bar, bathrobes, boardgames. Optional jacuzzi and baby grand | Suites and deluxe |
Princess | Mini suites: 28m2Standard suites: 40–63m2 plus 4m2 balcony | Up to 4 people | Mini suites: twin beds that can convert to a queen. Standard suites: king bed and pull-out sofa that can convert into a queen | Full private bathroom with tub/shower, complimentary shampoo, conditioner and body lotion, vanity area and hairdryer | Champagne on arrival, private balcony with furniture, separate seating area, walk-in closet, writing desk, television, fridge or mini bar, and hot tub in select suites | Suites and mini suites. |
P&O | 41–70m2 | Up to 4 people | Twin beds that can convert into a queen. Quad rooms feature double sofa bed. King bed only in the penthouse suite | Full private bathroom with shower over bath, vanity area and hairdryer | Private balcony with outdoor furniture, floor to ceiling windows, television, telephone, safe, wardrobe with dressing area, desk and chair, fridge, priority boarding and disembarkation, pillow concierge, welcome glass of wine, bathrobe, slippers, shoe-shine service | Mini suites, suites and penthouse |
Norwegian | 53–129m2 | Up to 6 people | Various configurations | Full private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer | Butler and concierge service, sparkling wine on arrival, priority boarding, exclusive dining options, TV, safe, closet and drawers, telephone, desk and chairs. Separate living and dining rooms on some ships | Family, owners suite, deluxe and penthouse |
Ship cabins come in all shapes and sizes and once you’ve decided on an inside, outside, balcony or suite, you may still need to look further into deluxe and family rooms as well as the kind of suite you prefer.
If you’re a budget or solo traveller and plan to spend most of your time on deck, then a stock-standard room will serve your purpose. If you want extra comfort, consider a slightly more premium room, especially if you’re going to be sharing it with friends or family.
Balcony size is also worth considering. If you prefer the privacy of your own view without having to leave the room, a good-sized balcony could make all the difference.
Family cruising is becoming increasingly popular and more and more cruise ships offer family-friendly amenities and activities such as kids’ clubs, youth shore excursions, youth-only dance parties and family rooms.
Family rooms can range from a four-bed cabin to interconnecting rooms for larger or multi-generational families.
Image: Carnival Cruise Line
Family room types | Maximum occupancy per room | Maximum room size | Interconnecting rooms available | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Disney Cruise Line | Deluxe family staterooms | 5 people | 22.4m2 | Yes |
Norwegian Cruise Line | Family staterooms | 6 people | 53m2 | Yes |
Carnival Cruise Line | Family staterooms | 4 people | 17–21m2 | Yes |
P&O Cruises Australia | Quad-share rooms and suites | 4 people | 13–70m2 | Yes |
Princess Cruises | Family suites with balcony | 4 people | 43–64m2 | Yes |
Royal Caribbean International | Family rooms and suites | 8 people | 25–54m2 | Yes |
Single occupancy studios are still a rare find, however Norwegian Cruise Lines is paving the way for solo cruise accommodation offering one-bed studio accommodation.
It does not charge a single supplement, which is an extra charge for single occupancy of a double room.
Other cruise ships or tour companies that don’t charge a single supplement include Holland America, Fred. Olsen Cruises and G Adventures.
Image: Norwegian Cruise Line
Room size | Bathroom facilities | Room facilities | Single supplement charge | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Norwegian | 9.2m2 | Full private bathroom with vanity and hairdryer. | Private lounge shared by studio guests, room service, television and safe. | No |
Royal Caribbean | 11m2 | Full private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer. | Virtual balcony in inside rooms, room service and television. | No |
P&O | 12m2 | Full private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer. | Drawer space, wardrobe, writing desk, television, telephone, safe, mineral water and pamper pack. | Yes |
From costs and finance options to what materials you’ll need, learn about bathroom renovations in this comprehensive guide.
Find the perfect place to sleep in this laid-back town on the Tweed Coast.
Everything you need to know about weight surgery costs.
Everything you need to know about hiring a house cleaning service.
From the waterfront to the poolside, these are the Sunshine Coast getaways that will have you unwinding in just minutes.
What you need to know before you travel in WA, including which attractions and national parks are open, where you can stay and the available modes of transport.
Everything you need to know about accommodation, attractions, national parks and transport to safely travel around the NT.
Here's everything you need to know on the current South Australia travel restrictions.
Victorians are now free to travel within the state – but what's open and what's not? Here's what you need to know.
As the state lifts bans put in place due to COVID-19, here's where you can go now, what you can do and what to keep in mind.