Cruise: Choose the right cabin for a perfect vacation on the water

You know where you want to cruise to, and on which cruise line you want to spend your hard-earned vacation dollars. Now the important part: Selecting your cruise ship room.

Choosing a cruise cabin, stateroom, or suite can be daunting, but we’ve streamlined the process with helpful tips and tricks for navigating the murky waters.

First things first: Like a fine wine, a ship’s vintage can make a world of difference when it comes to stateroom or suite selection, but inversely so.

More often than not, older ships (10 years and older) will have smaller cabins overall, or at least tinier bathrooms and accompanying diminutive showers.

What’s true for real estate is true for cruise travel. Location should always be your next consideration, even before choosing a specific category. Why? Proximity and motion.

The irony is: “The more you pay, the more you sway.” Modern cruise ships are very stable, but they still move as they ride the waves. And with rare exception, the more expensive suites tend to be positioned higher onboard, meaning they can effectively sway more as a ship rocks from side to side. The same is generally true of staterooms located farther forward in the bow or aft in the stern, both where a greater seesaw action can occur.

For those prone to motion sickness, the sweet spot isn’t the most expensive suite; instead, choose cabins on the lower decks closest to the center of a vessel’s length.

Then comes the so-called cabin “category” to ponder. You’ll have to decide on an inside (no window), outside (window but no balcony), balcony (sometimes called veranda), or multi-space suite.

If you’re looking to save money, an inside cabin is cheapest, but there are times when splurging is worthwhile, too. On Alaskan cruises, for example, a median-sized balcony stateroom is a

A bad cabin location can ruin your entire vacation.

good value to most who appreciate the outdoor surroundings.

If you’re traveling with more than two to a room, discounts might be given for the extra guests (based on availability). Family suites, those conducive to larger groups with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, can offer an even greater value proposition.

Cruise cabins are most often priced for double occupancy, so the room carries the cost of two travelers even if only one person is occupying it. So, find a travel partner if you want to save some bucks.

Technology can make or break a vacation for modern travelers, another reason to consider a cruise ship’s age. Older ships will seldom have USB charging ports, and perhaps only a few electrical outlets at a vanity desk.

With so many handheld devices used by every age group, newer ships now come equipped with multiple USB, USB-C, and even induction-charging capabilities at nightstands. A power strip (without a surge protector) can come in handy; add it to your cruise packing list.

The same goes for electrical amps. The latest Dyson hair dryers and other modern appliances require a lot of power, and some older vessels just aren’t up to the challenge of accommodating them. Newer ships can handle it, however, and some cruise ship rooms include such amenities so you don’t have to bring your own.