Front or Back Of Cruise Ship: Choosing the Best Cabin

Table Of Content

• More noticeable motion
• Flared Bows
• Access to Exclusive Spaces on Your Cruise
• Destination Guide: Popular Cruise Ports Around the World
• Budgeting for a Cruise: Hidden Costs and Saving Tips
• Is the back of a cruise ship a good location?
• Inside Cabins or Interior Rooms: The Cheapest, Most Comapct Rooms on a Cruise Ship

You can expect to pay more the more amenities and additions to service that you want. Aft cabins on cruise ships tend to be quieter, as they're farther from the midship bustle of activity that might be just a few decks above or below you, like bars, lounges, pools and the atrium. Similar to aft cabins, front cabins may also experience more noticeable motion due to their location. The front of the ship faces the wind and direct hits from rolling waves, resulting in increased motion and seaspray. Passengers who are prone to motion sickness or easily affected by the ship's movement may find front cabins less desirable. It's crucial to consider personal comfort levels and tolerance for motion when selecting a cabin.

More noticeable motion

If the engine room is the aft end of the ship you may hear some level of noise and perhaps even vibrations if you are on the lower deck directly above it. The wake of the ship starts from the water displaced by the bow of the ship and not just from the propellors at the back. Aft cabins are often considered higher-end cabins and are priced accordingly. Even though they are higher priced, they are often some of the first to sell out, highlighting their popularity. One common comparison choice that pops up is whether to choose a cabin at the front of the ship or the back.

Flared Bows

These include the galley and kitchen, the engine areas and the bridge where the captain works, although some cruise lines do offer tours of these workspaces. Aft cabins are often more affordable than those located at the bow and they are usually less affected by motion from waves compared to forward staterooms. However, these cabins don’t offer as much ocean views as their forward counterparts do. A concierge cabin comes with -- you guessed it -- easy access to a cruise concierge. That means hands-off dinner and spa reservations, shore excursion bookings, and requests from guest services.

Access to Exclusive Spaces on Your Cruise

All cabins come with basic amenities, such as housekeeping and turndown service, basic toiletries, climate control, and the like. Suites, the most luxurious rooms on any cruise ship, come with a variety of extras and privileges. Spa cabins will offer spa-related perks, such as yoga mats and pampering bath amenities. Concierge-level cabins will give you access to a concierge and niceties like afternoon canapes. Even solo cabins can come with extras, such as exclusive lounge access found on lines like Norwegian. Sunworshippers might prefer an upper-deck location close to the pools and sun decks, while partiers might want easy access to midship entertainment hubs.

Destination Guide: Popular Cruise Ports Around the World

Just like rooms towards the back, it's a longer walk towards the front and most of the signature activities and public areas are further away. It's a matter of opinion, but there are advantages to picking a cabin in certain parts of the ship. If your ship sails in calmer waters, then this won’t be so much of a problem.

Budgeting for a Cruise: Hidden Costs and Saving Tips

Plan ahead before booking your cabin to see on which side of the ship you'll want your balcony room. If the amount of view you get relative to the amount of money you spend is important to you, look for "secret porthole" insides or "obstructed view" outsides. Will you be entertaining in your room and need a dining table that can seat six or eight? Do you want benefits like being the first in line to get on or off the ship? Do you want to be pampered with extra-plush linens and bathrobes, fancy bath products and in-suite coffee and booze?

This will blast every two minutes, and will probably start early in the morning, waking you up. If your room is towards the front or back, then you’ll need to find the correct elevator. Otherwise, you face a long walk along a corridor with nothing but rooms. The ideal spot for a cruise ship accommodation will ultimately depend on the individual. Furthermore, don’t be afraid to consult cruise specialists or travel agencies for individualized recommendations depending on your interests and financial constraints.

Inside Cabins or Interior Rooms: The Cheapest, Most Comapct Rooms on a Cruise Ship

Because aft balcony rooms are coveted, some cruise lines categorize them as higher-end cabins, which means they sell for higher prices than standard balcony cabins. Most cruise ships have a choice of fully accessible cabins for those that require mobility aids. If your preference is to stay in a non-modified stateroom, you can still rely on the expertise of the design engineers, who generally place modified cruise cabins near the central elevators. The best room location on any cruise ship can vary from person to person.

Are there parts of the ship I can't access?

There aren’t really any advantages to choosing a forward cabin for most people. Seeing the approach and docking procedures from a different perspective might make this particularly thrilling if you’re visiting a beautiful port. They are therefore ideal for unwinding and taking advantage of some quiet when there is less background noise. You can pick from a variety of cabin layouts and sizes to make sure you get the ideal area for your requirements.

When it’s lowered early in the morning, you’re also likely to be woken by a heavy clunking sound if you choose a cabin in this area. Well, cruise ships are generally pretty big, and it can take ten minutes or more to walk from the front to the back of the ship. Mid-ship rooms are the most convenient, as you’ll never have too far to walk to get to your cabin. On the other hand, staterooms located towards the rear of the cruise ship, or aft, frequently offer even better vistas and the benefit of more steady movement. Before making a decision, consider your priorities and assess what aspects of a cruise matter the most to you.

If you want a cabin with a special view but are looking to save a little money and aren't sensitive to noise, a forward cabin might be right for you. Also choose a forward cabin if you're worried about exhaust, soot or cigarette smoke wafting across your verandah. The reason why you might feel more movement at the front is because the front of the ship faces the most wind and direct hits from rolling waves, translating to lots of motion and sea spray.

Aft cabins often come with larger balconies compared to cabins in other areas of the ship. These spacious balconies provide ample room for passengers to relax, unwind, and take in the panoramic views. This area also houses a range of cabins, restaurants, possibly a pool area, and offers great views of the ship’s wake. Some cruisers prefer the back of the ship because it can be quieter in terms of passenger traffic, but it might also experience more engine noise and vibration.

The spaces for kids can range from a small alcove with bunk beds to an entire adjoining cabin. Pullman beds or pullout sofas can also help families with sleeping arrangements. If you're going to squeeze your whole troupe into one cabin, make sure the space is big enough to accommodate everyone (and their luggage). However, Disney Cruises is known for offering larger standard rooms meant to accomodate families. Aft cabins can also be quite rocky in rough seas, so they’re not ideal for anyone concerned about seasickness.

When you are in the open ocean, you can see the long trail of churned-up water behind you, stretching seemingly forever like a road in the sea. When you are pulling away from a port, you have the best view in the house. On a typical cruise ship, cabins are spread out all over the place — high and low, and to the front, middle and back. As a cruise writer for more than 20 years, I've heard that question a lot, and it's not an easy one to answer. On any given cruise vessel, the best cabin location for one person might not be the best choice for another. The higher the deck, the more noticeable that rolling and swaying motion tends to feel.

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Cruisers’ sensitivity to motion varies, but as the ship navigates the water, the front, or forward section, usually feels greater movement. Because it’s typically farther away from busy areas like the pool deck and eating areas, some passengers might also value the area’s calmer vibe. Additionally, the forward cabins often provide a quieter experience as they’re positioned away from the hustle and bustle of public areas and entertainment facilities. Cabin location during docking days may affect the noise you experience. Lines that have designated spa cabins on some or all ships include Celebrity Cruises, Carnival, Holland America, Azamara and MSC Cruises.

This will be more of an issue for rougher seas, for example, an Atlantic or transatlantic cruise, than, say an Alsakan or Mediterranean cruise or even Caribbean. Although these sound like a good idea for the forward-facing views, they do have a few more restrictions than other cabins. Front cabins on a cruise ship tend to be cheaper compared to cabins in other areas. If budget is a major factor in choosing a cabin, opting for a front cabin can be a cost-effective choice. Passengers can enjoy all the same amenities and services while saving some money. Backwards-facing balcony cabins can be quite expensive, and you’ll likely pay quite a bit more than if you choose one on either the port or starboard side.