Woah, woah, woah there – get your mouse pointer away from that ‘Book Now’ button, or just hold on a second before telling your travel agent that “Yes” you’re ready to confirm your cruise booking.
Have you even checked the deck plans yet?
So many people book a cruise without even thinking about where their cabin is located, or whether it’s the right one for them, and it really can make all the difference.
And I bet there are things on this list you wouldn’t have even considered…
1. Confirm the Category
First things first – check the cabin category. Deck plans use colour coding to show what type each cabin is, whether it’s an inside, oceanview, balcony, or suite. You can then just make sure you’re booking the right category that you want (or see what the other options are like nearby).
Cruise lines will shade the deck plans based on all the subcategories too – so you’ll get categories like “Deluxe Balcony A3” versus “Standard Balcony A5.”
The colours help… unless you’re looking at a plan with 47 shades of beige. (Seriously, why are there five types of green?)
The trick? Use the legend or key and zoom in. You’re not just being picky – the category can affect price, perks, and location. You want to make sure you’re booking the right one.
2. Check the Size of the Stateroom and Balcony
If a cabin or balcony looks bigger on the deck plan, it probably is.
These plans are surprisingly accurate, and those little differences can mean a more spacious room or a balcony that actually fits a lounger.
On some ships, especially near the back or on the corners, you’ll spot oddly shaped cabins – often wider, longer, or just roomier than the rest.
Spotted one? Snag it. Some of the best hidden gems may look a couple of pixels wider, but that could be a different of a couple of feet.
3. Look at the Balcony Shape – and Whether It’s Overlooked
Check the shape of your balcony. They aren’t all rectangular. Angled balconies can be brilliant – they often have more space, perfect if you want to stretch out in the sun without knocking over your mojito.
But watch out: if the balcony sticks out, the cabins above may have a clear view of yours. I booked a massive balcony on Iona and I actually wished that I hadn’t!
So, if you’re the type who likes a private morning coffee in your dressing gown, check what’s directly above and whether privacy might be a concern.
Suggested read: Is It OK To Have Sex On A Cruise Ship Balcony?
4. Check the Type of Beds
Not all beds are created equal. Some cabins have fixed twins, while others have beds that can convert into queens or kings – that’s handy if you’re cruising with a friend or partner.
Also check how extra beds are arranged: are they pullman beds that fold out from the wall or ceiling? Sofa beds? Or are you looking at something that turns the room into a mattress maze when the kids go to sleep?
This is where that fine print and little icons on the deck plan really matter.
The last thing you want is to end up with a ridiculous cabin layout like the one we had on Britannia earlier this year…
If you’re not careful, you could end up with a nightmare situation like your teenagers having to share a double bed or granny having to climb up into the top bunk!
5. What’s Above and Below the Cabin
One of the golden rules of cruising: you don’t want to sleep underneath the pool deck. Or a nightclub. Or the buffet kitchen. Or the gym.
Noise can travel, and cabins directly under busy venues often come with the not-so-soothing sounds of dragging chairs, pounding music, slamming dumbells or the 6am sun lounger stampede.
Same goes for what’s below your cabin. Engine rooms and crew access areas can mean noise and vibration. For maximum peace and quiet, aim for cabins sandwiched between other decks of staterooms.
Suggested read: Where Is A Cruise Ship Engine Located?
6. How Many People the Cabin Sleeps
Most standard cabins are built for two, maybe three people – but if you’re travelling as a family or group, make sure you check the maximum capacity.
Cabins that sleep four or five sell out fast, and many ships only have a handful of 5+ berth options, if any at all.
Don’t assume you can squeeze in extras – cruise lines are strict about this for safety reasons.
Even if you have a baby that will sleep in a travel cot, you’ll still be required to book a cabin with a proper bed for them.
Get Help Booking Your Family Cruise
Cruise Family are the only UK specialists in cruises for families of 5+ (and smaller ones too!)
Let them find your perfect trip…
7. Proximity to the Elevators
Some people love being near the lifts – less walking, easier access to everything. But others hate the potential foot traffic and noise.
If you’re a light sleeper or enjoy a lie-in, a cabin right next to the elevator lobby might not be ideal.
That said, mid-ship near the lifts is golden for anyone with limited mobility or small kids in tow. Just check how close is too close.
8. Walking Distance
On mega ships, some cabins are hidden down corridors with more twists than a soap opera.
Look at this cabin that I booked (the red line is the walk to the elevator)…
When I realised how far it actually was from the elevator, I called my travel agent to change it. My daughter had mobility issues at the time and the walk would have just been too much.
If your cabin’s down a long hall, around a corner, past a few more doors, and then back again, it can get old – especially if you’re in heels or dragging a sleepy toddler.
On deck plans, look for cabins with a relatively straight route from the elevators or stairs. This sounds nit-picky, but trust me: after day four, it matters.
9. Bath or Shower Facilities
Most cruise ship bathrooms come with showers, but some cabins – especially family staterooms, suites, or certain accessible rooms – come with bathtubs.
If you’re travelling with young kids, a bath can be really handy. Some cruisers also prefer them for soaking after long port days.
It’s rarely shown clearly on the deck plan itself, but the cabin legend or detailed ship specs should tell you.
10. Connecting Cabins
Connecting cabins are great if you want to book both and have easy access between them (especially for families), but not so great if you don’t.
Why? Because even when the connecting door is locked, it doesn’t always block sound perfectly. You might hear your neighbours’ conversations – or worse, their TV at 1am.
Look for the little door symbol on the deck plan if you want to avoid one. It’s usually double-headed arrows.
Suggested read: Cruise Guest Threatens Gratuity Removal Over Noisy Cabin Neighbours
11. Obstructed View Cabins
Some “oceanview” or “balcony” cabins come with surprises – like a lifeboat smack in the middle of your line of sight. In rare cased, the obstruction might even be a slide!
Obstructed view cabins are usually cheaper, but don’t assume that a sea view means an uninterrupted sea view.
On deck plans, there’s usually a symbol or shading to indicate partially or fully obstructed cabins. It’s worth checking with the cruise line or looking up photos from previous cruisers if you’re unsure.
And here’s a sneaky thing – sometimes a cabin won’t be sold as an obstructed view one, but the deck plans will tell you that there is a partial obstruction. Another reason to check!
Before you book an obstructed cabin, I suggest you watch this video that I made…
12. Accessible Staterooms
Cruise lines are doing a better job of offering accessible cabins, but not all of them are the same.
Some are simply wider to accommodate wheelchairs. Others have full wet rooms, lower sinks, emergency call buttons, and other features designed for guests with mobility needs.
If you need an accessible stateroom, check what level of accessibility it offers – and book early, as these cabins are limited.
And if you don’t need one, don’t try to book one.
About Guarantee Cabins
Everything in this list applies if you’re choosing your cabin for yourself. Book a Guarantee Cabin though, and the whole thing is moot.
Guarantee Cabins are where you don’t get to choose your cabin, and the cruise line will put you in whatever they haven’t sold by the time the cruise sails.
The benefit of this is you’ll pay less – so you need to decide whether you want a cheaper deal, or the comfort of knowing you don’t get stuck in an unfavourable cabin.
There’s no right or wrong answer, although I would suggest that you should think about how much you’ll likely use the cabin, and how light a sleeper you are.
A heavy sleeper who intends to be up early and out and about, exploring the ship? Get a Guarantee.
Someone who likes to enjoy their cabin, relax more or who struggles with noise? You’ll probably want to pay more and pick your cabin, based on the deck plans.
Final Thoughts
Deck plans might look like a game of Tetris crossed with an unbreakable code puzzle, but they’re the key to unlocking a cruise cabin that suits your needs perfectly, and they really aren’t that complicated once you get into them.
With a mild bit of detective work, you can avoid sleepless nights, long walks, and awkward surprises – and instead enjoy a cabin that feels just right.
So grab your reading glasses, zoom in on that plan, and get booking like a pro.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
We did not check the deck plan prior to sailing for our cruise on the P&O Arvia as we were only offered a choice of two cabins at the front and no mention of which deck they were on as that was to be advised with the cabin number closer to departure date.
After booking through a Iglu facebook offer advert we selected a deluxe balcony cabin, on arrival on the ship we discovered that the cabin was on the promenade deck and was listed as obstructed view when actually it had no view as in front was a solid steel baffle wall!, and to make it worse we couldn’t keep our curtains open as other passengers kept looking in as they walked around the deck, when I contacted the customer desk I was rather abruptly told it was not their problem as we had booked through a travel agent and not directly.
Although we were able to enjoy the rest of the ship and some excellent staff the cruise was soured by not being able to enjoy the cabin we’d may as well have booked an inside one and saved some money.