Individual tastes have a lot to do with what makes a cruise cabin the perfect fit for each travel style and budget. What is yr opinion? You'll also very likely be near children in other rooms. The bathroom on the main level has a shower for two. Cabins that could make seasickness worse, 8. Essentially the opposite of the point above, the other staterooms that can sometimes suffer from noise are the ones directly below the pool deck. The bedroom features a large closet and a second TV; it is attached to a bathroom that includes separate a tub and shower along with a single sink. Thats because theyre classed as Obstructed View, due to the fact that the lifeboats are partially covering what you can see. Cabins also have programmable safes, for-fee mini-bar refrigerators, phones, hair dryers and giant flat-screen TVs. They have verandas ranging from 50 to 80square feet, depending on location. A guarantee cabin isn't actually a type of cabin, but rather a method of booking a cabin. . Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas cruise ship has changed itineraries to avoid the path of Tropical Storm Fiona. Subsequently, RCI started charging for the WOWBands US$5 (available for purchase at the Guest Services desk). Category "Junior Suite Accessible" cabins are larger-sized, with interior 390 ft2 (36 m2) and balcony 110 ft2 (10 m2). The other Interior quad cabins are fitted with 2 twin beds (convertible) plus 2 Pullman beds (foldable). Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. Its even more disappointing that these balconies arent flagged as being an obstructed view, and so if you hadnt read this guide then you couldve booked them expecting a much better view than youll get. Exclusive Royal Loft Suite services are provided via Royal Genie. The cabins can be broken down into four categories: inside, outside, balcony and suite. Newer cruise ships are huge: Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Sea has decks running for 1,187 feet. Hi Jason, it all depends on the price difference as this varies, but I have no problem with booking a guaranteed stateroom myself. Guests booked on Harmony of the Seas have been advised they will change from an Eastern Caribbean itinerary to a Western Caribbean itinerary. Staterooms 11100 and 11500 are with obstructed views. It's a question that first-time cruisers and even those who've been on several sailings can't help but wonder when planning their dream getaway. 1-Bedroom AquaTheater Suites balcony sizes also vary according to deck location (in brackets ft2 / m2) - deck 11 (245 / 23), deck 12 (590 / 55), deck 14 (630 / 59). Your personal data will be processed and information from your device (cookies, unique identifiers, and other device data) may be stored by, accessed by and shared with third party vendors, or used specifically by this site or app. Most cabins are sized 150-180 ft2 / 14-17 m2. But these extra perks dont come cheap and while the rooms are pretty spectacular, why would you pay thousands for a week-long cruise for a room that you never spend any time in? They feature separate bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 with bathtub, 1 shower-only), large-sized outdoor terraces (with premium garden furniture, 4-seat dining tables, some have outdoor Jacuzzi tubs). "What cruise cabins should I avoid on a cruise?" Balcony: Balcony cabins on Harmony start at 182 square feet. If you do this, youll also get the Crown & Anchor loyalty points for both fares if you do, which is a nice bonus, and youll have more choice of your rooms location. If you plan to cruise in Europe in winter, then a balcony is rarely a good idea. We spent our days exploring new countries, having seaside cocktails and reconnecting after so much time apart. Join 40,000 cruiserswho readmy email each week Booking a quantum cruise for Christmas, oceanview cabin, looking at deck 3, rooms 3650, 3652, away from concert hall casino etc. Harmony Of The Seas staterooms (2745 total) include 189 Suites, 1293 Balcony, 200 Oceanview, 505 Inside, also 477 Boardwalk-Central Park Balcony, 78 Boardwalk-Central Park Interior, 18 Promenade View. Or head east to St. Thomas's beautiful bays, St. Maarten's pristine beaches and Puerto Rico's charming old town. Another unique offering for Star Suite passengers is the Royal Genie, essentially a concierge available at your beck and call to handle any and all requests as well as providing little surprises along the way. Studios rooms can actually be quite expensive and you may find that its actually cheaper to book a double room for single occupancy in some cases! Harmony of the Seas Grand Suite perks include free Wi-Fi and free in-suite dining. Most of the aft balconies offer views of the Aquatheater. Thats why so many cruise lines offer free balcony upgrades in the colder seasons! There are some Royal Caribbean cruise ships where you can book a stateroom quite low down Deck 2 is often where the accommodations start. These arent just spacious rooms, they have all kinds of extra benefits including some with a Royal Genie the cruise lines equivalent of a private butler. Its unlikely that itll affect you. The largest is the Royal Loft Suite (1530 ft2 / 142 m2 plus 850 ft2 / 79 m2 terrace with Jacuzzi). 194 sqft. I rarely ever get a balcony because I think that inside cabins offer much better value for money. Ocean View: Ocean-view cabins start at 179square feet (accessible rooms are larger), but not all cabins in this category actually have an "ocean view." Now that might sound small but normally, those portholes are pretty big still easily a few feet across. They include: The Royal Loft Suite as amenities features Master Bedroom (Royal King bed, Duxiana mattress, Frette linens, mirrored vanity with chair, closet), Master bathroom (bathtub, 2-sink vanity, bidet), 2nd bedroom (lower level / convertible twin beds, closet), dining room (dry bar), living room (double sofabed, grand piano), 2nd bathroom (shower), large veranda (sitting area, bar area, dining area, whirlpool). You'll also want to steer clear of rooms near the galley unless you like a soundtrack of bumping, rolling, shouting and stomping around the clock. Some of Royal Caribbeans ships have rooms with large picture windows, while some staterooms will have a porthole. Remember to keep the curtains closed at night as there are Promenade cabins across the street too. Each of the Junior Suites as amenities features 2 twin beds (convertible to Royal King / double), full bathroom (bathtub), sitting area (double sofabed for 3rd/4th person), private bathroom, private balcony. There are far more suite types than cabin types (nine versus four) -- with a whole range of perks across three suite classes: Sea Class, Sky Class and Star Class. The 476-square-foot balcony includes a long dining table that can seat 14, a wet bar and a jetted hot tub. Each of the One-Bedroom Grand Suites as amenities features a separate bedroom (with 2 twin beds convertible to Royal King / double bed), full bathroom (bathtub, 2-sink vanity), living room (double sofabed for 3rd/4th person), large balcony (with deckchairs and a dining table). 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Windstar Yachts vs. Windstar Sailing Ships, 8 Things to Know About the Cheapest Cruise Ship Cabins, 10 Reasons to Take a Cruise over a Land Holiday. Heres how I get the lowest price when I book a cruise. Youll still pay a little more than you would for an inside room but youll at least get some natural light. If youre used to sleeping in a double bed, this can be a little disappointing. A minimum of eight passengers must book; 14 is the max. Each of the balcony cabins as amenities features Royal King (double) bed, private veranda, sitting area (sofa or double sofabed for 3rd/4th person), private bathroom. If you don't have a stomach of steel, the cruise ship cabins to avoid are the ones located in parts of the ship that could make you queasy, at the front or back. It's getting long so I thought I'd start one for Royal Caribbean. Follows the review of RCI Harmony of the Seas staterooms as amenities, furniture and services. This is a family-type stateroom (bow-facing) with master bedroom (2 single twin beds convertible to a double bed), second bedroom (2 Pullman beds/upper and lower bunks), a double sofabed (in the living room), 1 bathroom (WC-shower), 2 large round-shaped windows (non-opening). All handicap cabins feature a convenient location near the ship's elevators. One of the coolest features on select Royal Caribbean ships is the Royal Promenade. Nice balcony (only one neighbor and room for 3 chairs), very, very forward so . If your stateroom is too far from the lift and you struggle with walking, you will soon tire of the journey from your stateroom to the ship's public areas. Noisy cabins on Britannia, one of the most popular cruise ships for Brits, include those located below the Sunset Bar on Deck 15, while noisy cabins on Arcadia might include those on Deck 10, the Sun Deck, directly next to The Crows Nest. Consider when an obstructed view cabin might work for you. Promenade room above Playmakers Sports Bar Ideally, you want other staterooms on either deck and not public venues like pools, restaurants or other public venues. One cruiser's horrible cabin experience might be another's best vacation ever. One of the coolest features on select Royal Caribbean ships is the Royal Promenade. Not from the actual elevators themselves, as theyre pretty quiet, but more due to the noise of people gathering around them and chatting as they walk back to their rooms at night. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 20 cruises. In-cabin babysitting is available at an hourly fee (US$19 per kid) for 4 kids per stateroom max. Category "Oceanview Accessible" cabins are larger (270 ft2 / 25 m2). Rough waters can be anticipated by itinerary and the time of year you're sailing. You'll also want to identify where crew service entrances are located -- stories of slamming doors day and night are common. Royal Family Suite(Sky Class): Each of these four cabins is a whopping 580square feet with a 238-square-foot balcony. The main level has a smaller second bedroom and a second bath that features a combo shower/tub. All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy. This is a spacious open-air promenade in the middle of the ship that you'll find on Freedom Class, Voyager Class and Oasis Class vessels. Cabins on the aft hump's outer part are premium location staterooms. And lining the promenade are a number of staterooms that, while classed as interior rooms, have windows looking out over the promenade. But if you do want a lie-in, its best to pick a stateroom that has another cabin directly above and below it. Theyre not bad there arent really any bad rooms on Royal Caribbean ships but depending on your preferences there are some staterooms that will be better and some that will be worse for you. And that can be really disappointing since the aft is meant to be one of the best views on any cruise ship. Note: The suite-only complimentary dining at Coastal Kitchen (specialty restaurant) is available only for the passengers booked in the same Suite. Best & Worst Cruise Staterooms on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas Shannon Ford 15.7K subscribers Subscribe 12K views 10 months ago I'm back with a new video for Best & Worst Cruise. It includes two bedrooms, huge living and dining areas, baby grand piano and dry bar. However, other obstructed-view cabins might look out onto a lifeboat. Crown Loft Suites run 545square feet with 114-square-foot balconies. Balcony: Balcony cabins on Harmony start at 182square feet. Then, contact one with a best-price guarantee and have them beat it! Each of them features a 1600 ft2 (~150 m2) indoor space plus the 874 ft2 (roughly 80 m2) terrace balcony (wrapping around the suite) with its own outdoor whirlpool bath and dining area. These are inside cabins with bowed windows (bay window) overlooking the Atrium's Royal Promenade. Sleeps up to. Meanwhile, the staterooms closest to the middle of the ship (as in, those in a mid-ship location and on a middle deck) will feel the least movement. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. With a little time and effort, anyone can learn the basics of 6 Cruise Ship Cabins To Avoid Cruise Critic Cruise Ship Harmony Of The Seas Cruise Travel and start growing their own delicious ones. Sky Class cabins enjoy unlimited Suite Lounge access, luxury bath products, Memory Foam Pillow Top Mattress, unlimited Thermal Suite access, free Internet, luxury brands bottled water, in-room dining, exclusive access to the suites-only private sundeck (Suite Sun Zone), reserved VIP seats at both theaters (Royal Theater and AquaTheater). Family Balcony cabins have 2 twin beds (to Royal King-size), bathroom (shower), living area (double sofabed), separate bathroom (with 2 bunk beds). Cabin Square Footage. Sky Class passengers additionally get all-day access to Coastal Kitchen (this is connected to the exclusive suite lounge), in-suite dining, complimentary internet access, a one-day pass to the spa's Thermal Room, access to the Suites Beach during the ship's private islands stops, concierge services, priority theater seats, access to the suite sun deck on Deck 17 and priority boarding and departure. Lyndsee Johnson from Ohio got caught in Hurricane . These are not private as they can be viewed from verandas located on the opposite side. Read our advice so you can find out which cruise ship cabins to avoid and the best cabin on a cruise ship, hopefully letting you wake up a tad more refreshed during your holiday. Aft on each side there are groups of hump balcony rooms considered a premium location. The Cruise Critic boards offer thousands of reader reviews and feedback from cruisers across every line, making them a great place to start. Passengers booked in Boardwalk Balcony cabins receive as bonus perks (complimentary amenities) the "EAT-DRINK-PLAY" exclusive package, which includes: Passengers booked in Central Park Balcony cabins receive as bonus perks (complimentary amenities( the "EAT-DRINK-PLAY" exclusive package, that includes: Each of the Boardwalk or Central Park cabins as amenities features 2 twin beds (convertible to double), sitting area (sofa or double sofabed for 3rd/4th person), private bathroom, large window (overlooking the Boardwalk or the Central Park / ship interior areas). Vibrating cabins due to the propellers, Royal Caribbean Ships by Size (Comparison). Each cabin sleeps up to eight (a minimum of four is required to book), with pull-out couch and two pull-down beds in the second bedroom. [9] Incidents Passengers booked in Boardwalk/Central Park balcony cabins receive RCI's new perks (called "EAT-DRINK-PLAY") including complimentary food, beverages and exclusive activities. But specifically, its the hum and vibration that can be bothersome to some people. The bathroom has a tub and shower combo, dual sinks and large mirrors. Since decks there are wider, these cabins have larger verandas and feature great views (side to side and also when looking down). This means that even though the door stays locked when you arent part of the same travelling group as your neighbour, youll still hear a lot more of what they get up to. They include two small beds that can be combined to create a queen-size bed, narrow wardrobes, a tiny desk and flat-screen TV. 1-Bedroom AquaTheater Suites sizes vary according to deck location (in brackets ft2 / m2) - deck 11 (555 / 52), deck 12 (560 / 52), deck 14 (605 / 56). Anthem of the Seas Section in Kiel Canal. The master bedroom is on the second level and has a Royal King size bed and private bath. However, on some Royal Caribbean ships, including Quantum-class ships, guests can step out onto an area above the bridge. Loft Suite's lower level houses the living room and dining room (dry bar, bath with shower), while the upper level houses the bedroom and the full-bath (with bathtub). Star Suite perks include drinks via the line's "Ultimate Beverage Package," free dining at the ship's eight specialty restaurants, in-suite cocktail service, a complimentary mini-bar, Nespresso coffee maker, free fitness classes, included gratuities, in-suite movies and high-end mattresses, linens, towels and bathrobes. At launch, Explorer of the Seas. Passengers on the lowest deck are most likely to hear the engine or even anchor sounds. The following numbers "Boardwalk View Balcony" staterooms are with obstructed views: 8329, 9329, 9729, 10329, 10729, 11327, 11329, 11727, 11729, 12329, 12729, 14315, 14319, 14321, 14323, 14325, 14715, 14717, 14719, 14721, 14723, 14725. If you cant get a mid-ship location then just try to avoid the extremes of a higher deck at the front or rear of the ship, and hopefully, you wont feel it too much. Rough seas or not, motion sickness can ruin a cruise holiday. How To Upgrade Your Cruise Cabin After Purchase, 6. Thanks. Also unique for RCI Oasis-class cruise liners are the aft-facing Aqua Theater Suites with huge wraparound balconies overlooking the ship's Aqua Theater (show lounge with large plunge pool and live entertainment). Category "Promenade View Interior" are also unique cabins available on the largest RCI cruise ships. The 4-Bedroom Villa Suite as amenities features 2 Master bedrooms (Royal King beds, Duxiana mattresses, Frette linens, mirrored vanities with chairs, closets), 2 Master bathrooms (bathtubs, 2-sink vanities), 2 bedrooms (convertible twin beds, 2 Pullman folding down beds, closets), 3rd full bathroom, guest bathroom (shower), dining room (dry bar), living room (double sofabed), large veranda (sitting area, bar area, private dining area, whirlpool). Family Ocean View balcony staterooms sleep six and include a Royal King bed, a convertible sofa and the same bunk-bed arrangement used in Family Ocean View cabins. While it can be lovely to sit outside and admire the views, you may be less likely to do that if you need to put on your winter coat and take the duvet from the bed each time to keep warm out there! What are your thoughts on GTY staterooms? Youll have to be careful to make sure the curtains are always closed when youre getting changed or if you just want to get cosy in your PJs. Each of the Owners Suites as amenities features a separate bedroom (with 2 twin beds convertible to Royal King / double bed), full bathroom (bathtub, 2-sink vanity), living room (double sofabed, 4-seat dining table, wardrobe), large terrace (furnished with 4-seat dining table, deckchairs, sun loungers). And you know whats the worst thing? Its different from an ocean view, but it can be quite entertaining. For in-cabin use can be borrowed movies, toys and games suitable for kids with autism. These measure 271square feet, with 82-square-foot balconies. These Studios are designed for passengers traveling solo and in categories SW-Studio Interior (with Virtual Balcony), 2O-Studio Oceanview and 2B-Studio Balcony. These cabins are located either directly underneath or adjacent to busy public areas including the casino, the ices-skating rink and the main dining room which means there can be a lot of noise and/or foot traffic. Cabins in this category keep you involved in the action but sacrifice a bit on privacy; people below and above can see you. Master bathrooms feature shower/tub combos and separate dressing areas. Family Interior cabins have each 2 lower single beds (convertible to Royal King-size), separate bedroom (with 2 Pullman beds/lower-upper bunk beds), 1 double sofabed. Our biggest gripe is that Royal Caribbean only provides the very basics when it comes to amenities in nonsuite cabins: You'll get a bar of soap and a shower gel dispenser. Wi-Fi costs US$15 per device per day (50% discount on a second device). This is what I could see from my balcony on Anthem of the Seas. The "family oceanview" cabin categories 1K (Ultra Spacious), 1R (Family Interior) and 1V (Family Balcony) are with convertible to double twin beds, 2 Pullman beds, 1 double sofabed, larger closet space, expanded the living area. Even then, they arent really bad, and youll likely be spending your time all over the ship anyway. Four-Bedroom Family Suite VS Presidential Suite Sleeps up to: 14 1 Staterooms Cabin: 1142 sqft (107 m2) Balcony: 476 sqft (45 m2) Click for Both have accessible versions that run larger. You can expect a space ratio of 36% on this ship. Passengers booked in handicap-category staterooms are required to complete the "Guest Special Needs Form". Before you book a room, look at the ship's deck plans and look what is above and below your stateroom. There can be some noise too, not just from the propellers but also from the anchor when youre arriving in port (which usually happens in the early hours). Disabled cabins offer the following special amenities: open bed frames, wider cabin and bathroom doors, wider turning spaces, lowered vanity (sitting area), closet rods, bathroom (roll-in shower, fold-down shower bench, grab bars, hand-held showerhead, lowered sin, raised toilet). Her facilities include a Wave Loch Flowrider surf simulator, a rock-climbing wall, a skydiving simulator, swimming pools, a solarium, a Spa and Fitness Center, a theater and a casino. But you're usually making some big sacrifices to score that bargain. In fact, the process of choosing a cruise ship cabin can be more confusing than you think, making it a challenge to any novice trying to figure out what cabins to avoid on their cruise. Harmony Of The Seas cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations, including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Explorer of the Seas boasts a gross tonnage of 138,194 GT and a length of 1,020 feet, with 15 decks and capacity for 3,114 passengers and a crew of 1,180 people. Interior: Interior rooms on the Harmony of the Seas start at 149square feet, while Large Interiors come in at a more bearable 172square feet, which includes ones with.css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}virtual balconies-- floor-to-ceiling high-definition digital screens that create the illusion of an actual balcony. The following staterooms are with obstructed views 9241, 9243, 9245, 9641, 9643, 9645. As I said, there arent really any staterooms on a Royal Caribbean ship that I would tell everybody to avoid at all costs. In keeping with the ship's high-tech design, the cabins feature updated USB outlets, flat-screen TVs, and energy-saving lights. If you plan on spending little time in your cruise ship cabin or are on a port-intensive holiday, booking a balcony cabin with an obstructed view might be a great way to get some outdoor space at a slightly cheaper fare. Actaully, my room was quite far from the bridge, so this didnt cause much of an issue at all.