Pros/Cons of different decks - question for experienced cruise takers

jackieblack

Hi
Never taken a cruise before, just exploring the idea for the first time.
I know this is probably a very basic question for those 'in the know'.

What are the relative merits of choosing higher/lower decks for accomodation?

Is it all about the movement of the ship? Or is it noise related?

Just considering a few different options at this stage.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks

Tarry

I know midship has the less movement. Not exactly much help but there you go.

bcl999

Although generally the cabins get more expensive the higher the deck, you actually experience more movement the higher you are. If you suffer/worry about motion sickness, a lower deck might be appropriate. They say if you are aft and low down, you may experience noise and/or vibration from the propellrs/thrust pods.

One thing to look out for is what is directly above or below your cabin. If you are on the uppermost cabin deck, you might have the sundeck above and all the noise from sunbeds etc being moved all day long or you could be below the restaurant, where the staff might start setting up for breakfasts at 5.30am (as happened to freinds of mine on their recent cruise).

A good site for checking out pro/cons of cabins on specific ships is www.deckplangenius.com

Gloomendoom

I have found that the ship will tend move more the further away from its centre of gravity you go. The engine room is usually the best place to be if you suffer from seasickness.

Probably not an option in your case though.

Katiehound

Can only speak for Fred.Olsen ships- since they are all I have been on.
Dearer, upper deck cabins tend to have real picture windows, the lower you go the smaller you get! More expensive cabins can be larger too.I can't cope with inside cabin, just have to be outside which is dearer too.
More movement from pitching - even with stabilisers- at stern and on upper decks
As others have said cabins near the 'back' can be more affected by engine noise, saying that the rear cabins are usually a bit cheaper than the rest of that deck (probably because of engine)
Lowest decks can be noisier altogether.
On latest cruise had a nice cabin (deck 5) but discovered we were under the lounge/theatre- right under the wooden stage- good thing we didn't go to bed before midnight.

Very often a travel agent will have notes on their system about which cabins to avoid.
If you interested in cruising and want to book in advance ACE (Assoc. of Cruise Experts) have a special cruise week coming up this month - might only be for Fred.!) with special fares, onboard spend & free travel/parking.I got an e-mail from Ocean World Travel yesterday about it.

I say go for it!

daveyjp

Imagine a ship is a see-saw - sit in the middle and you don't go up and down much, sit at the ends and you do, so centre of the ship has less movement. Some passengers like to be higher up as on large ships you may have 10 decks above you which means waiting for lifts, but the restaurants tend to be lower down - almost at sea level.

Avoid cabins which don't have cabins next door - the empty spaces could be service lifts, service ducts etc etc and can be noisy.

nw_man

I often chuckle to myself with ' cruise snobs ' who always tell you how they have a suite or a baclony cabin blah blah..

Well, let me tell you, we always have an inside cabin. Why ? Because with an inside cabin you can have another inside cabin on another cruise for the same price that other folks have paid for their so called 'superior ' cabin on that one !

Anyway, sorry for the little rant, back onto the OP question.

Low down mid ship is best for motion sickness in my opinion.

But in general you can always get a deck plan for any particular ship and its its always good to see what is directly under you, over you or indeed to the side of you.

Are you near the elevators and stairwells ? Could be noisier potentially.

We tend to look for cabins that are above and below other cabins.

jackieblack

Thanks to everyone who has answered. Have been having a little nosey around a couple of websites, DH suggested it because it's something we've never done before but I'd have to find one going somewhere I was interested in going (Alaska maybe), with lots of time ashore. The idea of moving between ports overnight appeals to me more than spending alot of time onboard.

Katiehound

Hey,some of us buy outside cabins 'cos we suffer from claustrophobia! It would be like spending all the cabin time in a lift! Yes, I've been into an inside cabin and I am not fooled- the curtains are NOT covering a window!! (Can cope overnight on car ferry but not on 14 day cruise)
I have had a balcony once and I enjoyed it (my first cruise) but told myself that if I bought cheaper cabins I could go more often.