Cruise life New to cruising

How do I choose my cruise cabin?

Sea-view or Balcony? Inside cabin or Suite? Close to the atrium or tucked away in a quiet spot? To help you make the right choice, we've put together a list of the main factors to consider...

4 min 22 Feb 2023

Editorial Team

Author

Cabin location
Outdoor space
Cabin size
The Suite Life

Cabin location

Depending on the type of cruise holiday you’ve got planned, you’ll either want to be near to or far away from certain areas of your ship. Are you going to be out every evening making the most of your ship’s entertainment venues? Then perhaps choosing a cabin close to the restaurants and clubs would be ideal for you. Or would you prefer an early night, relaxing in your cabin?

Fancy spending days on your ship soaking up some rays? Then why not pick accommodation close to the pools and the sun decks? Looking forward to melting into a blissful world of me-time with a range of spa and wellness treatments? Then a spot near your ship’s spa facilities might be ideal for you. And if you or anyone you’re travelling with has mobility issues, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re not too far away from the lifts. When choosing your fare type, take advantage of a Select Price benefit of choosing your cabin location and number.

Outdoor space

If you’re a first-time cruiser, you might be wondering whether you should book a cabin with a balcony. Again, this will be a personal preference but if you’ve got the sun on your trip and like to feel the sea breeze as you enjoy an alfresco breakfast or sunbathe with a private view, then nothing beats having a Balcony cabin.

With us, you can also enjoy a Deluxe Balcony cabin on many of our ships, which are larger and come with floor-to-ceiling glass doors – creating even more of an airy feel. And on our Excel class ships, Arvia and Iona, you can let the great outdoors in with an additional lounging area with floor-to-ceiling glass between your cabin area and balcony. If you’re after added luxury, on Azura, Britannia and Ventura you can even book a Superior Deluxe Balcony cabin where you’ll be spoilt with special touches including Champagne and chocolates on arrival.

We always try and pick a cabin towards the back of the ship so we can get straight up to the buffet, pools and the kid's clubs and straight down to the restaurants for dinner, Inside cabins are great value for money and a perfect space to lay your head after a busy day exploring.

The Cooper family, sailed on Ventura and Britannia

Superior Deluxe Balcony, Britannia

Cabin size

Your cabin size won't just depend on who you’re travelling with but also what you’re planning to do on your holiday. If you’re a family travelling with kids, it makes sense to book a roomy cabin. Even if you’re planning on spending most of your time out on shore experiences or enjoying your ship’s facilities, you’ll still want a place where everyone can kick back and relax without getting in each other’s way. At P&O Cruises, we have Family cabins available across our fleet where everyone can unwind in a comfortable amount of space.

If you’re on a budget and just want somewhere to get some shut-eye time in between exploring your destinations and experiencing all your ship has to offer, an Inside cabin will provide the sanctuary you need. Travelling alone? Surprisingly, very few cruise lines have cabins purely for solo cruisers but not us – all of our ships have single cabins with ample space and everything the solo guest could ask for.

The Suite life

Looking for space and luxury? Why not consider a Suite? A Suite is not just a place to rest at night, it’s an experience that will take your holiday to a whole new level. Not only will you get to relax in the largest cabins on your ship, but you can also indulge in a full-size whirlpool bath, VIP room service and an optional butler service. Plus, you’ll be treated to a fruit basket, flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival. Find out more here.

We treated ourselves to a Suite for our wedding anniversary cruise and it was so worth it, the wrap-around balcony, the extra space and the Epicurean breakfast made the whole experience so special

Louise and James, sailed on Arvia