Cabin preferences are as diverse as the people who occupy them. Fortunately, today’s cruise ships have enough variety to please everyone. Our team of cruise specialists and guests, have done the research, crawled under fluffy down comforters and spent blissful hours on their balconies to help create this guide.
Find out what you can expect on different cruise lines and what our guests say truly matters regarding location and balconies.
Comparing Cruise Line Suites
Let’s start with the hard facts! Size, space and locations.
Regent Cruise Line
Category: F2 (Superior suite with private balcony)
Size 312 sq. ft.
Located deck 7, 8, 9 forward
Amenities: free round trip business class air on all intercontinental flights, welcome bottle of champagne/fresh fruit, in suite minibar set up/refill.
Oceania Cruise Line
Regatta class ship: built 1998, refurbished 1994 – 684 guest
PH3 (Penthouse suite) with private balcony
Size 322 sq. ft.
Located 8 forward/aft
Amenities: Early 11AM embarkation, 24hr butler service, complimentary bottle of champagne, iPad upon request, access to private executive lounge, unlimited access to Canyon Ranch Spaclub private spa terrace, laptop computer with wireless internet access.
Crystal Cruise Line
Category: PH (Crystal Serenity)
Size 403 sq. ft.
Located deck 10/11 with private balcony
Amenities: butler service, complimentary wine plus choice of spirit from set menu, complimentary soft drinks, beer, bottled water in room, walk in closet.
Seabourn Cruise Line
Category: PH or V5 – Seabourn Sojourn – PH category (Penthouse Suite)
Size 458 guests
Located decks 6, 9,10, 436 sq. ft. plus veranda
Amenities: dining table for 2 to 4, separate bedroom, 2 flat screen TV’s, champagne upon arrival, stocked bar with up to 2 selected spirits, wine and soft drinks, fresh fruits, personalizes stationary
Silversea Cruises
Category: V3 (Silver Whisper) 382 guests
Size 345 sq. ft.
Located deck 6 mid ship, deck 8 aft
Amenities: complimentary beverages in suite and throughout the ship, open seating dining, gratuities included , one hour complimentary WiFi for all guests, butler service.
Viking Ocean
Category: DV4 – Viking Star deluxe veranda
Size 270 sq. ft.
Located on deck 4 mid ship
Amenities: 11AM embarkation, Mini-bar with soft drinks, water & snacks, replenished once daily, 24hr room service, free unlimited WiFi.
Beyond the Facts
Here’s what frequent Holland America Line cruisers have to say about selecting a suite that fits their needs.
Rod and Diana Longenberger know exactly where they want to be on any ship. Their location of choice is aft of the last elevators on one of the lower passenger decks. It’s a very quiet place and convenient to the dining rooms.
They like a window but don’t feel they need a balcony. They actually have a specific cabin they ask for which we cannot reveal in case it gets too popular and is not available for them when they want it.
After 29 cruises, Chuck and Jayne Collinge have experienced many different cabins types. They love lanai cabins when available because they’re so convenient to the outside decks. But since that’s not an option on most ships, they make a thoughtful choice of cabins based on the following criteria:
- toward the front
- quiet spot, so not above the showroom or near elevators
- convenient to the dining rooms
- front to back position is important
- top to bottom position is not, they’d be happy on deck 6 or deck 10
Pat and Jim Wilcox love their Neptune Suite. After an unpleasant experience in a cramped and noisy cabin on their first cruise, they decided they would give themselves the gift of luxury and have been booking suites ever since.
They love the open feeling of the cabin and the large size of the balcony which they use every day. The specific location of the suite is not important, as they are not bothered by the movement of the ocean. A favorite perk is the use of the Neptune Lounge and the services of the Concierge to help them with shore arrangements, dinner reservations and anything else that comes up.
Wendy and Steve Bodenheimer, Voyage Hosts, have come to love inside cabins. Since their days as dance instructors when they could be assigned anywhere on the ship including crew quarters, they always choose inside.
They like the absolute darkness, which makes for a wonderful night’s sleep. No problem watching the bridge cam or going out to the promenade deck to see what’s going on outdoors. It’s also quiet, without some of the noises from the outside decks. Their other important preference is for a middle of the ship location on one of the lower passenger decks to minimize the motion of the ocean.
Not sure which suite will best suit you? Our cruise experts know them all and can help you find the perfect one on any voyage.
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