Stateroom is a term left over from the grand days of sailing from before the turn of the 20th century. Today, the terms stateroom and cabin may be used interchangeably.

Cabins on cruise ships are either inside (interior) or ocean view (outside) cabins. The inside cabins are further divided into standard or deluxe interior cabins on some ships. The outside cabins range from standard to deluxe or larger to superior, to mini-suites to suites. Some outside cabins also have balconies, also called verandas. Categories are ranked lowest to highest from the lowest passenger deck to the highest passenger deck.

Cabin sizes usually vary from ship to ship. Some may be quite small at around 100 square feet or even less. Some inside cabins may be just as large as most outside cabins. This is particularly true on most modern cruise liners. Many modern cruise ships have outside cabins of over 150 to 200 square feet. Cabin size does not vary much if at all on a modern cruise ship. The only difference is what deck the cabin is on. If you need to know just how large a cabin is on a particular ship, just drop me an email and I'll let you know.

With a few exceptions, most cabins on a modern cruise ship have beds that may be arranged in a twin bed fashion or pushed together to form a queen or king bed. Some lower category inside and outside cabins have upper and lower berths (bunk bed style) only or twin beds that do not push together. For beds that push together, please don't worry as they are locked into that position by your cabin attendant. Most cabins have more than adequate space for storing clothes in closets and drawers. Luggage is easily stowed under the beds. Cabins have a private bath with sink, toilet, and shower. Some cabins will have a bath tub. Cabins will also have TVs and telephones. Larger cabins may have sitting areas equipped with small tables, sofa, and chairs. Some suites may be equipped with Jacuzzis. An increasingly popular feature on most ships is an in-room safe for self-storage of valuables. Some cabins may have refrigerators.

Inside cabins are the best option for those who will be using their room just for sleeping and changing clothes. They are the least expensive as a rule. The newest exception is an interior cabin with a view on Royal Caribbean's Voyager Class and Freedom Class ships. For 3 decks, these cabins have a view overlooking a street fair style promenade.

The cruise lines always set the price of each cabin. Prices are arranged from the lowest interior cabin as the least expensive to the large, well appointed suites with verandas at the high end. Lower prices go to lower categories and higher prices go to higher categories. Each cruise line uses its own scheme for categorizing cabins. One cruise line may have a category "one" cabin as a very high end balcony suite while another may have a category one as the lowest interior cabin. Most categories that have been alphabetized will have the high end cabins begin with "A."

Service provided by your cabin attendant is among the best you'll be receiving while you are on you cruise. Service is no different for holders of veranda suites or for the holders of the lowest interior cabins. The one exception is that some cruise lines do provide butler service and concierge service for their suite guests. But no matter what cabin you choose, your room will be made up with linens and toiletries refreshed two or more times per day on the average. Service outside your stateroom is the same regardless of what category cabin you are holding. Everyone is pampered and spoiled. It's your vacation!

Choice of cabin usually depends upon personal tastes and budget. However, as a rule, inside cabins on Caribbean cruises are sold out first with outside cabins being sold out first on Alaskan and Panama Canal cruises. Inside cabins also go faster on all other cruises (Europe, Trans-Atlantic, etc.). As to placement on each deck, the lowest inside cabin that is midship will provide the smoothest "ride" for those concerned about motion sickness. If you like the rocking motion of the ship to put you to sleep, choose an upper deck outside cabin. If you enjoy viewing the moonlit sea or letting it light up your room at night, choose an outside cabin. If you delight in pitch blackness to ease you into sleep, choose an inside cabin.

With rare exception, all cabins will hold two people. Some cabins within certain categories specified by the cruise lines will hold 3, 4, or 5 people. Some cruise ships have special family cabins that can hold up to 8 people. The extra people may be accommodated by fold down berths or roll-away beds or sofa beds depending upon the cabin category and location on the ship.

Passengers desiring to transfer to higher priced accommodations, which may be available during boarding or after sailing, may do so by paying, in cash, traveler's checks or by credit card, the difference in published full cruise prices.

Actually, there are a few ways in which you can get a cabin upgrade. First, book as early as possible. Second, book a category guarantee instead of a cabin assignment. A category guarantee means that the cruise line will not assign you a particular cabin in a category less than what you have reserved. If that reserved category has been filled or if the cruise line so chooses, the cruise line will upgrade your cabin from the orginal reservation to the next higher category or even higher. Another great way to be assured of an upgrade is to be a repeat customer of a cruise line. Not all cruise lines offer this feature but those that do are quite generous with some offering at least a 1 category upgrade for past passengers. If you are a first time cruiser, you can sign up for your cruise line's past passenger program on board, through the mail, and on the cruise line's web site. If you have any questions about upgrades on your cruise booked through Blue OdysSea Travel®, please call me.