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Choosing the right cabin can make or break an ocean voyage.
Maybe you've been kept awake by the roar of the engine or were left staring at a livestream of the ocean in place of a window.
That’s why it’s essential to understand exactly what you're getting when you book. Here, we explain the different grades of cabins available, the noisiest spots on the ship and the insider trick that could save you hundreds of pounds on your next cruise.
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Regardless of what cabin you pick, your experience is going to vary dramatically depending on which cruise line you sail with. Which? Recommended Providers are the best you can book with, and most of them scored the full five stars for the quality of their cabins.
Top-place Saga offers a balcony as standard, meaning you won’t be confronted with windowless cabins or hefty premiums.
Meanwhile, Silversea offers suites with a private teak veranda and a white-gloved butler who will even unpack your suitcase. The latter comes at a price, of course. Find the style of cruising that suits your budget with our survey of the best ocean cruise lines for 2026.
There are generally four different grades of cabin. An interior cabin is the cheapest and has no window, although some cruise lines, such as Disney, have a screen showing real-time footage of the ocean. A Disney character will also occasionally pop up on the ‘magical porthole’ to say hello.
Ocean view cabins have a porthole (usually on the lower decks) or a picture window – a normal square or rectangular window – looking out to sea. The latter offers a better view and more natural light.
Balcony cabins are another grade up again, offering a French balcony (a large window that slides open) or your own private veranda.
Suites are the most expensive and luxurious cabins; they often feature multiple spacious rooms and are often kitted out with high-end extras, such as walk-in wardrobes and al fresco hot tubs.
The Aft cabins (those at the very back) are usually the first to sell out because of their coveted 180-degree views over the ship's wake. You may also enjoy more space with wrap-around balconies.
To save money, consider choosing a cabin with an obstructed view. Often, the obstacle is nothing more than a steel railing or the tip of a lifeboat. You can lessen the gamble by checking cruisedeckplans.com before you book. Just search by cruise ship and cabin number to find detailed descriptions, printable deck plans, passenger photos and even videos.
We saved more than £200 on a seven-day Mediterranean cruise with Princess by selecting the ‘obstructed’ balcony cabin. A quick check revealed that only a slim metal railing stands between you and a magnificent view of the ocean.
Also consider which side of the ship you go: for example, a cabin on the starboard (right) of an Alaska north-bound cruise will give you the best view of the mountains and glaciers.
If you’re a light sleeper, give cabins near the main public areas a wide berth – and we’re not just referring to the theatre and bars.
Sleep directly below the upper deck, and you could be woken by the scrape of sunloungers at 6am as staff set up for the day. You can also expect plenty of pedestrian traffic near the lifts.
Meanwhile, lower-deck cabins situated low at the back of the ship are likely to be most affected by engine noise. Check detailed deck plans at cruisedeckplans.com before you book.
If you get nauseous on choppy seas, you should be even more strategic about the position of your sleeping quarters.
Midship cabins near the water level are the most stable: you’re most likely to feel the swaying motion on the upper decks at the front or back of the vessel.
See what happened when we tested travel sickness wrist bands on a roller coaster.
