Location, Location, Location!

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Location is important in business, real estate and even on cruise ships.  How can you make sure that you pick the best location in your chosen stateroom category?  A good answer for this question is to view the ship’s deck plans in the cruise line brochure or on the web.  While the plans are often not exactly to scale and stateroom size is not always in proportion to the drawings there are a few things that are very helpful.  First, locate your stateroom on the plan and then look up, down, left, right, and forward of your cabin.  What’s there?   And knowing what to look for can help you avoid a less-than-ideal stateroom.  As a Couples Travel Concierge that often books romance or celebration travel, I’m often asked to get clients “the best location on a cruise ship”.  It is important to note, there is no overall “best” stateroom – it is “best” based on your criteria and what you want from your cruise vacation.

Ok, so here’s the short list:

Look for elevators and staircase exits near your stateroom. (Some people love to be close to everything so this might be a positive feature but with activity comes noise)

Look up.  Oops!  A basketball court, jogging track or day pantry might result in the wakeup call you did not ask for.

Look Down.  Is the bandstand for one of the show lounges right below your room?  Even with good sound proofing there is a chance for ambient noise.

Look across the hall.  Is there a room service pantry shown or other service area?  This is a potentially busy area to avoid.

Look Right and Left.  If you are at the end of a hallway, make sure that the disco or other high energy lounge is not adjacent.  Avoid hallways that lead to these lounges unless you are a night owl.  Late night revelers sometimes carryon with the partying outside your door – which is great if you are part of the party, not so much if you don’t want to be part of the party!

The good news is that modern cruise ships have been designed with passenger comfort in mind and the architects strive to develop a deck plan that confines public rooms and lounges to areas far from the staterooms.  A little advance review of the deck plans and the advice of a good travel concierge can help deliver an extra measure of peace and quiet in your stateroom, or put you in the center of the action.

 And please don’t slam your door in the morning when you get up for early risers’ coffee.  Those partiers next door are still sleeping.  Then again. . . . .