Are you thinking about a cruise vacation this year? Sounds fantastic! Cruise vacations are one of the best ways to escape the daily grind and retreat into a comfortable haven, meandering beautiful seas and pausing at breathtaking destinations. But the comfort onboard a cruise holiday also depends on your choices. For example, if on cruise vacation, you book a cabin that makes your holiday more stressful than convenient, your time onboard won’t be as pleasant as you hoped. So, before you book your cruise from UAE, keep these top cruise cabin mistakes to avoid putting an uncomfortable dent in your pleasant cruise experience.
1. Location
While tourists put a lot of effort into how to choose the best cruise for a vacation, they rarely think much when it comes to deciding which cabin to choose on a cruise holiday. So, carefully consider the location of the cabin you want to book before you finalize your cruise vacation bookings. Do not just rely on prices and reserve the cheapest cabins. These cabins can be located near elevators, stairs or public areas like pools or theatres, which can cause overcrowding and noise disturbance for you.
2. Sea Sickness
If you are prone to sea sickness, the safest cabins to book for your condition are the ones in the middle of the ship and on the lower decks, since they rock and sway less and are not as affected by big wave movements .
3. Windowless Cabins
When reserving a cabin on your cruise ship, it’s important to know about the different kinds of cabins the cruise offers. If not, you might end up booking an inside or interior room. These are basically small cabins without any windows or portholes and are cheaper than all the other cabins onboard. Located along the ship’s hallways, these windowless cabins should only be chosen if you are on a tight budget for your cruise holiday packages. However, for a pleasant vacation, it is best to avoid booking them, even if it means spending a bit more to avoid inconvenience. Not researching cabin types could cause you to book these cheaper cabins, and lead to disappointment.
4. Cabin Size
Another aspect often overlooked by cruise vacationers is the different cabin types on cruise ships. You should definitely check out the cabin sizes to ensure they are not compact for your needs. Families travelling together should book bigger staterooms with balcony or verandah, family cabins or suites for better conveniences and facilities.
5. Cabin Stickers and Decors
Although a cruise cabin is your home for your journey on the sea and you would love to make it feel as comfortable as your home, do keep cruise cabin etiquettes in mind. Cruise vacationers normally would love to personalize their cabins through stateroom decors. It has become a cruising tradition where a cruise cabin can be adorned with stickers and posters to the guest’s liking. Though it is encouraged, keep in mind not to use strong adhesives or tapes to stick them to the walls, as they can easily leave marks and are hard to peel off. Instead, use paper tapes or magnetic hooks.
6. Smoking and Vaping
Being on a cruise means embracing freedom, but that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you feel like doing. Onboard a cruise, you will have a set of rules and regulations to follow if you want the holiday to be pleasant for you and your fellow travellers. Cruises do not ban you from smoking or vaping, but discourage using them in cabin rooms and public spaces. In fact, all cabins in ships are fitted with smoke detectors. It is a major fire hazard, and you can be billed with a hefty fine if you are found breaking this rule. However, there are plenty of designated spaces onboard the ships where you can smoke in privacy or with fellow smokers.
7. Power Strips
In this tech-savvy world, cruise guests travel with numerous devices that need charging all the time. Cruise cabins have limited power outlets. Bringing a power strip can help you charge multiple devices simultaneously. That being said, do not use a power strip with surge protector as they are potential fire hazards. Most cruises ban surge protector power strips anyway. This isn’t just limited to power strips. Items like candles and steam irons are also not allowed and will be confiscated while boarding the cruise ship as these are considered fire hazard items.
8. Balcony
If you are staying in a cabin room with balcony, remember to take into consideration the direction of the boat as some balconies might be facing the sun or can be quite windy for most of the sea journey. Also, balcony cabins might not give you the privacy you expected. Large floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and verandah spaces mean others have a full view into your cabin room. So, be mindful of visibility from other balconies, higher decks, and even the shore and avoid engaging in activities that could be considered inappropriate or offensive to other passengers. If you are travelling with kids, keep an eye on them at all times when on the balcony. Keep the balcony doors closed when not used.
9. Checking Cabins For Issues
One of the first things you should do when you get access to your cabin is to check for any problems or annoying inconveniences right away. Check if the water faucets work properly. Flush the toilet a couple of times to make sure it is in good working condition. Test all electrical outlets, air conditioners and heaters. Make sure the door closes properly and the room safe is working as well. Inspect for any bedding issues and whether it is free of any pests or insects. Listen for any weird or loud noises that could mess with your holiday chill. If you find any issues, don’t hesitate to bring it up with the cruise staff and get it sorted out right away.
10. Respect Others’ Space
On a cruise holiday, you will be spending a lot of time with other fellow passengers and might feel that the cabin is the only place in the entire ship that gives you a true sense of privacy. However, you should still be mindful of your actions so that it does not become a nuisance to others. Actions like walking nude, sunbathing nude on the balcony cabins are not encouraged on cruises. Respect others’ spaces and refrain from throwing things off a balcony. Playing loud noises is also found rude and disruptive.
11. Over Packing
Cruise cabins are compact and have limited storage. To avoid stuffing your cabin with your luggage, just be mindful of what you pack for your cruise trip. Pack efficiently and consider bringing organizers to get the most out of the space. Overpacking overwhelms these spaces, forcing you to store items on the floor, bed, or other surfaces, making your cabin look cluttered, uncomfortable and disorganized. Finding space for all your belongings can be frustrating, and the lack of organization can lead to stress. So, consider packing only essential items you would use on your trip.
12. Night Lights
Nights onboard a cruise are lively, but it’s time to turn off the lights for a good night’s sleep, you realize that nights on a cruise are pitch-black dark. Cruise ship cabins, especially interior ones, can become very dark at night. Hence, do not underestimate the use of night light on your trip. It’s an incredibly useful item and comes in handy for walking around your dark cabin in the middle of the night on a moving ship for a sip of water or to visit the washroom. A soft glow can provide a sense of comfort, especially for kids or those who are used to having some light at night.
13. Respecting the Stateroom Attendants
For a positive experience onboard a cruise holiday, extend your respectful behaviour towards the staff who take care of your conveniences and comfort on the ship. This included stateroom attendants. They are hardworking, put in long hours to provide guests with excellent room service and keep your cabin clean and cozy. Make it easier for them by keeping your room tidy and putting all trash in the waste bins. Be courteous to them and avoid making unreasonable or overly demanding requests.
14. Book in Advance
Book your cruise well in advance to secure your preferred cabin. Popular cabin choices and specific locations tend to sell out quickly, especially during peak seasons and for popular destination itineraries. Booking in advance prevents you from getting stuck with less desirable options. Cruise lines often offer early booking discounts and promotions. Securing your cabin early can save you significant money.
15. Cabin Facilities and Services
Your cabin is your personal space on a cruise ship. It’s where you can escape the crowds, noise, and constant activity of the ship. And it comes with many added facilities and services. A lot of guests don’t make use of these. Do take advantage of the cabin services provided, which can really make your journey smoother and more comfortable. Utilising cabin amenities like room service, in-cabin entertainment, and comfortable bedding can enhance your relaxation. Make use of the room service for meals. This is a great option to enjoy a quiet meal or snack. Make use of the “Do Not Disturb” sign to get a good sleep without interruptions, or to have some private time in your cabin. Cruise suite guests have ample services and spaces to utilise, such as private concierge services, priority reservations for dining and shows, onshore excursion planning, and more. Make the most of it, as it’s your money’s worth and shouldn’t go to waste.
Conclusion
Your cruise cabin is your home away from home on the high seas, and picking the right one can really make or break your vacation. By avoiding these mistakes, you can significantly enhance your time on board the colossal cruise ship, giving you a smoother, more relaxing, and ultimately more memorable voyage. So, research and plan wisely so that your stay onboard a cruise holiday becomes a real highlight of your awesome sea adventure. Looking for Abu Dhabi cruise packages? Get in touch with us for the best in UAE cruising experience.
