When you book a cruise one of the first things you must do is decide what type of cabin you want! Yes, they are called cabins or staterooms on a cruise ship.
A little different than a hotel room!
But the difference doesn’t stop there:
A cruise ship cabin is much smaller in size than a typical hotel room but it is very well arranged with tons of storage space.
The bathroom is very small but very compact!
Most cabins only have a shower and it is very, very small. But, they do have dispensers filled with a conditioning shampoo and shower gel! And there is a removable, hand-held shower head with lots of pressure.
The toilet looks like one you would find in a RV camper and they have a super flushing action!
No microwaves and clothes irons are not allowed in your cabin. But they have laundry and ironing rooms and even laundry/dry cleaning services available.
Room service is 24/7 and is most items are FREE! You can order a continental breakfast, sandwiches, pizza for no charge. (There is a fee for hot entree’s.) We always tip a couple of dollars in the morning when they bring our coffee and muffins!
Your cabin steward will make up your room, leave fresh ice, and leave a cute towel animal! You can also request turn-down service at nights.
The television is small… but who cares!!! We aren't on a cruise to watch tv!
When booking your cruise you have many options of cabins to choose from. Carnival offers some of the largest cabins in the industry.
We typically stay in a balcony cabin but have had an interior and oceanview a couple of times. We aren’t rich enough to afford a suite but I hear they are pretty sweet!
Here's my observations on Carnival cabin sizes:
An interior is the cheapest option and many people say they don’t mind having one because the savings will pay for excursions and other things. An interior is small with just a chair and vanity, no couch, no window but you can still have a king-sized bed! The bathroom is the same size as a balcony. If you like a super dark room to sleep in, this option is for you! Many cruisers say they don’t spend much time in the cabin anyway so an interior is fine with them.
I don’t mind an oceanview at all. They are the same size as a balcony but have a nice-sized window instead of balcony. I like having a couch in our cabin and you get one with the oceanview. The deluxe oceanview has the regular bathroom and a bonus bathroom with a small tub and vanity (no toilet). It’s great for a family!
We love a balcony cabin. There’s nothing better than stepping out in the middle of the night and looking at the stars or seeing other ships passing by. It’s truly magical to me! We also enjoy waking up to room service and having our coffee and muffin in the early morning while watching the ocean waves as the sun comes up.
On the Carnival Vista there are many other different options with larger balconies, family styled, and spa suites. Check them out on the Carnival website.
Choose the cabin of your choice and remember that the service is same for an interior or suite throughout the ship! Your cabin steward will greet you with a smile and by name and will make sure you love every minute of your cruise.
Carnival says it best:
Carnival Staterooms
“On a Carnival cruise, your stateroom is your home base. When the day is done, once you've had your fill of fun, you'll head back to your stateroom and settle in for the night. No matter which kind of room you choose — whether you're thinking of a simple Interior or Ocean View, or going grand with a Balcony or Suite — you'll find yours a well-appointed way to wind down the day. And whether it's day or night, all staterooms have a room steward on duty, an attendant you can call for complimentary room service, and more sweet perks inside.”
