When Choosing.....

Joanandjoe · October 5, 2007

What's a bump out or hump cabin? I don't think I've ever been on a ship where there is a bulge in the ship.

I don't think anyoneone has mentioned how different people are in the way they use ship staterooms. That has a huge impact on location.

1) If you're in the room a lot, as we are, you want a big room, possibly with a balcony. If you're almost never in the room except to sleep and change clothes, you don't need as much space.

2) If you like to see the daylight and night from your room, avoid an inside cabin. If you don't care, you may save money on an inside cabin.

3) If you're any earlybird, a room under or above the nughtclub or showroom is a non-no; but the sound of breakfast being set up on the lido deck above you won't bother you--you're awake anyway. If you're a night owl, avoid being under or above a restaurant; but you might be OK under the show room or night club. Party on!

4) The more you're bothered by motion, the more you need the middle of the ship and/or a low deck. However, I can't imagine anyone who wants to be on a low deck near the engines in the back or the anchor and bow thrusters in the front. On a high deck, front (but watch for high wind) or back (many people love the view) are OK or even desirable.

5) If you're a gambler, you may want to gamble on an upgrade from a guarantee. Many people, including us, prefer to choose their location, and get what they pay for. I usually pick a location, then specify "NO UPGRADES", so I don't get stuck in an expensive, but lousy, location.

kreilly825 · October 6, 2007

Just curious...

Why would you have to pay extra to pick a cabin? :ohmy: I often pick a cabin (vs. a guarantee) and have always gotten it for the same price as any other in the same category (on Carnival and Princess).

Gregswife · October 6, 2007

Because Carnival will give you a guranteed balcony if you book into a balcony category, but they will give you no guarantee of where on the ship that cabin is. As I feel too much sway in the front part of the ship, I cannot sail there so it is best for us to pay the extra $100 and be able to choose our cabin, which I always pick at almost exactly mid ship. If it is a ship we have sailed on before, I choose the same cabin we have had before as I know it is a good location for us. Our friends who are sailing with us next month also paid the extra $100 to choose their cabin to guaantee they were next door to us so we could open the balcony wall and spend time together out there. I don't know about other lines, but Carnival has always said there is a charge to choose your cabin at the time of booking. That just started a few years ago though...

kreilly825 · October 6, 2007

Just curious...

Why would you have to pay extra to pick a cabin? I often pick a cabin (vs. a guarantee) and have always gotten it for the same price as any other in the same category (on Carnival and Princess).

Because Carnival will give you a guranteed balcony if you book into a balcony category, but they will give you no guarantee of where on the ship that cabin is. As I feel too much sway in the front part of the ship, I cannot sail there so it is best for us to pay the extra $100 and be able to choose our cabin, which I always pick at almost exactly mid ship. If it is a ship we have sailed on before, I choose the same cabin we have had before as I know it is a good location for us. Our friends who are sailing with us next month also paid the extra $100 to choose their cabin to guaantee they were next door to us so we could open the balcony wall and spend time together out there. I don't know about other lines, but Carnival has always said there is a charge to choose your cabin at the time of booking. That just started a few years ago though...

Sorry, I'm still confused. We were on Carnival 2x in the past 2 years and never paid extra. Are you booking a higher category than what is advertised? Maybe that's why it's more. But I have gone through the online booking process for several different cruiselines and been offered a guarantee or pick a cabin for the same price. Were you booking with a TA or directly with Carnival?

Gregswife · October 6, 2007

WE booked the first 10 thru Cruises Only and we were only charged the flat rate, except the last 2, which we did have to pay the extra. The one that is coming up, we booked directly thru Carnival and our travel planner there said we would have to pay the extra to pick our room. The last few times we have paid the extra, we were also being given a 2 catgeory upgrade so maybe that is why we have to pay extra to secure the room of our choice. We have a few travel agents on this board - do you guys have an answer...

zebra · October 6, 2007

We have always booked through a TA and also have never paid extra for choosing our EXACT cabin number that we want, but we have cruised the other cruise lines, so I can't talk for Carnival.

Our first choice is without a doubt an Aft cabin!!

If they are not available, we look for a cabin on a bump out, if they aren't available then just any balcony cabin that isn't above or below any noisy part of the ship. Also our first cruise was across from an area where the room stewards would go in and out to change linen etc etc. Never again!! We make sure that we are in a QUIET part of the ship. So noise is a gihe criteria for us!!

We don't care about the motion of the ship, in fact we both enjoy it, it feels like we're on a ship and lulls us to sleep at night!!! So we don't care to be in the middle of the ship. Another good thing about an Aft cabin is that the only people that walk by are the other Aft occupants - great location!!!!

jacketwatch · October 6, 2007

This is important to us. we try to get a balcony amidships as my wife gets motion sickness. I suppose a larger ship is less suseptible to this so perhaps a cabin towards the front or back would be OK but for a small ship we have to be amid to be sure.

hazelson · October 7, 2007

In the middle - lol

Usually second balcony level - so nothing above or below but cabins, and centre for less movement.

Dan · October 7, 2007

A hump, or bump-out, is a part of the ship that sticks out from the sides a bit. Here's the deck plan of the Carnival Spirit. The hump is that part with the blue cabins right below the yellow ones.

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downtime · October 9, 2007

I don't stick with any particular cabin. I like to experience a different cabin for each cruise. It's more interesting this way. The only real preference I have is that the cabin be a balcony. After having the first one I couldn't go back to an oceanview.

Carnival fares are the same amount for a particular whether you choose a particular cabin or let them assign one to you (which you can always change if you don't like it and one is available). The difference in fares is in choosing a GTY cabin, you're booking the category not the cabin itself, with the possibility of an upgrade. Booking a particular cabin does not cost extra and Carnival does does automatically book you into a GTY when you make a reservation. You have to choose the GTY category . Carnival makes the choice which cannot be changed by you. Sometimes with the GTY you don't get your cabin number until boarding. Also the GTY cabin can be changed by the cruiseline at any right up until you board. I've had that happen, which is why in most categories are about $100 less than the regular fare.