I used to think all rooms on a cruise ship were the same until I stayed in the worst cruise ship cabin I ever had.

It was on Freedom of the Seas and the room was all the way forward near the ship's anchor. Anytime we docked, it felt like a major earthquake and would always wake us up from sleep in the early morning.

Being in a cabin all the way forward also meant we felt more of a sensation of movement, and that lead to seasickness on top of it. It was a valuable lesson in paying closer attention to which cabin I choose.

Picking the perfect cabin location on a cruise ship is critical because it is where you will spend the most time during the voyage. Everyone has different preferences, as some people want a cabin with better views on a high deck, while others want to be near the kids club or buffet for the convenience factor.

With a little bit of extra research, there are important things to know about which cabins you should avoid.

Not looking what is above or below your room

Perhaps the biggest concern is picking a room that experiences "noise bleed", where noise from another venue can be heard in the room.

Royal Caribbean's staterooms do a pretty good job at muffling nearby noise, but no cabin is soundproof.

Before you book a room, look at the ship's deck plans and look what is above and below your stateroom.  Ideally, you want other staterooms on either deck and not public venues like pools, restaurants or other public venues.

Keep in mind that is not the worst thing if there is a public venue on a deck above or below your room, but it is a best practice if you can avoid it.

Room location if you are worried about getting seasick

The sensation of movement affects everyone differently, but it is a mistake to book a stateroom all the way forward or all the way aft if you are prone to motion sickness.

Getting seasick on a cruise is something a lot of first time cruisers worry about, and while there are a lot of easy remedies in case it occurs, picking the right room can greatly help as well.

Ideally, you want to book a stateroom that is on a low deck and centrally located to lessen the feeling of movement. While balcony rooms are a good idea, you want to be on the lowest deck, with a room that is the most midship available.

Try to avoid higher decks, as well as cabins at the very front or back of the ship.

Distance to walk

On the bigger Royal Caribbean ships, where your room is in relation to the rest of the ship is a consideration to account for as well.

The proximity of your room to elevators, pools, Royal Promenade, and other popular areas can play a factor in picking the right room for you.

If you think you might spend a lot of time at the pool deck, picking a room on a deck closer to the pool deck might make more sense to avoid the hassle of going back and forth to your room across the ship.

Similarly, if you have mobility concerns, picking a stateroom closer to the elevator banks would be a good idea.

Trying to put everyone in one room

Families going on a cruise often try to book a room that can accommodate everyone in one room. This may seem like the logical solution, but you should consider booking two (or more) smaller rooms instead.

While there are lot of cabins that can fit 4 people in one room, it may not be the most comfortable situation (plus the fact you are all sharing one bathroom).

Instead, consider booking two connecting rooms that have a common inside door between them.  Not only will this provide more room, physical separation and an extra bathroom, it may not be that much more money than trying to book one of the larger rooms.

Looking at only the price

We all have a limited vacation budget, but looking only at the price when choosing a cruise ship cabin is a big mistake.

You will want to look at more than just the price when choosing a cabin, including where it is located and what is (or is not) included with the room.

Your cabin is one part of the vacation where paying a little bit more for a higher category or better location can make a huge difference in your cruise enjoyment.

Read more: The epic Royal Caribbean suites 

Rooms that have noise bleed

Certain staterooms can have more than normal noise from public venues nearby, and that might be an issue if you're someone that goes to bed early or is a very light sleeper.

Royal Promenade View cabins are available on Freedom Class, Voyager Class and Oasis Class ships and they have cabins that face inward towards the Royal Promenade. Each of these rooms has a large bay window that looks out to the Promenade, but this window is not soundproof.

In the evenings especially, there can be noise emanating from the bars and parties below to your room.

In addition, these windows mean people can see into your cabin, so it's important to always keep the blinds drawn if you want privacy.  This is another reason Promenade view rooms may not be desirable.

On the Vision & Radiance Class ships, the first few cabins from the Centrum can also deal with noise bleed, as the Centrum is home to loud music in the evening.  

Read more: The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship

Cabins below the pool deck

A good rule of thumb is to try to avoid a cabin that is one deck below the pool deck.

Music isn't the issue with these cabins, rather, noise from chairs being arranged tends to be heard in the room. In the early morning, crew members re-arrange deck chairs for the coming day. Unfortunately, the noise created by dragging heavy lounge chairs across a deck tends to be heard in the rooms below the deck.

Light sleepers or anyone that enjoys sleeping in could have a problem with rooms in this location, so try to book a cabin with another stateroom above your cabin.

Read more: Guide to Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabins and suites

Obstructed view cabins

It may be tempting to save money by booking an obstructed view cabin, but buyer's remorse sets in quickly.

Obstructed view cabins are rooms that have some physical structure blocking at least part of your balcony or porthole window view. Usually, these are lifeboats.

On Voyager and Freedom Class ships, aft balcony rooms have an obstructed view due to the metal structure on the back of the ship. You can still see the ocean, but it's not completely open either.

Read more: 6 reasons to reject a cruise ship cabin upgrade

Connecting cabins (if you don't also book the connecting room on the other side)

Connecting cabins are a fantastic option for families, but if you aren't booking both rooms on either side of the common door, you're making a mistake.

The issue is the common door between the two staterooms is not soundproof and is actually quite easy for noise to pass through.

While the door will remain locked if you don't know the person in the other room, you're going to hear a lot of what's happening in their room and they'll hear what you're up to as well.

Look at a deck plan before booking any cabin, and avoid booking connecting rooms if you aren't going to book both cabins.

A balcony cabin on a cruise ship is the accommodation so many people prefer, but what's the realistic price you can expect to pay?

Of the four basic cruise ship cabin categories, balconies are the most popular because of the extra space and relative affordability they provide.

Unlike suites, there are many more balcony cabins on Royal Caribbean ships, and the price jump to a balcony is far more palatable compared to going up to a suite.

Having access to fresh air and a private veranda is the rationale most people give for booking a balcony in the first place.

The average cost for a balcony is around $2,200 for 2 people

In trying to answer the question of how much a balcony room will cost, I crunched the numbers.

I sampled the price of a balcony across more than 2,000 upcoming Royal Caribbean sailings in 2024 & 2025. These include short weekend cruises, 7-night cruises, and longer voyages.

When finding the average price, the cost of a balcony cabin came out to $1,139 per person or around $2,200 for 2 people.

Since this is an average, you can expect to find plenty of prices that are well above or below our average because cruise cabin prices vary by ship and itinerary.

Even within the same sailing, the price of a balcony can change on a daily basis. Like airline pricing, the timing of your reservation significantly affects the price.

In general, the earlier you book your cruise, the cheaper the price.

There are different balcony cabins

Another factor that will affect the price of a balcony cabin is the exact cabin type.

Royal Caribbean has many subcategories of balcony rooms that are priced differently depending on:

• Location
• Passenger capacity
• Living space square footage
• View

When you choose a balcony cabin, you'll need to consider these options in picking the right cabin choice for you.

Midship balcony rooms with more living space typically cost more than a smaller balcony room towards the front or back of the ship.

Likewise, a balcony cabin that can accommodate more than two passengers will cost more than a standard double room.

Balconies that aren't balconies

When we talk about a balcony room, you probably envision a private veranda to go outside and enjoy. However, there are a few Royal Caribbean cabins called a balcony that don't actually have that.

A virtual balcony is an inside room with a large floor-to-ceiling television screen showing real time views from outside. It's really meant as an upgrade from a standard inside cabin.

On the brand new Icon Class cruise ships, Royal Caribbean added infinite balconies, which have a window that slides down to provide fresh air.

The idea behind the infinite balcony is you can close the window and retain the balcony space as added indoor space.

Lastly, the neighborhood balconies are actual cabins with a real veranda that looks inwards instead of to the ocean. These are on Oasis Class and Icon Class cruise ships, and have views of one of the ship's neighborhoods, such as Central Park, Boardwalk, or Surfside.

This isn't to say you shouldn't book these types of balconies. Rather, understand what you're getting (and not getting) before you book.

How much more is a balcony cabin from an inside room?

The average cost to move up from an inside cabin to balcony runs the gamut of prices depending on the sailing you choose.

In our analysis, there's roughly a $390 per person difference to move up from an inside cabin to a balcony room, but you can expect wild variations in pricing depending on the specific cruise.

What I recommend doing is when you narrow down your search for which cruise to book, evaluate the cost difference and decide if an inside or a balcony cabin is a better deal.

Top reasons to book an inside cabin:

• Cheaper
• You won't spend that much time in the cabin
• (Arguably) Easier to sleep because of the dark

Top reasons to book a balcony cabin:

• Extra living space
• Private veranda
• Fresh air

Guarantee balcony cabins can save money

If you're not picky, booking a guarantee balcony could save you a lot of money on the cost of a balcony.

By choosing a guarantee cabin, you're letting Royal Caribbean assign you a room from the leftover unbooked staterooms. While you might not get the best cabin location on the ship, you'll still get a balcony room and likely save a few hundred dollars along the way.

The amount of money you can save on a cruise by going with a guarantee cabin will vary considerably, but sometimes it can net you significant savings.

The reason to skip booking a guarantee is if you want a specific location.

Some people absolutely want to be midship for convenience and to avoid getting seasick. Others want a great view, such as an aft balcony that looks out the back of the ship.

Watch out for obstructed balconies

Not all balconies are created equally, and some have obstructions to block part of the view.

Obstructed balconies are just like regular balcony cabins, but there is some physical structure blocking part of your view.

Royal Caribbean provides a percentage of how much of the view is blocked. Usually, the obstruction is a lifeboat, pole, or some part of the ship's steel infrastructure.

One advantage of an obstructed balcony is it will be cheaper than a regular balcony room.

You should also be aware it's quite common for a guarantee cabin booking to end up with an obstructed balcony cabin because they're less desirable and thus end up unsold. Ditto if you're thinking of bidding for a stateroom upgrade to a balcony.

How much is a balcony worth to you?

Ultimately, the decision if a balcony cabin is worth it depends on your costs involved, your vacation budget, and how much you value the benefits of a balcony.

Because the prices vary so wildly, I can't offer advice for everyone. However, I do think it's worth always weighing the cost of a balcony and other cabin categories, rather than going into a booking only focused on a balcony room category.

Something else to consider is the destinations your cruise will visit. If you're taking an exotic cruise to a place like Alaska or Norway, the value of a balcony room is higher because of all the scenery.

It seems a lot of people will justify booking a balcony instead of an inside cabin if the price is reasonable. Around $200 per person to move up to a balcony is the range where it's a no brainer to upgrade. Beyond that, it's up to you and your budget.

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Is a balcony worth splurging on for a cruise? Sometimes it can be an obvious choice for the convenient access to fresh air, a great view, and natural light in your cabin.

However, sometimes a balcony can cost a lot more or the itinerary isn't conducive for a balcony cabin.

A balcony cabin is incredibly popular because a lot of people see them as a good blend of space, value, and amenities. It's why you'll find more balcony cabins on newer cruise ships than older ones.  Cruise lines have increased the percentage of balcony cabins on ships quite a bit over the last 15 years.

I've taken almost 100 cruises, and I've sailed around the world, so I've been on quite a few balconies. Here are the pros and cons of private balconies on a cruise.

What to expect in a balcony cabin

No matter which ship or balcony cabin you book, you can expect a stateroom with a private veranda that you can enjoy anytime day or night.

Balcony rooms are also larger than an inside cabin, which means more living space within the cabin itself and the space the balcony provides.

Royal Caribbean's inside cabins are around 149 square feet in side, whereas a balcony room starts at 180 square feet. That may not seem like a lot of extra space on paper, but experiencing it in person gives all the perspective you need.

Verandas come in many sizes, with some being just 40 square feet all the way up to hundreds of square feet in the mega suites.

All balcony cabins include at least two chairs and a table, that you can use to sit or even have room service deliver food out there. Having your morning coffee while sitting on your balcony is something I will never tire of, and something I can never replicate at home.

I'd recommend everyone try this at least once, because eating on your balcony is another fantastic reason to book a balcony.

Some of the larger balconies (especially those on suites), may include loungers instead of chairs.

Balcony cabins offer a lot to love

When you think of a cruise vacation, you probably have the ocean air in mind, and a balcony cabin gives you ample access to it.

It's quite refreshing to be able to open up you balcony any time of day and get the breeze immediately. The connection to the ocean is such a critical component for many on why they enjoy to cruise.

Even when the weather may be a bit chilly, having access to the fresh ocean air is refreshing. 

In addition, enjoying your ship departing and arriving from your balcony is definitely more enjoyable. Since you have a private balcony to enjoy, you don't have to contend with anyone else to get a spot.

Taking a seat in a chair and watching the world go by is a big reason why I enjoy being in a balcony cabin.

Why cruisers book a balcony

When asked if it's worth the extra cost to have a balcony, veteran cruisers talk about the reasons to give one a try.

In an online discussion, journmajor wrote, "Balconies are heaven after a hot day, a cool shower, with a glass of wine and a book before late dinner time. My favorite time of the day."

Julios_on_50th wrote, "I have been on 10 cruises. Always get a balcony. My husband and I use it throughout the day. Early morning coffee, reading in the afternoon, late night cocktail. The balcony is so relaxing."

tipsy_python shared their thoughts on how much more to spend on a balcony, "My opinion on value: $1-$250 more is no brainer, you have to do balcony $251-$500 tempting, probably should $500+ experiencing diminishing returns, gotta consider the alternatives."

Reasons to not book a balcony

If you're wondering what the rationale is to skip a balcony, there are a few good counterarguments.

A balcony stateroom can sometimes cost a lot more than an inside room. That's money you could spend on another cruise or even just a shore excursion. Every dollar adds up.

The amount of people in your cabin could be a factor. Most balconies only have two chairs, so if you have a family of three or four people, you cannot sit outside together.

Something else to think about is the wind effect, especially when the balcony door is open and someone opens the stateroom door to the hallway.  This creates a wind tunnel, and it can tussle all of your belongings.

Lastly, there's the reality of how much time will you actually spend on your balcony? Royal Caribbean ships are designed to have so much going on, and what ends up happening is cruisers spend more time out of their cabin than they originally anticipated.

Is it worth getting a balcony on a cruise?

Spending more to book a balcony can definitely make sense, but there are important factors to consider.

On shorter sailings, where the amount of overall time you have on the cruise limited, you may find a balcony unnecessary since there is not much time to enjoy it.

However, if your cruise is 7-nights or longer, that provides significantly more time to relax and enjoy the private balcony area, especially on sea days.

Part of the decision is to determine what your plans are for the cruise and how much you plan on taking advantage of the room.

Royal Caribbean ships offer an incredible amount of activities, places to dine, and things to do onboard that you may not find much reason to stay in your stateroom, balcony or not. For some cruisers, a cabin is where you sleep, shower, and not much else.

While rock climbing walls, the casino, water slides and other activities are compelling options for some, other guests know they prefer to enjoy the weather from the comfort of their balcony.

Ultimately, a balcony cabin will almost certainly cost more than an oceanview or windowless "inside" cabin, but I think the cost is justified in so many cases.

New cruisers may see a balcony room as a good investment and opportunity to try cruising in an ideal environment.

Someone who been on multiple cruises and wants to book more cruises may look at this conundrum as an opportunity to save money for a future cruise and book an interior stateroom.  Plus, they have already experienced a balcony cabin in the past.

Having access to a balcony and the associated benefits it brings makes the decision to splurge on a balcony worth it.

Decorating cruise cabin doors has become a fun and popular tradition among passengers on Royal Caribbean cruises.

Maybe you’re celebrating a special occasion like a milestone birthday, graduation, or anniversary, or perhaps you’re just looking to add a personal touch to your stateroom. Whatever the reason, decorating your cruise cabin door is a great way to make your stateroom easy to spot in the hallway.

However, before you purchase decorations, it’s important to be aware of Royal Caribbean’s rules and policies. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about decorating your stateroom door on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as well as provide some inspiration to help you get started. 

Please note that we have linked Amazon items in this article containing affiliate links. The affiliate links cost you nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog will make a small commission if you purchase the item through the link.

Read more: 30 Cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

Royal Caribbean allows guests to decorate their cabin door

Though Royal Caribbean passengers are permitted to spruce up their stateroom doors, you will want to be considerate of your fellow guests, avoiding anything that could be deemed offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive.

Royal Caribbean’s code of conduct states, “Inappropriate or abusive behavior is not permitted. This includes: … placing materials (including signs, banners, decorations, etc.) anywhere on the exterior of the ship, [and] placing materials anywhere on the interior of the ship (including stateroom doors, along corridors, etc.) without the express permission of [the ship's] management or which may be deemed by ship management as inappropriate, or any other illegal or offensive conduct.”

In other words, crew members won't remove lighthearted and tasteful decor, so long as it's confined to your cabin door and not blocking any passageways. 

It's also wise to ensure your decor won't damage the cruise line's property. 

When choosing your cabin door decorations, avoid any that require tape, nails, or adhesives that could harm the finish. Instead, go for magnetic decor, as magnets can be easily placed and removed without leaving any damage.

And as wholesome as the activity is, you shouldn't be personally attached to any decor in case it's stolen. Young children, for instance, may see a cute magnet and think it's okay to grab it from your door. 

If you bought the magnet in port, you'll likely be disappointed when you discover it's missing; it's not easy to replace a unique souvenir bought in Ketchikan, Alaska, or Barcelona, Spain. 

Note that your cabin category doesn't matter. Passengers staying in the smallest interior rooms or lavish suites can personalize their stateroom's door. However, the same rules apply: the decor shouldn't be offensive, blocking passageways, or stuck to the door with potentially harmful adhesives. 

Read more: How to find the cheapest cabins on Royal Caribbean

The benefits of decorating your cruise cabin door

In a thread posted on the Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum, cruise passengers explain why they love cabin decor. 

"Invariably I will have a morning during a cruise when I will wake up way too early. On that morning I head to Cafe Promenade to grab...a cup of coffee and begin to do my daily walk but rather than use the walking track I walk the halls of each deck. The only reason I do this is to view the various door decorations," said Mike n Ky. 

whitsmom shared, "I like to use it [to] help find our door easier (in the beginning)." 

ScottD talked about the camaraderie that came with his choice of decor. 

"We had a [whiteboard] on our door, supporting our favorite football team who was playing in a big playoff game that day. We had a blast every time we came back to the room and saw different notes added to the board, sometimes in support and sometimes against our team. We loved it," he said. 

What types of decorations are acceptable?

A go-to choice is decor celebrating something specific, whether someone's birthday, graduation, anniversary, or retirement. Cruises, however, are a great vacation option, even if there's nothing monumental to celebrate. 

Are you sailing somewhere new? You can focus your decor on the destination. Perhaps you're a brand-new cruiser and want to honor your first-ever voyage! That's a fun theme for your door, too. Guests may also tailor their decor around holidays like Easter, the 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. 

Families might consider ordering customized magnets with everyone's name, including "Mom," "Dad," etc. These are ideal for families who love cruising and can see themselves on annual (or bi-annual) voyages, as they can be reused. 

Read more: I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked

Some of the most universal door decor are those relating to drink packages. With Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package, you can enjoy unlimited alcoholic drinks each day of your sailing for a fixed price. And yes, the drink package works ashore at Perfect Day at CocoCay!  

Some making the splurge on a package—which often costs over $65 per person, per day—may want to extend a "warning" to those in neighboring cabins. 

Of course, you want to be mindful of your consumption and not disrupt others! While it's perfectly acceptable to enjoy handcrafted cocktails onboard, your enjoyment shouldn't bother guests, especially when they are trying to rest. 

Read more: I spent $600 on Royal Caribbean’s beverage package

Where can I buy cabin door decorations?

Those looking to score last-minute decor should head to Amazon. "Cruise cabin decor" yields over 2,000 results, so there's no shortage of magnets available to purchase for your upcoming cruise. They're affordable, too. 

A 28-piece nautical pack can be bought for around $10. Celebrating a birthday? Look no further than this 27-piece "birthday cruise" pack for $8.99, which includes everything you need to let other passengers know about the occasion. 

A colorful drink package warning costs $8.99. In addition to a bright yellow warning label, the 13-piece pack also includes beverages to add a fun and eye-catching touch to your stateroom door. 

Whiteboards are popular, too. You can use them to leave messages for your friends and family, perhaps letting them know that you left for dinner or went to grab seats on the pool deck. 

They can also be used to engage with other passengers. It's not uncommon to see whiteboards with a "question of the day," asking guests their favorite food, where they're from, how many cruises they've been on, etc. 

Some cruisers opt to make their own decor to add a personalized element, instead of buying pre-made magnets. While this isn't prohibited by Royal Caribbean, you'll want to ensure you attach magnets to the photographs, signs, etc., rather than relying on tape and glue. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean cabins for 5 or more people

Another option for more customized cruise cabin decor is to browse Etsy, an online marketplace where you can find lots of handmade items, ranging from t-shirts to cabin door decorations. Under the "cruise cabin decor" search, you can filter by cruise line, material, color, theme, and more. 

Plus, you can indicate if you want decor that's customizable. Note, though, that many items purchased off Etsy won't ship as fast as those from Amazon, so give yourself plenty of time to place your order before your cruise's departure date. 

Finally, you can purchase cruise cabin decor directly through Royal Caribbean. 

For guests celebrating a birthday, it's easy to surprise the special cruiser with the "Happy Birthday Decorations" package available on the Cruise Planner for $69.99. In addition to a door magnet, you'll receive hanging ceiling decor inside your stateroom, a wire photo cable with clips, and more. 

There's also an anniversary package and "Bon Voyage Decorations" package with festive accessories for those who aren't celebrating anything specific onboard. Both include a magnetic door decoration.

Choosing the right balcony stateroom on a Royal Caribbean cruise involves understanding the different categories and what each one offers.

When booking a balcony stateroom on a Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s essential to know how the room categories differ. 

Here is what you need to know about these balcony room to know the difference between them all.

1D vs 2D vs 5D vs 7D

When you decide to book a balcony stateroom, you will see a variety of category numbers: 1D, 4D, 1A, 1E, 2F, etc. There are sixteen sub-categories of balcony staterooms across Royal Caribbean's fleet (not including suites or interior balcony rooms).

Categories like 1D, 2D, and 5D indicate the room's location and size, with lower numbers typically signifying more desirable rooms closer to mid-ship and with more square footage. As the number increases, rooms are often further from mid-ship and may have less space, resulting in lower prices.

The differences can be very subtle from one category to another, but the price tends to drop as the number climbs (i.e. a 7D tends to be cheaper than a 1D).

Another difference between staterooms is the capacity of the cabin. Rooms that accommodate more guests may cost more, but it's the only way to have three and four passengers in the room. 

Location on the ship is another key factor because mid-ship rooms are highly desirable for those concerned about seasickness or who prefer convenience to the elevators.

Other balcony categories

In addition to balcony staterooms that have the letter "D" in the category, there are other categories of balcony staterooms that may be on the same ship.

• A : Ultra Spacious Ocean View with Large Balcony
• C: Ocean view with Large Balcony
• E: Obstructed Ocean View Balcony
• F: Studio Ocean View Balcony
• X: Ocean View Balcony Guarantee

Oasis Class ships

Quantum Class

Freedom Class

Voyager Class

Radiance Class

Vision Class

Which room should I book?

Now that you understand what the categories mean, you might be wondering which category is the right choice for your family.

First and foremost, you will be limited by the room capacity, so if you want a room that can handle 3 or 4 guests, then any category that can only sleep up to 2 guests is out of the question.  Similarly, rooms that can accommodate 4 guests may be "overkill" for what you need.

The other two considerations are price and location.

The location of a cabin is arguably the next most important consideration, as where your room is on the ship (mid-ship, aft, forward, or somewhere inbetween) is an important consideration for some. 

If you are concerned about getting seasick, or prefer convenience to the elevators, then a room mid-ship should be your choice.

Lastly, price moves a lot of guests one way or another. Those higher balcony room numbers (6D and 7D) are going to cost you less, but expect a longer walk down the hall. The obstructed view rooms will save you money as well, but you will not have full view out of your balcony.

Ultimately, the rooms left to book and budget tend to dictate which room categories are really under consideration. Knowing how Royal Caribbean has categorized its rooms provides better insight into picking the right choice for you.

Big Royal Caribbean cruise ships are great, but sometimes the commute of getting from your cabin to the fun can get tiresome.

On my last two cruises, I ended up with cabins on a lower deck than usual and near the stairs.  It might seem like a big deal, but it made a big difference in my enjoyment overall.

There are compelling arguments of where to pick your cabin.  Aft cabins offer great views, mid-ship cabins are more stable, and some balconies are larger because of the ship design.

Read more: Royal Caribbean cabin guide

I am one of those people that doesn't spend a lot of time in my cabin, but I do find myself going back and forth a lot. With so much happening onboard, sometimes you need your sunglasses, or laptop, or bathing suit, or playing cards. But I don't want them all at once.

Out of necessity, I've started booking cabins that are on a lower deck and near the staircases, and it's made my enjoyment of the cruise far better.

Being on a low deck helps avoid elevator waits

Picking a cabin that is just one or two decks away from the Royal Promenade is half of the strategy.

Conventional wisdom says to book a balcony cabin on a higher deck for the views. I'd argue in the Caribbean, there's a negligible difference in terms of views between deck 7 and deck 9.

Read more: The 5 best cabin locations on a cruise ship

Being on a lower deck means you can easily go up one or two staircases and get to the heart of what's happening on the ship. You'll mostly find activities between decks 3, 4 and 5 on most Royal Caribbean ships because that's where the theaters are located, along with Royal Promenade, and many bars.

If all I have to do is go up a deck or two, I can easily manage that and skip the elevator.

I find after 2 or 3 decks of going up stairs, I start to feel like Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters trying to climb 22 flights of stairs.

This same methodology would hold true if I was staying on a higher deck in regards to the pool and buffet, but I find there's more happening to draw me to the lower decks.

Read more: Choosing the Quietest Cabins on Royal Caribbean

Picking a cabin near stairs is even better

Now combine a lower deck cabin with a cabin in close proximity to staircases, and you've got a winning combination.

Royal Caribbean ships have two stairwells, with one towards the front and another mid-ship. 

If you pick a cabin all the way forward or all the aft, you're going to find a long distance to traverse each time you go to and from your room.

This is especially true on Quantum, Oasis, and Icon Class cruise ships where the hallways seem to go on indefinitely.

When I stayed in a room near the stairs, I found it so convenient to be able to get to my cabin. With kids, this is so helpful because inevitably, someone forgot something back in the room.

Plus, not having to go very far to get something from my room is quite convenient.

Because I enjoy spending most of my time around the Promenade, having a cabin near the stairs makes it so easy to get back and forth to get or drop off something.

Avoid cabins with noise bleed

Before you pick the first cabin on deck 6 near the stairs, you'll want to make sure it's not above or below a public venue.

Ideally, you'll pick a cabin that is one deck above and below another cabin.

You want to avoid any cabin that is above or below a pool, bar, lounge, or restaurant because of the potential of noise bleeding through to your cabin.

Read more: Choosing a cabin for your cruise

Additionally, don't book a connecting room if you don't know the person in the connecting room because the connecting door is poor at preventing noise bleed.

The key is to look at the deck plans on Royal Caribbean's website before you select a room.

Suites are the exception

This strategy works for inside, oceanview, and balcony cabins, but if you prefer to stay in a suite, you're out of luck.

Suites tend to be located on higher decks. On Royal Caribbean's newest ships, you'll find its Suite Neighborhood on decks 17 and 18.

If you want to book a suite, you probably won't be able to pick a cabin on a lower deck.

Read more: A $7,000 Suite on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas

Can you change or upgrade a stateroom after booking your cruise?

It might feel like your stateroom choice is a significant decision, one that will set your cruise experience in stone.

Whether you want to save money with an interior cabin, feel the ocean breeze in a balcony stateroom, or enjoy luxury in an elegant suite, choosing a stateroom is a big deal.

A cruise cabin becomes your home for the length of the sailing, so picking one that fits your travel needs is essential.

Desires can also change throughout the process of preparing for a cruise.

Maybe you want to splurge on a bigger room, change the location, or try a different stateroom category.

Whatever the reason, it is possible to change your stateroom, even if you've already made your final payment.

Here's how you can do so.

Read more: How to upgrade your cabin on Royal Caribbean

Changing your cruise cabin

Assuming there's unbooked cabins for your sailing, if you wish to change your cruise cabin, you can do so anytime before the sail date by contacting your travel agent.

If you do not have a travel agent, call Royal Caribbean customer service at 866-562-7625. They will assist you as best they can with finding and booking a new stateroom.

If your desired stateroom is an upgrade from the previous category, you can expect it to be repriced and any promotions from the original booking would be lost to the current promotions. 

Any previous payments or deposits you've made will apply to the new prices, but you'll have to pay the difference.

When your new stateroom costs more than the previous one for any reason, you'll have to pay the difference.

If you're choosing the same room category, you'll switch at no extra charge.

The cost of changing your room will be the difference between your current booking and the cost of the prevailing rate for the new stateroom.

It's important to remember that you will not receive any refunds if you're changing staterooms after the final payment has been made. Even if your new stateroom costs less than the previous one, you won't receive any of your money back.

Additionally, Royal Caribbean has many offers that change frequently. 

If you booked your cabin with a particular sale or offer, you may lose the booking incentives of that offer.

Prices fluctuate constantly, so when changing rooms, Royal Caribbean will use the current rate of the new cabin on the day that you change it.

This new stateroom price will determine the fare difference.

Last-minute rates can also be quite high, so you should be prepared to pay an extra cost for changing your room, even if you're staying within the same stateroom category.

Finding a stateroom

Of course, changing your stateroom also depends on there being unsold cabins left to switch to.

Most cruise ships sail completely full, so you can expect staterooms to sell out in the weeks before the cruise.

Read more: How full is my cruise ship: How to tell if your cruise is fully booked

The closer to the cruise you attempt to change your room, the fewer options you'll have available.

If you're wondering which cabins are available to switch to, you can go to the Royal Caribbean website and begin a mock booking.

In the booking process, select your desired stateroom category, and the screen will show you exactly what cabins are still available.

If you see any that suit your preferences, you can close the fake booking and proceed to call Royal Caribbean or your travel agent to begin the process of switching to that cabin.

Bid for a RoyalUp upgrade

If you specifically want to upgrade your cruise cabin, another option is to make a bid for it.

Royal Caribbean has a bidding program that allows you to bid for a higher cabin category, called the RoyalUp program.

With this blind bidding program, you can place a bid for cabins that cost more than the one you previously booked.

Essentially, cruisers can bid on a possible range of prices you'd be willing to pay.

Using the Royal Caribbean website, you'll browse through the available stateroom categories and select the amount you'd be willing to pay for each upgrade.

Read more: RoyalUp tips & tricks

When you make your bid, you'll enter your payment information. If you win the bid, your card will be automatically charged and you will be switched to the new stateroom.

It's important to note that this final charge is not refundable. If you win the bid, it becomes binding.

However, you can withdraw or cancel the bid before any decisions are approved.

Bids are accepted up to 2 days before embarkation day.

The benefit of using the RoyalUp program is that you can make a bid that is cheaper than the cost of simply upgrading to the cabin.

It's also easy to do; you merely select your bid from the Royal Caribbean website.

However, one downside is that it's a guessing game without any guarantee. You won't know if there are any cabins available to upgrade to, or what other cruisers are bidding for them.

It's purely based on luck.

You also won't be able to choose the cabin's location, if you are granted an upgrade.

Additionally, you cannot use the RoyalUp program to gain extra Crown and Anchor Society points. If you book a standard cabin originally, but make a bid and successfully move up to a suite, you'll still only receive one point per night of the cruise.

Can I change my room after I get on board?

We recommend that you book the category of room you desire, or try to change the cabin before your sail date.

It is possible but very unlikely that you'll be able to change your stateroom after you get onboard.

Royal Caribbean's website reads: "Because of the popularity of cruising almost all our rooms are occupied. It is very unlikely to be able to change or upgrade your room onboard."

Since the cruise line makes an effort to fill its ships each sailing, empty staterooms are rarely available.

However, if you still want to switch cabins when you get onboard, you can go to Guest Services to request this.

For the best chance, try to speak with them as soon as you get on board.

Your cruise ship cabin is your "home away from home" during your vacation, but you can't treat it like your real home.

Cruise staterooms come with essential furniture, a private bathroom, and even a stateroom attendant who will tidy up the area daily.

Your stateroom is meant to be a comfortable, private place to rest and enjoy your cruise.

However, you can’t do just anything you want inside your cabin. There are certain rules you must follow during the length of your stay.

Royal Caribbean wants its guests to care for the room they have during their stay and respect the crew members onboard.

You should also use careful etiquette to be mindful of other guests around you.

This article will highlight the most important rules you cannot break, and one rule that is okay to bend. Here are 8 rules to always follow during your cruise.

1. No smoking 

Smoking inside the cabin or even on the balcony is a fire hazard.

Royal Caribbean strictly bans guests from smoking or vaping anywhere that is not the designated smoking zone.

While it may seem like you can smoke on your balcony without much risk, ashes could be blown back on another deck of the ship and that poses a major fire hazard.  Plus, ashes going in the ocean is littering.

Fire is actually the biggest danger to a cruise ship! 

Anything with a flame could fall or cling to fabric and should be kept far away from your cruise ship's stateroom.

2. Don’t climb or play on the balcony

Every once in a while, you’ll see a news story about someone who has fallen overboard on a cruise ship.

But the truth is, most cruise ship railings are actually high enough that someone cannot merely slip and fall overboard.

If someone "falls" off, it's because they're doing something they're not supposed to or are in a place they are not supposed to, such as climbing or playing around on a high balcony.

To avoid tragedies like this, everyone is asked to stay off the railings and avoid climbing on any balconies. 

If you don’t follow this rule, you could be kicked off the ship or even banned from the cruise line. 

Remember that cameras are also on every balcony, so you will definitely get caught.

Take your safety and Royal Caribbean’s warnings seriously.

3. Communicate with your cabin attendant

On the first day of your cruise, you will meet your cabin’s stateroom attendant. If you're in a standard cabin, they will ask if you prefer having your room cleaned in the morning or at night. If you're in a suite, you'll have twice-a-day cleaning.

Read more: Why you should get your cruise cabin serviced in the evening instead of the morning

Throughout your cruise, they will be responsible for cleaning the stateroom and taking care of any requests you have.

Don’t be afraid to communicate to them anything you need!

Whether you want ice, need extra towels, want the beds separated, can’t find a hair dryer, or are wondering how any part of the room works, they are there to assist you with any requests.

While gratuities will be charged as part of your cruise fare, consider leaving them a nice tip if you appreciate their service or have special requests.

Read more: 30 Cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

4. Don’t leave a mess

While your stateroom attendant is there to help, that doesn’t mean that they are your personal maid.

They have other staterooms to service and they deserve your respect.

Out of courtesy, make sure that you don’t leave a huge mess in the room.

Don’t move around furniture or leave out too much clutter. 

Your stateroom attendant needs to be able to get into the room, after all.

Plus, leaving a mess can just stress you out more during a vacation when you’re trying to relax.

5. Use the Do Not Disturb sign for privacy

Royal Caribbean provides a cute do-not-disturb magnet for every stateroom that reads, “sleeping off the adventure.”

If you need privacy at any time, simply stick this outside your room and you will be left alone.

Various deliveries or questions could come to your door anytime, so this is a helpful hack to help you get that peace and quiet.

However, stateroom attendants are not permitted to enter the room while you have this up, so don’t forget to take it down when you leave!

Read more: 15 Things To Do As Soon as You Get to Your Cruise Cabin

6. Don’t throw anything overboard

Cruise ships are committed to protecting the environment and the marine wildlife around them.

Because of this, there are strict rules against throwing anything overboard and into the ocean.

While some people think that it’s okay to send food or trash flying overboard, think again.

Don’t throw anything off the balcony or into the ocean, and especially don’t feed the sea animals!

If you’ve ever heard the quote, “Take only memories, leave nothing but footprints,” this applies to a sea vacation as well.

Keep your arms, feet, and items inside the cruise ship.

Read more: I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked

7. Don’t flush things down the toilet 

You should only be flushing toilet paper down the cruise ship toilets.

Cruise ship plumbing is very sensitive and can be easily clogged by tampons, wipes, double-ply toilet paper, or any other items.

Not only that but the plumbing is also connected between all the cabins. This means that if you back up your toilet, other passengers will also experience issues.

Be considerate, and put everything else in the trash can.

Read more: Where does the poop go on a cruise ship?

8. Be considerate of noise in the hallways

Not only should you be respectful inside your stateroom, but you should also be considerate when walking to and from your cabin.

Keep the noise down in the hallways, don’t leave a mess, and don’t run or jump around.

We’re all on vacation and understand that it can be fun and exciting. But you should still remember that there are others around, and they may be resting, sleeping, or just not wanting to hear your noise.

Keep it down in the hallways, and rejoice once you’re inside your stateroom with the door closed.

1. One rule you can break: You don’t have to stay in the room you booked

Did you know you don’t necessarily have to stay in the cabin you booked under your room? Whether you’re visiting friends, or splitting a room with a group, you can switch it up.

This is especially a helpful hack for families with kids who want a little more privacy.

Because only guests over 21 can book a room, you’ll want to book one room under each adult’s name.

But when you get on the cruise ship, you can divide the room up differently.

Maybe you’re traveling with teenagers, who are under 21 but would really like their own space.

Simply book that cabin under an adult’s name, and then let them have the room once onboard.

When you book your Royal Caribbean stateroom, you can select between various categories.

Royal Caribbean cruises promise luxury of every sort, and this includes the staterooms.

Different stateroom categories, from suites to ocean views, allow you to choose a cabin that suits your preferences.

Whether you value a gorgeous view, a huge space, or sticking to a smaller budget, several options will fulfill your needs.

But while booking, you may come across some puzzling terms and run into several confusing acronyms.

It’s crucial that you clearly understand the differences between all the categories so that you can choose exactly which cabin will meet your needs.

If you’ve ever wondered what “GTY” means, and whether you should book it, this is your guide to demystifying the term.

Here's what stateroom GTY means, and how it can enhance your cruise experience.

“Stateroom Guaranteed”

“Stateroom GTY” stands for “Stateroom Guaranteed,” a category also known as a guarantee stateroom. 

When you’re booking your cruise on the Royal Caribbean website, this option also shows up as “We pick your stateroom.”

It means you select a certain stateroom category (interior, oceanview, balcony, or suite) on your booking.

Instead of selecting the exact cabin, this guarantees that you will receive one in that category.

When you select a GTY stateroom, the exact stateroom, number, and location will be assigned by Royal Caribbean based on availability.

You are promised at least your chosen category of cabin. 

If there is none available, Royal Caribbean will upgrade you to a higher category.

However, upgrades are rare and never promised. It is most likely that you will receive the cabin category you booked.

The promotional GTY categories also have acronyms that could confuse cruisers.

They are as follows:

• WS: Suite/Deluxe
• XB: Balcony
• XN: Neighborhood view balcony (on Oasis and Icon Class ships)
• YO: Oceanview 
• ZI: Interior 

On Oasis and Icon Class ships, you could be assigned a neighborhood view balcony stateroom with a view of Central Park, the Boardwalk, or Surfside.

Essentially, by booking a stateroom GTY, you opt for a guaranteed type of cabin, leaving the cruise line to assign you one from their selection of available inventory.

Should I book a guarantee cabin?

The main draw to booking a stateroom guarantee is that it usually comes at a cheaper price than selecting your own stateroom.

A guarantee cabin is an excellent option for flexible cruisers who want to save money on their cruise cabin.

By leaving the stateroom selection up to the cruise line, you give up control of the cabin’s location but gain a good deal and the excitement of a mystery cabin.

A guarantee cabin suits cruisers who enjoy being flexible and adventurous, and who don’t have their heart set on a particular cabin type or location.

However, there are several details you should consider before jumping into this type of booking.

As with any decision, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.

First, ensure that the deal makes sense with your budget.

The discount you get from booking GTY varies, so first check that the difference is worth it for you.

Next, keep in mind that you won’t be able to select the cabin’s location at all.

If you have certain preferences, like wanting your stateroom to be away from elevators, in the middle of the ship, or have an unobstructed view, all of these will be out of your control.

Cruisers who experience seasickness could be assigned a far-forward or far-aft cabin that may worsen their symptoms.

Other than the stateroom categories, you have no way to ensure that your preferences are met.

Guarantee staterooms are also usually unbooked cabins, meaning that they are probably less desirable.

You’ll be receiving the “leftovers” essentially, locations that are far back or far forward, or close to a noisy location like the nightclub.

If you need a particular type of cabin, such as an accessible cabin or connecting rooms, you should opt to select your own cabin instead.

Also, if you are traveling with family or friends, and want to stay close to them, remember that booking a guarantee cabin will leave this out of your control. 

If you book several different staterooms, they could be spread out all over the ship!

Additionally, if you are sailing on a back-to-back cruise (two or more cruises taken consecutively) and book a guarantee cabin, you could be assigned different cabins on each cruise.

This means you’d have to move staterooms in between your back-to-back cruises.

When will I receive my cabin assignment?

Before the sailing, Royal Caribbean assigns an unbooked room to its guaranteed cruisers.

The Royal Caribbean website reads that this could happen “at any time up until checking in at the port.”

After booking, most cruisers find that they receive their cabin assignment around 5 days to 4 weeks before the sailing.

This timing is influenced by factors such as availability, popularity of the sailing, and cabin category.

After your stateroom is assigned, no particular email or notification will be sent out.

You simply have to check the website or app to see if you’ve received your assignment.

Usually, this shows up in the form of the cabin category and the room number.

Once you receive this, you can look at the ship’s deck plans online to determine where the room is located.

Something to note, as well, is that you can still do Royal Up with a guaranteed cabin.

Royal Up is the process of bidding on a stateroom upgrade.

After booking your cabin and receiving a stateroom assignment, you can browse through further options.

You then select the amount you’d be willing to pay for each category upgrade. The more money you put down, the more likely you are to get an upgrade.

For example, if you’re interested in upgrading to an oceanview cabin, you can select that you’d be willing to pay $300 to receive one.

This is a bid priced per person, based on two guests per stateroom, and lasting for the entire length of the cruise.

You can bid on multiple rooms (this increases your chances of getting upgraded) but you’ll only pay for one.

If your bid is accepted, you’ll be charged the amount for the upgrade. If not, you keep the stateroom you have.

Can you change or upgrade your room on a Royal Caribbean cruise if you're past the final payment date?

It seems as though when you reach the final payment date for your sailing, everything is more or less "written in stone" for the purposes of your reservation. You'd incur penalties for changing or cancelling your cruise reservation, but are you definitely stuck with the cabin selection you've made?

There's plenty of reasons why you'd want to change cabins, such as wanting to splurge for a bigger cabin.  Or perhaps you changed your mind about the room location or general category.

On one cruise I took, I had booked our family in a standard balcony cabin and then a few months later, I got a bonus at work and wanted to take advantage of the cash flow by getting a nicer room.

There are a few recourses you have if you're past final payment and want to change cabins, but they are limited.

Bid for a cabin upgrade

Royal Caribbean offers a way to upgrade your cruise ship cabin by bidding for it.

The RoyalUp program offers the option to place a bid for select cabins that cost more than what you have already booked. 

It's a blind bidding program, which means you place a bid based on a range of possible prices.  You don't know what anyone else bid, nor if there are actually any cabins available to upgrade to. Royal Caribbean uses RoyalUp to net additional revenue from passengers willing to spend more than they had already, as well as fill cabins that are cancelled at the last-minute.

Read more: RoyalUp tips & tricks

Once you make a bid, it's binding if your bid was selected by the cruise line. You can always withdraw the bid before a decision is made, but if Royal Caribbean approves it, you're locked in.

Moreover, you have no choice in the new cabin location you're upgrading to.

The best thing about RoyalUp is it's easy to do, you can place a bid right up to the last few days before the cruise begins, and some people really do get a great deal on a cabin upgrade.

The downside to bidding for a cabin upgrade is it's all a guessing game as to what to bid, or if there's actually any cabins to move up to. 

In my experience, there is no rhyme or reason what to bid to win an upgrade.

There's one other catch with RoyalUp, and that is if you booked a standard cabin and win the bid to move up to a suite, you won't get double Crown and Anchor Society points.

Call and upgrade your cabin

While not as exciting as placing a bid, you can still upgrade your cabin after final payment date (assuming there's an available cabin left).

While Royal Caribbean makes it seem like you cannot change your reservation once you reach final payment date, in practice, they will usually allow an upgrade past the final payment date if you're willing to spend more money.

What most people do in this scenario is they go to the Royal Caribbean website and make a mock booking to see which staterooms are still unsold.  If there's one that looks good, you can then back out of the booking process and contact the cruise line to upgrade to it.

If the higher category cabin is the same price or cheaper than you paid, you can move up to it for no additional cost.

The easiest way to conduct a cabin upgrade in this manner is to use your travel agent to make it all happen.

Prices for Royal Caribbean cruises fluctuate all the time, even after final payment date.  In some cases, there can be a nominal extra cost to move your room up after the final payment date.  This is sometimes because other guests cancelled their reservation at the final payment date, which created a surplus of cabin inventory.

One thing to keep in mind is there are absolutely no refunds or any money back. Even if you upgrade to a bigger cabin and the cost is less than you paid originally, you won't be able to get money back once you're past final payment date. 

In addition, upgrading in this manner may cost you substantially more. Last-minute rates can often be quite high compared to booking a cruise many months before the sail date.

You should also be aware by upgrading, you may lose any booking incentives given at time of original booking, and have to go with current promotion.

Of course, this option depends on there being unsold cabins left. In many cases, a sailing will be completely sold out in the final weeks prior to the sailing. Nearly all cruises sail completely full.

The real advantage to upgrading in this manner instead of RoyalUp is it's straightforward and there's no guessing if you'll be able to upgrade or not. On the other hand, bidding might be cheaper.

Bottom line

Yes, you can pay to upgrade your room even after the final payment date, but there are a few catches.

The easiest option is to call and upgrade your room to a higher category. You will be subject to the prevailing rate for the cabin you want to upgrade to, and sometimes it’s minimal, some time it’s a lot more.

You are definitely not able to cancel, get a refund, or downgrade your cabin without incurring penalties.

Alternatively, you try for a cabin upgrade by bidding for it.  There's no telling what anyone else already bid, or if there's even a room to upgrade to.  But bidding for a better cabin is simple, and you'll probably pay less if your bid actually wins.

Which option is best? The choice depends on your appetite for luck, and how much of a budget you have to spend on a bigger cabin.