Cabins

Before you can begin your countdown to your Carnival cruise, you have to choose your stateroom. 

Selecting your perfect "home away from home" on a Carnival ship is easier than on other cruise lines. Whereas some ships have everything from interior-facing balconies to multi-level suites and cabins with windows overlooking the Royal Promenade, Carnival's staterooms are slightly more standardized. In other words, you won't find the same level of variation in cabin types across their fleet as you might with other cruise lines. 

Cruise ship cabins aren't known for being spacious, so how do you deal with cramming a family of four, five, or six into a single stateroom? 

First things first, most cruise cabins can only accommodate two passengers. Thanks to sofa and pullman beds, some standard rooms can fit three or four guests, but fitting a larger family can be challenging. 

When deciding on a cruise ship cabin, most passengers opt for one of the three standard categories: inside, oceanview, and balcony. However, some guests may want to splurge on a suite to enhance their onboard experience. Cruise ship suites offer a range of perks that justify the high price tag, from priority embarkation to spacious accommodations. 

If you want to stretch your vacation budget as far as possible, you may have interior cruise ship cabins on your radar. These windowless rooms offer significant savings compared to oceanview and balcony cabins. 

Though you'll miss out on scenic views from the comfort of your room, inside cabins provide the same essential amenities as other standard rooms, including comfortable beds, ensuite bathrooms, and more. Plus, many cruisers prefer enjoying the ship's amenities and ports of call, rather than staying locked away in their stateroom. 

Did you know that all cruise ships operating in U.S. waters must be ADA-compliant? As such, cruises are great vacation choices for those with mobility issues. Generally, ships and crew members are accommodating, making it easier for wheelchair-bound passengers to enjoy their experience.

Starting with embarkation, trained staff will help you board smoothly. Additionally, many lines have accessible shore excursions, allowing passengers with limited mobility options to explore the unique ports of call. 

I've been cruising in cruise ship balcony cabins for over two decades, and they're my favorite rooms onboard because I get a front-row seat to all the mesmerizing ocean views during my sailing! I love waking up to the gentle sound of the waves and watching as the ship pulls into the next port of call. I'm not alone, either. Balcony cabins are among the most popular staterooms on any cruise ship. 

Selecting your cruise ship room is almost as important as choosing the right ship. From budget-friendly interior cabins to lavish suites, each option offers a unique experience that can make or break your cruise vacation. 

Two popular stateroom categories are inside and ocean view. While the latter provides views of the ocean and ports of call through a picture window, interior cabins lack natural light. 

Cruise ships have three categories of standard cabins: interior, oceanview, and balcony. Interior rooms are usually the smallest cabins onboard and lack sunlight since they don't have any windows. As such, oceanview and balcony staterooms are popular for cruisers who enjoy natural light and beautiful ocean views. But how do you decide which cruise ship cabin is best for your family? 

After you have picked the perfect cruise ship and itinerary, you will have to decide what stateroom you want. From interior cabins with no windows to expansive suites that come with some pretty neat perks, you will have a lot of different choices!