How to know highest cabin category

[FLUFFLULA]

We have been on a number of cruises but we still don't know how the cabin categories are ranked (best to least). I saw a post recently on CC that said the first letter is the location, such as I for Interior, and the second letter is the cabin rank starting with A (highest), B and etc. which seemed to be the case when I looked at cabins on Princess. But when I looked at RCI, cabin categories started at K or L. So, I'm confused. How does the traveler know the best to the least desirable cabin category? :confused:

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Underwatr]

Look at your favorite online booking site. The "best" categories are the most expensive.

 

Princess numbers their decks A, B, C... starting from the top. Other lines number from bottom up starting with 1 or 2 (sometimes Deck 1 only has the medical office and tender access) and the cabin categories within that have letters that may increase or decrease as the category gets higher (more expensive). Again, looking at the line's website or a booking site can help sort out the category order.

Edited June 20, 2014 by Underwatr

[leaveitallbehind]

"Best" category is subjective to the passenger. Simply because a stateroom may be a lower deck inside category does not mean it is not a desirable stateroom. That particular stateroom may be among the smaller on the ship and may not have a window. but it will be appointed the same as every other stateroom in that general category and usually will be priced lower. Many people find that extremely attractive to allow their budget to go towards more shore activities or even additional cruises.

 

You mentioned RCI. They break down their staterooms into two basic category groups - standard and suites. With the standard saterooms, they are all appointed similarly and vary in size, total passenger accommodation, and location. Further they will be inside with no window (other than the Promenade category on certain class ships which feature an inside location but with a window to the inside Royal Promenade), or outside with either a window or a balcony. They also offer family staterooms within each of these categories.

 

With suites, they offer a number of options there as well ranging from Junior Suite to Royal Suite categories with - depending on ship - many variations in between, some with multiple rooms or floors that can accommodate from 2 to 14 passengers. Suites also are all appointed similarly to each other and with benefits associated with them that are different than the standard staterooms.

 

While RCI does use the letter and number designation to identify type differences between the standard staterooms, that is not a ranking code of worst to best. They do tell what type and size of stateroom it is and how many passengers each will accommodate, and the location on the ship by this designation along with stateroom type will dictate price.

 

As mentioned, go to RCI's website and study the deck plans for the ship(s) you are interested in and read the descriptions along the left side of each deck to see what the differences are between each stateroom. There is a separate section that also provides a more detailed description with pictures of each.

 

It is only your determination that will decide value and fit with your expectations and budget.

Edited June 20, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[Keith1010]

There is no best category and there is no best cabin and there is no best deck.

 

Each person figures out what works for them and what is best for one might be worst for another.

 

Keith

[SadieN]

The highest category is usually the one with the highest price tag.

[denmarks]

The category system is different for each cruse line. Princess changed their system about 2 year ago to 2 letters (or numbers). I-inside, O-outside, B-balcony, S-suite. Second letter is based on location where A is best and it goes down to about F or so. On one deck a BB can be directly above a BA on a lower deck. Suites can have numbers or letters where I believe numbers are better.

Edited June 20, 2014 by denmarks

[SPacificbound]

I don't really pay any attention to "ranking" or "best" to "least".

 

I know where I want to be, which for every cruise booked since the first cruise, is rear facing aft. I want to know the square footage, which is easily found on the cruise line's website. I want to know what is above and below the cabin, also easily found on cruise line's website.

 

Easy peasy. :)

 

Of course to book these cabins I like means to book quickly when they are released for sale.

[FLUFFLULA]

Thanks for the helpful information.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I agree that highest category (or higher categories) doesn't always equal to what's desirable for someone trying to decide what to book. You can go to the website for any cruise line you're considering and find the deck plans. Think about what your budget is and what type of cabins are acceptable to you. Then look at what cabins are available for the sailing you're looking at. I avoid far forward cabins unless I know it's a smoother sailing itinerary because I tend to suffer from motion sickness. I also look at what's above and below my cabin.

[spookwife]

Best is subjective.. by both the consumer AND the line.

 

an interior cabin on Deck 8 is considered better than an interior cabin on deck 3.

 

it is the exact same size, shape and fits the exact same number of guests. but since it is closer to the pool deck( or the casino, or the bar..or you get the picture), it is considered 'better' by the cruise line.

 

the higher the deck, the 'better' the cabins are perceived to be.. for view, access to public spaces, and a whole bunch of other stuff that we would need even think of

[JimAOk1945]

Someone might think the "best" is an inside stateroom because it worked well for them in terms of price, comfort, etc. Someone else might think "best" is the most expensive room for the same reason.

 

Smooth sailing wherever you go!

[OCruisers]

The category system is different for each cruse line. Princess changed their system about 2 year ago to 2 letters (or numbers). I-inside, O-outside, B-balcony, S-suite. Second letter is based on location where A is best and it goes down to about F or so. On one deck a BB can be directly above a BA on a lower deck. Suites can have numbers or letters where I believe numbers are better.

 

Also there is an M for mini-suite.

We like to book MA because we want a mini-suite and we love the location of the A minis. :)

LuLu

[FLUFFLULA]

So, based on what everyone has said, we should forget about choosing the "best cabin" based on the cabin categories assigned by the cruiseline and just choose the one that fits our needs best, taking into account location, amenities and etc. Funny, because that's what we've been doing but I thought we were missing some "well-kept secret" for cabin selection! :p Thanks for clearing that misconception up for me.

Edited June 22, 2014 by FLUFFLULA

[leaveitallbehind]

So, based on what everyone has said, we should forget about choosing the "best cabin" based on the cabin categories assigned by the cruiseline and just choose the one that fits our needs best, taking into account location, amenities and etc. Funny, because that's what we've been doing but I thought we were missing some "well-kept secret" for cabin selection! :p Thanks for clearing that misconception up for me.

 

Agree - that would be the way to do it. As mentioned RCI (as example) does not "rank" their stateroom categories by best to worst, but rather by differentiation of size, amenities, location, and number of passengers each can accommodate.

 

Naturally suites will be of a premium nature based on size, some additional appointments, general locations, and on board benefits offered that are not provided in the standard categories. But, as expected, they also will be at a premium price as a category compared to the standard rooms. One benefit associated with suites, for instance, is offering double Crown & Anchor loyalty "points" associated with each night spent at sea. This allows suite guests to accumulate points faster than if in a standard stateroom towards each C & A tier level.

 

But other than with those differences, either category will offer the same basic accommodations and comfort to suit your expectations. You just have to decide what your particular family requirements and stateroom preferences are tied to your budget and choose from there.

Edited June 22, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[SPacificbound]

So, based on what everyone has said, we should forget about choosing the "best cabin" based on the cabin categories assigned by the cruiseline and just choose the one that fits our needs best, taking into account location, amenities and etc. Funny, because that's what we've been doing but I thought we were missing some "well-kept secret" for cabin selection! :p Thanks for clearing that misconception up for me.

 

Yes, "best" for you and your family. :)

 

Since you have been on several cruises you probably already know if you want to be near elevators or away from them, if you want inside/oceanview/balcony, if you like higher deck or lower, etc. These are all personal choice.

 

A lot of people would not want to be at the very back of the ship, but we like it back there. Personal choice. Have fun! :)

Edited June 22, 2014 by SPacificbound

[debbrn]

I agree.

The best cabin is whatever the person needs to have a good trip. I always look for a cabin about midway in the ship---up or down as I have a tendency to become sea sick, and I do not like taking medication.

[RSLeesburg]

Just out of curiousity, has anyone ever mapped the different categories across the different cruise lines? I agree that "best" is a personal thing; however, it would be nice if there was an easy was to see that a GS on RCI equals A on Celebrity, B on HAL, C on Norwegian, and D on Princess.

[geoherb]

The strange thing to me is that the way the cruise lines rank their cabins is not the same way I'd rank them. That works out well for us, allowing us to get a great cabin at a lesser price.

[kathylu]

Hi George and I are on this cruise and are looking forward to seeing Havana! Anyone interested in meeting after the muster drill in Champs Bar on deck 12. It's an outside bar. We have done that on the NCL Star a few times on European vacations and it's a great way to meet people from Cruise Critic. Mardi Gras beads distinguish Cruise Critic people from everyone else! See you there!!!

[CruiserBruce]

Ah...not sure how you think you are on a future Havana cruise when you posted to a 4 year old thread.

 

To meet others on your cruise you should use the Roll Call boards. However, I am not sure what ship or cruise line you are on, so here is the master list of Roll Calls:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=34

 

You can select your cruise line, then your ship, then your sailing date.