If you are planning your next cruise, before you book your cabin or make plans for your time onboard, there’s one key tool that can make or break your trip: the cruise deck plan.
It might seem overwhelming at first, but with a bit of insider knowledge, it’s like a treasure map to unlock the best cruise experience.
Here are 11 cruise deck plan hacks that regular cruisers use that will make a big difference on your next cruise adventure.
#1 Check What’s Above and Below Your Cabin
One of the easiest mistakes is booking a cabin without looking at what’s directly above or below you.
No one wants to be kept awake by a late-night disco or woken by an early-morning gym class!
For the best chance of a peaceful night’s sleep, aim for a cabin with other rooms above and below it.
When I recently sailed onboard Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, I didn’t book my cabin location. I booked the cheapest inside, guaranteed cabin.
It was quite noisy, as it was close to the “Bright Lights Society” – which turned out to be the ship’s nightclub. Find out more about that in this video:
#2 Avoid Connecting Cabins (Unless You Need One)
Connecting cabins can be great for families, but the doors between rooms aren’t always soundproof.
If you don’t know your cabin neighbours, you might be surprised to hear their late-night TV choices, or early-morning cabin conversations.
Although cruise ship cabins certainly aren’t soundproof, having a cabin with a connecting door to the next cabin makes them even less so.
Check the deck plan to avoid any surprises. If you have the choice, avoiding interconnecting cabins would be my advice.
To find out more about soundproofing in cabins, read this article next:
Are Cruise Ship Cabins Soundproof? (Thin Walls, Balconies and Travelling Sound)
#3 Look for “Hidden Gem” Cabins
Some deck plans reveal “secret” features that aren’t always advertised.
On some ships, there are quiet observation decks, unmarked outdoor spaces, or even hidden sunbathing spots.
On MSC Lirica for example, we stayed in a cheap inside cabin, which was only one cabin away from an aft deck space that spanned the whole width of the ship.
No one else seemed to know about that hidden sunbathing space, although, by the end of the week, more people had clearly found it!
My parents were in cabin 7183 – which was only one cabin away from the door to a big outside deck that spanned the back of the ship. Very few other passengers ever visited that space.
On the above deck plan, you can also see the pale blue obstructed view cabins further toward the middle of the ship. Lifeboats obstruct the sea view, and they are clearly marked as “obstructed view” on the deck plans.
#4 Look Out For “Obstructed View” Cabins
If you’re booking an oceanview or balcony cabin, look closely at the deck plan to see if your view is obstructed.
Some ships label these cabins clearly, but others don’t. You might end up staring at a lifeboat instead of the ocean.
Some ostructed view cabins have a small obstruction – like a piece of equipment or a barrier in one corner. Others have a huge lifeboat hanging in front of the balcony, so you can’t see out at all!
Checking the deck plans, and the assistance of a good travel agent are invaluable for getting the best cabin for your budget!
I personally don’t mind an obstructed view cabin if the price saving makes it worthwhile. Have a look at examples of cabins you might get if you book “obstructed view” here:
The Truth About Obstructed View Cabins – (Photo Examples & How to Find One)
Find out about the obstructed view cabin I stayed onboard Spectrum of the Seas here:
#5 Pick a Cabin Close to the Lifts/Elevators (But Not Too Close!)
Being near the lifts/ elevators is super convenient, especially on bigger ships where there may be up to twenty decks to find your way around.
But you don’t want to be so close that you hear the constant dinging of bells, doors opening and closing, or people chatting as they wait.
Aim for a cabin far enough away that the noise won’t disturb you but near enough that the lifts/elevators are convenient.
#6 Avoid High-Traffic Areas
Cabins near the stairs, kids’ clubs, or busy lounges can make you feel like you’re staying on a busy high street!
Look for rooms in quieter corridors to escape the hustle and bustle. These places are where people would have no reason to go unless they had a cabin there.
My parents had an ocean-view cabin on Azamara Quest. They said it was wonderful, although it was close to the Reception and Medical centre on deck four, they never heard a thing. It was quiet and comfortable. (Azamara have smaller ships so Reception was never busy.)
It was just one staircase up to the cafe to get free coffee in the mornings – important as they don’t provide tea and coffee-making facilities on Azamara! It was also close to the dining room and bars, but not close enough for noise to be an issue.
Find out more about that cabin here:
Azamara Pursuit Oceanview Cabin
#7 Check for Odd-Shaped Cabins
Not all cabins are rectangles. Some, especially those in corners or near the front of the ship, can have extra space.
These oddly shaped cabins aren’t always more expensive, but they might give you extra room for free.
Some cabins are more spacious or a different shape than the usual, run-of-the-mill cabins.
When I cruised on P&O’s oldest ship Aurora, I had a good look at the deck plans and paid an extra £50 per person to stay in an inside cabin that was larger and different from most other inside cabins onboard.
Find out about that spacious cabin here:
#8 Look for Public Spaces
Want to avoid crowded pool decks or noisy theatres? Study the layout of public spaces on the deck plan.
Knowing where everything is can help you avoid crowds and find the quieter spots onboard.
My parents stayed in a balcony cabin onboard P&O’s Arvia. It was right below the buffet’s preparation area, and they said it was the noisiest cabin they had ever stayed in.
There was banging, crashing, and dragging until around 2am every night – with the noise starting up again at 5am in the morning! Luckily, they had packed earplugs!
The actual cruise itself was very eventful, find out more about that here:
9# Avoid Cabins Near Crew Spaces
Crew areas like laundries or service entrances aren’t always marked on deck plans, but they can be noisy.
If the deck plan shows an unlabeled room or small corridor near your cabin, it might be a crew space, so proceed with caution.
Again, my parents found this when they stayed in a cheap inside cabin on MSC’s Preziosa.
When you closely study the deck plans, there is an unmarked space between the two rows of inside cabins.
This must be a crew space, as they were regularly woken up at night, by trolley being pushed and doors being slammed, and the noise seemed to be coming from just behind their bed!
This was particularly noticeable on nights when guests would be disembarking the next day. On MSC, guests embark and disembark almost every day, so there were lots of disturbed nights!
Find out more about that cabin and what they thought of it, including whether it was value for money, here:
MSC Preziosa – Inside Cabin Photo Review – Space, Bathroom, Cleanliness and More
10. Pick a Cabin With The Best Views
If you’re cruising to a scenic destination like Alaska or Norway, research which side of the ship will face the most spectacular views.
Often, it will make no difference which side of the ship you are on, but if your itinerary hugs a coastline, it is more interesting to have land views that just miles and miles of sea!
While you can still enjoy the scenery from public decks, having the best side right from your balcony is a real treat.
Find out more about that here:
Which Side of The Ship is Better? (Here’s Where to Book Your Cabin)
11# Study the “Flow” of the Ship
Every ship has a natural flow, with main public spaces and quieter corners.
Spend a little time with the deck plan before you board to work out where you’ll likely spend your time.
This helps you plan your cabin location and daily routes so that you are conveniently located for places you are likely to spend a lot of time.
I like to be close to the buffet, for example – but not so close that I am bothered by the noise from there!
I don’t want to be near the kid’s clubs, as I don’t have children, so I won’t be going there.
Give some thought to which locations are useful and interesting for you. Make sure you book a cabin in a convenient location – but not so close that any noise from there will disturb you.
Before You Go
Find out where is the best location on a ship to book, if you are worried about seasickness here:
What is The Best Cabin Location on a Cruise For Avoiding Seasickness? (I’ve Tried Them All!)
Find out how you can get the best cabin for your budget here:
Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide
Ever wondered how the mainstream cruise lines compare? Cruise lines won’t tell you this, but I will.
This FREE guide shows you everything you need to know to find your perfect cruise line.
Whenever I take a cruise I order a print of my trip. It uses the real satellite data from the cruise and is always a great conversation starter!
I'm building an impressive collection...
Code EMMACRUISES will get you 10% off
