Do Cruise Ships Have Air Conditioning? (How does It Work and Is It Safe?)

In this post, we will explore whether cruise ships have air conditioning. I’ve been on 60 cruises to date and have put together this guide to air conditioning in public spaces and cabins.

We will also talk a little about when cruise ship air conditioning goes wrong and when the first air-conditioned cruise ships went into service.

Do Cruise Ships Have Air Conditioning?

All modern cruise ships have air conditioning. Most have air conditioning in all public spaces and also in cabins.

The temperature onboard is generally held at a relatively stable temperature regardless of where in the world the cruise is. 

When packing for your cruise it is important that you take into account the effect of the air conditioning on the temperature within the ship.

Many make the mistake of packing clothes for hot weather if they are cruising somewhere warm without realizing that they will need different clothing when onboard.

I’ve made this mistake before. Last year I took a cruise to Asia which was incredible.

It was REALLY hot outside but really cold inside the ship. I only packed a couple of cardigans/sweaters/jumpers and was not prepared at all. I found myself wishing that I had packed some jeans because my legs were so cold.

The weather in the picture below may not look warm, but it really was—it was muggy, sticky heat.

Do Cruise Ships Have Air Conditioning in Public Spaces?

All public spaces will be cooled using air conditioning. Cruise ships don’t normally have any windows that open on any deck other than the top decks so the temperature onboard is controlled solely by air conditioning.

Ships used to be cooled by opening portholes but this rarely happens on modern ships.

How Cold is The Air Conditioning on Cruise Ships?

Big spaces like atriums, dining rooms, and theatres can be particularly cold. On a number of occasions, I have been sitting in the theatre watching a show and have actually put something over my knees to keep warm.

I would definitely recommend that you bring some form of shrug or jumper/sweater if you are going to the theatre in your evening wear. I often wear a dress to dinner and then sit there shivering in the theatre!

I honestly believe that the warmer it is outside the colder it is on the ship. I’ve been on 70+ cruises to date and this always seems to be the case.

When cruising somewhere warm it is almost as if the ship ‘makes up for it’ by turning the air conditioning up high. If the ship is cruising somewhere cold it is often warmer inside the ship.

Do Cruise Ships Have Air Conditioning in The Cabins?

Cruise ship cabins do have air conditioning and you are able to control this yourself using a thermostat in the room.

On some older ships, the air conditioning can be less powerful but I’ve ony been on a ocean ship where the room wasn’t adequately cooled by the air conditioning. I reported the issue, and it was quickly fixed.

Find out all about that here:

Air conditioning on newer cruise ships is generally really powerful.

They cool the room far below what I would consider comfortable for me. Some thermostats will just be a sweeping scale from blue to red and others will display the room temperature which you can change.

It can take a little while for the cabin to reach the temperature that you set so don’t be dishearted if the room doesn’t instantly chill.

Sometimes the air conditioning system will be in one location over by the bathroom blowing cold air into the cabin in the direction of the bed.

Other cabins will have air conditioning systems on the ceilings which push the air downwards.

When You Open The Balcony Doors, The Aircon Will Switch Off

If you are lucky enough to have a cabin with a balcony, the air conditioning will automatically switch off if you open the doors.

This makes sense. There is no point in trying to cool a room when the door is open. If you go out to your balcony, shut the door behind you, and your room will continue to be air-conditioned.

When I sailed on Celebrity Edge, I didn’t like their “Infinite Verandah” “balcony” room concept because it was impossible to keep the room cool when the Verandah was being used.

Find out all about that here:

Some cruise ship cabins do have a ‘fast chill’ button which can be used to bring the temperature down fast. I found this on Saga’s “Spirit of Discovery” but didn’t try it out.

Some People Like to Bring Portable Fans

Some passengers bring small fans to have in their cabins. I personally don’t feel the need to do this, but if you like to feel airflow when you sleep, it might be a good idea.

You can pick up a small fan relatively cheaply, and they are easy to pack in your suitcase.

You’ll find one recommended by members of our Facebook group on amazon here: Cruise Essentials.

The Air Conditioning Does Break (Occasionally)

The whole ship’s air conditioning may occasionally break, as it would anywhere.

When it happens on a cruise, it is generally BIG news. This happened recently on Anthem of the Seas, and guests had to go around five days without any air conditioning.

Passengers received compensation for the time that they went without air conditioning. Thankfully, this is very rare!

Related Questions:

When Did Cruise Ships Get Air Conditioning?

Amazingly, the first record of air conditioning on cruise ships dates back to the 1930s!

The SS Victoria had air-conditioned dining rooms, and some of the more expensive cabins were also air-conditioned.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that a ship with air conditioning in all public areas would be made.

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth II revolutionized cruise ship air conditioning.

Do Cruise Ships Have Heating?

Yep! Cruise ships have heating in all public spaces and also in the cabins.

The heating works relatively well, but I recommend you pack a few warm items of clothing no matter where you are cruising to.

Cruise ships usually try to avoid having the dining room too warm because, particularly on formal nights. Men may be wearing jackets, and it would be uncomfortable if the dining room was warm.

Before You Go

Find out why cruise ships sometimes have to go into dry docks here:

What are Dry Docks and Why do Cruise Ships Need Them?

Find out why ships are often painted red below the waterline here:

Why Are Ships Red Below The Waterline? – I Went Under One to Find Out!