Think Cruise Cabins Are Just Hotel Rooms? 6 Key Differences I’ve Noticed

At first glance, a cruise ship cabin looks like a hotel room, but once you stay in one, the differences become very obvious.

Millions of people cruise every year, and many first-time cruisers are surprised by how different cabin life feels compared to a standard hotel stay.

Over 30 million people cruise worldwide each year, and many are first-time cruisers trying to picture what their cabin will actually be like.

#1. Your Room Is Cleaned More Than You Expect

On most cruise lines, cabins are cleaned twice a day. Once in the morning and again in the evening with a turndown service.

Some more budget-friendly cruise lines, like P&O and Costa, only service your room once a day.

Cabin Stewards bring fresh towels, straighten the bed, empty the bins, and sometimes add little extras like chocolates or towel animals.

In hotels, daily cleaning is now often optional, particularly in more budget hotels. Sometimes they only clean every few days – unless you request otherwise.

Some cruise cabin stewards look after 15 to 20 cabins at once and quickly learn their guests’ routines.

#2. Your Cabin Moves, And That Changes Everything…

Your room is literally travelling while you sleep.

Usually, you just feel the gentle motion of the ocean as you sail. There are sea days and port days, and views constantly change (if you are lucky enough to have a window or a balcony cabin).

Many people report better sleep at sea due to the motion and fresh sea air.

Studies and passenger surveys regularly report improved sleep quality at sea compared to home or in hotel rooms.

Having said that, you might feel a lot of movement in your cabin if the seas are rough.

My parents were “upgraded” from a restricted-view balcony cabin to a normal balcony cabin on Queen Mary 2.

Unfortunately, it was on a very rough transatlantic crossing. The noise and the movement of the cabin rolling were really noticeable because the “upgraded” cabin was right at the top and at the front of the ship.

Find out all about that here:

Why I Wouldn’t Recommend This Balcony Cabin on Queen Mary 2 (Full Cabin Review)

Find out which are the best positions on a ship to book a cabin, if you are worried about seasickness, here:

What is The Best Cabin Location on a Cruise For Avoiding Seasickness? (I’ve Tried Them All!)

Have a look at that rocky transatlantic crossing here:

#3. Space Is Designed Very Differently

Cruise cabins are smaller than most hotel rooms, but every inch is designed with purpose.

There is storage under the bed so you can tuck your suitcases out of the way.

The walls are magnetic, so some cruisers choose to bring magnetic hooks for additional storage. I have never felt the need to do that; I usually try to travel light.

Wardrobes have plenty of drawers and hanging space.

Bathrooms have built-in cupboards and shelves for you to keep your toiletries in.

Hotel rooms tend to have more space but less smart storage.

A standard cruise inside cabin can be around 150 square feet, while the average hotel room is often 300 square feet or more.

Find out more about the average size of different cruise ship cabins here:

How Big Are Cruise Ship Cabins? Examples Of All Cabin Types

Cruise ship cabins are carefully designed, built en masse, and slid into the side of the cruise ship when the ship is being built. Have a look at that happening below:

4. Crew Get To Know You Personally

Your cabin steward learns your name, preferences, schedule, and habits within the first day or two.

You see them about every day, cleaning other cabins in the corridors, and you can get to know their name.

In hotels, staff rotate, and personal service is less consistent.

Many cruisers remember their cabin steward years later, which is rare for a hotel stay.

5. Your Room Comes With Entertainment And Logistics Built In

In your cruise cabin, you can enjoy daily programs, port information, and advanced onboard communication systems.

Sometimes on the newer ships, you get interactive TVs. You can check your onboard account and book shows and restaurants at the touch of a button.

Most ships have a screen with a “bow cam” (showing what is out front), along with the ship’s position, and the weather outside.

Your cabin becomes your base for excursions, safety drills, and daily planning, and isn’t just a place to sleep.

6. You Might Not Get A Window…

The cheapest inside cabins on cruise ships do not have portholes, windows or balconies.

You will have to rely on the “bow cam” on the TV to work out what the weather is like outside.

Hotel rooms without windows are quite unusual, but they are becoming increasingly popular in urban settings like London, Paris and Amsterdam, providing budget, no-frills accommodation.

I would always expect to get a window in my hotel room, even if it has a terrible view of a back alley, a carpark or some rubbish bins!

Inside cabins with no windows offer an affordable way to cruise, but they can take some getting used to if you have never cruised in one before.

Find out more about that here:

How to Avoid the Most Common Inside Cabin Problems on Your Cruise

Have a look at the inside cabin I stayed in on Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, below. It was a really lovely cabin, and a lot of thought had obviously gone into the design:

Before You Go

Read the article below to help you decide which type of cruise ship cabin would suit you best:

Cruise Ship Cabins – Inside or Outside, Which Should You Book?

Have a look at the “Virtual balcony” cabin I stayed in on Anthem of the Seas here. It didn’t’t have a window, but it had a screen showing what’s outside instead.

7 Days in The Most Controversial “INSIDE” Cabin (Virtual Balcony Review)