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How to Choose a Room: Ultimate Guide to Carnival Staterooms

By Carnival Cruise Line

Before you book your cruise , you will want to know which stateroom you should call your own. Getting familiar with the types of staterooms helps you choose the sleeping space that offers you the most comfort based on your personal preferences and personality. It could also depend on whether you’re cruising solo, plus-one, with the family or as a group.

So how do you select the best stateroom to ensure you’ll have a relaxing, comfortable cruise? We’ll help you put it all together with the following suggestions.

Know the Stateroom Styles

When you’re on a Carnival cruise, you have your choice of stateroom styles and locations designated as Interior, Ocean View, Balcony or Suite.

• Interior staterooms : The most affordable cruise ship rooms ideal for sensitive sleepers who prefer quieter rooms away from activities, making it the perfect spot to curl up after a long day of fun
• Ocean View staterooms : Designed for gazing out at vistas and ocean views. It’s the best place on board to be the first to spot ports of call
• Balcony staterooms : Ideal for enjoying sea breezes and stunning views on a patio with private seating all day
• Suite staterooms: The best rooms on a cruise ship for stretching out and putting up your feet in a space with all the comforts of home, and then some
• Specialty staterooms : Thematic settings that revolve around family, couples and more and are available as interior, ocean view, balcony or suite staterooms

If You’re Cruising Solo

When you’re solo, there’s no having to answer to anyone about where to go or what to do. You can cruise to Belize and explore the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins to fully release your enthusiasm for ancient history. Learn to cook like a chef onboard while meeting new friends. Another perk: having a stateroom all to yourself. Consider these ideas when booking a stateroom of your own.

• Havana: Solo cruisers who also want to be social may like Havana staterooms with private access to the tropical Havana pool and bar area .
• Cloud 9 Spa : If you’re cruising for more of a pampering experience for one, consider a specialty Cloud 9 Spa stateroom. You’ll be right next to the most relaxing place onboard, the Cloud 9 Spa ™ .
• Interior and Ocean View : Choose an interior stateroom for the most quiet or an ocean view stateroom for contemplative views to complement your meditative state of mind.
• Aft: Consider staying in the aft part of the ship where you’ll be nearest to casual dining.
• Lower deck: The lower deck is the best deck on a cruise ship if you want to be one of the first off the ship, exploring all the fun at each port of call .

If You’re Cruising as a Couple

Couples who cruise together stay together, especially when choosing the perfect style stateroom. The perfect getaway means you’ll sail to dreamy ports. What couple wouldn’t enjoy a cruise to Mexico for a VIP Wine Tasting or to Aruba for a Jeep Safari ?

On board, dine in a romantic, floating Italian trattoria . Afterward, slip away to an enchanting stateroom reserved for just the two of you.

• Cloud 9 Spa: Whisk away to the Cloud 9 Spa adjacent to specialty Cloud 9 Spa staterooms with relaxing decor. You’ll get priority spa reservations along with complimentary spa-inspired gifts to use throughout the cruise.
• Balcony: Balcony staterooms are designed with couples in mind. You’ll be able to step onto your own little outdoor oasis at sunset for cocktails or sunrise for coffee in your robes.
• Forward: If you’re seeking relaxation, consider a stateroom in the forward section of the ship. You’ll be close to the fitness center, spa and the show lounge for performances.

If You’re Cruising With Family

Whether you’re cruising as a single parent or times two with kids in tow, you’ll effortlessly pack in more fun activities and bonding time than you ever thought possible on vacation. No matter what age your kids, there’s plenty of onboard entertainment that lets your family interact with favorite childhood characters and games.

Shore excursions with no minimum age limits let you customize experiences for the entire family to enjoy, such as cruising to Alaska and going on a Dog Sled Discovery and Mushing Camp adventure. After a day, and night of fun and kid-friendly dining, head back to a comfy stateroom that suits your family .

• Family Harbor: Family Harbor specialty staterooms with whimsical nautical decor have exclusive access to the Family Harbor lounge featuring breakfast, snacks, board games, family movies, video games and more. Kids eat free at Family Harbor restaurants. Plus, kids and parents will love the experience because they have one free evening of Night Owls ® babysitting service at Camp Ocean ™ .
• Family-Friendly: Designed with families in mind, these staterooms accommodate up to five people and thankfully come with an extra bathroom. Great for groups too, thanks to connecting doors.
• Upper deck: Consider a stateroom on the upper deck of your ship. You’ll be closest to the entertainment, fun and outdoor deck areas.
• Midship : You’ll be right near the pool or waterslide areas, a kid’s dream.

If You’re Cruising With a Group

From an old college friend gathering to a ladies-only birthday bash or golfing buddy getaway, cruise ships are the perfect place for group vacations. Whether you have 10 or 20 people in your group, there’s something to do and see even if everyone differs in age, abilities and interests.

Cruise to Bermuda for an extended family reunion and reserve differing shore excursions ranging from the Famous Homes and Hideaway Cruise tour for architecture buffs to Segway Adventures for teens and a Glass Bottom Boat tour for little kids. Book staterooms extra early for groups, ask for connecting rooms and consider these stateroom styles.

If you have health or mobility challenges, Carnival proudly welcomes you on board. You’ll find plenty of accessible staterooms from which to choose, whether you are traveling with a wheelchair, scooter or another device. Consider staying in the midship section where you’ll find extra elevators.

Every stateroom has amenities (including your dedicated room steward) that rival land-locked five-star hotels. Expect soft, cozy linens, in-room safes, plenty of storage space, television, climate control and even bathrobes upon request.

Keep in mind that some staterooms and features are exclusive to specific ships, so be sure to check out the amenities on board the ship you choose. You’ll sleep well knowing you’ve chosen the right spot for snoozing while cruising.

Note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options may vary by  ship  and destination.

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https://www.carnival.com/cruise-from.aspx

Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Picking a cabin on a Carnival Cruise Line ship isn't nearly as complicated as picking a cabin on, say, a Royal Caribbean or a Celebrity Cruises ship.

Unlike some of its biggest competitors, Carnival isn't known for a huge range of cabin categories on its vessels.

That means that when you're trying to find the best Carnival cruise ship cabin for you, you'll have an easier time than you will when booking with some other lines.

The vast majority of the accommodations on Carnival ships fall into one of three broad buckets: Windowless "inside" cabins, oceanview cabins and balcony cabins.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

You'll find relatively few suites on Carnival ships. Each of the vessels in Carnival's recent Vista-class series, for instance, offer fewer than 75 suites. Each of the line's earlier Conquest-class ships have around 50 suites. The oldest Fantasy-class vessels have 28 suites and 26 junior suites.

This is in part due to Carnival's focus on offering an affordable product. The typical Carnival customer isn't in the market for a super fancy, high-priced suite.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line

That said, Carnival has seen the success that some of its competitors have had with a bigger range of upscale accommodations, and it's eyeing more suites for future vessels. The line's two newest ships, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration , each have 180 suites — more than twice the number found on the vessels Carnival was unveiling a few years ago.

Note that Carnival's two oldest ships — those that are part of the 1990s-built Fantasy Class — have relatively few balcony cabins by today's standards. (After retrofitting, they have around 150 balcony cabins, out of a total of more than 1,000 cabins in all.) In part because of this, Carnival has been phasing Fantasy-class ships out of its fleet in recent years.

A Carnival Cruise Line cabin primer

As is typical for many cruise ships, Carnival vessels offer cabins in four broad categories: Windowless "inside" cabins, oceanview cabins, balcony cabins and suites.

On newer Carnival ships, a significant portion of cabins are balcony cabins — the rooms everyone wants these days. But the ratio of balcony cabins to non-balcony cabins on Carnival's newer ships isn't nearly as high as on the newer ships of some rival lines such as Royal Caribbean.

About 44% of the 2,004 cabins on Carnival's Carnival Panorama (launched in 2019) are balcony cabins, for instance. Compare that to the 65% of cabins on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas (launched in 2018) that are balcony cabins.

As noted above, Carnival ships also have fewer suites than you'll find on the ships of some of its rival lines. By contrast, the line's newer ships have a higher percentage of inside cabins than you'll find on the newer ships of some rival lines.

Here's a breakdown of the broad cabin categories on Carnival Panorama, which is typical of the line's newer ships:

Inside cabins: 789 (39%) Oceanview cabins: 254 (13%) Balcony cabins: 891 (44%) Suites: 70 (3%)

On older Carnival ships (and, in general, all older cruise ships), there are far fewer balcony cabins. Fewer than 10% of cabins on the line's two oldest vessels, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation, are balcony cabins. The two ships date to 1998.

On both Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation, inside cabins and ocean-view cabins make up the majority (nearly 90%) of accommodations, and suites account for fewer than 10% of rooms. Here is the breakdown for Carnival Paradise:

Inside cabins: 420 (40%) Oceanview cabins: 466 (44%) Balcony cabins: 98 (9%) Suites: 78 (7%)

The takeaway here is that you'll have a tougher time locking down a balcony cabin on an older Carnival ship than on a newer vessel. If you're planning a cruise on one of the line's older vessels and a balcony cabin is a must, you'll want to book early to make sure you get one.

You'll also want to book early if you're aiming for a suite — particularly if you want one of the best suites on a Carnival ship. An old saw in the cruise industry is that "ships sell from the top and the bottom." That is, the first cabins on any vessel to sell out are the most expensive cabins, which are the suites, and the least expensive cabins, which typically are the inside cabins. The "middle" sells last.

Design-wise, Carnival's cabins and suites are fairly basic and comfortable, if not super stylish. Cabins on recently unveiled or overhauled vessels mostly have a soothing palette of creams and blues. Cabinetry in these rooms is a crisp and clean faux wood. Cabin bathrooms are neutral.

One exception is the new Carnival Venezia , which has a darker (faux) wood finish to furniture in cabins that ties into the ship's Italy theme.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Carnival ship

Inside cabins on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Inside cabins are the cabins you stay in when you're on a tight budget. On any Carnival ship, they almost always are the least-expensive option when you're booking a cabin, and you often can save considerable money by booking an inside cabin versus an ocean-view or higher-level cabin.

What you'll give up, of course, is that ocean view. Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world.

On many cruise ships, inside cabins are smaller than oceanview and balcony cabins. But on Carnival ships, that's not always the case. On Carnival Panorama, for instance, most inside cabins measure 185 square feet. That's the same size as the interior area of some oceanview and most balcony cabins on the ship (not including the extra square footage from the balcony).

Related: Why inside cabins aren't as bad as you think

Inside cabins on Royal Caribbean's new Wonder of the Seas , by contrast, measure just 149 square feet — quite a bit less than the inside cabins on Carnival Panorama.

Note that, in a quirk of the cabin categorization system at Carnival, there are a few inside cabins on some Carnival ships that do, indeed, have a view to the outside world. These cabins either have an obstructed view (often due to lifeboats) or a porthole, such that the view isn't all that great. For that reason, the line classifies them as inside cabins.

Oceanview cabins on Carnival Cruise Line ships

With an oceanview cabin, you get a window looking out to the sea but not an attached balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Carnival's newer ships have relatively few such cabins, as generally cabins that face outwards now are built with balconies. But older Carnival ships are loaded with oceanview cabins.

Oceanview cabins on Carnival ships can sometimes be bigger than inside cabins and even bigger than balcony cabins (when comparing their interior space). On Carnival Panorama, some oceanview cabins measure 185 square feet — the same as inside cabins. But there also are bigger "standard" oceanview cabins that measure 220 square feet and "deluxe" oceanview cabins that measure 230 square feet.

Related: The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship

Balcony cabins on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Balcony cabins are what everyone wants these days, and Carnival is building its newest ships with far more of them than in the past. As noted above, about 44% of the cabins Carnival Panorama are balcony cabins. But that percentage jumped to 56% on the newer Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. It will be the same on Carnival Jubilee, a sister vessel to Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration coming out in December 2023.

The typical Carnival balcony cabin has a contemporary look, with clean lines and relatively minimalist furniture. It typically features twin beds that can be converted into a king bed, a built-in desk area and a sofa that often pulls out into an additional bed. Some rooms have pull-down bunks to create more sleeping spaces. Balcony cabins typically measure around 185 square feet, not including the veranda area, which often measures 35 square feet.

Note that on some Carnival ships, specific categories of balcony cabins have larger balconies than most. These are wonderful for sitting out and watching the waves. Often these rooms are at the back of the ships overlooking the wake.

Related: 6 reasons to book a balcony cabin on your next cruise

For instance, Carnival Panorama has "Family Harbor" and "Havana" balcony cabins with 60-square-foot balconies overlooking the wake. That's 71% more balcony space than the typical balcony cabin on the ship.

Carnival Panorama also has "Havana Cabana" balcony cabins with even bigger, 100-square-foot balconies.

Suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

As noted above, Carnival ships generally don't offer a lot of suites. For the most part, the suites they have are relatively modest in size and amenities compared to the suites at some of the line's rivals.

The biggest suites on Carnival Panorama, the ship's eight Grand Suites, have 345 square feet of interior space, plus an 85-square-foot balcony. Contrast that to the biggest suites on Royal Caribbean ships, which can measure more than 1,500 square feet.

Suites on Carnival ships also haven't traditionally come with butlers and access to private concierge lounges like the suites on many other vessels.

Related: This amazing new cruise ship suite measures more than 4,000 square feet

Still, some of that has begun to change with the debut of Carnival's new Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. Carnival went big with the suites on the groundbreaking, 5,282-passenger vessels — the biggest Carnival ships ever.

Unveiled in 2021 and 2022, respectively, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration each feature two sprawling Presidential Suites that measure 1,120 square feet — bigger than any other accommodations in the line's fleet.

Located at the top of each ship on Deck 17, the complexes have separate living and sleeping areas and the most expansive balconies in the Carnival fleet — all unusual-for-Carnival features. Measuring more than 600 square feet, the balconies also offer a lounging area with a large sunbed and a private outdoor hot tub and shower.

Related: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on a cruise ship

The Presidential Suites are among 180 suites you will find on Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, the most ever for a Carnival ship.

The two ships have 11 different categories of suites in all, four of which are part of a new premium "Excel" category of suites with extra amenities and access to a new-for-the-line, resort-style enclave at the top of the ships called Loft 19.

In addition to the two Presidential Suites, the Excel suites include a dozen 861-square-foot Excel Aft Suites that overlook the back of each ship and boast separate living rooms and bedrooms and large wraparound balconies with hot tubs.

Slightly smaller are a dozen 710-square-foot Excel Corner Suites offering separate sleeping and lounging areas and wraparound balconies. A step down are six smaller Excel Suites that measure 614 square feet.

Every one of the suites in those categories is bigger than any suite found on Carnival Panorama.

Passengers staying in all four categories of Excel suites on Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration have access to a dedicated concierge phone line and guaranteed dining times at the extra-charge specialty restaurants found on the ships (except for Japanese eatery Bonsai Teppanyaki and the Chef's Table). Other upgraded amenities for Excel suite passengers include complimentary Bottomless Bubbles soda packages, room service and laundry service, sparkling wine upon arrival and upgraded bathroom toiletries.

The new Loft 19 enclave found on both Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration offers full bar service, a private pool surrounded by sun loungers and cabanas available for rent.

Related: A guide to Carnival's VIFP loyalty program

Bottom Line

Fun-focused Carnival offers a solid mix of cabins on its vessels for a range of price points. If you're looking for an inexpensive vacation option, the inside cabins on Carnival ships are more spacious than the inside cabins you'll find on the ships of some rival lines. Oceanview cabins on Carnival ships also can be larger than normal for the category. Balcony cabins on Carnival ships hold their own in size against most competitors. Just don't expect a huge number of suites when sailing with Carnival.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
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Cruise Spotlight

Helping you find cruise ships you'll love

How to Choose the Best Cabin on a Carnival Cruise

Last Updated on September 4, 2023

Unlike a hotel that may have hundreds of seemingly identical rooms, cruise ships have many different types of cabins. With various layouts, views, sizes, and locations, the options are almost endless. Each cruise line has different accommodations available, so today we’ll look at the various cabins, or what they call staterooms, available on a Carnival cruise and how to find the one that’s best for you. 

What makes it tricky is that the term “best” here is entirely subjective; there is no one type of room that is “perfect” for everyone . Instead, it’s more important to understand your options and what you want on your ideal cruise vacation. Some people spend most of the day in their rooms relaxing, watching TV, reading, and napping. Other people are just there to get some shuteye and couldn’t care less about the accommodations. Before picking your room, think about how YOU vacation and what’s important to YOU.

Type of Room

The first and more significant decision you’ll have to make is what type of cabin you want. Carnival Cruise Line has several basic types depending on the ship. If you’re new to cruising, it’s important to note that cabins on cruise ships are going to feel very “cozy” compared to hotels. While Carnival has some of the most spacious rooms at sea, they still can feel a little cramped; especially when putting 3 or 4 people in a room.

Inside Cabin

Inside cabins are the basic and most affordable room you’ll find on a ship. On average, about 1/3 of the cabins on a Carnival cruise ship are inside cabins. They line the interior of the ship and have no windows. On average, Carnival interior rooms are about 185 sq ft (roughly the equivalent of a 13′ x 14′ room). When combined with the lack of windows, they can feel a bit claustrophobic.

Interior rooms typically have 2 twin beds which can convert into a king bed. Most don’t have a dedicated sitting area, although they do have a desk and chair. Some cabins also have the 3rd or 4th beds available, which pull down from the ceiling. These rooms solve all the basic needs; they have a comfortable bed, access to a private bathroom, and good A/C.

While balcony cabins are what people may typically envision when picturing a cruise, interior staterooms offer a great starting point for new cruisers due to their low cost. According to a poll by Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald , 69% of cruisers started their first cruise with an inside cabin.  

Benefits of an interior cabin 

• Cheapest option of room
• Completely dark and can be quieter

Drawbacks of an interior cabin

• Smaller size than other rooms
• No sitting area / couch
• No windows make it hard to realize what time of day it is

Oceanview Cabin

Oceanview cabins have a window that looks outside and make up about 20% of the ship. Because these cabins are usually on the lower decks, the view is sometimes obstructed with lifeboats or other equipment (the room’s description will clearly state if this is the case). While the windows in these rooms let in a fair amount of sun, they don’t typically open, so don’t expect to have a nice ocean breeze in your room. These rooms are usually around 220 sq ft on Carnival, so almost 20% larger than interior rooms. 

Benefits of an oceanview cabin 

• Cheaper than a balcony room
• Get a view of the ocean, although it may be obstructed
• No worry about small children getting out and playing on the balcony
• Larger size than interior rooms usually (about 20%)

Drawbacks of an oceanview cabin

• Usually can’t open the windows so no sea breeze
• Usually on lower levels away from other activities on a ship

Balcony Cabin

Balcony cabins make up about 43% of the rooms on a Carnival ship. These rooms usually go from the 3rd deck up to the top deck of the ship. On average, they’re about the same size as an interior room, 185 sq ft, but when you add the 75 sq ft of the balcony, it makes it feel much more spacious. The rooms have large glass doors and windows so that the natural light can pour in. On the balcony itself, most ships have 2 straight-back chairs and a small table. 

A subset of these are the Cove Balcony rooms which offer the cheapest balcony alternative usually. These cabins are on deck 2, just above the waterline, so they provide a unique perspective. The balconies are typically bigger, and they’re more secluded with large metal panels on the outside. It’s not great if you want to sun on your balcony, but some cruisers covet their shade and privacy. 

Benefits of a balcony cabin 

• Same room size as interior rooms but the extra 75 sq ft for the balcony makes it feel larger
• Large windows and glass door makes you feel more connected to the ocean
• Have a place to “get away” for a quiet time if the ship seems crowded

Drawbacks of a balcony cabin

• Most expensive of the non-specialized cabins (40 – 60% more than interior cabins)
• Some parents don’t want their kids to be able to get on a balcony
• Can see the sun or hear the wind coming in sometimes if you’re a light sleeper

If you’re looking to be in the lap of luxury and elegance, Carnival has a range of suites available on their ships. They account for about 4% of the cabins on a ship and range from 260 sq ft up to 500 sq ft. Each suite can have different features depending on the ship; sometimes floor-to-ceiling windows, other times, a dedicated seating area and jacuzzi. Because there aren’t many of these types of rooms on a ship, they often sell out quickly. 

On top of the premium room, with pillow-top mattresses and bathrobes, guests who stay in suites also get some additional benefits. The biggest is priority check-in, embarkation, and debarkation. That means less time waiting on time and more time enjoying the cruise. Suite guests also get priority dinner reservations and main dining room time assignments. 

Benefits of suite cabin 

• Priority boarding and check-in is a nice benefit (worth about $100 per cruise)
• Much larger and more spacious rooms with upgraded amenities

Drawbacks of suite cabin

• Much more expensive than standard rooms
• Limited number of rooms means they book up fast
• While rooms are bigger, they don’t hold any more people than a standard room

Havana Cabins (specialty)

When Carnival introduced the Vista in 2015, they added a brand new section of rooms and a special exterior section called the Havana area. These premium rooms take advantage of the “Ship within a ship” philosophy, where certain guests have exclusive access to sections, basically their own private area. The Havana rooms are themed like an exclusive island resort, setting them apart from the rest of the ship. 

Guests staying in Havana sections have exclusive access to the Havana Pool area with prime placement on the back of the ship. The pool area has a beautiful infinity pool, two large hot tubs that overlook the ocean, upgraded loungers, and a dedicated outdoor bar. On sea days when the rest of the ship is jam-packed, you’ll be relaxing in style with plenty of room in the pool and loungers, and a nice refreshing drink only steps away. The rooms also conveniently connect to the interior Havana Bar, which is open to all guests. This bar becomes a favorite for many Havana guests for pre-dinner and late-night drinks. 

You can choose from a variety of rooms in the Havana section. The most unique is the “ocean view staterooms with patio cabana.” The description sounds like it would just have a window, but it’s closer to a balcony room in reality. The room has a large glass door that opens onto a private patio, complete with lounger furniture and a swing. It’s a peaceful place that is just yours. The downside is that these patios end in a walkway that goes around the Havana section of the ship, so you lose the privacy you may have in a traditional balcony room. The Havana section also has interior rooms, which are a great way to save some money since you basically have access to your own private outdoor area very close by anyway. 

On the Mardi Gras, Celebration, and Jubilee, the Havana area has been downsized considerably. The dedicated Havana deck area has a much smaller patio area with only a small pool on the side of the ship (rather than the large infinity pool off the back like the Vista-class ships). 

Available On : Celebration , Horizon , Jubilee , Mardi Gras , Panorama , and Vista

Benefits of a Havana cabin 

• Exclusive access to the Havana deck
• No children under age 12 are allowed

Drawbacks of Havana cabin

• Higher cost than standard rooms counterparts (20 – 30% higher on average)
• Harder to find private balconies, the patio cabana rooms have people walking by
• Because there are relatively few rooms, they sell out quickly

Family Harbor Cabin (specialty)

Carnival Cruise Line has never been shy about being a family cruise line, but they fully embraced this concept on their most recent ships. They created a new “Family Harbor” to make cruising more comfortable for families with children 11 and younger. 

Imagine you’re on a cruise with a 3 and 5-year-old who wake up nice and early and are starving for breakfast. You have to get them, and yourself dressed, walk down the corridor quietly, take the elevator to the Lido Buffet, walk through the massive buffets, get on line to get some food, find a table and then sit down only to have your kid take 2 bites of a banana, and they’re done. These rooms try to help with that problem. If you’re in a Family Harbor room, you have access to a dedicated lounge located steps away with keycard access that has easy-to-access breakfast in the morning, snacks during the day, and even a soft-serve machine. One kid trying to take a nap during the afternoon? You can take the other to the Family Lounge and play some games or watch TV. It adds a whole level of convenience for parents who are trying to enjoy their vacation. 

There are various rooms to choose from in the Family Harbor section, which can sleep up to 5 depending on the cabin. Most are similar to the rooms you’d find on the rest of the ships, except Family Habor rooms have a nautical décor on red, blues, whites. The Family Habor section houses some unique rooms, though, that are perfect for families. The Deluxe Ocean View has two bathrooms, one with a junior tub, which is a rarity on many cruise ships. If you need some extra space and privacy, consider upgrading to a Family Suite that adds more living space and has a privacy curtain that separates the main beds from the living area with sofa beds. 

Besides the Family Habor Lounge, you also get some additional perks for booking these rooms. You get one free Night Owls Evening babysitting for children 11 and under. Those kids can also eat free off the kids’ menu in many of the specialty restaurants like Fahrenheit 555, JiJi Asian Kitchen, and Cucina de Capitano. 

Benefits of a Family Harbor cabin 

• Exclusive access to family harbor lounge for breakfast, snacks, and games
• Kids eat free in most onboard specialty restaurants
• One free evening of Night Owls babysitting service
• Some options with flexible rooms

Drawbacks of Family Harbor cabin

• Higher cost than standard rooms counterparts (5 – 15% on average)
• On a lower deck, so it could be more of a hassle to get to Lido Deck and Buffet

Cloud 9 Spa Cabin (specialty)

If you’re a fan of spa treatments and relaxation, Carnival’s Cloud 9 Spa Cabins might be for you. The cabins are located near the spa and have a completely different look and feel with muted tones and a teal color palate. Inside the room, you’ll find upscale Elemis toiletries, spa-branded bathrobes, and slippers to enhance your stay.

It’s not just about looks and location though, Cloud 9 Spa Cabin guests get priority spa reservations, free fitness classes, unlimited access to the thermal suites spa, and exclusive discounts on treatments during port days. A clear benefit is unlimited access to the thermal suites, which have dry heat chambers, steam chambers, experience shows, and a whirlpool or Thalassotherapy pool depending on the ship. Other guests on the ship can access these facilities as well, but it’ll cost them $40 for a day pass or $139 for a 7-day pass. 

Available On : Celebration , Dream , Horizon , Jubilee , Magic , Mardi Gras , Panorama , Radiance , Splendor , Sunrise , Sunshine , and Vista

Benefits of a Cloud 9 Spa cabin 

• Premium products in the room
• Access to the spa, thermal suites
• Discount on spa treatments like massages and facials

Drawbacks of Cloud 9 Spa cabin

• Higher cost than standard rooms counterparts (10-15% on average)
• The spa can still become crowded with regular guests on sea days

Tips for Picking the Right Cabin

Connecting cabins.

For every category of rooms, there are connecting cabins available. These rooms have a door between them, so you can easily go between two cabins without going into the hallway. Since Carnival offers almost no cabins with multiple rooms, this is how families travel together by booking two adjoining rooms with connecting doors. 

If you’re not going to be using the connecting door, it’s best to avoid these cabins. The door between the rooms is a little less soundproof than the regular wall, so your room will likely be quieter if you don’t have an adjoining room. 

With up to 17 passenger decks and the length of almost 4 football fields, there are a ton of different locations you can pick for your cabin. Carnival will often price the rooms based on how “desirable” the location is. First, you’ll choose the front, middle, or back, and then the deck. The fee can range depending on how full the ship is and how high the demand is, but they can add an extra $0.50 to $9 per person/day. If you’re an able-bodied person who doesn’t mind walking, the actual deck and part of the ship don’t matter too much. These aren’t huge facilities like the hotels in Las Vegas that can take 20 minutes to walk across, even the furthest part of the ship isn’t too far. The stairs are easy to take up and down, and except for the Vista-class of ships ( read why ), elevators are easy to come by. Most of the action on a Carnival cruise ship takes place on their Lido Deck and their Promenade. That’s usually around deck 10 and 5, respectively, so no matter where you are, you’re going to have to be going up and down the ship at some point. 

Choosing a Room vs. Assigned by Carnival

If you’re not picky about your room, you can save money by letting Carnival assign your room. How much you’ll save depends on your ship and sailing, but it could be around 10%. They’ll wait until the date gets close and assign it to a room in that category. In the marketing copy, they say you’ll get a room in the category you book or higher, so they make it sound like you can pay for an Interior room, and you’ll get automatically upgraded to a balcony when the time comes. In reality, ships today are often entirely sold out, and the nicer rooms go to people who pay for them. It doesn’t hurt to save some money and let Carnival assign your room, but don’t think you’ll get this great upgrade if you do. I’ve done the assignment thing once before on a Royal Caribbean cruise; I booked an Ocean View Guaranteed Room and ended up getting a dinky porthole room, which I didn’t love, although it saved me $200 so it could have been worth it. 

How Do I Get an Upgrade on my Cabin?

To be blunt, you don’t. It’s not likely you’re going to be able to get a room upgrade. Land-based hotels typically operate at 40% to 60% occupancy, but cruise ships sail at nearly full capacity; they don’t often have extra rooms to upgrade you to even if they wanted to. Sometimes, as a sail date gets closer, they might contact you to see if you want to pay to upgrade your room; this way, the cheaper room is available to new bookers. Sometimes it’s a good deal, but sometimes it’s more than you ever paid upfront. Make sure you do the math before accepting any offer and if you have your heart set on a certain type of room, book it upfront.

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• First Pictures Onboard the Odyssey of the Seas

Randy Young

Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 20 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there. He's known for providing detailed and analytical coverage of cruising to help cruisers get a comprehensive picture of a ship's offerings.

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