Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    When my wife and I took our cruise for our honeymoon, we decided
    after talking to numerous folks, that the 'best' room is one in
    the middle of the boat.  The reason is that is the area where there
    is less movement.  If you are in the front or back you will feel
    the ocean waves more than in the middle.  We also felt it was good
    to get a ship with high tonnage.  That way the ship is heavy enough
    and the ocean waves will not move the boat as much.  There is nothing
    like being on a ship for a week and being sick every night due to
    motion!
    
    We enjoyed having a porthole to look out of (there is nothing like
    a beautiful sunrise).  However, as you stated, you spend very little
    time in the room itself (if you wish to take advantage of everything 
    the ship can offer!), and when you are in your room, it is dark out
    and all you could see would be water.

    
    Have fun on your cruise!
    
    chuck

    From my experience:
    
    porthole - not important, you have a better view from deck
    
    double bed - if it was a honeymoon, I would suggest a double bed,
    otherwise it really doesn't matter - you can still cuddle in the
    bunk
    
    storage space - this is important to me, but with a little organization
    you can manage to find a place for everything
    
    larger bath - this has been a problem on most ships I've been on
    - tiny bathrooms.  I've had four people to a room and it can get
    tough with only one small bathroom, but it can be funny too!!
    
    engine noise - I've never noticed this and I've had cabins on all
    decks.  I've never been right over the engine though so perhaps
    that could be a problem.
    
    distance - elevators and stairs are conveniently located throughout
    the ship, this shouldn't be a problem.
    
    All in all, budget has been my primary concern.  We usually try
    to get the best cabin we can for the cheapest price.  The more money
    you save, the more often you can take a cruise!!!  Naturally, it
    is nice to have the luxury cabins, but once again you just aren't
    in them enough to pay that big difference in price (more fun to
    spend that money shopping in port)!!

    
    Ro
    

    My one and only cruise we had an outside cabin forward on an upper
    deck. Both being forward and being high on the ship exagerated the
    motion and we both were seasick for two days. Tablemates who had
    cruised before (and some who hadn't) said that being midship and
    low was better if prone to motion seasickness. The veteran cruisers
    were offered a deal on a cabin the farthest forward of any on their
    deck, and the wife was very seasick, even with the patch.
    
    As far as a porthole is concerned, I have claustrophobia. Without
    it I might have had a hard time staying in the small room.
    
    
    Linda

    
    Having a pothole wasn't important to me.  We had one room without
    one and the last cruise we did have one.  There was a ledge in front
    of the pothole so my sister (photographer) had me sit on the ledger
    with the pothole by my face for her pictures.  That lasted about
    10 minutes and we never used it again.
    
    One my first cruise we had single beds side by side with a bureau
    inbetween us.  We had alot of closet space and although the bath
    was small we managed quite well.  The room was also one level above
    the sea and in the middle of the ship.  
    The second cruise, we wanted cheap rooms so we'd have more money
    to spend.  We got bunks.  They were stuck in by the closet so you
    had wall on both sides of you where our feet were.  The closet space
    was small and very crunched up.  The bath was even smaller than
    the first.  It was at the end where the engine was and each time
    the ship would stop or start up, the room shaked like mad.  It was
    real loud and anything that was on the bureau (glass of wine) was
    shaken off.  I didn't like it at all even though we were bearly
    there.  Next time, I'm going, I'll pick something like the first
    room (meduim price).
    
    Anna
    
    
    

    My wife and I just booked a cruise on the Nordic Prince.  We will
    be sailing in September to Bermuda.  We first had selected a cabin
    on the main deck but now we are having second thoughts.  After
    studying the ship plan, my wife pointed out that this room was just
    under one of the lounges.  We are concerned that the music from the
    lounge would keep us from sleeping.  Should this be a concern?  

    Depends on the ship but we once sailed to the western Caribbean
    on Carnival's Marti Gras and had a stateroom under the disco. We
    did not sleep at night during the entire cruise. To be sure of
    sleep, I'd opt for a cabin away from any of the lounges.
    

    
    MY ROOM PREFERENCE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SHIP.  I REALLY LIKE
    A PORTHOLE MYSELF, BUT IT'S TRUE THAT YOU WILL PROBABLY NOT SPEND
    A WHOLE LOT OF TIME IN THE ROOM.
    
    THE MIDDLE OF THE SHIP IS THE CALMEST & WILL HELP KEEP YOU FROM
    GETTING SEASICK.  IF YOU ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE FRONT OR BACK YOU
    WILL FEEL MOVEMENT MUCH MORE.
    
    THE LOWER DECK YOU GO TO WILL BE THE CHEAPEST, BUT HOW MANY TIMES
    DO YOU REALLY PLAN TO CRUISE?  I HAVE SEEN SOME CABINS THAT YOU
    COULD NOT TURN AROUND IN (LIKE ON THE S S NORWAY).
    
    WHICHEVER YOU CHOOSE - ENJOY!  I HAVE BEEN CRUISING FOR THE LAST
    THREE YEARS, AND THERE IS NOTHING MORE RELAXING.
    
    BARB
    

    My wife and I prefer the port side forward, just at the start of
    the ships bow contour.  It isn't as ruff as you might think and
    the roll is less noticable (I guess, we like it).  As for the room
    oops _cabin_. we go for a larger room.  We just seemd to stay in
    there more then poeple say they/we should.  Somtimed I just like
    to sit down with a cup of coffe and read a bit of a good book and
    RELAX!!.
    
    To each there own.
    
    Later
    
    George C.