MSC Blog

There are four main types of stateroom on an MSC Cruise ship – Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite.

Interior cabins are the smallest on the ship and are the least expensive cabins. Located in the interior of the ship, these cabins do not have windows, although you might be able to look at the view on the cabin’s television. While small, your cabin will contain everything you need for your cruise. Typical furnishings include beds, bathroom with shower, safe, television and limited storage. Depending on the category, inside cabins sleep two to four people.

Oceanview cabins aren’t usually much larger than inside cabins, but what you’ll be paying for is a view. Oceanview cabins contain all of the features of inside cabins, but also include a porthole, picture window or floor-to-ceiling windows, depending on the category and deck level. Oceanview cabins are a good choice for those people who don’t want to book an expensive balcony cabin, but want the advantage of natural light and the ability to see the view from the cabin.

Balcony cabins feature a private balcony off your cabin. These cabins are the next level up in price from the oceanview cabins and are usually a little larger. You’ll be able to enjoy the changing scenery from your balcony and can enjoy a peaceful room service breakfast or dinner on the balcony. Balcony cabins might have a slightly different floor plan than inside or oceanview cabins.

Suites are a whole new world of cruisng. While Suite in some categories doesn’t mean two separate rooms, you’ll most likely have a curtain or other means to separate the living area from the sleeping area. In addition to a couch and chairs, you can expect a slightly larger balcony and a tub/shower combination rather than just a shower. Other types of Suite range from basic two-room suites to large, luxurious multi-roomed spaces with your own hot tub. Suites are the most expensive accommodations on the ship, but feature many amenities for the money. In additional to the extra space, suites feature extra-large balconies complete with lounge chairs.

Which stateroom type do you orefer? Let us know in the comments.

Here we detail a few tips on how to choose the best stateroom on an MSC Cruise!

The location of your stateroom, along with the size and category, will determine its cost. Generally speaking (there are always exceptions), cabins located toward the center of the ship are more desirable but more expensive than those located at the fore or aft sections of the ship. Also, the higher up on the ship a cabin is located, the more expensive. A balcony cabin on Deck 10 mid ship will generally be more expensive than the same cabin on Deck 6 forward or aft.

Higher up is generally quieter, but subject to more motion – One reason that cabins located on upper decks are more expensive is that they are further away from the mechanical parts of the ship. The engine room, thrusters, anchors, main galley and crew quarters are all located on the lowest decks. The one exception would be a higher deck with a cabin located directly under the pool deck.

Booking a stateroom directly underneath the pool deck can present its own set of problems. The chairs, tables and lounge chairs on the pool deck are usually moved and stacked off to the sides of the pool deck each evening so that the crew can clean the deck, or perhaps for a dance or pool BBQ. Early each morning the crew will need to unstack all of the chairs and move everything back into place.

One of the disadvantages to being on a higher deck is the additional side-to-side motion. On most modern ships equipped with stabilizers, you will rarely experience any rolling motion at all. However, if you do encounter rough seas, and if there is any rolling motion, you will notice it more the higher up you are on the ship.

Lower decks are less expensive, but can be noisier – The lower you are on a ship, the closer you will be to the engine and mechanical noise and vibrations of the ship. This is the main reason that these decks are less expensive than the upper decks. The biggest and best tip is to make sure there is always one other deck between you and any other public areas to drown out the noise.

Did you ever wonder why MSC place their main dining rooms on the lowest decks? Low and in the middle. The biggest advantage of booking a lower deck, other than the cost savings, is the reduction in rolling motion should the ship encounter any rough seas. If you are prone to motion sickness, you are going to be better off on a lower deck.

So where is the best stateroom location? Everybody has their favorites, and it really depends on the individual. Also, every ship is different.

If you are not concerned with motion or noise, you will get your best deal booking low and forward or low and aft. Cabins located forward are more likely to experience the sound of anchors being raised and lowered, while cabins located aft are more subject to the sounds of the engine and propulsion systems.

If you are concerned with motion, but want the best bargain, book midship and low. You will also avoid much of the noise by being away from the aft and forward sections of the ship.

If you are going to be on one of the upper decks, you will get less motion the closer you are to the center of the ship.

I hope this has helped you select your ideal stateroom location. If you have any tips or tricks leave them in the comments!