"Seat Guru" for Cruises - Cabin rankings
Mar 9, 2007, 1:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: United
Posts: 8
"Seat Guru" for Cruises - Cabin rankings
I am going on my first cruise in November and am hoping there is a website that ranks the cabins on each ship much like Seat Guru for airlines and theatre monkey for London theatre tickets. It is a fifteen night cruise on Oceania (Insignia) and we are booked in the least expensive inside cabin so I am thinking if I can at least try and pick my location on the ship, it may be worth it.
Is there anything I should be concerned about, for example, is it bad to be in room directly above the entertainment floor or are they pretty soundproof. Is it better to be mid ship, front, back etc. Any input would really be appreciated! Thank you!
Is there anything I should be concerned about, for example, is it bad to be in room directly above the entertainment floor or are they pretty soundproof. Is it better to be mid ship, front, back etc. Any input would really be appreciated! Thank you!
Mar 9, 2007, 1:24 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: TPA
Programs: Hilton Gold, DL DIrt Medallion
Posts: 38,267
CruiseCritic.com has a lively discussion board with much fo the info you are seeking. In general, my goal is to find a cabin between two decks of cabins to avoid noise from showrooms, bars, and restaurants. Otherwise, especially in an inside cabin, there's not much to worry about.
Mar 10, 2007, 8:11 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Posts: 296
Having a "cabin guru" website would be virtually impossible to gather all the information needed. There are a dozen (at least) different cabin classes on each ship versus two or three seat classes on an airplane. Within each cabin class there are numerous different variables such as stern or aft, floor, view, and proximity to any elevators, gathering places, service areas, mechanical components, etc.
And gathering this information would be very difficult. Each cruise line has very different ship configurations. Ships are not like airplanes where you can buy a ticket and walk through it is a few minutes and visually see all the other seats. And they only sail every week or two so there is not the same amount of data available as planes where there are up to dozens of flights every day for similarly configured planes. It just would be impossible to gather this information.
And gathering this information would be very difficult. Each cruise line has very different ship configurations. Ships are not like airplanes where you can buy a ticket and walk through it is a few minutes and visually see all the other seats. And they only sail every week or two so there is not the same amount of data available as planes where there are up to dozens of flights every day for similarly configured planes. It just would be impossible to gather this information.
Mar 10, 2007, 8:40 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1
My wife and I cruised on the Insignia last October. The ship has excellent soundproofing however I would suggest you book a cabin towards the front. Also book your dinners at the sinature restaurants as soon as you get on board. A little known secret is the morning breakfast served on the aft deck in the "tapas" restaurant. Overall I think you'll enjoy your cruise!
Mar 11, 2007, 7:52 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
Programs: AA LT Gold 1.9 MM flying my way to LT PLAT
Posts: 11,074
There are very good reports from Insignia. Friends who used to travel only on Crystal have switched loyalties after 2 very nice cruises with Oceania. Several former Crystal employees now work for Oceania and have really made a great company.
I 2nd looked at www.cruisecritic.com
I 2nd looked at www.cruisecritic.com
Mar 11, 2007, 10:25 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: NW Gold, '06. Good times.
Posts: 7,364
This is the best collection of cabin info I've found. No rankings but it gives you an idea of what's where.
http://travel.travelocity.com/ecruis...er.do?Service=
Not as easy to navigate as Seat Guru, but you can also try:
http://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/Main/home1.php
http://travel.travelocity.com/ecruis...er.do?Service=
Not as easy to navigate as Seat Guru, but you can also try:
http://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/Main/home1.php
Last edited by hoyateach; Mar 12, 2007 at 12:07 am Reason: rankings, not reviews
Mar 11, 2007, 10:57 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: United
Posts: 8
I appreciate everyone's input! I have actually been a lurker on Flyertalk for several years and have accrued many a mile and taken the advice of many of the experts on this site for personal and business trips. Thanks again, Mgt.
Mar 12, 2007, 11:49 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Beaverton OR
Programs: GE, AA PLT/2.6MM, BR Gld, Royal Carib. DM+, Celebrity Elite, NCL PLT, Princess Elite
Posts: 1,643
Actually there is one
You can input your cabin number and get all the details as well as check out all the deck plans:
http://www.cruisedeckplans.com/
http://www.cruisedeckplans.com/
Mar 12, 2007, 2:23 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: United
Posts: 8
It looks like to get specific cabin data you need pay a onetime fee of $11.95. The public link just takes me to the Oceania Home page. Without seeing a sample of the type of info you get, I am reluctant to pay the $12. Has anyone used www.cruisedeckplans.com and feel it is worth the money?
Thanks,
Mgt
Thanks,
Mgt
Mar 12, 2007, 4:00 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
I like that cruisedeckplans.com though it did not have all the info on the line that I looked up, but it was very good.
My advise, take a look at the deck plan and determine what the WORST inside cabin is. Would that be awful if you were in that? If not, have your travel agent book a Guarantee (GTY). IT will guarantee you that you will get that category or better. Then have your Travel agent call up their RSM (Regional Sales Manager) for the line, and ask if remarks can be put in the record for a DAP upgrade (Do All POssible). Worst case scenario, you don't get upgraded and you end up in the Inside Category that you may not have picked. Cruise lines always overbook the lead price inside cabins so your chances may be very good for being upgraded. I am speaking from experience.
As has been mentioned here www.cruisecritic.com is a great site.
Cheers
My advise, take a look at the deck plan and determine what the WORST inside cabin is. Would that be awful if you were in that? If not, have your travel agent book a Guarantee (GTY). IT will guarantee you that you will get that category or better. Then have your Travel agent call up their RSM (Regional Sales Manager) for the line, and ask if remarks can be put in the record for a DAP upgrade (Do All POssible). Worst case scenario, you don't get upgraded and you end up in the Inside Category that you may not have picked. Cruise lines always overbook the lead price inside cabins so your chances may be very good for being upgraded. I am speaking from experience.
As has been mentioned here www.cruisecritic.com is a great site.
Cheers
Mar 12, 2007, 6:38 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: United
Posts: 8
I like that cruisedeckplans.com though it did not have all the info on the line that I looked up, but it was very good.
My advise, take a look at the deck plan and determine what the WORST inside cabin is. Would that be awful if you were in that? If not, have your travel agent book a Guarantee (GTY). IT will guarantee you that you will get that category or better. Then have your Travel agent call up their RSM (Regional Sales Manager) for the line, and ask if remarks can be put in the record for a DAP upgrade (Do All POssible). Worst case scenario, you don't get upgraded and you end up in the Inside Category that you may not have picked. Cruise lines always overbook the lead price inside cabins so your chances may be very good for being upgraded. I am speaking from experience.
As has been mentioned here www.cruisecritic.com is a great site.
Cheers
My advise, take a look at the deck plan and determine what the WORST inside cabin is. Would that be awful if you were in that? If not, have your travel agent book a Guarantee (GTY). IT will guarantee you that you will get that category or better. Then have your Travel agent call up their RSM (Regional Sales Manager) for the line, and ask if remarks can be put in the record for a DAP upgrade (Do All POssible). Worst case scenario, you don't get upgraded and you end up in the Inside Category that you may not have picked. Cruise lines always overbook the lead price inside cabins so your chances may be very good for being upgraded. I am speaking from experience.
As has been mentioned here www.cruisecritic.com is a great site.
Cheers
Mar 13, 2007, 2:47 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: United
Posts: 8
Oceania has a great website with the layout of the ship but the info I am looking for would be more from customer experiences like noise, ship movement, access, specific room configuration issues, rooms in the same category but might be more desirable etc.
Mar 15, 2007, 8:10 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Redondo Beach, CA USA
Programs: UA 1KMM, Bonvoy LTE+A, HH D, Nat'l EE, Hertz Plat, Avis PC
Posts: 3,712
Having a "cabin guru" website would be virtually impossible to gather all the information needed. There are a dozen (at least) different cabin classes on each ship versus two or three seat classes on an airplane. Within each cabin class there are numerous different variables such as stern or aft, floor, view, and proximity to any elevators, gathering places, service areas, mechanical components, etc.
And gathering this information would be very difficult. Each cruise line has very different ship configurations. Ships are not like airplanes where you can buy a ticket and walk through it is a few minutes and visually see all the other seats. And they only sail every week or two so there is not the same amount of data available as planes where there are up to dozens of flights every day for similarly configured planes. It just would be impossible to gather this information.
And gathering this information would be very difficult. Each cruise line has very different ship configurations. Ships are not like airplanes where you can buy a ticket and walk through it is a few minutes and visually see all the other seats. And they only sail every week or two so there is not the same amount of data available as planes where there are up to dozens of flights every day for similarly configured planes. It just would be impossible to gather this information.