New to cruising!

[nuttybird]

I have just booked a 4 night "taster" cruise out of Southampton next year on the new Independence of the Seas. The interior cabin I have been booked in is on deck 9, right at the front of the ship. I don't intend spending much time in the cabin (only to sleep), but just wondered whether this is a good position or if I should have booked a cabin in the middle. Any help appreciated.
Thanks

[handygran]

We try to get at the front or near to back of ship but it all depends on layout of amenities on ship. We have done 7 cruises now and are going again on Splendour of The Seas on 22 April and we have cabins at the back this time. an interior cabin is fine because in a lot of cabins there are only small portholes , some have larger but more expensive and as you say only spend a little time in cabin so why pay more? Have a good time and don't worry you will be fine.

[nuttybird]

Thanks Handygran! You're obviously experts so I shall just stay put with the cabin I have. We have such a long time to wait but I am just so excited about it! Hope you have a good time on your cruise.

Thanks for the reply.

[jno]

Ones in the middle tend to register ocean swells a bit less, so you might in theory find the ride a bit bumpier; but with modern stabilisers, this probably isn't going to be any sort of problem unless you're caught in a hurricane on the Atlantic.

But you might want to check you're not right next to the disco or above the boiler room or something that might be noisier than the average cabin; especially when a ship is new, they haven't always got these minor points sorted perfectly. (Having said that, my last two cruises have been right above the nightclub, but they produced only very little extra noise and always closed down sharp at midnight, so no problem.)

[boxingbig]

You will love it ,on a 4 day cruise it dont matter,you could be in a hammock on deck and it would still be great,if you are crossing the Bay of Biscay or the Atlantic midship is the order of the day.have a great time.

[sddsddean]

You can get loads of info at http://www.cruisecritic.com/
and can even join the roll call for your cruise, so you will know someone before you go. We were on Freedom in January (Indie's sister ship) and it was brilliant. Its a huge ship, but you will not have a dull moment in 4 days!! If this is your first cruise, you will be hooked!! Have fun and remember the number one rule...ENJOY YOURSELF!!!

[nuttybird]

Many thanks to all who have replied. We will definitely enjoy ourselves! At least we will know for the next cruise where we want our cabin to be. I have registered on Cruise Critic - am hooked on that site already, and that's just today!

Thanks again and happy cruising to you all!

[auntiebertie]

To be honest on IotS the inside cabins are mostly at the front or at the back of the ship - this is because the 6th, 7th and 8th floors in the centre of the ship are taken up with the Promenade rooms which overlook the Royal Promonade. The only way you will get central is if you book the top inside category [L] and you will then be up on deck 9 or 10. To be honest, for your first cruise you will probably spend all your time exploring the ship and will only use the cabin to sleep in. The ship is not going far enough to experience any really rocky seas!!! [I hope!!]

I too would have suggested Cruise Critic but see that you are already there........it is horribly addictive and I spend hours on it every day!
Not many Brits know about it so I spread the word whenever anyone asks about cruises on this board!! Not sure that the roll calls will be very active but the RCL board certainly will tell you everything you want to know - right down to the menu's as the Americans tend to want to know everything in detail before they travel so there is little sense of surprise for them...!!!

[nuttybird]

Auntiebertie, thanks for that. I'm no longer worrying where the cabin is - as you say, I shan't be in it much! I guess there is a bit of a roll call going on on CC, which I have now entered. What with spending time on this site and CC I'm getting no real work done!!

Many thanks for replying.

[paulwhiting]

Nutty,

I have in the last 3 years taken to crusing, the whole snobby theory of crusing is somewhat out of date. were a family of 4 with children aged 11 & 9 and we love it. the children are looked after and love the organised diary. They also get to see various countrys and stops usually have very interesting trips planned. Also the ships are varying in size but inherantly huge so you dont really know your sailing. Tha cabin I agree is only somewhere to get your head down so we also dont spend extra money on a large room, this money is better spent on trips, and tips for those you think have done a good job. I would not just agree to the pre charged tips. go to the desk and opt out and tip those your feel went that extra mile.Were going on the independence next week and cant wait. email me at [email protected] and I will send ya some pics. we cant wait. good luck with your cruise., Paul

[nuttybird]

Hi Paul

It was a surprise to get a response to my queries from a year ago! Are you on the maiden voyage next Friday? That's the one I'm on!! I have spent the majority of the last year hooked to Cruise Critic and now at last we've only a week to go! Did you see The One Show tonight with Carol Thatcher on the Independence? I missed most of it - a friend phoned me while I was cleaning out the chooks but by the time I got indoors it was almost over! We were lucky enough to be upgraded to a balcony cabin so I'm extremely happy about that!! I wish you a fab time on the cruise!!