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Is it better to be in the front or back of a cruise ship?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 11, 2026

If you suffer from motion sickness, or are a first-time cruiser and want to play it safe; it is not recommended you sail in a stateroom in the forward section of the ship. The most desirable location is a mid-ship stateroom, or if not available, a stateroom towards the back (aft) of the ship.

Which side of a cruise ship is best to be on?

starboard side of the ship is best to stay on. Your decision will depend on a variety of factors, from your stateroom type to your cruise itinerary. Here are helpful tips for choosing which side of the ship will suit you best.

What is the best deck to be on a cruise ship?

The best deck on a cruise ship to avoid seasickness is the lowest passenger deck. This is because the top of a ship sways from side to side much more than the bottom. To avoid motion sickness, choose a cabin close to the waterline.

Is forward or aft better for seasickness?

The forward is subject to the most movement out of anywhere on a ship. And the higher the deck, the more pronounced that rolling and swaying motion tends to feel. Movement at the aft is a bit less drastic than the forward, but still isn't the most stable place for those who are prone to seasickness.

Is it rough on the back of a cruise ship?

It more likely depends on how the seas are. My last cruise was in the back and the seas were so calm I only felt motion a few times. Cruise before that seas were alittle rougher, I was in a middle cabin but felt lots of motion. That's all just my experience, most say the middle is best but I've not seen a difference.

22 related questions found

Where is the best cabin position on a cruise ship?

Cabins at the very front or very back of a cruise ship are most likely to have the best views, as they offer the widest vistas of the ocean stretching out behind or in front of the ship -- or in the case of forward cabins, your next port of call.

Where should you not stay on a cruise?

"What cabins should I avoid on my cruise?" It's a question that first-time cruisers and even those who've been on a few can't help but wonder when planning their vacation.
...

  • Interior Cabins That Are Cramped and Often Windowless. ...
  • Cruise Ship Cabins With Obstructed Views. ...
  • Noisy Cabins. ...
  • Cabins With No Privacy.

Is the aft of a cruise ship noisy?

Worried about the noise of fellow cruisers? Aft cabins on cruise ships tend to be quieter, as they're farther from the midship bustle of activity that might be just a few decks above or below you, like bars, lounges, pools and the atrium.

Where is the best place on a cruise ship to avoid seasickness?

To reduce motion sickness, choose a stateroom in the middle of the ship on a lower deck. You will feel any sway of the ship less in this section. Although it may seem counterintuitive, if you're worried about seasickness on a cruise, book a stateroom with a window or a veranda.

What is the best floor to stay on a cruise ship?

Even if you choose a balcony room, choose a low level and a room closest to the ship's center. The higher decks and cabins at the front (forward) or back (aft) of the ship will rock and roll the most.

Is it worth the money to get a balcony on a cruise?

But Driscoll says price may not be the deterrent it once was. A few years ago, he says, "you'd be paying double to get a balcony." Now, cabins with balconies on a standard, seven-day cruise generally cost $100 more than those with a window, and between $150 and $200 more than a stateroom inside the ship.

Is it best to prepay gratuities on a cruise?

Bottom Line: In general, we opt to prepay gratuities on a cruise simply because we like not having to worry about them creating a higher bill once on the ship. That said, there's no harm in opting to wait as the gratuities will be charged automatically once on the ship. It all comes down to personal preference.

What is a French balcony on a cruise ship?

French Balcony – typically on the top 2 decks of a rivership, a sliding glass door opens up to railing, but you cannot step outside. This is the most common type of cabin available, and the one I recommend, excepting Viking Longships. This is also known as a “Juliet” balcony.

Is the front of a cruise ship rough?

Anchor noise issues aside, the big reason you might want to steer clear of the front of a ship is that you'll likely feel the motion of the waves more distinctly. The front of a ship can be the most uncomfortable place to be in big waves.

Which side of the ship is better for Alaska?

How do you pick a cabin for an Alaskan cruise? You want to look at which way you are sailing. If you are cruising north, it's best to select a starboard (or right side) stateroom since the land is on that side. When sailing south from Alaska to Vancouver or Seattle, choose a port (left side) stateroom.

What is the difference between port side and starboard?

When looking forward, toward the bow of a ship, port and starboard refer to the left and right sides, respectively. In the early days of boating, before ships had rudders on their centerlines, boats were controlled using a steering oar.

Where is the quietest room on a cruise ship?

Rear-facing balcony cabins are among the best balcony cabins on any ship. Often, their balconies are bigger than balconies on side-facing cabins and they also feel quiet. There are far fewer balcony cabins at the back of a ship than on the sides of a ship, so you don't hear a lot of noise from your neighbors.

What is the quietest part of a cruise ship?

It is critical to get a room that's between other staterooms. And that means completed surrounded by other rooms on all sides, left and right, above and below. This is just because those rooms are most likely to be the quietest on the entire ship.

Where is the most movement on a cruise ship?

1-Front (front of the ship)

Of all the cabin locations you can get this is probably the worst for movement. If you imagine a cruise ship as a see-saw, as it cuts through the waves the front of the ship will dip down in the water and then come back up, meaning you'll get the most movement at the front of the ship.

Is an aft facing balcony better?

The view from an aft balcony is of the ship's wake; the view from side balconies is better for viewing the port (and late-returning pier runners). Aft cabins can feel more movement from the ship's thrusters; this is true whether your balcony looks aft or faces to the side at the back end of the ship.

Is the carnival radiance a new ship?

For 2020 sailings and beyond, our beloved Carnival Victory™ has a new name, remarkable new features and a whole new level of excitement around its transformation into Carnival Radiance™.

Can you feel a cruise ship moving?

You may feel the ship move when on a cruise. Most passengers describe the feeling as a vibration instead of defined movements. The degree of movement felt does increase if the cruise ship is traveling through bad weather and you may be able to feel when the cruise ship is docking or pulling away from the port.

Can you sleep on the balcony of a cruise ship?

Can You Sleep on a Cruise Ship Balcony? There are no rules that say that passengers on cruise ships can't sleep on their balconies. That said, cruise lines do generally advise against it. Despite this many people enjoy sleeping on their balconies and you won't have any problem doing so if you want to.

What decks to avoid on a cruise ship?

Staterooms directly below public and entertainment areas

Cruise ship deck plans really are your best friend. Examine these carefully to identify cabins that are near public areas. Avoid choosing a cabin above, below or nearby the cruise ship's theatre, bars, nightclub, buffet restaurant and Kids' Clubs.

What is the average number of passengers on a cruise ship?

How Many People Are on a Cruise Ship? The average cruise ship carries around 3,000 passengers, and some may hold over 6,000.