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 Wait, What Kind of Cabin Is That? 3 Underrated Cruise Rooms That Might Be Your Perfect Match

By Lisa, Bracco Cruise & Travel

Let’s talk cruise cabins. Most travelers automatically reach for a balcony without even thinking twice. And while balconies are great (fresh air, morning coffee with a view, etc.), there are a few underrated cabin types that might actually be a better fit—for your budget, your travel style, or your sanity.

These cabins aren’t about bragging rights. They’re about comfort, value, and making the most of your cruise experience. Ready to cruise smarter, not flashier? Let’s dive in.

1. Spa Balcony Cabins – Celebrity Cruises (and others)

If you're someone who books a massage before unpacking or dreams of thermal loungers and eucalyptus steam rooms, a Spa Balcony is your happy place at sea.

Why it's underrated:

• Spa access included or discounted

• Located near spa areas for easy access

• Often includes upgraded amenities like plush robes, fancy bath products, or wellness dining options

• Priority reservations for spa treatments and classes

Perfect for: Solo cruisers who need to recharge, couples looking for peace, and anyone who thinks "vacation" = "self-care."

Pro Tip: These cabins often come with access to specialty restaurants or relaxation rooms most passengers don’t even know exist.

2. Solo Studio Cabins – Norwegian Cruise Line

These compact, efficient, and single-occupancy rooms are a game-changer for solo travelers. No more paying double for the privilege of traveling alone.

Why it's underrated:

• No single supplement (huge deal!)

• Access to a private solo traveler lounge (on most ships)

• Budget-friendly without sacrificing comfort

• Designed for solo living: USB ports, smart storage, great lighting

Perfect for: Independent adventurers, digital nomads, or cruisers who love having their own space and schedule.

Pro Tip: Norwegian's studio lounge gives solo travelers a built-in social scene. You can mingle when you want to—and vanish when you don’t.

3. Obstructed View Balcony – Cunard, Holland America & Others

Yes, there's something in your view—usually a lifeboat. But here's what you get in exchange: a balcony for less than the price of a full oceanview.

Why it's underrated:

• Big savings without giving up the fresh-air perk

• Still lets you sit outside, enjoy the breeze, and have a private space

• Obstructions vary, and some aren’t as bad as they sound (I've seen some where it's just a partial rail view!)

• Great for guests who value atmosphere over Instagram shots

Perfect for: Budget-conscious travelers who value fresh air over a picture-perfect panorama.

Pro Tip: Ask your travel advisor (👋) to check specific cabin numbers. Some "obstructed" views are barely blocked and give you major value.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right cabin isn’t just about views—it’s about how you want to feel onboard. Whether that means having your own peaceful corner, extra spa perks, or just saving money while still enjoying your balcony, there are options out there that might surprise you.

Cabin choice is part of the cruise experience—and it can make or break your trip. That’s why I help every client find the perfect fit for their vibe, budget, and goals.

Want help finding your match? I’d love to help.

📩 Braccocruiseandtravel@gmail.com
🌐 www.braccocruiseandtravel.com
📞 (786) 661-5175

Happy cruising, smart cruisers.

— Lisa

https://braccocruiseandtravel.blogspot.com/2025/07/wait-what-kind-of-cabin-is-that-3.html

🚢 The Ship: Enchanted Princess

Condition & Cleanliness:
 The Enchanted Princess is a beautiful vessel, though we did notice some wear in spots—especially in the carpeting within certain staterooms. Several guests mentioned that the ship felt unusually warm, with hallways and elevators lacking adequate air conditioning. This was a common discomfort even for passengers who usually prefer warmer temperatures. That said, the Plaza was a stunning centerpiece of the ship, with its elegant marble staircases and rich finishes creating a luxe, welcoming vibe.

Décor & Ambiance:
 Tastefully done. The ship feels upscale without being stuffy, blending modern touches with classic Princess charm. Soft lighting, nautical tones, and relaxing lounge areas made it easy to unwind and soak in the cruise life.

Crowd Level & Vibe:
 A lively mix of guests—retirees, middle-aged couples, and families with children—created a friendly, upbeat atmosphere. Some younger cruisers felt that onboard activities lacked energy and variety, but many appreciated the house band, silent disco, and other entertainment options. Families did note limited childcare hours, which could impact evening dining plans for parents.

 🛏️ Cabin B738 – Aft Balcony Review

Layout & Space:
 Cabin B738 featured a classic layout with a comfortable couch and small table, a desk with chair, and a large open closet with plenty of shelf space—perfect for those of us who pack with cubes! The bathroom was compact but functional, with thoughtful shelving both above and below the sink. Amenities included body wash, a shampoo/conditioner combo, hand wash, moisturizer, and a generous flat-screen TV loaded with movies and shows.

Balcony Experience (Wake View!):
 The wake view was breathtaking, and the balcony was larger than average—a real treat! However, the strong Caribbean sun made it almost too hot to use during the day unless you wore shoes or laid out early in the morning. For a cooler-weather itinerary (like Alaska), this cabin would be ideal. I personally loved it, though my husband found the sun and heat overwhelming.

Noise/Vibration:
There was a noticeable vibration in this aft cabin, enough to make the hangers clink. I didn’t mind it, but it’s worth noting. Additionally, there was occasional diesel residue and odor on the balcony, which required daily wipe-downs by our steward. Other passengers shared similar experiences with cabin temperature and vibration. 

Proximity to Elevators/Stairs:
 Being in the aft meant more walking—especially since the aft elevators didn’t reach all decks (notably Deck 5). Expect to get your steps in! We didn’t mind, but it’s something to be aware of when choosing a cabin.

Would I Book This Cabin Again?
 For me: absolutely—especially for the view and space. My husband, however, says he’d only choose this cabin again for a cooler-weather cruise.

🍽️ Dining & Drinks:

Main Dining Room Experience:
 We dined in the main dining room a few evenings, and while the service was friendly and the presentation lovely, the menu overall felt average—solid but not standout. Several passengers echoed that the MDR food quality and variety had declined compared to previous years.

Buffet & Quick Bites:
 The World Fresh Marketplace on Deck 16 was a highlight! From global cuisine to themed lunch stations, it was fresh, flavorful, and well-stocked throughout the day. We appreciated the rotating selections and the layout made it easy to navigate.
A must-mention: The International Café on Deck 5. This became our go-to spot for coffee, light bites, and late-night snacks. Everything from smoothies and pastries to fresh fruit and sandwiches was available—and delicious.

Specialty Treats:
Don’t skip the Gelato Shop! If you have the Princess Plus package, you get two premium desserts daily—and if you’ve upgraded to Princess Premier, they’re unlimited. Rich, creamy, and worth the indulgence!
Many guests also raved about Crown Grill (steakhouse), Sabatini’s (Italian), and Rudi’s Seagrill for seafood.

Juice Bar:
 Open from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM, this was a refreshing addition. We especially enjoyed the “Rejuvenator,” “Booster,” and “Antioxidant” blends. Great way to start your day, especially after a night of indulging.

Bars & Beverages:
 Bar service was mixed. At peak times, it was tough to get a drink quickly—especially poolside. Some guests found “Ocean Now” app drink orders inconsistent. Roaming drink attendants helped bridge the gap by offering service throughout public areas.

Room Service:
 A big win here! We pre-ordered breakfast on excursion days, and it arrived promptly at 6:20 AM. Enjoying coffee, juice, fruit, and breakfast sandwiches on our balcony—before the sun became too strong—was one of the most peaceful moments of the trip. Some passengers did report wait times for room service dinner approaching 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.

✨ Overall Cruise Impression

Our 7-night sailing aboard the Enchanted Princess to the Western Caribbean was, overall, a memorable getaway with plenty of highlights—and a few hiccups. Embarkation took about 50 minutes despite having our Medallions shipped ahead of time, and many fellow cruisers also shared that the crowded embarkation process could benefit from more structured time slots. After checking in, we were assigned a number and directed to a large holding area until our group was called. Not quite the breezy start we hoped for, but once onboard, the cruise experience smoothed out quickly.

Our cabin steward, Zaldy, was exceptional—professional, hardworking, and always attentive. This sentiment was echoed by many passengers praising the friendly and helpful crew, especially stewards and baristas onboard. Throughout the voyage, I engaged with fellow cruisers in the Facebook “Enchanted Princess – June 7th” group to gather their feedback (the good, the bad, and everything in between), which I’ve incorporated here to provide a well-rounded, honest review.

🌟 Voices from Fellow Enchanted Cruisers

I reached out to my fellow passengers on the June 7th sailing and gathered a wide range of honest feedback to round out this review:

• Heat & Comfort: Multiple guests commented that the ship felt unusually hot—both in cabins and public areas—which was a common discomfort, even for those who usually get cold. The lack of AC in some hallways and elevators was mentioned frequently.

• Staff & Service: The crew received many compliments, especially cabin stewards and baristas like Merlin at the International Café. However, some found drink service inconsistent—particularly with the “Ocean Now” app and wait times for room service reaching up to 1.5 hours.

• Dining: The Main Dining Room had its fans but also some critiques about menu variety declining since prior years. The buffet and specialty spots like the gelato shop were popular picks. Some disappointment was expressed over the removal of self-serve tea and lemonade stations.

• Embarkation & Organization: Many found embarkation crowded and chaotic, preferring a more structured time-slot system.

• Ship Amenities: Guests appreciated the beautiful public spaces but noted safety concerns in the Enclave spa area due to slippery floors and lack of mats. Also, removal of favorite casino poker tables and poorly hosted solo cruiser meetups were noted as missed opportunities.

• Family & Activities: Childcare hours were seen as inconvenient for parents wanting evening dinners out, and some younger guests felt onboard activities lacked energy and variety.

🎭 Entertainment & Activities

Entertainment onboard Enchanted Princess offers something for everyone, though opinions varied among cruisers. Many passengers enjoyed the house band and silent disco, praising the lively atmosphere and fun vibe. However, some younger cruisers felt that overall activities lacked energy and staff spirit compared to other cruise lines. A few noted that certain scheduled events disappeared from the app during the week, causing some frustration.

Game shows and trivia were popular favorites, with many passengers highlighting these as engaging ways to spend the evenings. Solo and single cruiser meet-ups were available but reportedly lacked official hosting, leading to inconsistent attendance and occasional scheduling conflicts with private events. Passengers suggested Princess could improve these gatherings to better serve solo travelers.

Families with children noted childcare hours were somewhat restrictive—closing from 5 to 7 pm—which limited options for parents wanting an evening out. This was a point to consider for cruisers traveling with young children.

Entertainment Review by Sydney & Aidan: Voices of the Ocean, Ken Boyd’s Comedian Show, and the Marriage Match Game Show were great additions to our onboard experience. It’s worth noting that guests should arrive 15 minutes early for seating in the Princess Theater, as it filled up quickly—especially for those with larger party sizes. These were the shows we personally attended and enjoyed, but other cruisers spoke very highly of the performing talent showcased in Princess’s own productions.

Dining: Alfredo’s Slice served delicious, always-ready pizza by the slice from noon to night, making it an easily accessible dining choice at no additional cost. We would recommend skipping Gigi’s Pizzeria, as the pizzas were very similar and the wait times were especially long during lunchtime.

The World Fresh Marketplace offered tasty food throughout the day with a variety of menu options. However, some quality issues were noted—particularly with the white rice, which was often undercooked and led to some health issues for those who ate it. The oatmeal served at breakfast was bland and overly saturated, though many other breakfast options were available.

At the omelet station, one of the workers was very accommodating to one of our party’s dietary preferences, serving fresh and hot scrambled eggs daily (often 4 to 8 eggs at a time). Shout-out to Sagun for the wonderful service! Honorable mention to the crepe station each night, which made for a tasty dessert.

The Catch by Rudi: We had dinner reservations for two at 8:40 PM. We waited a bit for seating, but the service was excellent, and the menu options were outstanding. When there was a delay in our main course, they provided complimentary appetizers and apologized sincerely. Each dish was presented with elegant detail. We were each able to pick a starter, a main, and a dessert, all of which we found delicious. We would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a high-end dining experience.

– Sydney & Aidan

🧳 Embarkation & Debarkation

As mentioned earlier, embarkation was a sticking point for many. The process felt crowded and slow, with passengers wishing for dedicated time slots to ease boarding flow. Debarkation was smoother but still required patience due to volume.

🌟 Hits, Misses & Must-Knows

Favorite Moments:

• Waking up to the aft balcony wake view.

• Fresh and varied buffet options.

• Friendly, hardworking crew.

• Gelato indulgences and specialty dining treats.

Disappointments:

• Ship temperature issues and lack of air conditioning in common areas.

• Crowded embarkation and drink service delays.

• Removal of favorite casino poker tables and limited childcare hours.

• Some guests felt onboard activities lacked energy and variety.

Pro Tips:

• Use room service breakfast before excursions—early delivery beats the heat!

• Pack layers for temperature fluctuations onboard.

• Book excursions early and confirm childcare availability if traveling with kids.

• Expect a good number of steps, especially if staying aft.

🧭 Would I Recommend This Cruise?

The Enchanted Princess Western Caribbean cruise offers a fantastic mix of destinations, comfortable accommodations, and genuinely warm service—perfect for families, couples, solo cruisers, and adventurers alike. While there were some operational hiccups—like long lines, warm cabin temperatures, and inconsistent service in a few areas—they weren’t dealbreakers for most. In fact, many passengers (myself included!) are already talking about sailing on her again.

If you're considering this itinerary, pack a little patience and a lot of sunscreen. The ports are vibrant, the balcony views unforgettable, and the crew works hard to make your voyage smooth.

🌬️If you're booking an aft-facing balcony like ours (B738), just know it’s a sun-lover’s paradise—not ideal for those sensitive to heat. For a similar stateroom experience in a cooler climate, consider other Princess ships that do sail to Alaska, like Discovery Princess, Royal Princess, or Grand Princess. 

As a certified travel advisor and cruise lover, I believe every cruise tells a story—and Enchanted Princess still has a pretty magical one to share.

 Ready to set sail on your own unforgettable adventure?
Whether you crave Caribbean sunshine, breathtaking views, or personalized service from booking to return, I’m here to make it seamless and special.

Let’s start planning your dream cruise today!

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