Putting mattresses on cruise balconies isn't exactly a new trend. However, one guest took the idea to a whole new level. 

A viral video taken at Perfect Day at CocoCay shows a Royal Caribbean passenger with a rollaway cot on their balcony, comfortably relaxing and reading. The unidentified guest also made a make-shift nightstand with one of the balcony's chairs. 

The passenger was sailing aboard Allure of the Seas, according to the ship's lifeboats. It wasn't the first time someone had done some light redecorating on their balcony on Allure, either! 

In March 2024, two guests were caught lying on their mattress on the balcony while the ship was docked at CocoCay. The Facebook post garnered mixed opinions from Royal Caribbean fans and cruisers alike. 

(Credit: @cartelmarcel/TikTok)

The TikTok showing the cruiser on the cot, which was posted by user @cartelmarcel, has received over 165k likes, 2,400 comments, and 1,900 shares since being posted in February 2025. 

And like the previous incident, the TikTok sparked a flurry of opinions across the cruising community, with many defending the passenger’s creativity and vacation. 

"Imagine judging someone for relaxing on their vacation that they paid for 😬🙄," one TikToker wrote

(Credit: @cartelmarcel/TikTok)

"Let's normalize not recording people all the damn time," another added. 

One user commented, "They thought it was weird to roll a bed onto a balcony but not weird to record someone who is minding their own business?" 

Should you film cruisers without permission?

(Credit: Facebook)

The act of filming other cruise passengers, without their knowledge or consent, has gotten a lot of criticism online.

Although balcony rooms are often visible from other cabins, especially when docked in port, many still believe they are entitled to privacy on their balcony. 

"People have no privacy these days," someone commented on @cartelmarcel's TikTok, "There should be a law against people recording and posting you without your consent." 

That said, because there are no rules prohibiting this, you should be careful with what you do on your balcony — or anywhere else on the ship.

If you don't want to become the next viral sensation, you shouldn't do anything that you would not be okay with being shared online. 

Moving cruise cabin furniture out to your balcony is becoming popular amongst cruisers

(Credit: @naomijaneadams/TikTok)

The guests on Allure of the Seas aren't the only cruisers who have been caught with cabin mattresses on their balconies. Another guest was criticized for creating a bed on their balcony while sailing to Antarctica. 

In a viral TikTok shared in June 2024, Naomi Adams posted herself on her verandah with a plush comforter and the text, "Is somebody gonna match my freak (travel to Antarctica and set up my bed on the ship balcony so I don't miss any whales penguins & seals)."

Another person posted that a twin-sized mattress fits perfectly on Carnival Breeze's balconies:

Read more: Passenger criticized on TikTok for making a bed on cruise ship balcony

(Credit: @numberonecrush88/Reddit)

"...[W]e figured out that the twin sized mattresses fit on the carnival breeze cove balconies. Way more comfortable than a deck chair. We were very careful to not damage or dirty anything and we put everything back where we found it after enjoying some wine and a cheese plate on the balcony," numberonecrush88 wrote on Reddit. 

Even with the trend becoming more popular on social media, not everyone is on board with the idea of dragging cabin mattresses onto the balcony. 

"Hmm, I think bringing an air mattress would be a good alternative to using the bed mattress. I don’t love the idea of people putting the mattress on the ground overnight then back in the cabin. I feel like the mattress will get damp that way," one Redditor said. 

"Nah, this is weird. Other people now have to sleep on that mattress that was sitting on an exterior floor. I get [that] those mattresses aren’t the cleanest to begin with, but this is unnecessary. So many people lack [self-awareness], it’s crazy. There are chairs out there for a reason,” said someone else. 

Cruise cabins are notoriously small. Unless you’re splurging on a spacious, luxurious suite, you can expect your cruise stateroom to be smaller than an average hotel room.

The size of a cruise cabin varies greatly by cabin category, cruise line, and cruise ship. First-time cruisers might be surprised by the compact nature of cabins, especially windowless interior staterooms.

Most inside cruise cabins are anywhere from 140 square feet to 180 square feet, while balcony cabins tend to be larger, between 175 square feet to 220 square feet. On the other hand, suites are larger but range greatly. Some can be as large as 1,500 square feet, while entry-level junior suites are closer to 300 square feet.

For the majority of cruisers sailing in standard cabins, this means a little bit of clutter can quickly make your small space feel out of control. Not to mention, if you’re traveling with multiple people in your same stateroom, you’ll want to maximize your space with smart storage hacks.

If you’re wondering how to make the most of your small cruise cabin, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve sailed on over 50 cruises, mostly in tiny interior staterooms and standard balcony cabins. Even as an occasional over-packer, I’ve always been able to comfortably unpack in my cruise cabin. Consider using these expert tips and storage strategies to keep your cruise cabin both organized and tidy.

P.S. We've included some referral links to products listed in the article. If you use our link, we earn a small commission on your purchase. This costs you nothing extra but supports our site. Feel free to check out our Amazon Store Front for other favorite cruise products and essential travel items. Thanks!

1. Bring magnetic hooks

One of the best items to bring for your cruise cabin organization is a small set of magnetic hooks. Because cruise cabins have metal walls, anything magnetized can be hung directly on your wall.

Many longtime cruisers will never embark on a cruise without magnetic hooks. These can be used for a variety of purposes, but especially hanging small items on your cabin wall, such as lightweight jackets, your cruise lanyard, and small bags. I find these are especially important for longer itineraries where you might be packing more than normal. Instead of cluttering your vanity, you can keep these hanging on the magnetic hooks.

A small pack of magnetic hooks is a cheap investment in your cabin essentials. Some packs include 6 magnetic hooks for only $4.99. If you’re wanting to hang heavier items, such as larger bags or winter coats for an Alaskan cruise, consider upgrading to heavy-duty magnetic hooks that can hold more weight.

2. Unpack your suitcase

A few years ago, I cruised with family members who refused to unpack their suitcases on a 12-night cruise. With four people in an interior stateroom, they kept their suitcases stacked on the couch for the entire cruise! The cabin was so cramped, they were constantly tripping over their unpacked bags.

Cruise cabins are equipped with closets, shelving, and drawers for storage. While I rarely unpack in a hotel room, I always utilize the storage in a cruise cabin. This makes your stateroom quickly feel more organized rather than feeling like you’re living out of a suitcase.

After boarding your cruise, consider spending 30 minutes unpacking your belongings. I prefer to unpack after the ship sets sail and before dinner on the first day. If you need additional hangers for the closet to hang more clothes, simply ask your stateroom attendant, and they’ll be happy to provide those for you. Once you're unpacked, you won't need to worry about this for the rest of the cruise!

3. Use packing cubes for easy unpacking

Speaking of unpacking, you should also consider using packing cubes for your next cruise. I started using packing cubes a few years ago, and now I never travel without them. Packing cubes allow you to organize your clothes into separate cubes to stay organized. 

I prefer using compression packing cubes for my carry-on during shorter cruises to optimize every inch of my suitcase. Compression packing cubes have a second zipper to condense your clothes and remove extra air. I’m not typically a very organized person, but packing cubes change that. 

My suitcase is neatly and perfectly organized when I head to the cruise terminal. After arriving to my cabin on the first day, I simply remove the packing cubes and place them into the drawers or shelves in the stateroom. This makes unpacking a breeze! At the end of the cruise, I’ll designate one packing cube for dirty clothes to make laundry easier when I return from vacation.

4. Store your suitcase under the bed

Remember my family members who refused to unpack in their cabin? Imagine my shock when I saw all eight of their suitcases stacked on top of one another. Because it was their first cruise, they hadn’t considered keeping some suitcases under the bed to save space. This is a huge storage strategy, and you shouldn’t forget about the empty space under your bed. 

I prefer to cruise with my favorite set of luggage from Away Travel for easy storage. One of the biggest perks of this luggage is the ability to store the smaller suitcases within the largest one. I can cruise with three suitcases (which I’ve done for longer 12-night to 15-night itineraries) and unpack without issue. I’ll store the smaller suitcases in my large checked bag and store this under my bed.

If you prefer to leave your suitcase unzipped, you can also use this for dirty clothes during the cruise. This can slide out from under the bed whenever you need to access it, and return to its storage spot when not needed.

Use this link for $40 off your Away Luggage purchase!

5. Bring a collapsible mesh hamper for dirty clothes

One of my favorite hacks for cruise cabin storage is packing a collapsible mesh hamper. These are also available at the dollar store for $1.25, making them a very cheap investment to improve your cabin experience.

A collapsible hamper takes up virtually no space in your suitcase, especially in larger suitcases where you can lay it on the bottom of your luggage. Keep the hamper in your closet throughout the cruise for dirty clothes instead of forming a large (and probably stinky) pile of clothes at the bottom of the closet. I prefer transferring the dirty hamper directly into a designated packing cube for returning home.

6. Do laundry in your cabin bathroom

No one wants to think of doing chores while on vacation, especially laundry! But, if you’re trying to keep your suitcase light with minimal packing, you could wash a few items in your cabin bathroom. In fact, I did laundry in a cruise cabin bathroom for 100 days during my Semester at Sea study abroad program in college. I lived on a cruise ship and washed all of my clothes in the sink.

You can bring a small laundry detergent, such as travel-sized Tide packets, or even use the provided soap in your shower. I've used both the bathroom sink and the shower to wash a few items while cruising. 

If I need to wash a few items, I’ll prioritize washing my athleisure clothes with quick-dry material. Most cruise cabin bathrooms will have either a retractable hanging line or hooks in the shower for hang drying. It’s certainly not glamorous, but it gets the job done!

7. Pack a hanging toiletry bag for cosmetics

If you think your cruise cabin itself is small, wait until you see the bathroom! Cruise cabin bathrooms are often compact, especially on older cruise ships, and space can be very limited. Most cruise stateroom bathrooms have some shelving for storage, but it’s minimal. With multiple people sharing the bathroom, you might find yourself running out of room for everyone’s toiletry bags and cosmetics.

To stay organized without taking up too much space, pack a hanging toiletry bag to place on the back of the door. The toiletry bag is easily accessible without taking up any space on the vanity or counter. I’ve never been on a cruise ship without hooks on the back of the bathroom door, so you can be assured that you’ll have a place to hang your bag.

8. Bring a charging stand for electronics

If you’re like me, you travel with way too many charging cords for your electronics. It seems like everything needs to be charged these days, but few things have the same charging port. In addition, older cruise cabins might only have one or two outlets to charge all of your electronics. With more than one person, you might find yourself fighting over the outlets to charge your devices. 

To keep your vanity organized and save space in your suitcase, pack a multi-use charging stand. These can charge multiple devices at once, including your phone, smartwatch, and headphones. This will save you space in your cabin and reduce clutter on the vanity. 

9. Pack versatile outfits

Most mainstream cruises are generally very casual, meaning you won’t need to be too dressy for dinner in the evenings. This is especially true on a Royal Caribbean cruise. If you’re tight on space for your luggage, don’t stress too much about your dinner outfits.

Prioritize packing outfits that are versatile for your entire vacation. I prefer to pack dresses that I would be comfortable wearing throughout the day. In addition, I don’t pack a specific outfit for formal night anymore. This takes up too much space in my luggage, and I don’t want to bring a special pair of shoes that I’d only wear one evening.

As such, don’t be afraid to rewear your dinner outfits. Only you will know that you’re wearing the same outfit twice! Like they say, you’re never going to see these people again. Save the space and minimize your dinner outfits. 

For as long as I can remember, the shower on a cruise ship was never the best feature in the cabin.

Most cruise ships have showers that look like a tube meant to beam people up into space.  Not only that, they were super tiny and it felt like I had to keep my arms in and tucked.

It was not only cramped, but made the shower experience less enjoyable.  When you have lots of hot water and great water pressure, that's not something to pass up.

Luckily, Royal Caribbean introduced a new shower for its cabins on the biggest ship in the world and it's a game changer.

Goodbye capsule showers, hello space!

Royal Caribbean is proud of so many innovations introduced on Icon of the Seas, but I think the shower design is unheralded win.

Because Icon was the first of its class, it was treated as a "white paper" ship and every aspect of it was rethought from the ground up, including cabin design.

On ships that came before Icon, standard cabin showers were a tight fit space that looked like a capsule.  In fact, it had curved plastic shower doors that truly felt like you were entering the turbo lift on a Star Trek ship.

The showers were even worse on the older, smaller ships that had a fabric shower divider instead of the plastic.  That curtain loves to cling to you while you shower.

They were certainly functional, but I can't say there was much enjoyment being in them because of how cramped it felt.  I was just glad I wasn't that tall, because I don't know how tall people managed to shower.

Shower design got a little better with newer ships, such as Odyssey of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas.  Clearly more space was given, but it was still a tube.

The improvement came with Icon of the Seas, which redesigned the space completely.

Gone was the capsule design, and instead, we got a shower that looks like one we might actually have at home.

It spans the width of the bathroom and has floor to ceiling glass, providing lots of space and most importantly, room for your elbows!

The glass door maneuvered inward and sideways to keep the bathroom less cramped. 

Another smart change was to add a bench to the shower, once again providing space and functionality to the shower.

It's a far more spacious design, and prior to Icon, you could only find showers like this in suite cabins.

The shower head is also adjustable, as it can slide up or down the pole to provide the right height.

There's a black release button on the back of the arm that the showerhead attaches to that you can press in order to make the adjustment.

Something else worth noting is there's a guard to prevent the shower from getting extra hot, but you can override it.

When Icon launched, there was some that claimed you couldn't get a hot shower on the new ship, but those folks didn't understand how the temperature controls worked.

The temperature control will stop at 38°C (100°F), but you can override it by pressing the black button on the left to move it past the stopper.

Having gone on Star of the Seas in a couple of different cabins, and in each the shower configuration was very nice.

A world different from the worst shower design

If you're saying "Matt, there's no way the shower on a cruise ship makes a difference", then I'd say you haven't cruised on a cruise ship with the cloth curtain showers.

On the Radiance, Vision and some Voyager Class ships are bathrooms that have a tube shower that have a cloth curtain instead of plastic.

This is problematic for two reasons.

First, the curtain does a very poor job at keeping the water inside the shower.  It flails open constantly and you're all but guaranteed to flood your bathroom.

Second, it tends to cling to your body as you're in the shower.

Like a needy ex, I hate clinginess, and then you have to remember that curtain has touched a lot of other people over the years. 

Carnival is joining the trend too

When one of our writers went on Carnival's newest ships, I noticed their shower design also departed from the tube shower.

On Carnival Jubilee, a balcony cabin had a "stylish and well-designed" bathroom.

"The best aspect of the bathroom was the large walk-in shower," wrote Allie Hubers when she sailed on Jubilee.

Just like Icon and Star, the shower was rather large with a glass door that maneuvered inward.

Royal Caribbean is known for being a family cruise line, but which cabin would be the best choice to book?

I've been cruising with my family ever since my first kid was old enough to sail, but there are different needs once you introduce kids into the mix.

Families are often looking for space, privacy, and convenience with their room choice, and if they can not spend a lot for it, then it's a bonus.

Royal Caribbean has a fairly wide range of cruise ship cabins to choose from, even if you're trying to stick to a budget.

Those willing to spend more will find sprawling suites with crazy amenities, but there are also very nice options that will work well in the lower category cabins too.

Here are my top picks for finding the the perfect family-friendly cruise cabin on Royal Caribbean.

1. Budget-friendly cabins

Interior and Ocean View Rooms: These are slightly larger cabins that can sleep up to four people in the cabin.

In addition to the bed that can be combined to form a king or split apart, there are going to be either pullman beds that descend from the ceiling or sofa beds that open up for the extra passenger.

Putting four people in one room will likely be the cheapest option, but it's also going to feel the most cramped. Living space will be at a premium, and all of you will share one bedroom.

Connecting cabins: My favorite configuration for families is to book two connecting staterooms that have a common door between them.

The advantage of connecting cabins is you get twice the space, an extra bathroom, an extra TV, and full separation between each room.  This is a great choice if you're cruising with teens.

Moreover, you can find connecting cabins in a variety of cabin categories, from inside to balcony. 

2. Best mid-range family-friendly cabins

Spacious Ocean View and Balcony Rooms: The advantage of booking a higher category cabin if you're putting all four of you in one room is you get more living space.

Royal Caribbean labels staterooms with the word "spacious" as an indicator it has more square footage, and that means you four people sharing the room comfortably.

Like the inside rooms, it's likely a better price, but a better compromise on the balance of space and value.

Family Ocean View Cabins: Some of the largest cabins you'll find outside of suites are the Family Ocean View Cabins.

Usually located at the very front of the ship, these are massive rooms that often have a separate sleeping room, bunk beds, and more than one bathroom.

The downside to these rooms is they are usually located in the forward area of the ship, which means a longer walk and possibly more motion.

Ultra Spacious Ocean View / Balcony Cabins: Even larger than the family cabins, Ultra Spacious rooms are enormous.

There aren't many of them, but they're designed to accommodate up to 6 passengers. You'll find ultra spacious ocean view rooms on Freedom and Oasis Class ships.

Family Infinite Ocean View Balconies: Royal Caribbean came up with a few new kinds of family staterooms for its Icon Class ships, and each relies on clever layouts.

The Family Infinite Ocean View Balconies has an infinite balcony instead of a standard balcony. This means you can convert the balcony space into an indoor living instead, which is great for young children who want to crawl and walk and have play room.

They can sleep up to six guests too.

Surfside Family View Cabins: These staterooms are located near the Surfside neighborhood, which is an area of the ship designed for young families.

There are Surfside Family View Interior or Balcony rooms, and they can handle three or four people in the room.

The rooms are convenient, as well as being in a family-focused location.

Surfside Family Suite: Royal Caribbean introduced affordable suites that are great for young kids, but also include many more perks.

The idea is having a room where kids and parents share the cabin, without feeling like everyone is on top of each other. Thanks to nooks and clever ideas, it feels like there's more separation than you might expect.

You'll also find a split bathroom and a private balcony accessible via a convertible partition in the bedroom. 

3. Best family-friendly suites

Ultimate Family Suite: If money is no object, go big and try the suite that was made to be second-to-none for families.

This incredible suite has an in-room slide, Lego wall, movie and game room, hot tub, spread across two levels, and has more games and play spaces than I ever thought possible.

Plus, it comes with Star Class perks, including the services of the Royal Genie.  It's an incredible way to vacation as a family.

It's only available on a handful of ships, such as Star of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and a few others.

Royal Family Suite: Another massive room for families to consider has about 560 square feet of space with two bedrooms.

It can sleep up to 8 people, making it the perfect suite to share with grandparents for multigenerational travel.

Tips for booking a family cruise on Royal Caribbean

No matter which suite you book, there are a few good tricks for ensuring you can get on and maybe save some money too.

First, I'd recommend using a travel agent familiar with Royal Caribbean’s family options.  

Royal Caribbean's website sometimes won't show staterooms that can sleep more than 4 people, and you wouldn't want to miss out because of that.  Travel agents are able to easily book them for you.

I recommend MEI Travel for making it as easy as possible to book a family room.

You should also book your family cruise sooner than later, especially for suites.

Royal Caribbean cruises are in high demand, and the first type of cabins to book up are usually suites and some of the unique cabins that don't have much inventory.

I'd also recommend you look at what's nearby your room before selecting a specific cabin.

Having a room near Adventure Ocean kids club, the pools, Surfside, or an area of the ship you think you'll spend a lot of time in would be smart.

Speaking of room location, always consider its location on the ship and how that may factor into motion sickness.

Certain cruise cabin locations are definitely more prone to motion, and that could be an issue for you.

Lastly, don't overlook simply booking two connecting rooms instead of a bigger, more expensive single room.

I love connecting rooms because they're often some of the best values and it gives everyone the living space they need. You might be surprised how much more economical it is to book two rooms instead of one bigger cabin.

When you're trying to decide which cruise ship cabin to book, you might be better off in an inside cabin.

I go back and forth sometimes what type of stateroom is best because each room has its own advantages.  However, I've found there are signals that you should lean in one direction or another.

Picking an inside cabin can sometimes question if you're doing it for a good reason or simply to save money. Besides budget, certain considerations might be a reason to pick an inside stateroom.

Before you decide on a stateroom to reserve, here are four compelling reasons to go with an interior cabin.

You booked a ship because of all the things to do onboard

Royal Caribbean is known for having giant cruise ships packed with so many things to do.  So if you booked a ship like Icon of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas because it has so many fun activities, perhaps an inside stateroom is a good choice.

Considering how much there is to do on the ship, how much time will you really spend in your stateroom?

I've found that when I go on the big ships, I'm instantly drawn to the activities around.  In fact, I often have a lot of FOMO when I'm in my stateroom because it seems there's a lot happening around the ship.

One of the rationales for booking an inside stateroom is in reality, you use your cabin to sleep, shower, and change.  So why spend extra on a nicer room that you won't fully take advantage of?

If one of the reasons you chose a specific ship were all the activities available to try, you might find the stateroom to be an afterthought.  And that's a good reason to stick with an inside room/

You're a light sleeper

No matter how fun a cruise ship is, if you can't get a good night's sleep, it might be frustrating.

Say what you will about the benefits of being in an larger stateroom with a beautiful balcony, but I always sleep so darn well in an inside stateroom.

First, there's no outside light to wake you up in the morning.

When I was in Europe on Independence of the Seas this summer, the sun would rise at around 4am and it messed with my brain because the light would wake me up too early.

Another advantage of an inside cabin is noise from outside the ship, especially when docking.

When our ship docked in Southampton, there was an incessant beeping noise from a truck that was backing up constantly to move items off the ship, and it began at around 5am.  

Because we were in a balcony, that truck disrupted our sleep.  But if we had been in an inside room, it wouldn't have been an issue.

You'll often hear noise on the dock when a ship docks, and it can wake you up too early. 

Without daylight pouring in, there's no natural cue to get up. If you’re the kind who loves hitting the snooze button and skipping breakfast, an inside cabin is your best ally.

There is no such thing as a room being too cold

Do you immediately crank the air conditioning to its coldest setting as soon as you walk into a hotel room? An inside cabin might be for you.

Inside rooms are easily the coldest cabins because there's no natural light or heat emanating from outside to warm it up.

During summer cruises, I'll often keep the curtains drawn in my balcony room because the ambient heat from the sun on my balcony heats up the room.

To be clear, the air conditioning works fine in balcony rooms, but some people prefer their cabins feel like a meat locker.

If you love curling up in a chilly, dark space, this is your cruise cocoon.

You’re planning a port-heavy itinerary

If you're going to book a cruise that has a lot of port visits across 7 nights, such as in the Mediterranean or Alaska, you're going to be off the ship all day.

When you have full day activities, I come back to the ship and immediately shower, nap, and get ready for dinner.

I think having 4, 5, or 6 ports on a single sailing means you'll value the itinerary over what you can see from the ship.  In my experience, balcony rooms are best on sea days primarily.  The value of having it if you're going from start to finish each day in port is kind of lost.

Speaking of places like Alaska, if you choose an early or late season cruise, that might be another reason to go with an inside room because of the weather.

Typically the shoulder seasons in Alaska or Norway can be cold and rainy, thus reducing the usefulness of the balcony.

Is it worth sharing a tiny cruise cabin with three people to save money? I did just that on a recent cruise and it wasn’t as bad as I expected.

Cabins on cruise ships are notorious for their compact size. Fitting thousands of guests on a ship is no small feat, so cabins pack all of the essentials into a small space.

It’s standard for two guests to share a cabin on Royal Caribbean, but many rooms accommodate a third and fourth passenger. These rooms are geared toward families with kids, but adults can share cabins with multiple guests, too.

Last month, my parents and I shared a 150-square-foot interior cabin while cruising to Greece and Croatia. By sharing a cabin instead of booking two separate rooms, we saved over $1,000.

Everyone thought we were crazy to share a room, but it was hard to pass up the savings—here's what it was like.

I booked a cruise to Europe to celebrate my mom’s retirement, and we couldn’t wait for our upcoming trip

Following my mom’s retirement last fall, I began searching for ways to celebrate her newfound freedom. Considering how much fun we had on our mother-daughter cruise to Alaska two years ago, I thought another Royal Caribbean cruise would be the perfect way to celebrate.

To make the occasion even more special, I set my sights on European itineraries. Cruising Europe with my mom? Sign me up!

I found a deal on Explorer of the Seas—a 7-night Greek Isles itinerary for $2,149 total, or $1,074 per person. Considering the price included two adults in an interior room, taxes, gratuities, and port fees, it seemed like a great value on such a dreamy vacation.

We booked the cruise in December for a May departure, and I couldn’t wait to set sail with my mom on such a celebratory trip.

The only downside? My dad now wanted to join, but we didn’t know if it was possible

Come February, our cruise planning process was in full swing. My mom and I booked flights, planned hotel stays before and after the cruise, and began researching shore excursions in our ports of call.

Yet when my dad's schedule opened up and he asked to join, we ran into a major issue.

To book a second cabin for my dad, he would be subject to not only his own cruise fare, but a single supplement fee, too. My mom and I paid just over $1,000 each for the cruise, but he would have to pay over $2,000 for just himself in the room.

Related: How far in advance should I book a cruise?

We didn’t know if paying over $2,000 for a second cabin was worth it, especially when considering additional costs like airfare and hotels in Europe.

Instead, I checked the price to add a third guest to my already-reserved cabin. This was far less expensive—just $681 to add my dad to our room.

The savings were substantial, so we decided to bite the bullet and book the cheaper option.

Initially, I wasn’t entirely concerned about sharing a tiny cruise ship cabin with my parents. Growing up in a family of six, I was accustomed to sharing hotel rooms with my parents and siblings.

How much different would sharing a cruise cabin really be?

When we entered our cabin on embarkation day, I was concerned the room would be too small to share

Embarkation day had finally arrived, and I was already grateful we added my dad to the trip. After two days exploring our departure port of Ravenna, Italy together, we had already made wonderful memories.

I couldn’t wait to explore more of Europe with my parents throughout the week, even if it meant sharing a cabin.

Once onboard, we checked out our room for the first time. Our cabin was #6667, an interior stateroom that can accommodate four guests.

Related: The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship

The first thing I noticed was the cabin’s bed configuration. Although we didn’t request it, the cabin’s main bed had already been split into two twin-sized beds.

We initially considered asking our stateroom attendant to put the beds back together, but ultimately decided that having the beds separated greatly increased the amount of walking space in the room—a plus when sharing a cabin with three people.

As the “kid” in the room, I took one for the team and agreed to sleep in the twin-sized pullman bed that drops from the ceiling.

I had low expectations for this dropdown bed, but definitely didn’t want my parents climbing the rickety ladder to go to sleep.

Aside from the beds, the cabin had a small couch, private bathroom, desk and vanity area, and closet.

All in all, our interior cabin was a standard inside room like on any other Royal Caribbean cruise ship. It had all the basics for a comfortable stay, but even still, I was somewhat concerned how we would fit ourselves (and all of our belongings) in the space.

Luckily, there was a surprising amount of storage

One of the first things I always do when I get to my cruise cabin is unpack. I hate living out of my suitcase during a cruise, but I was worried there wouldn’t be enough storage space for three people in our small cabin.

Related: 15 things you should do as soon as you get in your cruise cabin to make it better

Fortunately, once my parents and I began unpacking, we found there to be more than enough storage.

A spacious closet provided ample room for hanging clothes, and there was also a set of shelves on one side of the closet.

The desk and vanity were also full of storage. In addition to nine drawers, there were shelves behind the mirror and above the TV.

Near the beds were two nightstands with additional storage, too, and the bathroom had shelving behind the mirror.

I was surprised how easily the three of us fit our belongings in the compact room. We stored our suitcases under the bed, and once we had all of our clothes, electronics, and toiletries put away, the room felt more like home.

Throughout the week, we didn’t spend much time in our stateroom

Once we set sail from Italy, the next week was full of adventure.

We toured the ancient Acropolis in Athens, sipped cocktails in Santorini, and strolled the waterfront promenade in Split. Onboard, most of our time was spent watching the ocean from the Promenade Deck or listening to live music from the ship’s various bars and lounges.

As it turned out, we spent almost no time in our stateroom during the day. This helped ease the feeling of being “crammed” into the small room, as we were typically only there to sleep, shower, and change.

Even when we were in the room, the limited space didn't actually feel limited. Most of the time, my parents would relax on their respective beds and I would sit on the couch. With the beds separated, there was more than enough room to walk around the cabin without running into each other.

Sharing a bathroom was annoying, however, and there weren’t enough electrical outlets

One of the biggest downsides to sharing a cabin with three people is sharing one bathroom.

Mornings on cruise ships can be hectic, especially on port days. From showering to grabbing a quick breakfast and making sure you have everything you need to disembark, it’s easy to feel rushed.

Sharing one bathroom with three people made getting ready much slower. This is where having two cabins would have been beneficial.

Related: 7 bathroom hacks to use in your cruise ship cabin

Some cruisers combat this issue by utilizing the showers in the gym’s locker room, but we didn’t find it worth the hassle of lugging our toiletries and clothes across the ship.

Aside from sharing a bathroom, the lack of electrical outlets was another challenge.

Explorer of the Seas launched in 1999, so I knew outlet availability would be limited, but I still found the lack of outlets inconvenient. Between our cellphones, headphones, camera, and laptop, there never seemed to be enough outlet space for the three of us.

I was glad my mom packed a portable charger. This allowed her to charge her phone by the bed each night while my dad and I charged our belongings at the desk.

If I ever shared a cabin with three people again, I’d pack even more portable chargers and USB hubs to maximize charging capacity.

I didn’t love my pullman bed, and it was the worst part of sharing the room

Surprisingly, the worst part of sharing a cabin with my parents had nothing to do with feeling crowded. Instead, it was my pullman bed.

My dropdown bunk bed offered minimal comfort. The mattress was thin, and I found myself sleeping on top of the bed's plush bedding for added comfort.

I'm sure the bed is satisfactory for kids, but it wasn’t ideal for an adult traveler.

Additionally, getting to and from the bed on the ladder was cumbersome. I wished the cabin had a sofa bed instead of the bunk bed, as this would have made getting out of bed easier, especially in the middle of the night.

Despite the downsides, I’m not opposed to sharing a cabin again

When I first planned my mom’s epic retirement cruise, I never expected to be sharing a 150-square-foot cabin with both of my parents, but it really wasn’t that bad.

Next time, though, I’d do a few things differently.

First, I’d book our cruise further in advance. We added my dad to the sailing just three months before departure, which greatly limited our options. Cruise fares were high, and there were limited empty cabins available.

I would also look at booking connecting rooms instead of sharing one cabin. Connecting cabins have a common door between them, which provides double the living space, normal beds, and an additional bathroom for families traveling together.

Sometimes, booking two connecting cabins is priced similarly to putting all guests in one room.

All that being said, my parents and I still had a wonderful week exploring Greece and Croatia on our cruise. Whether indulging in Greek gyros or shopping our way through the markets of Split, the best moments of our vacation took place outside our cabin.

Ultimately, if my dad had to book an entirely separate room, the cost may have prohibited him from joining our trip. At the end of the day, I’ll remember making fun memories with my parents far more than the downsides of sharing one tiny room.

There are several unwritten rules about how you should act during your cruise, including while in your stateroom.

When I travel I never want to be "that guy" that irritates someone else. We're all on vacation and everyone should be able to enjoy it without someone else causing issues.

Anyone new to a Royal Caribbean cruise might be curious what they should or shouldn't do to avoid any mix-ups later. Similar to how in New York you should walk on the right side of the sidewalk to allow someone in a hurry to pass you, cruise ships have their own set of things you should follow.

Here's my list of six things I try not to do on any cruise while I'm in my cabin, and I hope my neighbors would do the same.

Don't let your door slam shut

One common theme you'll find in this article is noise abatement, and it's easy to overlook your cabin door as a potential issue.

Cabin doors are heavy and they slam shut if you just let them go, creating a loud thud sound.

It's less an issue in the middle of the day, but if people nearby are trying to sleep it's the kind of sound that could startle someone awake.

Instead, slowly let the door close by holding onto it so it's not moving on its own.

This is really important to remember if your balcony door is also open.  

The the balcony door and hallway door are both open at the same time, it creates a wind tunnel and if you let the hallway door slam shut, it's extra loud!

I admit that I don't always remember this one, but I really try to follow this form of consideration because I know it wakes me up when someone nearby does it.

Don’t scream to someone else on another balcony

If you're standing on your balcony and see a friend or someone you know nearby on another balcony, below you, or somewhere on the ship, do not yell to them.

Firstly, your voice won't carry as far as you think from your balcony. There's a lot of competing noise and I've found it's difficult to hear someone more than a few feet away because of how your voice carries away.

Secondly, regardless of if they hear you or not, your neighbors will definitely hear you. I'm always amazed how clearly what I say in a normal tone of voice can be heard in neighboring balconies.  When you yell, it's certainly amplified as well.

Rely on a text message or phone call to get their attention instead.  It'll work better and you won't be playing that game of yelling "What?" back and forth.

Don't be loud on your balcony

Speaking of yelling, just don't be loud on your balcony.

Most people do a good job with this, but one area that has been a pain point lately has been music on the balcony.

Bluetooth speakers aren't prohibited on Royal Caribbean ships, but that's not an excuse to blast your music either.

Everything you say carries to balconies near you, and if you were on your balcony enjoying the view, reading a book, or sharing in the experience with family, I doubt you'd want to hear someone else's music too.

Don’t leave a mess

Being considerate goes beyond your fellow passengers.

Your stateroom attendant comes into your room once a day to clean it (twice a day in a suite), but they aren't your maid.

To that point, keep your room as tidy as you can at it relates to your clothes and personal items.

Pick things up off the floor, throw trash away, and try to make it easy enough for them to get in and service your room.

Not only does this benefit your stateroom attendant, but it also ensures you can full utilize your room as there will be less stuff in the way.

Don’t flush things down the toilet

The only thing going down your cruise bathroom toilet should be toilet paper and anything that comes out of you. 

Marine plumbing is quite fickle, and it won't take diapers, sanitary napkins, so-called flushable wipes, or food. If you do, there's a good chance you'll clog up and break the plumbing.

That's not just an issue for you, but for everyone around you.

Cabins in an area share a common plumbing section, and if one of you backs it up, it does so for other cabins too.

Don't be loud in the hall

Being noisy in the hallway is something to think about too.

Conversations can easily be heard in staterooms from the hall, even at a normal conversation volume.  Certainly being loud, obnoxious, or boisterous won't help.

We’re all on vacation and understand that it can be fun and exciting. But you should still remember that there are others around, and they may be resting, sleeping, or just not wanting to hear your noise.

A balcony is the most popular cabin on a cruise ship, but you don't want to pay for one if it's going to disappoint you.

The last thing you probably want is to wake up each morning looking at a lifeboat, or be kept awake each night by music.

Most people imagine their balcony room will have unfettered views of the ocean and be a private retreat to enjoy every day.

The reality is not all balcony cabins are created equal, and you could end up with a balcony room that's disappointing.

When I booked a Junior Suite on Freedom of the Seas, I was disappointed when I got onboard the ship to see cleaning equipment blocking my view.

I thought my balcony would be a great choice, but I didn't pay close enough attention to the partial obstruction note.

The top balcony cabin letdowns

There are three kinds of balcony cabins I'd think twice before booking.

An obstructed balcony is the first kind that almost always results in a letdown.  This is defined as a balcony that has some structure blocking the view.

It could be because of lifeboats, equipment, or partial overhangs.

Royal Caribbean's deck plans should indicate if a balcony is obstructed, and at what percentage.  You should refer to the deck plans before choosing a cabin. Or see if there's a YouTube cabin video for your specific room.

Another kind of bad balcony cabin is a noisy balcony.

Cabins under the pool deck, nightclub, Windjammer, or near the AquaTheater can all get pretty loud at certain times of the day.

This is more problematic for light sleepers, or anyone that prefers to go to bed early or sleep late. Unexpected sounds emanating from outside the cabin at odd hours can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule.

On one cruise I stayed in a balcony cabin near the Centrum on Jewel of the Seas and the music kept us awake every night.

How loud a cabin is won't show up on deck plans, but I'd recommend always booking a cabin that is located one deck above and below other cabins.

The further away the room is from public spaces, the less likely noise bleed will be an issue as well.

Lastly, some balcony rooms have a lack of privacy that can be alarming.

Neighborhood balconies are cabins that face inwards towards the ship, rather than out to the ocean. Examples include Boardwalk, Surfside, or Central Park balconies.

The issue is people walking by the room or passengers in cabins opposite your room can see directly into your cabin if the curtains aren't drawn.

The good news is these rooms are great for people watching, but not so much for private lounging.

People often book these cabins because of one choice

If you're thinking how could someone be so naive to book those balcony rooms, the reality is they probably booked them indirectly.

Royal Caribbean offers customers a money-saving option by letting the cruise line pick their cabin assignment with a guarantee room.

You could save hundreds of dollars by going with a guarantee cabin assignment, but it's a gamble as to which room you'll get.

Quite often guarantee rooms default to the leftover rooms others didn't pick.

The same holds true for bidding for a stateroom upgrade.

The entire premise of RoyalUp is to allow passengers to pay less to move up to unsold rooms or ones that got cancelled at the last minute.

There's nothing wrong with saving money and getting a great deal on a better cruise room upgrade.  Just understand you might end up in one of these rooms.

Know the differences before booking these "balconies"

There are three more types of rooms that are variations on a traditional balcony that I'd caution you to fully understand why they aren't what you might expect.

None of these cabins should be avoided, per se. Instead, I'd recommend fully comprehending what these rooms are all about before you book.

One of the cheapest rooms you can book is a virtual balcony, where you have a floor-to-ceiling high-definition screen showing live views from outside your room.

I'd argue virtual balcony rooms aren't a replacement for a regular balcony. Rather, they're upgrades from a regular inside room.

A new type of balcony introduced on the Icon Class ships is an infinite balcony.

The idea is the balcony space is convertible, with a sliding glass window that opens up to provide a breeze and view.

In reality, the infinite balcony is more like a room with a window than a room with a true balcony that you can step onto and peer around.

Families tend to like these rooms more because it provides more living space, especially with young children.

Lastly, if you aren't booking both sides of a connecting balcony room, I'd skip them.

I love connecting balcony rooms as a money saving hack for my family, but the common door between the rooms is not very good for abating noise, and that can be a problem if you don't know the people on the other side of the door.

The best Royal Caribbean balcony cabins to look for instead

Now that you know which balcony cabins aren't so great, here are the types of balcony rooms I'd book instead.

People that cruise a lot swear by aft-facing balcony rooms, which are balconies on the back of the ship.

They're usually larger and have incredible wake views.  They're definitely better on Royal Caribbean's older ships, like Vision or Radiance Class vessels.

Another good idea is to book a balcony cabin mid-ship, instead of one at the very front of the ship. This location tends to be the most stable and offer the least sensation of movement.

A lot of first time cruisers want to avoid getting seasick at any cost, so picking a room in the middle is best for this.

One other kind of balcony cabin to look for when you're reviewing deck plans are cabins with angled balconies.

Some corner rooms have more space without extra cost and can be a great choice.

When it's actually better to book an inside room instead of a balcony

There's another kind of balcony disappointment that can occur, and it has nothing to do with your room location.

If you book a cruise on one of the biggest ships, or perhaps a very port intensive itinerary, you're barely going to be in your room because of all the fun things to do outside of it.

I've often heard from readers who liked their balcony room, but lamented how little time they spent inside of it.

And of course there's buyer's regret, when you pay inflated prices due to demand for a balcony room.

Spending extra money on cabin amenities you won't really take advantage of can be a compelling reason to book a cheaper inside room instead.

Research your room to avoid days of regret

It's pretty easy to book the right balcony for your family if you spend a little bit of time researching the right option.

Booking the right balcony adds serious value to your cruise, and can be a wonderful space to enjoy every day.

Ultimately, you want your balcony to be a highlight, not a headache.  Now that you have the right information, you should be able to get the perfect one on your next cruise.

You have a Royal Caribbean cruise booked, but what if you want to add someone to your reservation?

It's fairly common to have travel plans change, especially when trying to plan a vacation many months in advance.

Royal Caribbean cruise fares are priced out per person, and each person has their own cost within any cabin.  Sometimes a Kids Sail Free deal can negate the fare for children, but there are restrictions in place too.

If you want to add someone to your cruise, the ability to do so and associated cost truly depend on a few different conditions. Sometimes, it's not possible and other times it may incur hefty costs.

How to add additional people to your Royal Caribbean cabin

In order to add someone to your cabin, there are a few prerequisites:

• The change must be made before the ship's manifest is finalized (usually about 72 hours before the cruise begins)
• The cabin must be designated as being able to accommodate the total capacity of your party
• There must be enough life boat spaces for the new person

Changes are allowed up until a few days before a cruise begins, but you may find other issues preventing it from going forward with the change.

Each Royal Caribbean cabin has a maximum capacity. Regardless if you think you could fit that person into the room, it's impossible to add additional people beyond that particular cabin's capacity.

The number of passengers allowed in a room is linked to the number of seats in life rafts and muster stations.

As an example, if you originally booked an oceanview balcony cabin designed for two people but want to add a third person, you'd have to upgrade to a different category oceanview balcony cabin that can accommodate three people.

Whether your cabin can handle the additional person or not, you're going to incur a new cost.  Often, that cost can be prohibitively expensive.

When you make a change to a reservation and add someone, you will have to pay the prevailing rate and not the rate you booked everyone else at originally.

Even if you're making the change sufficiently before the cruise begins and you're okay with the price change, it may not be possible to add someone to a reservation because of maritime law.

If the lifeboat capacity for your muster station is full, Royal Caribbean would not allow you to add that extra person. Regulations related to safety at sea is quite strict, and cruise ships cannot load in more people than can be safely handled in case of an emergency.

Assuming there's no issues with any of these restrictions, then you can add the extra person to your reservation.

You would have to pay for the extra person's deposit and cruise fare, as well as port fees and taxes.

The simplest thing to do is call Royal Caribbean or your travel agent and ask them if it's possible and what the cost would be.

You'll need to call Royal Caribbean or your travel agent to make this sort of a change.  It cannot be done online.

Swapping people is very easy

If you just want to change one person for another, then this is quite easy.

You can always name swap people without any change fees or extra costs as long as it's done before the ship's manifest is submitted and at least one person from the original reservation remains on the booking.

You just have to have your travel agent make the name change, and it's usually quite an easy task.

Usually extra passengers cost less overall

One silver lining to adding extra passengers is they probably won't cost as much as you did to book.

Royal Caribbean's cruise fares are based on double occupancy, and the bulk of the cost is centered around the first two passengers in a cabin.

Often the price for third, fourth, or more people in the same cabin drops quite a lot.

The catch is if you change cabins.

If you booked a cabin for two people and now want to add a third person to your room, you'd have to upgrade your cabin to a higher category that can accommodate three people.

Cabins for two are plentiful and the most common type of cabin on the ship.  There are less cabins for three people, and because they sell out faster, prices tend to be higher.

In fact, this is why sometimes an inside cabin for three people costs more than a balcony cabin for two people.  Revenue management software automatically adjusts rates based on supply and demand principles. 

When many interior cabins are booked because demand is high, it's quite common to see rates increase to the point they are equal to or more than ocean view and sometimes even balcony rates. 

Adding people if you bid for a cabin upgrade

Let's assume you win a bid to upgrade your cabin to a lovely larger cruise ship cabin with the RoyalUp program.  Could you add an additional guest since you now have more space?

The good news is you can add people to your bigger room after winning a RoyalUp bid, but it's considered a reprice when adding people so it would be at the prevailing room rate.

Moreover, if you had another cabin booked prior to the bid, you can't just combine your two bookings into the new one you got with the upgrade. 

Of course, the people booked in the second room could remain in that room "on paper", but sleep and enjoy the nicer room with you.

Alternatives to adding someone to your cabin

Besides trying to add someone to your room, there are other options you could explore.

Booking an additional room is one option, and depending on prevailing rates and how many unsold cabins there are left, this could be feasible.

Even if you're trying to add a minor, they're allowed in a room by themselves if that room is adjacent or connecting to the parent's room.

If not, this might be a good opportunity to bring granny or another adult since the price for one person or two people in a standard cabin is going to be about the same price because of the single supplement fee charged to solo cruisers.

Another idea is to simply upgrade everyone to a suite.

Even after final payment date, Royal Caribbean is usually good about allowing you to spend more money and move up to a higher cost cabin.

Suites often have the highest capacity of any single cabin. Of course, a suite won't be cheap, especially if you're trying to do this closer to your sail date. Plus, suites tend to sell out first.

I started booking rooms on lower decks instead (less dependence on elevators, convenient to walk to dining rooms and promenade, a little cheaper)

Unlike hotels on land, you can pick if room is on a higher or lower level of the cruise ship.

The more I've cruised, the less I've cared about which deck my cabin is on, but I definitely stopped paying extra to be on a higher deck.

I cruise on a monthly basis, and that affords me the time to get on ships and my views have definitely changed as to which deck I prefer to be on.

Like many aspects of a cruise, the better option depends on your needs and tastes. But if someone is brand new to a cruise and wants to know if it's better to be on high or low on a cruise ship, I'd recommend a lower one for a few reasons.

I thought having a better view mattered

I always wanted cabins on a high deck when I started cruising because I equated it like a hotel building, where the better view on a higher floor is worth it every time.

What I discovered as I cruised was the view you had wasn't as important as I thought.

One truth of any cabin is I find I spend very little time in it.  Cruise ships have so much to do onboard that I'm drawn away to the activities.

The result is your cruise cabin is usually for sleeping, showering, and changing. That realization was the first step in rethinking where my room would be.

Something else I noticed when I'd visit someone else's cabin is the difference in view between a higher deck and a lower deck really isn't that much different.

Cruise ships are big, but they're not skyscrapers either. I just don't think you're getting that much more elevation to make a significant difference.

Probably the top reason I started to rethink a cabin on a high deck is the dependence you'll have on elevators.

Other than Icon of the Seas, the elevators on all cruise ships get crowded and in-demand quite quickly. 

Waiting for an elevator is a gamble each time if you'll get one soon or end up waiting for what seems like forever.  Royal Caribbean's Product Development team calls this "microwave minutes" because the time you wait in front of a microwave to make food always seems to take forever.

Obviously I can, and have, taken the stairs to bypass the elevator.  But there are situations where that's nearly impossible, like when you get back on the ship after a shore excursion and you're on deck 1 and need to get to your cabin on deck 12. 

I started booking rooms on lower decks instead

That dependence on elevators was probably the impetus to try a cabin on a lower deck.

A few years ago I was sailing on Mariner of the Seas and told me travel agent I'd like a room closer to the Royal Promenade.  I ended up with a cabin on deck 6, just one room up from the Promenade.

It felt strange, but I instantly fell in love with its location.

I was able to walk and take the stairs to the Royal Promenade, Main Dining Room, Theater, Schooner Bar, and Casino without needing to wait for an elevator.

I found it so convenient to be able to get to my room when I needed.

The real benefit of a higher deck cabin is the pool

If there's one good reason to book a room on a higher deck, it's to be close to the pool deck.

Royal Caribbean always has its pool up on the highest decks.  The same is true for the Windjammer buffet, and even the kids club can be found near the pools on nearly all ships.

If you're someone that loves to spend a lot of time around the pool, there's a compelling reason to pick a cabin on a high deck.

When my kids were younger, it was undeniably convenient to have the buffet and Adventure Ocean close by.  When we cruised on Anthem of the Seas and Adventure Ocean is on the same deck as guest cabins on deck 14, it felt like we had such a convenience being there.

Someone that loves to spend most of their day near the pool might find the convenience factor  of being near the pool a good reason to be on a higher deck.

Plus, being on a high deck means you are also closer to specialty restaurants, fun activities, and the jogging track.

Itinerary matters

I would book a cabin on a higher deck if I was sailing to Alaska or the Norwegian fjords.

Part of what makes these itineraries special is the fact you get to sail past waterfalls, glaciers, and into fjords. 

The best place to see the view is up on the pool deck on a high deck.  Being at a higher vantage point truly makes a difference.

In Alaska, so many times you'll be compelled to run up and see what you're passing next.  It's far easier to do this if your cabin is just a deck or two away from the pool.

In the Caribbean, I think it matters less having that view.  

Is it bad to be on a really low deck?

Some cruisers are concerned with being booked in a cabin on the lowest decks, such as a cabin on deck 2.

Rooms on a low deck near the waterline are often the cheapest in price, and that makes some people question why.

You'll only find inside and oceanview cabins on the lowest decks.  Balcony cabins don't usually start appearing until perhaps deck 6. Since there are only small cabins here, they're going to cost less.

Similar to a cabin on a very high deck, you're far more dependent on the elevator on deck 2 to get around the ship.

You're less likely to get seasick on a low deck

This is a generalization, but you're less likely to get motion sick on a lower deck than a higher deck.

The best place to be to minimize the effects of seasickness are on a low deck, midship. 

That isn't to say you're automatically going to get seasick if you book a cabin near the top of the ship.  Rather, if the ship is rocking, the feeling might be less noticeable if your room is closer to a low deck.

If you're sensitive to motion, it might be worse on a high deck, if you're not, then it probably won't be noticeable to you anyway.

There's not as much difference as you'd think

I've spelled out the major considerations, but don't overthink the issue as I don't think being higher or lower on a cruise ship matters as much as new cruisers think it does.

All decks have their reasons to book it or not.  I'd pay more attention to the cabins to avoid booking than the specific deck number. There are definitely better cabin locations to consider than the exact deck.

In some cases, you won't have a choice.  Suites are almost always located at a very high deck, whereas inside cabins tend to be on lower decks.