Taking a cruise for the first time can be one of the most exciting ventures you may take upon yourself. Cruises are a great time for fun, family, laughter and a care free lifestyle, but first-time cruisers are not advised to rush into the cruising thing very quickly. You may find yourself disappointed on a lot of levels.

The location of your cabin or sleeping quarters on the ship are a large part of whether or not you will enjoy yourself on your stay on the ship. It’s hard to have a cabin on the lower level of the ship under a veranda or walkway because people are constantly walking overhead, but if you have a cabin on sea level, you may have people outside your door at all times of the night. Having a cabin or state room under sea level can have its financial advantages, but sacrificing your cruising fun to save a little money may not be worth the extra dollars in your pocket if you are unhappy with your space. At that, state rooms are usually final after the cruise ship has ‘set sail.’

For those of you out there who are cruising for fun and want to get the most out of your voyage at sea, cabins at the rear of the ship may be your best bet. These areas do tend to be pricier than the standard two twin-bed cabins, but they are the most luxury rooms on the ship. These cabins are called aft cabins, or rear cabins and they usually feature some type of porch or balcony with a view of the ocean. The view is always breathtaking no matter what the weather, but take caution in the fact that these cabins don’t always take turbulence at sea very well. If you are inclined to sea sickness, a rear cabin may not be your best bet.

On the flip side, a bow cabin (a cabin at the front of the ship) also has an excellent view. Since it is so far above sea level, bow cabins usually take sea turbulence just as roughly, if not rougher than the rear cabins but they are excellent for the sailor at heart. Sometimes bow cabins feature balconies or verandas as well, and they certainly get an exhilarating spray of water from the ocean in these, more pricey living spaces.

While also an option to avoid if you are prone to sea sickness, higher deck cabins are also an option outside of the standard, lower level cabin quarters on the cruise ship. They are a lot closer to lounge areas, sun decks, the pool, and dance floors etc, which people are willing to pay extra money for. These cabins are usually a little above or at sea level, so the rock factor is also pretty high in these areas. Another down side to a higher deck cabin is the noise you may experience from passers by. No matter what the cost or level, cruise ship cabins generally do not offer a lot of privacy.

A mid-ship cabin is also an option available to you. A mid-ship cabin is the best choice for those prone to sea sickness but who are willing to pay a few extra dollars for a better living space. These cabins usually feature the same amenities as the rest (two twin beds or one large one, a nightstand or table, a dresser, a closet, a TV, and maybe a bathroom) but they are centrally located cutting down on walk time or elevator time; sometimes these quarters may offer a view of the ocean through a window or porthole as well.