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Author Topic: Tales of Small Cabins
Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-10-2007 07:46 AM      Profile for Malcolm @ cruisepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Generally the cabins on modern cruise ships are getting bigger, but have you ever been accommodated in a small cabin? I’m interested to hear of your experiences?

Which ship do have particularly small cabins?

Have you ever squeezed three or four people in a small cabin? How was it?

Does cabin size really have much bearing on the overall cruise experience?

Discuss.


Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!  |  IP: Logged
Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 01-10-2007 07:57 AM      Profile for Ernst   Author's Homepage   Email Ernst   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
My smalles cabin was aboard Juno (Goetacanal) - it was so short that I could not even stretch out in bed - toiltet and shower were not in the cabin. (the size of the cabin was very comparable to a train compartement) It nevertheless was a fantastic expierience - one of my best voyages per ship. Mind you that it only lasted for three days or so. I admit that it would have been a problem on a longer journey - but from other 'cruises' I know that I only need little more when I am alone. (closet space would be the major issue)
Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005  |  IP: Logged
desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 01-10-2007 08:08 AM      Profile for desirod7     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
Generally the cabins on modern cruise ships are getting bigger, but have you ever been accommodated in a small cabin? I’m interested to hear of your experiences?

Which ship do have particularly small cabins?

Have you ever squeezed three or four people in a small cabin? How was it?

Does cabin size really have much bearing on the overall cruise experience?

Discuss.


The Harald Jarl has the smallest cabin I sailed in. It was an inside the size of the trunk room of a QM2 grille cabin. I only slept in it.

4087 on the QE2: It was the ideal location, but the closet was too small to hold my suitcase. Bathroom was decent size though.

P015 on SSNorway, fine for 1 person, but big bathroom.

Cabin B54 on Olympia inside quad, bath down the hall, bare bulbs and exposed pipes shared with 3 siblings. I could hear the wake against the bulkhead since B deck is below the waterline.

Desirod7 slept here

Stella Oceanis A97--upper and lower shared with sibling; size about 6' x 9'

I don't mind so much a small cabin as long as the bathroom is large and plenty of closet space.

[ 01-10-2007: Message edited by: desirod7 ]


Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000  |  IP: Logged
rdv1111
First Class Passenger
Member # 742

posted 01-10-2007 08:15 AM      Profile for rdv1111   Email rdv1111   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
S/S/ Veracruz 1, cabins 10 x 10 ft, including the bathrooms

Common jokes

Cabin was so small, I broke the porthole when I put the key in the door

Bathroom was so small, I had to learn how to ride a toilet sidesaddle


Posts: 51 | From: Belchertown, Ma 01007 | Registered: Aug 99  |  IP: Logged
Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 01-10-2007 08:17 AM      Profile for Linerrich   Email Linerrich   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
The NORWAY has/had some of the smallest cabins afloat--many of her inside cabins were 77 square feet (11' x 7') including bath!

So small, you had to step outside to change your mind!

Rich


Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004  |  IP: Logged
eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 01-10-2007 09:11 AM      Profile for eroller     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Smallest cabins have been on NORWEGIAN MAJESTY, NORWAY, QE2, and PACIFIC PRINCESS.

On NORWEGIAN MAJESTY it was an inside twin and you could barely move. It was literally a closet.

On NORWAY it was an inside with double bed where the double bed took up a vast majority of the cabin. FYI I've also had very spacious cabins on NORWAY.

On QE2 it was an inside upper/lower on Five Deck. It was actually larger than many others in the same category but still very small.

On PACIFIC PRINCESS it was in inside quad (one of only a few onboard) and it was hell. Four people in that small cabin was not fun. Half way through the cruise my boyfriend and I managed to move to an outside twin. Still small but more private.

As you can see all the small cabins were on older ships. New ships today have excellent cabins in comparison.

Ernie


Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000  |  IP: Logged
mike sa
First Class Passenger
Member # 5957

posted 01-10-2007 10:17 AM      Profile for mike sa   Author's Homepage   Email mike sa   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I agree with Ernie, newer ships have generally larger cabins, my worst was on Pacific Princess 1, Fiesta deck forward can't remember the number.

Prize for smallest bathroom goes to Pacific Sky.

Prize for worst bed - RCL those horrid doubles that curve at the bottom and you have to walk around them, so they can give you less floor space. Worst closet space - SA Vaal - there wasn't one in my D deck cabin.


Posts: 2272 | From: Durban, South Africa | Registered: Sep 2005  |  IP: Logged
BYEFairwind
First Class Passenger
Member # 4416

posted 01-10-2007 04:27 PM      Profile for BYEFairwind        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Inside cabin on Empress of the Seas, 117 sq foot. My family of 5 had 2 of them which was OK. The family of 4 we were traveling with squeezed into one. This was on an eight night to Bermuda 5/2004. Our cabins were right next to each other so we could share the resources. The cabins were functional - room for luggage and enough closet space. I do remember standing in the doorway/passage way having pre-dinner drinks while the wives took over a cabin to get ready. All in all it was perfectly acceptable.
Posts: 21 | From: Connecticut | Registered: Feb 2004  |  IP: Logged
lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 01-10-2007 05:36 PM      Profile for lasuvidaboy     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Cabin 5225 on QE2. Not bad for two people and good for a 5-day crossing or cruise. Any longer and cabin fever would set in IMO. Single porthole looked like a washing machine window at times.
Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004  |  IP: Logged
PeterUK
First Class Passenger
Member # 1898

posted 01-10-2007 06:42 PM      Profile for PeterUK   Email PeterUK   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I can agree with RDVIIII about the Vera Cruz. No more than 10ft by10ft - four people admittedly 2 were young children but no port hole, near or below the water line and no lift to get there. Still it was an enjoyable cruise from Montreal to New York.

Not strictly a cruise ship but a ferry in the Western Isles of Scotland where the floor space equaled the same size as the bunk and was very similar to a British rail sleeper compartment.


Posts: 217 | From: North of England | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged
Brian_O
First Class Passenger
Member # 3910

posted 01-10-2007 06:43 PM      Profile for Brian_O     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
Cabin 5225 on QE2. Not bad for two people and good for a 5-day crossing or cruise. Any longer and cabin fever would set in IMO. Single porthole looked like a washing machine window at times.

Most of the singles on QE2 are even smaller.

Brian


Posts: 2698 | From: Pointe-Claire, QC Canada | Registered: Jun 2003  |  IP: Logged
lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 01-11-2007 12:21 AM      Profile for lasuvidaboy     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Brian_O:

Most of the singles on QE2 are even smaller.

Brian


How does one have a proper cocktail party?


Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004  |  IP: Logged
Colin
First Class Passenger
Member # 1676

posted 01-11-2007 03:41 AM      Profile for Colin   Email Colin   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
40 sq ft. - 5'x8' and that included the shower and toilet!

Narrow, short bunk beds. The only storage was a drawer under the lower bunk but the floorspace was so small that you couldn't stand and open it. You had to lean over the side from the lower bunk to open the drawer.

A 'memorable' cruise nonetheless.

Regards, Colin.


Posts: 283 | From: Inverness, Scotland | Registered: Nov 2000  |  IP: Logged
Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 01-11-2007 07:16 AM      Profile for Linerrich   Email Linerrich   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Colin:
40 sq ft. - 5'x8' and that included the shower and toilet!

Narrow, short bunk beds. The only storage was a drawer under the lower bunk but the floorspace was so small that you couldn't stand and open it. You had to lean over the side from the lower bunk to open the drawer.

A 'memorable' cruise nonetheless.

Regards, Colin.


This was a passenger cabin? (Sounds like some crew cabins I've lived in!) Which vessel was this?

Rich


Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004  |  IP: Logged
Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-12-2007 07:37 AM      Profile for Malcolm @ cruisepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Fortunately I've never stayed in a very small cabin, but the QE2 and SS Norway both had some of the smallest that I've seen, icluding the 'bunk bed' types.

The smallest cabin on any new ship seems to perfectly adequate for two people, if not even spacious, in contrat to the older ships.

Personaly I think the layout of the cabin can be as important as size. Some layouts make a cabin feel more spacious and work better. I often feel that two single beds apart works better than them pushed together in terms of useable floor space.


Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!  |  IP: Logged
desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 01-12-2007 10:23 AM      Profile for desirod7     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
IMO. L shaped bed layout gives the most floor space but the most uncomfortable sleeping arrangement.
Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000  |  IP: Logged
eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 01-12-2007 10:30 AM      Profile for eroller     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I forgot to mention SOUTHWARD, the original SUN PRINCESS, and SUNWARD II all of which had very small cabins. Of course back then they were pretty standard so you didn't expect much more. Today is a different ball game entirely.

I can't wait to see the new Celebrity ships as they promise the largest standard cabins afloat for a large ship cruise line.

Ernie


Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000  |  IP: Logged
jetwet1
First Class Passenger
Member # 6361

posted 01-12-2007 04:03 PM      Profile for jetwet1   Author's Homepage   Email jetwet1   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Growing up as a kid I spent a lot of time on some of the "smaller" ships in the Cunard and RCCL fleets.

Depending on how full the ships were we would get anything from an inside up to a penthouse.

The inside cabins on the Cunard Countess and the Song of Norway were tiny and this is from the perspective of a child, heck even some of the outside cabins were not that big, the Song of America jumps to mind for some reason.


Posts: 608 | From: Las VEgas | Registered: Mar 2006  |  IP: Logged
Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-12-2007 05:17 PM      Profile for Malcolm @ cruisepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by jetwet1:
.. the Song of America jumps to mind for some reason.

Passengers still complain about her small cabins.


Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!  |  IP: Logged
desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 01-12-2007 06:41 PM      Profile for desirod7     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Passengers still complain about her small cabins.



Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000  |  IP: Logged
NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 01-14-2007 07:35 AM      Profile for NAL     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Lasuvidaboy.........my very first cabin on QE2 was 5225......small world! And you are right; it did look like a washing machine out the porthole. For most of the trip the "deadlight" cover was closed.
Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
mrblanche
First Class Passenger
Member # 714

posted 01-15-2007 03:11 PM      Profile for mrblanche   Email mrblanche   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
The smallest cabin we ever had was on the Norwegian Sea. Tiny, and noisy. But a good price at the time.

This cabin was so small that there was no place to put our luggage. I felt sorry for the cabin steward, having to make the bed in that closet!

The Constitution had some tiny cabins, including single-wide bunk beds in a some.


Posts: 308 | From: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: Aug 99  |  IP: Logged
Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 01-15-2007 04:40 PM      Profile for Malcolm @ cruisepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Desirod7 is that image a 'Song of America' cabin?
Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!  |  IP: Logged
desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 01-15-2007 04:49 PM      Profile for desirod7     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
Desirod7 is that image a 'Song of America' cabin?

Malcolm,

This is an immigrant class cabin on the Principe Perfieto. It was for down and out Portuguese moving to Brazil or thier African colonies to build a new life.


B54 on the Olympia, I knew no different, it was my first cruise. PS: the cabin we had on the Queen Anna Maria became a crew cabin after it became the Carnivale.

[ 01-15-2007: Message edited by: desirod7 ]


Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000  |  IP: Logged
tg_lindo
First Class Passenger
Member # 806

posted 01-15-2007 07:05 PM      Profile for tg_lindo   Email tg_lindo   Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I can't quote dimensions, but sister and I shared a cabin with our grandparents on the restaurant deck of the Dolphin IV. It was the smallest I've experienced. Maybe 2ft between the beds, and not much space at the foot of them either.

Along with improvements in size, air flow has gotten a lot better in the newer ships. I remember the cabin being all steamed up after we each took turns in the tiny shower. Not just on the Dolphin...I think circulation in Oceanic was pretty bad too (in the Premier days).


Posts: 349 | From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: May 99  |  IP: Logged

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