How Cruise Ship Cabins Are Changing to Better Serve Groups and Families
Cruise ship cabins are often thought of as being cramped spaces with tiny bathrooms and little in the way of storage for guests embarking on a weeklong vacation to island paradises. But that way of thinking is in the past. Cruise lines are not only reimagining their staterooms on new ships to reflect modernization of design, but they’re also redesigning old rooms on existing ships to fit the needs of modern traveling families.
Beyond that, cruise lines now must face how the coronavirus pandemic will affect travelers, and what their needs will be on board. While new ships debuting this year and next were designed and began construction well before the pandemic, the sentiment remains that guest staterooms are a retreat for families when post-COVID travel anxiety arises. As such, several new trends we’re seeing in stateroom and other design innovations reflect this new effort to serve guests as they return to the high seas.
Expanding cabins
Travelers who are heading out on their first post-pandemic cruise, whether as part of a typical group or as part of a large family reunion, will love that many of the newest ships have more connecting rooms. Carnival’s Mardi Gras, launching this summer, has 300 pairs of connecting rooms and what the line calls “family cabins,” while the Disney Wish, debuting June 2022, has more than 900 staterooms with connecting doors. The designs allow for larger groups and families to remain together throughout the trip, but can also allow for closed doors for quiet time and privacy.
In addition to these interior innovations, cruise lines are reconfiguring deck spaces to add more balcony and veranda rooms, which become an extension of your living space onboard. Balcony staterooms are an easy spot for families or couples to go when the pool decks are busy, or when you just want to be away from groups but still be outside. You can have room service delivered here and eat quietly while enjoying the ocean views and taking in the sun. The Disney Wish will offer 948 veranda rooms, compared to Disney’s next largest ship, the Disney Dream, which has 901.
Smarter storage
Storage has always been an issue in staterooms, especially since most are designed to sleep up to four guests. That’s a lot of luggage and extras for roughly 200 square feet, which is typical for a standard, non-suite room. Cruise lines have been thinking about how to maximize every inch of the space—from under beds, and inside closets and cabinets—to keep travelers organized on weeklong vacations. Designers for the Carnival Mardi Gras, for example, added a pullout shoe rack to closets, along with pullout metal bins for small items like socks and undergarments.
Though not much is known about Disney Wish’s final room layout, it’s clear that organization will be a design priority. “Every stateroom offers enhanced storage options throughout, including roomy closets, extra shelving for toiletries, and elevated bed frames that provide space for suitcases and even bulky items like strollers,” says Claire Weiss, creative director of Walt Disney Imagineering. Families traveling with small kids often know the struggle of finding a spot for a stroller, so having a dedicated area where it’s easily accessible but out of the way is ideal in a room.
A better bathroom
Families who travel together also know the challenge of getting ready in the morning, especially with little ones. While a split bathroom concept isn’t new to the cruise industry (in fact, it started with Disney Cruise Line years ago), it is becoming more standard, especially on new ships. With a split bathroom model, a stateroom will have one bathroom with a toilet and sink, and another with a sink and tub-shower combo. This helps everyone get ready at the same time in the morning, whether you’re getting off the ship or going to swim in the pool. On board Disney Wish, most rooms will have the split bath concept; except for some higher level suites, which will have two full bathrooms. Carnival’s Mardi Gras is also introducing split bathrooms to rooms, but only to upper-level suites. Be sure to study cabin options on the cruise ship of your choice if you want a room with the split bath.
Your stateroom can have a huge impact on your family trip, whether it’s just your travel pod or a big reunion after a year apart. Picking the right stateroom allows you to reconnect and relax with your family without worrying about who’s next in line for the bathroom, where your missing shoe is, or where to go when things are too much on board. Cruise lines know this, and so should every traveler.
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