The least-expensive rooms are often listed as “guarantee” or GUAR class. For these, the cruise line will assign you a cabin, often within the category you selected, such as interior or balcony. In rare cases, you might get a free upgrade.
This can be a great deal, but if you’re sensitive to sounds, smells, or movement, consider paying to choose your own cabin.
Not every room on a ship is created equal, even those within the same class. Across sailings, I’ve experienced noise from the ship’s dance club, cigarette smoke from a nearby smoking area, and the loud winching sound of the anchor at early hours.
Now, I check deck plans online to see what is above, below, and to the sides of whichever stateroom I’d like to book. Online forums for cruisers can also be helpful for finding information about specific cabins or areas of the ship.
