Cruise Cabin Location: Front vs Middle Ship Motion

A first-time cruiser on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas identified booking a room at the front of the ship as the biggest regret of the voyage. The passenger, Joey Hadden, booked a 179-square-foot ocean-view stateroom on deck eight for $2,000. This location resulted in constant motion and severe seasickness throughout the seven-day trip. The experience was particularly difficult during the first night, characterized by loud noises and vibrations.

Conversations with seasoned cruisers revealed that the front of the ship is one of the worst locations for those prone to motion sickness. They recommended booking a room in the middle of the ship on higher decks for a more stable experience. Hadden noted that the constant movement spoiled many aspects of the cruise, including eating and participating in activities. The passenger expressed a strong desire to have researched cabin placement before the trip.

The first night of the cruise was described as terrifying for the first-time traveler. The passenger reported that the floor trembled beneath them. Loud booming noises from the decks above and below caused alarm. The sounds were compared to furniture falling, sliding, and crashing into walls.

The situation caused the passenger to sit stiffly on the couch at midnight. They were determined to stay awake and prepared for a disaster. The emergency instructions were read repeatedly for hours. The passenger eventually fell asleep accidentally. Upon waking, they rushed out of the room to check on the status of the ship. They observed other cruisers filling the buffet and lining up for water slides. This confirmed that the experience was a normal night at sea.

The room was located at the very front of the eighth deck on the 18-deck ship. This specific location meant the passenger felt the strongest movement of the ship. The motion was constant in the room. The passenger noted that they get motion sickness from the slightest movement, such as bathwater. This sensitivity made the location particularly problematic.

After the first night, the passenger spoke with fellow travelers. Seasoned cruisers advised that the front of the ship is one of the worst places for those prone to seasickness. They explained that higher decks in the middle of the ship feel calmer and more stable. The Wonder of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in the world.

The choice of cabin location negatively impacted the entire trip. The passenger felt spoiled many aspects of the first cruise. The motion sickness made it challenging to eat and participate in activities during days at sea. The lack of rest affected the passenger's ability to enjoy excursions at port stops. These excursions included hikes in the sun.

Some nights were rockier than others. On the roughest nights, the passenger heard and felt a sensation similar to thunder beneath them. This occurred every few minutes. Loud thumps and heavy vibrations sounded like large pieces of furniture colliding. The room was a mid-tier stateroom, positioned above windowless interior rooms but below rooms with a balcony.

The experience provided a clear lesson for future travels. The passenger realized that the location of a cabin affects the amount of motion felt while the ship is moving. Researching this factor before booking is essential. For those prone to motion sickness, the recommendation is clear.

Passengers should book a room in the middle of the ship. This location helps to feel the least amount of rocking. The passenger stated that next time, they would choose a room in the middle of the ship. This decision would likely prevent the seasickness that defined this first voyage.