Jayestravellingadventures

When booking a cruise, it’s very easy to think:

More expensive cabin = better cruise.

A balcony must be better than an inside cabin.

A suite must be better than a balcony.

And the highest deck must surely be the best place to be.

But there’s one thing your cabin price doesn’t tell you…

How much movement you might feel.

And this is where choosing a cheaper P&O Cruises cabin can sometimes work surprisingly well.

It’s not always about how much you spend

P&O Cruises offers everything from Inside cabins through to Sea View cabins, Balconies, Mini-suites and Suites.

Of course, paying more can give you more space, a balcony, better views and additional perks.

But if you’re someone who is prone to seasickness, the most expensive cabin isn’t automatically the most comfortable one.

In fact, where your cabin is located can matter just as much as what type of cabin you’ve booked.

Why lower decks can feel more stable

Think about a ship moving through the water.

The further you move away from the centre of the ship, particularly towards the higher decks, the more noticeable the movement can become.

That’s why a cabin that’s lower down and closer to the middle of the ship can be a good option if you’re worried about feeling the waves.

P&O itself notes that some guests prefer midship cabins because they can experience less movement.

So that inexpensive Inside cabin tucked away towards the middle of the ship?

It might actually be a very sensible choice.

The balcony isn’t always the winner

Don’t get me wrong — I absolutely understand the appeal of a balcony.

Waking up, opening the curtains and stepping outside to see the ocean is one of the lovely things about cruising.

But if you’re comparing a balcony cabin high up towards the front of the ship with a cheaper cabin that’s lower and more central, the cheaper option could potentially be more comfortable if you’re sensitive to movement.

It’s a classic case of:

More expensive doesn’t always mean more suitable.

Why Inside cabins can be a brilliant choice

Inside cabins sometimes get treated as though they’re the “lesser” option.

I completely disagree.

P&O describes its Inside cabins as an affordable option for people who plan to spend much of their time exploring the ship and destinations rather than sitting in their cabin. They still come with essentials such as air conditioning, daily steward service, tea and coffee facilities, a safe and toiletries.

And there’s another advantage…

They’re often located lower down within the ship.

So if your priority is getting a good night’s sleep and feeling comfortable at sea rather than having a huge view, an Inside cabin could be exactly what you need.

Plus, if you’re anything like me, you might barely spend any time in your cabin anyway!

But don’t assume every cheap cabin is perfect

Here’s the important bit.

I’m not saying you should simply book the cheapest cabin you can find.

Location still matters.

A cheap cabin directly underneath a busy pool deck could be noisy.

One beside a lift lobby could have plenty of foot traffic.

A cabin right at the front or back of the ship could experience more movement than one around midship.

And a cabin underneath a theatre, nightclub or other busy venue might not be the peaceful retreat you imagined.

That’s why I always recommend looking at the P&O deck plan before booking.

P&O’s cabin selector is your secret weapon

When booking a P&O cruise, you can use the room selector to explore available cabins and look at specific decks and locations.

If you’ve chosen Select Price, you can choose your exact cabin location, subject to availability. P&O also allows you to compare individual cabins and see their location on the ship.

This is something I would absolutely take advantage of.

Don’t just search:

“Cheapest balcony cabin”

Instead, ask yourself:

Where is that cabin?

What’s above it?

What’s below it?

How far forward or aft is it?

What’s nearby?

Is it underneath a public area?

Is it close to the lifts?

And, if seasickness is a concern:

How close is it to the middle of the ship?

What about P&O’s bigger ships?

This is particularly interesting when looking at ships such as Arvia and Iona.

These are large ships with thousands of passengers, so there are plenty of different cabin locations to choose from.

That means you can sometimes find a cabin that gives you the location you want without paying for the most expensive accommodation.

P&O currently offers Inside, Sea View, Balcony, Mini-suite and Suite accommodation across its fleet, depending on the ship.

So don’t dismiss the lower-priced options before you’ve looked at where they’re actually situated.

When paying more IS worth it

Of course, there are plenty of reasons to upgrade.

If having your own outdoor space is important to you, a balcony could be worth every penny.

If you want more room, a Suite or Mini-suite may make sense.

And if you’re going on a special occasion, sometimes you simply want to treat yourself!

The trick is to work out what matters most to you.

If you’re going to spend hours sitting on your balcony with a coffee watching the world go by, then paying extra for that balcony makes perfect sense.

If you’re going to be out exploring the ship and getting off at every port, an Inside cabin could save you a considerable amount of money.

My P&O cabin rule

If you’re trying to save money on your next P&O cruise, I wouldn’t automatically spend the extra money on upgrading your cabin.

I’d spend it on choosing the right location.

I’d much rather have a reasonably priced cabin in a good position than pay hundreds of pounds more for a cabin that’s in a location I don’t particularly want.

Because at the end of the day, you’re not booking a hotel room.

You’re booking a cabin on a moving ship.

And sometimes the cabin that looks less exciting on the booking page could actually give you the smoother, quieter and more comfortable cruise.

So, should you book the cheapest P&O cabin?

Not necessarily.

But don’t rule it out. If you’re someone who gets seasick, priorities location over luxury.

Look for a cabin that’s lower and closer to midship, check what’s around it on the deck plan and think about what you’ll actually use your cabin for.

And if you’re happy to spend most of your cruise enjoying everything P&O has to offer rather than sitting in your room, that cheaper Inside cabin might suddenly look like a very clever choice.

Sometimes saving money doesn’t mean compromising on your cruise — it can actually mean spending your money where it matters most.

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