Cabin Location Question

[VitaLuna]

We are looking to book a cruise on the Panorama to Mexico this fall. We have cruised twice (NCL in 2011, Carnival in 2013). The first cruise we had an ocean view, the second, a cove balcony (I was pregnant at the time). This time, we will be traveling with two children, 4 and 7. 
 

I am prone to motion sickness, although I did ok on the second cruise. My question: I’m between a deck 2 cove and deck 6 balcony (both mid-ship). I’m inclined to go with the deck 6 so that it’s closer to the food/activities for little legs (we prefer to take the stairs). Am I setting myself up for sea-sickness with the higher deck? Or is the difference in motion not that significant between 2 and 6? 
 

Anything I’m overlooking? Thanks!

[chocolate melting cake]

Yes, deck 2 would be very slightly less side to side motion----however deck 6 of a 15 deck ship would still be quite calm. We've found the top decks (9 and above) let you feel the motion a little more, but we happen to like that. With young children I think I'd be more concerned with the fact that on deck 2 your cabin might be under the dining room (kind of noisy through about 10:00-10:30) or the kitchen which may be noisy very late and very early. I realize deck 6 is above the prominade, but most stores are not too noisy----if you would be directly above the piano bar or the smokehouse I'd reconsider.

[Jamesatgsu]

I can't imagine it being a sizable difference, especially if you go for mid ship.

 

Fwiw, we had a balcony on Deck 7 of the Dream and it was the smoothest cruise I've had, despite 4 being interior.

[Jerseygirl1416]

34 minutes ago, VitaLuna said:

We are looking to book a cruise on the Panorama to Mexico this fall. We have cruised twice (NCL in 2011, Carnival in 2013). The first cruise we had an ocean view, the second, a cove balcony (I was pregnant at the time). This time, we will be traveling with two children, 4 and 7. 
 

I am prone to motion sickness, although I did ok on the second cruise. My question: I’m between a deck 2 cove and deck 6 balcony (both mid-ship). I’m inclined to go with the deck 6 so that it’s closer to the food/activities for little legs (we prefer to take the stairs). Am I setting myself up for sea-sickness with the higher deck? Or is the difference in motion not that significant between 2 and 6? 
 

Anything I’m overlooking? Thanks!

I’ve never stayed in a cove but remember a post I read that the person said being that close to the water made it dizzying watching moving so fast. I’d think that may trigger sea sickness. I’d go with deck 6. 

[Organized Chaos]

We like to be on those centralized decks (from top to bottom) to make going to our most frequented decks more convenient. We stayed on deck 8 this past Dec. on the Valor. It was nice having Lido only one deck away, but I didn't like having the Promenade and Lobby decks farther away than what we normally do. In any case, it's really going to depend on the person. The lower decks are more stable by nature, but I really don't feel that much motion when in our cabin on, for example, deck 6. Unless it's kind of rough out there. If anything, it's just a light rocking back & forth when we're laying in bed, and we like that. It rocks us to sleep. LOL There's been numerous times when I've felt more motion sitting down for dinner in the MDR than I have in our cabin, and that's a few decks lower. I guess I'm just backwards.

 

I'd personally go with deck 6, but I know you have your kids to think about. Even if you do go with the deck 2 cabin, your kids will probably be spending a lot of time on higher decks with you, so they're going to be exposed to it. Camp Ocean (kids club) is on deck 11. They might spend a lot of time there.

[VitaLuna]

@chocolate melting cake That's great insight on both the kitchen above (now that you mention it, I remember  being awoken by a "crash" above when we stayed in the cove last time) and also to make sure nothing noisy is directly below if on deck 6. 

 

I appreciate everyone's feedback. I talked to DH tonight and I think we'll go with deck 6. Excited to take my girls on their first cruise! 

[mexicobob]

Go with the Cove. Best cabin at sea in my opinion (do not stay under the galley). Hopefully, the seas will be calm. But, if not, many things can help seasickness. I like the acupuncture wrist bands, bonine and massive quantities of beer and wine mixed in with good bourbon. 

The wrist bands work very well for mild to moderate queasiness.

The lowest part of the ship will usually have the least motion.  

[Joe817]

I'll be the contrarian here. If you are prone to motion sickness, then the middle of the ship, the lower deck the better. In the middle of the ship you are not prone to noticing the lifting and falling, from bow to stern, which can be quite pronounced the higher up decks you go. The rolling motions, from port to starboard, will equally be not as pronounced as a higher deck. We had a cove balcony on the Dream last July and we experienced absolutely no rocking or rolling during the entire cruise. But, as always, ymmv.

[Organized Chaos]

2 hours ago, VitaLuna said:

That's great insight on both the kitchen above (now that you mention it, I remember  being awoken by a "crash" above when we stayed in the cove last time) and also to make sure nothing noisy is directly below if on deck 6. 

 

I appreciate everyone's feedback. I talked to DH tonight and I think we'll go with deck 6. Excited to take my girls on their first cruise! 

 

Cruise Critic won't allow the link to be posted on here, but do a google search for "Panorama cruisedeckplans" and the first search result should take you to the website of that name (cruisedeckplans). Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link for their Cabin Check Tool. It's very handy. Using the tool, just pick a cabin and it'll show you what's directly above and below that cabin.

 

It was on Conquest class ships, but we've stayed above the casino on a couple of occasions and never heard a sound from below us. We were right above the blackjack tables both times. Never heard people, the live bands, or slot machines. I'm not doubting that there's places where you can hear it from above, but not where we were.

[VitaLuna]

@Organized Chaos wow, great tip! Thank you so much! It looks like we’ll be right above the “fun shops”.