By Meena Thiruvengadam | Published on January 28, 2025
Setting off on a cruise without taking a close look at your cruise deck plans is like heading out on a cross-country road trip without GPS or even a map. Cruise deck plans are maps that highlight the locations of everything from staterooms, restaurants and bars to pools and spas. They can help you find the nearest elevator to your stateroom and the quickest ways to get to the main dining room for breakfast. On cruise ships the size of small cities carrying thousands of passengers, deck plans are essential for not just figuring out how to get around but also making the most of your voyage.
While digital cruise deck plans are essential reading for everyone, that's especially true for first-time cruisers. Reading them isn't just one of our best first-time cruise tips, it's an important step that shouldn't be skipped, not just before you set sail but before you book your stateroom. Study them closely and follow our advice — and you might feel at home the moment you step onto the ship.
Reading cruise deck plans before you book your sailing can help you find the perfect stateroom for your voyage. Prefer to be near the elevator, gym, or pool? Want to stay close to your friends and family or maintain a little distance? Let the cruise ship deck plans lead the way.
These maps are the best way to figure out where you want to live on your voyage. Start by finding the staterooms in the category you want to book, be it an interior stateroom or expansive suite, evaluating the options for locations. You'll be able to see square footage to get an idea of how much room you can expect to have in each type of stateroom on the ship. Cruise ship deck plans show the locations of adjoining staterooms, accessible staterooms and staterooms with obstructed views. They also show you how convenient a stateroom is to elevators and stairwells, so they really are your secret weapon for finding just the right stateroom in just the right place.
When you're evaluating deck plans for stateroom selection, take a close look at the size and shape of the indoor space, as well as any balcony, since these can differ from stateroom to stateroom, especially if you're booking a specialty suite.
One more point to remember when you're selecting your stateroom: Areas that appear empty or grayed out on deck plans might not be empty — they're just not open to passengers. These spots could be anything from staff elevators to galleys with ice machines. If you're sensitive to noise, staterooms next to these spaces might not be your ideal spot. Another space to look out for is the one that is right above your stateroom, since being beneath the pool deck, for example, can mean early morning noise as the crew sets up the deck chairs. When in doubt, match up your deck plan with some photos of your cruise ship so you can visualize the stateroom's location.
Once you've selected your stateroom, think about your cruise itinerary using your cruise ship's deck plans as your inspiration. Figure out what bars and restaurants you want to visit and what performances you want to see. Make a list of reservations to make and start browsing menus online, and let yourself stumble on pleasant surprises you didn't realize your ship had in store for you. (Rock climbing, surfing simulators and ice skating? Why not?)
Learn where to find breakfast and coffee in the morning and dinner in the evening. If you're someone who maintains a workout routine when you travel, figure out where the fitness center is, and if you're traveling with children, look out for where the kids clubs are located.
As you choose your shore excursions for days that are in port and plan out your sea days, you'll want to create an itinerary that includes plenty of time for the onboard fun you're most excited about, perhaps those spectacular water slides.
If you download the Royal Caribbean app before you board your ship, you can use the cruise ship deck plans featured there to help you find your way around as soon as you've unpacked. Figure out which direction is the front of the ship, called the forward, and which is the back, or the aft. When forward, the left side of the ship is called the port side while the right side is called the starboard side.
Deck plans focus on one level at a time, making it easy to figure out where you are as long as you know what the deck number is and which direction you're facing.
The world's largest cruise ships are bigger and better than ever, and deck plans have never been so helpful for navigating these floating cities. Case in point: Icon of the Seas, which launches in early 2024, will have 20 decks, seven swimming pools and six waterslides. Still, once you know where your stateroom is, it won't take long for you to feel at home onboard. Each deck is a little bit different, so it helps to have the app in your pocket in case you're not near a sign.
If you get lost — whether that's going to breakfast on your first day or heading to the gangway or to see the doctor for some preventative motion sickness medication before a long drive in port — you can just pull out your phone and look at the deck plan for whatever level you're on.
But if you get to know the landmarks near your stateroom and figure out which venues you want to frequent — you'll quickly start to find your way around the ship. Then all you need to do is kick back and enjoy your vacation.
Ready to explore some deck plans, from water parks to laser tag arenas and bumper cars? Check out these deck plans of some of the biggest cruise ships in the world.