Carnival Cruise Line Wants to Help – Does Bed Direction Matter?
A good night’s sleep is important on a cruise, or else you might not have the energy to enjoy everything the ship or the port destinations have to offer.
Bed size (king or twin?), mattress comfort (firm or soft?), cabin temperature (warm or cool?), and other factors can make a difference to just how good any guest sleeps. But what about the actual orientation of the bed?
One prospective guest has messaged John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, to see if is possible to learn which way a bed faces in order to ensure comfort and less seasickness.
“My life partner and I are no strangers to cruising. We are both at the top loyalty level with [another cruise line]. We want to be on the Carnival Venezia,” the guest explained. “I was told by our travel agent that they could not guarantee that our balcony cabin will have the bed facing in the same direction the ship will be moving.”
The guest notes that they are hoping to book the ship’s October 6, 2024 departure, a 12-night Eastern Caribbean sailing from New York with visits to the US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, and Tortola.
With six days at sea and of course every night spent sailing, good sleep and comfort is certainly important.
“You need to understand that [bed orientation] can make a difference for someone that can get seasick. We want our cabin to have our bed by the balcony and so we can sleep while going the same way as the Venezia,” the guest said. “Can you guarantee this before we book the room?”
While it is possible that the bed’s orientation could have a small impact on seasickness, it is important to note that how a ship might roll or pitch on any individual voyage can vary tremendously.
The ship’s speed, any prevailing winds that push the vessel, wave action, regional storms, and other factors all contribute to how much motion might be felt.
Furthermore, exactly where a stateroom is located – on a top deck or lower down, toward the ends of the ship or in the center – also determines how much motion a guest feels.
Plus, the guest’s question is somewhat unclear. They want to “sleep while going the same way as the Venezia” – but what does this mean? Should their head be facing the direction of motion, or their feet?
Ultimately, however, the answer is the same. It isn’t possible to “guarantee” how a bed is oriented before booking a cabin (or even afterward for that matter).
“I do understand. I have to say though that having been working at sea for so many years I don’t think I have ever [felt] the direction of travel on a cruise ship,” Heald responded.
“And it is hard, I think, to guarantee this as the construction of the ship means that cabin configurations are going to different from cabin to cabin and from deck to deck.”
In some staterooms, the bed might be next to a window or balcony doors, while in others, the bed is closer to the bathroom. The bed might be oriented with the head toward the ship’s bow, or toward the aft, or even situated cross-wise in the room depending on the type of stateroom (this is more common with interior cabins).
Heald does suggest the guest have their travel agent contact him about the exact stateroom numbers they may be considering. He will try to find out how the bed is oriented, but he can’t guarantee it.
What If the Bed Points the Wrong Way?
Guests who might be sensitive to which way their bed is oriented in comparison with the ship’s motion do have some options.
First, if it’s a simple head-to-foot switch, it’s easy enough to change how the bedding is tucked in for an instant 180-degree move. This might not be ideal with respect to watching television or using the bedside tables, but it’s a fast and effective solution.
Read Also: How to Sleep Well During Your Cruise
If the bed is oriented perpendicular to the length of the ship, it might be possible to ask the stateroom attendant if it can be moved 90 degrees. Depending on the overall dimensions of the room and how furnishings may be affixed to the walls or the floor, this could be possible.
If seasickness is a concern, medications such as bonine or dramamine can be effective no matter which way the bed is facing, and guests can take other steps to ease discomfort as well.
Trying other tactics to get a good night’s sleep, such as stretching, blocking unnecessary light, keeping the room cool, or using a small travel fan can also help guests enjoy a restful night, regardless of where the bed is pointing.
Carnival Cruise Line Wants to Help – Does Bed Direction Matter?