What are cabins like onboard?

What Are Cabins Like Onboard?

One of the most common questions we get is: “What will my sleeping space actually be like onboard?”

While every yacht is a little different, most of the boats we sail on have a similar cabin layout. To help you know what to expect, we’ve put together some examples of the different types of sleeping spaces you may find onboard, along with photos and videos.

We sail on both monohulls (boats with one hull) and catamarans (boats with two hulls). The exact number and arrangement of berths can vary from boat to boat, so the examples below are intended as a guide. When you book a specific sailing, you’ll see what berths are available on that particular boat on the trip description page.

The images below are indicative of the types of cabins on our typical sailing trips. Actual cabin setup and bed sizes may vary by vessel.

Monohulls

On our monohull trips, you’ll typically find three types of sleeping arrangements.

Typical monohull layout

Shared or Private Berth in a Double Cabin

These are the most spacious sleeping spaces onboard. A typical monohull will have 3–4 cabins with double beds, which are offered as either shared berths or private berths.

If you book a shared berth, you’ll share the cabin with another guest. If you’re travelling with a friend or partner and book shared berths together, we’ll place you in the same cabin.

If you book a private berth, you’ll have the entire cabin to yourself. Private berths are offered at a different price from shared berths, so if having the cabin to yourself is important to you, make sure you select the private berth when booking.

The cabins usually have some closet or locker space for your clothes and personal belongings. Depending on the boat, some may also have a bathroom that can be accessed directly from the cabin, as well as from the common area.

Best for: Guests who value more personal space, want a proper cabin, or are travelling with a partner or friend.

Monohull double cabin

Bunk Bed Berth

Some monohulls also have a smaller cabin with two single bunk beds. Each bunk is a separate sleeping space, so these are generally booked by individual guests.

These cabins usually have some storage for clothing, but considerably less than a standard double cabin. They’re compact and designed primarily as a place to sleep rather than somewhere to spend time relaxing. They do not have an en-suite bathroom.

Best for: Guests who are happy with a cosy sleeping space and would rather spend their time enjoying the boat, the water, and the destinations than hanging out in their cabin.

Monohull bunkbed (right) + galley table (left)

Galley Berth

The galley berth is a little different. On some boats, the dining table in the galley or saloon can be lowered and converted into a double bed, creating sleeping space for up to two people.

Because this is in a shared living area, it doesn’t offer the same privacy as a cabin. There also isn’t dedicated closet space, so clothing and luggage will normally be stored underneath the table/bed or in another available storage area.

Best for: Guests who are comfortable with a more open sleeping arrangement and want to spend most of their time out enjoying the boat rather than in their sleeping space.

See the image above: the table folds down to create a double bed.

Catamarans

Catamarans generally offer a little more space than monohulls, and the sleeping arrangements are usually divided between the two hulls. You’ll typically find three types of berths.

Typical catamaran layout

Shared or Private Berth in a Double Cabin

A typical catamaran will have around four cabins with double beds, which are offered as either shared berths or private berths.

If you book a shared berth, you’ll share the cabin with another guest. Travelling with a friend or partner? Book your shared berths together, and we’ll make sure you’re placed in the same cabin.

If you prefer to have the cabin to yourself, you can book a private berth. Private berths have their own price, reflecting the fact that you’re reserving the entire cabin rather than sharing it with another guest.

The cabins generally have closet or locker space for clothing and personal belongings. Depending on the boat, some may have a bathroom that can be accessed directly from the cabin, as well as from the common area.

Best for: Guests looking for the most privacy and personal space, or couples and friends who want to share a cabin.

Catamaran double cabin

V-Berth

Some catamarans have one or two V-berths. These are smaller, single-occupancy sleeping spaces located toward the front of the hull.

As the name suggests, the berth is shaped roughly like a “V,” following the shape of the bow. They’re cosy and somewhat pod-like, with limited storage space, and are primarily designed for sleeping. They do not have an en-suite bathroom.

Best for: Guests who don’t need much personal space and are looking for a simple, cosy place to sleep. It’s an economical way to have a private berth.

Catamaran v-berth / crew cabin

Galley Berth

Just like on some monohulls, the dining table in the galley or saloon can sometimes be lowered to create a double bed. This can accommodate up to two people.

Because it is located in a shared living area, the galley berth has less privacy than a dedicated cabin. Clothing and luggage will normally be stored underneath the table/bed or in another available storage area.

Best for: Guests who are happy with an open sleeping arrangement and don’t mind giving up some privacy in exchange for another sleeping option.

Catamaran Galley Bed

How Do Cabin Assignments Work?

For double cabins with shared berths, we want to keep the assignment process as fair and straightforward as possible.

If you’re traveling with a friend or partner and book together or request to share a cabin together, we’ll put you in the same cabin.

If you’re traveling solo and book a shared berth, we’ll randomly assign you a cabinmate. This keeps things fair for everyone and avoids making assumptions about who might prefer to share with whom. If you want to guarantee that you have a cabin to yourself, please book a private berth rather than a shared berth. A private berth reserves the entire double cabin for you and is priced accordingly.

Of course, if you meet someone onboard and decide you’d rather share a cabin with them, you’re welcome to arrange that amongst yourselves. Any changes to cabin assignments after the initial assignment will need to be agreed upon by the guests involved.

Which Berth Is Right for You?

There’s no single “best” berth — it really depends on what matters most to you.

If you like having your own space, want somewhere to keep your belongings neatly organized, or simply enjoy a little more privacy, a private berth in a double cabin is probably your best choice.

If you’re travelling with a friend or partner and are happy to share a cabin, a shared berth in a double cabin gives you a little more space while keeping things social.

If you’re travelling solo and don’t mind a smaller, more functional sleeping space, a bunk or V-berth can be a great option. These berths are designed primarily for sleeping, so you’ll likely spend most of your time elsewhere on the boat anyway — lounging on deck, swimming, exploring, or hanging out with the group.

And if you’re easygoing about privacy and want to make use of every available sleeping space, the galley berth offers another option. It’s more open, but it can also put you right in the middle of the action.

Whichever berth you choose, remember that the boat itself is your living room. Most of your time will be spent outside your sleeping space, enjoying the deck, the sea, the destinations, and the company.

It’s Giving “Head”: A Note About Bathrooms

Some cabins have a bathroom (called a “head” on a boat) that can be accessed directly from the cabin. This is often referred to as an en-suite bathroom.

However, an en-suite bathroom does not mean that the bathroom is private. On our trips, bathrooms are shared facilities for all guests. Even when a bathroom is located directly inside or next to a cabin, it can also be accessed from the common area, so other guests can use it too.

The exact bathroom layout varies between boats, and the trip description will provide the relevant details for your specific sailing.

In all cases, the bathrooms are shared amongst all guests, even those rooms that are en suite. We avoid having “private bathrooms” as everyone needs access to the facilities.

Head (aka: Bathroom)