You've settled on a Labuan Bajo liveaboard, and now the booking form wants a cabin type. Pick by who shares the cabin, not by bed size. Couples should book a double or master suite. Solo travellers and friends get the best value from a twin or bunk on a shared trip. Families with young children are usually happiest in a family cabin or on a private charter. This guide sets out the logic Hello Flores uses to match cabin types to traveller groups.

Quick Answer

Cabin choice follows your group: couple, solo traveller, friends or family.
Shared trips have no single supplement. You pay only for your spot.
Bunk cabins suit older kids, friends and budget solo travellers. They rarely suit couples.
Groups of six to eight or more should price a private charter before booking several cabins.

What are the main cabin types on a Komodo liveaboard?

Every cabin decision on a Komodo boat comes back to five layouts, and each one is built for a different kind of group.

Cabin type	Layout	Best for	Trade-off
Master suite	Large double, usually the best position	Honeymooners, anniversaries	Usually the highest-priced cabin
Double	One double bed	Couples on a budget	Less space
Twin	Two single beds	Friends, paired solo travellers	Less romantic
Bunk	Stacked berths	Solo travellers, older kids, friends	Climbing, less headroom
Family	Double plus extra beds or bunks	Parents with children	Fewer boats offer one

The size gap between cabins is real. Cabin sizes vary from boat to boat. On Aqua Blu, for example, the largest suites run 25-31 m² and the smallest 12-14 m². Most of your waking hours, though, are spent on deck, at snorkel sites and on treks.

Verdict: Pay for the right bed layout first and for square metres second.

Which cabin should couples book on a Labuan Bajo boat trip?

With the layouts mapped, couples have the simplest decision. A private double is standard, and the only real question is whether to upgrade. On shared cruises, Hello Flores places couples in a private cabin, so you are never paired with strangers.

Choose a master suite for a honeymoon or milestone. Elbark Cruise has a master suite with an outdoor jacuzzi. Raffles has an ocean-view jacuzzi cabin. Both boats run shared and private trips.
Choose a standard double if budget matters more than the view.
Choose a small yacht if privacy matters most. Alexa is a 31 m boat with one cabin for one couple. Senja takes two to four guests in two cabins. For anniversaries, we usually suggest a yacht with two to four cabins over a large open-trip boat.

Verdict: Honeymooners should book the master suite. Couples who want quiet should book the smaller boat.

Is a twin or bunk cabin a good choice for solo travellers and friends?

A related but distinct question is cost per head, and this is where twin and bunk cabins win. On a shared trip you book a place, not a room, and there is no single supplement on cabin bookings. Hello Flores handles cabin pairing for solo travellers. Gender-separated berths or a women-only cabin can be arranged on request, depending on who else has booked that departure.

Hello Flores publishes indicative 3D2N shared prices across its partner boats, with costs varying by boat, season and exchange rate.

Papiton Lopi: shared bunk beds and an inclusive 3D2N package with meals, snorkel gear, transfers, a guide and an onboard photographer.
Cordelia Phinisi: Crystal cabins for solo travellers, with a private bathroom.
Papiton Duwa: suited to solo adventurers and photographers.

Bunks need more checking than doubles. On a boat, ask how you reach the upper berth, whether each berth has its own light, and where your bag goes. Mattress size, access, privacy, lighting and storage all matter for comfort on a shared cabin. Solo-friendly cabins fill first, so book shared trips 4 to 8 weeks ahead.

Verdict: Twins suit friends who want their own bed. Bunks suit anyone chasing the lowest price per head.

What cabin setup works best for families on a Komodo liveaboard?

Families face the hardest version of the cabin question, because the best answer is often the whole boat rather than a cabin. The pricing works like a bus and a taxi. A shared cabin is a bus seat charged per passenger. A private charter is a taxi with one fare, however many people climb in. Hello Flores reports that at around 6 to 8 people, the per-person cost of a charter starts to compete with shared cabins. It suggests a private charter for groups of about 8 or more, and for families with young children who need a flexible schedule.

These boats have layouts that suit families:

Pinta: 13 adults plus 4 kids across 5 cabins.
Samara I: 10 adults plus 2 children aged 6-10.
Augustine Phinisi: up to 15 guests in 4 cabins, with kids' toys, a movie projector and a marine-biologist cruise director.
Manta Mae: a bunk cabin for older kids or friends.

Your children's ages shape the route as well as the cabin. Hello Flores notes that Padar's steep hike is probably only appropriate for children aged 8 and older. Kanawa, which the 4D3N route adds, has slower currents that are safer for young snorkellers. For a private charter, plan at least 4D3N. That gives you time for Padar, a dragon trek and more than one snorkel site.

Verdict: Families of six or more should price a private charter first.

What should you confirm before booking a cabin?

Once you know who sleeps where, the last step is making sure the cabin you picked is the cabin you get.

The exact boat. Your written confirmation should name the vessel, dates and itinerary.
The bed layout. Get it in writing, especially if a child needs a lower berth.
The bathroom. Ask whether it is private to the cabin.
Cabin pairing. On shared trips, confirm who you are paired with and any gender-separated request.
Boat documents. Every boat booked through Hello Flores is contractually required to hold valid insurance and current certification. Documentation for a specific boat can be requested from the operator on your behalf. The harbourmaster, KSOP Labuan Bajo, also issues a Sailing Approval Letter for each departure.

Verdict: If a detail is missing from your written confirmation, ask us to add it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do solo travellers pay a single supplement?

No. On shared trips you pay only for your spot.

Is a 3D2N shared trip long enough?

Yes. The 3D2N route covers Taka Makassar, Manta Point, Padar, Pink Beach and Kampung Komodo or Rinca. For private charters, we recommend at least 4D3N.

How far ahead should I book?

Book shared trips 4 to 8 weeks ahead. Most group charters are booked 6 to 12 months ahead. Book your international flight first, then the Flores boat leg, then Bali.

Do I need a hotel night in Labuan Bajo?

No. Take a morning flight from Denpasar, which is about 1.5 hours, and go straight to the boat. The harbour is about 10 minutes from Komodo Airport, and the transfer is usually included.

Can kids sleep in a bunk cabin?

Older kids, yes. Manta Mae's bunk cabin is aimed at older kids or friends. Check each boat's age guidance before you book.

About Hello Flores

Hello Flores is a booking platform for Komodo National Park liveaboard trips and part of YMA Yachting. Since 2018, its team has tested and selected partner boats for shared cabin trips and private charters. Its range runs from affordable shared cabins for solo travellers and couples to private charters for families and groups of friends. The team tests the boats it offers, matches cabins to your budget and group size, and backs bookings with a best-price guarantee.

Tell us who is travelling and when, and we'll reply within 24 hours with boat and cabin options that fit your group. Start planning your Labuan Bajo boat trip at https://helloflores.com/.