Most Pullman beds fold down from the wall, where they are secured by one or more brackets. In some cases, the staff of the cruise ship will be the only people authorized to open and close the Pullman bed safely. A ladder will usually be provided but in some cases the occupant may have to climb up from the lower bunk.
Some Pullman beds pull or slide down from the ceiling to a set point on the wall above the other beds in the cabin, or the floor of the cabin. These Pullman beds can usually only be opened and set up by trained staff. They might be left open during the duration of the cruise, which can mean a very low ceiling area for certain parts of the cabin. They might have a ladder, or be accessed by stepping up from a lower bunk.
Depending on the size of the cabin, a Pullman bed may not be able to accommodate a very tall person. Pullman beds are excellent for accommodating younger children. However, even with the side railing on the bed, there will be some danger of falling out. Caution must be exercised at all times when getting in and out of the bed, especially during any rough weather and in the middle of the night, especially if there is no ladder.The ship cabin can start to become quite crowded if the Pullman bed or beds in the cabin are folded up and there is no place for every occupant to sit or relax. On some cruise lines, a special price break will be offered to any third or fourth person in the cabin who is allocated a Pullman instead of a regular bed.
