Friday, April 12, 2024

I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked

interior cruise room

If you have a set budget for your vacation, you can put the savings on your accommodation towards other things on the trip such as fun port excursions, specialty dining experiences, or a drink package. Many cruise passengers suggest having a travel clock to keep in your cabin. This simple to operate digital alarm clock is handy to pack for a cruise. As a matter of fact, there are many people who choose to cruise in an inside cabin, most of the time, for a variety of reasons. While inside rooms are not the most spacious rooms on the ship, they do offer more space than you might be giving it credit for offering.

The Rooms Are Great for Late Sleepers

Back then the third-class passengers aren’t allowed into the first-class areas, meaning passengers in lower-tier cabins have a very different experience. Cruises of five days are a tipping point that can go either way. You may also find interior rooms with virtual balconies -- floor-to-ceiling LED screens that display live footage from outside the ship, creating the sensation that you're looking out a window. Royal Caribbean has inside cabins with a view -- just not always of the ocean. Several of its ships have rooms that overlook the Royal Promenade or other open public areas of the ship.

Top benefits of an interior cabin

I paid $900 for the smallest interior cabin on my MSC Seaside cruise — take a look inside - Cruise Blog

I paid $900 for the smallest interior cabin on my MSC Seaside cruise — take a look inside.

Posted: Tue, 01 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Some even feature proper sitting spaces in front of the window, such as a built-in plush bench or an alcove in the recessed window. Most cruisers enjoy the natural sunlight that pours into a small cabin through the window, but the view outside is hard to beat. You might spot dolphins, whales or birds right outside your cabin. If your cruise is traveling through any scenic routes (say Alaska or the Norwegian fjords), you can admire the vistas from bed without having to seek out a public deck. On port days, you're able to watch as the ship docks and get a lay of the land firsthand. Do you lose anything by not having a window to the outside world on a cruise?

I'm traveling solo. Are there cabins for just 1 person?

The smaller space and lack of windows is a trade-off for that lower price. But where that trade-off seems worth it most is on shorter cruises. In our opinion, the major factor you should consider before booking an interior cabin is the length of your cruise. If you’ve never sailed in an interior room on a cruise before, there’s a lot to understand ahead of reserving one of these cabins. From what you get for your money to how these rooms are different from others on the ship, here’s what you should consider. If you’re someone that likes to sleep-in well past when the sun comes up, an interior cabin may help you catch more “zzz’s” on your vacation.

Differences Between Balcony and Interior Cabins on a Cruise

For example, getting an interior that’s directly across the hallway from their balcony room. If your family needs multiple interior staterooms, you might want to specifically book cabins that have interior connecting doors. Since interior cabins are on the interior of the ship, they experience less motion than their exterior counterparts. If you’re prone to motion sickness and are planning to book an interior cabin, look for one that’s on one of the lower decks and as close to the center of the ship — both widthwise and lengthwise — as possible. This puts you close to the vessel’s equilibrium point, meaning that area moves less with the motion of the ocean than other parts of the ship do. If you’re worried about finding your way around, there is a solution.

I’ll admit the virtual balcony doesn’t necessarily make you feel like you’re looking at the scenery in real life, but it’s still a nice cabin feature. Being able to easily see what the weather is like outside, if you’ve left port yet, and if it’s day or night is helpful when staying in an inside room. On a few innovative cruise ships, there are windowless inside cabins that offer a view of the outside world, thanks to the magic of technology.

Most mainstream lines allow families to book extra rooms across the hall from parents. It’s a money-saving tactic that also allows the kids to feel a little more independent than standard adjoining rooms. This approach works even if parents decide to split up between the kids for sleeping arrangements. Booking one balcony and one or more interior staterooms across the hall allows everyone to enjoy the balcony room during the daytime and split up at night – with bonus bathrooms. If so, then it doesn’t really matter if you have an interior cabin or balcony as far as space goes. But if traveling with more than two people, it’s a good idea to have a balcony.

If you see prices drop on your cruise, you might be able to adjust your room selection to an upgraded one if the cost for the new cabin is the same as the original one. You can always ask at the front desk when you board your ship, but even if you play the birthday/anniversary/special occasion card, you can rarely sweet talk your way to a suite. Norwegian's Studio cabins have access to an exclusive lounge where single travelers can meet and mingle and grab snacks. On Oceania's new ship Vista, solo cabin occupants will have concierge-level perks and privileges, including concierge lounge access.

Bed configuration

Inside, a balcony cabin will offer an ensuite bathroom, bed(s), closet area, desk with chair and a small sitting area. The exterior wall will be a floor-to-ceiling window with a door leading to a private balcony, usually with two upright chairs and a small table for drinks or alfresco meals. Choosing the right cabin is the first step in maximizing your cruise vacation and getting the most from your vacation budget. Here, I answer the most common questions about cruise ship cabins and picking the best fit for your travel party. The main distinguishing factor of an inside cabin is that it's not going to have a view of the sea through a porthole or window. A few ships have gotten creative with virtual windows (LED screens, designed to look like an actual window, that project a view from outside the ship into your room).

interior cruise room

Although inside cabins are usually cheaper than other cabins on your cruise ship, it’s not guaranteed. Before booking an inside cabin, be sure to check the price of oceanview and balcony rooms. Most of the time, you can save a few hundred dollars by booking an interior stateroom. There’s nothing quite like the sleep you’ll get in an interior room on a cruise ship. Having no window or balcony to the outside means these rooms are pitch black when you turn the light off.

Interior cabins are the most inexpensive rooms on a cruise ship. Many times the difference between the cost of an interior vs. an oceanview or balcony is significant. Standard interior cabins tend to be a bit smaller than oceanview and balcony cabins. And they are, of course, quite a bit smaller than the suites on the ship. Though on most ships, you can expect at least a dozen or two more square feet in an oceanview cabin than you’d get in an interior accommodation. Suites are the largest type of cruise ship cabin, and they come in a wide range of varieties.

Travelers who don't sleep well with ambient noise should prioritize cruise ship cabins that are not above or below public areas, such as the pool deck, main dining room or nightclub. Connecting cabins are less soundproof than rooms without those extra doors, so avoid those, too, if you're not booking both rooms. Celebrity Cruises' Edge class features three ocean-view options, starting with the budget-friendly standard ocean-view cabins with a porthole set behind a recessed sitting ledge.

One way to make unpacking easier and faster is to use packing cubes. I tend to overpack, but using packing cubes has really helped me to stay organized when packing for a cruise. Perhaps the most compelling reason to book an inside room is the cost.

Norwegian Cruise Line's compact 100-square-foot single studios are perfect interior enclaves that are only available for solo travelers and priced accordingly (without the common single-supplement fee). These space-efficient staterooms utilize every inch of the cabin with a full-size bed, ample storage and an en suite bathroom. The best benefit of cruising in one of Norwegian's studios is access to the ship's Studio Lounge, where you'll find a nice opportunity to mingle with other single travelers. However, some people don’t mind spending a bit extra to upgrade their experience. If you are the sort of person who likes to splurge on vacation, go ahead and get the balcony cabin. But if you’re the type who is simply looking for the cheapest vacation, then it sounds like you’d be better off saving hundreds by selecting the interior room.

If you tend to suffer from motion sickness or get seasick, an inside cabin, midship, on a lower deck is the most stable place to be. You won’t feel the rocking of the ship as much if your room is located in this area. If you’re cruising to an area with “midnight sun” during the summer, such as Scandinavia or Alaska, an inside cabin may be a good idea if you’re light-sensitive. Depending on the sailing—and how far in advance you’re booking—you may be surprised to see upgraded staterooms priced similarly to an inside room. Thankfully, there’s no “wrong” cabin to book on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Regardless of whether you stay in the cheapest inside room or most expensive two-story suite, you can still have an amazing experience onboard.

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