When it comes to picking a stateroom, every cruiser has that big decision: Which cabin do I choose?
It’s not always an easy decision. Balcony rooms offer more space, a private balcony, fresh air into the cabin, and natural light each day. However, you have to be prepared to pay handsomely for those niceties. Compared to an interior cabin, balcony rooms on the same ship can cost up to three times as much.
The truth is, each year millions of passengers decide to forego having a balcony room and pick an interior cabin instead. And while the price of the cruise is a major factor, it’s not the only reason why many passengers opt to cruise inside.
In fact, there are several major reasons that you might enjoy sailing in an interior cabin on your next cruise…
Interior cabins are cheaper than balcony rooms
Of course, the biggest reason why many passengers choose to sail in an interior cabin is cost. Since everybody on the ship goes on the exact same cruise, does it make sense to pay several times more for a balcony room? For example, Royal Caribbean offers a 4-night cruise from Galveston aboard the Vision of the Seas in January 2018 for just $279 for an interior room. The same trip in a balcony would cost $550. That’s nearly twice as much.
Considering that the cruise ship is headed on the exact same cruise no matter how much you spend on your cabin, many people decide that their money is better spent elsewhere — such as alcohol or shore excursions — than on a fancier room.
Interior cabins offer more privacy
Think that your balcony room is private? Think again. Your neighbors don’t have to go far to catch a peek in the adjoining cabin. The partitions between the balconies usually have gaps that allow you to see your neighbors, not to mention that sound can travel freely.
Interior cabins don’t have to worry about this problem. Since your room is closed off from the rest of the ship once you latch the cabin door, you have all the privacy you need. You certainly don’t have to worry about the neighbors peeking in on you or overhearing private conversations.
Interior cabins are better for light sleepers
Are you someone who has to have the room pitch black to sleep? If so, balcony rooms may get you up earlier than you want to wake up on your vacation. Balcony cabins will have light coming in through the balcony door. Yes, there is a curtain, but light can still get through.
Interior cabins don’t have this problem. Since they don’t have exterior windows, the rooms are pitch black if the lights are out and the door is shut.
Interior cabins offer more location options
As we said, more people prefer balcony rooms over interior ones if given the option. That means reservations fill up faster for balcony rooms. If you are picky about your location on a ship, then the interior cabins will offer you more options. When booking you are more likely to have access to rooms at every level on the ship and your preference of front, middle, or rear. There’s no guarantee that your perfect location will be open, but your odds are definitely better with an interior room.
Interior cabins can offer less rocking
Are you the type that gets seasick easily? The ship’s interior cabins can offer spots on the ship that are less prone to rocking. Due to the physics of a cruise ship, the lower and closer to the middle of the boat you are, the less rocking there will be. Balcony rooms usually aren’t available until the fourth deck, while interior cabins are available on the second deck. In addition, interior rooms are also available at the center of the ship, whereas balconies are obviously only available along the outside.
Interior cabins offer more cruising options
You might not realize, but there are still plenty of cruise ships sailing that don’t even offer balcony cabins. While the newest ships try to cram as many balcony rooms onboard as possible, ships like the Carnival Fantasy (launched in 1990) have no balconies at all. The ship, however, does have plenty of interior cabins. This means if you want the most options on sailing, then interior rooms offer the greatest choice for which ship and port you sail from.
Interior cabins save more money for other perks
While you know that interior cabins are cheaper, you don’t have to save the money. What is saved on your cabin can be put to good use on things like shore excursions, drinks, and specialty restaurants on the ship. In fact, if you are on a strict budget, you can squeeze out much more fun out of your vacation by putting your cash toward the cruise “extras” than spending it on your room.
Have a reason that you like interior cabins? Let us know why in the comments below.
A friend and I have just completed a short trip (6 days) along the coast of Qld. We shared an inside twin bed cabin and are both now sick with respiratory viruses. SOB, Barking cough sore throat headaches and some bowel problems. We both took a Covid test Negative result and saw the Dr yesterday. The last trip we had in 2018, also an inside cabin we were fine. We sailed with RC and can’t fault them but could it be an air conditioning problem causing it?