Taking a cruise in an inside cabin?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

I have been on more than 20 cruises on several cruise lines and my first few cruises were in inside cabins, until I could afford outside or balcony. Now I never cruise without getting a balcony. My advice is to get the best cabin that you can afford. Also consider that this will be your honeymoon and you want it to be special.

Some people will tell you to just get an inside cabin because you will not be in it much. What's true is that if you do get an inside cabin you will not want to be in it much; its like sitting in a closet with no windows. The cruise lines make inside cabins look nice with decorations where a window would be and lighting. And inside cabins are generally about the same size (sq ft) as the outside and balcony cabins.

But if you get a balcony cabin you WILL be in it more and you will enjoy your cruise more by for example, being able to go/sit outside at night, or first thing in the morning as you approach a new port stop. That glass wall of the balcony cabins make them seem much larger than they are. Another thing to consider is how many "at sea" days your cruise will have. If you have 2 or 3 days with no port stops you just may want to spend more time in private and still enjoy the sea.

Inside cabins are also not in the best locations on ships. Cabins mid ship are considered premium/better because there is less motion there and its also easier to go to activities on ship from there, i.e. pools are generally always mid ship, dining rooms generally aft or midship; the show room and gym and always on the front of the ship. Pools, hot tubs, gyms, and buffets are always on the upper decks so a cabin up higher puts you closer to them. On the other hand, cabins mid-ship and on lower levels have less motion than higher levels.

I don't know if you have booked your cruise already; it sounds like you have. But there are some other options for getting a balcony cabin for less. First, consider a different date for your cruise. If you plan to go days or weeks after your wedding that may be a high priced week/date and you can probably get a lower fare on a different date. Second, Some Royal Caribbean ships have inside cabins (their Freedom and Voyager Class and Oasis and Allure of the Seas ships: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/home.do;jsessionid=00008yFjS8jHdC9K3daf2UqI_Xn:13hldcgo7?cS=NAVBAR) that have inside cabins with a picture window overlooking the ship's atrium/mall. These cabins are generally only about $50 per person more than the regular inside cabins.

So if you have not yet booked, or if you have time to look around/shop some more, you may be able to find a better deal. Like for example this on RC: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itineraryAndPricing.do;jsessionid=00008yFjS8jHdC9K3daf2UqI_Xn:13hldcgo7?packageCode=FR07E017&date=ANY&selectedCurrencyCode=&promoType=&hasSenior=&hasMilitary=&hasFireandPolice=&state=

Or this one: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itineraryAndPricing.do;jsessionid=00008yFjS8jHdC9K3daf2UqI_Xn:13hldcgo7?packageCode=LB07E019&date=ANY&selectedCurrencyCode=USD&promoType=&hasSenior=&hasMilitary=&hasFireandPolice=&state=

randall_nd

All you really do in the cabin is shower and sleep. Save your money. The more time you spend up on the Lido Deck, the better. Besides, some ocean view cabins are behind the lifeboats. That's why there are so many categories.

shhhhhhhhhhhimhiding

I have been on 11 cruises and tried every room type. Yes, ocean view and balconies are great but you really don't spend alot of time in the room, so if price is an issue, book the inside and have a great time. Try to stay lower on the ship though. The rooms are slightly larger for an inside ( yes, they say they are all the same but they are not) $1000 is alot to get the balcony, use that for your on board expenses or shore excursions. Have a fantastic time

xxjackiexx

The balcony cabin definately isn't worth all of the extra money.
the only let-downs of an inside cabin are: 1. the room seems to be a little smaller, and 2. It's a lot darker in the room without a window. But not that much time is spent inside the cabin - you'll shower, get dressed, and sleep. That's about it.

Gabriela

I wouldnt upgrade beacuase most of the time you are not in the room the only times you are in the room is in the morning or when your going to sleep, which is late. Also, if you get seasick it wouldnt be a good idea looking at the sea while u are sailing. Are family we stayed in a inside cabin and we did not regret the choice b/c like I said we were barley in the room.

phantom_of_valkyrie

Not at all. I really am not in the room all that much. Now my husband gets motion sick so since I've been traveling with him I have stayed in Ocean view. Personally to me a balcony is not worth the price difference. Now the room is bigger and would be if I had a 3rd person staying there. Some people really love the balcony--they go out there and drink their room service coffee and enjoy some time out there.

We had a balcony on our honeymoon and really...I think we spent 30 minutes out there. We were never on the right side of the ship to see sunset. The last "port" day we went to Aruba and got sunburned so the next day at sea we sat out on the balcony to enjoy the weather but not be in the sun. However you could have done that up on the deck and just pulled your chair under the upper level.

My husband and I wake up and get dressed in bathing suit and sunscreen asap. Then we rush to breakfast and lay out all day.

Some people really enjoy the balcony and leisurely order room service each day.

It really depends on what type of person you are but for me an inside cabin is fine. I lay out all day, I come back to change for dinner, and then I'm outside at the club or casino until late at night. I barely spent 30 minutes in my room that isn't changing clothing time.

Personally I feel the $1000 is better spent elsewhere. I mean that's the entire cruise budget--all the drinks, shore excursions and shopping--so it's a big cost savings.

KidFromThaBay

Nope, balconies are great iif you dont mind spending the extra money, but an inside cabin is all you need. Besides, there real nice and cozy!

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