Why You Should Consider An Inside Cabin On Your Next Cruise

Reasons to book an inside cabin

If you love to spend your sea days mesmerised by the lapping waves, then the privacy of your own private balcony on a cruise may seem appealing. 

However, if price is a consideration and you’re seeking a bargain, you may choose to compromise by selecting an inside-facing cabin. And, with so many activities on board cruise ships nowadays, time spent in your room is likely to be minimal and therefore not much of a sacrifice anyway.

Inside cabins are typically the cheapest stateroom option on cruise ships, located in the interior of the ship, inside of facing outwards to sea, and options range from cosy solo travellers inside cabins to inside staterooms which can sleep up to four people.

However, some cruise lines have developed innovative ways to make their inside cabins more appealing and comfortable, seeking to provide the best possible experience wherever you’re staying. Read on to discover how cruise lines have redesigned their inside cabins, making this option no longer a compromise.

A room with a view

Royal Caribbean cruises lead the way in many aspects of cruising, and their cabins are just another example of how. On their ships, views don’t just look out to sea. They offer three alternatives: Promenade View, Central Park View and Virtual Balcony.

Promenade View

The Royal Promenade is iconic on many Royal Caribbean ships – a hubbub of activity that includes shops, restaurants and bars. For guests who love to people-watch, the Promenade View staterooms provide the perfect opportunity. 

The bowed windows, which look out on the ship’s interior, also include a built-in couch, offering an additional place to sit. However, if you can see out, this means passers-by can also see in (although there are curtains provided), so these rooms do not offer the same privacy as those facing out to the ocean.

Promenade View inside cabins are available on 12 of Royal Caribbean’s ships, including Oasis, Allure, Harmony and Symphony of the Seas. 

Central Park View

From a balcony class, Central Park View stateroom, guests can enjoy the fresh air and sunlight in the same way as from an ocean balcony, but instead overlooking Royal Caribbean’s oasis known as Central Park. 

Generally, this is a more peaceful area of the ship than the Royal Promenade, but you’ll still see people taking a stroll and can be overlooked by the cabins opposite. Central Park View inside cabins are available on Oasis-class Royal Caribbean ships. 

Virtual Balcony 

Virtual Balcony rooms offer a real-time and highly realistic view of the ocean as seen from a balcony. Created in high definition and featured on a floor-to-ceiling HD television, the ‘windows’ even have real curtains to complete the effect. 

Historically, these rooms haven’t come with a surcharge, providing a cost-effective way of enjoying the view. Virtual Balcony inside cabins are available on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas.

Easy access

Celebrity Cruises have considered all the aspects of their Accessible Inside Stateroom for ease of movement and relaxation. 

Well-proportioned and at 245 square feet in size, they come with all the features you’d expect in a standard cabin, as well as wider doorways, bathrooms with a fold-down shower bench and hand-held showerhead, and a lowered vanity and safe.

Accessible Inside Staterooms are available on Celebrity Cruises’ five Solstice-class ships. 

Cosy yet comfortable

Carnival Cruises ensures the things that really matter are delivered to an excellent standard in their array of inside staterooms.

Their Standard Inside cabins are very spacious for their class. At 185 square feet on ships such as Panorama, they equal the size of most inside areas of balcony cabins and are larger than some family cabins on other cruise lines.

Carnival also includes certain perks across all of their rooms, including a dedicated room steward, bathrobes on request and plenty of closet space. Therefore, these rooms provide a good, affordable, no-frills, but comfortable option.

Standard Inside Cabins are available on all Carnival ships.

Family-friendly features 

Disney Cruise Line clearly has families in mind when designing their cabins. Their Standard Inside staterooms have more space than the equivalent class on most other cruise ships, allowing for the extra luggage and room needed when travelling with a young family.

Family-friendly features include a heavy privacy curtain to separate the sitting and sleeping areas, allowing adults to relax while their children sleep undisturbed. 

There’s also a full bathroom with a sink, shower and tub, making bath times less stressful. Of course, in true Disney-style, the cabins also have a Magical Porthole showing real-time views of the ship’s exterior with added ‘special appearances’ by your favourite Disney characters.

Standard Inside Cabins are available on all Disney Cruise Line vessels. 

There are many great choices for an inside cabin on your cruise, which means you don’t need to compromise comfort for cost on your holiday. The key to getting it right is doing your research first. Review the cabin location on the ship, its layout and size, and any interesting features, such as those we’ve highlighted.