Why I ONLY cruise in interior cabins (and why you should, too!)

Why would anyone want to book an inside cabin on a cruise? You’d be surprised to know that these cabins are not nearly as bad as they might sound. In fact, I almost always book an inside cabin when I cruise for a number of reasons.

Here’s why I actually prefer to stay in an inside cabin when I cruise - and reasons why you should consider booking one for your next cruise.

[michaelcowan]

My wife and I have been on over 30 cruises in the last 10 years.
We had inside cabins for 28 of those cruises. We always picked a middle inside cabin whenever we could get it. It was great for being on a budget.
Last September, we were invited by friends for a 15-day balcony cruise to Hawaii.
Needless to say that we are now hooked on balcony cabins.

[sarasimonds]

It’s balconies and suites for us. We spend time in our staterooms. We like the balcony and the windows. Love to sit out in the daytime without the noise and crowd by the pool. Also, love a drink at night listening to the water and watching television waves from the balcony. We budget for the extra money. Having been on so many cruises, we, re not big on excursions anymore.

[beachbreath]

There is absolutely NO fresh air, and during cold & flu season I Love the idea of airing out my room!

[briankolley]

We choose balcony staterooms. We like having our own outdoor space when other outdoor spaces get overcrowded. We like watching pier runners and sail aways from port. When one person wants to nap and the other wants to just relax at the room, they can go out on the balcony without disturbing the person sleeping. Lastly, in the event of hvac or other problems on the ship where the interior rooms are too hot and stale to be comfortable, a balcony room provides an outdoor space that can provide fresh air and a bit of wind to help make things easier to bear.

[deborahtalarico]

Seeing the sunshine and ocean first thing in the morning is rare for us. I won’t do an inside stateroom unless it was absolutely free. Otherwise, fresh air, sunshine, and seeing the ocean are my relaxing, stress free ways to vacation.

[fjcrod]

Just recently went on my first cruise. We stayed in an interior room and had absolutely no issues with it. Only used it to sleep in and freshen up. Loved the darkness at night. Our friends stayed in balcony rooms and though it was really pretty, I much preferred our room. I got plenty of views of the ocean during the day and evening hours. One morning at breakfast with our friends, they complained of the roughness they experienced during the night. Because the interior rooms are closer to the center of the ship, we felt nothing. Call me cheap, but I rather enjoyed my interior room.

[erinf]

I think inside cabins are good for beginning cruisers, people who have to maintain strict budgets, and anyone who is prone to seasickness. I have been solo cruising since the age of 19 (now 62) and once I discovered balcony cabins, I was hooked. I cruise year-round, not just in the typically nice seasons. So you may encounter weather that does not bode for pool or deck time. In these cases, the interior of the ship is crowded with people who don't know what to do. A book, a blanket and a beverage on your balcony can be a sanity saver. I also travel to beautiful places. In an inside cabin, I would not be able to sit with a quiet coffee at sunrise, or a glass of wine at night watching the stars. I enjoy the hustle and bustle of the ship but I treasure my alone time. There is nothing better than breakfast or dinner on your balcony. On transatlantic, longer repositioning cruises, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, and other cruises, an inside cabin may be a detriment rather than a blessing. In the early days, I fell for the belief that you only shower and sleep in your cabin. All of these years later, I know better. However, to each his or her own. The important part is to enjoy the cruise.

[sherrymiller]

The sights I have seen just from my balcony was worth the money! I woke up one morning w/Vesuvius in "my backyard". I've seen the tops of volcanos spewing fire. I loved the moon glistening on the calm waters. Or the magnificent sunsets...all from the privacy of my cabin. I even like to watch the waves during a storm while sipping a warm cup of tea. An inside cabin would give me claustrophobia, a psychological feeling of being sandwiched in or confined...

[FraserAtSea]

I agree with a lot of points in this video. I meet so many people who ask why I don't cruise in a balcony, and the reality is that the more cruises I take on the INSIDE, the more cruises I can afford to take.

For me, that's SUCH simple math!

[delanie]

Nope, i went on my first cruise last yr and my friend scared the hell outta me about inside cabins ESP post-covid world. She said when covid was at its hieght, being quarantined in an inside stateroom was a nightmare. Well low and behold I got covid on my first cruise. By time i actually tested positive i only had to quarantine for 1 day and a half but the free room service and the balcony made it a joy. I chilled, ate and watched movies!! When i wanted fresh air, i went out on my balcony and watched the beautiful water. So no cruisin on a budget for me! I'll plan ahead and save my money to make sure i can get a balcony everytime!! 😅
Can't wait for my cruise this year to Bermuda with a solo balcony room 🎉🎉

[bellydancegal]

Our last cruise (disembarked 8 days ago) had 3 days at sea. We enjoyed our balcony a lot. My husband is an earlier riser than I am, so he would take his book and sit on the balcony and read and relax until I woke up. Coming back from excursions, we would relax on the balcony for a while.

When our sons were young and we first started cruising, we always stayed in an inside cabin. It began as a better financial option, but as the boys grew up and we enjoyed cruising so much, we began choosing balconies and never looked back. Now I’d never take an inside cabin on a cruise.

[aimeerebecca]

Here folks, I’ll save you 6 minutes. The only actual reason repeated throughout the video is that you will save money and it’s worth it IF you plan to be in the room only to sleep. lol. No thanks, I’ll splurge and get a balcony.

[davidkobold]

Experienced cruiser here, and I love the interior cabins. You mentioned the ease of selecting a quiet room, but being able to sleep in the middle of the day without too much natural light pouring in is just what I want on vacation. I'll lounge on the deck instead of a balcony whenever I need sunshine.

[georgeallen]

Coffee and croissants on the balcony in the morning is my meditation

[ssergium.]

I’ve been on a cruise once and I loved the balcony so much. It was almost my favorite thing. Just sitting outside at night or in the morning, looking outside, feeling the air and hearing the waves. Absolutely magical. Without the balcony, I think it wouldn’t have been so much fun.

[milo_thatch_incarnate]

This definitely depends on the person. I have pretty bad motion sickness, and looking at a steady horizon always helps enormously. So I’d ONLY consider a balcony cabin for that reason.

Additionally, I’m very introverted, so my _favorite_ part of a cruise is _avoiding_ the loud parties and sitting with a book on my balcony 🙂

(And if motion-sickness and introversion makes you think “why does she even WANT to go on a cruise then?” — you’re right. 😂 My hubby loves cruises, I just go for him)

[writerious]

I'm an introvert with sensory sensitivities. I'm the one who will be spending lots of quiet time in the cabin, and having no natural light and no view is claustrophobic. Spending extra for an outside room is worth it for a pleasant voyage.

[atomicrancher]

As a solo cruiser doing 6-8 cruises a year, balcony cabins are usually out of my financial reach and I book interior cabins where I’m usually quite content and you are correct, I don’t spend a lot of time. BUT, on those cruises where I’ve sometimes found an affordable fare for a solo balcony, I can tell you that you absolutely will spend more time in your cabin enjoying the private indoor space and your own outdoor space. A balcony cabin is a totally different (superior) experience from an interior cabin. The psychology (for 95% of us) is the opposite of what you say, but I appreciate the points you are trying to make. In short….Less space, less time in cabin. More space, more enjoyable, relaxing time in cabin. I say if you can afford a balcony, book it, but if it must be an interior cabin, that’s fine too. Cruise on!🚢👍

[willg]

As someone how has stayed in both interior cabins and balcony staterooms... I can honestly say that I'll never choose n interior cabin again. For me, the experience and the view you get with a balcony is well worth the price. It's both calming and humbling to watch the ocean while sitting on the balcony, drink in hand, listening to the waves.

[jimmyPx]

I have been cruising for over 30 years and have had every type of cabin on many different ships and cruise lines. The key to which cabin type is best for you is your budget and what you like to do on a cruise. If you are only going to your cabin to sleep, shower and change clothes then get an inside cabin and save the money. If however excursions aren't a big thing for you and you don't want to spend all day running around the ship but would rather hang in your cabin and read a good book then a balcony is great and watch the sea go by.