Should you Book an Inside Cabin?

The most affordable accommodation type available on most cruise lines is usually the inside cabin. However, it may be not the right choice for everyone and times are certainly changing.

The interior room is a wise choice for a number of reasons.

The most obvious benefit of an inside cabin is that it will save you money that can be spent elsewhere on your holiday.

If there are a lot of activities on the ship or those that are port intensive, then the cabin use would be great for getting changed, showered and heading for a good night’s sleep.

But the inside cabins on the newer ships certainly aren’t like they used to be, many have a considerable amount of space and their own cosy charm. In addition, the standard indoor staterooms share exactly the same amenities as the standard outside cabins. The indoor rooms are also a good choice for passengers who suffer from seasickness as they won’t be able to see the sea!

All the major cruise lines have inside cabins of course, but bear in mind that they do differ from ship to ship. However, they are no longer the bottom-of-the-barrel of cabin choice as they once were.

Here is a sample of interior cabins on four major cruise lines.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney has gone above and beyond with their interior cabins and even more so onboard their Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream ships. Always geared towards families (though plenty of couples have discovered this line) space is pinnacle, along with their bath-and-a-half. Their ‘Deluxe Inside Cabins’ have many superb features such as a convertible sofa.

There is a pull-down upper berth to accommodate extra guests with a curtain that divides the room in half. There’s also an iPod docking station and a virtual porthole, so you would never feel as though you are in the cheapest inside cabin. The virtual faux porthole provides a live scene of the exterior of the ship and will change to Disney characters in animation to entertain the inhabitants of the room.  

Norwegian Cruise Line

The first in the industry, studio cabins onboard the Norwegian Epic and the new Breakaway are made for the single traveller, hence the nickname “solo” cabins. Don’t be fooled that it is made for one as there is plenty of storage space and a king sized bed for true comfort.

All studio cabin passengers have access to the Living Room which is a custom area with a TV, food and drink and comfortable couches to meet and greet fellow singles. Family inside cabins can accommodate up to four passengers in two connecting rooms.

Royal Caribbean International

The Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas ship’s interior cabins, which are very large, are unique for the fact that they have an interior facing window that allows passengers to have a stunning view of the Royal Promenade. There are also smaller versions of these cabins on their other ships.

The family cabins on the Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas are great for a large group. The spacious staterooms can hold up to six people and the Oasis class cabins have an entire bunk room for the children.

The latest innovation from Royal Caribbean is the new Quantum of the Seas inside cabin. The Smart Ship plans to have virtual balconies which are created via 80 inch LED screens attached to a wall.

Holland America

Undeniably the standout of inside cabins at sea, Holland America offers standard and larger interior staterooms which offer more than ample space. Depending on the ship, you will never notice that there’s no window.

All rooms are decorated tastefully too with an attractive blue and yellow colour combination that is pleasing to the senses. The larger insides cabins can sleep up to four and the stateroom amenities include the Elemis spa products, as well bathrobes and a shoe shine service.

The next generation of inside cabins certainly proves that saving money on a cruise holiday will no longer mean scrimping on the quality of the cabin.

Written by Veronica Shine

Would you consider booking an inside cabin? Tell us below.