Selecting your cruise ship room is almost as important as choosing the right ship. From budget-friendly interior cabins to lavish suites, each option offers a unique experience that can make or break your cruise vacation.
Two popular stateroom categories are inside and ocean view. While the latter provides views of the ocean and ports of call through a picture window, interior cabins lack natural light.
Regardless of which you choose, you won't have a private balcony to relax on. However, that doesn't mean you won't enjoy your time onboard. At the end of the day, the fun lies outside of your cabin, from entertaining production shows to multi-course meals in the dining room and sea days by the pool.
Confused about what the differences between the two staterooms are? Consider this your guide to help you make an informed choice about whether an inside or ocean-view cabin is right for you.
Read more: Cruise ship cabins: Everything you need to know
What is an inside cruise ship room?
Inside cabins are windowless rooms with no access to natural light. They are usually located in the middle of each deck, rather than along the exterior; however, some cruises have a few interior rooms located next to balcony cabins on the forward and aft of the ship. Since they have no natural light, they are the cheapest to book.
Additionally, inside rooms are often the smallest onboard. They are typically outfitted with a queen-size bed that can be converted into two twins upon request, a small desk or vanity area, a closet, and a small ensuite bathroom with a shower.
There are various setups for interior rooms. The smallest won’t have a sitting area like standard balcony cabins, while larger versions might have a small loveseat.
Carnival Cruise Line even has some inside cabins that sleep two in an upper and lower berth because the oddly shaped cabins do not have enough room for two beds side-by-side. These staterooms, obviously, are double occupancy only. In other words, groups of three and four cannot book one of these cabins.
That said, inside cabins can often sleep up to four guests with two pullman beds. However, floor space could be tight with four people moving about the small cabin at the same time.
A few cruise lines have tried to make inside cabins more appealing. Royal Caribbean and Disney use LED screens in the cabins to create "virtual balconies" and "magic portholes" that broadcast images from cameras on the ship’s exteriors. This makes it so you can check the weather, watch the waves, or get that first look at the port as you sail in, even without a true window.
If you are sailing on Royal Caribbean, you may have noticed that some of their larger ships feature staterooms that face interior public areas, allowing you to have a view of something, even if it is not the ocean.
On Voyager, Freedom, and Oasis Class ships, these include Promenade View staterooms, as well as Boardwalk and Central Park View interior cabins on Oasis Class ships. However, they often cost a little bit more than a traditional window-less interior cabin.
Carnival also has a few similar rooms on their newer ships that are called Interior with Picture Window (Walkway View), as well as Porthole Interior rooms. The walkway view rooms have a view of the observation deck outside and a sky view. They are, however, partially obstructed.
The porthole staterooms actually have an exterior view; however, since the windows are so small, the stateroom is deemed an interior. Like the interior-facing staterooms on select Royal Caribbean ships, these categories often cost more than regular interior rooms.
Read more: Why an inside cabin is the best choice for a cruise
What is an ocean-view cruise ship cabin?
An ocean-view cabin, often called an outside cabin, is a room with a window that looks out to sea. The window is usually a large, rectangular picture window and is the biggest difference between an outside cabin and an inside room on a cruise ship.
While the windows let in natural light, they do not open to let in fresh air like balconies. Typically, they are covered with blackout curtains that keep the room dark even when it is light outside. That way, you can choose whether you want a pitch-black sleeping environment or if you'd rather leave the curtains open a crack and let morning light filter into the room.
Note that some ocean view cabins are labeled obstructed view, meaning a lifeboat or other structural support blocks the exterior view from your cabin. Your window will still let in light, but you’ll mainly see painted steel rather than sand and surf. These rooms are often the cheapest outside options because of the obstruction.
Ocean view cabins range in size, depending on the ship and specific category. Some are roughly the same size as an inside cabin, with the same furnishings and lacking a traditional seating area.
Others are larger, with full sitting areas and pull-out couches. Because room layouts vary, make sure to check your cruise line’s website for photos or blueprints to see how much space you’ll have. But often, when comparing an inside cabin and an ocean-view room, you’ll find that the outside cabin is bigger.
For example, standard inside cabins on Carnival Celebration measure 158 square feet, while ocean views clock in at 243 square feet.
Read more: Balcony vs. oceanview cabin on a cruise ship
Inside cabin vs. ocean view: Which should you book?
Is budget a concern for your upcoming cruise? Then an inside cabin may help you stretch your hard-earned money even further. Sometimes, even dollar counts, especially if you'd rather enhance your trip with add-ons like drink packages, specialty meals, and shore excursions.
Still, sometimes the price of an ocean-view stateroom isn't that much more than a standard interior cabin. Some cruisers can justify the extra cost since they'll have natural light and—most of the time—extra space. Sometimes, you might even be able to choose an ocean-view guarantee room for the same price as an interior cabin.
However, be wary of the cons. Since you can't choose your exact stateroom, you might be unhappy with your cabin's location. Plus, if you are cruising with a large group, there's no way to ensure all the rooms will be located close to one another.
Size is another important consideration when choosing between interior and ocean-view cruise ship rooms. Typically, you'll have more living space if sailing in an outside cabin. For many, that can be worth the extra cost, especially if you're trying to squeeze three or four people into a single stateroom.
Some ships will also have "Deluxe," "Premium," or "Spacious" staterooms in both the inside and ocean-view categories. Since they're larger than traditional cabins, they'll cost more. However, they are often worth the investment for groups sailing together since they can sometimes accommodate up to six passengers.
Does anyone in your travel party have light sensitivity? Do you prefer to party all night and sleep the day away? If so, an interior room might be ideal since you won't be awoken by daylight in the wee hours of the morning. On the other hand, if you're someone who loves waking up to natural light and stunning views, you'll want to book a cruise ship room with a window.
Let's face it: while cruising is an affordable way to take a well-deserved vacation, traveling is expensive! Factor in airfare, a pre-cruise hotel, and excursions, you may want the cheapest stateroom available. Enter the inside cabin. With these rooms, you will get the most bang for your buck since you'll have access to the same standard amenities on the ship, including the lido deck, Main Dining Room, production shows, and more.
By saving money on your accommodations, you might have a little extra cash to make your cruise vacation more special, whether splurging on a specialty meal or booking a once-in-a-lifetime excursion, such as riding a helicopter to the top of a glacier in Alaska!
That said, if you prefer to lounge around in your cabin, the extra space, natural light, and sea views will make your stateroom experience more memorable.
Certain itineraries also lend themselves to the benefits of certain staterooms. If you've sailed the Caribbean a few times, you might not mind choosing the more affordable cabin to save up for your next trip! However, if you are cruising through the Greek Isles, Norwegian Fjords, or the breathtaking landscapes of Alaska, investing in an outside stateroom can enhance your experience.
Which should you choose: inside or outside?
If you want to save money or plan to spend most of your vacation outside your cabin, go for an inside room. Then, you can have extra money to splurge on more worthwhile experiences, like specialty meals, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, or even a private cabana on a day at sea!
However, if you think you'd feel too claustrophobic in a room without any natural light, an outside cabin will be a better investment.
No matter what stateroom you decide to go with, some cruise cabin hacks will help make your stateroom more livable and comfortable, such as bringing magnetic hooks or a laundry hamper.
Erica Silverstein
Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her.
