Norwegian Cruise Line has some of the best staterooms in the cruise industry.
In fact, the cruise line is known for its forward-thinking cabin design by reinventing the stateroom experience. Norwegian Cruise Line offers a variety of stateroom accommodations for groups of all sizes, including families, couples, and solo travelers.
Throughout 2023, I had the privilege of sailing on three separate Norwegian cruise ships: Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Star, and Norwegian Viva. The former two ships were on European sailings, while the latter was a quick Caribbean sailing. Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Star are both 20+-year-old cruise ships, whereas the stylish Norwegian Viva just debuted as the line's newest ship.
(Family interior cabin on Norwegian Viva)
For all three of these cruises, I booked the cheapest cabin onboard, which was a standard interior cabin. I’m no stranger to cruising in an interior cabin, as this is my preferred cabin type. After 40+ cruises in my life, the vast majority of these have been in an interior cabin.
I was sailing with two other people while onboard Norwegian Viva, so we had to book a stateroom to accommodate all three of us. As such, we booked a family interior stateroom for the four-night sailing.
You might be wondering what the difference is between a family interior stateroom and a standard interior cabin on Norwegian Cruise Line. Here's an overview of how the staterooms compared, including a comparison of the cabins’ size, amenities, storage, and suitability for families.
Cabin Overview
(Standard interior cabin on Norwegian Sun)
Inside cabins are often the most affordable cabins to book on a Norwegian cruise ship. It’s important to note that these cabins do not have any windows, portholes, or a balcony. As such, these cabins have no natural light.
However, you will have all that you need for a comfortable stay during your cruise. Interior cabins on Norwegian ships include a bed, private bathroom, closet, vanity, and TV. Some interior cabins even include additional seating like a couch, chair, or loveseat.
Inside cabin guests also have access to all of the same amenities as other cabin categories (excluding suites), which includes complimentary dining, entertainment, bars, lounges, and more. You won’t be missing out on any of the fun onboard!
(This standard interior cabin on Norwegian Star can accommodate up to three guests)
Generally speaking, the biggest difference between a standard inside cabin and a family inside cabin is typically the ability to accommodate more guests. Norwegian’s family inside cabins are meant to accommodate up to four guests, which makes them suitable for families traveling together. Some of these family cabins are conveniently located by the pool, kid’s club, and onboard activities.
According to Norwegian Cruise Line, standard inside staterooms are the most affordable cabins for two guests traveling together. These staterooms include two lower beds that can convert into a queen bed. Some standard interior cabins could include additional beds depending on which ship class you’re sailing on. For example, the new Prima Class only accommodates up to two guests, whereas older ship classes can accommodate two to four guests.
On the other hand, Norwegian’s family interior cabins are considered an affordable family option for guests to include similar amenities as an ocean view. Family interior cabins can always accommodate up to four guests.
(Bunk beds in a family interior cabin on Norwegian Viva)
The cruise line states the room includes four beds with two lower beds and two pullman beds. The lower beds can also convert into a queen bed, similar to a standard interior cabin.
During my experiences sailing in a standard interior cabin and family interior cabin, both staterooms were comfortable and functional. Of course, traveling with three adults in a small space felt more cramped compared to sailing with just one other guest, but I was impressed with the stateroom’s design to comfortably accommodate three or four guests.
Interior Cabin Locations
(Family interior cabin on Norwegian Viva)
Norwegian’s cruise ships have standard interior cabins and family interior cabins across multiple decks located in both the front, aft, and middle of the ship. You will likely, however, find a more limited location selection when booking a family interior cabin. Norwegian Cruise Line has purposely placed family interior cabins near family-friendly activities, such as the pool, kids club, and onboard activities.
If you choose to book a standard interior cabin, you will have the option to book either a standard inside or Sail Away Inside. This is Norwegian Cruise Line’s verbiage for a guaranteed cabin, which means guests will not get to select their specific cabin’s location when booking a Sail Away Inside. Guests who want to choose the location of their stateroom will want to book a standard interior, so they can choose their specific cabin.
(Standard interior cabin on Norwegian Bliss for two guests)
Norwegian’s standard interior cabins are located throughout the ship, whereas family interior staterooms are more strategically located.
For example, the standard and family interior staterooms on Norwegian Viva are available between Decks 5 and 16; however, Norwegian’s family interior cabins are only located in the middle and forward on each deck. These cabins are advertised as having easy access to many exciting activities onboard Norwegian Viva.
For other ships in Norwegian’s fleet, family interior cabins might have more limited locations. When looking at Norwegian Encore’s deck plans, family interior cabins are only located on Decks 13, 14, and 15. These family interior cabins are near Encore’s top deck, which is home to the Speedway, waterslides, laser tag, and more. Similarly, family interior cabins on Norwegian Epic are located near the kids’ area on Deck 13 and 14.
(Standard interior bathroom on Norwegian Star)
During my Norwegian Viva sailing, our family interior cabin was 13167 on Deck 13. One of our favorite features of this cabin was indeed the location, as we were conveniently located near the pool deck, atrium, and dining rooms. On the other hand, my standard interior cabin on Norwegian Sun was 9145 and located at the clear aft of the ship.
Size Comparison
(Family interior stateroom on Norwegian Viva)
Most interior cabins on Norwegian Cruise Line are between 128 to 254 square feet depending on which ship you are sailing on. Surprisingly, family interior cabins are not typically larger than standard interior cabins.
Looking at four different Norwegian Cruise Line ships, the family inside staterooms are typically the same square footage as standard interior cabins. One might think that family inside staterooms have more space to accommodate four guests, but this does not seem to be the case.
Norwegian Viva’s family interior staterooms are advertised at 160 square feet, whereas standard interior cabins are advertised to be 160-254 square feet. This appears to be the case across many of Norwegian’s cruise ships regardless of ship class. Prospective guests should consider the square footage when booking either a standard or family interior cabin, as it should not be automatically assumed that a family inside cabin is more spacious.
(Standard interior cabin on Norwegian Sun)
During my cruise on Norwegian Sun, our standard interior cabin was 145 square feet, while our family interior cabin on Norwegian Viva was 160 square feet.
However, a standard cabin on Norwegian Viva would have been the same size according to the cruise line’s website. Regardless, both of these cabins had plenty of space to accommodate my travel group with ample storage.
Cost
(Standard interior cabin on Norwegian Getaway)
Those booking an interior cabin are likely looking to save some money on their cruise. Interior cabins are the most affordable options typically on Norwegian Cruise Line, allowing guests to instead spend their money on excursions, specialty dining, or even a spa experience.
Typically, family interior cabins will be more expensive than standard inside cabins. While looking at the cruise line’s website, I checked five different cruises and compared the prices between a standard interior cabin and an inside family cabin.
(Family interior stateroom on Norwegian Viva)
For the five sailings I looked at, the average price increase between a standard interior cabin and family interior cabin was about $360. The price to book a family interior cabin varied between $30 and $800 more than a standard interior cabin.
In this case, you are simply paying more to have a more desirable location. Most of the family interior cabins are not bigger than a standard interior cabin and do not include additional amenities. As such, it might not always be worthwhile to book a family inside cabin if you do not care about having a cabin located near family-friendly locations.
For comparison purposes, my standard interior cabin on Norwegian Sun was $113.50 per person per night. When I sailed on Norwegian Viva, I paid $243 per person per night of the cruise for a family interior cabin.
(Standard interior bathroom on Norwegian Getaway)
Keep in mind, however, that this is comparing the price between one of Norwegian’s oldest and newest ships. Regardless, the average nightly cost for the family interior cabin was more expensive even though the cabin was the same size as a standard interior.
Bedding Configuration
(Standard interior cabin on Norwegian Star)
When cruising with three guests on Norwegian Viva, we were able to see how the bunk bed system worked in the family interior cabin. We had three adults traveling together, which could be a different experience than guests traveling with small children. For children, it might be exciting to sleep in a bunk bed. For us adults, it felt like drawing the short end of the stick was having to sleep in the bunk bed.
First, I appreciated that the bunk beds were not exposed in the family interior cabin upon arrival. I have stayed in other interior cabins where the bunk beds are exposed even while they are not in use.
Since interior cabins are already small spaces, these cabins can feel even more cramped when the bunk beds are exposed. For example, this was the case when I sailed in Carnival’s standard interior cabin with the bunk beds jolting from the side of the cabin instead of suspending from the ceiling.
(Bunk bed on Norwegian Viva in family interior stateroom)
The first evening we returned after dinner to find the bunk bed suspended from the ceiling. There was a railing attached to the bunk bed, as expected. Since we did not have a fourth guest, the other bunk bed remained in the ceiling.
For the most part, my sister slept better than expected, even though the mattress on the bunk bed appeared to be thinner than the mattress on the lower two beds. There was also a light for the bunk bed to use, which was appreciated. However, my sister said the fan blew on her throughout the night since she was directly in front of the vent in the ceiling.
As a 26-year-old, my sister said navigating the ladder was no issue. She never worried about falling from the bunk bed, although her head felt a little exposed directly above the bottom bed. However, guests with mobility issues should not book a family interior cabin unless they can comfortably climb up and down the ladder.
(Family interior cabin on Norwegian Viva)
The bunk bed remained exposed for the duration of our cruise, which reduced seating and made the room feel more cramped. I wish the bunk bed could have been only suspended in the evening, but this would require more than once-a-day attention from the cabin steward.
There is honestly not a huge difference between standard interior cabins and family interior cabins on Norwegian Cruise Line
(Standard interior cabin on Norwegian Sun)
In fact, the definition of a family interior cabin varies depending on which Norwegian ship you’re booking.
Norwegian’s newest ships, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, require any groups traveling with three or four guests to book a family interior cabin. The Prima Class only allows two guests to stay in a standard interior cabin.
(Bathroom on Norwegian Viva in family interior stateroom)
Older Norwegian ship classes have interior and family cabins that can accommodate up to four guests. You can expect to pay extra for booking a family interior cabin, although you likely won't be receiving more space.
The main reason to book a family interior cabin would be having a prime stateroom location onboard a cruise ship to be close to many family-friendly spaces onboard, such as the pool deck and kid’s club.
In my experience, the family interior cabin on Norwegian Viva was spacious and functional to comfortably accommodate three adults. The cabin’s location, midship on Deck 13, was optimal and conveniently located to everything onboard. On the other hand, my interior cabin on Norwegian Sun was less desirable at the ship’s aft.
(Standard interior cabin on Norwegian Star)
Personally speaking, I would not pay extra for a family interior cabin unless the price was minimal and the cabin’s location was excellent. If I was traveling with young children and the interior family cabin was near the kid’s club, this could also be a convincing reason to book a family interior stateroom.
I would encourage groups traveling with more than two guests - specifically those without children - to book a standard interior cabin. Most of Norwegian’s cruise ships have standard interior cabins that can accommodate up to four guests. Considering the size is most likely the same between the two, it might not be worth it to book a family interior stateroom.
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a tiny toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Allie's been on over 45 cruises all over the world. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
