Windowless, inside cabins on cruise ships are controversial. Some passengers love them, while others steer clear of the dark little caves. Generally speaking, I fall somewhere in between. Although interior staterooms aren't my favorite, I won't avoid booking one if the price is right.
Last year, for example, I set sail on a short cruise aboard Disney Magic. Despite being Disney Cruise Line's oldest and smallest ship, voyages on the 27-year-old vessel aren’t always affordable. So, when I saw a cruise advertised for less than $2,000, I immediately emailed my travel agent to lock in the rate.
The 3-night cruise to The Bahamas was $1,585.78, including taxes, port fees, and gratuities, for two people. It was far from cheap, but it was more affordable than comparable sailings on newer ships like the Disney Wish.
Disney Magic Room Tour
My partner and I stayed in stateroom #5633, a category 11B interior cabin near the aft of the ship and close to an elevator bank.
Our cozy inside cabin measured around 185 square feet and felt spacious and thoughtfully designed, especially for such an old cruise ship. There was a large couch, an abundance of outlets, and a tub-shower combo in the bathroom.
With eight outlets near the vanity area — including three standard American plugs, two USB ports, and a European outlet — plus three additional bedside American outlets, I quickly forgot I was on a ship over 25 years old.
The overall vibe was very nostalgic, too. The nautical theme felt timeless, with rich navy tones and gold accents that gave it a classic ocean liner feel.
This differs from newer Disney ships that feature themed rooms, honoring Disney and Pixar films like The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, Hercules, Up, The Incredibles, Big Hero 6, and more.
Still, Disney packed the cabin with whimsical touches, enough to feel perfectly "Disney" without going overboard and becoming too gimmicky.
For example, the lamps featured small Mickey-shaped cutouts, and the bathroom towels sported the iconic Disney Cruise Line logo.
Speaking of the bathroom, it had a tub-shower combination, which was a surprising feature on such an old cruise ship. However, it showcases Disney's family-friendly commitment from the get-go and was easily one of the most spacious showers that I've ever had on a cruise ship.
I also had no issues with the water pressure or temperature. Even after my partner showered, the water stayed at a consistent, comfortable temperature.
The only drawback was the shower curtain. Although I wasn't a fan of it, it was far less clingy than other cruise ships I've been on, including Vision of the Seas and Carnival Elation.
Additionally, I wish the bathroom had more storage. Outside of one hook on the door and a single shelf above the sink, there wasn't any space to store toiletries.
That said, everything else about the bathroom was nearly perfect, from the spacious shower-tub to the plush towels and upgraded toiletries — think liquid hand soap, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
Moving on, the rest of the stateroom didn't lack storage. From the large closet to the multiple deep cabinets, there was plenty of space to unpack and keep everything organized with room to spare.
However, we did not bother to unpack since we were on a quick 3-night cruise. Instead, our small carry-on suitcases lived on the couch.
Other amenities in the cabin include a television with an abundance of complimentary programming, a mini-fridge, a hair dryer (attached to the wall in the bathroom), and a telephone.
The mini-fridge worked exceptionally well. Plus, it was large enough to store four bottles of wine — that we brought on board to save money — and keep them perfectly chilled.
Additionally, the bed was surprisingly comfortable, with soft bedding and plush pillows. In fact, I'd argue that it was the comfiest bed I’ve had on a cruise ship!
Overall, my Disney Magic room was equipped with everything you'd need for a comfortable stay. The practical features meshed well with the cozy atmosphere, creating a space that was inviting and functional for our Bahamian getaway.
The biggest downside was the location. Since we were near the aft of the tiny ship, we felt quite a bit of movement from our stateroom, especially at night. It wasn't unbearable, but I was thankful I brought motion sickness patches and Dramamine.
My Disney Magic room was worth $1,500
Interior rooms are a divisive topic. On one hand, the affordable pricing lets vacationers stretch their budgets as far as possible, allocating money towards add-ons like alcoholic beverages, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and more. However, they lack natural light and ocean views. In many cases, they're the smallest rooms on the ship, too.
While I prefer balconies, I'm also open to windowless staterooms if the price is right. My Disney Magic cruise was one of those instances. Choosing a balcony would have been impractical and cost far more than what I paid for my inside cabin.
With just three nights onboard, I knew I wouldn't be spending much time in my stateroom. Instead, my days were spent enjoying the Quiet Cove adults-only pool, exploring Lighthouse Point at Lookout Cay, watching the Broadway-caliber musicals, and attending nightly game shows.
Paying over $500 per night for a cruise on an old ship is still a tough pill to swallow, though. In comparison, I paid $1,894.30 on a weeklong Alaska cruise, albeit also in an interior stateroom, aboard Quantum of the Seas a few months earlier.
That said, the quality of the entertainment, the service, immersive activities, and food, the overall experience was a far cry from typical short cruises, which tend to emphasize drinking and partying. I won't choose Disney every time I hit the high seas, but it’s a cruise line I’m happy to return to.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
