As a frequent cruiser, inside cabins help me get the most bang for my buck. While they're often cramped and lack natural light, their value is undeniable compared to pricey balcony staterooms.
Last year, I stayed in interior cabins on seven different cruise ships, ranging from Carnival Elation to Quantum of the Seas and Disney Magic.
Every time, I found that booking the more affordable stateroom allowed me to allocate more money toward add-ons like excursions and specialty restaurants.
However, not all cabins were created equally. My experiences in some were better than others. Here's how the 7 inside staterooms compared and which were my favorites in terms of amenities and value.
Read more: Cruise ship cabins: Everything you need to know
My inside cabin on Carnival Conquest was centrally located near the lido deck and fun shops
I started the year with a short 4-night cruise to the Bahamas aboard Carnival Conquest. Having previously sailed on Excel and Vista Class ships, I wanted to understand what made one of Carnival's largest ship classes so appealing.
My windowless inside cabin on Deck 7 cost $817.30 for two people, including gratuities. With cruise fares rising over the past few years, I felt $102.16 per night was a reasonable price for my sailing from Miami to Nassau and Half Moon Cay.
One of the best aspects was the location. Being just two decks below the lido deck and two above the fun shops, we didn't have to rely on elevators, making navigating from our stateroom to various activities a breeze.
In terms of amenities, it was a pretty standard cabin for a 22-year-old ship. The bathroom had a large vanity. However, I wasn't a fan of the clingy shower curtain. Still, it was clean and functional, which are my biggest priorities with a cruise ship bathroom.
The cabin itself was spacious, measuring 185 square feet. The color scheme was a bit dated, but I appreciated modern touches like the bedside lamps with built-in USB ports.
Considering the price, location, and condition, I was pleased with my interior cabin on Carnival Conquest. The space felt comfortable and functional, although it wasn't the newest.
I stayed in an interior stateroom on Carnival Elation during a 5-night spring break cruise to the Bahamas
Carnival Elation is the oldest ship in Carnival's fleet to not have received a complete refit, as Carnival Destiny underwent a major rehaul and was relaunched as Carnival Sunshine.
As spring break is an expensive time to cruise, my partner and I booked the cheapest cabin available: an interior room on Deck 4 for $1,475.30, or a little over $145 per person, per night. Because the sailing was over spring break, I wasn't shocked by the high price.
The décor felt similar to my interior cabin on Carnival Conquest, which wasn't surprising considering there was only a four-year age gap between the two ships. However, I didn't expect my stateroom on Elation to have more outlets than Conquest.
The biggest difference was the bathroom. It was much more compact and arguably one of the smallest bathrooms I've ever had on a cruise ship. Not only that but it was in poor condition. The shower curtain was stained, and our shower head broke during the sailing.
Was the price worth it? I don't think so. Overall, the cruise on Carnival Elation was disappointing. The food wasn't up to par with other Carnival ships I've been on, and the negative bathroom experience left a sour taste in our mouths.
The location also wasn't too great. Being on Deck 4, we were further away from some frequently visited venues, such as the Main Dining Room, Piano Bar, Mikago Main Show Lounge, and Fun Shops on Deck 8.
Read more: I sailed in tiny interior cabins on old Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships
Then I cruised on Celebrity Reflection to Perfect Day at CocoCay
I was lucky to be onboard Celebrity Cruises' first voyage to Royal Caribbean's private island Perfect Day at CocoCay. Because this was a special sailing, fares were higher than usual. However, we booked Celebrity's All Included rate, meaning our fare included a Classic Drinks Package, Wi-Fi, and gratuities (note tips are no longer part of the All Included package).
The total cost came out to $1,997.74 for two people. Celebrity is an upscale cruise line, so even though Celebrity Reflection is an older ship, we felt we got our money's worth. Where else could you pay $200 per person, per night for unlimited food, drinks, accommodation, and entertainment?
Our inside cabin on Deck 8 was spacious, but I wish it had been designed differently to maximize the floor space, as it felt like a lot of room was wasted. For example, there was one dresser with three drawers and a small chair. I would have appreciated a larger dresser and loveseat to make the cabin feel more comfortable.
Moreover, the cabin showed signs of wear and tear, such as the worn leather on the vanity chair. Overall, though, these were minor issues, and I didn't let them overshadow the experience.
What made the cruise stand out were the thoughtful details, such as the twice-daily housekeeping, separate toiletries, and the nightly chocolates, which added a nice touch compared to mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean.
Plus, I enjoyed the dining, entertainment, and location. Since the stateroom was in the forward of the ship, getting to the adults-only Solarium, one of my favorite hang-out spots, was easy!
I went on my first-ever cruise to Alaska and sailed in a Virtual Balcony cabin on Quantum of the Seas
When cruising somewhere as scenic as Alaska, it's natural to want a balcony for access to the passing scenery. However, it's not feasible. Because shore excursions are so expensive in The Last Frontier, my dad and I opted for a cheaper inside cabin to allocate more money for whale-watching tours and the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad.
Alaska is a seasonal cruise destination, meaning mainstream lines don't offer voyages to The Last Frontier year-round. As such, fares are typically higher than sailings to the Bahamas or Caribbean.
Still, I wasn't upset with what my dad and I paid for our 7-night cruise, coming in at $1,894.30. Plus, because I have Diamond status within Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, perks like four free drinks added to the overall value.
The stateroom was in impeccable shape. Though it was tricky to locate, we enjoyed our 166-square-foot cabin on Deck 13. One downside, however, was that it was a connecting room, and we were frequently disturbed by the noise from our neighbor's television.
What set this cabin apart from other interior staterooms was the 80-inch virtual balcony. The floor-to-ceiling LED screen broadcasted real-time views into our stateroom. Though it didn't compare to taking in the breathtaking scenery in person, it was nice to be able to tell when we departed port or what the general weather conditions were like.
Eventually, I'd love to cruise to Alaska with a traditional verandah. Though port days were busy, we also had more downtime than expected. It would have been nice to lounge around on our personal balcony without missing out on the views.
Vision of the Seas' interior room shows signs of the ship's age
Along with my first Alaska cruise, I also ventured to Bermuda for the first time in 2024. Because I chose my cruise based on the itinerary, paying extra for a balcony cabin wasn't a priority.
My inside stateroom on Vision of the Seas showed many signs of her true age. For example, unlike Carnival Elation, there weren't any bedside outlets. The only available charging options were at the vanity.
Moreover, one of the nightstand drawers was missing a proper back. We were worried that if we stored anything in it, it might fall out the back and be difficult to retrieve.
On the flip side, I appreciate Vision's bathroom far more than Elation's. Not only was the layout more functional and spacious but it had been renovated to feature an updated sink area and tile backsplash. Unfortunately, the showers weren't outfitted with doors, so we had to navigate the clingy curtain.
However, I wish the cabin had been in a different location. Since we were in the forward of the ship, we felt quite a bit of movement from our stateroom. I'm glad I remember my motion sickness patches before leaving home!
The cruise fare cost $1,396.76 for two people, or about $139 per night of our 5-night sailing. I thought this was a little pricey for an older ship during the off-season. That said, the included food, especially the Main Dining Room, exceeded my expectations.
Read more: 7 things that surprised me about sailing on one of Royal Caribbean’s oldest ships
My favorite inside cabin I stayed in was aboard Disney Magic
Despite being on the line's oldest ship, it felt newly refreshed while retaining the classic nautical feel.
The attention to detail in the cabin was impeccable. For example, the bedside lamps were lined with hidden Mickeys and a map of the world with illustrations of Disney vessels. There were also bedside ports, which was a pleasant surprise for a ship of its age. I also appreciated the quality of toiletry products in the bathroom.
I can't say enough positive things about the bed, either. It was easily the most comfortable bed I've had on a cruise ship, and I've stayed in suites on new ships like Sun Princess! Conversely, the large sofa wasn't as plush, but it was a nice catch-all place for miscellaneous items like lanyards and shopping bags.
The biggest con was that my Disney cruise wasn't cheap. The 3-night cruise for two sailors from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan was $1,585.78, including taxes, port fees, and gratuities, breaking down to around $265 per person, per night.
Was it worth the cost? I think so. From the family-friendly cabin with a shower-tub combination to the Broadway-caliber performances in the theater, immersive dining options, and exceptional service, the magic of Disney was present everywhere.
For many, the price tag might seem steep, especially for a short getaway. $1,500 for a 3-night cruise isn't realistic for everyone, and it's something to strongly consider if you're trying to plan a vacation on a budget. However, the value is apparent for those looking to splurge.
Read more: I sailed on my first Disney cruise. I loved the Broadway-style shows but didn't enjoy all the food
A last-minute deal on Allure of the Seas was too good to turn down
Allure of the Seas is one of my favorite cruise ships because of the sentimental memories I have onboard. I spent a Christmas on the Oasis Class ship with my family about a decade ago and returned while pursuing my Master's degree with one of my close college friends.
Because Allure is set to undergo a major renovation, I was ecstatic to find a cheap last-minute cruise on the ship to experience the "OG" Oasis Class vibe one more time. Following the upgrades, Allure will have features like the Ultimate Abyss dry slide and Pesky Parrot Bar.
Through Royal Caribbean's "Going, Going, Gone" sale, I discovered an affordable 4-night cruise for $417.18 per person. My dad sailed with me, and we enjoyed exploring CocoCay and dining at the Chef's Table.
Read more: I traveled on 11 cruise ships last year. Here are the most affordable trips I took
The room itself was what I expected. I appreciated its location on Deck 8, as we weren't far from the Central Park neighborhood. The layout also optimized all available space, making it feel roomier than it was.
I chuckled at the outdated stereo with 30-pin dock connectors, as Apple replaced those chargers with the lightning connector in 2012. Compared to my stateroom on Vision of the Seas, there was just one more charging option, with a total of one European and four American plugs available near the vanity.
I had no quarrels with the bathroom. It was a standard compact, yet functional, cruise ship bathroom. However, after sailing on Disney Magic, I missed having liquid hand soap, as the bar dries my hands out.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
