As someone who's been on nearly 30 cruises, I've stayed in my fair share of inside cabins.
The windowless rooms are small and lack a view of the ocean, but they're great for budget travelers who want to stretch their budget as far as possible. While they might feel a bit cramped, especially if sailing with two or three other guests, they offer everything you need: a bed, storage, and an ensuite bathroom.
My two-decade cruising career has taken me on smaller, more intimate vessels and massive floating resorts. Despite the differences in size and amenities, one thing is always true: inside cabins are all about making the most out of the limited space.
Within the past two years, I've begun sailing more frequently with Carnival Cruise Line. Though the line embodies the "fun ship" atmosphere fleetwide, the inside cabin experience varies. Some ships have staterooms with more efficient layouts and better storage options, while others feel outdated.
However, saving money on my cruise fare allows me to splurge on other add-ons, such as alcoholic beverages, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and specialty dining.
Here's how my inside cabins on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Conquest, and Carnival Elation compared and which was my favorite in terms of amenities and value.
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line cabin guide: interior, oceanview, balcony, and suites
I took my first-ever Carnival cruise aboard the line's newest ship at the time, Carnival Celebration
Carnival really upped their game with their new Excel Class ships, and I was thoroughly impressed with my modern stateroom and the onboard amenities. To be fair, I had nothing else to compare it to within Carnival's brand at the time but knew it was nicer than some Royal Caribbean cabins I've stayed in!
Because I was traveling alone, I kept the beds pushed together. However, had I separated them, I imagine the room would have felt a little bigger. On a similar note, I wish the pullman bed retracted into the ceiling, as it noticeably jetted out from the wall. This meant that even when not in use, the extra bed took up precious space and made the room feel more cramped.
That said, the color scheme made the 158-square-foot stateroom feel larger. Soft blues and light neutral wood opened up the otherwise tiny space, while clever storage solutions kept everything neat and organized.
I especially appreciated the abundance of charging options, from the seven outlets near the vanity to the two extra USB ports beside the bed. However, I had to use my portable charger or leave my phone on the vanity at night because I didn't bring a USB cable.
The location wasn't terrible, but I wish it was closer to other amenities rather than Camp Ocean and the Family Harbor Lounge. My stateroom was located on Deck 4 relatively close to the forward elevator bank but far enough that I didn't hear much noise from other guests. Being on a lower deck meant I relied more on the elevators, which was sometimes inconvenient.
Still, minus the hiccups with the bedside ports, obnoxious pullman bed, and somewhat less-than-ideal location, the cabin was comfortable and functional. The bathroom was a major highlight, with a shower that featured an actual glass door and a small ledge to make shaving easier. I had no issue with the water pressure, either.
Because Carnival Celebration was the newest Carnival ship at the time, I paid a pretty penny to sail onboard, coming in at around $1,900 for a 7-night cruise from Miami, Florida. Though that price seems steep, I would have paid significantly less had I shared the cabin with another cruiser. Sailing alone meant I was subject to the dreaded single supplement fee.
Still, at around $270 per night (or $135 per person based on double occupancy), it was the most expensive of the three inside cabins I've stayed in aboard Carnival ships.
Three months later, I set sail on a short Bahamian getaway on Carnival Conquest
Carnival Conquest is an older ship that entered service in 2002, 20 years earlier than Carnival Celebration. Still, Carnival's Conquest Class ships remain a beloved favorite, and I understand why.
I snagged a great deal on a 4-night cruise from Florida to Nassau and Half Moon Cay last January, paying just $817.30 for two people, or roughly $102 per person, per night.
The color scheme was more traditional with salmon pink crown molding running along the top of the room. However, the deeper tones gave the cabin a cozy feel. It didn't necessarily need brighter colors to make the space feel larger, as the interior room measured around 185 square feet.
While more dated than my room on Celebration, there was a lot to appreciate, starting with the location. Being on Deck 7 meant we were two decks below the lido deck and two above the fun shops. As such, it was easy to navigate the vessel without waiting on an elevator.
For a short cruise, my friend and I didn't struggle with storage space, either. The two closets were large enough to comfortably unpack and organize our clothing, shoes, and other miscellaneous items.
That said, though the cabin was in relatively good condition, a few elements revealed its true age, including the tiny television and lack of outlets.
This is to be expected on older ships, though. I was thankful Carnival made a few upgrades to the room that kept it more modernized, such as the bedside lamps with built-in USB ports. Without these, the room would have had just two outlets: one American and one European.
Something else to be aware of when cruising on older Carnival ships is that all standard cabin bathrooms have clingy shower curtains. While the overall layout of the bathroom was spacious with a nice-sized vanity for getting ready, the shower curtain was definitely a bit of a nuisance.
My least favorite cabin was on Carnival Elation, the cruise line's smallest ship
Being one of Carnival's oldest ships, I did not have high expectations for my stateroom. Surprisingly, the design was extremely similar to my cabin aboard Carnival Conquest, with the same carpet pattern and color scheme. It even had more outlets than my room on the newer Conquest!
Though the sleeping area was cozier and less dated than expected, the bathroom was a different story. It felt cramped and worn, with the tiles near the toilet showing discoloration from years of use.
Plus, the shower curtain was stained, and the rusty shower head broke during our 5-night cruise to the Bahamas.
Aside from the cabin itself, we weren't thrilled with the location on Deck 4, as we were further away from our frequently visited spots, including the Main Dining Room, Duke's Piano Bar, Mikado Show Low, and Fun Shops on Deck 8.
Thankfully, because Carnival Elation is a smaller ship, it didn't take long to get anywhere onboard, unlike when traveling on mega-ships like Wonder of the Seas or even Carnival Celebration. While the smaller ship was easy to navigate, the issues with the cabin, particularly the bathroom, left us feeling disappointed.
My partner and I cruised over spring break, so our sailing was pretty pricey, coming in at $1,475.30 or over $145 per person, per night. We agreed it wasn't worth the cost and saw it as a lesson as to why the timing of cruises is so important.
Unfortunately, we didn't have the best experience on Carnival Elation. The Main Dining Room service was slow, and the food wasn't anything to write home about. Since it was my partner's first Carnival cruise, it left a sour taste in her mouth.
Read more: I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Carnival Elation
In terms of amenities and value, Carnival Conquest offered the best bang for my buck
My interior cabin on Carnival Conquest wasn't anything fancy, but it checked all the boxes—it was clean, functional, and comfortable. It also had enough storage space for our belongings without feeling cluttered.
While I wasn't a fan of the shower curtain situation, I wouldn't let that deter me from booking another cruise aboard Conquest in the future, especially if the price and itinerary were right.
Plus, the ship had plenty to offer in terms of entertainment and dining without feeling overpriced.
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 traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on nearly 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
