I've been cruising for two decades and have sailed on over 20 ships. However, it wasn't until recently that I stayed in a frequently overlooked cruise cabin.
Most cruisers are die-hard fans of balcony staterooms. While having a private verandah is undoubtedly a huge perk, they aren't the most affordable cabins onboard.
Similarly, though interior staterooms are often the cheapest option, they lack natural sunlight and are usually the smallest cabins on a cruise ship.
Enter the ocean-view stateroom. In my opinion, these cabins offer the perfect balance between price and comfort. You can wake up to a generous dose of natural light and ocean views without breaking the bank!
While the biggest con is that you won't have a private balcony, there are plenty of spaces around the ship to relax and take in the fresh air.
For first-time cruisers looking for more affordable options, I'd say ocean-view staterooms are some of the most overlooked options in cruising.
Read more: Hidden Perks of Booking an Oceanview Cabin
Ocean-view cabins are usually larger than interior staterooms
Inside cabins are often the smallest rooms on a cruise ship. As such, they easily feel cramped, especially since there's no natural light to brighten up the room.
Aside from having a window, one of the biggest advantages to staying in an ocean-view cabin is that they're larger.
For example, according to Royal Caribbean's deck plans, interior staterooms on Wonder of the Seas measure around 172 square feet, whereas ocean-view cabins come in at 179 square feet.
Similarly, ocean-view cabins on Carnival Jubilee are around 243 square feet, while inside staterooms are roughly 85 square feet smaller.
Even though the difference on Wonder of the Seas is minimal, any extra space can make a big difference when you're spending multiple days onboard or sharing the room with multiple guests.
Read more: I spent 7 nights in a 200-square-foot ocean-view room on Celebrity’s newest cruise ship
The natural light helps the rooms feel more spacious and bright
Whenever I stay in an inside cabin, I always wake up feeling groggy due to the pitch-black room. Without natural light, it's easy to lose track of time or oversleep.
However, with an ocean-view cabin, you’re greeted by the soft morning light gleaming through the window. It really makes a difference, as I'm able to easily hop out of bed and start my day with a positive attitude.
Plus, you can easily check the weather without venturing outside, making it easier to pack for a shore excursion. It also helps make the stateroom feel more airy and inviting compared to the somewhat claustrophobic feeling of an interior stateroom.
The price difference between interior and ocean-view cabins is often minimal
I'll admit that I often forget ocean-view cabins exist, as I'm either willing to splurge on a balcony or want to save as much money as possible. However, the price difference between inside and ocean-view staterooms is often small enough to make it worth the upgrade.
For example, on an upcoming 4-night cruise aboard Carnival Conquest departing on Oct. 13, 2025, an inside cabin is priced at $334 per person, while an ocean-view room is available for $406.
Compartively, a balcony stateroom on the same sailing costs $576. That means for only $72 more, you could upgrade to a room with more space and natural light, without the hefty $240+ price tag for a private balcony.
Some ships even have interior-facing staterooms with windows
Today's newest ships have innovative features like surfing simulators, zip lines, ice skating rinks, massive dry slides, and more.
Though cruise lines strive to deliver when it comes to onboard amenities, they also want to ensure cruisers have a positive cabin experience. As such, there are more stateroom choices than ever before on massive ships like Icon of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas.
Some of these include interior-facing balconies, which are great for travelers who want private outdoor space for less than what an ocean-view room might cost. However, did you know that there are also interior-facing cabins with windows?
Read more: Inside cabin vs. oceanview on a cruise ship
Since these face the interior areas of the ship, including the Central Park and Boardwalk neighborhoods, they lack an ocean view, but they are ideal for cruisers who really value natural light.
Certain Carnival ships also offer port-hole and picture-window cabins for less than what ocean-view and balcony rooms cost.
Technically, these rooms may have an ocean view, but since the port holes are so small or the picture window may be obstructed, they're classified as a sub-category of interior staterooms, making them more affordable!
Assuming you're looking to cruise to the Western Caribbean, you may consider a 5-night sailing aboard Carnival Valor from New Orleans departing on Sept. 6, 2025. A standard interior cabin starts at $434 per person, while an ocean-view stateroom is priced at $564 and a balcony $754.
However, a port-hole cabin costs $489 per person, which is slightly more than a regular, windowless inside cabin but less than an ocean-view stateroom.
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!
