Would you spend a week in a tiny room with no windows? At first, I thought I'd hate interior cruise cabins. The idea of being in a small space with no natural light sounded claustrophobic and depressing, especially when on a moving hotel with great ocean views.
However, after over 10 sailings in inside staterooms, I've realized they have some surprising perks. While they certainly aren't for everyone, they're perfect for the right traveler.
For one, they're a lot more affordable than balconies. The savings — sometimes hundreds of dollars — can go toward other memorable experiences, including shore excursions, Wi-Fi, drink packages, specialty dining, and spa treatments.
I was also shocked by how well I slept in interior cabins. When the lights are off, the room is dark, and I mean dark. The pitch-black cave took some getting used to, but I found that I easily drifted off into a deep sleep.
As such, if you're someone who struggles with sleep or is a late riser, an inside stateroom might be great for your vacation.
While I'm not here to convince you to book a room you'll be unhappy with, I think they're worth considering. I have 4 more cruises booked in interior cabins this year, and I'm looking forward to each one!
I love saving money
Spluring on a balcony on every cruise isn't realistic, especially as someone who frequently sails. As I've begun to cruise more often, I've realized that I'd rather spend money on certain experiences, such as specialty dining, rather than my cabin.
Sometimes, the cost difference between an inside stateroom and a balcony is significant. For example, an interior cabin on a 6-night cruise aboard Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's new Icon Class ship debuting in 2026, costs around $1,400 in Jan. 2027. However, a balcony increases to $1,600 per person, or $1,800 if you want an ocean-view balcony.
Saving $400 per person can go a long way, especially for families. Instead of spending extra on a verandah, you could use that money on pre-cruise travels (airfare isn't cheap!) or a once-in-a-lifetime shore excursion. Even better, it could go toward booking another vacation!
As someone who frequently sails alone, interior cabins are also more affordable with the dreaded single supplement. Rather than pay double for a room with a view, I’d rather stick with an inside cabin and use the extra money to splurge on something that I'll remember more than watching TV alone in my stateroom.
Read more: I sailed in tiny interior cabins on old Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships
Inside cabins force me to spend time enjoying the ship's amenities
Usually, I'm barely in my cabin, so it seems silly to spend a lot of money on a place to rest. Between the onboard amenities and ports of call, I am constantly on the go. By the time I return to my stateroom, which is often pretty late, I'm ready for bed!
Even on small ships like Carnival Elation or Vision of the Seas, there's plenty to do — think watching game shows, playing Bingo, gambling in the casino, relaxing on the pool deck, grabbing a bite to eat, or people watching in the atrium.
Plus, port days are busy. Whether lounging on a private island's beach or exploring a new destination, I'm not spending time in my stateroom. On port-intensive itineraries, there's even less time to enjoy my cabin.
Sunlight doesn't creep in at 6:00am
While it's a little disorienting to wake up in a pitch-black room, it's easy to catch up on rest in inside cabins. It takes time getting used to not knowing whether it's 2:00am or 10:30am, but that means you won't be woken up by the sun rising.
That said, alarms are your best friend when staying in interior staterooms, especially if you have an excursion with a strict meeting time or want to hit the lido deck early.
However, if you aren't on a schedule and want to sleep until your body naturally wakes up, you won't find a better place than an inside cabin.
Plus, did you know that not all interior staterooms lack a view? Certain categories, such as Royal Caribbean's virtual balconies, let cruisers get a real-time view for a fraction of the cost through live video feeds.
Disney Cruise Line also has virtual portholes in certain inside cabins. While not as large as Royal's virtual balconies, they add a magical touch that only Disney can pull off. The round screens display real-time views from outside the ship, with beloved Disney characters occasionally popping up!
The LED screens won't impact your beauty sleep because they can be turned off.
I still love balconies, but I don't hesitate to book inside cabins
Don't get me wrong, there's something mesmerizing about watching the waves on your personal verandah. However, balconies come at a price and, sometimes, they aren't practical for families on a budget. That doesn't mean you should abandon your dream of cruising, though.
Interior cabins let you experience everything wonderful about cruises without breaking the bank. You'll have access to the same amenities as everyone else, excluding guests in top-tier suites.
This means you can watch one of the ship's original production shows, cool off in the pool, enjoy three-course meals in the dining room, and more. And who knows, you might end up loving the cozy cave!
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!
