Last year, I finally set sail on an epic journey to The Last Frontier, having wanted to cross Alaska off my bucket list for years. I loved the experience so much that I booked another Alaskan cruise months later.
Although nothing compares to the warm sand and turquoise waters of the Bahamas and Caribbean, Alaska left a lasting impression with its snow-capped mountains, wildlife sightings, and towering glaciers.
However, because Alaska cruises are seasonal, they're often pretty pricey. As such, I booked the cheapest stateroom on both sailings to make the trips more budget-friendly.
For my first Alaskan cruise, I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas, the original Quantum Class ship that debuted in 2014. The vessel needed some TLC, but my tiny inside stateroom was in good condition.
Most recently, I sailed to Alaska aboard Carnival Luminosa, an old Costa Cruises ship that was transferred to Carnival Cruise Line in 2022. However, she initially debuted as Costa Luminosa in 2009.
Although there was just a five-year age difference between the ships, one felt nearly a decade older with its clingy shower curtain, dim lighting, and dated decor.
My virtual balcony cabin on Quantum of the Seas cost $1,894.30
Measuring just 166 square feet, my interior stateroom aboard Quantum wasn't large. However, it was well-appointed with a desk, plenty of closet space, a safe, a mini-fridge, a television, a modern bathroom, and an 80-inch virtual balcony screen.
When Quantum of the Seas launched, she was called the world's first "smart ship." In addition to features like the North Star observation capsule and Bionic Bar, Royal Caribbean integrated modern technology into the stateroom experience.
For example, you must insert your SeaPass card into a small slot near the door to activate the lights.
Additionally, for a ship built in 2014, I found there were plenty of charging options, including three American outlets, two USB ports, and one European outlet.
This was helpful, as I was traveling with my father. We never bickered over who got to charge their phone first or had to rotate devices overnight. That said, I wish there had been a second bedside outlet.
In terms of storage, we didn't struggle to comfortably unpack and organize our clothing and other miscellaneous items on our weeklong cruise from Seattle to Alaska.
We kept our bulkier items and undergarments in the dresser's four drawers and used the closet spaces to hang light sweaters and wrinkle-prone clothing.
The cabin's singular chair became our catch-all place for jackets and shopping bags. However, I wish the stateroom had a larger couch, as I prefer an extra seating area after returning to my cabin — I hate sitting on my clean bed in outdoor clothes!
Moving to the bathroom, there wasn't anything too surprising or luxurious, but it was functional for our sailing.
It was similar to other Royal Caribbean bathrooms, albeit with a more modern feel compared to ships like Freedom of the Seas, and included basic amenities like hand soap and a body wash/shampoo hybrid in the shower.
That said, I appreciated the handle in the shower. The first day of our cruise was rockier than expected, so I'm sure it saved someone from an accidental fall when getting ready in the morning.
The most unique part of the stateroom was the floor-to-ceiling LED virtual balcony. Sailing through Alaska, I was thankful for the real-time views of the ocean and ports of call.
Read more: 14 lessons learned after I tried my first Alaska cruise
Nothing compares to stepping outside onto a real verandah, but the virtual balcony made our Alaskan getaway more special. Rather than turning on the television or leaving the stateroom to see what the weather was like, I could glance at the massive screen.
My interior cabin on Carnival Luminosa was cheaper and bigger
After having a virtual balcony on my first-ever cruise to Alaska, I was worried I'd feel cramped in a windowless inside room. Thankfully, my stateroom on Carnival Luminosa wasn't as bad as I thought.
For starters, it was incredibly spacious and felt more like a mini-suite (without a view) than a standard cabin. I also thought that the cabin was designed well to maximize every square inch.
Between the extra-large couch, chair, multiple closets, and dresser drawers, it was easy to stay organized and comfortable throughout the week. There was even a small vanity area that doubled as a catch-all place for my daily schedule, shore excursion tickets, and souvenirs.
However, the cabin felt extremely dated. The ship wasn't originally built for Carnival, but it was evident that it operated for a sister line.
The design and color scheme felt similar to older Carnival ships, including Carnival Conquest, with yellow and orange wood tones, dark patterned carpeting, and a tiny television.
Having sailed on older Carnival vessels, I was prepared for the bathroom situation. The clingy shower curtain was no surprise. It didn't do much to keep the water in the shower, and quickly soaked the bathroom floor through the thin "mat" every morning.
Carnival also didn't bother to change the colors of their fleetwide shower curtain. The blue and green leaves didn't match the salmon-pink countertop whatsoever.
That said, I didn't think the shower pressure on Carnival Luminosa or Quantum of the Seas was that great. The water temperature was pretty consistent, though.
Beyond the bathroom, I wasn't impressed with the lighting in my cabin aboard Luminosa, which was pretty dim thanks to the soft bulbs.
The outlet situation wasn't the best, either. Near the vanity, there was just one American and one European outlet. While there was a small USB hub with four plugs near the bed, it's important to come prepared because none of the ports support USB-C cables.
Still, in the grand scheme of things, I didn't spend much time in my stateroom. By booking the cheapest cabin — costing $1,780 including gratuities, port fees, and taxes — I had more funds to splurge on things like shore excursions and fresh seafood, which are more memorable than the stateroom!
I preferred my modern stateroom on Quantum of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas' virtual balcony made a difference — it brought "natural light" into an otherwise pitch-black room. Plus, sailing through Alaska, it was nice to get glimpses of the snow-capped mountains as we cruised through the famous Inside Passage.
Neither stateroom was horrible, and for the right price, I’d happily sail in either one again to Alaska. However, if I had to choose, Quantum's modern design, better outlet situation, and virtual balcony experience make it my preferred pick.
At the end of the day, both cabins served their purpose. I had a comfortable place to rest after sightseeing on the top deck, playing with sled puppies, and going on wildlife tours.
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 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!
