Within the past year, I've sailed on identical cruise ships in different cabin categories. Although there was a $2,000 price difference between the two, I found the staterooms had more in common than expected.
My first experience aboard one of Celebrity Cruises' Solstice Class ships was on a 5-night sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Cozumel, Mexico, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
My partner and I enjoyed the ship so much that we didn't hesitate to book another sailing on a similar vessel. This time, however, we sailed from the Netherlands to Norway on a 7-night Norwegian Fjords voyage.
Wanting to see the dramatic scenery from our cabin, we splurged on a balcony cabin. Comparatively, we didn't mind saving money and booking the cheapest interior stateroom when heading to the Bahamas.
Here's how the two experiences compared — and why the windowless stateroom was ultimately the best value.
Layout and storage
Having been on over 30 cruises, I've stayed in my fair share of cramped inside staterooms. For example, my cabin on Quantum of the Seas was around 166 square feet.
Because Celebrity Reflection is an older ship, I didn’t expect our stateroom to feel modern or spacious. However, I was surprised by how roomy the cabin turned out to be.
That said, there were a few disappointing aspects of the cabin. First, with all the extra space in the room, I wish there had been a loveseat, rather than a single chair tucked into the corner.
Comparatively, having the large couch on Celebrity Eclipse was a nice touch. It became our catch-all place for jackets and souvenirs. Plus, we still had somewhere to sit other than the vanity chair and the bed.
Moreover, I wish there had been more dedicated storage space to help keep our belongings organized. The dresser only had three drawers, and the closet lacked shelving altogether. We didn't struggle to fit everything, but more shelves would help keep everything tidy and accessible.
The same was true with my balcony stateroom on Celebrity Eclipse. The cabin didn't feel as spacious, but the storage situation was nearly identical, having just four dresser drawers and no built-in shelving in the closet or vanity area.
Aboard Eclipse, we utilized the cubbies over the bed because we packed bulkier clothes compared to our tropical voyage on Celebrity Reflection. Although the extra storage was appreciated, having to climb onto the bed whenever we needed to grab something from our packing cubes was inconvenient.
Finally, the staterooms were clean and functional, but they showed their age. For example, the décor and color scheme were the same, featuring muted colors and worn furniture.
Neither stateroom felt newer than the other, despite Celebrity Eclipse, an older ship that launched in 2010, having undergone a three-week dry dock in May 2025, just weeks before our voyage.
In comparison, Celebrity Reflection set sail in 2012. Her last dry dock before our sailing in April 2024 was in October 2022.
Comfort and amenities
The general amenities in the two staterooms were identical. The cabins had the same number of outlets, with just two American and one European plug available at the vanity. Thankfully, I had brought European adapters on both sailings, so we could use all the available charging options.
This, however, was to be expected on two older vessels. Celebrity Cruises has announced plans to refresh the staterooms on its Solstice Class vessels, and the upgrades are likely to include additional and more accessible charging options.
Until then, cruisers on either Celebrity Reflection or Eclipse should come prepared with cruise line-approved USB hubs, European adapters, and portable chargers.
Moving on, both staterooms were equipped with a safe, a television (which was newer on Eclipse), a mini-fridge, and two nightstands. Note that the mini-bar wasn't included on either ship. On Celebrity Eclipse, a Heineken beer cost $10, while a can of Coca-Cola was $4.75. Drink packages don't work on mini-bar items, either.
The bathrooms were nearly identical, too. One of the biggest differences was that the shelves in the bathroom on Celebrity Eclipse were enclosed, whereas on Celebrity Reflection, they were exposed. The bathroom on Eclipse also felt a little larger.
Other than that, the warm color scheme and layout of the bathrooms were virtually the same, with white countertops, cherry wood cabinetry, and a more spacious-than-usual shower with a glass door.
The provided toiletries were also consistent. Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash were available in the shower — a nice upgrade compared to Royal Caribbean's shampoo-body wash hybrid. Celebrity also stocked the bathrooms with body lotion, a shower net, and a small bar of hand soap, too.
Price and overall value
In terms of value, the inside cabin offered a better deal, coming in at $1,997.74 for a 5-night cruise (including taxes, port fees, gratuities, a Basic Drinks Package, and Wi-Fi). This breaks down to roughly $399.50 per night for two guests.
Comparatively, our weeklong sailing on Celebrity Eclipse to Norway cost $4,053.12, or around $579 per night. The rate also included taxes, port fees, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and a drink package. However, even with two extra nights, the per-night cost was higher. That said, the balcony was undeniably a highlight, especially as we sailed through the picturesque fjords.
At the end of the day, both cabins offered nearly identical layouts, similar storage options, and the same amenities. The main difference was the view. So, if you're sailing on a Solstice Class ship and don't care too much about the scenery, an interior cabin is the way to go.
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!
