Choosing the best cruise room for your upcoming vacation is just as important as selecting the right itinerary and ship.
Generally speaking, there are four standard categories of staterooms: interior, ocean view, balcony, and suite. Oftentimes, future cruisers know exactly what cabin they want. However, it is not always a simple decision.
Throughout my cruising career, I've stayed in interior rooms and balconies on new ships and old ships alike. I've also had funky cabins, like a balcony overlooking the ship's interior or a windowless room with a virtual balcony.
Although interior cabins are a great choice for those wanting to maximize every dollar of their vacation budget, nothing beats relaxing on a private balcony as you depart from port or gazing at the vast horizon.
However, balcony cabins typically cost hundreds of dollars more per person than interior staterooms, so you must decide whether you can justify the splurge.
In the end, there are pros and cons to each option — it comes down to your family's personal preferences and budget.
Similarities between interior and balcony staterooms
All cruise rooms are outfitted with the same basic amenities, including a television, a closet, a safe, a vanity area with a mirror, and an ensuite bathroom.
Additionally, most interior and balcony cabins are designed for double occupancy. Rooms that accommodate three or four passengers either have a sofa bed or pullman bed.
Most rooms have two twin-sized beds that can be pushed together to create a king-sized bed. This isn't the case on all lines, though. Disney, for example, outfits its staterooms with one queen-sized bed rather than two twin beds.
Something else unique to many Disney cabins is its split bathroom concept. Though other vessels, such as Carnival Dream and Icon of the Seas, have rooms with this family-friendly bathroom layout, it's most common across Disney's fleet of magical ships.
Still, regardless of whether you book an interior or balcony stateroom — or which cruise line you sail with — you can expect a private bathroom in your cabin.
What's different about balcony and interior cruise rooms?
In terms of differences, balcony cabins are typically larger, giving you and your travel party more space both inside and outside. On the flip side, inside staterooms are, more often than not, the smallest accommodations on the ship — minus crew cabins.
For instance, a balcony room on the Carnival Celebration cruise ship measures 249 square feet, whereas interior rooms measure 158 square feet.
Given that balconies are larger, it's not uncommon for balcony cabins to have more furniture. For example, not all interior staterooms have space for a small loveseat or sofa. Inside cabins don't have room for outdoor furniture, either.
Additionally, the outdoor verandah, giving you a front row view to the passing scenery and natural light inside your room, is one of the defining features of a balcony cabin. However, most balconies aren't overly spacious. Still, you'll usually find two chairs and a small table, which is just enough to relax!
On a similar note, access to natural light and ocean views is a considerable difference between the two cruise room categories. Interior cabins do not have windows, so they rely entirely on artificial lighting. In other words, you won't wake up to the sunrise over the ocean or watch as your ship arrives at your next port of call.
Another big difference between balcony and interior cabins is the cost. Interior rooms are the cheapest accommodations on a cruise. In other words, the extra living space, verandah, and view that accompany a balcony cabin come with a higher price tag. The total difference, however, varies.
The price gap between an interior stateroom and a balcony differs from cruise line to cruise line, ship to ship, and sailing to sailing. It also depends on factors like the itinerary, time of year, and ship class. Sometimes, a balcony is only a few hundred dollars more, while other times it can cost significantly more — especially on newer ships or scenic itineraries.
Let's look at a few upcoming Carnival sailings to explore the true difference in pricing between interior and balcony cabins. These prices were accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change without warning.
Carnival Spirit, 7-Day Alaska Inside Passage & Glacier from Seattle: May 13-20, 2027
- Inside: $839 per person
- Balcony: $1,424 per person
Carnival Spirit, 7-Day Alaska Inside Passage & Glacier from Seattle: July 8-15, 2027
- Inside: $1,109 per person
- Balcony: $1,784 per person
Carnival Conquest, 3-Day The Bahamas from Miami: October 26-29, 2026
- Inside: $189 per person
- Balcony: $324 per person
Carnival Conquest, 3-Day The Bahamas from Miami: July 16-19, 2027
- Inside: $464 per person
- Balcony: $664 per person
Carnival Jubilee, 8-Day The Bahamas from Galveston: March 20-28, 2027
- Inside: $899 per person
- Balcony: $1,219 per person
Carnival Jubilee, 8-Day The Bahamas from Galveston: August 21-29, 2027
- Inside: $909 per person
- Balcony: $1,229 per person
Remember that the cruise fare includes more than just your accommodation on the ship. It also includes unlimited food in complimentary restaurants, select beverages, entertainment, and transportation between ports of call.
However, since the fare isn't all-inclusive, you'll need to leave enough room in your budget for pre- and post-cruise transportation, drink and internet packages, shore excursions, and other add-ons. If you'll be more strapped for cash booking the more expensive balcony cabin, you may want to pick the windowless interior room.
So, to recap, here's what's different about balcony and interior cruise rooms:
- Space
- View/natural light
- Cost
Pros of interior cabins
Balcony cabins are usually the preferred cabin type for most cruisers. That, however, does not mean inside cruise rooms are bad.
Aside from cost, those who frequently stay in interior rooms rave about how great they're able to sleep because they are not woken up by the sun. With the lights off, you can't tell whether it's 1:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m!
That said, not all inside rooms are windowless. There are some interior cabins that have windows with interior views of the ship or even LED floor-to-ceiling screens that serve as a "virtual balcony."
The best way to see and understand all of your available options is to speak with a travel agent. They can advise you on which ships might give you more interior options than others.
Pros of balcony cabins
Those who are prone to motion sickness should consider a balcony cabin. If your ship starts rocking, having immediate access to fresh air and being able to see the horizon can help you stabilize your mind and reorient yourself.
Some cruise ships, such as Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Icon Classes and MSC Cruises' World Class, have balconies that face the interior of the ship. These balcony staterooms have the same balcony experience as ocean-facing balconies, meaning that you'll have access to fresh air and a personal verandah, but often for a lower price since you don't have a direct ocean view.
If you want more space and do not care about the location, consider an aft balcony. These rooms are found at the back of the ship and tend to have elongated or oddly shaped verandahs, meaning they have larger balconies! You will also get some pretty amazing wake views when the ship is sailing.
Moreover, balcony cabins are great for those looking to have more options in terms of cabin location, as you typically have more choices. For example, depending on the preferences of your travel party, you may benefit from staying in a cabin close to the youth clubs or closer to the adults-only sun deck.
However, it's important to pay attention to what type of balcony you're booking. For instance, Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class MSC Cruises' World Class have balconies that face the inside of the ship, meaning you won't have an ocean view.
Additionally, Celebrity's Edge Class, MSC's World Class, and Royal Caribbean Icon Class also have infinite verandahs. These rooms are great for those who want more interior living space. However, they lack a traditional outdoor balcony.
Instead, infinite verandas have a floor-to-ceiling window that opens with the push of a button.
Should I choose a balcony or an interior cruise room?
The best cabin choice depends on your personal preferences. Some cruisers plan on spending more time outside of their room to experience everything the ship. As such, they don't mind choosing the cheapest cabin to stretch their budget further and have more to allocate toward memorable add-ons.
On the other hand, those who prefer having a front seat to ocean views and the privacy that comes with a personal verandah will be better off spending the extra money on a balcony. Plus, these rooms are better if you are traveling with more than two people in your party because of the additional living space.
The itinerary could make a difference, too. Perhaps you'd be okay saving money and booking the cheaper inside cabin on a Caribbean cruise, whereas you'd want access to a view on a sailing to Alaska.
There are always cruise deals to be found. If you are flexible with your sail date and itinerary, you can find good rates on both balcony and inside staterooms!
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. 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!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
