Cabins

One Reddit user invited cruisers to share their unpopular opinions, starting with how they thought balcony cabins are a waste of money. 

Many guests can't imagine cruising in a tiny windowless interior cabin, while others argue that balconies are overpriced. 

The truth is, other cruisers can't tell you how to spend your money. What you consider "worth it" might not even cross someone else's mind. 

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. 

Many cruisers dream of scoring an upgrade on their upcoming voyage. Who wouldn't want a better cabin for less?

Unfortunately, there's no way to guarantee an upgrade. For example, you could be on a fully booked sailing, which would squash your chance of receiving an upgrade to an ocean-view balcony stateroom. 

However, some strategies may increase your chances of scoring that coveted cabin upgrade.

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. 

Within a month, I cruised to Alaska on both Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises. I booked an interior cabin for both sailings, but I liked one cabin more than the other.

Alaska cruises are some of my favorite itineraries in the world. I love waking up to inspiring scenery each day while sailing through the state’s fjords, and the active shore excursions are right up my alley.

What if you book the cheapest cruise cabin, but receive a balcony upgrade for free?

That’s exactly what happened to Cruise.Blog reader Jackie and her husband Joe, who recently took a 4-night cruise on MSC Seashore, one of MSC Cruises’ newest and most modern ships.

One of the easiest ways to save money on your cruise fare is to book a guarantee or GTY stateroom. This means that instead of selecting your cabin, you let the cruise line do it for you at a lower price. Guarantee cabins can be great options for flexible cruisers who want to save money on their cruise cabin. 

Cruise ship cabins are smaller than traditional hotel rooms and accommodate two to four passengers. If you have a large family, you will likely have to book two cabins or splurge on a large family suite. 

Two standard cabins will typically be the best budget-friendly option. However, some families might want to splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime experience! 

Today's newest ships have an impressive line-up of family suites, ranging from Icon of the Seas' Ultimate Family Townhouse to Carnival Celebration's Excel Presidental Suite. 

Cruises are a time to kick back, relax, and not think about day-to-day responsibilities. Who wants to worry about cooking and cleaning on vacation?

Even so, there are some rules—both explicit and implied—that you should follow while onboard. You should not, for instance, smoke in areas that are not designated for smoking or engage in any unruly or disruptive behavior. You could end up cooling off in cruise ship jail or stuck with a hefty fine!