When choosing between an inside cabin vs balcony, most travelers assume the balcony is the only way to go. But if you want to cruise more often and sleep better, the interior room is often the smarter play.
I like a balcony view as much as anyone, but there are plenty of times I skip the veranda and go straight for the interior. If you talk to veteran cruisers, they will tell you an inside room is the absolute best place to sleep on the ship.
Those four windowless walls are not nearly as bad as you might think. Depending on why you are taking a vacation, they might actually be the smartest choice you can make.
Why an inside cabin vs balcony saves you money
Look, the price is the main event here. I have seen the numbers, and interior cabins can SOMETIMES be as much as 60% cheaper than a balcony. When you are looking at the bill, that is not just a little pocket change it is basically the difference between taking one cruise or two.
The best part is that once you step out of your door, you are on the same ship as everyone else. You are eating the same pizza, swimming in the same pools, and watching the same Broadway style shows as the person who paid triple for a suite. Unless you are booking a high end spa cabin or a massive suite with a private butler, the amenities are mostly identical.
More cruises for the same budget
If you want to spend more time at sea, booking inside cabins is the way to do it. Think about it: you can basically take two cruises for the price of one balcony stay. If you are trying to climb the loyalty ranks with a cruise line, this is the fastest way to get those perks without draining your bank account.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for promotional sailings when you can earn 2x or even 3x points towards your preferred cruise line loyalty program. This just sweetens the pot.
It is also a great way to “test drive” a new ship or a cruise line you have never tried before. You do not want to spend a fortune on a veranda stateroom only to find out you do not really like the ship layout. Try an interior cabin first, and if you love the vibe, you can splurge on the next one.
You actually explore the ship
An interior room is a place to sleep and change your clothes. Because there is no private balcony to lounge on, you are naturally going to spend more time out in the public areas.
When I stay in an inside room, I find myself doing way more activities. I am hitting the trivia games, watching the movies on the pool deck, and grabbing late night snacks at the buffet. You really get your money’s worth out of the ship’s entertainment when your room is not the main attraction.
Choosing an inside cabin vs balcony for better sleep
If you have ever tried to sleep in on a balcony cabin, you know that the sun always finds a way through those curtains. But in an interior room? It is pitch black.
For anyone who loves a good nap or wants to sleep until noon without the sun hitting them in the face, this is heaven. Sure, you might lose track of time and wake up wondering if it is 8:00 AM or 2:00 PM, but that is part of the vacation charm.
Better views are just a few decks away
The view from the public decks is usually way better anyway because you get a panoramic look at the horizon instead of just the slice of ocean in front of your room. Plus, you do not have to worry about noisy neighbors on the balcony next to you. If the people near you on the Lido deck are being annoying, you can just pick up your towel and move to a quieter spot. You cannot do that with a balcony.
Wish you could have the view with the inside stateroom budget? Did you know that some cruise ships today have the technology to have Virtual Balcony Rooms? Essentially they are inside rooms with a screen streaming the outside view of the ship.
Less rocking and rolling
If you get a little green around the gills when the water gets rough, an interior cabin is your best friend. Ideally, you want something on a lower deck and near the middle of the ship.
Since interior rooms are closer to the center of the ship’s mass, you feel significantly less movement than you would in a cabin on the far edges. It won’t cure a massive storm, but for general sea sickness, being centered makes a world of difference.
More money for the “fun stuff”
I’m saying it again because it matters. If you love cruising, the money you save on the room can go toward a massive excursion, a fancy specialty dinner, or a drink package. This is especially important when traveling with children or a larger family.
If you are the type of family who will only use the room to crash at night, paying for a balcony is basically like paying for a view you are never going to look at. Also, kids love bunkbeds and you can make staying in the room a fun experience for them. What you save in cabin cost allows you to splurge with all the other cool things the ship will have to offer.
The Bottom Line
Interior cabins are not for everyone but they are a great entry level way to start cruising. If you suffer from claustrophobia, than you may want to skip the standard interion room and look for a virtual balcony on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
But if the price of a balcony is the only thing stopping you from booking your next adventure, give the inside room a chance. It is a fantastic way to see the world, meet new people, and keep your travel budget in check. After all, the destination looks exactly the same no matter which room you slept in.
Choose the room that fits your needs and your budget and not what everyone will tell you. There are people that tell you that ” Suites are the only way I would cruise” or ” You NEED to get a balcony” that is all hearsay. Not everyone can afford those experiences. Other just cannot fathom spending that much money on just a room.
Personally, I choose the room as we go. It depends on the ship and the itinerary. For example our Boston to Bermuda trip, I was escorting a group. I knew I was not going to be in the room much. However, as I monitor all clients pricing, I was still able to upgrade my room to a balcony at no extra cost.
So even if your budget dictates that you can only consider a inside room, by using a travel advisor you can still stay within your budget and still be upgraded. Not all Inside Rooms are bad, and if a inside room is what fits for you and gets you on a cruise. Well I say this is a no-brainer and you go for it!
