If you’re an avid cruiser, I bet you have one favorite cabin type that you choose automatically every time you cruise: either an inside stateroom or an oceanview room or a balcony room. Of course, the obvious difference and often a deciding factor is the price. However, if a balcony room is always your first choice, you may want to reconsider an inside cabin or oceanview. They have benefits that aren’t always obvious. Here’s a run-down of the pros and cons of each cabin choice.
Balcony staterooms
The upside of balconies:
For many, the main advantage of a balcony room is the view, especially if your cruise navigates close to shore. These rooms also offer the option of opening your balcony door at night to let the breeze in and to hear the waves as you sleep. If you prefer not to mingle with people or with drinkers and prefer not to jockey for chairs on-deck, then a balcony may be for you. Many balcony-lovers prefer ordering room service or choosing their buffet food then retreating to their room to enjoy their meal with a view.
The downside of balconies:
The main disadvantage of veranda rooms is the added expense. If you’re not cruising along the shoreline, it might not be worth spending the extra. You probably won’t sit on the balcony as often when cruising in cooler climates. If you’re unlucky and the weather is poor during your cruise, then a balcony is a real waste. With some cruises, you are only in port during daylight hours (especially during shorter days of the year). For those, you cruise mostly at night when there’s not much to see so who needs a balcony then? Light sleepers can be affected by the daylight streaming in through balcony windows so may not sleep as soundly. Finally, in balcony staterooms, you risk being subjected to loud neighbors. You could also be affected by a neighbors’ heavy cigarette or cigar smoke.
Interior cabins:
The upside of interiors:
When you book inside cabins, you can take twice as many cruises for the same money you spend on one balcony cruise. And, when you cruise more, you amass more points on your cruise line loyalty program which amasses more perks for you. As well, reserving an interior cabin when you’re trying out a cruise line for the first time is an inexpensive way to try it. Interior cabins are usually the first cabins to be discounted. This is because 20% off an inside cabin costs less for the cruise line than 20% off a veranda room. The basic features of an inside cabin (beds, bathroom, storage, desk) are similar in size to an oceanview cabin and the square footage is similar if not exactly the same in an interior or an oceanview room.
If you’re an extrovert or you’re an introvert who wants to break out, you’ll spend more time out and about on the ship and will likely meet more people. You’ll also enjoy a wider variety of amenities and get more exercise.
If you are sensitive to motion sickness, an interior cabin choice offers less movement than outside rooms. Lower inside cabins and those further from the front or back of the ship are best for least movement. A darker room will help you get a better nights sleep.
You can still have a view with inside cabins. You just need to go to public spaces to get it. Usually that view is a more all-encompassing one than the one from a balcony would be. Savvy cruisers, book inside cabins and then tune their TV’s to the cruise channel so they have a constant view of the outside of the ship.
The downside of interiors:
The downside of an interior room is the lack of windows so this type may not work for natural daylight-seekers. Also, if you’re claustrophobic, an inside cabin isn’t a good choice. One more downside, when you leave an interior cabin to seek out the view, you don’t have the convenience of being a few steps from your room
Oceanview rooms
The upside of an oceanview
An oceanview cabin is often considered the compromise between a balcony and an inside stateroom. It has a porthole or picture window that lets light into the room and it’s more moderately priced than a balcony room. Those who suffer from seasickness prefer oceanviews so they can fix their gaze to the horizon (where the sky meets water) to help queasiness.
One trick oceanview reservers use is to book their room-type but not book their room number. Then they request a ‘guaranteed oceanview’. Because the oceanview rooms book quickly, if you’ve requested an oceanview guarantee, you could get upgraded to a balcony. However, the risk is that it may be near a noisy public area or have an obstructed view.
The downside of an oceanview:
Though you have the view out your room window, that view can be obstructed with lifeboats, poles or other barriers. The window in an oceanview room does not open. Finally, the window or porthole can be cloudy and covered with salt water so you might not get that perfect view anyway.
Because there are various pros and cons to every cabin choice, you may opt to book your room type depending on how much time you’ll spend on the ship or watching the view. For instance, if the cruise is at a new Port of Call every day, consider an inside cabin because you’ll spend little time in the room. If it’s an Alaskan or Panama Canal cruise, the oceanview or balcony rooms (weather and temperature-dependent) could make the most sense. For a transatlantic cruise, you might go either way: Because you’ll spend many days At Sea, you may prefer a balcony or oceanview. However, if you consider that the view for an ocean crossing can get monotonous, then an inside cabin may be just the ticket.
One final suggestion, before selecting a stateroom, compare the square footage of each option. That could be one of the important deciding factors to ensure your cruise enjoyment and ensure your cabin choice enjoyment.
Bon Voyage!
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