As cruise prices are rising, you might be wondering if oceanview cabins are worth it. These economical cabins are more expensive than inside rooms, but often much cheaper than balcony cabins.
The truth is that we rarely talk about ocean view cabins. While these ocean view rooms have their pros and cons, they might be worth considering on a future cruise.
I’ve been on over 30 cruises and have cruised in interior staterooms, balconies and an occasional mini suite. However, on a recent last-minute cruise we opted for an ocean view cabin. This cabin was about half the price of a balcony and approximately $50 more than an interior cabin (for a four day cruise).
While ocean view cabins might not be right for everyone, here are my thoughts on the pros and cons of booking this unique cruise cabin.
Pros of Booking an Ocean View Cabin
Pricing
Typically, an ocean view cabinis much cheaper than a balcony cabin and only a bit more expensive than an interior cabin. As someone who has sailed in an interior, ocean view, and balcony stateroom, I can say that having an ocean view was a great experience.
If you’re used tobooking balcony cabins but looking for a more economical way to cruise, anocean viewcabin is a money saver.Since I don’t spend much time in my cabin, I found my ocean view stateroom to beagreat value.
When considering your options for an ocean viewcabin,comparing the costa good idea.If theocean viewstateroom falls within the same price range as an interior cabin, it’s a decision that’s definitely worth the extra investment. The added value of waking up to an amazing ocean view is worth the price!
Natural Light
One of the benefits of booking anocean viewcabin is the natural light. Compared to an interior cabin, ocean view cabins provide natural light and stunning views of the ocean, such as the sight of marine life in the ocean or a stunning sunset over the horizon.
While inside cabins are a budget-friendly option, they do have a big drawback – the lack of natural light.
This can make it difficult to gage the weather or the time of day. However, with an ocean view cabin, you have the practical advantage of natural daylight, which eliminates these uncertainties.
Furthermore, walking into yourstateroom and viewing the ocean is always great. It’s also nice to sit with a book and relax by yourocean viewwindow.
Unique Point of View
When booking anocean viewstateroom, you’ll get a unique view of the ocean.
In contrast to a balconycabin,ocean viewcabins are on cruise ships’ lower decks, making them closer to the water. Being closer to the water is a unique experience, as the waves are only a few meters from yourocean viewwindow.
On my last Royal Caribbean cruise, the thrill of seeing the waves up close from my ocean view stateroom was a great experience. In contrast, a balcony cabin offers a great view of the ocean, but the experience is different as you’re higher up on the cruise ship, further away from the waves.
Whether you prefer to be closer to the ocean or further away from it, experiencing the up-close view from an ocean view cabin is certainly an amazing experience.
Size of Cabin
One of the key advantages of booking an ocean view cabin is that it usually is a similar size to a standard balcony cabin. Take, for example, the Oasis of the Seas, where both the ocean view cabins and the balcony cabins are a comfortable 180 square feet. The only difference is that the balcony cabin provides an extra 50 square feet of outdoor space.
When you take into account that a balcony cabin can be nearly double the price of an ocean view cabin, the fact that they offer the same stateroom size makes an ocean view cabin an excellent value, ensuring you get the most out of your cruise experience.
That said, cabins sizes can vary depending on the cruise line and the cruise ship. Before finalizing your stateroom, ensure that it is the ideal size for your cruise vacation needs.
Same Cruise Experience
A misconception that new cruisers often have is that the cruise experience will vary depending on your cabin type. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Whetheryou’rein an inside cabin, ocean view cabin, or balcony cabin, you will have the same cruise experience. Unless you are in a suite, youwill have access tothe same services, amenities, activities, venues, and entertainment options.
Related: 50+ Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon
Cons of Booking an Ocean View Cabin
Cabin Location
One of the trade-offs of choosing an ocean view stateroom is its location. Typically, these cabins are situated on the lower decks, which means you’ll be a bit further from the lido deck and promenade deck, potentially requiring more walking or time waiting for the elevators.
While there’s nothing wrong with being on deck 1, 2 or 3, some people prefer to be on higher decks.
Many cruise ships also have forward facing oceanview cabins. These rooms are often a bit larger than average. However, being in the front of the ship is considered to be one of the worst cabin locations by many.
For those who prioritize convenience, the middle decks are usually the most suitable. However, it’s important to note that these decks are often reserved for interior, balcony, mini-suite staterooms and suites.
One undeniable advantage of being on a lower deck is the reduced risk of motion sickness. As a general rule, the lower you are on the cruise ship, the less you’ll feel the motion of the ocean.
This can be a significant comfort factor for many travelers, especially those who are prone to seasickness.
Window Does Not Open
This might seem obvious if you’ve cruised before. However, first-time cruisers may be surprised by this to know that the windows inside anocean viewcabin do not open!
If you’re a cruiser who enjoys the natural ocean breeze, you prefermay prefera balcony cabin.However, if youdon’tplan on spendingmuchtime in your cabin, there are plenty of places around the cruise shipwhere you canenjoy a similar experience.
Not Ideal for Watching The Ocean
In my experience, anocean viewcabin is not ideal for watching the ocean. On our recent Royal Caribbean cruise, the window was behind the bed, so sitting down and looking into the water wasn’t particularly comfortable.
While I appreciated an oceanview cabin’s abundance of natural light, the room configuration could have been better for looking into the ocean.
However, on some cruise lines, ocean-view cabins have panoramic windows and floor-to-ceiling windows. Therefore, it’s important to check on what kind of ocean view you are getting before finalizing your cabin selection.
Is an Ocean View Cabin Worth It?
When it comes to cruising, there are two types of passengers: those who spend a lot of time in their cabin and those who don’t.
If you prefer to spend time around the cruise ship instead of inside your cabin, you will enjoy an ocean view cabin. For the price, an ocean view cabin offers tremendous value, serving as the perfect upgrade from an inside cabin.
If you’re a cruiserwho enjoys spending time in your cabin and having your own outdoor space, then you’ll prefer a balcony cabin. The feeling of staring out of your ocean view window doesn’t compare to relaxing outside on your balcony.
However, balcony staterooms can be quite pricey, makingocean viewcabins a solid value and a great middle-ground between interior and balcony staterooms.
Ultimately, the value ofocean viewcabins shines through whenthey are in the same price range as an interior cabin.If anocean viewcabin is priced similarly to a balcony cabin,thenyou may want to consider investing the extra money in the balcony stateroom for an enhanced cruising experience.
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Final Thoughts On Is An Ocean View Cabin Worth It?
While there are certainly several pros and cons to sailing in an ocean view cabin, one undeniable advantage is their affordability. An ocean view cabin offers a great value, serving as a comfortable middle ground between an interior cabin and a balcony cabin.
Ultimately, the decision to book an ocean view cabin or not rests on your personal preferences, desires and needs.
If you’re the type who doesn’t spend much time in your cabin and appreciates the natural light, then an ocean view cabin might be your best bet. On the other hand, if you value your personal space and enjoy the luxury of relaxing outdoors, a balcony cabin could be the perfect choice for you.
Would you book an ocean view cabin? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ethan
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