It’s balconies and suites for us. We spend time in our staterooms. We like the balcony and the windows. Love to sit out in the daytime without the noise and crowd by the pool. Also, love a drink at night listening to the water and watching television waves from the balcony. We budget for the extra money. Having been on so many cruises, we,re not big on excursions anymore.
I have no concept of why cruises are so popular. I cringe at the thought of the “showtime”. If you take advantage of the catering surely you’re already obese or well on the way. Sitting on a balcony?
@@petesmith9472Try it before you knock it. You can enjoy cuisine without being a stereotype, the scenery and options change and the ships have a city full of choices. Beats the airport, hotel drag anyday.
@@petesmith9472 cruises can be fabulous, but they’re not for everybody. And the old saying about only the “newlywed, well fed, and nearly dead“ doesn’t really apply to the passengers anymore. For us nothing beats sitting out on the balcony in the morning with coffee or in the evenings watching the sunset. Try one, you might like it.
I think inside cabins are good for beginning cruisers, people who have to maintain strict budgets, and anyone who is prone to seasickness. I have been solo cruising since the age of 19 (now 62) and once I discovered balcony cabins, I was hooked. I cruise year-round, not just in the typically nice seasons. So you may encounter weather that does not bode for pool or deck time. In these cases, the interior of the ship is crowded with people who don't know what to do. A book, a blanket and a beverage on your balcony can be a sanity saver. I also travel to beautiful places. In an inside cabin, I would not be able to sit with a quiet coffee at sunrise, or a glass of wine at night watching the stars. I enjoy the hustle and bustle of the ship but I treasure my alone time. There is nothing better than breakfast or dinner on your balcony. On transatlantic, longer repositioning cruises, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, and other cruises, an inside cabin may be a detriment rather than a blessing. In the early days, I fell for the belief that you only shower and sleep in your cabin. All of these years later, I know better. However, to each his or her own. The important part is to enjoy the cruise.
Exactly! All of the comments of balconies being a waste of money and only interior cabins for me, is a simplistic mindset. Well said. People don't consider a lot of things that a balcony can do for you. Getting away from crowds and weather are 2 big ones. Watching the sail away from your balcony instead of trying to squeeze in somewhere is big too.
Both the video and the comments below have proven to be extremely valuable to me as an extreme introvert, I would have to have somewhere to go to escape the madding crowd...... thank you for posting :)
Those of us who know value often book inside cabins. My wife and I have taken more than a hundred cruises now over several decades. I would rather take 2 inside trips than 1 balcony, and that's about the difference. For us, we never eat in our cabin and usually spend a lot of time in the public spaces.
@@gavinsatrohan6702 I thought exactly the same when I chose the inside cabin for my first cruise, then I tried the balcony on the second one. Never again since then in the inside cabin 🙂
We choose balcony staterooms. We like having our own outdoor space when other outdoor spaces get overcrowded. We like watching pier runners and sail aways from port. When one person wants to nap and the other wants to just relax at the room, they can go out on the balcony without disturbing the person sleeping. Lastly, in the event of hvac or other problems on the ship where the interior rooms are too hot and stale to be comfortable, a balcony room provides an outdoor space that can provide fresh air and a bit of wind to help make things easier to bear.
I'm an introvert with sensory sensitivities. I'm the one who will be spending lots of quiet time in the cabin, and having no natural light and no view is claustrophobic. Spending extra for an outside room is worth it for a pleasant voyage.
I have never been on a cruise, but I know I could not handle an inside room. Just watching this video, I felt the claustrophobia. I don't think I'd have to have a balcony, but at least a window.
We have been in inside, outside and balcony cabins many times. I like the quiet coziness of an inside cabin. I like being able to enjoy more excursions, shopping, and fine dining experiences etc. with my funds than putting my money towards a window. Destinations can make a difference too as the scenery can be very different. When we took the QE2 across the Atlantic we loved our inside cabin. It was basically an ocean water view only on that cruise…so paying extra didn’t make sense, and we could enjoy champagne every night if we wanted to. 😊
Our last cruise (disembarked 8 days ago) had 3 days at sea. We enjoyed our balcony a lot. My husband is an earlier riser than I am, so he would take his book and sit on the balcony and read and relax until I woke up. Coming back from excursions, we would relax on the balcony for a while. When our sons were young and we first started cruising, we always stayed in an inside cabin. It began as a better financial option, but as the boys grew up and we enjoyed cruising so much, we began choosing balconies and never looked back. Now I’d never take an inside cabin on a cruise.
I agree with a lot of points in this video. I meet so many people who ask why I don't cruise in a balcony, and the reality is that the more cruises I take on the INSIDE, the more cruises I can afford to take. For me, that's SUCH simple math!
Most ppl don't realize the reason some are rich is the fact they KEEP more of their money. It's not rocket science. In one of her books, Dr. Toni Grant says you need to answer 2 questions to determine whether or not you'll become wealthy; 1. are you prepared to work hard and save as much as possible? and 2. are you prepared to change your lifestyle to enjoy this newly-found wealth? The correct answers for a future millionaire are 1. yes and 2. no. It never ceases to amaze me how few understand what wealth is. Unless you're born into it, you need to concentrate on the behaviors truly rich people have. I remember the founder of IKEA had a 20-year-old Volvo to drive into the office every day. He was a multi-billionaire, and buying a Rolls Royce would have been chump change but he felt his old Volvo was good enough. There are many examples to follow, but some people close their eyes to facts.
@@Lbb789not sure your right . One cruise with balcony or 2 cruises inside cabin . When we have cruised we only stay in our rooms for sleep ,shower then out and about.
Experienced cruiser here, and I love the interior cabins. You mentioned the ease of selecting a quiet room, but being able to sleep in the middle of the day without too much natural light pouring in is just what I want on vacation. I'll lounge on the deck instead of a balcony whenever I need sunshine.
Balcony only for us. We love the views and sounds of the cruising in this outside area. As other have mentioned, we don’t have to find a spot somewhere else to enjoy sunset or sunrises.
I agree. Inside rooms are great for those on a budget, but if I am going on a cruise, I want to see the ocean. I want wake up to it, go to sleep with it and to be able to look out at the ocean if I cannot sleep. Watching the horizon can help with sea sickness. Standing on the balcony and watching sea birds and dolphins is all part of the experience you are paying for. If my only choice was an inside cabin, I doubt I would go.
We went on a 14 day cruise to Hawaii, I booked an interior room for me & hubby but luckily we were upgraded for free to a balcony room. Sweet! And for the longest cruise trip we ever had, we were stoked! Before the cruise, the cruise line been emailing me to upgrade for a fee but I can't stomach the big difference to cost so I ignored then 2 weeks before, they upgraded us for free. Yipppeee!
@@Centauri27 yeah I know right?!! This is just the 2nd time in my 59 years to get a free upgrade, the 1st was an international flight from economy to business class. Chances are negligible though, I don't hold my breath.
As a solo cruiser doing 6-8 cruises a year, balcony cabins are usually out of my financial reach and I book interior cabins where I’m usually quite content and you are correct, I don’t spend a lot of time. BUT, on those cruises where I’ve sometimes found an affordable fare for a solo balcony, I can tell you that you absolutely will spend more time in your cabin enjoying the private indoor space and your own outdoor space. A balcony cabin is a totally different (superior) experience from an interior cabin. The psychology (for 95% of us) is the opposite of what you say, but I appreciate the points you are trying to make. In short….Less space, less time in cabin. More space, more enjoyable, relaxing time in cabin. I say if you can afford a balcony, book it, but if it must be an interior cabin, that’s fine too. Cruise on!🚢👍
Yes, choosing an inside cabin because you don't expect to spend much time there is a self-fulfulling prophecy. No one wants to sit around in a small, windowless space during the day!
I just got back from a four-day cruise on Royal. A little background...I live in Los Angeles, so I don't have to fly. This was my 13th cruise (10th on Royal) to the same destination, Ensenada, Mexico. I left the ship in Ensenada for about 45 minutes on my first cruise. Since then, I stay on board. I've never done an excursion or tour. Why? I am an introvert by nature. I _LOVE_ port days, because people leave the ship. There are plenty of activities going on while in port, including doing nothing at all. I cruise to decompress. The worst idea of a "vacation" is for me to have to deal with flights and luggage and getting to a hotel and planning out all the things I want to see and scheduling time to eat and making sure I get enough sleep because I have to wake up early to make my way to this place I want to go to before it gets crowded and so on and so on and so on. When I cruise, I do what I want when I want (including nothing at all), I get quality food (especially on Royal), I get a nice room, I get my regular 10:30 pizza...heaven. As an added bonus, I just started solo cruising. (Where has THIS been all my life?) I carry one suitcase and my laptop backpack. On Royal, I pay for the Key, so I avoid all the check-in lines. I get lunch when I board, Internet during the cruise, and breakfast on disembarkation day. On my first 12 cruises, I went for interior cabins. Even with a companion, interior cabins are fine (as long as you like the person). As a solo, there is more than enough room to be comfortable. This last cruise, I splurged for a junior suite, because I'm getting close to Diamond level and I wanted the points. Will I ever do a suite again? No, because the cost of the junior suite (as a solo) was a little over *three times* as expensive as an interior, even with all the discounts applied. The room was about 40% larger, but the only additional furniture was a single upholstered chair with an ottoman. A small desk, over and above the standard wall unit, would have been nice. I would also have expected at least one extra power outlet. The walk-in closet was nice, but, as a solo, I didn't really need one. The branded toiletries were a nice touch, along with the full-size tub, but I was fine bringing my own accessories and showering in the torpedo tube. A hidden benefit was that the room was located about 12 steps from the elevators. I never really took advantage of the balcony, because I don't like the heat. If what I described is to your liking, you will never have to worry about competition from me for accommodations. My next two cruises will be a return to my norm, complete with torpedo tube.
@NeilTruick Very good points you have made. We're retired and usually stay in an Oceanview Cabin even though we can afford any type of cabin on board. Have never stayed in an inside as I like daylight in the cabin. Have stayed in a couple of balcony cabins but find we never really use the balcony for one reason or another. Suites are nice but the cost is prohibitive even for us. The only problem with an Oceanview is that they are usually located below an activity deck, especially on Holland America, and we don't sleep well with unecessary noise. Due to a disability we are fine with remaining on the ship during most port stops. Even without a disability most ports are overcrowded and the hassle of getting off and back on the ship, especially via tender,and finding one's way around in an unfamiliar place leaves a lot to be desired. My wife can take cruises or leave them. As ex Navy I love the ocean so cruising is in my blood. I find that aboard any ship you have people that have a divergence of tastes and interests just like on land. From inside cabins to the most luxurious suite it's all about what you enjoy and what you can afford. Each to his own I say.
The sights I have seen just from my balcony was worth the money! I woke up one morning w/Vesuvius in "my backyard". I've seen the tops of volcanos spewing fire. I loved the moon glistening on the calm waters. Or the magnificent sunsets...all from the privacy of my cabin. I even like to watch the waves during a storm while sipping a warm cup of tea. An inside cabin would give me claustrophobia, a psychological feeling of being sandwiched in or confined...
When we take transocean cruises, we always choose an inside cabin. Who wants to see the rolling sea on those days when it is really rough? Do you feel sandwiched in when you sleep in your interior bedroom at home?
@@halbuhr7220 Do people watch and chase tornadoes? Do people have, at least, one window in their BR? Enjoy your inside cabin, but I live alone and need to know what is going on around me, my friend.
My wife and I have sailed both inside staterooms and balconies. The few times we have gotten respiratory illnesses have been when we had inside staterooms-- it may be that the ventilatory systems recycle air containing viruses. With balconies one can increase the fresh airflow throughout the cabins.
There are filters in the ventilation system that prevent the spread of viruses. Also, if you consistently leave your balcony door open, you're screwing up the ventilation system for a whole section of your deck.
I always book interior cabins. I can not sleep if there's any daylight. Part of being on vacation for me is being able to take naps in the middle of the day which comes in handy after spending time in the sun. They're usually cooler and cost less. All wins for me.
@@kenbob1071 Yes, but it doesn't make much sense to me to spend the extra money for a cabin with a balcony, if I'm going to try and make it as dark as possible. Also, the curtains are not flush to the window and doesn't make the room completely dark. As I said, I do have trouble sleeping / relaxing when there's daylight. It's just my thing.
@@kberg5055eye masks aren’t comfortable for everyone and why would they pay extra just to wear eye masks lmao. They’re paying less for their preference so it’s a win win.
This definitely depends on the person. I have pretty bad motion sickness, and looking at a steady horizon always helps enormously. So I’d ONLY consider a balcony cabin for that reason. Additionally, I’m very introverted, so my _favorite_ part of a cruise is _avoiding_ the loud parties and sitting with a book on my balcony 🙂 (And if motion-sickness and introversion makes you think “why does she even WANT to go on a cruise then?” - you’re right. 😂 My hubby loves cruises, I just go for him)
Our recent Norwegian Cruise we chose the inside cabin. The difference between a balcony and an inside cabin was $1000. On our Alaskan cruise and Western Mediterranean cruise we chose the balcony and spent all of 15 minutes on the balcony.
@@chriswilliams6568My philosophy on cruises is "if I want to see outside, I go outside". For the extra $200+, a balcony doesn't really provide much that I can't get outside on a deck of free.
Thank you for the video. You forgot to mention two of the most important factors why I always choose interior cabins: they are dark and that gives you a better sleep, even for a PM nap... and they are always cool, balcony rooms gets pretty warm when you open the balcony and the A/C stops automatically when the balcony is open and it takes long time to cool the room again
Oh gee why didn’t I think of that??? I’m I DID call them and they couldn’t fix it either time on different ships. Just awful! Maintenance on ships leaves something to be desired…
@@tduck828 That's strange. My wife and I have taken over a hundred cruises and NEVER had problems with the AC. What line(s) were you sailing? Are you particularly sensitive to warm or cold conditions?
When you have been on as many cruises as my wife and myself, we always had balconies until we didn’t. Alaska cruise definitely, Nassau and beyond, not so much. Plus always pick square interior rooms vs rectangular rooms. Automatically more square feet. No charge for this advice!
Team balcony here, love be able to relax with a cup of tea on our balcony in the morning. I would consider an inside cabin but the savings made don't seem that significant
I usually cruise in an inside stateroom, and all your comments ring true for me. The only reason I need a stateroom is that I need a place to sleep, a place to shower, and a place to keep my luggage. That said, an ocean view stateroom, if not a balcony, is a plus when cruising Alaska or Norway where the scenery is so fantastic.
Recommend balcony, if you are able. #1 reason is covid or other health hazard. We live in times where this is an issue. The balcony will air out your room. And if your ship is on lockdown and you are confined to your room, you will appreciate the air that is circulating through your room, and the sence of freedom from the open door. #2 If there are issues with your room, ex: flooding from bathroom, toilet does not flush, etc… you will need an outlet. In a small room, you might get sick from inhaling the stale, non-circulating air.
Yes I booked a Norwegian cruise with inside cabin but months later Covid appeared so at the thought of being forced to stay in the cabin with no views made me cancel cruise.
A balcony is important under two conditions. If quiet time is important and you're sailing on one of standard level cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal, MSC and maybe NCL. Those lines blast music everywhere, all day. Celebrity, Holland, Princess and the luxury lines offer plenty of spaces that are quiet and chill outside your cabin.
Balconies are wonderful, until they’re not, when a personal, quiet space becomes intolerable due to noisy neighbors and cigarette smoke; it’s such a gamble. As a solo cruiser, my dollars go way further with interiors, and I can always find a quiet, uncrowded space to enjoy myself and the beautiful seas.
I’ve been on a cruise once and I loved the balcony so much. It was almost my favorite thing. Just sitting outside at night or in the morning, looking outside, feeling the air and hearing the waves. Absolutely magical. Without the balcony, I think it wouldn’t have been so much fun.
That's interesting. My wife and I also just cruised once but in the interior middle part of the ship. It was very quiet and also almost no motion which we liked. Since we only slept in the room and went about the ship most of the time including at night, we had plenty of out scenery and also lots of food. I tried to work off the calorie by going to the weight room overlooking the entire front of the ship but still gained several pounds. It was a good experience, but we decided not to go on cruise again because we gained weight even though we tried hard to exercise and also because the ship felt claustrophobic even though it was very big. I just can't explain that part.
Yes, you are right...We've been on a cruise in the Caribbean Sea ( Virgin Islands, Barbados, Antigua , St.Lucia, Guadeloupe, etc ...) and it was wonderful with a balcony...😊
I wish I could stay in an interior stateroom. I did once, and it was like living in a closet. No ambient light to walk to the bathroom. No natural light ever. Spending a week or more in a closet is not my idea of a vacation. Plus, without ambient light, I don’t wake up, and when I do I’m groggy, and feel like I should still be asleep. It’s good for people who don’t require natural light.
My daughter and I cruise together. We are only in the room to sleep and wash up. Wasting money is not on the agenda. We always get an interior room as close to the rear elevators as possible.
We have found that we rarely go out on a balcony and do not spend much time in our cabin so it is just not worth the money. Also especially now it is usually easier to find an interior cabin that is in a location handy for the things we like to do since the balconies seem to sell out much quicker
Sorry being able to lay in bed and be looking out our infinity balcony at the glaciers in Alaska while drinking coffee was worth every penny. As people were all crowded on the deck trying to catch a view, we were able to enjoy it peacefuly.
@@halbuhr7220 definitely a nice perk! I usually keep the bow camera on when I'm in the interior cabin during the day, makes it feel more spacious...but if scenery were going by to the sides that wouldn't help much
@@barbaradace7952 It depends on how distant objects are. I remember the first time I took a French TGV and was surprised that we could enjoy the passing countryside at 170 MPH!
I agree with your comments. In addition, we have found that the tiny space between the large bed and the walls of the interior cabin can be moved and put between the two single beds. That one change, for us, really improves the comfort of the interior cabin.
I have been cruising for over 30 years and have had every type of cabin on many different ships and cruise lines. The key to which cabin type is best for you is your budget and what you like to do on a cruise. If you are only going to your cabin to sleep, shower and change clothes then get an inside cabin and save the money. If however excursions aren't a big thing for you and you don't want to spend all day running around the ship but would rather hang in your cabin and read a good book then a balcony is great and watch the sea go by.
I have been cruising for more than 20 times. I started my early cruise years in inside cabins and later I have been hooked by balcony cabins. The simple reason I know the day's weather when I wake up. I can see the city when the ship "parks" at the pier. I can see people running to catch the ship as they are late. And I also enjoy seeing local bands performing farewell performance.
For the most part, we prefer interior. The only time we got a balcony was during our Alaskan cruise. It was nice enjoying the view while getting ready for our day. Although, I must admit, we grabbed it on a last minute deal and it was the last sailing of that September. Other than that, we’re back to doing interior.
I prefer an interior cabin because I only use it for changing clothes, hygiene, or sleep. I love the social areas on the ship. There are many inside places where one may look out upon the sea and sea life and peruse the shore. I have found quiet places both inside and out to read and relax. I have had a balcony suite and enjoyed the view, but not the cost, as I could see just as well in the common areas with the luxury of going from one perspective to another. I’ve traveled with family, groups, and as a couple.
I agree with all your points! Those are exactly the reasons why we always choose inside. With the rising cost of everything, being able to save precious $$$ with the inside rooms is really important. However the people making the argument for having their own balconies make a good point too. It all depends on what kind of cruiser you are.
@@bertiewooster3326 Yeah, that’s the key thing. But I think cruise lines are having a harder time selling out the more $$$ cabins, that’s why there’s always tempting you with upgrade offers.
We chose balcony cabin ,spent the evenings chilling out and ordering room service, we not interested in glitzy evenings so balcony was perfect ,lovely relaxing holiday 😊
Both the video and the very helpful comments below have proven to be extremely valuable to me as an extreme introvert, I would have to have somewhere to go to escape the madding crowd...... thank you for posting :)
I agree with many posts here. #1. It depends on where you're going. We don't do the party cruises or Caribbean cruises, we go where there is something to see and cultural experience to enjoy. If you're going to party and drink, then you're not likely to be in your room, then you are correct, why pay for room you're not going to be in.
You nailed it! Going to Greece or Spain as examples a balcony is fantastic. Just going to The Bahamas where one island looks like another I don't have a problem with an inside cabin.
I think where you’re cruising matters a lot! Sitting on the balcony watching the sights go by. I prefer balcony because I need regular breaks away from my cruise “family”! 😂
When I first got into cruising people use to always tell me to book an inside cabin to save money, bc you’re only going to use your room to sleep, shower and change. You not going to be in the room at all. I wonder why? It’s small, dark with no windows and there no room to move around, so of course you’ll never be in there. 😂 I always book a balcony. I enjoy sitting out on my balcony eating breakfast or relaxing when I wanna get away from the crowds on the ship. When I’m tired from exploring a port, I’ll either take a nap with the door wide open or nap on the balcony. My girlfriend recently took a cruise with her cousin and they was in an inside and she said it was the worse cruise experience she had as far as rooms go. Get yourself a balcony and a view. I’ve watch so many sunsets from my balcony. I’ve enjoyed the sail away from my balcony. Spent the extra cash on a balcony, your on vacation.
Well said! I agree. I had many good times out on my balcony. In addition, i enjoy sleeping with fake ocean/water sounds from my Echo. On the ship, i get the real deal, along with ocean smell, as well as fresh air circulating throughout my room. Ohhhh it is Time for another cruise, gonna research now 😂🤜🤛
We have tried balcony not once but twice and could count with 1 hand the number of times we were on the balcony 😂. We are always either on excursions, doing fun stuff exploring the ship and hardly return to our cabin except to bathe and sleep. So, it is definitely inside cabins for us 😊
I much prefer an ocean view or balcony, but our next cruise cost over 10k for our family of 4, so since we are going on a huge ship with tons of amenities, we opted to do an interior room. Gotta determine where sacrifices can be made for each trip, and they vary with each one.
I've sailed over 30 times. Many of those have been on balconies. Of course a balcony is better but not worth much more money in my opinion. On many ships there are locations you can view a large section of balconies. You rarely see anyone sitting on them. Many people think they are "worth" more than other people, so they need a balcony to prove it to themselves. They spend a few minutes a couple times a day on the balcony and swear they spend lots of time there.
Very informative! For me, though, since I'm both claustrophobic and I tend to cruise with others who love to socialize in our rooms after the entertainment venues close for the night (sometimes even before they close, if they're too loud for us to hold a conversation), an outside room with a balcony is a must.
I find the two most important things to bring to an interior stateroom are a sunrise alarm (smartphone or tablet app or a physical clock) and a nightlight (battery or plug-in): the sunrise alarm because it's pitch dark in there until you turn on the lights, so an alarm that gradually increases the light level is much preferable to an audible alarm going off in the dark; a nightlight because though the cabins often have nightlights, the bathrooms don't, that step up can be a trip hazard, and it's a lot easier to deal with nocturnal bathroom visits if you can see where everything is. I usually bring battery-operated LED tea lights, one of which will usually do the trick for about a week of nights.
Great video! My wife and I, (40+ cruises) usually take an inside cabin. As my professor in Hospitality university said, "Whether it's a room at the Ritz or Motel 6, when you shut off the lights they both look the same. We do get a verandah room if we are going through the Panama Canal or Alaska.
i want to book a Cruise to Alaska, inside cabin is cheaper, but you must exit your cabin to enjoy the views. with the balcony you don't even need to leave the room (depending of the side). in previous cruises i tried inside, inside accessible, inside solo and oceanview. The worst experience was inside solo. the mattress was terrible (very thin, i weight 95 KG/209lb) and the cabin was noise because it was above the night club. i request to move to another cabin of the same class. Other reason (for some people it's a plus) is that you lost track of time without sunlight, we woke up on day 2 and it was near noon. The other issue with the inside cabin is a nightmare for claustrophobic people. this week i'm gonna try the balcony cabin for the first time (maybe the last time, i pay a lot more than a inside cabin).
I used to work for Princess Cruises, including during the early part of Covid. I couldn't help but feel sorry for those who were in inside cabins during isolations, sometimes for weeks at a time.
I prefer the interior staterooms myself. They are nice, sufficient and totally dark when I sleep. I wouldn’t mind staying in a suite, but the price difference is substantial enough that it’s not worth the extra hundreds and thousands of dollars in extra expenses. By not spending so much, I can use that money towards going on more cruises in the future. Contrary what was said in the video, I like to spend a huge amount of time in my stateroom so that I can relax and enjoy myself. Some may think that’s boring, but that’s my preference and it works for me. Interior staterooms are the way to go for me.
Nice video. It has been awhile since I have cruised but when I do cruise I just about always choose an inside cabin. Budget certainty is part of the reason but also I don’t find having a balcony advantageous. I get everything I want in an inside cabin. Now, one cruise I do recommend getting a balcony cabin is an Alaska cruise. Cruising the fiords it is nice to see the scenery from your cabin. But on any other cruise it is the inside cabin.
I've stayed in all three classes: a balcony, oceanview, and inside. I found that I stressed more in the balcony cabin bc I wanted to use it, but felt like I was missing out on the fun. It was difficult to balance. The oceanview or inside are better for my personality. I prefer to be actively engaged on my cruises. I do have a balcony for my next cruise but I have more sea days. So thought I'd be able to relax more. Plus, the cost was not that much more. I think a balcony is good for longer cruises with a less intense itinerary for my cruise style. I like the inside cabins for sleeping. They are cozy and dark, often more quiet. I like the inside cabins the most but am diligent on researching the size and location.
You forgot to mention that inside staterooms offer a quieter and darker room for sleeping. We have taken more than a hundred cruises over the last few decades and have found too many squeaks and rumbles with balcony cabins. When we return to the cabin for a nap before dinner, we don't want light and noise to interfere with that.
I am okay on a two night cruise for inside cabin. I have done that twice. However, I did a 10-day interior and it was awful. I could only spend a very limited amount of time in that type of cabin. A maximum of 20 minutes, and I either had to lay down or get the hell out of that cabin. I was getting nauseous. I would rather have an ocean view than inside cabin on a longer trip if i was looking to save money. I have been on 20 cruises, most of them 10 to 17 days and most of them with balconies. Daylight, sunshine, fresh air yep that's what it's all about for me. Think about those poor people that get quarantined to their cabin because they're ill and let's not forget covid
We have been in a balcony twice.. Once was when they still permitted smoking on balconies and we were "lucky" enough to be next door to a heavy smoker, which ruined it for the most part, the second time was when we went to the Caribbean and it was real hard to get the cabin cool enough. We stay in interior cabins mostly because we cruise in fall and winter and like sitting out by the pool. They are usually quieter and easier to keep cool.. We also don't spend all that much time hanging around the room, so a balcony kind of goes to waste.
I will never do an interior cabin again. Balcony only for me. When I want to relax, I want to sit on the balcony, sip a margarita, and watch the ocean slip by. I don't want to take an elevator up several decks, try to find a couple empty deck chairs, and sit with 3000 other passengers
I’m a solo cruiser and I’ve only staged an interior cabin so far. On my cruise coming up in a couple days, I booked it last minute and the interior cabin sold out while I was in the process. I booked an ocean view cabin and the cruise line upgraded me to the balcony. I kind of prefer dark room so we’ll see how the balcony gets for me - I certainly got it at a very, very, very good price.
I totally agree with you, I am a single traveler. when you add up the time you spend in a cabin it is not that long. I would say on average I save half the cost of a balcony. Therefore I cruise twice as much
Go for it Hailey I will stick to balcony. I started with interior when I was younger and new in my career once I upgraded it was worth it. Never going back. Only downside are loudmouth smokers if you are unlucky.
I have just booked a cruise around Japan for next year and definitely need a Balcony cabin. I love the fresh air and sitting outside with a cuppa tea. My legs swell a lot and it’s nice to look at the outside view whilst stuck in bed. If I can’t afford a Balcony cabin, then, might as well not travel. Quality enjoyment 👍🏻😁
Oh God yes!! We just started doing this and boy I am able to get a good nights sleep like I just cant at home. Will keep on doing this till I drop and the rooms, especially on Celebrity are real nice.
The biggest reason I try and avoid interior cabins is I tend to oversleep. Without natural sunlight, I can’t tell when it’s time to wake up. It is more expensive, but usually not prohibitively expensive. Sometimes I’ve even gotten last minute upgrades that were rather inexpensive.
I would rather save $ on an inside room so I can take more cruises. My wife and I took many cruises,saved $ on inside rooms which allowed us to cruise more often
We have cruised for years. Since we are active and only in our stateroom to sleep, change or shower. We always opt soft and inside stateroom. And use the savings for amazing excursions.
I have gone on several full-charter rock 'n' roll cruises (on several different ships) in the past 12 years or so. We stayed in balcony rooms for the first few, as they were reasonably priced, but starting with the 2019 cruise the price difference went way up. So we chose an interior room down in bilge rats territory, and it was just fine as we only sleep, shower and change clothes in our room. Our 2020 cruise was of course canceled, and we didn't sail again until 2023. We also sailed in 2024, both times in interior rooms. We have already booked next year's cruise. Interestingly, the cheapest and the most expensive cabins are usually the first to sell out. For the 2025 cruise, the cheapest balcony cabin costs $1500 more PER PERSON (there are 2 of us) than the cheapest interior cabin. Balconies are nice but not at that price! We spend most of our limited free time between concerts in places like the pool deck, the sun deck, or the outdoor seating at the stern outside the buffet. I should add that these charter cruises cost a LOT more than the same cruise without the world-renowned bands who don't work for free.... So that's what we do. Others' mileage will most certainly vary. :)
Unlike the blogger, I've tried suites, balconies, view {obstructed or not), and inside cabins. Inside - claustrophobic. Suite - extravagant. View - nice to see what's going on outside. Balcony - just right, yes, I'll easily spend the extra money . . . unless it's to the polar regions, where I've been perfectly comfortable and satisfied with a view cabin.
I've noticed a lot of balcony rooms are actually bigger than interior and ocean view rooms. Sometimes they're not, msc for example lables their smaller rooms as jr balcony. Outside of that, I typically book interior then bid for a balcony for a cheaper upgrade, haven't had a bad room (yet)
I think this is legit depending on the cruise, time of year and weather. For Alaska, (beginning of June) we booked a mini suite with a balcony. It was so wonderful for this type of cruise. Almost 24 hrs. of daylight, beautiful scenery, always a great place to relax, read or watch the wildlife and shoreline at any time of the day you felt like some quiet. Also loved to get up sometimes in the middle of the night and just gaze out the window. Not all trips are worth balconies. But this one definitely was. And the weather was perfect and actually warm.
I'm taking my kids and my cell phone our first cruise this month and we do have a balcony. Not because I think it's more fancy but because I have three children and myself and my son is a pretty big guy. The rooms of the balconies tend to be a little bit more roomy , and it was very affordable maybe 125.00 more . Let's see if it's worth it 😉
After watching this video, I realize I don't spend much time in the room, nor do I look out the balcony as much. BUT, the exclusive perks for suites (specifically Disney concierge) are very convincing...that's how they get you...
I have stayed in both. The balconies are 100% better. Fresh air, listening to the ocean at night will put you to sleep. Little extra cost was totally worth it to me…
It depends a lot on the weather and temperatures. Cold climates and excessive winds make balconies essentially useless. Plus, there are many areas of the ship that are quiet, whereby you can relax outside. Most balconies are very tight anyway with limited space. We did a balcony and will probably never do it again.😮
I agree for most cruises. However, if you are taking an Alaska cruise or a cruise through the Panama Canal, for instance, I would book a balcony stateroom.
One of my best cruises was with Costa Victoria. From Mauritius to Seychelles, Madagascar, Reunion and back. I stayed in an inside cabin and it wasn't a problem finding a place to be on deck. Unfortunately it was scrapped during the pandemic⚓🌅
From Spain, people are unaware that when sailing it can be very unpleasant to be on a windward balcony, they are also unaware that the cabin windows cannot be opened. If I had to choose without taking into account the price, I would choose an outside cabin, but in a quality/price comparison for cruises of less than 10 days I would choose an inside cabin. The savings are very considerable and unless one wants to remain inside the cabin all the time, there is not much difference.
Did an inside cabin once NEVER again. We felt we were in a dark cave. Balcony is priority, love to sit outside, sunshine and fresh air from the open big patio door/window. If I need to cut costs I will do it on other expenses.
I've cruised over 20x in suites, balcony cabins and inside. Now that we're retired, we cruise exclusively inside. But not GTY... we pick upper decks, near the top suites (best cabin stewards are assigned here), and near a door leading to an outside area. We cruise for 20-30 nights at a time and enjoy inside cabins- they're cooler, darker, quieter, and CHEAPER!
I have a fear of being trapped in there during a fire and I know a balcony might not save me but I’d at least “feel “ I have a possible way out if the hall is on fire ! Again I realize this is a rarity and ships Are very fire proof but it just makes me claustrophobic !!
On the deck you always have a better view then from a balcony. And you can walk from one side of the ship to the other. I have only been on a cruise ship on one trip. I could find a quite place in a common area (not at the pool). I would also choose a inside cabin.
I have only been on one cruise and had an interior room next to the crew quarters. It worked great for me because I was only in the cabin to sleep, but I talked with other passengers who thought a balcony was the best, but then they spent more time in the cabin than I did. The bathroom was tiny - depending on where you aimed the shower nozzel, you could do two "things" at once, shower and do your toilet functions, or brush your teeth and shower at the same time.
We've had interior roooms, balcony rooms and obtructed view rooms. Interior wins. There are always quiet places on deck if you hunt around. Its not worth paying extra for a balcony.
Only cruise I've ever been on was an indoor room, my friend and his wife had a balcony and rarely used it because nobody really spent much time in the room other than sleeping.
I've never been on a cruise, but I am toying with the idea. To me being on a ship and experiencing the ocean would be one of the main draws, which is why I am pretty sure I would prefer a cabin with balcony, if I ever do a cruise. I wouldn't plan on spending too much time in the cabin, but having the option to sit on the balcony and enjoy the view and the ocean breeze for a while, especially in the evening, would be welcome.
I had one short cruise with an inside cabin from Florida to Nassau, Bahamas. I was OK, but to me at least, balcony rooms on 5 day or longer cruises are the only way to go. Lounging on the balcony being awash in tropical sea breezes had me the most relaxed state in my life. Well worth the extra money.
I only done one cruise, but I was on a inside room and loved it, I was affraid of missing the tranquilty and quiet time that a room with balcony can procure. But of find many spot on the ship where I could find quietplace. I was on the NCL Jade and the Spinnaker Lounge was always empty during day with nice chair looking a the sea. Also, sleeping in inside cabin when you close the light, it's pitch black, perfect for people sensible to light when they sleep
I’ve only been one a cruise once and it was a ocean balcony & had all those amenities. That said, if one took a lot of cruises, it makes sense to do an interior if you’ll be outside the cabin a lot.
It’s balconies and suites for us. We spend time in our staterooms. We like the balcony and the windows. Love to sit out in the daytime without the noise and crowd by the pool. Also, love a drink at night listening to the water and watching television waves from the balcony. We budget for the extra money. Having been on so many cruises, we,re not big on excursions anymore.
The problem with balconies is when your neighbors are super loud and decide to chain smoke. The cruise line does ZERO when you complain.
I have no concept of why cruises are so popular. I cringe at the thought of the “showtime”. If you take advantage of the catering surely you’re already obese or well on the way. Sitting on a balcony?
@@petesmith9472Try it before you knock it. You can enjoy cuisine without being a stereotype, the scenery and options change and the ships have a city full of choices. Beats the airport, hotel drag anyday.
@@petesmith9472 cruises can be fabulous, but they’re not for everybody. And the old saying about only the “newlywed, well fed, and nearly dead“ doesn’t really apply to the passengers anymore. For us nothing beats sitting out on the balcony in the morning with coffee or in the evenings watching the sunset. Try one, you might like it.
I probably won’t ever be able to do a suite, but balcony is a MUST. Most people, once they try a balcony stateroom are hooked.
I think inside cabins are good for beginning cruisers, people who have to maintain strict budgets, and anyone who is prone to seasickness. I have been solo cruising since the age of 19 (now 62) and once I discovered balcony cabins, I was hooked. I cruise year-round, not just in the typically nice seasons. So you may encounter weather that does not bode for pool or deck time. In these cases, the interior of the ship is crowded with people who don't know what to do. A book, a blanket and a beverage on your balcony can be a sanity saver. I also travel to beautiful places. In an inside cabin, I would not be able to sit with a quiet coffee at sunrise, or a glass of wine at night watching the stars. I enjoy the hustle and bustle of the ship but I treasure my alone time. There is nothing better than breakfast or dinner on your balcony. On transatlantic, longer repositioning cruises, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, and other cruises, an inside cabin may be a detriment rather than a blessing. In the early days, I fell for the belief that you only shower and sleep in your cabin. All of these years later, I know better. However, to each his or her own. The important part is to enjoy the cruise.
Exactly! All of the comments of balconies being a waste of money and only interior cabins for me, is a simplistic mindset. Well said. People don't consider a lot of things that a balcony can do for you. Getting away from crowds and weather are 2 big ones. Watching the sail away from your balcony instead of trying to squeeze in somewhere is big too.
To watch sunrise and sunset your balcony has to be on the right side of the ship. You need to have that in mind when you choose the room.
Both the video and the comments below have proven to be extremely valuable to me as an extreme introvert, I would have to have somewhere to go to escape the madding crowd...... thank you for posting :)
Those of us who know value often book inside cabins. My wife and I have taken more than a hundred cruises now over several decades. I would rather take 2 inside trips than 1 balcony, and that's about the difference. For us, we never eat in our cabin and usually spend a lot of time in the public spaces.
Those are all really good points that I never considered...
"I've never stayed in a balcony cabin so here's why an inside cabin is better.". Respectfully, you are not qualified to compare the two.
Right......"I a man and I have never gave birth to a baby, so here's why you should have a natural birth." lol Like girl shut up.
I agree. If she can’t compare why even make a video. 🤷
@@Aisha.The.Traveler click-bait 😏
You missed the point sir. She mentioned it might not be true but give insights why she chose what she chose
@@gavinsatrohan6702 I thought exactly the same when I chose the inside cabin for my first cruise, then I tried the balcony on the second one. Never again since then in the inside cabin 🙂
We choose balcony staterooms. We like having our own outdoor space when other outdoor spaces get overcrowded. We like watching pier runners and sail aways from port. When one person wants to nap and the other wants to just relax at the room, they can go out on the balcony without disturbing the person sleeping. Lastly, in the event of hvac or other problems on the ship where the interior rooms are too hot and stale to be comfortable, a balcony room provides an outdoor space that can provide fresh air and a bit of wind to help make things easier to bear.
I'm an introvert with sensory sensitivities. I'm the one who will be spending lots of quiet time in the cabin, and having no natural light and no view is claustrophobic. Spending extra for an outside room is worth it for a pleasant voyage.
I have never been on a cruise, but I know I could not handle an inside room. Just watching this video, I felt the claustrophobia. I don't think I'd have to have a balcony, but at least a window.
We have been in inside, outside and balcony cabins many times. I like the quiet coziness of an inside cabin. I like being able to enjoy more excursions, shopping, and fine dining experiences etc. with my funds than putting my money towards a window. Destinations can make a difference too as the scenery can be very different. When we took the QE2 across the Atlantic we loved our inside cabin. It was basically an ocean water view only on that cruise…so paying extra didn’t make sense, and we could enjoy champagne every night if we wanted to. 😊
@@kathyazzari839 same i have to be able to look out of something i just wont be able to deal with inside rooms
Same with me
Our last cruise (disembarked 8 days ago) had 3 days at sea. We enjoyed our balcony a lot. My husband is an earlier riser than I am, so he would take his book and sit on the balcony and read and relax until I woke up. Coming back from excursions, we would relax on the balcony for a while.
When our sons were young and we first started cruising, we always stayed in an inside cabin. It began as a better financial option, but as the boys grew up and we enjoyed cruising so much, we began choosing balconies and never looked back. Now I’d never take an inside cabin on a cruise.
I agree with a lot of points in this video. I meet so many people who ask why I don't cruise in a balcony, and the reality is that the more cruises I take on the INSIDE, the more cruises I can afford to take.
For me, that's SUCH simple math!
Most ppl don't realize the reason some are rich is the fact they KEEP more of their money. It's not rocket science. In one of her books, Dr. Toni Grant says you need to answer 2 questions to determine whether or not you'll become wealthy; 1. are you prepared to work hard and save as much as possible? and 2. are you prepared to change your lifestyle to enjoy this newly-found wealth? The correct answers for a future millionaire are 1. yes and 2. no. It never ceases to amaze me how few understand what wealth is. Unless you're born into it, you need to concentrate on the behaviors truly rich people have.
I remember the founder of IKEA had a 20-year-old Volvo to drive into the office every day. He was a multi-billionaire, and buying a Rolls Royce would have been chump change but he felt his old Volvo was good enough. There are many examples to follow, but some people close their eyes to facts.
@@halbuhr7220 omg. LOL you can spend a bit more, get a balcony and it doesn't have to cost a fortune. Stop living like a pauper
@@Lbb789 I'm so glad you don't make decisions for me. I'd be broke and unhappy, too.
@@halbuhr7220 you sound like your very smart with your money .happy cruising to you . ..
@@Lbb789not sure your right . One cruise with balcony or 2 cruises inside cabin . When we have cruised we only stay in our rooms for sleep ,shower then out and about.
Experienced cruiser here, and I love the interior cabins. You mentioned the ease of selecting a quiet room, but being able to sleep in the middle of the day without too much natural light pouring in is just what I want on vacation. I'll lounge on the deck instead of a balcony whenever I need sunshine.
That’s why you have curtains
I love interior cabins too.
Balcony only for us. We love the views and sounds of the cruising in this outside area. As other have mentioned, we don’t have to find a spot somewhere else to enjoy sunset or sunrises.
I agree. Inside rooms are great for those on a budget, but if I am going on a cruise, I want to see the ocean. I want wake up to it, go to sleep with it and to be able to look out at the ocean if I cannot sleep. Watching the horizon can help with sea sickness. Standing on the balcony and watching sea birds and dolphins is all part of the experience you are paying for. If my only choice was an inside cabin, I doubt I would go.
We went on a 14 day cruise to Hawaii, I booked an interior room for me & hubby but luckily we were upgraded for free to a balcony room. Sweet! And for the longest cruise trip we ever had, we were stoked!
Before the cruise, the cruise line been emailing me to upgrade for a fee but I can't stomach the big difference to cost so I ignored then 2 weeks before, they upgraded us for free. Yipppeee!
@@travelnomad2128 Wow upgraded for free! That’s (almost) unheard of? 😲
@@Centauri27 yeah I know right?!! This is just the 2nd time in my 59 years to get a free upgrade, the 1st was an international flight from economy to business class. Chances are negligible though, I don't hold my breath.
Been on 11 NFL cruises and never been upgraded. Boo hoo.
As a solo cruiser doing 6-8 cruises a year, balcony cabins are usually out of my financial reach and I book interior cabins where I’m usually quite content and you are correct, I don’t spend a lot of time. BUT, on those cruises where I’ve sometimes found an affordable fare for a solo balcony, I can tell you that you absolutely will spend more time in your cabin enjoying the private indoor space and your own outdoor space. A balcony cabin is a totally different (superior) experience from an interior cabin. The psychology (for 95% of us) is the opposite of what you say, but I appreciate the points you are trying to make. In short….Less space, less time in cabin. More space, more enjoyable, relaxing time in cabin. I say if you can afford a balcony, book it, but if it must be an interior cabin, that’s fine too. Cruise on!🚢👍
Yes, choosing an inside cabin because you don't expect to spend much time there is a self-fulfulling prophecy. No one wants to sit around in a small, windowless space during the day!
@@j.r.1210 yes. Well said.
How do you avoid the single supplement? Or do you pay it?
@@Mitzi73
NCL offers Solo cabins, there's no single supplement
I just got back from a four-day cruise on Royal. A little background...I live in Los Angeles, so I don't have to fly. This was my 13th cruise (10th on Royal) to the same destination, Ensenada, Mexico. I left the ship in Ensenada for about 45 minutes on my first cruise. Since then, I stay on board. I've never done an excursion or tour. Why? I am an introvert by nature. I _LOVE_ port days, because people leave the ship. There are plenty of activities going on while in port, including doing nothing at all. I cruise to decompress. The worst idea of a "vacation" is for me to have to deal with flights and luggage and getting to a hotel and planning out all the things I want to see and scheduling time to eat and making sure I get enough sleep because I have to wake up early to make my way to this place I want to go to before it gets crowded and so on and so on and so on.
When I cruise, I do what I want when I want (including nothing at all), I get quality food (especially on Royal), I get a nice room, I get my regular 10:30 pizza...heaven. As an added bonus, I just started solo cruising. (Where has THIS been all my life?) I carry one suitcase and my laptop backpack. On Royal, I pay for the Key, so I avoid all the check-in lines. I get lunch when I board, Internet during the cruise, and breakfast on disembarkation day. On my first 12 cruises, I went for interior cabins. Even with a companion, interior cabins are fine (as long as you like the person). As a solo, there is more than enough room to be comfortable.
This last cruise, I splurged for a junior suite, because I'm getting close to Diamond level and I wanted the points. Will I ever do a suite again? No, because the cost of the junior suite (as a solo) was a little over *three times* as expensive as an interior, even with all the discounts applied. The room was about 40% larger, but the only additional furniture was a single upholstered chair with an ottoman. A small desk, over and above the standard wall unit, would have been nice. I would also have expected at least one extra power outlet. The walk-in closet was nice, but, as a solo, I didn't really need one. The branded toiletries were a nice touch, along with the full-size tub, but I was fine bringing my own accessories and showering in the torpedo tube. A hidden benefit was that the room was located about 12 steps from the elevators. I never really took advantage of the balcony, because I don't like the heat.
If what I described is to your liking, you will never have to worry about competition from me for accommodations. My next two cruises will be a return to my norm, complete with torpedo tube.
Excellent points.
@NeilTruick
Very good points you have made. We're retired and usually stay in an Oceanview Cabin even though we can afford any type of cabin on board. Have never stayed in an inside as I like daylight in the cabin. Have stayed in a couple of balcony cabins but find we never really use the balcony for one reason or another. Suites are nice but the cost is prohibitive even for us. The only problem with an Oceanview is that they are usually located below an activity deck, especially on Holland America, and we don't sleep well with unecessary noise. Due to a disability we are fine with remaining on the ship during most port stops. Even without a disability most ports are overcrowded and the hassle of getting off and back on the ship, especially via tender,and finding one's way around in an unfamiliar place leaves a lot to be desired. My wife can take cruises or leave them. As ex Navy I love the ocean so cruising is in my blood. I find that aboard any ship you have people that have a divergence of tastes and interests just like on land. From inside cabins to the most luxurious suite it's all about what you enjoy and what you can afford. Each to his own I say.
The sights I have seen just from my balcony was worth the money! I woke up one morning w/Vesuvius in "my backyard". I've seen the tops of volcanos spewing fire. I loved the moon glistening on the calm waters. Or the magnificent sunsets...all from the privacy of my cabin. I even like to watch the waves during a storm while sipping a warm cup of tea. An inside cabin would give me claustrophobia, a psychological feeling of being sandwiched in or confined...
When we take transocean cruises, we always choose an inside cabin. Who wants to see the rolling sea on those days when it is really rough? Do you feel sandwiched in when you sleep in your interior bedroom at home?
@@halbuhr7220 Do people watch and chase tornadoes? Do people have, at least, one window in their BR? Enjoy your inside cabin, but I live alone and need to know what is going on around me, my friend.
@@sherrymiller2302 Thanks for your approval. lol
@@halbuhr7220 lol!
My wife and I have sailed both inside staterooms and balconies. The few times we have gotten respiratory illnesses have been when we had inside staterooms-- it may be that the ventilatory systems recycle air containing viruses. With balconies one can increase the fresh airflow throughout the cabins.
There are filters in the ventilation system that prevent the spread of viruses. Also, if you consistently leave your balcony door open, you're screwing up the ventilation system for a whole section of your deck.
Since Covid many ships have upgraded their ventilation so that it brings in fresh air all the time and not recycled air.
If I’m paying for a balcony, I’m opening the door.
@@lou2shuify On most modern ships you are shutting off the AC.
@@halbuhr7220 Okay? They aren't ornamental balconies.
Team inside Stateroom here! We usually save $300-$500 vs a Balcony. That savings goes towards excursions or possibly specialty dinning.
I agreed!
Me too! If you want to see the ocean go upstairs
I always book interior cabins. I can not sleep if there's any daylight. Part of being on vacation for me is being able to take naps in the middle of the day which comes in handy after spending time in the sun. They're usually cooler and cost less. All wins for me.
Don't they have black-out curtains?
My sentiments EXACTLY.
@@kenbob1071 Yes, but it doesn't make much sense to me to spend the extra money for a cabin with a balcony, if I'm going to try and make it as dark as possible. Also, the curtains are not flush to the window and doesn't make the room completely dark. As I said, I do have trouble sleeping / relaxing when there's daylight. It's just my thing.
@@cyvonn Use an eye mask
@@kberg5055eye masks aren’t comfortable for everyone and why would they pay extra just to wear eye masks lmao. They’re paying less for their preference so it’s a win win.
This definitely depends on the person. I have pretty bad motion sickness, and looking at a steady horizon always helps enormously. So I’d ONLY consider a balcony cabin for that reason.
Additionally, I’m very introverted, so my _favorite_ part of a cruise is _avoiding_ the loud parties and sitting with a book on my balcony 🙂
(And if motion-sickness and introversion makes you think “why does she even WANT to go on a cruise then?” - you’re right. 😂 My hubby loves cruises, I just go for him)
Exactly what I was going to say about introversion. I need alone time and a room with a balcony is the perfect way to get that.
Our recent Norwegian Cruise we chose the inside cabin. The difference between a balcony and an inside cabin was $1000. On our Alaskan cruise and Western Mediterranean cruise we chose the balcony and spent all of 15 minutes on the balcony.
oh my god, Norway is so beautiful and you never knew what beauty you were missing.
@@chriswilliams6568My philosophy on cruises is "if I want to see outside, I go outside". For the extra $200+, a balcony doesn't really provide much that I can't get outside on a deck of free.
I took my first cruise in a Norwegian inside solo studio room this past spring, and loved it. Doing it again in a few months.
Thank you for the video. You forgot to mention two of the most important factors why I always choose interior cabins: they are dark and that gives you a better sleep, even for a PM nap... and they are always cool, balcony rooms gets pretty warm when you open the balcony and the A/C stops automatically when the balcony is open and it takes long time to cool the room again
Shhh! If more ppl figure this out, the cruise lines will boost prices. lol
I've had several inside cabins with malfunctioning ac....it sucks!
@@tduck828 I have had several dozen and never had that problem. Why didn't you call customer service and have them fix it?
Oh gee why didn’t I think of that??? I’m I DID call them and they couldn’t fix it either time on different ships. Just awful! Maintenance on ships leaves something to be desired…
@@tduck828 That's strange. My wife and I have taken over a hundred cruises and NEVER had problems with the AC. What line(s) were you sailing? Are you particularly sensitive to warm or cold conditions?
NOTHING BUT BALCONIES FOR US!!! I love sitting on the balcony with a drink and taking a nap. AwAy from all the crowds and noise for a bit.
Did it once. Never again, unless maybe I can find a dawn and dusk simulator. I didn’t like having no idea whether it was day or night.
When you have been on as many cruises as my wife and myself, we always had balconies until we didn’t. Alaska cruise definitely, Nassau and beyond, not so much. Plus always pick square interior rooms vs rectangular rooms. Automatically more square feet. No charge for this advice!
Team balcony here, love be able to relax with a cup of tea on our balcony in the morning. I would consider an inside cabin but the savings made don't seem that significant
I usually cruise in an inside stateroom, and all your comments ring true for me. The only reason I need a stateroom is that I need a place to sleep, a place to shower, and a place to keep my luggage. That said, an ocean view stateroom, if not a balcony, is a plus when cruising Alaska or Norway where the scenery is so fantastic.
Recommend balcony, if you are able.
#1 reason is covid or other health hazard. We live in times where this is an issue. The balcony will air out your room. And if your ship is on lockdown and you are confined to your room, you will appreciate the air that is circulating through your room, and the sence of freedom from the open door.
#2 If there are issues with your room, ex: flooding from bathroom, toilet does not flush, etc… you will need an outlet. In a small room, you might get sick from inhaling the stale, non-circulating air.
Yes I booked a Norwegian cruise with inside cabin but months later Covid appeared so at the thought of being forced to stay in the cabin with no views made me cancel cruise.
A balcony is important under two conditions. If quiet time is important and you're sailing on one of standard level cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal, MSC and maybe NCL. Those lines blast music everywhere, all day. Celebrity, Holland, Princess and the luxury lines offer plenty of spaces that are quiet and chill outside your cabin.
@@ljkool2 very helpful to know that🤗
Balconies are wonderful, until they’re not, when a personal, quiet space becomes intolerable due to noisy neighbors and cigarette smoke; it’s such a gamble. As a solo cruiser, my dollars go way further with interiors, and I can always find a quiet, uncrowded space to enjoy myself and the beautiful seas.
I’ve been on a cruise once and I loved the balcony so much. It was almost my favorite thing. Just sitting outside at night or in the morning, looking outside, feeling the air and hearing the waves. Absolutely magical. Without the balcony, I think it wouldn’t have been so much fun.
That's interesting. My wife and I also just cruised once but in the interior middle part of the ship. It was very quiet and also almost no motion which we liked. Since we only slept in the room and went about the ship most of the time including at night, we had plenty of out scenery and also lots of food. I tried to work off the calorie by going to the weight room overlooking the entire front of the ship but still gained several pounds. It was a good experience, but we decided not to go on cruise again because we gained weight even though we tried hard to exercise and also because the ship felt claustrophobic even though it was very big. I just can't explain that part.
Yes, you are right...We've been on a cruise in the Caribbean Sea ( Virgin Islands, Barbados, Antigua , St.Lucia, Guadeloupe, etc ...) and it was wonderful with a balcony...😊
I wish I could stay in an interior stateroom. I did once, and it was like living in a closet. No ambient light to walk to the bathroom. No natural light ever. Spending a week or more in a closet is not my idea of a vacation. Plus, without ambient light, I don’t wake up, and when I do I’m groggy, and feel like I should still be asleep. It’s good for people who don’t require natural light.
My daughter and I cruise together. We are only in the room to sleep and wash up. Wasting money is not on the agenda. We always get an interior room as close to the rear elevators as possible.
Why close to the rear elevators? Aren’t they all a bit noisy?
@@chazbo2672
Honestly, I have never heard the elevators. The rear ones are generally used less and easier to get on and off.
We have found that we rarely go out on a balcony and do not spend much time in our cabin so it is just not worth the money. Also especially now it is usually easier to find an interior cabin that is in a location handy for the things we like to do since the balconies seem to sell out much quicker
Sorry being able to lay in bed and be looking out our infinity balcony at the glaciers in Alaska while drinking coffee was worth every penny. As people were all crowded on the deck trying to catch a view, we were able to enjoy it peacefuly.
Cruises that offer what I call "continuous scenery" (like Alaska) are the one exception to my usual inside cabin choice.
We did the same from our inside cabin on the Ovation of the Seas recently. It has a virtual balcony, a camera of the view outside.
@@halbuhr7220 definitely a nice perk! I usually keep the bow camera on when I'm in the interior cabin during the day, makes it feel more spacious...but if scenery were going by to the sides that wouldn't help much
@@barbaradace7952 It depends on how distant objects are. I remember the first time I took a French TGV and was surprised that we could enjoy the passing countryside at 170 MPH!
@@halbuhr7220what a great thing!!!
I agree with your comments. In addition, we have found that the tiny space between the large bed and the walls of the interior cabin can be moved and put between the two single beds. That one change, for us, really improves the comfort of the interior cabin.
I have been cruising for over 30 years and have had every type of cabin on many different ships and cruise lines. The key to which cabin type is best for you is your budget and what you like to do on a cruise. If you are only going to your cabin to sleep, shower and change clothes then get an inside cabin and save the money. If however excursions aren't a big thing for you and you don't want to spend all day running around the ship but would rather hang in your cabin and read a good book then a balcony is great and watch the sea go by.
I have been cruising for more than 20 times. I started my early cruise years in inside cabins and later I have been hooked by balcony cabins. The simple reason I know the day's weather when I wake up. I can see the city when the ship "parks" at the pier. I can see people running to catch the ship as they are late. And I also enjoy seeing local bands performing farewell performance.
For the most part, we prefer interior. The only time we got a balcony was during our Alaskan cruise. It was nice enjoying the view while getting ready for our day. Although, I must admit, we grabbed it on a last minute deal and it was the last sailing of that September. Other than that, we’re back to doing interior.
I prefer an interior cabin because I only use it for changing clothes, hygiene, or sleep. I love the social areas on the ship. There are many inside places where one may look out upon the sea and sea life and peruse the shore. I have found quiet places both inside and out to read and relax. I have had a balcony suite and enjoyed the view, but not the cost, as I could see just as well in the common areas with the luxury of going from one perspective to another. I’ve traveled with family, groups, and as a couple.
Agree
I have cruised on 50 plus cruise and most have been interior with my spouse and solo.
I agree with all your points! Those are exactly the reasons why we always choose inside. With the rising cost of everything, being able to save precious $$$ with the inside rooms is really important. However the people making the argument for having their own balconies make a good point too. It all depends on what kind of cruiser you are.
And how much you are prepared to spend !
@@bertiewooster3326 Yeah, that’s the key thing. But I think cruise lines are having a harder time selling out the more $$$ cabins, that’s why there’s always tempting you with upgrade offers.
It also has to do with what kind of cruise you go on. You really need a balcony on a trip to Alaska, not as much for the Caribbean.
@@Centauri27 to each his own😁
We chose balcony cabin ,spent the evenings chilling out and ordering room service, we not interested in glitzy evenings so balcony was perfect ,lovely relaxing holiday 😊
Both the video and the very helpful comments below have proven to be extremely valuable to me as an extreme introvert, I would have to have somewhere to go to escape the madding crowd...... thank you for posting :)
I agree with many posts here. #1. It depends on where you're going. We don't do the party cruises or Caribbean cruises, we go where there is something to see and cultural experience to enjoy. If you're going to party and drink, then you're not likely to be in your room, then you are correct, why pay for room you're not going to be in.
You nailed it! Going to Greece or Spain as examples a balcony is fantastic. Just going to The Bahamas where one island looks like another I don't have a problem with an inside cabin.
I've never spent enough time on the balcony to make it worthwhile considering the cost.
Modern inside rooms are far better than 25 years ago.
I think where you’re cruising matters a lot! Sitting on the balcony watching the sights go by. I prefer balcony because I need regular breaks away from my cruise “family”! 😂
When I first got into cruising people use to always tell me to book an inside cabin to save money, bc you’re only going to use your room to sleep, shower and change. You not going to be in the room at all.
I wonder why? It’s small, dark with no windows and there no room to move around, so of course you’ll never be in there. 😂 I always book a balcony. I enjoy sitting out on my balcony eating breakfast or relaxing when I wanna get away from the crowds on the ship. When I’m tired from exploring a port, I’ll either take a nap with the door wide open or nap on the balcony. My girlfriend recently took a cruise with her cousin and they was in an inside and she said it was the worse cruise experience she had as far as rooms go.
Get yourself a balcony and a view. I’ve watch so many sunsets from my balcony. I’ve enjoyed the sail away from my balcony. Spent the extra cash on a balcony, your on vacation.
Well said! I agree. I had many good times out on my balcony. In addition, i enjoy sleeping with fake ocean/water sounds from my Echo. On the ship, i get the real deal, along with ocean smell, as well as fresh air circulating throughout my room. Ohhhh it is Time for another cruise, gonna research now 😂🤜🤛
Exactly, the whole point of a cruise is the ocean. Interior cabin, might as well book a room in the Chateau D'lf.
We have tried balcony not once but twice and could count with 1 hand the number of times we were on the balcony 😂. We are always either on excursions, doing fun stuff exploring the ship and hardly return to our cabin except to bathe and sleep. So, it is definitely inside cabins for us 😊
I much prefer an ocean view or balcony, but our next cruise cost over 10k for our family of 4, so since we are going on a huge ship with tons of amenities, we opted to do an interior room. Gotta determine where sacrifices can be made for each trip, and they vary with each one.
I've sailed over 30 times. Many of those have been on balconies. Of course a balcony is better but not worth much more money in my opinion. On many ships there are locations you can view a large section of balconies. You rarely see anyone sitting on them. Many people think they are "worth" more than other people, so they need a balcony to prove it to themselves. They spend a few minutes a couple times a day on the balcony and swear they spend lots of time there.
Very informative! For me, though, since I'm both claustrophobic and I tend to cruise with others who love to socialize in our rooms after the entertainment venues close for the night (sometimes even before they close, if they're too loud for us to hold a conversation), an outside room with a balcony is a must.
Found this just in time for my first cruise!❤❤❤ Thanks so much for valuable info!🤟🤟🤟
I find the two most important things to bring to an interior stateroom are a sunrise alarm (smartphone or tablet app or a physical clock) and a nightlight (battery or plug-in): the sunrise alarm because it's pitch dark in there until you turn on the lights, so an alarm that gradually increases the light level is much preferable to an audible alarm going off in the dark; a nightlight because though the cabins often have nightlights, the bathrooms don't, that step up can be a trip hazard, and it's a lot easier to deal with nocturnal bathroom visits if you can see where everything is. I usually bring battery-operated LED tea lights, one of which will usually do the trick for about a week of nights.
Great video! My wife and I, (40+ cruises) usually take an inside cabin. As my professor in Hospitality university said, "Whether it's a room at the Ritz or Motel 6, when you shut off the lights they both look the same. We do get a verandah room if we are going through the Panama Canal or Alaska.
i want to book a Cruise to Alaska, inside cabin is cheaper, but you must exit your cabin to enjoy the views. with the balcony you don't even need to leave the room (depending of the side). in previous cruises i tried inside, inside accessible, inside solo and oceanview. The worst experience was inside solo. the mattress was terrible (very thin, i weight 95 KG/209lb) and the cabin was noise because it was above the night club. i request to move to another cabin of the same class.
Other reason (for some people it's a plus) is that you lost track of time without sunlight, we woke up on day 2 and it was near noon.
The other issue with the inside cabin is a nightmare for claustrophobic people.
this week i'm gonna try the balcony cabin for the first time (maybe the last time, i pay a lot more than a inside cabin).
I used to work for Princess Cruises, including during the early part of Covid. I couldn't help but feel sorry for those who were in inside cabins during isolations, sometimes for weeks at a time.
I prefer the interior staterooms myself. They are nice, sufficient and totally dark when I sleep. I wouldn’t mind staying in a suite, but the price difference is substantial enough that it’s not worth the extra hundreds and thousands of dollars in extra expenses. By not spending so much, I can use that money towards going on more cruises in the future.
Contrary what was said in the video, I like to spend a huge amount of time in my stateroom so that I can relax and enjoy myself. Some may think that’s boring, but that’s my preference and it works for me. Interior staterooms are the way to go for me.
If it's a Costa cruise, I want a room facing the life boats!!!!!
🤣🤣🤣. Make sense to me.
Nice video. It has been awhile since I have cruised but when I do cruise I just about always choose an inside cabin. Budget certainty is part of the reason but also I don’t find having a balcony advantageous. I get everything I want in an inside cabin. Now, one cruise I do recommend getting a balcony cabin is an Alaska cruise. Cruising the fiords it is nice to see the scenery from your cabin. But on any other cruise it is the inside cabin.
I've stayed in all three classes: a balcony, oceanview, and inside. I found that I stressed more in the balcony cabin bc I wanted to use it, but felt like I was missing out on the fun. It was difficult to balance. The oceanview or inside are better for my personality. I prefer to be actively engaged on my cruises. I do have a balcony for my next cruise but I have more sea days. So thought I'd be able to relax more. Plus, the cost was not that much more. I think a balcony is good for longer cruises with a less intense itinerary for my cruise style. I like the inside cabins for sleeping. They are cozy and dark, often more quiet. I like the inside cabins the most but am diligent on researching the size and location.
You forgot to mention that inside staterooms offer a quieter and darker room for sleeping. We have taken more than a hundred cruises over the last few decades and have found too many squeaks and rumbles with balcony cabins. When we return to the cabin for a nap before dinner, we don't want light and noise to interfere with that.
I am okay on a two night cruise for inside cabin. I have done that twice. However, I did a 10-day interior and it was awful. I could only spend a very limited amount of time in that type of cabin. A maximum of 20 minutes, and I either had to lay down or get the hell out of that cabin. I was getting nauseous. I would rather have an ocean view than inside cabin on a longer trip if i was looking to save money. I have been on 20 cruises, most of them 10 to 17 days and most of them with balconies. Daylight, sunshine, fresh air yep that's what it's all about for me. Think about those poor people that get quarantined to their cabin because they're ill and let's not forget covid
We have been in a balcony twice.. Once was when they still permitted smoking on balconies and we were "lucky" enough to be next door to a heavy smoker, which ruined it for the most part, the second time was when we went to the Caribbean and it was real hard to get the cabin cool enough. We stay in interior cabins mostly because we cruise in fall and winter and like sitting out by the pool. They are usually quieter and easier to keep cool.. We also don't spend all that much time hanging around the room, so a balcony kind of goes to waste.
I will never do an interior cabin again. Balcony only for me. When I want to relax, I want to sit on the balcony, sip a margarita, and watch the ocean slip by. I don't want to take an elevator up several decks, try to find a couple empty deck chairs, and sit with 3000 other passengers
do you think, a cruise ship is in general the right place for your needs?
@@augustiner3821 What a bizarre question.
@@RamblinRick_ why, when 3000 people in tight space doesn't feel comfortable? It's a very valid question.
after 4 cruises, I only booked inside stateroom. The extra $ I used toward specialties and excursions. Thank you for sharing!
I’m a solo cruiser and I’ve only staged an interior cabin so far. On my cruise coming up in a couple days, I booked it last minute and the interior cabin sold out while I was in the process. I booked an ocean view cabin and the cruise line upgraded me to the balcony. I kind of prefer dark room so we’ll see how the balcony gets for me - I certainly got it at a very, very, very good price.
I totally agree with you, I am a single traveler. when you add up the time you spend in a cabin it is not that long. I would say on average I save half the cost of a balcony. Therefore I cruise twice as much
The balcony is a must!
Great video! We usually do an interior cabin too. It allows us to cruise more.
Go for it Hailey I will stick to balcony. I started with interior when I was younger and new in my career once I upgraded it was worth it. Never going back. Only downside are loudmouth smokers if you are unlucky.
Am subscribed and even hit the like button. This video is very informative.
I have just booked a cruise around Japan for next year and definitely need a Balcony cabin. I love the fresh air and sitting outside with a cuppa tea. My legs swell a lot and it’s nice to look at the outside view whilst stuck in bed. If I can’t afford a Balcony cabin, then, might as well not travel. Quality enjoyment 👍🏻😁
Oh God yes!! We just started doing this and boy I am able to get a good nights sleep like I just cant at home. Will keep on doing this till I drop and the rooms, especially on Celebrity are real nice.
The biggest reason I try and avoid interior cabins is I tend to oversleep. Without natural sunlight, I can’t tell when it’s time to wake up. It is more expensive, but usually not prohibitively expensive. Sometimes I’ve even gotten last minute upgrades that were rather inexpensive.
Thanks. This has made me think again about the sort of room to book on a transatlantic trip.
I would rather save $ on an inside room so I can take more cruises. My wife and I took many cruises,saved $ on inside rooms which allowed us to cruise more often
That’s my thinking exactly. I want to save that money so I can go on more cruises and continue to climb the ladder in the loyalty program.
Nope. Balcony at minimum. The only way I would even consider an interior room is if it were free.
We have cruised for years. Since we are active and only in our stateroom to sleep, change or shower. We always opt soft and inside stateroom. And use the savings for amazing excursions.
I have gone on several full-charter rock 'n' roll cruises (on several different ships) in the past 12 years or so. We stayed in balcony rooms for the first few, as they were reasonably priced, but starting with the 2019 cruise the price difference went way up. So we chose an interior room down in bilge rats territory, and it was just fine as we only sleep, shower and change clothes in our room. Our 2020 cruise was of course canceled, and we didn't sail again until 2023. We also sailed in 2024, both times in interior rooms. We have already booked next year's cruise. Interestingly, the cheapest and the most expensive cabins are usually the first to sell out. For the 2025 cruise, the cheapest balcony cabin costs $1500 more PER PERSON (there are 2 of us) than the cheapest interior cabin. Balconies are nice but not at that price! We spend most of our limited free time between concerts in places like the pool deck, the sun deck, or the outdoor seating at the stern outside the buffet. I should add that these charter cruises cost a LOT more than the same cruise without the world-renowned bands who don't work for free....
So that's what we do. Others' mileage will most certainly vary. :)
Unlike the blogger, I've tried suites, balconies, view {obstructed or not), and inside cabins. Inside - claustrophobic. Suite - extravagant. View - nice to see what's going on outside. Balcony - just right, yes, I'll easily spend the extra money . . . unless it's to the polar regions, where I've been perfectly comfortable and satisfied with a view cabin.
I've noticed a lot of balcony rooms are actually bigger than interior and ocean view rooms. Sometimes they're not, msc for example lables their smaller rooms as jr balcony. Outside of that, I typically book interior then bid for a balcony for a cheaper upgrade, haven't had a bad room (yet)
I think this is legit depending on the cruise, time of year and weather. For Alaska, (beginning of June) we booked a mini suite with a balcony. It was so wonderful for this type of cruise. Almost 24 hrs. of daylight, beautiful scenery, always a great place to relax, read or watch the wildlife and shoreline at any time of the day you felt like some quiet. Also loved to get up sometimes in the middle of the night and just gaze out the window. Not all trips are worth balconies. But this one definitely was. And the weather was perfect and actually warm.
I am claustrophobic. Balcony girl!
Same here!! In my claustrophobic mind, inside room is a cracker box without "enough" air for the 2 of us. Iykyk...
I'm taking my kids and my cell phone our first cruise this month and we do have a balcony. Not because I think it's more fancy but because I have three children and myself and my son is a pretty big guy. The rooms of the balconies tend to be a little bit more roomy , and it was very affordable maybe 125.00 more . Let's see if it's worth it 😉
After watching this video, I realize I don't spend much time in the room, nor do I look out the balcony as much. BUT, the exclusive perks for suites (specifically Disney concierge) are very convincing...that's how they get you...
I have stayed in both. The balconies are 100% better. Fresh air, listening to the ocean at night will put you to sleep. Little extra cost was totally worth it to me…
It depends a lot on the weather and temperatures. Cold climates and excessive winds make balconies essentially useless. Plus, there are many areas of the ship that are quiet, whereby you can relax outside. Most balconies are very tight anyway with limited space. We did a balcony and will probably never do it again.😮
Balconies only for me. Love watching the sea.
I agree for most cruises. However, if you are taking an Alaska cruise or a cruise through the Panama Canal, for instance, I would book a balcony stateroom.
One of my best cruises was with Costa Victoria. From Mauritius to Seychelles, Madagascar, Reunion and back.
I stayed in an inside cabin and it wasn't a problem finding a place to be on deck.
Unfortunately it was scrapped during the pandemic⚓🌅
From Spain, people are unaware that when sailing it can be very unpleasant to be on a windward balcony, they are also unaware that the cabin windows cannot be opened. If I had to choose without taking into account the price, I would choose an outside cabin, but in a quality/price comparison for cruises of less than 10 days I would choose an inside cabin. The savings are very considerable and unless one wants to remain inside the cabin all the time, there is not much difference.
Did an inside cabin once NEVER again. We felt we were in a dark cave. Balcony is priority, love to sit outside, sunshine and fresh air from the open big patio door/window. If I need to cut costs I will do it on other expenses.
I've cruised over 20x in suites, balcony cabins and inside. Now that we're retired, we cruise exclusively inside. But not GTY... we pick upper decks, near the top suites (best cabin stewards are assigned here), and near a door leading to an outside area. We cruise for 20-30 nights at a time and enjoy inside cabins- they're cooler, darker, quieter, and CHEAPER!
I have a fear of being trapped in there during a fire and I know a balcony might not save me but I’d at least “feel “ I have a possible way out if the hall is on fire ! Again I realize this is a rarity and ships
Are very fire proof but it just makes me claustrophobic !!
On the deck you always have a better view then from a balcony. And you can walk from one side of the ship to the other. I have only been on a cruise ship on one trip. I could find a quite place in a common area (not at the pool). I would also choose a inside cabin.
I have only been on one cruise and had an interior room next to the crew quarters. It worked great for me because I was only in the cabin to sleep, but I talked with other passengers who thought a balcony was the best, but then they spent more time in the cabin than I did. The bathroom was tiny - depending on where you aimed the shower nozzel, you could do two "things" at once, shower and do your toilet functions, or brush your teeth and shower at the same time.
We've had interior roooms, balcony rooms and obtructed view rooms.
Interior wins. There are always quiet places on deck if you hunt around. Its not worth paying extra for a balcony.
Only cruise I've ever been on was an indoor room, my friend and his wife had a balcony and rarely used it because nobody really spent much time in the room other than sleeping.
I've never been on a cruise, but I am toying with the idea.
To me being on a ship and experiencing the ocean would be one of the main draws, which is why I am pretty sure I would prefer a cabin with balcony, if I ever do a cruise.
I wouldn't plan on spending too much time in the cabin, but having the option to sit on the balcony and enjoy the view and the ocean breeze for a while, especially in the evening, would be welcome.
I had one short cruise with an inside cabin from Florida to Nassau, Bahamas. I was OK, but to me at least, balcony rooms on 5 day or longer cruises are the only way to go. Lounging on the balcony being awash in tropical sea breezes had me the most relaxed state in my life. Well worth the extra money.
I only done one cruise, but I was on a inside room and loved it, I was affraid of missing the tranquilty and quiet time that a room with balcony can procure. But of find many spot on the ship where I could find quietplace. I was on the NCL Jade and the Spinnaker Lounge was always empty during day with nice chair looking a the sea. Also, sleeping in inside cabin when you close the light, it's pitch black, perfect for people sensible to light when they sleep
I’ve only been one a cruise once and it was a ocean balcony & had all those amenities. That said, if one took a lot of cruises, it makes sense to do an interior if you’ll be outside the cabin a lot.