Interiors + retirement, how bad are interior rooms

[Lesinindy]

As it turns out after some initial discovery, it looks like we may be able to retire this year (at least me). It does not look like we will not be eating cat food (I used to shop at the same time as this little old lady and she always bought lots off cat food. I asked the clerk if he knew how many cats she had and she said she did not have any....) or visiting the local food bank. Looking at cruise prices it looks like everything is up from before. My question is does it make sense to book and interior room? We have always had balcony rooms, but we could save big bucks by doing an interior.

 

What are your feelings on interiors?

[donaldsc]

I would not do an interior as I need to be able to see outside - even if through a porthole or around a lifeboat. Only you know how important this is to you.

 

DON

[Vict0riann]

Up to you, I guess!:) Try it once, at least. We tried it once, didn't like it, so I think we will try to stick with verandahs. On our next cruise we have just a window - I think I will probably be taking that off the list of future possibles, too. It means a lot to me to be able to step outside anytime I want for a breath of fresh air.

[OVgirl]

We've only booked inside cabins on the Vista and Signature class ships. And then we book one of the insides on Main Deck.

These are very big and don't really spend a lot of time there.

 

We will often leave the TV on with either the bow or stern camera, so have a view to the outside world.

 

You could always try a shorter cruise in an inside and see how you feel about it.

 

No way to be able to tell you if it's right for you. But it is more economical. You would be able to cruise more often in an inside.

Edited December 31, 2013 by OVgirl

[dfish]

After three cruises with balconies, I did an inside cabin last summer. Not only did I go to an inside, it was the lowest category inside on the ship. The choice was that or stay home, so it was easy.

 

To be honest, I really didn't mind the inside cabin. I don't spend a lot of time there, but there was enough room for when I was there. There was adequate storage, room to maneuver with two of us there at once and the bed was just as comfortable as in the balcony cabin.

 

I would definitely not hesitate to book an inside cabin again. However, it is going to depend on your needs and what you can adapt to. If one tends to compare constantly to previous cabins, there could be a problem. If one can concentrate on the experience at hand, there is a better chance at making the adjustment.

 

Would I rather have a balcony cabin? You bet, but if being in an inside cabin gets me on a ship more often, that is the way I'll go.

 

Debbie

[sunnygidget]

We started with an upgrade to balcony. That is how they hook you, now an inside does not seem as nice. They think you will now always book a balcony.

 

Having said that, did a 28 Atlantic crossing with an inside and it did not bother us in the least. We also did a 15 day Hawaii in an inside. Our next cruise we booked an inside and they already bumped us to a windowed with view.

 

We had a balcony on another crossing and it got so salty and cool we really didn't use it much, it was rather a waste for us.

 

The way I look at it. I can cruise more often with an inside or do more in the ports than if we did a balcony. We are really not in our room all that much and it really is about the same amount of space, you just have to go a little farther to go outside. I'd really rather just cruise, just about any room is a good room if we are cruising.

[GeriatricNurse]

As it turns out after some initial discovery, it looks like we may be able to retire this year (at least me). It does not look like we will not be eating cat food (I used to shop at the same time as this little old lady and she always bought lots off cat food. I asked the clerk if he knew how many cats she had and she said she did not have any....) or visiting the local food bank. Looking at cruise prices it looks like everything is up from before. My question is does it make sense to book and interior room? We have always had balcony rooms, but we could save big bucks by doing an interior.

 

What are your feelings on interiors?

 

I only book Interior Staterooms, not only because they are less cost than other S/R's, (even for solos), but they are much cooler as there are no windows to allow for the hot sun to enter but, I understand that the "interiors" on on their own a/c 'run' so they are unaffected for (lack of) a/c! ;) I have never had any issues with the a/c (or plumbing) with interior staterooms! ;) I would recommend them highly! :D

[RDC1]

We started out with suites and Verandas, then tried ocean view, then inside. Now we do almost all insides. Found them to be, in general quieter and the darkness is great for sleeping. As mentioned we often leave the TV on the bow camera.

 

The extra bonus is that we now do 3 times the number of cruises that we used to.

[rafinmd]

Try it for yourself and see, but I think HAL ships have excellent public spaces and if you want to see things there are plenty of excellent options. Everybody sees things differently but I think you could be pleasantly surprised.

 

Roy

[mrsbuddha123]

As it turns out after some initial discovery, it looks like we may be able to retire this year (at least me). It does not look like we will not be eating cat food (I used to shop at the same time as this little old lady and she always bought lots off cat food. I asked the clerk if he knew how many cats she had and she said she did not have any....) or visiting the local food bank. Looking at cruise prices it looks like everything is up from before. My question is does it make sense to book and interior room? We have always had balcony rooms, but we could save big bucks by doing an interior.

 

What are your feelings on interiors?

 

I am not yet retirement age but when traveling on HAL, we usually book a suite. I have been pondering what would happen when I am on a fixed income? I have never been in an interior and the choice I would face is learn to adjust or cruise less frequently. Let us know what you decide.

 

Happy New Year!

[sail7seas]

If necessary, we would rather wait and save longer to have a cabin we'd enjoy than to take an interior. I need to have a window. It is a very personal choice. Some people have no difficulty and actually like interior rooms. Some of us need to see out a window. Only you know your wife and your requirements.

 

Congratulations on your Retirement..... may it be a long, healthy and happy retirement. :)

[existentialtraveler]

As it turns out after some initial discovery, it looks like we may be able to retire this year (at least me). It does not look like we will not be eating cat food (I used to shop at the same time as this little old lady and she always bought lots off cat food. I asked the clerk if he knew how many cats she had and she said she did not have any....) or visiting the local food bank. Looking at cruise prices it looks like everything is up from before. My question is does it make sense to book and interior room? We have always had balcony rooms, but we could save big bucks by doing an interior.

 

What are your feelings on interiors?

 

I am in your situation. I retired this year. In October for my retirement party, we took B2B cruises for the first time. We booked an Ocean View for the first time. We were worried for the first time. We had the best cruise ever, never felt cramped or claustrophobic. We are now thinking about the wisdom of inside cabins as well!! I would now not even hesitate to book an inside cabin.

[david,Mississauga]

I once had an inside cabin - not on HAL but on an Alantic crossing of the QE2. Never again. Not only did it seem like living in a closet - albeit a comfortable one with facilities - but it was always too warm. Two P&O ships had "court cabins" which were inside rooms with a narrow window which looked out on a courtyard. At the end of the courtyards there was a chesterfield and small table, behind which were some tall windows. So the occupants of these rooms could always have a view of the sea, although most passengers would pull the blinds for privacy. It's a shame there aren't cabins like this on newer ships. I suppose a "bean counter" would say the courtyards were a waste, but they provided a space for the occupants of these cabins to socialise. Many people take only inside cabins and I can understand that, but many others would do it only once.

[airgunnerusn]

Have had balcony, outside and interior including lowest category on the ship. Almost always book an interior. Same food, same entertainment, same ports. Enjoyed every cruise.

 

Good luck.

[CaveDiving]

We book interior cabins on all of our cruises. We like to sleep late and don’t appreciate the sunlight waking us up.

 

Several times we have refused complementary upgrades to outside cabins.

 

Scott & Karen

[LindaM]

As it turns out after some initial discovery, it looks like we may be able to retire this year (at least me). It does not look like we will not be eating cat food (I used to shop at the same time as this little old lady and she always bought lots off cat food. I asked the clerk if he knew how many cats she had and she said she did not have any....) or visiting the local food bank. Looking at cruise prices it looks like everything is up from before. My question is does it make sense to book and interior room? We have always had balcony rooms, but we could save big bucks by doing an interior.

 

What are your feelings on interiors?

 

We have booked many, many interiors to save money, even though we could have afforded better. I can be a little thrifty and frugal at times!! We didn't mind them at all. Someone mentioned they are great for sleeping in. What is nice about HAL is that you still have use of the promenade deck. You may miss the balcony since you've always had one. But, if I had a choice of interior---cruise, or not cruising until I'd saved enough for a balcony, I'd choose the interior.

[happyglobetrotter]

We love the luxury and glamour of a balcony. By closing the window curtains, the room is dark and comfortable to sleep late. The breakfast out there is great !

 

Not to mention the relaxing and a lazy afternoons or evenings spent sitting outside in peace and quiet without having to watch all the walkers go by.

 

Being able to smell fresh air is a big plus. And the room itself is more luxurious (better pillows, better decor, better comforter, more shelving, etc)

 

It is all a matter of budget I suppose. We have had a balcony for a few cruises now and it would be very hard to go back to an Inside.

 

Louise

[Love the beach]

It's all a matter of personal preference. We have had verandahs , outside & inside. Really don't spend much time in the cabin at all so an inside works fine. Plenty of outside decks and lounges to relax on HAL ships (did not find this to be the case on our last RCCL cruise though). Would rather book an inside & cruise more often! :)

Marge

[RuthC]

Most of my cruises have been in inside cabins, with a few outsides and 2 balcony cabins along the way.

First, I loved my balcony cabins, but I was easily able to return to insides.

I love the dark for sleeping. As long as I book a "large" inside (not a "standard") and Main Deck on the Vista/Signature ships I have a very large, comfortable cabin, with plenty of storage.

Because the inside cabins have a shower instead of a tub, the sink/vanity area is larger than outside and balcony cabins have. The showers are generous in size, btw.

 

One major difference between sailing inside vs. balcony---at least for me---is that when I am in an inside cabin I get out and participate more. I get to meet more people, and socialize when I have an inside. With a balcony cabin I tend to sit out on the balcony reading all day.

 

The only way to tell if this would work for you is to try it. Just be sure to book a "large" inside, as the "standard" insides could better be termed "cabinette".

Edited December 31, 2013 by RuthC

[dvcmember]

I have cruise on several lines and have sailed a variety of cabins including verandah, outside and inside. To be honest, there is absolutely nothing wrong with an inside cabin.

 

We enjoy the peacefulness of an inside cabin. We have also found the cabin attendant service to be pretty similar too. We always bring a night light so it is not completely dark and call for a wake-up call in the morning. Breakfast in your cabin is always nice. HAL does a superb job at maintaining the cabin. We tend to spend the money we would spend for an oceanview cabin on dining. We really did not spend much time in there anyway, outside of sleeping and eating breakfast via room service.

 

You will loose some space, but in the end, it will be worth it. If you decide that you made a mistake, you can always change your cabin size the next time you cruise.

[Fouremco]

While DW and I have not yet booked an inside cabin, there have been times when we've questioned the wisdom of booking balconies when we spend so little time in the cabin or on the balcony. We certainly enjoy standing there in the early morning watching a port come into view, but it wouldn't take much effort to go to a deck for the same view. On sea days, we normally go to a pool area to read and take the occasional dip, grab a drink from the bar, etc., so once again our balcony gets little use.

 

If it come down to it, we'd definitely book inside rather than reduce our cruising.

[Bubba54]

I normally book inside cabins. I can book two to three cruises for the price of a balcony. I would rather spend more time on board. However, if someone is claustrophobic it could be an issue. My bottom line, I'm on the ship I am happy, happy.

[Wrinks22]

snip

 

I see you are from Mississauga, I am from Etobicoke! Anyway congratulations one your retirement. I tried my first ever inside cabin (on Carnival Breeze) and liked it a lot. I liked it because it was cheaper, it seemed quite, and I was not in the cabin a whole lot. I say try it on a shorter sailing to see how you like it or try an ocean view first, before you try an inside.

[MariettaWay]

I see that you've gotten a lot of great comments on your questions. We do like the outside cabins and, of course, the balconies on occasion, but most times we have booked either an inside guarantee or an outside guarantee. We haven't been very fussy on booking an exact room and it's worked out very well for us. Almost every time that we've booked an inside guarantee, we were bumped up into an outside cabin....Yahoo! Only once, did we receive exactly what we paid for (heaven forbid!). I guess I don't have anything to complain about because we've been very lucky. When the economy turned down a few years ago and everything was uncertain, we booked an inside cabin which certainty was better than not cruising at all.

[Typhoon1]

Nothing wrong with an inside cabin.

 

In my single days, I did two cruises in an inside until graduating to a ocean view, and finally a verandah.

 

They are great if you want to get a lot of rest, you don't have daylight waking you up every morning.