Inside cabins

[jt58203]

We just got off the Regal yesterday. We had an inside category, mid-ship. It was perfect as we had only one sea day (when would there have been time to spend on the balcony?). Weather was in the 70s a couple of days, majority 50s or 60s. I knew ahead of time what the temps would be then--when you are researching cruises on the Princess website, click on the Cruise Details button then there's a tab that mentions the weather. We booked the cruise 14 months out as we had received a special casino offer brochure in the mail and saved 40 percent off the going rate.

 

Prior to our first cruise cruise, people told us that we must have a balcony. We did, and we hardly used it. What a waste!!!!

 

2nd cruise we travel with in-laws. Since they booked a balcony, so did we (why??? Again, hardly in the cabin). Again, What a waste!!

 

3rd cruise, Panama Canal. I wanted to get an inside room, especially as insides were about 1/3 the cost of balconies. Again everyone was telling us--balcony a must! Booked a guaranteed balcony & turned out our balcony cabin was about 3 doors down from the bow which they opened up during the PC transit. Did we use our balcony--no!!!! Waste Waste Waste.

 

Fourth cruise wanted an inside but the promo was get an oceanview for the price of an inside.

 

Fifth cruise, got a balcony, last minute deal. I think insides were sold out!

 

Sixth cruise, introduced a friend to cruising. Originally we booked an oceanview after hearing me say balconies are a waste and she thought she might feel a little claustrophobic in an inside. Due to price drops we got the balcony for about $20 per person more than the oceanview (it was a 4 night cruise) so had to go for it!

 

Seventh cruise---Ahhhhhh, our first inside and LOVED IT!!!!

 

Eighth cruise--booked an inside way in advance, but due to price drops & upsell offer we got a vista suite for $2 less than the inside we originally booked! Crazy, huh?

 

Ninth cruise booked an inside 14 months in advance. PERFECT!!!

 

Tenth cruise will be in January. A group of five ladies--myself, 3 first timers, and the now 2nd timer (one who I introduced to cruising during my cruise #6). Not buying the first timer needing a balcony story and even the 2nd time cruiser doesn't think we need a balcony unless there's a price drop. Booked an inside. It's a 4 nighter without sea days. Will see what happens.

[bobupandown]

We book inside cabins because we like it to be dark.

 

Clock: We take a battery operated, or have the I Pad on.

 

Night Light: I take to put in the bathroom, in case we get up in the night

 

TV: So we can see the bridge, and the information they are sailing etc.

 

Plus what you save, it's an extra weeks holiday. :)

[Astro Flyer]

Another reason is cost. I'd much rather save my money and book the Sanctuary instead.

That's also more cost effective for us & the Sanctuary loungers are like beds & are much better than the uncomfortable cabin balcony chairs or loungers.

 

And we only have to pay for days we want to use the Sanctuary & not everyday for a balcony that we won't always use. I know that the Sanctuary may be fully booked on some days but whenever we've gone the Sanctuary was like a ghost town. So we'll book insides & even if a very comfortable Sanctuary lounger is unavailable then we'll use a less comfortable deck lounger. We always find them because we prefer a quieter more isolated location than dealing with poolside chair hogs.

 

I understand that a balcony is essential for some passengers to better enjoy their cruise but more days at sea is our top priority & an inside cabin helps us accomplish that goal. :D

Edited October 16, 2016 by Astro Flyer

[CGinMTL]

I always say I prefer to do 2 cruises a year on an inside then 1 a year in a balcony.

Try it....... you may enjoy it.

If you don't, then you can go back.

 

ps - I just got off from the Azamara TA in Sept. We had friends in suites at the front of the ship.

The seas got so rough that they felt they were in a carwash. I was really happy for my inside.

[GRAYTech]

Our first cruise had a tiny balcony. Could only sit sideways facing one another and even that was tight. Not worth the $$$ for the tiny balcony.

 

Second cruise we had a window view of the bow but wasn't considered obstructed. $99/pp for a 5 day right after 9/11 so we booked two cabins. ($99 is correct, not a typo)The ship was empty. Loungers were plentiful.

 

Third cruise we booked a mini-suite but got the upgrade call for an aft Vista suite. At the time someone here said "...don't do it, you will never cruise in anything less...". They were right. So we have chosen the other route, cruise less often but do it in an aft Vista suite.

[easyboy]

Just booked one for the trans-Atlantic on the Regal in Sept. Are they a little bigger, didn't even know about them till I read something about one the other day

 

I don't know if the "sideways" insides are any larger, but their layout often makes them seem more spacious.

Just off the Regal last Oct. 8 on a "sideways" interior cabin (M406). It is larger than the regular interior cabins.

[metairiegal]

Maybe we have bad luck, but one negative to a balcony is noisy neighbors out on their balcony!

[#1Nanna]

We almost always choose an inside cabin. We usually cruise with several other couples so we rarely spend much time in our cabin. We are not bothered by the size at all and actually, it has more than adequate storage space. We enjoy the darkness which is great for an afternoon nap or sleeping in a bit.

We have a location that is our favorite on many ships. On the ships that have an aft pool, we choose an aft inside cabin on the highest deck. There is a door at the end of the hall that leads outside. Within just a few steps you have quick outside access to fresh air and the aft pool area. Works great for us! : )

 

 

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[framer]

Hi,

 

I have traveled in a variety of staterooms ranging from a mini-suite to an inside stateroom. For each cruise, I compare the prices of the different categories and consider the itinerary. If the itinerary is very port-intensive, I usually get less benefit from having a balcony. However, if the itinerary features many sea days, I usually receive more benefit from having a balcony. If the cost of upgrading to a balcony is reasonable and there are a number of sea days, I will probably book a balcony stateroom.

 

For example, I decided to book a mini-suite on a four-day cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver on the Coral Princess this past May because the room was reasonably priced. In contrast, I booked an inside stateroom on an eight-day (port-intensive) Japan cruise that I took on the Diamond Princess this past July.

 

There is nothing wrong with booking an inside stateroom. On the positive side, it is easier to sleep because the room can become very dark. However, I am always careful to set my travel alarm (it would very easy to oversleep and miss an early shore excursion).

 

Chuck

 

I think you're my twin Chuck...

 

Everything Chuck said plus if you go to Alaska get a balcony. In my last 6 or so cruises I started out with an inside or OV and have gotten upsold for very little to a midship balcony.

 

framer

[Gwendy]

I cruise a lot on my own so choose Inside cabins due to cost. I am already paying just about double! I think of the top deck as my balcony.

I did have a balcony when I cruised to Antarctica but could only use it for short periods, it was coooold, especially in January when you have left home in plus 30 degree Celsius. It was worth it though, up close with a minke whale under my balcony, leopard seals stalking poor penguins, ice floes with seals on them etc

[Nicki828]

Hi fellow cruisers we have always booked a balcony cabin - now considering doing inside, could you give me reasons why you wouldn't book an inside - our thinking is we would have more money for more cruises - any advice appreciated

 

I think it really depends on the type of cruise and the size of the cabins. I've been on cruises in balcony, oceanview and interior cabins. Our first few cruises were all oceanview. We then booked an inside on an older RC ship, and it was quite tight. a couple of summers ago we booked an inside cabin on NCL Epic - and we were quite happy with the size of the cabins. Because there were 4 of us, it was cheaper to book 2 inside rooms over 1 balcony. We were very happy with our decision. Most of the ports did not have great views, and we were able to put the extra money we saved into excursions. This summer we are taking an Alaskan cruise through Princess. We decided in this case we wanted the balcony for the views. I wouldn't hesitate to stay in another inside cabin - but I would be checking out the layout before making a decision.

[susancruzs]

Sailing single, longer cruises, price matters so I'm in an inside cabin and don't mind. Over the years I've had outside, balcony, mini suite, too but finances as a senior, inside it is now.

 

As someone said, I turn the TV to the web cam. At night screen is dark, in the a.m., gets light and I wake up! :) Works for me!

 

I like the layout of the sideways insides of the Regal and Royal, extra storage space. However, on my TA this year, I'm back to a regular inside. I don't go to the buffet area except for fruit or salad so I thought a cabin on Emerald would be better. I eat breakfast and lunch at the IC, great people watching and more relaxing than the Horizon.

[notentirelynormal]

1. I'm claustrophobic

 

2. Can't see hear or smell the ocean

 

3. No idea if it's day or night when I wake up

 

4. No idea if it's hot or cold when I dress for the day

 

5. Mrs Gut would kill me.

 

LOL. You made me laugh. I agree with all of the above. Except maybe #5. My DH couldn't care less about the cabin except if I booked something other then a mini suite he would grumble about "oh, that's missing etc.". For the most part he shows up and does what I tell him. If I say go left he goes left.

 

Off topic but one time we were flying back from Paris to LA. He for some unknown reason wears he ski jacket when he flies (well not after this trip). He's already a big guy. So trying to be nice I flip up the arm rest to give him 2 extra inches. He took that to mean he could now sit on an angle so that he is virtually on top of me. He played on his computer so his arms are now in front of my chest. He falls asleep and I'm stuck. I'm exhausted. He finally realizes that I'm uncomfortable so offers to let me lean against him to get some sleep. Food service ! WhooHooo! Shoves me out of the way and I got a whole 3-1/2 minutes rest.

 

Next flight we are flying to Tahiti. We walk into the airport and he gets in line for check out bags. I walk right past him to business class. He says what are we doing here? Remember Paris? Yup, never happening again.

 

I'm fantasizing about a world cruise. If I can figure out the school issue might even take the 4 grandchildren. There is NO WAY I would be in anything less than mini suites and because of the ages it would be side by side cabins.

[Thrak]

Our first cruise was an inside on Sea Princess. Much smaller than an inside on a Grand Class ship. It was really tiny. It still managed to get us hooked on cruising. I've never managed to have an inside since then even though I have booked an inside several times. Once I was booked in an IF - cheapest inside cabin on the ship - and was automagically upgraded to a B2 balcony on Caribe Deck! The next time we were booked in an inside and received an upsell to an aft-facing unobstructed OV for very little money so we took the upsell. The last time I booked an inside and received an upsell to a window Mini Suite for very little money more shortly before the cruise and we took that. Our next two cruises were booked under the Sip and Sail and we needed a balcony of better to get the package. The one coming up is 28 days to Hawaii and the South Pacific with 18 sea days so I think the balcony will see some use. The second is 14 days in the Caribbean with only 4 sea days so the balcony likely won't see as much use. Still, the AIBP will be nice to have on both of those cruises. ;)

 

Someday we will book an inside and actually have an inside but so far our first cruise has been the only one where we booked an inside cabin and actually sailed in an inside cabin.

[joeyancho]

Always in a balcony. Our next cruise was booked late, with the only available rooms being an inside. We took it. Better to be inside than not to cruise at all. Will use the savings to go to the Crown Grill.