Inside Cabin....starting To Worry Me!

[wizard-of-roz]

Taking the Star to Ixtapa in November. I've booked an inside cabin......please help me with information on cruising this way.

I've never cruised in one and I'm so curious about it.

I want all your good suggestions and information.

Please, I'm starting to feel a little shaky about that "inside, no windows feeling"!.......

Have you done it?

 

Roz

[parrothead0918]

I much prefer an inside cabin to an outside cabin. I find the view with an outside cabin is so limited that I don't take advantage of it by peering out. Also, I love to take a short afternoon nap and found it is much easier in an inside cabin. For the amount of time spent in the cabin, I found inside was preferable to me. I never ventured to a balcony, and would probably love that, but the price of inside cabins allow me to cruise more often as compared to a balcony. Really, you have nothing to worry about. Have a great time.

[johnql]

Unless you've experienced claustrophobia in the past, I don't think there's anything to worry about. Actually, one of the best things about an inside cabin is the pitch-black darkness when the lights are off - for some, the total darkness is incredibly conducive to a great night's sleep.

 

If you really think you're going to miss the dawn, here's a trick that many CCers have posted - turn on your cabin's tv with the volume completely down. Tune to the ship's bridgecam channel. As the sun rises, the tv's picture will brighten. You'll also get quick feedback as to the morning's weather as far as rain is concerned.

[kit9172]

I prefer an inside for the same reasons. Great night sleep and great naps, less money allowing you to either cruise more often or have extra money for casino or/and shopping. You are hardly in the cabin except to dress and sleep. Our friends are getting a mini suite to our inside because her DH can't walk that well and will be staying in the cabin. They are paying double what we are. Hope this helps.

[NCLcruisefan]

I hate inside cabins; and I think that it can make a normal person feel clostraphobic. I love waking up and opening that curtain to a view of the ocean. And they are very big window. Unless you are on the bottom deck; some ships have small portholes here or at the end of the ship. Whenever I am in an inside cabin I open the curtain to be disappointed by the wall; when we got one in Sept with our kids; I kept forgetting and trying to look out. I wish they would not put the fake curtain there. But if I don't get a balcony; a window is necessary for me.

[judyf]

I did an inside on my Star sailing and had no problems. It's great to sleep , we had plenty of room for a mother and daughter. You're not in the cabin much. We just use to cabin to dress and sleep also. And the price is right!

[bangzoom6877]

We prefer an inside cabin for several reasons. One, it is easy to sleep in if you want to , and as stated above, you can always turn on the bridge cam and keep it on if you enjoy waking up to the sunlight and don't need to sleep in. Two, we are cruising with our 18-month-old son for the first time and it will be easier to get him to nap in the afternoon in an inside cabin. The plan: turn off all the lights so he will fall asleep, set the alarm for 2 hours later in case we nap too (which we probably will, and used to do in the afternoon before having a baby) and wake him up, not letting him sleep for more than 2 hours so that he still sleeps at night and also gets his usual long afternoon nap in there. When we were at a regular hotel in Buffalo in April, my son didn't wanna nap because it was always light in the hotel room and he was able to see us also so he wanted to stay awake and play. This way he will think we are all going to sleep and it will be fine.

 

Of course the value of an inside cabin speaks for itself. We use the cabin to sleep and get ready. It's just fine for us. Yes a suite would be nice but it's also nice to be able to afford to cruise and an inside cabin allows us to do this. More money to be spent on shopping, shore excursions, casino, drinks, etc. Since we spend most of the time away from the cabin it makes sense to have to extra money to spend on the things we love to do...eat, drink and be merry! Well, most times we don't have to pay for the eating part but you know what I mean! ;)

 

 

Anyway don't worry about it. You will enjoy your cruise, and you will also get mixed opinions on this here on the boards. Just go with whatever makes you happy and comfortable!

 

-Bonnie

[NCLcruisefan]

I absolutely understand everyones reason for an inside cabin; price is why we booked one with our kids last Sept. But I will say that even with an oceanview when you close the curtain it is pitch black in the room and you can't see anything; the same with a balcony. I have always hated that about hotels and cruises; when the sun comes up you don't wake up; if you don't have an alarm set you will sleep till noon.:eek: But I know it makes it more affordable; which is why sometimes it is necessary. But in Sept when we had one; we said never again! It was claustraphobic. We had 4 to each room. we have 5 kids. And the cruise was extended 3 extra days b/c of hurricane Rita. So 10 days with 4 people to a room without even sunlight was a nightmare. And 2 of them got sick on day 2 and we were stuck in the room a lot; not fun without even a window. So now you can see why I have issues with an inside!

[garycarla]

There was a long thread a few weeks ago on how a high percentage of REPEAT cruisers book inside cabins. Sure, it is less expensive, which means for many they can cruise more often, or have more money for other expenses.

 

Some really LIKE those cabins. Check the floor plans - even though the cruiselines might like to talk about all the outside cabins, look at how many are actually inside - AND FULL!

 

Enjoy your cruise. you will do fine.

[bangzoom6877]

Oh yeah one other thing...I prefer a cabin on the lower decks also because you feel less of the rocking. Of course if you are in majorly rough water you will feel it everywhere on the ship, but under normal circumstances I find it to be just enough motion to lull me to sleep at night. I like a cabin low down, mid-ship, inside and always request that and get it!!

[2cruiseagain]

I've done anywhere from inside to the Royal Suite. Obviously, the RS is the "way to go" but we liked our inside room for the same reasons stated above. My DW is claustrophobic and had no problem (Only 2 in room, not 4:eek: ) We found that the suites and balcony rooms meant you spent more time in the cabin, while the inside room meant more time on deck. I think you make the best of the room you have.

[newmexicoNita]

You will probably be just fine, a lot depends on how much you have cruised. I will be honest, we have only done inside once and for us, never again. I have clients that only do inside and as others have said, you sure will sleep in. Dont' worry, you will be fine. Even though we would not do it again, we still had a great cruise. NMnita

[NCLcruisefan]

I've done anywhere from inside to the Royal Suite. Obviously, the RS is the "way to go" but we liked our inside room for the same reasons stated above. My DW is claustrophobic and had no problem (Only 2 in room, not 4:eek: ) We found that the suites and balcony rooms meant you spent more time in the cabin, while the inside room meant more time on deck. I think you make the best of the room you have.

 

Good point! i never looked at it that way. When we get a balcony; you want your money's worth; so you spend more time there. Even though it is nice on your balcony also. But with an oceanview or inside you tend to want to get out of there!

[pengu1n]

We've done both inside and outside, not a big difference because we don't spend much time in the cabins. Nobody's mentioned this, but on the insides we've had there's usually a curtain that looks like it's covering a window but it's just wall behind it (don't really remember which ships). Halfway through the cruise, we'll have forgotten that we're inside & try to 'see' out the window!:D

[ute_fan]

Inside, outside, doesn't matter. Just put me on a ship! Our first cruise was a deck 2 inside, approximately 110 square feet on the Sea. I was worried about being claustrophobic, but it didn't bother me at all. Since then we've lucked into a lucky upgrade on the Sun, where the balcony came down to the same price as our superior inside, and a porthole view on the Sea that was cheaper than an inside.

 

My sister's first cruise was also on the Sea with us. First day we didn't see her for breakfast and figured she'd been up and about for a couple of hours, as she's generally an early riser. About 9:45 they came up to the buffet and announced that they'd just barely woken up. That nice, dark, gently rocking cabin was the best sleep she's had in years :D .

[winehappy]

We've done both, and find no real difference. When the kids were younger, I liked the balcony because I spent so much time in the room while they were napping, etc. Now that they're older, it's no big deal. If there's an inside cabin that sleeps 4, we'll save the $.

[familyplanner]

For all the above mentioned reasons. I think it is a very personal choice and for us it works. Although on our next cruise mom and sister booked a balcony. We will see if I change my tune.:D

[hcocchi]

Just to add to all the above; if you ever cruise the Panama Canal, Alaska or anywhere that has interesting scenery; make sure to book a balcony. That is the only way we got to see the workings of the Panamal Canal.

[samtig]

It's just a personal preference taking into consideration if you have claustrophobia, if price is a real concern, etc. I personally could never stay in an inside room for many reasons, the lst being I have a touch of claustrophobia. We are in the room enough to want to see what's outside. I enjoy the scenery & just being able to see outside instead of feeling like I'm at the bottom of a barrel. Also when seas are rough, I want to be able to see them. We stayed in our first balcony cabin recently & it was absolutely wonderful! Price permitting, we'll book a balcony and if not, at least a window. If none of the above is a problem for you, then the inside room will be just as great. Have a great trip.

[newmexicoNita]

Just to add to all the above; if you ever cruise the Panama Canal, Alaska or anywhere that has interesting scenery; make sure to book a balcony. That is the only way we got to see the workings of the Panamal Canal.

Great thoughts but to some the $$ make a balcony out of the question. We did Alaska several years ago, the ship we sailed didn't have balconies and we still enjoyed the scenery from our window, the deck and the glass when we inside (which because of weather was most of the time) We are doing the Panama Canal this fall with another couple. As much as we would all like a balcony, unless we get upgraded we are going to settle for a window. I often have clients that ask the same questions; it is such a personal decision, based on so many things. NMnita

[shipchaser]

A few years ago we were offered a 12 day, 10 country cruise on Renaissance for $599 each. The only catch it was an inside cabin, right next to the laundry room. We had never had an inside cabin and I am a tad claustrophobic, but decided we couldn't turn this down. My husband put up posters on two walls depicting scenic views. Needless to say we had a wonderful cruise and the inside cabin was bearable. Although we have never had an inside cabin again (25 cruises), I am so glad we took a chance and saw a lot of the world at a very low price. Renaissance was the best!!! Margie and Lou

[wizard-of-roz]

Thank you so, so much for all the good advice and ideas. I think the stories about people who actually oversleep because of the darkness are so funny!

I will get a night light, extention cord, use the T.V. as a porthole, jar the bathroom door open, "up" the air, use the extra money to buy myself something special and most of all....not worry and have fun!!!

I've said it before but I'll say it again, these boards are so helpful for these kinds of questions.

And, you guys/gals are the best!! :)

Thanks again,

Roz

[ute_fan]

I don't know if you can still buy them, but we took a "indiglo" night light that gave just a very gentle glow to the room. It provided just enough light so I could find my way to the restroom in the middle of the night. The one we had also included an air freshener strip that worked from the little bit of heat generated by the light. It was nice to have that little bit of added fragrance. My only minor complaint was that the inside cabin tended to be a little musty smelling, but once we plugged the nightlight/air freshener combination in that problem was solved.

[sk84fungirl]

Taking the Star to Ixtapa in November. I've booked an inside cabin......please help me with information on cruising this way.

 

I've never cruised in one and I'm so curious about it.

 

I want all your good suggestions and information.

 

Please, I'm starting to feel a little shaky about that "inside, no windows feeling"!.......

 

Have you done it?

 

Roz

 

I just returned this past Saturday from an Alaskan cruise with an inside cabin. Note, this is the cruise that you often receive feeback on "must have an outside cabin". Well, the only time we were in our room was to sleep, bathe, dress, and unpack.

 

We often wanted to see both sides of the ship and were between sides to take pictures. We were also often at the front or the AFT. It was great. When we first got there, I began to have buyer's remorse. I've have cruised inside several times but was beginning to wonder based on everything I read on this board.

 

But know that we have absolutely no regrets! Our room was almost 200 square ft and extremely comfortable.

 

Enjoy your trip!

[wizard-of-roz]

sk84fungirl: Now, that is a testimonial! You're right, most everyone has said that for Alaska you need a window (at least)!

I'm a very social gal and getting out to see everything from the sides of the ship and "schmoozing" with fellow pax will be more fun for me. And, taking loads of pictures is also my thing! :p

I'm feeling so much more secure about the inside cabin. ;)

I love the idea of the scented night light, thanks ute_fan for this great idea! "Musty" would be such a turn-off! "Plug it in, Plug it in"!

Thanks,

Roz