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Everything to Know About Interior Cruise Cabins (Read Before Booking)

When it comes to cruising, the range of options for different cruise cabins can be staggering. From suites to balconies to specialty cabins like NCL’s The Haven (high-end rooms in their own private area) or Carnival’s Havana rooms (cabins with exclusive access to a private pool and special décor), you have no shortage of choices.

But with all those options, it’s the interior cabin that offers one of the best deals in cruising… but also comes with a number of unique features that you should know about before you book.

If you’ve never sailed in an interior room on a cruise before, there’s a lot to understand ahead of reserving one of these cabins. From what you get for your money to how these rooms are different from others on the ship, here’s what you should consider.

Interior Cabins Are the Least Expensive on the Ship

First and foremost, interior cabins are the cheapest cabins on the ship. So if you’re looking for a deal, then there is a lot to like about these rooms.

For example, Norwegian Cruise Line has a trip during the summer aboard Norwegian Escape with interior cabins that run nearly $300 less per person compared to balcony cabins:

So with these rooms, you get the entire cruise, but it can be literally hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars less than what others on the ship are paying… albeit with a less glamorous cabin.

Interior Cabins Run Smaller

You’d be hard-pressed to call any normal cruise cabin “spacious.” Cozy is a more apt term. But when it comes to interior cabins, the size gets even smaller. A typical balcony room measures around 160-180 square feet, plus the extra space in the balcony. A usual interior cabin is more around 130-140 square feet.

That may not sound like much of a difference, but it’s significant. In real terms the sofa seating area that’s usually in balcony cabins is removed, condensing the room to a spot for a bed, a small desk area, closet and bathroom.

But if you’re staying in one of these cabins, that smaller space can be felt. Interior cabins definitely feel smaller, making them not ideal if you plan to spend a lot of time in your room.

You Can Get a Much Better Location for Cheaper

One thing that makes interior cabins a great deal? Sure the cost is less, but you can often get a location literally just feet away from some of the most expensive rooms on the ship.

Every deck of the cruise ship will have interior cabins. Whether you want to sail on Deck 3 or Deck 16, you’ll have an option. And while people with balconies on high decks might be paying thousands for their location and cabin, the interior rooms — literally right across the hall — are much cheaper.

So if you’re a passenger that’s highly concerned with your location, such as being midship or on a certain deck, then you’ll have a lot of options for a better location without spending near as much as others on the ship.

Interior Cabins Are Great for Shorter Trips (Five Days or Fewer)

In our opinion, the major factor you should consider before booking an interior cabin is the length of your cruise.

The smaller space and lack of windows is a trade-off for that lower price. But where that trade-off seems worth it most is on shorter cruises. We like to put that mark at five days or fewer.

With shorter cruises (especially 3/4-day trips), you’re likely to spend a lot of your time outside the cabin. Between exploring the ship and being in port, the time in the cabin is minimal. With longer cruises (6+ days), then there is more downtime as you usually have more days at sea and just more time in general. In that case, having a balcony cabin is a nice retreat and place to relax.

Cruises of five days are a tipping point that can go either way. For some, it will be too long to book an interior room. For others, it’s still a good trade-off for the lower cost.

Even With These Inexpensive Cabins, You Have Full Access to the Ship

If you’ve never cruised before, you might think of a movie like Titanic where there are first, second, and third-class passenger cabins. Back then the third-class passengers aren’t allowed into the first-class areas, meaning passengers in lower-tier cabins have a very different experience.

That’s not the case in modern cruising, even if you stay in a much less-expensive interior room. Even though you pay less, you still get full access to the ship and the same level of service as someone in a pricier room. So if you want to dine in one of the fanciest restaurants on the ship or hang out in the trendy adults-only areas, it’s all there for you to enjoy. The only thing that’s different in the experience is that you’re in a different type cabin.

Interior Cabins Get Dark… Real Dark

You already know that interior cabins don’t have windows. But what might not click is that means at night when the lights go out, it gets extremely dark. Some newer ships are equipped with bathroom lights that still produce a little light when turned off, so you can shut the bathroom door and there’s a dim light for a nightlight.

But on other ships, once the lights go out you can’t even see the hand in front of your face. In fact, the only light you might have is from the peephole in the door.

It’s a smart idea to bring a small nightlight with you just in case to help you see for those middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom.

The Rooms Are Great for Late Sleepers

One big perk of having no windows? Interior cabins can be ideal if you’re the sort of person that likes to sleep late.

It was mentioned above how dark these rooms can be when the lights go out. And without any natural light coming in, that means it stays dark. Close the door, turn out the lights and it’s just as dark at noon as it is at midnight.

So if you’re the sort of person that likes to sleep in, then it’s ideal. Conversely, if you like to get an early start to your day, then you’re going to want to set an alarm on your phone as it’s easy to sleep later than you normal.

Our Personal Experience on Interior Cabins

While there’s a lot you can learn above about whether or not to book an interior cabin, sometimes it’s more helpful just to hear what it’s really like from someone that’s been there.

In this case, I’ve taken dozens of cruises, and often sail in interior cabins to get a much more affordable fare. So how is it?

My take is that the most important thing to keep in mind is the length of the cruise. On shorter cruises, I find the interior cabin to be a great option as it gets you on the ship for less money. And with those trips, the smaller size and lack of windows is no big deal. Is it nicer sailing in a balcony cabin? Absolutely, but for a few days — when so much time is spent outside the room — I’d much rather save the money.

That changes however with longer cruises. I’d hesitate to say that I wouldn’t take a 7-day cruise in an interior room, but I certainly avoid it when possible. On these longer cruises, I find there is much more downtime where I might just relax in the room. In that case, spending a lot of time in a small cabin without natural light can wear out quickly.

Bottom line: Interior cabins definitely have their place. They aren’t for everyone and they aren’t for every cruise. But there are definite perks to sailing in these rooms that shouldn’t be overlooked.

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200 dollars difference isn’t going to break someone! It’s so worth the extra money! I’ve done inside and balcony cabins! If you like sleeping in a walk-in closet , go for the cheap cabin!

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Inside Cruise Ship Cabins: Beyond the Horizon

A quick guide to inside cruise ship cabins, including different types of inside cabins, the largest cruise ship in the world, immersive interior experiences, tips for choosing the right cabin, and frequently asked questions.

Inside Cruise Ship Cabins

Inside a cruise ship cabin, you’ll find a cozy and efficiently designed space that serves as your home away from home while at sea. Most cabins are equipped with a bed that can be converted into twins or a queen, a private bathroom with a shower, storage space for clothing and luggage, and a small desk or vanity area. Amenities typically include a television, a phone, climate control, and often a safe for valuables. The decor blends both comfort and functionality, with maritime accents or soothing colors. Depending on the category, cabins may also feature additional luxuries such as a sitting area, a mini-fridge, or a balcony with sliding doors to enjoy the ocean view and fresh air. Cruise ship cabins are meticulously maintained by housekeeping staff, ensuring a clean and inviting environment throughout the cruise vacation.

Exploring an Inside Cabin

Inside cabins on cruise ships come in various sizes and designs, catering to different preferences and needs of passengers. Despite being located on the interior of the ship without an ocean view, these cabins offer notable features such as technological advancements, interior-facing windows, and even virtual balconies that provide real-time sea views as if you’re inside a balcony cabin. It’s essential for passengers to compare the offerings of inside cabins across different cruise lines, including Carnival, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises, to find the best fit for their cruise experience.

The Different Types of Inside Cabins

Inside cruise ship cabins, also known as interior cabins, are staterooms without windows or portholes, located on the interior of the ship. They are typically the most budget-friendly options available on a cruise. Here’s a summary of the different types often found on cruise ships:

• Standard Inside Cabin: This is the most basic and usually the smallest room with no outside view. It comes with essential furnishings like a bed, a small sitting area, a bathroom, and storage space.
• Larger Inside Cabin: Some cruise lines offer slightly larger inside cabins that provide more square footage for additional comfort or for accommodating more guests.
• Virtual Balcony Inside Cabins: A newer innovation in inside cabins, these rooms feature a large digital screen that displays a live feed from cameras outside the ship, simulating a window or balcony view.
• Promenade Inside Cabins : These cabins face inward towards an interior promenade or atrium. They have windows or a balcony overlooking the inside public areas of the ship, which can make the room feel less enclosed.
• Family Inside Cabins: Designed to accommodate families, these rooms are larger and have additional bedding options like bunk beds, pull-out sofas, or even separate areas or rooms for kids.
• Accessible Inside Cabins: These are designed for passengers with disabilities and include features like more floor space for maneuverability, wheelchair-accessible showers, grab bars, and other necessary modifications.
• Themed Inside Cabins: Some cruises offer rooms with special themes, decorations, and furnishings that cater to specific interests or demographics, such as solo travelers or fans of certain entertainment franchises.

The amenities in these cabins generally include a television, phone, basic bathroom amenities, a safe, and sometimes a mini-fridge. Cruise lines often provide different levels of service or additional perks depending on the cabin category booked.

The Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is set to be the largest cruise ship in the world, with a capacity for nearly 10,000 passengers and crew. This impressive vessel is designed with 20 decks, featuring eight distinct “neighborhoods” that offer diverse dining options and activities for guests. Scheduled for its inaugural voyage on January 27, 2024, the Icon of the Seas will provide guests with typical seven-day itineraries, including three at-sea days for them to enjoy the ship’s amenities.

Choosing the Right Cabin

When selecting an inside cabin on a cruise ship, several factors should be considered, including the cabin size, amenities, and its location on the ship. Inside cabins offer advantages such as affordability and the potential for enhanced relaxation, making them a desirable option for many passengers. However, it’s important to be mindful of specific cabin options to avoid, such as small standard insides on certain ships and hit-or-miss cabin categories on various cruise lines, to ensure a pleasant cruise experience.

Choosing the right cabin is crucial for an enjoyable and memorable cruise experience. Passengers are encouraged to explore the diverse cabin options available on modern cruise ships to find the perfect fit for their preferences and needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What are the key features of inside cabins on cruise ships? Inside cabins offer various sizes and designs, along with technological advancements, interior-facing windows, and even virtual balconies for real-time sea views.
• What are the different types of inside cabins available on Royal Caribbean cruise ships? Royal Caribbean offers various inside cabins, including solo cabins with access to the Studio Lounge, family interior cabins accommodating up to six passengers, and accessible inside cabins with enhanced accessibility features.
• How does a virtual balcony on a cruise ship provide a real-time view of the sea? A virtual balcony on a cruise ship is designed to provide a real-time view of the sea through high-definition screens that display live footage of the ocean, creating an immersive experience for passengers.
• What are the unique features of solo cabins on cruise ships? Solo cabins are tailored for single travelers, offering exclusive access to the Studio Lounge for socializing and relaxation during the cruise.
• Can you provide details about the amenities and facilities inside a cruise ship’s interior? Cruise ships offer luxury facilities and amenities, as depicted in a wide range of interior stock photos and images, showcasing cabins, corridors, dining rooms, and other facilities.
• What are the notable offerings of the Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas cruise ship? The Icon of the Seas is set to be the largest cruise ship in the world, featuring 20 decks, eight distinct “neighborhoods,” and a wide array of dining options and activities for guests.
• What are some factors to consider when choosing an inside cabin on a cruise ship? When choosing an inside cabin, factors such as cabin size, amenities, and location on the ship should be taken into account to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable cruise experience.
• How does the size and design of inside cabins vary on different cruise lines? Inside cabins vary in size and design across different cruise lines, offering a range of options to cater to diverse passenger preferences.
• What are the advantages of choosing an inside cabin over other types of cabins on a cruise ship? Advantages of choosing an inside cabin include affordability and the potential for enhanced relaxation, making it an attractive option for many passengers.
• Are there any specific cabin options to avoid when booking an inside cabin on a cruise ship? It is advisable to avoid small standard insides on certain ships and hit-or-miss cabin categories on various cruise lines to ensure a pleasant and comfortable cruise experience.
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STATEROOMS & SUITES

All for one and room for all, top-notch amenities spacious accommodations.

Our staterooms are designed with every type of guest in mind. Whether you’re sailing with your significant other, your family, a group of friends, or traveling solo — we’ve got the perfect room to accommodate your party and budget. Take your pick from Interior or Ocean View rooms, Balcony staterooms, or spacious Suites. You can even connect rooms allowing you to stay together with extended family or friends. The options are endless, and the comfort is always guaranteed.

Interior Staterooms

Our interior staterooms include a wide array of amenities for your whole family to enjoy..

Ocean View Staterooms

Savor the seaside and snapshots of landscapes from shore to shore..

Balcony Staterooms

Claim your slice of paradise with balcony views just outside your door. .

Suite Staterooms

Enjoy expansive accommodations that take luxury to the next level. .

Dedicated stateroom attendant

Daily cleaning service

Exclusive bedding collection

Stateroom climate control

Ample closet and storage

In-room HD-TV

In-room safe for valuables

Deluxe toiletries: shampoo, conditioner & body wash

AND MUCH MORE…

Enhanced room service

Voom High-Speed Wifi

Laundry & dry-cleaning

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YOUR PLACE, YOUR SPACE

You’ll never find a shortage of unbelievable room options. From romantic couples staterooms to spacious family suites, you’ll find just what you’re looking for to complement the adventure of a lifetime. Take a virtual tour to get a better look at our stateroom collection call dibs on your just-right space.

Accessible Interior

Promenade view interior, central park view interior, spacious ocean view, spacious ocean view balcony*, royal suite, grand suite, owner's suite, aquatheater suite.

ROOM TO UNWIND

There’s so much to do each day and night. But somewhere in between it all, you’ll want to relax, unwind, and enjoy some “me time.” When choosing your ideal cruise ship stateroom, first consider how much space you need, and which amenities are most important to you. We’ve broken it down to help you decide which stateroom fits your vacation needs.

FAMILY STATEROOMS

When traveling with your family, space is always on your mind. A cozy Interior Room is our most budget-friendly option, and we offer Spacious Interiors, along with connecting rooms to accommodate larger families. The range of ultra-spacious cruise rooms across categories spans all the way up to our new Ultimate Family Townhouse — three stories that elevate the way you stay and play.

STATEROOM FOR COUPLES

If you’re planning a getaway for you and a special someone, we’ve got a range of cruise suites to serve as a romantic backdrop. A private balcony, luxurious bedding and in-suite dining are just a few of the upgraded amenities you’ll enjoy. And if it’s extra pampering you seek, be sure to save time for a relaxing service at  Vitality Spa℠ .

SPACIOUS ROOMS FOR GROUPS

Looking for the perfect stateroom for you and your crew? When traveling with a group of friends, there are many options to choose from. Each category has options that offer maximum space to spread out. From Spacious Interior rooms to Ultra Spacious Ocean View rooms, to our top of the line Villa Suite with four bedrooms.

AWE INSPIRING ACCOMMODATIONS ELEVATE YOUR SUITE STAY

Customized adventures, exclusive access and inclusive amenities. Luxury cruise suite accommodations on Royal Caribbean elevate every aspect of your adventure. From full-size tubs in Junior suites to 24-hour room service in Owner Suites and dedicated check-in for Royal Suite class, it’s little details you’d expect — plus elevated experiences you may have never imagined.

THE SUITE LIFE  

Level up your vacation with a spacious suite. Choose between an intimate Junior Suite with great views, or a Grand Suite featuring a bedroom, living area and private balcony. And if you’re looking for the ultimate suite to complement an unforgettable adventure, opt for the Owners Suite loaded with extra added perks.  

ROYAL SUITE CLASS

In Royal Suite Class — available on Oasis Class and select Quantum Class ships —every detail is thought of, so you won’t have to lift a finger. Sea, Sky and Star tiers include perks that range from exclusive spaces and venues to a Royal Genie or Concierge who will craft VIP experiences just for you — and more.

THE ULTIMATE FAMILY SUITES

In the Ultimate Family Suite , you don’t even have to leave your stateroom to enjoy the thrills. Kids have their own in-suite slides and private game room. Plus there’s plenty of perks for parents too, like a private balcony jacuzzi. And our biggest suite ever, the Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas℠  maxes memories across three levels.

Accessible staterooms OUR GUESTS ARE ALWAYS OUR PRIORITY

All our ships have staterooms designed to accommodate guests with mobility disabilities and other disabilities that require the features of an accessible stateroom. Accessible staterooms range from 159 square feet to 298 square feet, and offer a five-foot turning radius in sleeping areas, plus bathrooms and sitting areas for easy maneuverability.

EXPLORE ACCESSIBLE OPTIONS

Royal Up BID YOUR WAY TO A CRUISE UPGRADE

Scoring a fantastic upgrade is easy! Simply browse through stateroom options and select the amount you’re willing to pay the upgrade. Then, you’ll be notified via email if your bid was accepted. From Ocean View and Balcony staterooms to the most expansive suites at sea, the possibilities are endless.

EXPLORE ROYAL UP

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Wondering if you should pick a stateroom that’s forward or aft? We’ve got you covered.

Planning to spend your sea days by the pool? Or maybe you’re most excited about a particular specialty restaurant. Depending on where you plan to spend most of your time, you may have a preference of which venue or part of the ship you prefer to call home. Deck plans vary by ship and can be a helpful tool for picking your stateroom.

If you’re motion sensitive, you’ll want to choose a stateroom that’s lower to the water line and closer to the center of the ship. Layout and location varies by ship, so be sure to check your specific sailing and itinerary.

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10 Smart Reasons to Book an Inside Cabin on a Cruise

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Why Should You Book an Inside Cabin?

If you’re planning a cruise, you might be wondering what inside cabins are like and if they’re right for you. While an inside cabin isn’t for everyone, we’ve done over 20 cruises in inside cabins and have found many reasons to love them.

Now, I’ll admit that as cruises restarted, I had some reservations and worries about being “stuck” in an inside cabin. However, these days this isn’t a concern.

In this post I share 10 reasons to book an inside cabin on a cruise, as well as answer some common questions about inside staterooms that you may have.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  

10 Top Reasons to Book an Inside Cruise Cabin

1. Inside Cabins Are Usually Cheaper

Generally, inside cruise cabins are the least expensive accommodations on a cruise ship. For your vacation dollar, it would be hard to find a better value than this.

These days, balcony cabins can be double the cost of an interior room. If you’re trying to save some money on your cruise vacation, booking an inside cabin is a great way to do it!

2. Sleep Better

Many people who book inside cabins love the fact that they get a really good night’s sleep in a dark, windowless cabin. 

If you’re sensitive to light when you sleep, you might find the lack of light coming in from a window or balcony door a huge benefit of having an inside cabin.

Inside cabins can also be quieter than balcony cabins, where you may hear your neighbors who are outside talking or playing music during the day or night.

3. Being Quarantined in Your Cabin is Unlikely

Are you concerned about getting quarantined in an inside cabin during your cruise? I was too. However, I realize that my worries were probably exaggerated and this is unlikely to happen these days.

Most cruise lines are no longer testing (for many itineraries). They also have various protocols for dealing with positive cases, including cabins designated to quarantine passengers if needed. These cabins are often located in the same area, in many cases close to the medical center.

4. You’re Not in Your Cabin Much

While some people really enjoy spending time in their cabin, especially on a balcony or veranda, others prefer to be out and about enjoying the cruise ship. If you know that you’ll only be in your cabin to eat, sleep and change clothes, than an inside cabin is perfect for you!

Many people who book inside rooms, say that it pushes them to take part in activities and explore the different areas on the cruise ship, from outside decks to restaurants and lounges indoors.

Related:  27 Awesome Things To Do on a Cruise on Sea Days

5. Port Intensive Itineraries

There’s no better time to stay in an inside cabin, then when you’ve booked a port intensive itinerary. If you’re going to be off the ship for several days during your cruise, it may be worth it to book an interior room.

If you’re going on a Mediterranean cruise or port intensive Hawaii itinerary, these may be cruises where you just won’t be on the ship much, and your days will be spend visiting and doing shore excursions .

Related:   What to Pack in Your Cruise Shore Excursion Day Bag

Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner

Regular price: $27 now just $17.

6. Seasickness Less Likely

While booking an inside cabin doesn’t mean that you’ll avoid getting seasick, you may have a better cabin location, which will likely help. Inside cruise cabins can be found on most decks, and you can even book mid-ship cabins at a great price.

If you book a mid-ship cabin on a cruise, you’ll usually have the best chance or preventing seasickness .

Related:   Bonine vs Dramamine: Which is the Best Motion Sickness Medicine on a Cruise

7. Solo Cruisers

Unfortunately solo cruisers usually have to pay for double occupancy when booking a standard cabin. While single berth cabins are available on some cruise ships, they aren’t very common.

Booking an inside cabin is usually the most economical option for solo cruisers , and the benefit is having the extra room and storage space.

Related: Best Cruises For Solo Travelers – Everything You Need To Know

8. Prioritize Cruise Ship Over Cabin

A great reason to book an inside cabin is to be able to cruise for less, on the best cruise ship. While the “best” cruise ship is subjective and might be a luxury cruise to some, and a mega-ship to others, the principal remains.

Booking the cheapest cruise cabin on the very best ship, is the best way to have a top quality cruise, at the lowest price.

If you want the best value, booking an inside cabin on the cruise ship that you really want will be worth it!

9. Cruise more often

No matter your cruise budget, having an inside cabin will help you to save money and cruise more often .

Whether this means taking a cruise once a year, twice a year, or once every couple of years – having an inside cabin is a great way to stretch your vacation dollars.

Related:  How to Save Money on a Cruise: 27 Tips, Tricks & Hacks

10. Functional & Organized

Inside cabins may not be large, but they are great functional cabins that are fairly easy to keep organized. Whether you’re cruising with 2 people, or even a family of 4, with a few cruise cabin hacks , you can optimize your space and have room for everything you need.

Related:   30 Cruise Cabin Hacks Every Cruiser Needs to Know

Video: The Best Reasons to Book an Inside Cruise Cabin

Here’s a video where I share more about booking inside cabins, with up to date information.

Who Should Not Book an Inside Cabin

Inside cabins have a lot of clear advantages. However, there are some times when it’s probably not the best idea to book an inside cabin on a cruise.

If you are claustrophobic

This might be an obvious one, but inside cabins are pretty small and average about 150-160 square feet per cabin. So if you suffer from claustrophobia, you will probably want a window at the very least. The reality is an inside cabin may feel tight on space.

If you are more than 2 people in the cabin

This is different for everyone, but some people won’t like having more than 2 people in a cabin. If you’re 4 people in one cabin, the 3rd and 4th passenger may have pullman beds (like bunk beds coming out of the wall or ceiling) directly above the main bed below.

Some families may prefer one larger balcony cabin, or 2 cabins that are side by side or connecting. Always do a price check as sometimes getting 2 cabins is less expensive than we think.

Related:  20 Ways to Save on Your Family Cruise

If natural light is important to you

We cruised with friends a couple of years ago, and one of our friends had a really hard time getting up in the morning and she was in an interior cabin. We joked about it, but the reality was that she really felt physically better with natural light.

We found this out on a future cruise, when she had an ocean view and noticed a huge difference. She’s sworn, no more inside cabins!

Related:   Port Side vs Starboard on a Cruise – Which Side of the Ship is Best?

Related & Popular Posts:

• 50 Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon
• What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise
• 17 Cruise Ship Cabins to Avoid
• 27 Cruise Travel Hacks Repeat Cruisers Swear By
• Essential Things to Pack in Your Cruise Carry-On
• 30 Cruise Cabin Hacks Every Cruiser Needs to Know

Final Thoughts on Booking an Inside Cabin on a Cruise

We’ve gone over some good reasons to book inside cabin on a cruise. Inside staterooms are a great value and can allow you to cruise more often, for less.

Have you cruised in an inside cabin? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

Let’s connect:

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My first cruise was in an inside cabin. It wasn’t as bad as I thought. My next cruise is for a balcony cabin. This is only because it’s three adult cruising and none of us would be able to sleep on the bunk bed. (Were all bigger people). But these are some very good points! Thank you!

I agree with you. Interior cabins can be surprisingly good. But that sounds like a great reason to book a balcony cabin. There really is nothing like that private quiet balcony space either. Hope you enjoyed it!

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

I like how you mentioned that booking the cheapest cruise cabin in a nice shop is the best way to go on a cruise. My wife and I are wanting to go on a cruise and we were wondering how we can have the best experience possible. I’ll be sure to tell my wife that we should try to book a cheap cruise cabin on a nice ship.

I’m glad you found that point helpful. I would say, do compare the pricing and perks just in case the ocean view or balcony cabins are worth it (sometimes they are).

But if you don’t think you’ll be in your cabin often, definately go with the best cruise ship and itinerary 🙂

Let me know if you need any suggestions and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

We’ve gone on four cruises and had interior cabins on all of them. I prefer to sit on the deck with friends and family than try and be crammed together on someone’s balcony. My BIL and SIL prefer balcony rooms and won’t do an interior cabin. We have been on all different decks (7, 10, 2, and 9). I prefer higher rather than lower but we had to be on deck 2 due to a handicapped family member we were traveling with.

Those are some great points! Some people love the solitude of their own balcony, while others enjoy being out on the open deck. That’s an interesting point about cabin location as well. Thanks for sharing!

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• CruiseMapper

Cruise cabins and suites

Cruise ship rooms, floor plans, photos.

CruiseMapper's cabin and suites section allows you to explore cruise staterooms by ship. Each page provides extensive information on all passengers accommodations on a particular vessel, including floor plans, room types and categories (grades used upon booking), cabin sizes, deck location. Also provided is an extensive review of all ticket price inclusive en-suite amenities, along with furniture details and additional / bonus perks (if available).  

Here you will find brief descriptions by category of all stateroom types that can be found on cruise ship deck plans . You will find more information and many useful tips on staterooms at our best and worst cabins article. Here you can search for a particular ship (via the above search bar) or you can skip the introduction (explanations) and go down directly to our list of large passenger ships' cabin pages .

Cruise staterooms booking rates are usually based on deck location. Lower-deck accommodations are the cheapest. Midship rooms cost more. Balcony staterooms and Suites located aft or forward are the most expensive. Most cruise companies (especially those with large-sized vessels in the fleets) divide the main cabin types into subcategories. These grades are marked with numbers (like for balcony cabins - B1, B2, B3, B4) and are displayed on the deck layouts with different colors.

Cruise ship suites

Cruise suite accommodations are premium grades cabins. They are usually larger in comparison to balcony staterooms and feature more amenities. As a rule, suites have a full-size bathtub, larger shower, bigger closets and balcony (some have 2 private balconies). Amenities include coffee makers, premium sound systems, large-size TVs, complimentary butler service.

Loft Suites (aka Duplex Suites)

Loft Suites are "duplex suites" (on two levels) and available on the world's largest passenger ships of Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class and Quantum-class. The following layout is of Harmony of the Seas and its largest accommodation - the Royal Loft Suite.

Grand Suite

Twin beds in this type of cabin can be joined in a king bed. Grand Suites have also a double sofa bed and large private balcony, sitting area with 2-armchairs and a coffee table, desk, dressing area with vanity, walk-in closet, safe box, TV, phone, refrigerator, mini-bar, private bath with whirlpool tub and shower, patio chair and table, balcony lounge chair, pillow menu, bathrobes, hairdryer. See below the magnificent Oceania Marina ship's Owner Suite plan.

Captain Suite

Captains Suite accommodations have a huge 220 ft2 (20,5 m2) separate bedroom, while the living area is sized 290 ft2 (27 m2). There are 2 upper beds and a sofa bed, private bathroom with whirlpool hot tub and glass shower, safe, TV and phone, mini-bar, bathrobes, hairdryer.

A table and 3 patio chairs are on the balcony.

Owners Suite

Owner's Suites are some of the most luxurious accommodations at sea. They usually feature two separate bedrooms, private balcony (with luxury lounge furniture, even dining area and hot tub), living room (with sofa bed), luxury bathroom (with whirlpool bathtub and separate shower), second bathroom (WC), dining room, dressing area. Some Owner's Suites (like NCL's) can accommodate up to 10 passengers when connected to an adjacent Suite.

Ocean Suite

OS stands for "Ocean Suite" and category SS is "Spa Suite", recently changed to Junior Suite. These cabins have: twin beds that convert to king, sitting area with armchair and coffee table, sofa, dressing area with vanity, large balcony, wall safe, 2 big closets, mini-bar, refrigerator, private whirlpool bath with tub and shower, television and phone, balcony lounge chair, patio chair and table, pillow menu, bathrobes, hairdryer.

2-Bedroom Mozart Suite (largest stateroom on a riverboat)

World's largest accommodation found on a riverboat is Riverside Mozart 's French Balcony Suite. The vessel has two such accommodations, each sized 885 ft2 / 82 m2. Must be noted, that the stateroom is combined with an adjacent French Balcony cabin.

Penthouse Suite

Penthouse Suites have a twin beds configuration (beds can convert to queen). The other features are a large balcony, dressing area with vanity, sitting area with armchair and coffee table, wall safe, mini bar, private bath with whirlpool tub and shower, television and phone, refrigerator, bathrobes and hairdryer. Some cabins are without whirlpool tub, sofa or coffee table.

Balcony staterooms

Most balcony cruise ship cabins feature floor-ceiling sliding glass doors leading to a private step-out veranda. The balcony also is furnished with a table and pair of chairs/loungers. Standard balconies are separated by dividers. As sizes, balcony cabins on cruise ships vary, with those on Princess and NCl ships being among the smallest compared to other big-ship lines. In our cruise deck plans, we also list room sizes and the size of the balcony. Balcony – Apart from the balcony they can offer You twin beds that can be converted to King-size bed. Balconies also provide sitting area with chair and coffee table and private bath with shower, as well as closet/wardrobe, electronic safe box, mini bar, television and phone, sofa, bathrobes, hairdryer. Most verandas are between 30-60 ft2 ( approx 3-6 m2). Below are shown the layouts of the Anthem ship's Deluxe and Accessible balcony cabins.

Premium Balcony

Premium Balcony cabins also have twin beds that convert to King-size, their wraparound balcony enfolds the stateroom. Balcony's windows are often floor-ceiling and wall-to-wall.

Cove Balcony Staterooms

Cove balconies, unlike Balconies, have two patio chairs and a table. The rest of the stuff is identical. First of all-balcony, and again twin beds that convert to king, sofa, private bath with shower, safe, closet, mini bar, television and phone, sitting area with chair and coffee table, bathrobes and hairdryer.

Cove Balcony rooms are CCL-Carnival's specialty, available on some of the "Fun Ships", and are interesting because they are located on lower decks (thus closer to waterline).

Oceanview staterooms

Oceanview cabins: as sizes are similar to Interior staterooms on cruise ships, but each of them has a Porthole or normal window (both types do not open). Their window sizes also vary by line and ship. On some ocean ships and some luxury river ships, such staterooms feature floor-ceiling windows. Oceanview rooms' window sizes are usually 4x3 ft (1,2x0,9 m). As furniture, Oceanview cruise cabins have twin beds that convert to King-size, sofa, TV and phone, sitting area, safe, mini bar, private bath with shower, and also a washroom with sink and a junior tub, bathrobes and a hairdryer and of course a picture window. You should take a look at the cruise ship deck plans again as Cabins of 5A category have two porthole windows. Unlike deluxe, there is no washroom with sink and junior tub. Below are the layouts of Ovation of the Seas Oceanview cabins (categories standard, large, and superior).

Deluxe Oceanview

These cabins have no balconies but still can offer a marvelous view through their picture window as well as twin beds that convert to King-size. However, beds in Category 6N can't be joined (to King) and sleeps max 5 people.

Other amenities include sofabed, TV, phone, seating, safe, mini-bar, a bathroom with shower, a washroom (with junior tub), bathrobes, hairdryer.

Scenic Oceanview

The interior is the same - twin beds convertible to King-size, picture window, sofa, TV, phone, seating, safe, mini-bar, bath with shower, washroom with sink and junior tub, bathrobes, hairdryer.

The difference is that Scenic Oceanviews are larger.

Inside staterooms

Inside cruise ship cabins' best feature is their price - you book them with the line's cheapest rates available. These cruise accommodations don't offer window views. Still, on some of the newest cruise ships of Royal Caribbean and Disney, there are categories Interior staterooms with a "virtual window", which is a large LED screen displaying outside cam views. The screen doesn't have TV functions.

On some Carnival ships, there are Inside cabins with a "French Balcony" (with opening glass doors). Also, some "interior staterooms" are actually Oceanview (with a non-opening window), but since their views are obstructed, they are booked as Interior. On Royal Caribbean ships, some Inside cabins have a window looking out to the ship's interior promenade (street)

Inside cruise cabins are fitted with twin beds (convertible to King or Queen), private bathroom (shower), sitting area. Next are shown the layouts of Interior rooms on Harmony OTS .

Small Interior Stateroom (as the name implies) is the least spacious standard cabin category on cruise ships. These cabins have two beds – (upper and lower), private bath (WC/shower), a small sitting area.

Single cabins (Studios)

Single occupancy staterooms could be either Inside or Balcony. Some river cruise lines even offer single suites (booking with single occupancy rates). The most famous liner having plenty of single cabins (designed specifically for solo travelers) is Norwegian Epic .

This huge vessel has a total of 128 "Studios".

Next are shown layouts of Quantum OTS single-occupancy cabins (balcony and interior).

Connecting cabins (for large families)

The next layout shows RCI's "Family Connected Junior Suite" plan ( Quantum OTS ). Ship's main cabin grades (Balcony, Oceanview, Inside) are all combined here into a 10-person "Family Suite". The layout also shows the exact positioning of furniture, 3 baths (1 with hot tub), large seating area, 2 double-sofabeds, 2 connecting balconies.

How to choose cabins on cruise ships?

If you are planning a cruise, booking a cabin is certainly as important as picking up the cruise line (brand) or the boat. Before you take that decision, consider some issues related to your own personality and the other people traveling with you.

• The first important thing you have to be honest with your conscious is whether you can get seasick .
• Secondly, what type of person you are and what exactly do you intend to do onboard? Are you a party type or you just would like to spend several calm days at sea, away from the office jungle on land. Would you enjoy the pool with its all opportunities for contacts or you would rather have a rest lying at a balcony?
• No matter the stateroom type, it could still be noisy or make you seasick. The more central and lower position your cabin has, the more stable it is.
• In case you and the rest of the family members / friends are thin or you just don't intend to spend too much time in the cabin, you can pick a small one. Usually, staterooms are able to house no more than 4 people. Two passengers pay full fares and the other receive discounted rates.
• If you need stateroom for 4+ passengers, connecting cabins are the best option, and it will cost you less than a suite. Bathtub-fitted cabins are not so many per vessel. All cruise deck plans show such information (bathtub, sofabed, double bed, bunk beds, etc).

Noise issues - which cabins on the ship to avoid?

If you are a party type and louder sounds are not bothering, everything would be OK. If you organize a family voyage, however, you should look for a cabin away from the noisiest areas in the cruise ship deck plans. The first thing to look for in the cruise ship plan is the engine room location. Along with the noises, there are also vibrations.

Staterooms under discos, sport playgrounds, gym centers are usually very noisy. Cabins under Lido Deck (aka Pool Deck) are also among those to avoid. The buffet restaurant on this deck generates noises from moving tables and chairs and tableware. Staircases are also very noisy.

Take a good look at the cruise ship deck plan - room location is crucial!

Cabin's deck location is of great importance. Lower and more central-positioned accommodations are more stable. However, "cool cabins" are usually on higher decks, which means spending more money won't necessarily save you from seasickness.

Stern cabins (aft) have the largest balconies. Forward suites provide the same view as from the Navigation Bridge (wheelhouse). Some cabins are with limited / obstructed seaview due to lifeboats or other equipment.

Guarantee staterooms - take your chance!

If you are not set on selecting something particular and location is not a priority, you should not investigate the cruise ship deck plan so cautiously. The so-called ''guarantee'' cabin grades can turn to be among the best booking options. The "guarantee stateroom" booking allows you to pick up a category, not a cabin. In case the category is sold out you'll be proposed a higher category lodging. The first cabins to be booked are both the cheapest and the most expensive ones, be aware when you choose to test your luck. However, it could be a bit risky so it's more reasonable to get back to the cruise ship deck plans.

Shipboard facilities

If want to cruise with your children you'd better book a stateroom close to kids entertainment facilities. Cruise ship deck plans can once again help you to choose from the many opportunities created to meet passengers' requirements. Spa cabins are recently available for instance. Passengers get free access to the steam room and other connected facilities. These cabins are of course close to the SPA and you can move between in your bathrobe only.

NCL's The Haven and MSC's Yacht Club accommodations are located within an exclusive complex and offer ''ship within ship'' amenities and services. Passengers (who can afford them) enjoy private sundecks with swimming pools and jacuzzis and exclusive facilities like restaurants, bar lounges, gyms and spas.

Prefabricated cruise ship cabin

On May 24, 2016, a new "Lightweight Composite Cabin" design was unveiled in Southampton, England. The innovation was funded by the UK Government. Involved in the cabin's designing, engineering, manufacturing and furbishing were the companies Carnival UK ( Carnival Corporation 's subsidiary), Gurit Ltd (global composite materials supplier), Lloyd's Register Group Ltd (technical / business services, maritime classification company), PE Composites Ltd (composite designer / manufacturer), Trimline Ltd (marine interior refurbishment specialist) and the University of Southampton.

The new modular cabin prototype is half the weight of a typical cruise room. It also fully complies with the FTP Code's requirements (International Code for the Application of Fire Test Procedures). Reducing the ship's topdecks weight is an important issue for naval architects as the trend for building large-capacity cruise vessels continues. The new (prefabricated) module's halved weight opens up opportunities for adding more passenger rooms to newbuild ships, without adding to the ship's DWT weight.

Note: The following list of cruise lines cabins (per ship) includes only CruiseMapper's largest companies' fleets and only ocean-going vessels. For all other vessels (including small-fleet shipping companies , cruiseferries and riverboats ) use the search box at page top .

List of cruise ships with deck plans

Carnival cruise line.

• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Celebration
• Carnival Conquest
• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Elation
• Carnival Firenze
• Carnival Freedom
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Jubilee
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Luminosa
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Mardi Gras
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Pride
• Carnival Radiance
• Carnival Spirit
• Carnival Splendor
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Valor
• Carnival Venezia
• Carnival Vista

Princess Cruises

• Caribbean Princess
• Coral Princess
• Crown Princess
• Diamond Princess
• Discovery Princess
• Emerald Princess
• Enchanted Princess
• Grand Princess
• Island Princess
• Majestic Princess
• Regal Princess
• Royal Princess
• Ruby Princess
• Sapphire Princess
• Sky Princess
• Star Princess
• Sun Princess

Disney Cruise Line

• Disney Destiny
• Disney Dream
• Disney Fantasy
• Disney Magic
• Disney Treasure
• Disney Wish
• Disney Wonder
• Queen Elizabeth
• Queen Mary 2
• Queen Victoria

AIDA Cruises

Viking cruises.

• Viking Jupiter
• Viking Mars
• Viking Neptune
• Viking Octantis
• Viking Orion
• Viking Polaris
• Viking Saturn
• Viking Star
• Viking Vela
• Viking Venus
• Viking Vesta
• Zhao Shang Yi Dun-Viking Sun

Royal Caribbean

• Adventure Of The Seas
• Allure Of The Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Brilliance Of The Seas
• Enchantment Of The Seas
• Explorer Of The Seas
• Freedom Of The Seas
• Grandeur Of The Seas
• Harmony Of The Seas
• Icon Of The Seas
• Independence Of The Seas
• Jewel Of The Seas
• Liberty Of The Seas
• Mariner Of The Seas
• Navigator Of The Seas
• Oasis Of The Seas
• Odyssey Of The Seas
• Ovation Of The Seas
• Quantum Of The Seas
• Radiance Of The Seas
• Rhapsody Of The Seas
• Serenade Of The Seas
• Spectrum Of The Seas
• Star Of The Seas
• Symphony Of The Seas
• Utopia Of The Seas
• Vision Of The Seas
• Voyager Of The Seas
• Wonder Of The Seas

Holland America

• ms Koningsdam
• ms Nieuw Amsterdam
• ms Nieuw Statendam
• ms Oosterdam
• ms Rotterdam
• ms Volendam
• ms Westerdam
• ms Zuiderdam

P&O Cruises

• Pacific Adventure
• Pacific Encounter
• Pacific Explorer

Costa Cruises

• Costa Deliziosa
• Costa Diadema
• Costa Fascinosa
• Costa Favolosa
• Costa Fortuna
• Costa Pacifica
• Costa Serena
• Costa Smeralda
• Costa Toscana

Azamara Cruises

• Azamara Journey
• Azamara Onward
• Azamara Pursuit
• Azamara Quest

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

• Seven Seas Explorer
• Seven Seas Grandeur
• Seven Seas Mariner
• Seven Seas Navigator
• Seven Seas Splendor
• Seven Seas Voyager

Norwegian Cruise Line

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• Cruising / Holland America / Ship Reviews

A Review and Tour of an Inside Cabin on Holland America’s ms Zuiderdam

by Prof. Cruise · Published January 7, 2022 · Updated February 3, 2022

A Tour of an Inside Cabin on ms Zuiderdam

Have you ever done something, thinking “I guess this is better than nothing,” but with time and daylight and further reflection revised your assessment to, “nothing would have been infinitely better.” Such has been my internal dialogue when it comes to the following video tour of my cabin on Holland America’s ms Zuiderdam. 

This is not the polished, professional quality cruise vlog that will finally revive my flailing youtube channel .  No, this is a grainy Prof. Cruise wearing a free t-shirt that shrunk 3 sizes the first time she washed it, recording on the cheapest phone available with her $35 a month Republic Wireless plan, touring a cabin where underwear hanging on the shower clothesline is the least offensive thing you’ll see. 

I use the 3 rd person as I cling to the delusion that I’m not the one who produced and published the cruise vlog equivalent of that time my dog ate and then barfed up an entire bag of Trader Joe’s Thai Lime and Chili Cashews: I mean there were tons of whole, undigested nuts in there, but no amount of rinsing would make them palatable. 

So with that ringing endorsement, here’s a video tour of cabin 8130 on ms Zuiderdam, an inside cabin located on deck 8 aft.  Survive (I’d say enjoy, but, well…)!

Don’t send me your therapy bill if you actually watched that thing – I tried to warn you! Moving on with sincere apologies…

A Tour of a Horizontal Facing Inside Cabin on ms Zuiderdam

Some of you may be booked or considering one of the horizontal facing inside cabins on ms Zuiderdam or one of the other Vista-class ships on Holland America (ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Noordam).  These cabins include numbers:

4011, 4012, 4017, 4018, 4023, 4024, 4029, 4030, 4147, 4148, 4153, 4154, 4157, 4158, 4165, 4168, 4171, 5005, 5008, 5010, 5011, 5017, 5018, 5022, 5023, 5029, 5030, 5034, 5155, 5156, 5161, 5164, 5165, 5166, 6001, 6002, 6007, 6010, 6014, 6015, 6021, 6022, 6027, 6028, 6034, 8118, 8125

Mr. Cruise was booked in one of these (8118), so I captured a quick video so you could see how it’s different (all the details are the same, it’s just a slightly different layout).  I should have had you watch this one first to lure you into a sense of normality.

Inside Cabins on ms Zuiderdam: The Basics

Here’s how the bed in cabin 8130 looked before a ragtag troupe of monkeys celebrated getting fired from the circus in there:

And here’s how the desk area looked:

And the restroom:

The following items and documents were present when we arrived in our stateroom for the first time:

This reusable bag:

Which I took home loaded up with all the extra Kleenex and toilet paper (true story).

These items on the desk (with more detailed photos and descriptions to follow):

Two complimentary mariner cocktails courtesy of the Mariner Society (Holland America’s loyalty program).

The “cocktail” turned out to be sparkling wine. I scored all of the coupons in both our rooms since mom and my son don’t drink and Mr. Cruise bought a drink package. I saved them all up for New Year’s Eve in the dining room and performed auld lang syne in burps (a very effective strategy to encourage social distancing).

Information about Covid and the Navigator App

Good luck, little app, the average age on the Zuiderdam was 100 and that’s only because of my 8 year-old. When he turned 9 onboard, the average increased to 101.

A pile of paper masks

Which I started to work my way through until the Captain announced our ship had positive Covid cases among both crew and passengers and I witnessed hazmat-suited crew members outside the doors of three of my neighbors on deck 8. Then I switched to KN95’s that I decorated to read: Do not enter unless you’re 40,000 daily calories worth of cruise food. Mom wished I’d also allowed a toothbrush in.

Beverages and price list

At least if you get quarantined to your stateroom, you’ll have a nice selection of overpriced beverages (click HERE to see what quarantined passengers ate on our ship).

A luggage mat, reminder, daily schedule, and service card

The luggage mat will serve as a final resting place for the bed bugs who hitched a ride from your pre-cruise budget motel and decided to kill themselves upon discovering they were on a cruise ship during a Covid wave: “What have I done? I’d rather live out eternity in the stomach of a roach!”

The tiny orange card is a time-change reminder. Sadly, it didn’t prevent me from showing up to my excursion an hour early demanding a refund: “It’s 6am, Karen.”

Clearly HAL understands their demographic as paper schedules were still provided on the bed each evening in addition to being available on the Navigator App. Otherwise every Guest Services crew member would fake Covid to avoid yelling this 5,000 times a day: “FIRST YOU HAVE TO TURN ON YOUR PHONE, SIR!”

If you’re sharing a room with your husband for the first time since your honeymoon (43 years ago) because the sounds he makes at night are akin to wild boars during mating season, you’ll want to use this card to request the bed be separated. Also ask for some extra pillows to throw at him or to low-key suffocate him with if it comes to that: “Sorry Fred, but the neighbors rang to ask if an exorcism was being performed in here.”

Things I Loved About my Inside Cabin on ms Zuiderdam

While I’d been spoiled with cheap upgrades to spacious balcony cabins on my prior two cruises and enjoyed the more contemporary decor of the newer NCL and Royal Caribbean ships, there were quite a few things I loved about this scrappy little (and I do mean little) inside cabin on ms Zuiderdam.

Comfortable bedding

I used to think cruise lines made the beds so comfortable so you’d stay in them all day ordering expensive room service and pay-per-view movies. But Holland America blew my theory with their free room service and nice selection of complimentary on-demand flicks. It’s possible I never would have left my stateroom on the Zuiderdam if I didn’t have a kid in a cabin down the hall who expected me to spend Christmas, his birthday, and New Year’s with him (kids are so demanding).

But let me tell you, once mom and I had the bed separated and she stopped practicing for her black belt in karate on me in her sleep, the mattress, comforter, and pillows made for a blissful night’s rest. I woke energized and ready for a marathon (of eating).

Locking nightstands

You’ll note that I never provide a photo of the two chocolates we received from our room steward each evening. That’s because I don’t want mom to know I grabbed them up and locked them in my nightstand before she saw them and ate all 20 on my flight home to Seattle.

Clothesline

Every morning on the Zuiderdam I visited the gym where I slowly pedaled the equivalent of a city block on an exercise bike while binging Netflix downloads on my iPad. Then I wet down my workout clothes and hung them on the clothesline so mom would keep encouraging me to eat a second and third dessert, “you worked up a real sweat at the gym this morning honey, you definitely earned that bread pudding!”

I loved all the little hooks all over that meant I never had to actually put anything away. If it’s hung up, it technically doesn’t count as clutter, right? Although if you want to know the truth, we had so much clutter that we ran out of room for more clutter and had to start hanging things on those hooks or risk spilling out into the hallway.

Medicine Cabinet

I loved this medicine cabinet with a closing door. That way I could hide my 12 tubes of sunscreen and act like I’d been in the Mexican sun before without a losing six layers of skin even after clearing the shelves at Walgreens of Aloe Vera (you may recall the great Aloe Vera shortage of 2016 when I first visited Mexico on a cruise).

These robes are almost nice enough to pass as “gala attire” (which is still a thing on Holland America). I say “almost” because Mr. Cruise forgot to wear pants under his (pants are required for men on gala night). I paired mine with my dressiest Crocs and sailed right past the podium though. (I’m serious about the Crocs – they’re one of my favorite cruise hacks.)

The nice thing about rooming with mom is that she never hogs the outlets. She turned off her phone as we embarked the Zuiderdam and didn’t power it back on until we arrived back in San Diego 10 nights later at which point she opened her e-mail to learn that her flight home had been cancelled and she couldn’t get on another one for at least 2 days. At that point she hastily hugged us goodbye, “toodaloo, suckers!” and sprinted to the Zuiderdam check-in desk to book herself on a back-to-back!

That’s actually not what she did at all – that’s what I’d have done. Instead, she took a shuttle to the hotel Mr. Cruise booked for her with a view of the cruise terminal, didn’t even take a single photo of the cruise ships because she doesn’t really know how to use her camera phone, enjoyed a few extra days exploring around San Diego, and flew home two days later. Clearly mom isn’t addicted to cruising OR technology like her spawn (does 23andMe provide information on where one’s cruising gene comes from?).

But mom’s always up for a cruise, even if it isn’t her first love (sorry, Mr. Cruise) and I never have to share any outlets with her! So I had the four USB and two 3-pronged outlets all to myself on the Zuiderdam!

Bath products

I’m not picky about bath products, I just bum some Head and Shoulders off Mr. Cruise at home and tamp down the frizzies with a baseball cap. But this “Elemis” stuff had me feeling like I should find out what the hell a “blowout” is. I mean, why not go all the way? Next time I’ll know to bring along one of those fake shampoo bottles people use to smuggle booze onto cruise ships. The kind folks at security (who saved the day when I needed to sneak a skateboard onboard – read about that saga HERE ) will be confused as to why I’m smuggling on air though.

You can’t call yourself a cruise lover unless you know at least one person who’s died at the cord of one of those horrible too-short cruise ship hair dryers that permanently attach to the wall. Or if you haven’t sought expensive treatment at the ship’s medical center for carpal tunnel syndrome after having held that darn button down. And then you fall into a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories, “but that one about the cruise lines making money off the hair dryers is TOTALLY true!”

Bonafide cruise lovers will appreciate the hair dryers on the Zuiderdam. They plug into (and more importantly out of) the wall AND have a switch that keeps them on. Maybe you’ll actually go for a dip in the hot tub this time without sporting a shower cap, “Yes, I KNOW this looks ridiculous Fred, but I can’t risk it. Now pass me that bleach shot so I don’t get Covid.”

Things I Didn’t Love About my Inside Cabin on ms Zuiderdam

Confusing switches.

Have you heard that joke about psychologists and light bulbs? Well it turns out that pursuing an education in cruising through a mediocre, b-list blog will prove infinitely more useful than a Ph.D. in psychology earned through an accredited institution of higher learning. Because I’m here to tell you something that 9+ years of post high-school education did not prepare me for: how to operate the light switches on the Zuiderdam. Here’s the thing. The whole panel is black and it looks like there are three switches, but there are really only two. And after 10 days of constantly pushing on the middle part with no resulting illumination as my patience and self confidence continued to deteriorate, I decided that if I were to ever sail on the Zuiderdam again, I’d slap a little sticker on that middle part reminding me not to press on it. Something really dramatic like this :

I’d also use this thing near the door:

as another hook instead of wasting the time it would have taken me to order, watch them be prepared, and eat 15 buffet crepes (that’s pretty much how I measure everything now) trying to figure out what it did.

I thought it might have something to do with the motion sensor-activated light that came on near the bathroom or the small lights under the closets that stayed on all the time (meaning the cabin never got totally dark, which I also didn’t love), but turning the switch to “off” didn’t affect either of those things.

Mini-fridge

And I do mean “mini.” Even if you have your room steward empty it of overpriced convenience beverages, the fridge is too shallow to use for the only thing worth having a mini-fridge for: squelching late-night dessert cravings! Seriously, even the smallest plates and blows from the buffet won’t fit in there and I got charged for a Coke because some filling from an unprotected cream puff contaminated it.

Placement of the trash can

You can probably relate to this one as you’re thinking, “this review is trash” and looking around for the can (you just press the little x at the top of your screen).

The trash can was situated all the way under the desk, completely unaccessible behind the heavy desk chair. Every time I moved it to another spot in the room, my room steward would move it back. I blame him for the untidy condition of our room (actually, if it weren’t for him we probably would have received a visit from one of the hazmat-suited crew members, having nothing to do with Covid).

Cloth shower curtain

The cloth shower curtain in the bathroom was so evil that I didn’t take a photo of it for fear that it would melt my phone (actually it features in that horrible video from earlier if you must see it, I just forgot to snap a still shot). Seriously though, under normal circumstances you’ll get some water leaking out from under the cloth shower curtain onto the floor, so make sure you pick up items you don’t want to get wet. And if you’re ever innocently rinsing out some shorts when you lose control of the removable shower head, that shower curtain will absolutely NOT keep you afloat like Rose on that door. No, you’ll sink with Jack and the Titanic. Seriously, there was so much water sprayed around the bathroom, with that curtain doing nothing to contain it, that I thought the Zuiderdam sinking as a result might be just the thing to make cruising feel safe again (I mean it would shift attention away from Covid, right?).

No wraparound aft balcony

I booked this cabin as a “guarantee” meaning I didn’t get to chose my specific location. So I was thrilled when I was assigned 8130, located all the way aft. When I think “aft cabin,” I think of one of those awesome (sometimes wraparound) aft balconies everyone’s always trying to score. So I was pretty disappointed when I discovered this behind the curtains in my stateroom:

I only included that last one about the balcony, so this one would seem reasonable by comparison.

My favorite feature of my balcony cabin on the Eurodam was the bathtub! And as I peaked into propped-open oceanview and balcony staterooms on the Zuiderdam (who agrees that the only reason to take your kids trick-or-treating is so you can see what your neighbors’ digs look like inside?), they all had them too.

I really missed the bathtub in this inside cabin. Did I pay for it? No. Did I still want it? Yes.

Despite the two tulip paintings on the walls (that only served to remind me that I’ve never taken my kid to our local tulip festival to photograph him frolicking to post on Instagram to level-up my parenting cred), I found the decor in our cabin drab and dated. Now before you have the chance to say, “it takes one to know one, ” I shall declare…

Class Dismissed!

Homework (10 points): Check out my other HAL ship and cabin reviews HERE and go HERE to see HAL menus updated for 2022. And don’t forget to follow Prof. Cruise on social media:

Twitter (@cruiseprof)

Instagram (@profcruise)

TikTok (profcruise)

YouTube (subscribe at your own risk)

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About Prof. Cruise

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.

• I booked a stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, one of the biggest cruise ships.
• For $2,000 a week, the 179-square-foot cabin had a private bathroom, a king-size bed, and a view.
• I thought I'd feel cramped in the room, but it had everything I needed and left no space unused.

In April 2022, I cruised on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas . At the time, it was the largest cruise ship in the world , but the title has since been replaced by Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas .

During my voyage, the ship sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas .

For $2,000, I spent seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom on deck eight. The cruise was on sale, as it was originally priced at $3,000. Take a look inside the 179-square-foot space.

My room was a mid-tier cabin at the front of deck eight.

I booked a mid-tier room — a step above interior staterooms , which have no window. It's a category below staterooms with a balcony , and two steps below a suite.

My cabin was on the same deck as Central Park, an outdoor space with 20,000 plants.

I thought it was the most relaxing area on the ship, so I enjoyed being close by.

When I stepped inside my stateroom, I was surprised at how big it felt.

Right away, I thought the cabin made great use of a small space.

To operate most of the electricity in the room, I had to insert my room key into a slot on the wall.

I appreciated the energy-saving system.

On one side of the room, I had a mirror and a desk with several outlets to charge electronics with USB, American, and European ports.

I thought the desk was useful for eating, as well as storing daily flyers about the day's events.

Next to the desk, a set of drawers included a cabinet with a minifridge inside.

The desk drawers were mostly empty aside from a hair dryer, which I didn't end up using.

Across from the desk, I had a couch positioned in between two closets.

Inside each closet, I found a rack of hangers, shelving, and a small safe. I thought it was plenty of space for a weeklong journey

Next to the couch and desk area, a small bathroom used clever storage hacks, like placing the trash can and toilet paper under the counter.

In the bathroom, there were two glasses, a bar of soap, and a two-in-one hair and body wash.

At the top of the shower, a pullout clothing line was useful for drying my bathing suits.

Each night, my stateroom attendant replenished towels and brought flyers and schedules for the next day.

Sometimes, the towels were folded creatively to look like animals.

I noticed that my king-size bed at the back of the room was actually two twin beds pushed together.

All Royal Caribbean cabins come with this configuration, according to its website , so they may be separated for additional guests. I often woke up in the crevice.

A large flat-screen TV was mounted across from the bed with storage hooks below.

Skinny nightstands on either side of the bed held lamps, charging ports, and a room phone on one side.

Because I booked an ocean-view room, I was able to look out over the front of the ship from a window above my bed.

The window was equipped with an electronic shade that could be opened during the day for grand views and closed when I was ready to sleep.

While I thought the room might have been a tight space for a couple with a lot of luggage or a family, it was just right for me.

And watching the sun rise over the Caribbean Sea from the comfort of my room was the best part.

• Main content

Inside vs. outside cabin: Which affordable cruise room is best for you?

Balcony cabins might be the most popular, but travelers looking to save when booking a cruise are likely deciding whether to choose an inside or an outside cabin. These cabin categories offer the most affordable cruise fares. But you'll need to decide if you can handle an interior room with no porthole or need an exterior cabin with a window to the world.

Do you lose anything by not having a window to the outside world on a cruise? The answer depends on your travel style and budget. Here's a guide to shed some light (literally) on the top two value options of cruising that will help keep your spending at bay while your ship's at sea.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

The similarities between inside and outside cabins

Inside and outside cabins do not differ much beyond the view. Both types feature a bed (either one queen or two twins), a small desk/vanity area and your own private en suite bathroom.

You'll find the same onboard amenities in both interior and exterior cabins, including basic toiletries (soap and shampoo), linens, towels, minifridge, hair dryer, cabin safe, phone, cabin climate control, in-cabin television and access to the ship's Wi-Fi and room service.

You'll also have free rein of all the ship's public spaces, including bars and lounges, pools and sun decks, spa and gym, and restaurants. Neither inside nor outside cabin occupants have access to private spaces — such as the exclusive lounges, restaurants and sun decks reserved for suite guests — unless you're a high-ranking loyalty program member on a ship with special clubs for frequent cruisers.

Depending on the cruise line, you can save even more by letting the cruise line assign your cabin versus picking the specific cabin and location you want.

Inside cabins are a great value play

The main distinguishing factor of an inside cabin is that it's not going to have a view of the sea through a porthole or window. A few ships have gotten creative with virtual windows (LED screens, designed to look like an actual window, that project a view from outside the ship into your room). Because most cruisers prefer a balcony, or at least a window, inside cabins are considered the least desirable cabin option.

Therefore, the cheapest way to cruise is generally in an inside cabin. On all big ships, the base rates you see are for interior rooms. Prices will typically increase for more desirable inside cabins with extra space or in a prime location, and rooms with windows or balconies.

Depending on the ship and the length of your cruise, opting for an interior room can save hundreds of dollars more than a room with a view. For shorter itineraries, like a two-night getaway on Royal Caribbean, you could find an ocean view for $50 more than an inside cabin, while on a seven-night Carnival cruise, you could find savings of $460 when opting for an inside over an outside.

Prices will vary by cruise line, ship, itinerary, the length of your journey and how far in advance you book your cruise, with more savings on the cost per night the longer you sail. While both of these cabin options are among the most affordable options on board, the cheaper inside cabin fares could mean the difference between sailing the high seas or waving bon voyage from the dock.

Top benefits of an interior cabin

Don't be fooled into thinking that inside cabins are awful. For the right cruisers with the right attitude, they can be the perfect option.

Inside rooms offer nearly the same amount of cabin space as ocean-view rooms. Both are much smaller than the hotel rooms you might be used to, but ship designers optimize the space to pack a lot in and make the rooms not feel cramped.

For light sleepers or those who appreciate nodding off without distraction, inside cabins feature the comfort of total darkness. Travelers report getting amazing sleep in these rooms. Just be sure to schedule a wake-up call and set an alarm so you don't miss out on any morning activities or excursions; you won't have any sunlight waking you up naturally.

Consider bringing your own night light, so you can find your way to the bathroom at night. Newer ships often feature "night mode" lighting in cabin bathrooms, offering a soft light on the floor for safely navigating your cabin when the lights are out.

Related: 6 reasons I'm happy booking a windowless 'inside' cabin on a cruise ship

Forget anything you saw in "Titanic"; inside cabin occupants are not considered a lower class of passengers. All non-suite guests are of equal importance on a cruise, regardless of your cabin's location.

Finally, if you're the type of person who spends their vacation time out and about on the ship and in port, only using the cabin to shower and sleep, the money you'll save booking the cheapest room can be used to pay for indulgent spa treatments or fun activities ashore, further enhancing your vacation. If you're on a super-tight budget, these cheap room types give you access to all the shipboard amenities — pools, multiple dining venues, onboard entertainment — so you can actually get away on an incredible tropical vacation.

What you miss without a view on a cruise

Of course, inside cabins do have drawbacks. With no exterior-facing window, you won't get any natural light in your room. This can be difficult for cruisers with sensitive circadian rhythms or who easily feel claustrophobic.

You'll also have no idea what's happening outside. You'll have to head to a public deck to bask in the sunlight or stargaze. Questions about the weather (Is it raining?) or the ship's location (Are we docked yet?) can at least be answered by the cabin TV.

The best inside cabins

Not all inside rooms are created equal, and there are a few cruise lines of note that have made the interior feel superior.

Royal Caribbean 's industry-leading Virtual Balcony cabin offers a real-time, full-wall LED screen that simulcasts the outside view and sounds. The interior screens can be found on select ships throughout Royal Caribbean's fleet.

Disney Cruise Line offers a similar touch in its inside cabins. The line's Magical Portholes offer a real-time simulcast view of the ship's surroundings via a circular screen tricked out to look like a ship's porthole. Linger long enough, and you'll find playful appearances from animated Disney characters.

Norwegian Cruise Line 's compact 100-square-foot single studios are perfect interior enclaves that are only available for solo travelers and priced accordingly (without the common single-supplement fee). These space-efficient staterooms utilize every inch of the cabin with a full-size bed, ample storage and an en suite bathroom. The best benefit of cruising in one of Norwegian's studios is access to the ship's Studio Lounge, where you'll find a nice opportunity to mingle with other single travelers.

Related: Ultimate guide to choosing a cabin on a cruise ship

The best benefits of an outside cabin

There's real romance in whiling the days away at sea, staring out at the endless ocean horizon, basking in the light of the sun or drifting to sleep under the glow of the moon. An outside cabin will offer either a circular porthole or rectangular picture window for your ocean-viewing pleasure.

Most cruisers enjoy the natural sunlight that pours into a small cabin through the window, but the view outside is hard to beat. You might spot dolphins, whales or birds right outside your cabin. If your cruise is traveling through any scenic routes (say Alaska or the Norwegian fjords), you can admire the vistas from bed without having to seek out a public deck. On port days, you're able to watch as the ship docks and get a lay of the land firsthand.

On some ships, you'll find the square footage of exterior cabins to be slightly larger than inside cabins, with cozy seating areas. Some even feature proper sitting spaces in front of the window, such as a built-in plush bench or an alcove in the recessed window.

Related: The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship

The downsides of paying more for a window

Just because you've paid more for a view doesn't necessarily mean that view will be worth it. The location of the cabin will determine just how much you can see. If you're too close to sea level, the waves may perpetually douse the window. If your window is behind a lifeboat, you might not see much of anything at all. Partially obstructed or fully obstructed outside cabins will often get you a lower rate than rooms with better views.

Some cabins have a view of outdoor walkways or observation decks that are open to all guests on board; we've seen those on ships in Carnival's Vista class . Cabins facing public areas are tinted, so you're unable to see in during the day, but at night, passengers are encouraged to close their curtains for privacy.

Keep in mind that windows on cruise ship cabins do not open, so there's no opportunity to get any breeze of the fresh ocean air. If you prefer easy access to sea breezes and a private outdoor sitting space, you'll need to pay more for a cabin with a balcony.

In fact, private balconies have become so popular that new ships are being built with fewer window rooms. The ship designers add balconies to every outside cabin they can. If you want to sail on a new ship and save by booking an outside room instead of a balcony, you may have trouble finding available cabins unless you book early.

The best outside cabins

Virgin Voyages ' sea-view cabins are among the best-in-class porthole cabins. The rooms have a modern yet comfortable feel and offer a plush ledge for gazing out the porthole window.

Celebrity Cruises ' Edge class features three ocean-view options, starting with the budget-friendly standard ocean-view cabins with a porthole set behind a recessed sitting ledge. Consider a nominal upgrade in price to the line's deluxe ocean-view cabins (on some itineraries you'll pay just $47 more per person), where large floor-to-ceiling windows fill the room with light.

Related: Why it pays to upgrade your cruise cabin

Bottom line: Inside vs. outside cabin

Whether an inside or outside cabin is best for you depends on how you intend to spend your time on the ship. Cruise lines excel at getting you out of your cabin and into the action on the ship or in the port. Schedules are filled with myriad activities in and around the ship to keep you occupied, so it is more than possible to use your cabin simply for sleeping.

When to choose an inside cabin

If you're deciding whether or not you can afford to sail, an inside cabin will give you the opportunity to take a vacation at sea and enjoy all the complimentary activities a cruise ship has to offer. Inside cabins are also best for travelers who love to sleep in total darkness or who spend little time in their rooms on board (and prefer to save their money for other travel expenses like drink packages or shore excursions).

When to choose an outside cabin

If you want a budget option for accessing ocean views and watching the world pass by from the comfort of your bed, an outside cabin is your best bet. Or, if you want natural light in your room but plan on taking in most of the scenic panoramas from the ship's upper decks with 360-degree views instead of your private balcony, an outside cabin will give you what you need without costing extra.

Regardless of which room you choose, you'll have access to all the amenities of your cruise ship — plus comfortable transportation to incredible destinations — for a more affordable price. In that way, you can't really go wrong.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Everything you need to know about MSC Cruises cabins and suites

A relative newcomer in the North American market, MSC Cruises is equal parts elegant and kitschy. The line tends to appeal to a wide swath of cruisers, from Europeans who like to party into the wee hours of the morning to American families who book because of affordable fares and "kids sail free" pricing.

To satisfy its diverse passenger base, MSC offers accommodations to fit all types of travelers. Rooms include inexpensive inside cabins that sleep two people, midlevel staterooms with windows and balconies, and high-end suites that offer cruisers with larger budgets a private oasis in the form of the MSC Yacht Club .

A variety of connecting rooms and cabins with extra bunks accommodate larger groups and families who wish to share space.

Because your cruise cabin will be your home away from home for several days, it's important to book one that fits your needs. That's especially true if you're sharing it with several people.

Whether you're looking at an inside cabin for a cruise with friends, balcony accommodations for you and your significant other or a suite for your family, here TPG breaks down what you can expect when you book a room on one of MSC's ships.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

MSC Cruises cabin primer

MSC Cruises has become one of the fastest-growing lines in the cruise industry, with about two dozen ships in its fleet. The vessels fall into six classes : Lirica, Musica, Fantasia, Meraviglia, Seaside and World.

Although cabin offerings can vary from ship to ship and class to class, the standard types remain the same: inside, outside, balcony and suite.

Additionally, you'll find the same basic amenities in each room, unless otherwise noted below. They include two twin beds that can be joined to form a queen- or king-size bed; an in-cabin bathroom with a shower, a sink, a toilet and basic soap, shower gel and shampoo; a couple of nightstands; a chair or sofa; a desk/vanity; a closet; a safe; a hair dryer; a minifridge; a phone; USB outlets and a selection of both North American and European outlets.

On all ships except MSC Lirica, MSC Opera, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia, you'll also find an interactive TV that allows you to view the daily schedule, check your onboard account and choose from a selection of live TV programs and movies.

Twice-daily room tidying is provided by a room steward assigned to each cabin, and room service is available throughout the day for an added fee.

One confusing aspect of MSC's bookings is that you'll have to select an experience package in addition to a cabin type. Package tiers determine things like your ability to choose a specific cabin and preferred dining time and whether you'll receive welcome amenities in your room. Certain cabin types are only available in conjunction with certain package experiences and vice versa. Those are noted in each respective section below.

Accessible cabins , including accommodations for wheelchair users, are available on every ship in MSC's fleet. In addition to more space, they feature wider doorways and lowered sinks and toilets in the bathrooms, as well as grab bars.

MSC Cruises' experience packages

Here's what you get when you book each of MSC's three experience packages, which determine the perks you'll receive on your sailing.

• Accommodations
• Complimentary food in the dining room and buffet
• Broadway-style theater entertainment
• Access to the onboard gym, pool and kids club
• MSC Voyagers Club points
• One for-fee change to your cruise booking (with some restrictions)
• Drink package discount at time of booking
• All Bella perks
• Choice of specific cabin and location
• One free change to your cruise booking (with some restrictions)
• Ability to choose between early and late seating for dinner
• Room service (complimentary for breakfast, but fees apply for other meals)
• Discount on pre-cruise specialty dining package
• All Fantastica and Bella perks
• Flexible My Choice dining, which lets you eat at any time you choose between set hours
• Free 24-hour room service delivery
• Pillow menu
• A welcome package, including Prosecco and chocolates
• Complimentary access to your ship's solarium and thermal area
• A 10% discount on all spa treatments purchased on board
• Special Balinese massage offer when booked pre-cruise
• Complimentary use of bathrobe and slippers
• Priority boarding and luggage drop-off

Inside cabins on MSC Cruises ships

Inside cabins — rooms with no windows — are available on all ships in the MSC fleet. Ranging from 140 to 301 square feet (depending on the ship), they make for great sleeping because they're so dark. They're also ideal for passengers who are on a budget.

In addition to the standard amenities mentioned above, they provide room for anywhere from two to four passengers to sleep. (Rooms that sleep more than two feature bunks that pull down from the ceiling.)

These cabins are available with the line's Bella and Fantastica experiences.

If you're sailing solo, some MSC vessels offer cabins for one outfitted with a twin bed that converts into a couch. These interior studio accommodations are only available with the Bella package on MSC Meraviglia , MSC Bellissima and the line's World Class ships.

Ocean-view cabins on MSC Cruises ships

Ocean-view rooms are similar to insides in that they provide basic amenities — but with a view.

Offering 129 to 269 square feet of space (depending on the specific ship and ocean-view category), these staterooms allow you to see outside through a porthole or a window that doesn't open.

MSC's outside cabins are available to passengers who book Bella and Fantastica packages.

Additionally, if you're traveling with your family or another group, several of MSC Cruises' ships — particularly those in the Meraviglia and Seaside classes — feature space for as many as 10 passengers via a series of connecting rooms. Options are available at the ocean-view and balcony levels.

Balcony cabins on MSC Cruises ships

You might be surprised to discover that most of MSC Cruises' balcony cabins provide less interior square footage than what's available in inside or ocean-view staterooms.

Balcony rooms run anywhere from 129 to 205 square feet, but their key feature is, of course, a private balcony, which does add an extra 32 to 129 square feet, depending on the vessel and specific type of balcony room booked. These cabins are bookable in conjunction with MSC's Bella, Fantastica and Aurea experiences.

Although balcony cabins offer upgraded amenities, including MSC's brand of hand lotion and toiletries, they are largely the same as inside and ocean-view accommodations.

MSC's newest ships — including those in the Meraviglia, Seaside and World Classes — house connecting balcony rooms that can sleep up to 10 in the same group traveling together.

Additionally, on its World Class ships, the line has introduced inward-facing balconies, similar to the ones Royal Caribbean pioneered in 2009 with the debut of its Oasis Class vessels . On World Europa, for example, they overlook the ship's promenade, offering views of the activity below, rather than the ocean.

MSC Cruises suites

All ships in MSC's fleet have suites that can be booked as part of the Fantastica and Aurea packages, but it's Aurea that offers the largest number of perks, as outlined above.

The several types of suites vary by ship in terms of size and amenities. Some come with balconies, while others only offer floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows.

Junior Suites

Although this room type is listed as a suite, it's essentially a balcony cabin with a bit more space — 183 square feet of interior accommodation with a balcony that ranges from 140 to 183 square feet.

Standard suites include rooms with huge balconies larger than the cabin's interior space and ones with private whirlpool tubs. They run from 269 to 355 square feet, with balconies measuring 32 to 409 square feet.

Grand Suites

Coming in between 377 and 420 square feet, with balconies spanning from 32 to 495 square feet, Grand Suites — found on Seaside and World Class ships — come in two types. They include standard one-bedroom Grand Suites, as well as two-bedroom varieties.

The latter has one bedroom with a queen-size bed and another with two twins. It sleeps up to five passengers and offers two bathrooms — one with a shower and the other with a bathtub.

While most suites are designed for double occupancy, some suite accommodations on MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Magnifica can sleep up to five people.

MSC Yacht Club suites on MSC ships

All cabins located in the MSC Yacht Club — an exclusive, gated area on select ships — are called suites, even the smallest and least expensive, which don't have windows or balconies.

Yacht Club suite types range from insides to two-deck duplexes, all of which come with butler and concierge services, luxuriously appointed furnishings (such as real marble finishes, memory foam mattresses and Egyptian cotton sheets) and access to members-only restaurants, bars (alcohol is free there), lounges, pools and sun decks.

The Yacht Club features seven different types of rooms. Ships that have the MSC Yacht Club on board include MSC Bellissima, MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Seaside, MSC Seascape, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore, MSC Splendida, MSC Virtuosa and MSC World Europa.

Note: Not all Yacht Clubs have the same suite types available.

MSC Yacht Club Interior Suites

Although these 161- to 226-square-foot cabins don't offer a view or fresh air, they are elegantly decorated and include all the Yacht Club benefits mentioned above.

MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suites

These Yacht Club digs are the equivalent of a balcony cabin — but in a dedicated area that includes all the exclusive perks. They run 236 to 366 square feet and have balconies ranging from 54 to 86 square feet, so they also come with a bit more space, both inside and outdoors.

MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Grand Suites

Similarly, Deluxe Grand Suites are like the Yacht Club equivalent of booking a Grand Suite with more perks. Depending on the ship, they offer anywhere from 269 to 463 square feet of space, plus 65- to 129-square-foot balconies. Some Grand Suites also have two bedrooms instead of one. Further, these rooms on Seaside Class ships include bathrooms with bathtubs, as well as separate living areas.

MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suites

Rising two decks, MSC's duplex staterooms measure 495 to 635 square feet and come with 65- to 334-square-foot balconies. They feature living rooms with two-person sofa beds downstairs and master bedrooms upstairs, which also sleep two passengers.

Each of these accommodations comes complete with two walk-in closets and two bathrooms — one with a bathtub and one with a shower. Most duplexes on Meraviglia and World Class ships also have their own private whirlpool tubs.

MSC Yacht Club Executive and Family Suites

The line's Executive and Family Suites, available only on Fantasia Class vessels, are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to stay in the Yacht Club with a family or other group of more than two people.

This option, which is one type of suite (despite its confusing name), has space for up to five cruisers via a combination of bunk beds, sofa beds and beds that pull down from the ceiling, depending on the ship. The suites clock in at around 431 to 549 square feet, depending on the vessel.

The only drawback is that these staterooms have no balconies and no in-room dining areas, but they do include all the perks you'd find in Yacht Club cabins.

MSC Yacht Club Royal Suites

Although they only occupy one level, at 388 to 667 square feet, MSC's Yacht Club Royal Suites are right up there with the Duplex Suites in terms of space. They offer the second-largest amount of square footage after the Owner's Suites. They come with huge balconies comprising 355 to 753 square feet of outdoor area.

Additionally, bathrooms in these suites offer bathtubs on Fantasia, Meraviglia, Seaside and World Class ships, and the latter three have private whirlpool tubs, as well. All four classes' Royal Suites also include separate living room areas.

MSC Yacht Club Owner's Suites

The largest and most impressive of all MSC's cabins are the Owner's Suites found in the Yacht Club. Offering an impressive 840 to 1,119 square feet — larger than some land-based apartments — plus 269- to 670-square-foot balconies, they're some of the most luxurious rooms afloat.

Specific amenities vary by ship, but as an example, Owner's Suites on MSC World Europa offer floor-to-ceiling windows and walk-in closets. These accommodations on both the line's Seaside and World Class vessels also feature bathrooms with separate showers and bathtubs, as well as private whirlpool tubs and separate living room areas.

Bottom line

Although MSC Cruises' cabin types are straightforward, the line's add-on experiences can complicate things a bit.

Overall, what's key to remember is that MSC Cruises offers a wide variety of rooms and pricing to meet just about any budget or style of cruising. Each ship will offer accommodation choices from the least expensive, bare-bones interior rooms to the priciest suites, which come with butler and concierge services.

When you sail with MSC Cruises, you can expect function, style and comfort, regardless of the cabin type you book.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Inside the bougie cruise ship where guests are served 24-hour champagne and caviar

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If you’ve been addicted to TikTok’s nine month cruise , and scrolled through pictures of the world’s largest cruise ship , you’re going to want to know about this oh-so- bougie offering, where guests are treated to the ultimate spa experience at sea.

First launched on the luxury liner, Silver Dawn, by Silversea Cruises, the ‘spa concept’ is said to be inspired by the lavish lifestyle of the Roman elite .

And while you’re not about to enter into a world of gladiators, feasts and orgies, it is all rather indulgent.

In fact, the concept was originally inspired by the pandemic: a chance for instant, decadent gratification, after literal years of being locked away inside.

The Otium Spa (Latin for ‘free time’), offers 100 minute-long signature treatments. Yep, 100 whole minutes where you’re kneaded and prodded into the land of ultimate relaxation.

Their treatment menu includes The Otium, a massage involving a mix of oils infused with shea butter, raspberry and chamomile. The Appollonian Spirit will ease tired muscles, and the Divine Experience includes a scalp, neck, shoulder and hand massage.

You’ll need deep pockets though, as each of these treatments cost a whopping $399. You can also get a little tweakment on board too, with wrinkle and dermal filler treatments meaning you could return to land looking 10 years younger.

And, as you hop from thermal spa to steam room to aromatherapy bath, you can enjoy champagne and caviar, 24 hours a day. It’d be rude not to.

There’s also cocktails, macarons, and chocolates on offer, and you’ll find fresh fruit and infused waters if you want to err on the side of healthy. The soothing music played throughout is also inspired by ancient Rome.

Want to win a cruising holiday for 2?

Do you love cruising? Are you an intrepid traveller? Maybe you just like looking at pictures of luxe ships. No matter which, we want you to vote!

Metro has partnered with the Sailawaze Excellence Awards , highlighting the very best in cruising when it comes to sustainability, wellness, entertainment and beyond.

And we need YOU to simply select what you’ve been most impressed by.

The best bit? By voting you’ll automatically be in with a chance of winning a cruise for two worth £2,500.

Say bon voyage to the more traditional categories of 'best large ship' or 'best luxury cruise line' and instead ahoy to innovation, food and drink and showstopping performances.

Vote for your favourite here .

But don’t think the Roman-esque vibes stop once you leave the spa.

Back in your cabin, there’s the Otium balcony experience. On chilly days, guests can order cashmere blankets and hot chocolate from their personal butler to be enjoyed on their veranda.

There’s also the ‘food and chill’ experience, where your brings comfort food to your door. But this isn’t Doritos, dip and a dairy milk. The comfort food menu includes foie gras burgers and lobster on brioche.

And, when it’s time for bed, you can choose a pillow from a vast menu, curl up on 400 thread-count Egyptian cotton linens, and if you want to go all out, you can ask your butler to fill them room with their signature ‘sleeping scent’. We’re feeling dozy already.

The Otium spa is available on three Silversea ships: Silver Dawn and Silver Nova. And of course, a luxury experience comes with a price tag.

The cheapest available voyage on the Silver Nova goes from Seward (Alaska) to Canada, for seven days and costs £2,950 per person (excluding off shore experiences).

On Silver Nova, the cheapest cruise goes from Stockholm to Copenhagen (or you can do the same trip in reverse) for £5,750 per person for seven days, taking in sites in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland along the way.

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