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Home / CRUISES / FAMILY CRUISES / It's not quite as horrible as you imagine: I'm content to reserve a windowless

It's not quite as horrible as you imagine: I'm content to reserve a windowless

2023-01-19  Sophia Zackary

cabin
Please note that this is a periodic topic that will be frequently updated with fresh content and new opportunities.

My preference for rooms that include balconies is well-known to those who read my blog regularly. There is nothing quite like being able to step out onto a balcony on a ship to take in the clean air of the open ocean, as I mentioned in a recent piece I wrote about the topic.

However, this does not mean that I would refuse the opportunity to stay in a cabin that does not have a balcony. There are occasions when I will reserve a stateroom on a cruise ship that does not have a window. These are referred to as "internal" cabins in the cruise industry.

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If you have never been on a cruise before, you may be unaware that there is such a thing as a stateroom that does not have a window. However, there is, and the frequency with which they occur is extremely high. There are hundreds of cabins on board most ships run by major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line that do not have windows.

People who are accustomed to staying in motels on land may find the idea practically incomprehensible to consider. After all, there aren't that many hotels that have hundreds of rooms that are windowless, and those that do exist are rare. Even if they were, we have a feeling that they wouldn't be very popular with consumers.

On the other hand, it's not unfair to state that the cabins on cruise ships each have their unique peculiarities.

The positive aspect of a certain situation


The concept of staying in an inside cabin is not worth considering for any number of reasons, not the least of which is the absence of windows.

Inside cabins are so-called because they are typically situated toward the middle of ships, away from the external walls. In addition to not providing any kind of view of the outside world, inside cabins are also typically the smallest cabins available on any cruise ship. Many are barely larger than a pinhead. This latter aspect is a potential deal breaker for many passengers on cruise ships.

But inside cabins come with their own set of benefits as well. To begin, inner accommodations are typically available at a far more wallet-friendly price point compared to ocean-view cabins. They also provide a kind of "less is more" minimalism, which can appeal to a demographic that prefers to keep things simple.

Related: some reasons why you might want to reconsider accepting that upgraded cabin

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Even though there is nothing in the way of a view, there are times when, at least in my opinion, it is perfectly acceptable to stay in a cabin that is both inexpensive and somewhat small in size.

After all, I don't take cruises to spend a lot of time inside my cabin for the most part. I, like the majority of people who go on cruises, board ships to take advantage of everything they have to offer in the public areas of the ship and to discover the many amazing destinations to which they travel.

In this light, does it make a difference if the bedroom in which I will spend each night is a large and luxurious one?

Related: The five stateroom positions that cruise passengers covet the most on any ship

A famous travel guidebook author and the creator of a travel handbook publishing company named Arthur Frommer once said, "The majority of the time you're in your room while you're on vacation, your eyes are closed."

During our conversation about his favourite hotel rooms many years ago, Frommer shared that insight with me. He believed that spending large quantities of money on opulent accommodations was a waste of money. His remarks have stayed with me throughout the years, and I can now see the wisdom in them.

Here are six reasons why you should give the least costly interior cabins on any cruise ship significant consideration before making a reservation.

You'll save money.


One might certainly say that this is the primary draw of an indoor cabin. They have the potential to be an amazing bargain.

When this article was written, the cost of an inside stateroom on a seven-day Royal Caribbean cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale in October 2024 was, for example, approximately forty per cent cheaper than the cost of a balcony cabin on the same itinerary. There was a significant price difference between the inner cabins and the least costly suite, with the inside cabins costing far less.

If you were willing to stay in an inside stateroom, Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, which is loaded with amenities and departs from Galveston on October 11, 2024, could be yours for just $526 per person, not including taxes and fees. This price is based on the cruise only. That comes up to a daily cost of only $75.

In related news, here is all you need to know about the cabins on Royal Caribbean.

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It is important to keep in mind that all of Freedom of the Seas' major attractions, ranging from a sprawling waterpark on the top deck to an indoor ice-skating rink and a giant theatre with Broadway-style shows, are open to everyone staying on board, regardless of the size of their cabin. This includes those staying in the smallest cabins as well as the largest ones. Also, open for business are the vast majority of the ship's restaurants, bars, and lounges.

You will have almost the same onboard experience as someone who pays a much higher amount for a more luxurious cabin, but it will only cost you a fraction of what they do because you will have to sleep in a room that is both smaller and windowless.

You'll sleep like a baby.


There is no darkness in the world as dark as the darkness that you experience when you are inside a cabin. The moment you switch out the lights, it will be completely dark – the kind of blackness that is so profound that it is almost unsettling to think about.

Someone who is accustomed to having at least a little moonlight get into their bedroom when they are at home may find this to be a bit disconcerting. On the other hand, if you're the type of person who has difficulties sleeping in the presence of any kind of light disturbance, an inside cabin can be absolute heaven for you. You won't have to go to bed worrying that the sun would wake you up too early in the morning because it will be able to seep through your curtains. And there won't even be a problem with the moonlight.

Related: 8 stateroom locations on cruise ships that passengers should steer clear of at all costs

When travelling to the far north during the summer solstice, when the sun is still up for most of the day (if not all of it), inside cottages may be more enticing than their outside counterparts. We're talking about regions like Alaska and the coasts of Norway and Norway, as well as the areas around Iceland and Greenland. The same holds if you are planning to sail very far south during the winter, to locations such as Antarctica or the more southern regions of South America.

You will have more time to relax and enjoy the ship.


If you really want to have a good time on a cruise, you need to take advantage of everything the ship has to offer and throw yourself into it. You have no choice but to scale the rock wall if it is present. Karaoke? Prepare to perform a song. Experience everything there has to offer, from the water slides to the late-night comedy shows. You will, of course, need to leave your room to accomplish this task. And having a room that does not have enough space for you to move around in or even a window is not the best way to motivate yourself to leave your room.

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I find that I am more likely to get up and go early on days when I book an indoor cabin. Instead of ordering breakfast from room service, I'm going to go to a restaurant on the ship that has a nice view, and then I'm going to spend more time than normal in the morning exploring the ship. I plan to spend the daylight hours playing on the upper decks of the ship and the evening hours staying out late in various pubs, lounges, and showrooms throughout the ship.

Related: seven justifications for why you should spring for a suite on your next vacation

Inside cabins provide you with little more than a confined and dimly lit space to lay your head each night, but they can be exactly the motivation you need to make the most out of your cruise trip.

You may feel less seasick.


Concerned that you might get seasick on your upcoming vacation?

On a cruise ship, the most secure location is low on the vessel near its equilibrium point, which is typically located near the ship's centre. It is possible that interior cabins, which are located closer to the ship's core than "outside" ocean-view and balcony cabins, are more stable when the ship is sailing through severe seas. The key is to locate an interior cabin that is closer to the ship's centre in both dimensions (lengthwise and widthwise), as this will give you the most privacy.

For the record, the rebuttal to this claim is that you can't stare at the horizon when you're inside a cabin, which is a regular piece of advice given to individuals who are feeling seasick. You also won't have access to outside air like you would in a balcony cabin because there won't be one.

If you're solo, you might avoid extra fees.


The vast majority of cruise ship cabins are intended to accommodate two passengers, each of whom pays their fare; single passengers who wish to stay in a cabin typically need to pay an additional cost to do so. On certain ships, though, you can book a one-person interior cabin that has been specially created for that purpose. If you are travelling by yourself and want to stay in one of these unique cabins, you can avoid paying the additional "single supplement" cost that is charged to businesses that cater to solo travellers.

Norwegian, a company that has been at the forefront of the trend toward solo cabins, currently has hundreds of inside cabins for solo visitors that are split throughout a half-dozen vessels.

Related: 15 ways in which cruisers throw away their money while on vacation

Even though Norwegian's single staterooms feature windows, guests will find that they look out onto the ship's halls rather than the ocean. In addition, they are very small, measuring around 100 square feet. But in addition to that, they have been brilliantly constructed to make the most of the available storage space, and they are arranged in clusters around special lounges where solitary travellers may mix and mingle at daily happy hour get-togethers.

Other cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Cunard, and Holland America, have also begun adding solitary cabins to some of their ships; the majority of these cabins are located within the ship.

There are a few ocean-view accommodations in the industry that are created specifically for lone travellers, but they are extremely uncommon.

There is a chance that you will still have an ocean view (with a twist)


Because of the wonders of modern technology, certain forward-thinking cruise ships have interior cabins that do not have windows but provide a glimpse of the outside world.

Some of the inside cabins on Disney's two newest ships, the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, come equipped with "magical portholes" that provide live views of the ocean and surrounding landscape. They provide the impression that there is a porthole view, but in reality, they are screens that are placed into the walls of the cabin.

Inside staterooms on select Royal Caribbean ships now include spacious "virtual balconies" thanks to an innovative new amenity introduced by the cruise line. Built into the walls of the cabins in such a way that they give the appearance of a balcony, these are floor-to-ceiling LED screens that display real-time images of the outside.

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If you think this concept is a little far-fetched, you're right. However, I have experienced these cabins firsthand, and the illusion is quite accurate. The installation of the screens has had a significant impact on the atmosphere of the rooms. The Disney staterooms are especially entertaining because guests may catch a glimpse of their favourite Disney characters in the spectacular portholes. They are going to have a great time, especially if you bring younger children with you.

Making plans for a cruise? You can get started with these tales:

An overview of the most well-known cruise lines in the industry

  • 21 helpful hints and suggestions that will make your trip more enjoyable.
  • 15 reasons why cruisers are a money pit.
  • 12 of the best cruises for those who don't want to get older ever.
  • What to bring on your very first trip at sea

The best manual for picking a cabin on a cruise ship


2023-01-19  Sophia Zackary