inside cabins on cruise ships

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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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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.

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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

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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?

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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!

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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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Inside cabin vs. balcony room: Which cruise cabin category should you choose?

Many cruise planning decisions come down to cost — and which cabin you choose has one of the biggest impacts on your bottom line. If price is an issue, you'll likely find yourself with the dilemma of whether to book an inside cabin or a balcony cabin. The choice isn't always easy.

For travelers cruising on a budget, a windowless inside cabin may be an excellent option. These cabins are the most economical accommodations, yet they still provide access to all the complimentary dining venues, entertainment, pools and other public areas on the ship. But will you be happy in a room without a view?

Balcony cabins are the most popular cabin type, offering access to more living space, sunset views and ocean breezes from your private veranda. These accommodations are more affordable than fancy suites, but can cost as much as 50% to 100% more than interior cabins, depending on the length and destination of the voyage. Is the higher fare worth it?

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

If you're trying to decide which accommodations to choose, here's what you need to know to make the choice between a windowless inside room and a more spacious yet expensive balcony cabin.

Are there differences between inside and balcony cabins regarding size and amenities?

The main difference is that balcony cabins are typically larger — with most, but not all, of the extra square footage going to the veranda. The cabin's outer wall will be floor-to-ceiling windows with a door that leads to an additional seating area outside; the seating area usually consists of two chairs with a small table between them. An inside cabin has no window or access to natural light or fresh air.

Both standard inside and balcony categories are designed for double occupancy, but some rooms in either category can sleep up to four. The cabins will have two twin beds that can convert into one queen-size bed, a small desk or vanity with a mirror and chair, and a private bathroom. Some rooms will also have a small sofa that may be a pullout bed to accommodate additional guests.

Other amenities such as a closet, a flat-screen television, a minifridge, a personal safe, a hair dryer and bathroom toiletries will be similar.

Related: The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship

Is a balcony more important on certain sailings?

If you're going on a shorter cruise — such as a three-night sailing in the Caribbean — an inside cabin may be a perfect and affordable option. You'll likely be sipping mai tais poolside or heading ashore to the cruise line's private island during the days, so you won't be in the room other than to sleep and freshen up for the evening.

If you aren't spending much time in the room, it probably won't matter if you have less space and no balcony. You can still see the sunset or watch the ship pulling into port by heading upstairs and taking in the views from the pool deck. Save the extra money to splurge on dinner and a bottle of wine at the steakhouse or a tour in port.

If you're on a longer sailing in a destination such as the Mediterranean and have several days at sea — and plan to spend time in your cabin during your cruise — then you probably want the extra space and the view. It's nice to open the door to have the fresh air if it's cooler outside. You might also enjoy seeing the coastline or cities as you pull into port — without having to go upstairs to view the scenery with everyone else.

You'll also be able to sit outdoors, have a glass of wine or read a book in private. You can order room service and enjoy a quiet breakfast or dinner on the veranda. It's a nice change of pace from going to the bustling lounges for a cocktail or to the restaurants for a meal.

If you don't feel well and are confined to your room, you'll appreciate the larger accommodation and the option to sit outside on the balcony.

Balcony cabins offer excellent viewing opportunities if you're cruising in scenic places like Alaska and sailing through Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve . While you may not be guaranteed all the best views from your veranda — as they may be on the other side of the ship — you can skip the crowds on the top decks and gaze out at the majestic snowcapped mountains and surreal blue glaciers from your private terrace.

Related: Why it pays to upgrade your cruise ship cabin

Should my travel party determine which cabin I choose?

Suppose you're sailing with your spouse, significant other or best friend. In that case, you'll probably have enough space for two people to be comfortable in an interior cabin, especially if you're busy on and off the ship — and it's a short cruise. On a longer sailing, you might use a balcony for alone time with your sweetie or for heart-to-hearts with your bestie — away from the crowded public decks.

If it's an extended cruise and you're sailing with kids, it might be a challenge to stay in a standard interior cabin as a family and remain sane after a week . You might find larger inside cabins offer more space and better sleeping accommodations with a pullout sofa bed or bunk beds. Again, these will cost more than the basic inside room.

If you can upgrade to a balcony cabin, you'll have more room to spread out and store your stuff. Parents will also appreciate the chance to relax on the balcony with an adult beverage after the kids go to bed.

Related: Which cruise ship cabins should your family book?

If you're a solo traveler, you must pay a single supplement for most cabin accommodations. When deciding between an inside or balcony cabin, you'll need to budget for that. The extra cost can be as much as double the cruise fare, so it may affect which cabin you can afford.

Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America and Royal Caribbean offer solo cabins that don't have a single supplement; these include inside, ocean-view and balcony rooms, depending on the line. Expect these to cost more than a standard inside or balcony room but less than the cost of that room with a 100% supplement. Other companies might offer promotions on select sailings with no single supplement, leaving you with the budget for a bigger cabin.

Related: These 8 cabins are great for travelers cruising alone

What are other advantages of booking an inside vs. a balcony cabin?

If you're a light sleeper who needs a quiet, dark space to get a good night's sleep, book an inside cabin. You won't have to worry about bright light peeking through the curtains in the morning to wake you up. You should also set the alarm if you have an early excursion or appointment in the morning since you won't be able to tell what time it is. It's easy to oversleep when it's cozy, dark and cool in the cabin.

If you need natural light for health reasons and are prone to motion sickness — especially if the seas are rough or you get claustrophobic — you probably won't be happy in an interior cabin. Seeing the horizon and having access to fresh air is essential when the ship starts to pitch and roll, so you'd do better splurging on the balcony cabin.

What are the best inside cabins?

Royal Caribbean features game-changing inside cabins with a "virtual balcony" on select ships. The 80-inch, high-definition LED screens stretch nearly from floor to ceiling. They give the illusion of a huge window with real-time views and sounds of the ocean and destination piped into the room.

Carnival Cruise Line 's interior cabins are some of the largest in the industry, ranging from 185 to 220 square feet. These cabins include two twin beds or one king-size bed, and the larger rooms can sleep up to five guests. Family Harbor accommodations also offer additional perks with access to the Family Harbor Lounge, which includes complimentary snacks, games, movies and other perks like free specialty dining for the kids.

Disney Cruise Line 's interior cabins with Magical Portholes also feature live sea cam views on a circular screen — and an occasional appearance from Disney characters.

Norwegian Cruise Line 's studio cabins for solo travelers are inside rooms with a full-size bed, a one-way window onto the corridor, a separate bathroom, sink and shower. It also provides keycard access to the Studio Lounge, where single guests can mix and mingle.

What are the best balcony cabins?

Celebrity Cruises ' Infinite Veranda cabins on its Edge-class ships are 23% larger than those on its Solstice-class ships, with 243 total square feet and 42 square feet of balcony space. These versatile cabins allow you to transform your room from a traditional-style balcony cabin — open to fresh air and closed off from the interior portion of a room — to a completely enclosed room with a view and the terrace inside.

How? With the touch of a button, the top half of a floor-to-ceiling window slides down; you can close doors to create a separate veranda or leave them open to bring the fresh air into the entire cabin.

Virgin Voyages ' Sea Terraces, at 225 to 265 square feet, feature an additional seating arrangement on the balcony. In addition to the typical two chairs and a small table for drinks, you'll also find a red hammock where you can sit and swing the afternoon away.

Related: The best cruise ship balcony cabins for your vacation at sea

Bottom line

If you're on vacation and having a great time — and not spending much time in your cabin — it may not matter where you rest your head at night. If you can save the extra money and splurge on five-course dinners and more immersive excursions, booking an inside cabin may be the way to go.

If you'd rather enjoy the views from a private balcony — and have a space to escape other cruisers — and you plan to spend more time in your room, book a balcony cabin where you'll be more comfortable. A balcony will also be a better bet if you're trying to fit more than two people in one cruise cabin. If the extra cost is a concern, and you're flexible on dates and destinations, look for deals where balcony cabins will be less expensive.

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Inside cabin guide: Everything you need to know about inside cabins

Author: Susan Johnson

Published on: 10 May 2022

Updated on: 10 June 2022

Inside cabins on cruise ships might well be among the best rooms you could stay in, although they do get a bad rep. If bagging a bargain in one can make the difference between taking to the seas or staying on dry land, then here is what you should do.

Is an inside cabin on a cruise OK? Will it really save you money? The simple answer to both is, yes.

Inside cabins on cruise ships offer fantastic value for people who wish to get the most out of the destinations on offer as well as the ship facilities.

To get a great deal on a cabin, you should ideally book early. Sometimes, you might be able to grab good deals last minute but sometimes there might be only upgraded cabins left, which can be more expensive than the normal ones.

Furthermore, location makes all the difference when it comes to the best inside cabin experience. Regardless of the cabin and ship you choose, midship is the right place to be.

However, if you are looking to get another bargain, book an inside cabin on guarantee status. They tend to be cheaper, but you get no control over the cabin location. On the flip side, the cruise line guarantees you an inside cabin or higher, so the chances are you might receive an upgrade.

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An inside cabin is a stateroom located midship, with no windows or balcony. For this reason, inside cabins offer no natural light. They tend to be cheaper than other cruise cabin types.

Typically, there are four main types of cruise ship cabins.

• Inside Cabin – No windows or balcony
• Outside Cabin – Features a window
• Balcony Cabin – Features a balcony
• Suite – A spacious cabin with separate living and sleeping areas

- READ MORE: How to choose the best cabins for your needs -

All types of cabins except inside cabins can be thought of as outside cabins as they are located on the outside of the ship. Depending on the size of the ship, there will be two rows of outside cabins on each deck and up to five inside cabins across the middle.

The larger the ship, the more inside cabins it will have. Generally, small luxury ships have no inside cabins.

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What is the best inside cabin on a cruise ship?

The size of inside cabins varies enormously. The biggest inside cabin of a cruise ship is the Large Interior Stateroom found onboard Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam. It is 284 sqft large and comes at £251.56 per person. The fare is lower than its Oceanview counterpart and Balcony Stateroom, which comes at £943 per person.

- READ MORE: Ultimate guide to cruise ship cabins, from inside cabins to suites -

Cruise ships’ inside cabins come with a lot of perks. For instance, free ice cream and concierge lounge passes are offered in Royal Caribbean’s Ben and Jerry’s Sweet inside cabin. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Studio cabins provide access to the Studio Lounge with exclusive social events.

Carnival , on the other hand, offers unlimited spa access and priority booking for treatments with Interior Spa Cabins. If you wish to upgrade from an Interior Cabin, you will have to pay £90.71 per person. Even so, it will still be cheaper than an Oceanview room at £144.07 and a Balcony at £283.56.

If you are looking for a view without paying a hefty fare, choose Royal Caribbean’s Virtual Balcony Cabin or Promenade Stateroom, in which the window overlooks the Royal Promenade. Both cabins cost £97.56 per person, saving you £269.78 more than a real Balcony.

Cruise lines that offer obstructed view cabins come at a cheaper rate but allow natural light into your cabin. An obstructed view cabin on Carnival comes at just £95.26 per person.

- READ MORE: Which cruise lines are best for trips with children? -

If you’re looking to keep little ones happy while not breaking the bank, the inside cabins aboard Disney Cruise Line ships Fantasy and Disney Dream feature Magical Portholes that displays a projection of the ocean with an occasional Disney character floating past. The cabin will save you a significant amount compared to having an actual porthole in your cabin.

If you wish to get a luxurious experience but are watching your budget, interior staterooms like the ones aboard Cunard and Azamara might prove to be an ideal option. You get to save £373.43 per person compared to an Oceanview and £741.53 compared to a Balcony on Azamara Journey.

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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.
• cruise ship , icon of the seas , inside cabins , inside cruise ship cabins , ship within a ship

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Inside Cruise Ship Crew Cabins – Full Review (2021)

Crew cabins on cruise ships vary by size and mainly depend on the job position, rank or title you have as a crew member. Crew cabins’ appearance also varies from ship to ship. Older cruise ships’ crew cabins are usually old and used, while newly built ships feature prettier and more comfortable cabins for their employees.

In this article, I want to give you an overview of crew cabins so you can get familiarized with life at sea.

Crew Cabins’ Size

As mentioned above, cruise ship crew cabins vary by size which is mainly determined by your rank or title onboard.

Most of the crew members have double-shared cabins , meaning that they need to share a cabin with someone else. It is normally the person of the same sex and from the same or similar department. For instance, I’ve worked as a Shore excursion staff , and almost always I shared my cabin with my coworker from the same department. Crew members from the same departments normally have cabins close to each other, and close to their workplace (in my case, crew cabins were near our Shore excursions office).

If you are friends with someone or you want to live with a particular person, you can request to live together. The crew HR department will then consider your request and accommodate you based on the vacancy.

If you have a partner onboard, you can also request to live together which is approved in most cases (again, based on the vacancy and your status/job positions).

Double-shared cabins are in most cases very tiny and they don’t have portholes (windows). Each crew cabin is equipped with its own bathroom, which is also very small. Crew members living in these cabins are responsible for cleaning their cabins regularly by themselves.

There is a cabin inspection on a regular basis led by designated officers from higher positions and different departments, so they can check if your cabin is maintained and regularly cleaned. You can borrow the cleaning products from the Housekeeping department or Laundry, but I always preferred to have my own products that I would buy in a crew shop (yes, we do have one!) or outside in the port.

Officers, managers and supervisors in higher positions normally have single cabins , which means they don’t have to share with another crew member. These cabins are slightly bigger (but not necessarily more luxurious), they have a porthole (window) and a larger, full-size bed. Some single cabins also have an additional fold-down bed. They have their own bathroom (equally small) and daily housekeeping service, which is one of the best perks.

Single cabins are usually given to the officers with 2.5 stripes and above (stripes worn on officers’ shoulders denote their rank on the ship). The higher your position is, the better your living space is. For example, Captain, Staff Captain, Chief Engineer have 4 stripes and their cabins are on deck 10 near the Bridge, so their cabins are of the same size as guest cabins on that floor. Some of these cabins even consist of two rooms. However, this widely varies by company and depends on the ship itself.

What’s Inside Crew Cabins?

Crew Cabins are equipped with the following:

• Bunk beds/full-size beds – Standard double-shared cabins have bunk beds with privacy curtains and a ladder. If you came to the cabin first, you are most likely to claim the bottom bed (crew members’ preference), while newcomers don’t have other choices but to take the top bunk.

Once you move in, you will be provided with clean sheets and a pillowcase (clean, but not necessarily new). However, I always used to bring my own sheets because I wanted to have a little piece of home with me. I always used to bring old sheets, so I could toss them away after I finish my contract and not overload my luggage with it. Underneath the bed, there is enough space to store two suitcases of large/medium size, and this is where the crew keeps their luggage.

Each bunk has a lamp so you can read if you want, and some even have their own flat-screen TV installed (this varies by company and only applies to newer or refurbished ships).

As I said before, officers with 2.5 stripes and above have single cabins with one larger bed (two people can easily fit) and an extra foldable bed.

• The bathrooms are really tiny and they consist of a shower cubicle, a toilet, a small sink, and a few shelves where you can put your products. Make sure you organize your space smartly, or otherwise you won’t have enough space to fit your stuff. For the bathroom, I definitely recommend you get a foldable toiletry bag , it’s extremely useful and you can hang it over the door.

I share some useful tips in my article 18 Crew Cabins Must-Haves , so I hope they make your onboard life easier!

You can take the toilet paper and ship approved cleaning chemicals from the Laundry for free, however, you can also purchase your own products as well. Crew members have their own laundry where they can wash their stuff for free, but they need to use their own detergent and softener. You can buy all of this in a slop chest (a crew shop) that every ship has for their crew.

• A closet – Every crew cabin is equipped with a medium-sized closet with shelves and drawers that you share with your roommate (for double-shared cabins). The space is extremely limited, so if you are planning to keep it tidy, make sure you bring only the essentials.

A hanging shoe organizer is an amazing item that I highly recommend, as well as a mesh pop-up laundry basket where you can dispose of your dirty laundry.

On top of the closet, there’s space for two life jackets. It’s mandatory for every crew member to keep their life jackets in their cabins and use them during the drills or in case of an emergency.

• A small desk with a chair – Due to the size of a standard crew cabin, only one chair can fit but you can always get an extra one if you need it.
• A mini-fridge – You’ll find a mini-fridge in every crew cabin. Here, you can keep your drinks or snacks. Keeping fruits and vegetables in the fridge is normally not allowed on most ships.
• TV and Phone
• A large mirror
• A trash can – Crew members are required to sort their own trash. We are required to bring our garbage to the incinerator room where we separate glass, paper, metal into the designated bins.

Crew Cabins Location

Crew cabins are located on several decks, from deck zero (below sea level) to deck 2 or 3, with the exception of bridge officers who live higher up closer to the Bridge and their workplace.

The location depends on your job position and the workplace. For example, the majority of restaurant and bar staff normally live on deck zero close to the crew elevators that can bring them fast to their workplace (bars, galleys, a dining room, restaurants). Officers and managers who have single cabins are usually situated on decks 1 or 2 on the port side and starboard side, as they have portholes and windows.

Life inside the Crew Cabins

• A tiny crew cabin is your new home for the next several months, so always keep it clean and tidy.
• Get along with your roommate! After all, that’s the person you share your life with, so always be considerate regarding his/her working hours, shifts, needs, and habits (don’t slam the doors, don’t be noisy, don’t turn on the light in the middle of the night, etc.)
• I recommend you only bring the essentials, as the space is extremely limited and you will be buying new stuff onboard a ship and outside in ports (trust me!). Here is my list of 18 Crew Cabins Must-Haves !
• It’s forbidden to smoke inside the crew cabins. There are designated areas onboard the cruise ship where smoking is allowed (such as crew open decks).
• You can’t keep electrical appliances in your cabin (kettles, irons, etc.). Fruits, vegetables, fresh food are normally not allowed to be kept in the fridge.
• You are responsible for changing your bedsheets and linen. You can discharge the dirty/get clean ones in the laundry. You can use the ship towels for free during the entire duration of your contract.
• Cabin inspections are mandatory, so make sure you keep your cabin clean and according to the ship’s standards.
• Respect your roommate’s privacy and don’t invite other crew members inside your cabin if your roommate disapproves of it.
• You are responsible for any valuable items/credit cards/money you may have. Always keep an eye on your belongings. Some ships have safety lockers available.
• If you don’t get along with your roommate, you can always report it to the HR department and they will do their best to accommodate your request and move you to another cabin.

Wrapping Up

Life inside cruise ship crew cabins is unique, extraordinary, unconventional experience! Your life suddenly needs to fit in a few square meters for over half a year, not to mention that you need to share that space with a person you (most often) don’t know! It’s fun, challenging and tough at the same time, but definitely an experience that you will remember for a lifetime!

Read more about crew ship life:

Working on Cruise Ships: How to Apply for a Cruise Ship Job?

Food and Beverage Department – Working as a Cruise Ship Waiter?

10 Things to Know before Applying for Cruise Ship Job

Security Jobs onboard Cruise Ships – What You Need to Know

11 Things You Would Never Expect to Be Part of Your Cruise Ship Job

New Hire? This is How Your First Day on a Cruise Ship Looks Like

Life Onboard a Cruise Ship: 18 Crew Cabins Must-Haves

Life of a Cruise Ship Photographer – Crew Member’s Story

Working as a Guest Services Representative on a Cruise Ship

This article may contain Amazon affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see my disclaimer here.

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Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Norwegian Cruise Line ships

Picking a cabin on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship isn't always easy.

For starters, there are a huge number of cabins available on some Norwegian ships. The line is known for operating some of the world's biggest cruise vessels — ships so big that some have more than 2,000 cabins each.

However, it's not just the sheer volume of cabins that makes choosing a room on a Norwegian ship a challenge. It's also the number of cabin categories.

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On some of Norwegian's largest ships, including Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy, there are a whopping 39 different types of cabins — each a little different from the last.

The backstory here is that Norwegian ships are designed to appeal to a wide demographic, including travelers willing to spend at a wide range of price points. That's prompted Norwegian to offer a wide mix of cabin types.

The room choices the line offers on its ships range from relatively low-cost, windowless inside cabins measuring just 135 square feet (perfect for the budget traveler) to massive, multi-room suites that can be more than 50 times that size.

At the high end, the accommodations are aimed at affluent travelers who, for whatever reason, prefer the megaship experience to being on a luxury ship, and they truly are among the most spectacular accommodations at sea. Some, such as the giant Garden Villas found on six Norwegian ships — Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star — sprawl over thousands of square feet and have as many as three bedrooms plus separate living rooms and dining rooms.

Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line

A Norwegian Cruise Line cabin primer

As is typical for many cruise ships, Norwegian vessels offer cabins in four broad categories: Windowless "inside" cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites.

On newer Norwegian ships, the majority of the cabins are balcony cabins. Cruise lines over the years have discovered that cruisers will pay a significant premium to have a balcony with their cabin, and that's prompted a rush to add more balcony cabins to ships.

However, Norwegian's newer vessels are also known for a large number of suites, including suites that are part of upscale private complexes called The Haven.

On Norwegian's 4-year-old Norwegian Encore, for instance, 19% of the 2,040 cabins are suites — a huge percentage for a large, mass-market cruise ship. On Royal Caribbean 's 4-year-old Symphony of the Seas, which launched at almost the same time as Norwegian Encore, by contrast, just 7% of cabins are suites. On Carnival Cruise Line 's 4-year-old Carnival Panorama, just 3% of cabins are suites.

Here is a breakdown of the cabin types on Norwegian Encore, which is typical for the line's newer ships:

Inside cabins: 453 (22%).

Ocean-view cabins: 111 (5%).

Balcony cabins: 1,090 (53%).

Suites: 385 (19%).

On older Norwegian ships (and, in general, all older cruise ships), there are fewer suites — sometimes far fewer. Only 1% of the cabins on Norwegian's oldest vessel, the 1998-built Norwegian Spirit, are balcony cabins.

Inside cabins and oceanview cabins make up nearly half of all cabins on Norwegian Spirit. Here is a breakdown of the cabins on that vessel:

Inside cabins: 387 (29%).

Ocean-view cabins: 223 (17%).

Balcony cabins: 708 (58%).

Suites: 18 (1%).

The takeaway here is that you'll have a tougher time locking down a suite on an older Norwegian ship than on a newer vessel. If you're planning a cruise on one of the line's older vessels and a suite is a must, you'll want to book early to make sure you get one.

Within each of the four broad categories of cabins on Norwegian ships, you'll find multiple subcategories. Norwegian Encore, for instance, has 16 different types of suites alone, from a Club Balcony Suite Guarantee (Category MX) that measures 249 square feet to The Haven Deluxe Owner's Suite with Large Balcony (Category H2) that measures nearly six times that amount.

In general, Norwegian cabins have a modern look with clean lines and contemporary furniture, plus lots of storage cleverly worked into the design.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian ship

Inside cabins on Norwegian Cruise Line ships

These are the cabins you stay in when you're on a tight budget. On any Norwegian ship, they are almost always the least expensive option when you're booking a cabin, and you can often save considerable money by booking an inside cabin versus an ocean-view or higher-level cabin.

What you'll give up, of course, is that ocean view. Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world. In some cases, you'll find an inside cabin with a window opening up onto a hallway, but the view will be of nothing more than the hallway.

You'll also be in a very small room. Most inside cabins on the ship used in the examples above, Norwegian Encore, measure just 149 square feet. That's about 7% smaller than the typical ocean-view cabin on the vessel, which measures 160 square feet. The typical balcony cabin on Norwegian Encore is 175 square feet, not including a 30- to 110-square-foot balcony.

Related: Why windowless inside cabins aren't so bad

Of note, Norwegian is well-known for one particular type of inside cabin: unusually tiny, interior studio cabins designed for solo travelers.

Norwegian first added such cabins to a ship in 2010, on the then-new, 4,070-passenger Norwegian Epic. They were such a hit the line quickly began adding them to more vessels.

Measuring just 100 square feet but superbly designed to maximize storage space, the solo rooms on Norwegian Epic (there are 128 in all) are clustered around an exclusive Studio Lounge with a bar and television area where solos can mingle at daily hosted happy hour gatherings.

Since 2010, Norwegian has added similar solo cabin complexes with exclusive lounges to seven more new ships. Norwegian Encore has an 82-cabin solo complex spread over three decks.

The similarly sized Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss also have 82-cabin solo complexes, while the smaller Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway have solo areas with 59 cabins. The line's two newest ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva , have 73 solo cabins.

Related: I've been on nearly every Norwegian ship. Here are my first impressions of Norwegian Prima

Norwegian also offers four solo cabins on its Hawaii- based Pride of America.

In most cases, these studio cabins have windows that face an interior hallway, though some solo cabins have windows and balconies.

Ocean-view cabins on Norwegian Cruise Line ships

With an ocean-view cabin, you get a window looking out to the sea but not an attached balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Norwegian's newer ships have relatively few such cabins, as generally cabins that face outward are now built with balconies.

In general, ocean-view cabins on Norwegian ships are bigger than inside cabins but not quite as big as balcony cabins (when comparing their interior space). However, you sometimes can find ocean-view cabins that are significantly bigger than what is typical for a balcony cabin. This is sometimes the case for ocean-view cabins at the front of ships, where there can be relatively large but odd-shaped rooms with windows but no balconies.

Several recent Norwegian vessels have some quite large ocean-view cabins at their fronts that measure from 240 to 372 square feet. Dubbed Family Oceanview Stateroom with Large Picture Window, they are designed to hold up to five people and are marketed to families.

Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian's Latitude Rewards loyalty program

Balcony cabins on Norwegian Cruise Line ships

Balcony cabins are what everyone wants these days, and Norwegian is delivering with huge numbers of balcony cabins on all its newest ships.

On the line's new Prima-class ships, which began debuting in 2022, around 57% of rooms are balcony cabins — and that number jumps even higher if you include suites on the ship that have balconies (see below for more details on suites on Norwegian vessels).

Including suites, the percentage of cabins on the first two ships in the series to debut (Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva) that have balconies jumps to 64%. The percentage is even higher on the line's newest Breakaway-plus class vessels, at a very high 72%.

The typical Norwegian balcony cabin has a contemporary look with clean lines and relatively minimalist furniture. Norwegian balcony cabins typically offer twin beds that can be converted into a queen bed, a built-in desk area and a sofa that often pulls out into an additional bed.

Balcony cabins on Norwegian ships typically measure a bit over 200 square feet, including the balcony space, but some can be significantly bigger.

On Norwegian Encore, a category of balcony cabins known as Large Balcony cabins (category B6) measure 331 square feet, due to enormous balconies that measure 155 square feet. The ship also offers aft-facing balconies (category B1) that measure up to 426 square feet, again due to unusually large balconies.

Related: 6 reasons to book a balcony cabin

Suites on Norwegian Cruise Line ships

As mentioned above, Norwegian is known for a large number of suites on its ships. It's also known for some of the very biggest suites in the entire cruise industry.

The Garden Villas found on Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star are truly stunning, with living areas with glass walls looking over the pool areas of the ships. They have as many as three bedrooms plus separate living rooms and dining rooms.

Some of the Garden Villas measure as much as 6,694 square feet — more than twice the size of the typical home in the United States.

Among notable extras, the Garden Villas have private outdoor sundecks and courtyards with hot tubs. Additionally, the Garden Villas on Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star include private outdoor dining areas and steam rooms.

On more than half of Norwegian's ships, many of the top suites are part of an exclusive, keycard-accessed area called The Haven. Aimed at luxury travelers, The Haven complexes are located at the very top of the vessels and often come with private lounges, pools, sunning areas and even restaurants.

Related: 7 reasons to splurge on a cruise ship suite

Depending on the ship, top suites can come with such perks as private butlers and concierges who attend to your every need; access to a private restaurant; a private suite lounge and sun deck; reserved seating in entertainment venues; and priority boarding and disembarkation.

Just be ready to look through a lot of suite types if you're booking a Norwegian ship. Some Norwegian ships have up to four types of Penthouse suites available, for instance, and three kinds of family suites.

Bottom line

Norwegian has something for everyone when it comes to cabins on its ships.

You can book a small, inside cabin that will get you on board one of the line's vessels at a very reasonable cost or a super suite that will set you back many times more but that comes with all sorts of perks.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• 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
• What to pack for your first cruise

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.

A company is turning former cruise ships into floating hotels — see inside its largest 'floatel'

• Bridgemans ServicesGroup operates a fleet of former cruise ships turned into hotels. 
• Its "floatels" are designed to house workers during long-term projects.
• See its largest 652-cabin floatel with a game room and buffet.

Some old and unwanted cruise ships meet their demise at ship-breaking yards , where they are disassembled and sold for scrap.

Other vessels find a more fortunate fate, receiving a second chance to do what they already do best: serve as floating hotels.

Canada-based Bridgemans Services Group buys and charters former cruise ships to turn into "floatels," outfitted with standard cruise amenities like daily housekeeping, buffets, and relaxing lounges.

But the ships aren't designed to transport tourists from one destination to another anymore. Instead, companies turn to Bridgeman when they need to house workers for a long-term project, whether it be the construction of an offshore wind farm in Europe or the shooting of a major film in a remote destination.

Floatels can accommodate workers in remote destinations where hotels might not be an option.

In more metropolitan areas, Bridgemans says its ships could lessen the stress an inundation of workers might have on the local housing market.

And once they are no longer needed, the vessels depart and "leave no trace behind," the company said.

Over the last decade, Bridgemans has deployed its ships for 15 projects on every continent, Brian Grange, the company's president, told Business Insider.

Grange said that its deployments — most often for liquified natural gas companies — last for an average of two years.

In the past, it has also provided accommodations for MSC Cruises at its Ocean Cay private island and housing for more than 1,000 workers in the Philippines' on a project for the Manila International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company's three ships range from 150 to 652 cabins.

The floatel operator acquired its largest ship, the 561-foot-long MV Isabelle X, in 2023.

In its past life, the 35-year-old vessel sailed around the Baltic Sea as one of Estonia-based Tallink Gruipp's cruise ships.

But gone are its days of leisurely cruising. The 35,000 gross-ton ship is now on its first deployment in Howe Sound, just north of Vancouver, where it's housing more than 600 workers who are building Woodfibre LNG's "net zero" LNG export facility.

Isabelle X underwent a six-month retrofit before it was sent to Howe Sound.

The process included updating the ship's cabins and adding amenities like a game room and an 8,000-square-foot gym.

The latter two are especially important: "We need to make sure we delineate between work and home," Grange told BI. "We have to create a social environment on board these vessels that makes it attractive for workforces around the world."

During their free time, workers can play billiards, relax in the outdoor lounge, or use the ship’s WiFi to catch up on social media.

The sports lounge has large television screens, while the games lounge has darts, ping pong tables, and air hockey.

The 'quiet lounges' are the go-to space for people who need to unwind after a long work day.

Or, they could recharge and catch up on the latest shows in their cabins, which all come with desks, storage, and 32-inch televisions.

Like a typical cruise ship, Bridgemans' vessels have buffets with live cooking stations, a dessert bar, and the occasional themed night.

The ships' chefs tailor their menus to the demographic and dietary restrictions of the workers on board, the company's president told BI.

Residents can expect at least four protein options, plenty of veggies, and handmade bread and desserts.

Unlike most cruise lines, Bridgemans can pre-purchase all the food it needs before deployment.

Grange says this allows the ships to maintain food quality and consistency in remote locations.

Remember that deployment in the Philippines during COVID-19? He said the ship had packed almost 800 tons of food ahead of the project.

He wouldn’t disclose the cost to rent one of Bridgemans’ floatels.

But he did note that the cost of a cabin on the Woodfibre LNG project in Howe Sound is comparable to a hotel room in nearby Vancouver, as is the case with most of its projects near major cities.

The company’s most recent acquisition, the 150-cabin Diamond XI, is currently being retrofitted and would be ready for deployment this year.

According to the company's president, the vessel is small and high-end, likely to be used for sporting events and movie shoots.

It could also be the start of a greater expansion: He hopes to add two or three more vessels to its fleet in the next five years.

"The world has opened up to this as a valued alternative to housing," Grange told BI.

Who knows, the next time you see a cruise ship off the coast, there's a slim but possible chance it could be housing workers — not vacationers.

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I stayed in a balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's 2 newest and largest cruise ships. One was clearly better — and $900 cheaper.

Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are Royal Caribbean's newest and largest cruise ships.

I stayed in both of their balcony staterooms — a $130-per-person-per-day difference.

Icon's pricier cabin looked more modern but lacked the functionality and comfort of Wonder's.

Do you know what $900 could buy you? More than three years of Netflix's premium plan, a new Gucci purse, or 2,059 spicy chicken McNuggets.

Or, in the case of Royal Caribbean's two largest and newest cruise ships , the cash could mean the difference between a cheap but functional balcony cabin and, ironically, a more expensive but less comfortable one.

Staterooms with balconies are the most popular cruise cabin category. After all, if you're going on a vacation at sea, wouldn't you want to be able to feel its breeze from your room?

But not all cabins with private outdoor spaces are created equal, even on two new mega-ships owned by the same cruise line.

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in 2022 and its larger successor, Icon of the Seas, in January.

Royal Caribbean assigned me an ocean-view balcony cabin for both complimentary sailings, the longest of which was three nights on Icon.

Both ships are operating seven-night cruises around the Caribbean in 2024.

About 66% of Wonder's cabins fall under the 'balcony' category. On Icon, they make up half of the staterooms.

Wonder of the Seas' balcony cabins start shy of $1,110 per person in 2024.

Even with nearly identical itineraries, the ones on Icon are, at their cheapest, a little more than $2,000 per person this year — or double that for the a New Year's cruise.

Wonder and Icon are the most boisterous, flamboyant, and overwhelming vessels I've ever boarded.

The pool decks were intensely colorful, the crowds were inescapable, and the long lists of activities and dining options were paralyzing.

So imagine my surprise when I unlocked my doors to find surprisingly bland rooms.

The neutral tans, blues, and whites did not scream "we belong on the world's biggest and most colorful cruise ships."

The vessels have an almost two-year age difference, as evidenced by some of their decor (mainly Icon's recessed mood lights and the more chic, darker wood tones).

But besides the light fixtures, rugs, and — frankly negligible — wall art and pillows, both cabins were fairly underwhelming compared to everything outside their front doors .

Aesthetics aside, let’s talk functionality.

Both had furnished 50-square-foot balconies.

Regarding the interior space, my 204-square-foot cabin on Icon of the Seas was 22 square feet larger than mine on Wonder.

In retrospect, I would've thought Icon's was smaller. More on that in a bit.

Both king-sized beds faced a television and some wall storage.

And both were flanked by light fixtures with built-in USB outlets, as is expected on most modern cruise ships.

The cruise line says the ships' balcony cabins use two twin mattresses that have been "converted" to make a king bed. It's a common practice I've never had an issue with — until Icon.

On Wonder, the plush pillows enveloped me the moment I laid down. I slept great. No complaints.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the new ship.

I (my back pain) could feel the hard ridge where the two mattresses met, making for a pretty miserable and uncomfortable sleep.

So much for starfishing — I kept to one side of the bed to avoid rolling over the bony bump.

For the most part, the living “rooms” were the same.

Both had the same furniture I see on almost every mass-market ship: a couch that could convert into a bed and a desk that extended into a dresser.

But storage, a high priority for cruisers, was organized differently.

Two thin wardrobes with drawers, hangars, and shelves surrounded either side of my bed on Wonder .

Icon, on the other hand, had one large wardrobe next to the living room.

Unfortunately, it had noticeably less shelving. And the metal bins let out ear-piercing screeches at every move — a lazy and annoying detail that the designers could've easily fixed with cheap felt pads.

So far, the differences have been small. But not for long.

I had two gripes with my Wonder bathroom: the lack of hair conditioner and the ill-positioned faucet that flooded the counter whenever I washed my hands.

I had the same issues on Icon. But that was the least of my concerns.

My bathroom on the older ship was well-sized for 1 person, but maybe too small for 2.

On Icon — the world's largest cruise ship — my bathroom was too compact for even one body.

Michael Bayley, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told reporters in January that 80% of Icon's 2,805 cabins were designed for families, a sharp increase from previous vessels like Wonder.

I'm not sure a family of four could coexist in Icon's balcony cabin — solely because of the bathroom size. There's no way two people could fit in there simultaneously. A fight over who gets priority access to the toilet could ruin a peaceful family vacation! (Which is to say, I'm glad I was traveling alone.)

With the bathroom door closed, I accidentally elbowed the walls more times than I could count.

The spare towels had to be stored on a shelf inside the shower. Because the counter was so small, I had to keep most of my toiletries and products on the shelves or in the drawer.

Surprisingly, that's where Icon excelled. Its bathroom had more storage options than its older counterpart, which didn't even have a drawer.

However, the older ship's shower had a clothesline perfect for drying swimwear. It's a small but crucial amenity, especially on a vessel with so many pools and waterslides.

Unfortunately, both were stocked with two-in-one body wash and shampoo — and no hair conditioner

Let’s go through our checklist.

My balcony cabin on Wonder looked less modern than its successor (the TV on Icon had Chromecast, after all).

But it was significantly more functional and comfortable. The bed was incomparably more pleasant, the closets had more defined storage components, and the bathroom was considerably larger, even if it lacked additional shelving and drawers.

The question is: Which one is more worth its price?

Icon's cheapest balcony cabins are currently $900 more than the most affordable ones on Wonder — an almost $130 per person and day difference.

Based on the quality of the staterooms alone, if you prioritize functionality, comfort, and affordability over modern decor, consider saving money and going with the two-year-old ship .

But let’s not forget that cruise fares include unlimited food, on board activities, and nighttime entertainment.

Both ships have a fairly similar list of amenities. But only the newer one has a waterpark , an adult-only infinity pool club, and a swim-up bar, to name a few unique amenities.

So yes, Icon's balcony cabins are more costly. But the staggering price difference — and tiny bathroom — could be worth it if you think the its surplus of additional amenities is worth paying for.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Ports
• Russia Rivers Cruise Ports

Rostov-on-Don (Russia)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Russia Rivers

Local Time 2024-04-29 09:38

Rostov-on-Don is a Don River cruise port and city in southeastern Russia, located approx 32 km (20 mi) from the Azov Sea. The city has a population of around 1,2 million, ranking it Russia's 10th largest.

The town was established in 1749. The first railway was opened in 1875. Before the Russian Revolution (1918), the city was the Empire's most heavily industrialized. During WW2 (1939-1954), the city was occupied by the Germans for 7 months (July 1942 - February 1943) for its strategic railway junction and river port connecting to the Caucasus region (oil and minerals).

Volga-Don Canal connects Volga and Don rivers at their closest points. The shipping canal was opened in 1952, connecting the city to 5 seas: (Black, Azov, Caspian, White, and Baltic).

The city's economy is based on its location on Don River - a major waterway connecting (via Volga River) southwestern with northern Russia. The main river shipping goods are timber, minerals, wool, wheat, oil. Passenger shipping is also very important. Region's agriculture industry produces 1/3 of Russia's vegetable oil from sunflowers. The city's manufacturing industry includes helicopters and farm machinery.

Public transportation includes buses, trolleys, trams, bus cabs, Metro (under construction). Rostov-on-Don Airport serves domestic and international flights (Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia). Platov International Airport was opened in 2017.

The international river port serves passenger and freight ships (carrying mainly minerals, oil, and timber). The city is served by a direct railway (connecting St Petersburg with the Caucasus) and several highways. Russia has a program to create a total of 8 megapolises, and Rostov will be one of these mega-cities. Greater Rostov metro area will include Rostov-on-Don, Novocherkassk, Taganrog, Aksay, Bataysk, and Azov.

Rostov-on-Don cruise terminal

Among the Russian cruise ships visiting Rostov-on-Don are the VODOHOD-owned boats MS Kuchkin, MS Budenny, MS Korotkov, MS Suvorov, MS Frunze, MS Krylov.

Departure ports are  Saratov ,  Volgograd ,  Samara ,  Nizhny Novgorod ,  Cheboksary ,  Kazan ,  Astrakhan ,  Moscow . The VODOVOD-operated routes are:

• Saratov-Rostov-Saratov (9-day cruisetour)
• Volgograd-Rostov-Volgograd (7-day cruisetour)
• Rostov-Nizhny Novgorod-Rostov (9-day cruisetour)
• Nizhny Novgorod-Rostov (7-day cruisetour)
• Nizhny Novgorod-Rostov-Nizhny Novgorod (16-day cruisetour)
• Rostov-Nizhny Novgorod (9-day cruisetour)
• Rostov-Samara (6-day cruisetour)
• Rostov-Samara-Rostov (12-day cruisetour)
• Samara-Rostov-Samara (11-day cruisetour)
• Cheboksary-Rostov-Cheboksary (14-day cruisetour)
• Kazan-Rostov-Astrakhan-Kazan (16-day cruisetour)
• Kazan-Rostov-Kazan (14-day cruisetour)
• Saratov-Rostov-Astrakhan-Saratov (12-day cruisetour)
• Volgograd-Rostov-Astrakhan-Volgograd (10-day cruisetour)
• Moscow-Rostov-Moscow (22-day cruisetour)

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Prices and Terms

Prices are per person.

The surcharge for single occupancy in a double cabin is 75% of the total amount for the cruise. Surcharge for single occupancy in Deluxe cabins, Junior Suites and Suites is 100% of the cruise price. Included:

• Accommodation in a cabin of a chosen category
• Sightseeing programs in each port as per itinerary (optional tours are available on board)
• Daily entertainment including live music concerts, evening entertainment, Captain’s bridge tour, dancing music at bars at night and more
• Onboard guides speaking English / French / German / Spanish / Italian; service of onboard guides for other foreign languages can be provided upon request for an additional fee
• Luggage handling in river ports from the inspection point to the ship and from the ship to the bus, as well as on board.
• Headsets for shore excursions
• Russian visa invitation  - the document necessary for obtaining a Russian visa when applying for one at the local Russian Consulate in your country.  PLEASE NOTE:  your passport should be valid for no less than 6 months after the planned departure from Russia and it should have at least 2 blank pages. The process of applying for a visa may take a long time and we recommend that you start 3 months before your trip. In case you are booking the trip last minute, we recommend that you check with the Russian Consulate in your country whether you have enough time for visa application process. In case you have to cancel your trip because of visa issues standard cancellation policy will be applied. 

Included meals:

• Full board, three meals per day (from dinner on arrival day to continental breakfast on departure day). Breakfast is buffet style, lunch and dinner are served at your table.
• 1 bottle of mineral water (0.5 l) for 1 person daily in the cabin
• For lunch and dinner: white/red/sparkling wine/beer in glasses (with no limit), water with no limit
• For breakfast: water with no limit, Cappuccino or Espresso without extra charge 
• Welcome “bread and salt” ceremony on arrival day
• Russian Tea Ceremony
• Captain’s welcome cocktail 
• Captain’s farewell dinner with a special menu
• Coffee station available from 06:00 to breakfast, from 10:00 to 12:00, from 16:00 to 18:00, from 21:00 to 23:00

​ Not included:

• Visa processing costs. For US, UK, Australian, Indian and Canadian citizens, our company offers  Full Visa Support . With Full Visa Support, you send us your passport and other documentation and we obtain the Russian visa for you. 
• International airfare. 
• Arrival and departure transfers. We can arrange those for an extra fee.
• Additional drinks and water in ship restaurant and drinks from the onboard bars
• Optional tours
• Tips for the crew and ship staff
• Forwarding of baggage/souvenirs
• Travel insurance.  We highly recommend to purchase travel insurance before embarking on your trip to Russia. It’s always good to have extra protection while traveling far from home.  Click here  to learn more.
• Items of a personal nature (laundry services, bar charges, beauty salon services, telephone charges, and medical services).
• Room service offered at an additional price.

Please be informed that all pre/post cruise services (additional arr/dep transfers, hotel accommodations, additional excursions, etc.) can also arranged by us.

BOOKING AND CANCELLATION POLICY IN 2022:

Conditions of payment:  To book your cruise a 25% deposit is required in advance. The trip must be fully paid 75 days before departure.

Cancellation terms:    75 or more days before departure – a fee equal to 25% of the entire package will be charged.  74-65 days before departure – a fee equal to 30% of the entire package will be charged.  64-41 days before departure – a fee equal to 60% of the entire package will be charged.  40-35 days before departure – a fee equal to 75% of the entire package will be charged.  34 days or less before departure or in the event of a no-show - a fee equal to 100% of the package will be charged.

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