Inside Cabin...how to keep from feeling so enclosed

[gizmo911]

I got a stick on porthole which is actual size. Freaked out the room steward!:D

 

That is so cool. Where did you get it from, maybe will try it as well.:p

[Vitamin_Sea]

The only time you should be in the cabin is bed time. So, your eyes are closed and darkness is good.

 

There is no reason to be in the cabin during the day/eve.

[hlb76]

We normally book insides as well. I too love the dark and the quiet room. I think that is half the reason I sleep so well on a cruise. I do agree though some days I could sleep the day away.

 

We do the TV trick as well from time to time. It gets black at night and lightens gently. I always check out the ship cam first thing in the AM.

 

We have been known to leave the bathroom door cracked with a light on in there. Especially when we have the kids in a upper.

 

I have had a OV and a Suite both are nice but I like to save my money on the room and book a IS.

[KPfromCT]

The only time you should be in the cabin is bed time. So, your eyes are closed and darkness is good.

 

There is no reason to be in the cabin during the day/eve.

 

Definitely not with an inside, however, with a balcony, the rules change.:rolleyes:

We always go back to the room after returning from port, and enjoy the balcony with some libations.

I wouldn't book an inside for this reason ALONE.

I would feel so choked up in an inside.

Wouldn't be able to do it.

[ccruisequeen]

Arrange the beds like this if you have more than two roommates

 

Edited June 25, 2014 by ccruisequeen

[BattyL]

Definitely not with an inside, however, with a balcony, the rules change.:rolleyes:

We always go back to the room after returning from port, and enjoy the balcony with some libations.

I wouldn't book an inside for this reason ALONE.

I would feel so choked up in an inside.

Wouldn't be able to do it.

 

 

Would love to save the money with an inside but I totally agree with KP. :o

[mousey]

All of our cruises, except for 2 of them, have been in inside rooms...that's how we've been able to cruise a lot. We don't find the room too cramped so that's not an issue for us. It's nice to have it dark in there so that, as others have said, you can sleep really comfortably. We too keep the TV on when we're up as a "window to the world". One thing I think is very important is that we always put our luggage under the beds and keep our cabin very, very tidy. If I had to sleep in an inside cabin that's a total mess, such as the DS's and his friend's is when we travel with them...yuk! We unpack as soon as we get our luggage and put everything away. I travel with a set of leather trays that I set out for the DH and I to put our "pocket & purse" stuff in (such as receipts, change, etc.) and an over the door shoe pocket thingy. All our clothing fits in the closet and in the drawers and we put everything away as we use it. That's what's worked for us. The tidier the cabin, the less closed in we feel.

[cruisnpat]

We book the inside room and for a little light we leave the bathroom light on and close the door.

[babsee101]

All of our cruises, except for 2 of them, have been in inside rooms...that's how we've been able to cruise a lot. We don't find the room too cramped so that's not an issue for us. It's nice to have it dark in there so that, as others have said, you can sleep really comfortably. We too keep the TV on when we're up as a "window to the world". One thing I think is very important is that we always put our luggage under the beds and keep our cabin very, very tidy. If I had to sleep in an inside cabin that's a total mess, such as the DS's and his friend's is when we travel with them...yuk! We unpack as soon as we get our luggage and put everything away. I travel with a set of leather trays that I set out for the DH and I to put our "pocket & purse" stuff in (such as receipts, change, etc.) and an over the door shoe pocket thingy. All our clothing fits in the closet and in the drawers and we put everything away as we use it. That's what's worked for us. The tidier the cabin, the less closed in we feel.

 

Agreed! Tidiness is the key! The over the door shoe holder is perfect for all of our small things. I would not cruise without one.

[LambKnuckles]

One of the television channels on board has the bow camera. Putting that on will give you a sense of time. Some leave that channel on all the time because as the sun comes up the picture on the screen gets brighter, almost like having a window.

 

This is the best idea... Plus, if you book an interior forward, on an upper deck, you're not too far from the "not-so-secret-doors" that lead you outside and many of us go out there in our bathrobes in the morning!! Or on the lido deck or above, mid ship and head out to see what the day looks like.

 

Cruise where you can -- to get on the ship, then make the best of what you have!!! Hey, you're cruising, and if that's where you keep all your stuff and sleep -- make it work!!!

 

Have a great cruise and ENJOY!!!

[bar1068]

This is the best idea... Plus, if you book an interior forward, on an upper deck, you're not too far from the "not-so-secret-doors" that lead you outside and many of us go out there in our bathrobes in the morning!! Or on the lido deck or above, mid ship and head out to see what the day looks like.

 

Cruise where you can -- to get on the ship, then make the best of what you have!!! Hey, you're cruising, and if that's where you keep all your stuff and sleep -- make it work!!!

 

Have a great cruise and ENJOY!!!

 

Thats exactly what we did on our last cruise, which was the first time we booked an interior cabin. Having previously cruised in balconies, 4K's, 4J's(4J's are our "goto cabins")....no ocean views yet...probably the least desirable to us...but the interior rate on the Sunshine repo cruise back in April was too good to pass on...plus the 4J's were sold out. So we booked the interior on deck 7, literally about 6 cabins down from a 4J we had been in on a previous Sunshine cruise....and the primary reason was to be close to the forward deck...which we also visited every morning....and night...and almost anytime we came back to our cabin....love that forward view....worked out very well.

 

We did "wonder" how we would "fare" in an interior....not having any outside view or window of any kind....bottom line...no problem. Our "internal clocks" were still on time, so most mornings we woke at our "regular" cruise morning times...did the "tv thing" to get a sense of the weather...dressed....hit the forward deck...then on to breakfast.....Nights really seemed no different to us as we never would leave curtains open in any other cabins we've been in..4J's of course they want em closed...so we always made our cabins as dark as we could for sleeping...Bottom line for us...no closed in feeling at all...and now another cabin type to choose from...which of course tends to be the lower fare on most cruises...could sneak in a few more cruises that way!!

[treasure4two]

I find inside cabins to be a bit difficult when getting up to start my day. It takes a while to get going because you don't visually know it is morning and also type of room can make you feel a bit closed in. I have for the last 9 cruises booked OV for that reason, however I will be once again cruising in an inside cabin soon.

 

If you have experienced the same problem with inside cabins, have you come up with some ideas /solutions on how to make room feel/seem a bit less closed in or have indication that it is morning?

 

We have had OV and balconies and go back to inside. We can rest, sleep any time we want in nice dark cabin and do not need light to wake up-use an alarm clock or wake up call. So for us, never a problem in an inside cabin! Go in with the attitude that it is not a problem and enjoy.

[wrigley80]

Keep your cabin door open :p ;) :)

[LucyR.]

I save a lot of money by booking the INSIDERS. When I do get a window for a great rate I end up closing the window curtains at night. I don't want the

sun in my face in the morning.

 

I also put the t.v. on at night as a night lite.

 

I always open the door for the extra space feeling during the day when I am in my cabin. Plus, it attracts the cabin steward and I am able to talk to him.

 

I used to put a large table cotton cloth on the open door so people couldn't see inside. lol. I would use duck tape to tape it.

 

I used to carry a small battery fan to blow on my face while I was in the cabin during the day. I don't need it anymore.

 

I sometimes get free window or balconies because I am a VIP on Carnival and Princess.

I think that is the reason or maybe the upgrade faires like me. LucyR.

[JWGrayson]

How bright is that channel at night when going to sleep? Does it illuminate the whole room or only a faint light?

 

It is a faint light, it passes as a night light for when we have to head to the bathroom at night.

 

BUT, on some ships they get fancy and show travel videos when the sun goes down. They are too bright and bothersome to be left on. John

[Tutontow]

Definitely not with an inside, however, with a balcony, the rules change.:rolleyes:

We always go back to the room after returning from port, and enjoy the balcony with some libations.

I wouldn't book an inside for this reason ALONE.

I would feel so choked up in an inside.

Wouldn't be able to do it.

 

I admit I am spoiled. Our last two cruises have been with balconies and we loved it, then the casino awarded us a "free cruise" inside cabin. We took it without upgrading, NEVER again. It was the lowest fare cabin the Sunshine has. I about freaked when I saw there wasn't even a table or chair in the room. We love room service late at night after gambling all evening. We had to eat in bed. We were constantly tripping over each other and the only place to sit other than the little stool under the vanity was the bed.

 

I know we are spoiled but I swear that cabin is smaller than our master bath at our home.

 

Like I said, never again. Having drinks or room service breakfast on your balcony is worth its weight in gold. How sweet is it having that first drink on your balcony during sail away.

 

Consequently the casino gave us another "free" cruise and we upgraded to a grand suite. That will be much more like it.

Edited June 26, 2014 by Tutontow

[marshhawk]

I know I missed something, like what ship you are on, because portholes are considered interiors, and they provide the natural light I fear you think you will miss. Put me in a dark room and I will sleep. Put me in a porthole and I am fine. It is the natural light that affects us. The tv could work, too bad they didn't have that on our last cruise. Or since my DH was in control of the tv he just missed that one:rolleyes:

 

I bring battery operated candles and put them in the bathroom, battery operated fan goes on one of the night stands.

 

Why do ships not like you to have your shades open at night? Do they think the giant squids will attack? If they don't want to invite terrorists, they should turn off those tacky bulbs that decorate the top of the Fantasy class. I would love to be able to see stars at night when I look up.

[ConshyCrock]

Having drinks or room service breakfast on your balcony is worth its weight in gold. How sweet is it having that first drink on your balcony during sail away.

 

 

This!!! I couldn't agree more about balcony rooms! We were in an inside cabin on our very first cruise and we hated it. Although the fact that the ship was old and there was nothing to do probably clouds my memory. It was just too dark for us and I don't think we could do it again because we both need the natural light.

 

Since then we've been in 1 OV and the others have been balconies of different sizes. I don't even think we shut the curtains at all during our last cruise.

 

 

 

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[LambKnuckles]

Thats exactly what we did on our last cruise, which was the first time we booked an interior cabin. Having previously cruised in balconies, 4K's, 4J's(4J's are our "goto cabins")....no ocean views yet...probably the least desirable to us...but the interior rate on the Sunshine repo cruise back in April was too good to pass on...plus the 4J's were sold out. So we booked the interior on deck 7, literally about 6 cabins down from a 4J we had been in on a previous Sunshine cruise....and the primary reason was to be close to the forward deck...which we also visited every morning....and night...and almost anytime we came back to our cabin....love that forward view....worked out very well.

 

We did "wonder" how we would "fare" in an interior....not having any outside view or window of any kind....bottom line...no problem. Our "internal clocks" were still on time, so most mornings we woke at our "regular" cruise morning times...did the "tv thing" to get a sense of the weather...dressed....hit the forward deck...then on to breakfast.....Nights really seemed no different to us as we never would leave curtains open in any other cabins we've been in..4J's of course they want em closed...so we always made our cabins as dark as we could for sleeping...Bottom line for us...no closed in feeling at all...and now another cabin type to choose from...which of course tends to be the lower fare on most cruises...could sneak in a few more cruises that way!!

 

Because I cruise many times with Nana... in a wheelchair... I have a lot of 4J experience!!! I really prefer these cabins!! Just love 'em!!! It's like having a HUGE balcony outside -- cause it's pretty empty most of the time!!!

 

Someone (marshhawk) mentioned porthole cabins. I've never done these, but would try them if I ever had to cruise alone. They are a great value, too!

[LynnAnne]

We had our first inside last Feb. on the Breeze on the Lido deck. It was a handicap room. We loved it just a hop skip and jump and we were on the Lido deck. I love to cruise, I do love port hole cabins, just get that cruise feeling with the round windows. My husband aways wants a balcony. We have another aft balcony booked on our next cruise. I could be in any cabin and be happy!

[SteelerCruiser]

we always bring an alarm clock and I generally try to set the alarm earlier than we know we want to get going.

[gizmo911]

I know I missed something, like what ship you are on, because portholes are considered interiors, and they provide the natural light I fear you think you will miss. Put me in a dark room and I will sleep. Put me in a porthole and I am fine. It is the natural light that affects us. The tv could work, too bad they didn't have that on our last cruise. Or since my DH was in control of the tv he just missed that one:rolleyes:

 

I bring battery operated candles and put them in the bathroom, battery operated fan goes on one of the night stands.

 

Why do ships not like you to have your shades open at night? Do they think the giant squids will attack? If they don't want to invite terrorists, they should turn off those tacky bulbs that decorate the top of the Fantasy class. I would love to be able to see stars at night when I look up.

 

 

 

Actually there were two interiors (with porthole) available but it was totally at the front on 6th and 7th floors. I was told that it would be extremely noisy with staff working and engine when heading to and leaving ports. I also suffer from motion sickness and was advised to select midship which is what I did on deck 7.

[diamondcharl]

Have room service coffee delivered to you when you want to wake up?

 

This is a great idea!!!! We ars seasoned cruisers and never thought of this until a friend told us they did this every morning! We are very early risers and sometimes it could be a pain trapsing each morning to get a cuppa jo! Definitely gonna do this on our next cruise!!!!!

[marshabear]

small inside cabins on other lines bother me but I can do Carnival's inside cabins just fine....what helps me most is turning the air conditioner the farthest it can go on the cold side when we arrive....cause if it gets too hot in there I do feel closed in....

 

 

 

Marsha

[crusinpsychRN]

That is so cool. Where did you get it from, maybe will try it as well.:p

 

I think I got it at Windy City novelties on line.