first time cruise - inside vs outside cabin

[hulliday]

We are planning a cruise on the Summit for 11 days and we can't decide whether to spend the extra money to get a cabin with a window. We have heard that if you get an inside cabin you cannot tell whether it is day or night. However, I don't think that we will be spending a lot of time in our cabin that would justify the extra money...

Any one have an opinion or advise on this??

[babylene]

I have done both. While it's nice to be able to look out of the window, it is not nice enough to warrant a big dollar difference. Personally I think it is more important to be midship...for stability.

[nealberk]

Interesting. I would definitely prefer the outside cabim over the stability issue. I like looking out the window in the middle of the night at the waves lapping at the ship and the wake of the ship as it steadily takes us to the next destination.

It is also more convenient to look out the window than to get dressed early in the morning to see the approach into port.

[ccletzgo]

11 Days is a long cruise to spend in an inside cabin. It drives me nuts to wake up and not even know if its sunny, cloudy, rainy, or still night time. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] Just a thought.
Its your first cruise and everything will be exciting and new to you. No matter what, you will enjoy it.

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[YOW]

Everyone has individual preferences.

We go for midship and inside; wouldn't upgrade unless it was to a balcony. On our Constellation cruise, not having light streaking in (and reflecting off the ocean) meant sleeping like a baby, so much so that we actually missed the cc party. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] The price difference allowed us to dine twice at Ocean Liners (Normandy on Summit), have good wine & drinks, and have a great time ashore (including 3 fun-filled days in Puerto Rico before sailing).

[Randyk47]

My DW having mild claustrophobia answered the question for us. No way she'd could be comfortable in an inside cabin.

Until Galaxy
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[Bruin Steve]

Everyone has a different take on it...it's why the offer all the various types of cabins...

We've cruised with inside cabins (usually to save money--face it, if all cabins cost the same, we'd book a suite every time whether we need it or not)...We did our 13-nighter in the MEditerranean on the Millennium in an inside cabin (#8123, midship)...and it was very nice and no problem at all...

We've also cruised in "window" cabins and in balcony cabins...

On the Summit in July, we have two "Sky Suites"...

But, to be truthful, I'll take any cabin, just get me on the ship...Whatever cabin you are in, you visit the same ports, eat in the same dining rooms, see the same shows, etc.

For me, I've found we are in the cabin an extremely small percentage of the time...and usually when we are there, we are asleep and there's nothing to see outside the window anyway--it's dark and you're somewhere out at sea...The one real difference is you NEED to set that wakeup call because you won't recognize morning...

For a lot of folks, it's no use dealing with the ordinary "outside" cabin unless you go straight to the "balcony" or suite...Those, at least give you extra room and an additional amenity--great for folks who spend a lot of time in their cabins AND who are on cruises with long stretches of "at sea" days...

But, some of us are fairly social, like to be out and about the ship, mingling with people, taking advantage of all the shows, lounges and activities...and ports...and use the cabin only to sleep, change, shower and store our stuff...If you're like that, save the $$$ and use it for shore excursions, shopping...or another cruise...

The difference between a couple of insides and the suites we have for our Alaska trip comes to around $7000...Sometimes I think to myself "Sure it will be nice--but that $7000 would have bought an awfully nice ADDITIONAL cruise to somewhere else (heck, we spent less than that last year for a 13 night Med cruise, RT air from LAX, 4 nights of hotels in Venice and Barcelona, transfers and all of our tips, bar bill, meals in port and more!)...

Good luck...

Summit, July 3, 2004: Alaska: 13 night cruisetour

[Rustynail]

I started off with an inside cabin on my first cruise in Jan 03. It was ok given the fact we didn't spend very much time in our cabin.

Our second cruise last December we decided to get a oceanview room and loved it. It's great waking up in a port and looking out the window to see what is going on, what the weather is like etc.

Our upcoming cruise in Jan 2005 we have decided to try out a balcony for the very first time. I'm very much looking forward to experience the sound of the waves while sleeping.

The choice all depends on your financial situation and really how much time you want to spend in your cabin. If you think you'll never be in the cabin why pay for a balcony?

Good luck and have fun!

Dan

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[babylene]

Hulliday, you will get lots of different answers, but in the final analysis, only you know what will make you most comfortable.Everyone's reason for their choice is valid...but only you know what's important to yourself. We are travellers, in our early 60's and I can tell you that we would like to continue to travel for many years (G-d willing)and I no longer feel comfortable staying in 5 star hotels. Our last trip to Europe, we stayed in one 4 and in (OMG!) one 3 star. My DH's first reaction was very negative, but after a few days, he said that he really liked the place! It was small, friendly and cosy. What I wish to emphasize is that it is ALL GOOD. We are discussing good things...just enjoy!

[cindygad]

Our first cruise was 25 years ago for our Honeymoon. We had a inside cabin and loved it. They usually have mirrors, or drapes hanging to give an illusion of a window. It is darker but we found we spend so little time in the cabin. We usually save up and go on cruise everyother year. Most of time we go with inside to save money. WE have had outside with a window a couple of times. To be truthful I do not feel it is worth the extra money for a window. Having said that we are trying a balcony aft cabin on the Summit in Dec. We are afraid that this will change our view on rooms and it will be hard to go back to a inside room.We will have to live and learn. Hope you enjoy your first cruise and it will be the start of one of many!

Cindy

[CaribbeanBound]

Done all three: inside, outside with window, outside with balcony.

Prefer outside with balcony. Won't pay extra for outside with window over inside.

[cruiseorbust]

We go for the inside vs outside. Gives us extra money to cruise more often. Depends on how much difference there is in price also. We have done both. We take along a night light to plug in or some people leave the TV on and turn the brightness down. I go for the cruise, not the room. Don't spend much time there.

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[PeggySand]

My husband and I are trying to decide between an ocean view or a balcony on an 11-night Mercury cruise to the Mexican Riviera. We had an inside room on our first cruise, and that didn't lessen our terrific cruising experience. Our next few cruises were in ocean view cabins. I like to be able to see outside, so I doubt we will go back to an inside cabin. I think we may try the balcony this time, but like "Cindygad," this will probably spoil us. The thought of getting out of bed and stepping out to the balcony for an early morning cup of coffee really sounds great to me. Is it worth the extra money?? Hey, we only cruise about every other year, so what's an extra $400 per person for an 11-night cruise?? We can spend that much at Costco (Warehouse Store) in any given month!! I say if you can afford it, go for it. However, don't let that extra money be a strain for your finances so you can't enjoy some of the extras that go with cruising.

Have fun!!!

Paradise 5/11/03 & 5/18/03

[NJ Cruisers]

I like knowing the weather and having sunshine with my morning coffee. Have done both though, and it really doesn't matter.

Keep on your TA; sometimes the prices drop and they can upgrade you to an ouside in the last weeks before the cruise without you having to spend extra.

Whatever you choose, relax and enjoy. Pretty soon you'll be an addict like the rest of us!

Donna

[Andee]

For us, being midships is most important, as my husband tends otward seasickness.

I like the darkness of an inside because I love sleeping in a really dark room.

When we had a window, all I could see was lots of ocean or the guys on the dock loading/unloading the ship. Neither was particularly beautiful to me.

If we can get a really good deal on a balcony, I do like that. On port dys, we have breakfast delivered to the room; one of us eats while the other washes up, and vice versa. It's much quicker on those early morning port days. In the evening, we love having a drink on our own balacony--just feels special.

[gardencat]

We have cruised inside a couple of times and with a balcony a couple of times.
If you want to save money and book inside, but are bothered by not knowing if it's night or day you can do what we did.
On both the Norwegian and RCCL ships we cruised on, one of the TV stations was a bow camera.
If you leave the TV on, on that channel, it will be dark at night (won't disturb your sleep) but if you wake up you will know when daybreak is coming because the TV screen will start to lighten (just like a window).
This worked really well for us. Only problem is I don't know for sure if Celebrity does this same camera/TV station thing.

[brigittetom]

Celebrity does have the webcam also. Personally I'd rather cruise inside and cruise more often. We did treat ourselves to an aft veranda on the Summit and I have to admit that it was wonderful. Thinking back though I have to admit that I met alot fewer people on that cruise. With that huge veranda, I just kept thinking why should I hang out in the crowded pool area.

On the cruises after that, having booked insides, I totally enjoyed the pool area. Go figure. My husband usually at some point tells me that for a few hundred dollars more we can upgrade to an outside. I always opt to stay inside and would rather use the extra money for shipboard expenses as ours tend to be very high. As has been said, only you will know what's right for you. Have a wonderful cruise. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Zenith from Jacksonville
Feb. 13 05

[Karen Carney]

I prefer the inside cabins for all the above reasons. One reason not mentioned is the room is very black when you want a quick nap in the afternoon.
I have found that even if it is raining when I wake up it will usually clear soon.

[Reyes28]

We've only tried an inside cabin so far, and I have to say, we definitely slept well with no light coming in. However, our first morning at sea, I woke up at 5:30 a.m. because I couldn't tell what time it was (we'd forgotten to pack a travel clock). Not a big deal, just a little disorienting. Also, we ended up spending a lot more time in our cabin than we'd expected to (because DH got a bad suburn our first day at sea!)and it would've been nice to have a window then.

As everyone else has already said, it's totally up to you and your own preferences, this was just my experience. We've booked an oceanview for our next cruise, and can't wait to see the difference!

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[marco]

DOne inside, outside and balcony. How much more is a definate consideration. Also keep in mind, if it is an outside but on a lower level, the noise of the water against the hull might be annoying. It didn't REALLY bother me, but it DEFINATELY was noticable and a few times, it did wake me up.

[lssteele]

We have had an inside, outside and balcony cabin on different cruises and I've decided that as long as I'm on a ship...I don't care where they put me. The inside was great for sleeping, the outside had a view and the balcony was good for the Panama Canal cruise as we got to spend time on it as we went through the locks...the next cruise is the Panama Canal and we opted for an inside because the price was too good. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

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[urbanian]

On our last cruise we booked an inside guarantee, and were upgraded to an outside cabin. At the port before embarkation we found the upgrade to a verandah to be quite cheap, so we got it. DW liked it, but I felt it was a waste. I tend to be social, so every time I sat outside I felt like I was wasting time in solitude and went out to a public area.

A window is nice for all the previous mentioned reasons, but the TV bridge cam works too. Save your money, and take the inside cabin. Better, book an inside guarantee and you might get the window for free.

Dan & Marlene

NCL Southward 04/92
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[stephy1]

I'm pretty much going to duplicate what everyone else has said. It just really depends on your preference. I get claustrophobic in those inside cabins. I know they are basically the same size, but it's like being in a cave to me. Also, I tend to get seasick and it seems to be worse when I can't see outside.
I like being able to sleep with the curtains open and have the moonlight come in the cabin. I also like being able to hear the waves.

Stephanie

1986 Southward, NCL;1987 Holiday, Carnival;1988 Seaward, NCL; 1989 SS Norway, NCL;1990 Starward, NCL;1991 Skyward, NCL;1993 & 1994 Viking Serande, RCL; 1996 & 1997 Westerdam, HAL;1998 Noordam, HAL;1999 Veendam, HAL; 2000 Galaxy, Celebrity; 2001 Ryndam, HAL; 2001 Horizon, Celebrity;2002 Zaandam, HAL;2002 Horizon, Celebrity;2003 Constellation, Celebrity;2004 Mercury, Celebrity

[NJGRANNY]

Hi,

We always get the inside cabins and like them. I've never felt claustraphobic in one. They're really good for sleeping. Also, as others have said, I like to be "out and about."

I wouldn't turn down a balcony, but I'm quite happy with the inside cabins.

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Jan from New Jersey

Celebrity - Caribbean - Twice
RCCL - Alaska, Caribbean
Holland America - Panama Canal and South America

Future:

Royal Caribbean - Canada - May
Celebrity - Back to back Caribbean - Oct. 2004
Princess - Back to back Caribbean - Feb. 2005

[nealberk]

It is a great thing that there are so many different viewpoints. Without them, the ships would always be half empty.

Good idea about leaving your TV on and turned to the bridge channel.