We're trying an interior cabin for the first time.

[Kinkacruiser]

We've sailed three times with Princess in balconies and a mini suite and are booked for two upcoming cruises - Alaska (balcony) and a California Coastal on the Crown where we are trying an interior cabin for the first time. We booked a guaranteed room for the first time for this cruise as well. We just received our room assignment of C420. Does anyone have any advice about this cabin/location or just general tips for us for staying in an interior? PS This is also our first time posting on Cruise Critic. Wow, that's a lot of firsts. :)

 

You'll manage just fine for a 7 day cruise...and save enough for another cruise ;) Welcome to CC

[stoneharborlady]

I really like the inside cabins, but I disagree with those who say how dark they are. We had too much light coming in around the door, and I really like it to be dark for sleeping. We spent no more time in our mini suite on our first cruise than we did in our inside, and I think the mini was a huge waste of money for us. I dont go on vacation to sit in a room all day, no matter an inside or suite. I like to walk around the ship, talk to people, spend time at the pool, and enjoy the fresh air. Sitting on our balcony did not impress me, too confining. I doubt we spent more than an hour on it all week.

[StLouisCruisers]

To the OP:

 

Your cabin C420 is right next door to "our" cabin on the Crown, C424. One year we spent 4 different cruises on the Crown in C424. We decided that we had spent more days in that cabin that year than any other passengers. (we take longer cruises). And we book insides more often than not. That way we can cruise more and see the world! Enjoy your cruise!

[metairiegal]

I'm laughing about the posts that say how dark it is for sleeping. It's just as dark in an outside, balcony , mini or suite. It's not like you have street lamps or car headlights, it's the middle of the ocean with no ambient lights. There are black out curtains in every cabin and if you bring a closepin to keep the seams closed it is dark until you open the curtains.

 

As someone else mentioned, you would be surprised how much moonlight helps! Plus, we never keep the curtains completely closed. We always keep them open a little, just so we know when the sun comes up!

 

Some other thoughts about our experiences in an inside...

In an inside, you can get REALLY good sleep. The down side is when you wake up you never know if it is 3:00am or 3:00pm! :eek: I do find it to be a little confusing.

 

I can't sleep with the tv on all night. The "glow" is too much and bothers me.

 

We do bring a flashlight (as someone else mentioned, in case of a power failure), and a night light and/or battery operated flameless candles.

[Jennwick]

I stay in inside cabins for all of the reasons previously mentioned. My tip is a frequently turn on the ship cam on the TV when I'm not sleeping. Gives me a "view" to the outside and helps orient me to time/weather.!

[Steelers36]

If PescadoAmarillo (Jeannie & G) can do 150 freakin' nights in an Inside, then we can manage it just fine for a week or 10 nights.

[manchesterfan]

Thank you to everyone who responded. This is an excellent forum! So many great suggestions that we will put to good use. We tend to stay in our comfort zone and this community has certainly alleviated the concerns we had about booking an interior cabin. We will definitely be out and about on the ship a lot more than what we have been with a balcony room - and that's a good thing. :) We will be sure to post again and let everyone know how our experience was trying an interior cabin for the first time. Again, thanks so much!

[love2relax]

I also have saved a lot of money by booking inside cabins frequently. They have the same space as the ocean views and balconies, except that the balconies get more square feet outside due to the balcony itself. I really like the inside cabins on the Lido Deck.. They are on the same deck as the buffet, except that you have to walk back across the pool deck to get there. Also, it is a quick trip outside to see something. The best part is that you can hop on the elevators and go straight down to the showroom, casino, and many of the bars that are forward on the ship.

The International Café and two of the dining rooms are midship, which are also very convenient. Unlike many others have mentioned, I do spend a lot of time in my room relaxing, reading, and watching movies. If I want to go outside, it is a quick trip down the hall. I also keep the tv on the bridge cam channel when I am reading to see the weather and light during the day, and as a nightlight during the night.

All 3 of my Crown cruises were in inside cabins on the Lido Deck, and we were very happy with our location. We tend to stay in L257 or L253, but if you go down the hall a few more cabins to L243 or L242, your category will drop from an IC to an IF which should be easy to switch to since it is lower than the category that you have been assigned to.

Edited January 9, 2016 by love2relax

[Lucky TGO]

I made a good friend on the Dawn Princess in 1999 who only books inside cabins and loves them?? he sailed with Princess 128 times and is one of there MTP with over 2,000 days.

Tony

[TheSmartOne]

To the OP:

 

Your cabin C420 is right next door to "our" cabin on the Crown, C424. One year we spent 4 different cruises on the Crown in C424. We decided that we had spent more days in that cabin that year than any other passengers. (we take longer cruises). And we book insides more often than not. That way we can cruise more and see the world! Enjoy your cruise!

 

OH! We're going to be in C424 on the Crown in March! It looks great location wise, but I wonder if you can hear any noise from the elevators. Since you've booked it more than once, I'm going to guess that you felt it wasn't noisy...is that correct? Thanks so much for lending us your cabin for a week! ;) We promise to leave it in good shape!

[Dunk]

During the day we keep all the lights on. Once the sun sets, we only use the table lamps and the lights above the desk. We found this helps.

[LACruiser88]

As previously mentioned, being in an inside cabin allows us to cruise twice as much due to the price savings. We have 40+ Princess cruises in all categories of cabins. We use the cabin for basics and spend most of our time in public areas of the ship.

 

One tip I did not see mentioned for "waking-up" that we have used for years, we bring a timer with a night-light attached. We place it on the counter receptacle and set the timer for 7:00 am. Every morning the night light turns on and announces that it is time to wake up. When we want to sleep later, we adjust the timer...

[susancruzs]

Sailing single, I take insides because I take longer cruises, pricing enters into my choice. I'll be on the Regal for 25 days in April, inside cabin, I don't mind. I turn TV to the web cam, when the screen goes light in the a.m., I wake up! I do like the timer idea though, might try it! :)

Edited January 13, 2016 by susancruzs