Need the "inside" Scoop

DW and I have cruised 8 times, all Carnival. First cruise we did OV and have done all balconies since including one suite (honeymoon!). We have cruised once per year and would like to increase the frequency and do perhaps 2 per year. This would mean cost-cutting which of course is most easily done by booking less expensive cabins.

Who here has been an all-balcony cruiser and then tried an inside? How did you like it? If so, what were the biggest surprises positive/negative?

We like the balocnies for the obvious reasons, coffee in the morning, light in the room plus DW is a smoker (sigh) and the convienience factors in. We also like to sit out there very late at night and enjoy the skies and sounds.

An inside cabin would be a major adjustment to our cruise experience but would it be enough to significantly decrease the overall enjoyment?

If we do indeed decide to go "inside", we will likely try to get a cabin close an outdoor area like just inside the Lido deck. Anyone done this?

Spin

We've definitely had a mixture of cabins with everything from an inside to balconies. An inside cabin is going to have the same amount of floor space as a balcony cabins.

We cruise 2-3 times a year and we are able to do that because we look for low rates during off-peak cruising times.

If you want some natural light then try a porthole cabin. You can get them for the price of an interior cabin....sometimes porthole cabins are even cheaper

I love balconies too and for the same reason;) But I now book the dreaded inside cabin. I watched fares daily for my next cruise, and then got into a porthole as it gave me the lighting I wanted. Later at another offering, got to an OV for no extra. Still have no balcony, but I'm in a cabin directly near an elevator for easy Lido access. I'm surviving the smoking issue with some give and take. For my night "needs" I'm bringing disposable e cigs to tide me over.

You will hear people like the dark for sleeping, but sleeping isn't my priority on a cruise, I can get caught up when back home. I find insides very confining, and that drives me out of the cabin.

I agree with the cost factor, I'd rather cruise more than shell out the extra to have a part time private smoking room.

If you spend a lot of time on the balcony then by all means get it.

For us, we used to spend like 10 mins on the balcony and that is it. We are on the go or hanging at the Lido

We first tried an inside cabin on our last cruise, aboard the Freedom.

Ok, its dark- sort of cave life BUT for us we ONLY use it to sleep- so its dark anyway!

I would rather save the money and go on extra cruise!!

Try the inside and see how you like it. Thats the only way you will know.

Cheers

We have always had a balcony too but for our upcoming Freedom cruise in January, we are booked in a 4J. These are at the front of the ship and even though they are classified as inside cabins, they have a window which looks out to the deck where the "secret" door takes you. The cost was about half what a balcony cabin would be and it will be so easy to go out on that front deck.

Not sure what ship you're looking at but another option would be the inside cabin with the french doors (think it's category 4K) on the Spirit class ships. These are obstructed view cabins (behind or between the lifeboats) but they have a door which can be opened to get fresh air or light... you just can't walk out . Never tried one but perhaps some day we will.

Like you, we would like to cruise more often so we figured we'd give the inside 4J cabins a try! I will miss my balcony but if I can get another cruise a year for what we save, I'll be happy! :D

I agree with Wrigley80. Back in the day we did only inside to be able to afford the many trips we've taken. Now we only do aft balconies. We did do a spur of the moment Ecstasy cruise last summer and did do an inside. It was actually not a big deal. We usually take a nap in the afternoon and having the room that dark was nice. Our inside was on Veranda deck V32 so we basically just walked out our door and down 1 set of stairs and into the pool :D. You should be fine with the changeover to inside, also as Wrigley80 said the porthole cabins are sometimes cheaper and look at the obstructed cabins as well you might even find a cheap balcony depending on the ship. :)

We have been in the same situation as you. We always had balconies before and now only do inside cabins. It allows us to travel more and to be honest with you we really didn't spend any time on the balconies anyhow. Are family is always out and about and only use our room for showers and very little sleep.

We had done all balcony cabins but did a last minute one with friends and to save money took an inside on mid deck 7. The cabin was nice but not as roomy as our previous cabins. We left the tv on at night with the bridge camera on so we knew whether it was light or dark outside. It didn't ruin our cruise but we don't think we'll do an inside again.

Our next cruise we got one of the scenic ocean view cabins on the Sunshine. If we like the light and don't miss the balcony too much we'll try some of the other special cabins that give light without a balcony. This will determine if we're lifetime balcony cruisers or not.

Enjoy your cruise whichever you choose!

DH and I have been on 30 cruises and have had mostly balconies and suites, with a few OV and insides when we first started cruising. We booked an inside very last minute (no balconies or suites left) for a cruise 3 weeks after a HAL cruise in one of their bigger suites. When we walked into the inside cabin, it looked like the closet in the suite. It was only a 4-day cruise, so we got through it, but never again. You might be better with at least a porthole cabin so you at least get some light and can see what the weather is. I also need a balcony for smoking, but did find out on our last cruise in Sept. that the casino bar on the Paradise had one end for smokers and there was almost always an ashtray around even if the bar wasn't open.

We are not smokers but my sister and brother in law are. We cruise twice a year by getting an inside ( sometime porthole ) while they cruise only once due to getting balcony so they can smoke. Guess who are the jealous ones ? :)

DH and I have been on 30 cruises and have had mostly balconies and suites, with a few OV and insides when we first started cruising. We booked an inside very last minute (no balconies or suites left) for a cruise 3 weeks after a HAL cruise in one of their bigger suites. When we walked into the inside cabin, it looked like the closet in the suite. It was only a 4-day cruise, so we got through it, but never again. You might be better with at least a porthole cabin so you at least get some light and can see what the weather is. I also need a balcony for smoking, but did find out on our last cruise in Sept. that the casino bar on the Paradise had one end for smokers and there was almost always an ashtray around even if the bar wasn't open.

Yes, the casino makes a good pitstop too. Where there's a will, there's a way;)

Bottom line is..

How much time do you spend in the cabin?

Give an inside a shot one time. You will save some dough-

if you dislike it, you never do it again.

simple:o

I know enough information to be dangerous. But. . . my DD just got back from cruising on the Dream, where they booked, "the biggest secret to cruising." This is what their PVP told them. It was an OV on the very front of the ship. I think it was called a floor to ceiling cabin????? I KNOW that's probably not right, but maybe so. The exit to outside was just outside their room a few steps. Great view and you can sneak out to smoke with only a few steps. I think, and again, dangerous information, it was on the 6th floor????

Who here has been an all-balcony cruiser and then tried an inside? How did you like it? If so, what were the biggest surprises positive/negative?

 

An inside cabin would be a major adjustment to our cruise experience but would it be enough to significantly decrease the overall enjoyment?

If we do indeed decide to go "inside", we will likely try to get a cabin close an outdoor area like just inside the Lido deck. Anyone done this?

 

Spin

Let me try to give you my take on your request.

I too am married to a smoker. Our first 2 cruises were inside/OV cabins. I made it so the cabins were near a smoking area - my Wife didn't get to stay in her sweats to smoke but she was able to enjoy the view as she did her business.

The living space seems to be the same as a balcony and I like the pitch black darkness of an inside for sleeping, especially when we had late in the day port stops.

Also, a nice view of the ocean is just a short walk away and you may have saved enough money to enjoy that excursion you have always wanted to do.

The cons of an inside room seem pretty obvious: No private view, no sunshine streaming in the room, can't enjoy a smoke in your bathrobe and if you should get sick, being stuck in an inside room won't be fun.

Just make your decision and live with it. It is one cruise and you got to go - if it doesn't work, switch back to getting a balcony.

Cheers

Yes, it depends on how much room time you use. I leave our room at 5-6AM, return with breakfast for my wife and dd at 7, then we are out by 8 easily. Seadays we might return once for a few minutes in mid day, Port days not back till 5 or 6, then I head back with my 9 year old at 8:30 for her bedtime, while the wife stays out to do whatever she does. So a balcony is wasted on us, plus can't see spending the extra money? Our last cruise for the 3 of us with taxes and fees we payed 1200.00, add in another 600-800 for driving and flying etc... that's a lot of money (hence why we missed cruising since Jan 2012).

We cruise with my sisters and brothers family, sister loves OV, brother and wife who are smokers like balcony, so we see all, prefer insides and yes, we are those who keep the front ship camera on at night, even though it is dark when I get up :)

Totally agree, all you can do is try it.

Mid-ship, inside Riviera deck is our mantra!

Let me try to give you my take on your request.

 

I too am married to a smoker. Our first 2 cruises were inside/OV cabins. I made it so the cabins were near a smoking area - my Wife didn't get to stay in her sweats to smoke but she was able to enjoy the view as she did her business.

 

The living space seems to be the same as a balcony and I like the pitch black darkness of an inside for sleeping, especially when we had late in the day port stops.

 

Also, a nice view of the ocean is just a short walk away and you may have saved enough money to enjoy that excursion you have always wanted to do.

 

The cons of an inside room seem pretty obvious: No private view, no sunshine streaming in the room, can't enjoy a smoke in your bathrobe and if you should get sick, being stuck in an inside room won't be fun.

 

Just make your decision and live with it. It is one cruise and you got to go - if it doesn't work, switch back to getting a balcony.

 

Cheers

Thanks for the insight Chooch (related to Cheech/Chong?) and for all of the responses. The smoking is just a small part of it. we do spend a fair amount of time in our balcony rooms but that is partly because we pay for the luxury of having it. If we decide to go inside we will most certainly not be in the cabin nearly as much. I know the only real way to find out is to give it a go so we will probably find a shorter (3-5 day) cruise and see how it goes. :)

We go backand forth between inside, ov and balcony mostly based on price.

Last few cruises we didnt spend enough time on balcony to justify extra 300 in cost for the balcony.

Next one is ov with large picture window followed by inside.

when we take an inside we leave the light on in the bathroom so it acts like nightlite.

If you take the cruise out of Puerto Rico, it's port intensive so you would be spending a lot of time on the islands. You wouldn't miss the balcony as much.

I know enough information to be dangerous. But. . . my DD just got back from cruising on the Dream, where they booked, "the biggest secret to cruising." This is what their PVP told them. It was an OV on the very front of the ship. I think it was called a floor to ceiling cabin????? I KNOW that's probably not right, but maybe so. The exit to outside was just outside their room a few steps. Great view and you can sneak out to smoke with only a few steps. I think, and again, dangerous information, it was on the 6th floor????

These are 4J inside cabins ... we have one booked on Freedom for January. Can't wait to try it! :D

We did try an inside cabin, once. That was enough! Although, as others have said, it's the same size as an O.V. (or balcony) cabin, we felt claustrophobic. We like having a window to look out, or, more preferably, a balcony to sit on. Unless it was offered to us free, I would never book an inside cabin again. I'll gladly pay a bit more for an outside cabin. If you're thinking about trying an inside cabin, I would suggest trying it on a shorter cruise, such as a four or five day cruise. If you like it, then you could always book one again on a longer cruise. If you hate it (as we did), then at least you'll know you won't have to put up with it for very long.

I think you should give a 4J a try. Pricing is cheaper than an Oceanview, but you get a window and a huge walkway balcony (with views of three sides of the ship) right outside your cabin door.

If you're trying to cruise on a very tight budget, consider trying a 1a with portholes. You can find some of them which have two lower beds instead of bunks. You get natural light and a bit of a view, but it's the cheapest cabin on the ship.

We have always had a balcony too but for our upcoming Freedom cruise in January, we are booked in a 4J. These are at the front of the ship and even though they are classified as inside cabins, they have a window which looks out to the deck where the "secret" door takes you. The cost was about half what a balcony cabin would be and it will be so easy to go out on that front deck.

 

Not sure what ship you're looking at but another option would be the inside cabin with the french doors (think it's category 4K) on the Spirit class ships. These are obstructed view cabins (behind or between the lifeboats) but they have a door which can be opened to get fresh air or light... you just can't walk out . Never tried one but perhaps some day we will.

 

Like you, we would like to cruise more often so we figured we'd give the inside 4J cabins a try! I will miss my balcony but if I can get another cruise a year for what we save, I'll be happy! :D

4J is a handicap cabin, unless you need it, please save it for those who do. Not trying to start a debate, but booking this category when you don't need it is the equivelant as parking in a handicap space when you don't need it.

Try booking an inside cabin close to the "not so secret decks" instead of a 4J class.

Be aware though that some porthole cabins, particularly the ones that are at the front of the ship on lower decks, have more noise. I've heard people complain that they could hear every time a wave hit the hull.

4J is a handicap cabin, unless you need it, please save it for those who do. Not trying to start a debate, but booking this category when you don't need it is the equivelant as parking in a handicap space when you don't need it.

Try booking an inside cabin close to the "not so secret decks" instead of a 4J class.

Sorry but you are incorrect... not ALL 4J's are handicapped cabins. If you look at Freedom deck plan, deck 6 you will see that there are only 2 of 6 on this deck that are handicapped. We are in 6203 and it is NOT a handicapped cabin. http://www.cruisecheap.com/c/deckplan.php?SailDate=&ShipID=305&DeckNumber=6#dp

I agree that handicapped cabins should be kept for people who need them but not all 4J's are handicap cabins, as you can see from the deck plan. :)

DW and I have cruised 8 times, all Carnival. First cruise we did OV and have done all balconies since including one suite (honeymoon!). We have cruised once per year and would like to increase the frequency and do perhaps 2 per year. This would mean cost-cutting which of course is most easily done by booking less expensive cabins.

 

Who here has been an all-balcony cruiser and then tried an inside? How did you like it? If so, what were the biggest surprises positive/negative?

 

We like the balocnies for the obvious reasons, coffee in the morning, light in the room plus DW is a smoker (sigh) and the convienience factors in. We also like to sit out there very late at night and enjoy the skies and sounds.

 

An inside cabin would be a major adjustment to our cruise experience but would it be enough to significantly decrease the overall enjoyment?

If we do indeed decide to go "inside", we will likely try to get a cabin close an outdoor area like just inside the Lido deck. Anyone done this?

 

Spin

I didn't read the entire thread but I have been cruising for years and have done both.Our last cruise my wife agreed to try an OV for a 4 day cruise and it wasn't so bad for her although she told me she would never do an inside so I booked OV so at least she got the light and she was fine.I think the fresh air with a balcony or place to sit with my drink while she gets ready for dinner(or nap) makes a difference

Myself I think cabin location too is very important.I would rather do an inside or OV on the Lido deck by the action than be in a funky spot and have to walk a mile for everything