Question about inside staterooms

[granny001]

We too have booked an inside for the first time although im a little leary and somewhat claustrophobic we will have to see if i ever book another inside cabin. We do love the balcony cabns but finances is a factor this time around. Im just greatful just to be cruising anywhere

 

Carnival Conquest 2007

Voyager of the Seas 2008

Carnival Conquest 2009

Voyager of the Seas 4/17/2011

[BillOh]

I have never cruised in an inside cabin yet but we're hoping to go on a 12 day Mediterranean next summer out of Barcelona on the Serenade with our teenagers and to keep the cost down we all, or the kids, may have to cruise in an inside. I'm looking to hear from anyone who has cruised in an inside with tips on not feeling too claustrophobic. Is there a channel on the TV that shows the outside? I would love to put that extra couple of thousand dollars towards expensive excursions but don't know if I'll be able to handle not being able to look outside and once the cruise has left port, it'll be too late to change.

 

Yes, there is a TV channel on most ships with an exterior view. (I've not been on Serenade). I've done a day cruise on an inside. Pehaps kids could take it or they could rotate. There is no way that I could do the Med on an inside, i love being on my balcony going into a port too much.

[Shooraq]

Also, some people say they don't care where they sleep because they don't spend time in the cabin anyway. We always go back to our cabin as a retreat, for a nap, a shower, to regroup, to make plans, to... whatever... YES, we spend time in our cabin. I think more people do than they say they do.

 

Not true... people like me actually mean it when we say we are in the cabin very little.

 

Here's the way I equate it. My bedroom at home has windows, but the shades are always down. I use my bedroom only to sleep and read, the rest of the time, I am in my living room or just outside. The same applies to a cruise. Even when I have balconies, I end up rarely using it. For me, I'm not on a cruise to sit in my room - I could do that at home and save WAY more money. I want to be out where the action is!

 

That being said, my next 3 cruises are all insides to save money. If I find a worthwhile upgrade, I'll take it for more room, but otherwise, it's all good! :D

[Paulxyz2004]

I´ve sailed from outside to Suite, but never in an inside and never would.

Oh wait I was in an inside once on a one night ships presentation (didn´t even leave the pier). It was ok for that night, but a cruise nope. Sorry I´d rather not go than in an inside.JMO.

[Karysa]

I have clausterphobia. I have to leave if the elevator is crowded with people, and would need to be heavily sedated to go for a MRI, with that said I am just fine with an inside cabin. I do not find it too small and I am one of those people that does sleep much better in an inside cabin. At night and for naps they would be my cabin of choice but I like the balcony at the other times of the day. We had an aft last month and an inside on our next cruise and a side balcony on the one after that. We just mix it up, it keeps life interesting.

[BonTXNY]

I´ve sailed from outside to Suite, but never in an inside and never would.

Oh wait I was in an inside once on a one night ships presentation (didn´t even leave the pier). It was ok for that night, but a cruise nope. Sorry I´d rather not go than in an inside.JMO.

 

You're very lucky to not have to make that decision. Count your blessings. Others don't have that option.

[joyride21]

I have no problem with inside cabins. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who doesn't agree that "once you go balcony, you never go back." (Our most recent cruise was actually in an inside, after having had an aft balcony on the cruise before that.) In an inside, we mute the tv and put it on the bridge camera channel. That way when the sun rises, our room gradually gets brighter. :)

[flynsail]

I think I've decided to book two connecting inside cabins and give it a try. I'm looking at two on deck 4 near the elevators, or two on deck 9 near the aft stairs keeping in mind I have teenagers that would be spending time in the teen areas. Would either of these areas be better than the other if they're both available when I go to book? I'm planning to book the connecting insides as soon as the booking opens up and I will keep checking for price drops or promotions until final payment is due next year just in case I can upgrade. Thanks to everyone for your comments.

[Jimnbigd]

I think I've decided to book two connecting inside cabins and give it a try. I'm looking at two on deck 4 near the elevators, or two on deck 9 near the aft stairs keeping in mind I have teenagers that would be spending time in the teen areas. Would either of these areas be better than the other if they're both available when I go to book? I'm planning to book the connecting insides as soon as the booking opens up and I will keep checking for price drops or promotions until final payment is due next year just in case I can upgrade. Thanks to everyone for your comments.

 

I'd go more mid-ship. The aft cabins can rock and vibrate a little more. However, it also depends what will be directly above and below you. Ideally you want another cabin directly above you. And I would not want a late-night area like the casino or pub or disco directly below me.

A cabin on deck 4 has public areas above it, so that would be a concern for me.

So deck 9 might be a better choice even if near the back of the ship.

 

Connecting cabins is a great choice. You'll have two bathrooms among you instead of one.

If you have more than two teens, be sure to get a cabin that sleeps 3 or 4.

The drop down pullmans are better than the pullout sofa in my opinion.

I don't think the pullout sofa is an option with connecting cabins, since the sofa is replaced with a chair, at least on connecting cabins we've had.

Note that teens have a 1am curfew unless they are with you or some organized teen event.

I usually book an inside cabin because I like to sleep late. You might consider late dining, especially if you are a night owl and late sleeper like me.

Enjoy your cruise.

[lynncarol]

My husband and I usually have an inside cabin due to cost constraints. However, places I think at least an oceanview cabin is warranted are the Baltic Cruise and that of Alaska. I would have really hated to miss seeing those fjords and it can be pretty chilly standing out on deck during early morning arrivals at the ports.

[kintegra]

Ok I've only been on 2 cruises & have my 3rd coming in a few weeks, but in my little experience we have booked OV both prior sailings. I love the OV rooms! I've always had a connecting room as my cousin & his 2 teenage girls & my 2 nieces were all with us in our rooms. I being the "mom figure" had to do hair, fix dresses, pick out their attire, etc. (He's a single dad) So having adjoining staterooms with 4 girls, myself, my sister & one guy worked great! However on the last cruise my other cousin Jen (just down the hall) and I both decided for the little time we are in the rooms (sleeping & getting ready for dinner) next time we're doing the cheaper route & going for the inside rooms.

 

My parents have cruised many many times & each & every time they have an interior stateroom. I've been in it & it is not "claustrophobic" & they enjoy it. I would like to someday try a Balcony, however I think that will only be if I'm with my SO & we aren't cruising with anyone else.

 

In a few weeks for the first time its just my sister & I going on a cruise. Our other cruises have been with family of 16-20 people! Since its just the 2 of us we are going the cheaper route, however I booked a PROMENADE stateroom! I figured that way when we are in the room getting ready for dinner, etc (or she's waiting for me after my gym workout in the morning) that we could look out the Promenade & see what's happening below. Someone was asking about a PR room in a previous posting, so when we get back in a few weeks I'll post about it!

 

I agree also with the above poster about the BC & Alaska cruises - I think I'd have to have at least an OV room for that, just so you don't miss out on any scenery. However if you're going on a big ship, like we always do, there is so much out there to do, you rarely want to be in your stateroom. So go for what you can afford, that way you can do more with your money elsewhere! :)

[janetz]

You're very lucky to not have to make that decision. Count your blessings. Others don't have that option.

 

 

Well said. :)

 

[marci22]

Do you plan on booking ship's excursions? These can be very expensive. A lot of the Med ports are very doable on your own. Check out the Ports of Call boards for lots of information on what to do in the various ports, whether it is on your own, via ship, or by private guide.

[marci22]

I think I've decided to book two connecting inside cabins and give it a try. I'm looking at two on deck 4 near the elevators, or two on deck 9 near the aft stairs keeping in mind I have teenagers that would be spending time in the teen areas. Would either of these areas be better than the other if they're both available when I go to book?

 

Do they have to be connecting? I would book 2 adjoining (rather than connecting) insides in order to have a better choice of location.

 

I believe that on Radiance class ships, the aft stairs are only for the crew and you must use the midship stairs/elevators (someone correct me if I'm wrong). So I would rather be by those midship stairs, and on a higher floor, purely for convenience.

 

The WJ (my kids always go there) arcade, and teen activities/pool are on 11 and 12 and if you had an inside on deck 9 or 10 near the stairs it is easy for them to run up and easy for you also, when you want to track them down. If you are aft, you have to walk forward, take stairs/elevator, then walk back to get to aft activities. Just more walking.

 

Of course whenever I post this people respond that they love to walk, so if that is the case, please disregard.

 

If you must have connecting, I would choose deck 9 in order to be closer to the kids' areas/WJ/pool on 11 and 12

[CCJack]

I think the key word here is teenagers.... My teenagers have cruised several times with us, and I love traveling with them,,, but they are damn lucky to get such nice vacations !!!!!.... I put them in inside cabins whenever possible... (unless a baclony is nearly the same cost, which many times it is.)