Interior or Ocean View

[bkerber]

On our first cruise years ago, I booked an OV because I thought it would be nice to have a view of the ocean. We did use it occasionally when we were wakened by the anchor after coming in to port. But honestly I decided unless I can have a balcony, I dont see the point of having a window. I definately want to spend my money elsewhere. But its up to you of course. It might be best to get one for your first time and then decide on your next cruises whether it was that important. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

[SadieN]

Do you like going to bed in total darkness and waking up in total darkness? Some do, some don't.

 

We have some friends who will only travel in IS. We will only travel with a natural light source (window or balcony).

 

Inside and Ocean View cabins should be the same square footage on the Fantasy.

[adaptabl]

A waste of $80.00. We never spend any time during the day in our cabin other than a quick shower and to freshen up. At night everything is black outside. Spend the extra money on something you will enjoy. We had a balcony on our first cruise (a free upgrade perk a friend was able to pass on to friends and family) we used it for about 10 minutes the whole cruise. It was a total waste to us.

[GRANNYOFSIX]

Without a doubt Carnival's interior cabins are very roomy which is super nice. I don't feel great when I look out a cabin window while I'm standing STILL. So for me an interior cabin is the way to go. Looking out of the windows on any deck of the ship is fine.......as long as I'm walking and not still.............

 

We are spoiled by the size of Carnival's inside cabins............we cruise a lot and when we cruise on Royal Caribbean we have to get a LARGE INSIDE CABIN and it's still much smaller than Carnival's regular interior cabin!!

 

Happy cruising with whichever choice you make - you will have a wonderful time!!!:)

[tabbi_cakes]

Thanks everyone for the awesome input. I love that I have found this awesome community in Cruise Critic.

 

We decided to go ahead and upgrade for the $80. Now we have an ocean view on the main deck.

 

Thanks again!

 

 

Now... we wait 6 months and 1 day. :cool:

[Isasprings]

Ocean view I love it......Ready for my halloween cruise Oct,29,2012:)

[cruising3times]

If not a balcony then I want an inside cabin. I have had a cabin with a window and I actually prefer an inside cabin. But I must admit I do like a balcony, and love the sofa that comes in the cabin. But it definitely depends on the ship because some have few balconies.

[NCTribeFan]

I am claustrophic. I still prefer an inside cabin. But put in my a mob of people crammed into the front of the MDR waiting to stampede to their tables and I start to freak. It's the feeling of not being able to get out of the mob that sets me off. Not a nice, comfy, secure cabin.

 

And, yes, looking out the window at the sea passing is worse for motion sickness. But I don't spend time in the cabin except to sleep or get ready for dinner.

 

All the ships have a deck cam. If one MUST see outside to know what the weather is like (but cannot take a couple of minutes to run up the stairs and go outside), you can turn the tv to that channel and it will gradually lighten in the morning. My internal clock wakes me whether it's pitch black or not. And there's always the phone to set a wake-up call.

 

All that being said, OP mentioned being on Upper on Fantasy. I had an issue with U99 (one of the sideways insides) on Fascination. There was a whump-whump-whump sort of machine sound that actually hurt my ears - sort of like driving down the highway with one window half-way down - a definite pressure throb. So if she's in one of those cabins, I'd be tempted to move.

[skrufy]

OV anytime.

[tabbi_cakes]

All that being said, OP mentioned being on Upper on Fantasy. I had an issue with U99 (one of the sideways insides) on Fascination. There was a whump-whump-whump sort of machine sound that actually hurt my ears - sort of like driving down the highway with one window half-way down - a definite pressure throb. So if she's in one of those cabins, I'd be tempted to move.

 

It was U71, one of the sideways rooms.

[mondello]

Right now we are booked in an interior cabin, midship on upper deck. The $80 would be for ocean view, midship, main deck. OR we could go on the R deck for $50. (On Carnival Fantasy.)

 

This is our first cruise EVER so I don't know what we would like more.

 

:confused::confused:I'm confused :confused::confused:

I'm happy in our inside cabins. We had an OV once and the windows are often dirty from sea-spray. Enjoy your first cruise and you'll probably find that you're only in your cabin to sleep/shower/dress. There is so much to see and do on the ship. Great views from so many vantage points.

[ray98]

I have always been happy with an inside, the only OV's I have booked is when the price was a few dollars more and it was in a higher class. I don't normally spend much time in the room so upgrading it really adds nothing to my cruise.

[ddbaab53]

First except to sleep and change cloths you might not be sepnding a lot of time in the cabin. We have done interior, OV and Bal. and have liked them all. The upcoming room we have one of those interior with french doors that they have on the Legend. We almost always stay on the main deck but I don't want Rivera. Something in my head about being on the lowest deck, go figure!!!!! The interiors do get dark but I take a night light and put it in the bathroom so if one of us has to get up during the night. As other have said, it really is a personal preferance....Hope you really enjoy your first cruise and get bit by the bug...... oh, word of advice even thought you don't think you will get sick, take something to keep it at bay. You don't want to spend all that mony on the trip and not enjoy it because of sea sickness. I grew up on the ocean and still put the patch on when we cruise.

[tabbi_cakes]

I am glad that I upgraded when I did!

 

Price went up another $80 (for 2 ppl) since then!

[NCTribeFan]

It was U71, one of the sideways rooms.

 

Then I think you made a good decision. I've never read of anyone else having any issues with those sideways cabins, but I absolutely hated it.

 

But don't be afraid to try an inside in the future. I had OV on my 2nd & 3rd cruises and simply decided that with my very limited budget (single mom paying for me & DD), the inside cabin was just fine.

 

I've only sailed as often as I have because I mostly sailed in inside cabins. Being able to cruise is much more important to me than the cabin I'm in, so I normally go as cheaply as I can.

 

I'll be onboard two weeks from today! In my nice, dark inside cabin on Main. :D

[Sparky2]

"Worth" is 100% subjective. What is worth it to one isn't to another.

 

Size of cabin depends on the ship. On many, the OV is the same square footage as an inside (Fantasy class and Spirit class are).

 

I almost never pay extra for a window. I actually prefer an inside because I love it to be pitch black when I'm sleeping. I've even been known to put a towel along the bottom of the cabin door to keep that sliver of light out.

 

For me, paying extra for a window is a waste of money. That $80 would go toward the tips or buy a couple of bottles of wine or go into my casino budget.

 

You decide what is important to you. I'd rather have a midship, lower deck inside cabin than an OV in the bow, under the galley or over the disco.

 

I agree with you on this. We love the darkness of the inside cabin and also midship location.

[cruiser 1952]

My only negative about an inside room is a positive for others! I slept too late when in an inside room because of the total darkness. I felt like I was wasting cruising time. It is all about what you like. The room itself did not bother me in any way.

[jbanana1]

I've only sailed on the Fantasy class ships and only had inside rooms. We were midship on the Upper deck both times and LOVE this location cuz it's very convenient to use the stairs to get around and not have to wait for an elevator (also good for trying to keep the extra weight off from all the food eaten on the cruise).

 

For us, the extra $$ just for a window isn't worth it unless you get a bigger room (which you do not on these ships) or unless you are sailing to Alaska where you actually have scenery to look at. On our cruise last summer on the Fascination, my SIL went with us along with some other relatives who were all first time cruisers. Before going she said she would've been ok with paying more $$ for a window but once on the cruise said she didn't miss not having the window at all and loved our location.

 

We were pleasantly surprised in the size of the room - just fine for 2 people although the bathroom is very tiny. I sleep better in the dark and I use a sleep mask for when my husband gets up (he's an early riser and I'm not) and needs to turn on a light. Also, the light from the hallway shines thru the bottom of the door at night to give some light if you get up during the night.

[SteelerCruiser]

we really enjoy cruising Insides.....that being said Ocean Views are nice as well. It reall is a matter of if you feel the price difference is worth it. Personally I would say take the money and spend elsewhere maybe in Port or something extra on board.

[Cruise-Crazy]

For $80 I'd go for it. It's nice to have a window.

[iwannacruise2day]

Ultimately, it really depends on what you value, which seems to be the consensus.

 

If you are clausterphobic (or aftraid of finding the room too small) an ocean view will help.

 

However, something that doesn't get talked about much is how WARM an ocean view room can get.If you're in line for the afternoon sun, I find the rooms get warm fast, and can be a challenge to cool back down especially in warmer months.

 

It also depends on how much of a room haunter you are. If you know you wont be in there much, don't waste the money.

[kingoftheicedragons]

I personally would not pay $80 more just to have a window. Maybe if it was $20 different.

 

I've had all kinds of cabins--interior, ocean view, and balcony. Truth be told, the cabin itself isn't going to make or break the vacation. Cabin size is only important if you plan on spending the majority of time in the cabin.

 

It is, of course, a personal view, and each cabin is going to have it's pros and cons, and what you chose is going to depend on you. If you're a late sleeper and like it dark when you sleep, interior is the best choice. If you like knowing it's morning and time to get up, you'll want a window. A window/balcony would also come in handy for knowing when you arrive in port--all you have to do is look out.

[jbanana1]

Also, our insides on the Fantasy and Fascination were the sideways cabins and we liked it just fine.

[bruisin4cruisin]

I love the oceanview. We have had a balcony and found we did not use it like we thought we would. We were invited by our neighbors to go, and we went with the balcony because it was also our 5 year anniversary. Our room ended up smaller than the oceanview because our balcony room, with balcony, was the same as their OV.

We are thinking of taking the kids on a 4 day this summer since we are being pestered by them to go, and will consider an interior since summer is sooo much more expensive.

Oh, back to the OP's question. The reason I like the OV is because I love looking at the water. At night, if there are good seas, seeing that beautiful turquoise water go past your window is mesmerizing. Also, when I wake up in the morning, I want to know that the sun is available for viewing, I do not like waking up in the dark.