I know. I know. Interior cabins get constantly roasted.
No balcony, no ocean view, and obviously no “good morning, Caribbean” moment while holding a coffee mug, as many people dream.
And yet…I keep booking them. On purpose and repeatedly.
So here’s my honest take on why I cruise in interior cabins, why I genuinely love them, and why it might be the smartest cabin choice on the ship, even if it doesn’t sound like a good idea to most people.
1. I’m not paying extra to stare at water I’m barely in the room to look at
This is the biggest one.
When I cruise, I’m rarely in my cabin. I’m out walking the ship. Eating something, watching a show, getting another coffee or drink, sitting by the pool pretending I’ll read a book.
So spending hundreds more for a view feels kind of pointless for my style of cruising.
Yes, I love the ocean. I’m obsessed with the ocean. But I can go see it literally everywhere on the ship.
Promenade, deck chairs, the top deck at sunset.
I’d rather put that money toward things that actually change the trip. A nicer excursion. Specialty dining once or twice. A spa day. Or honestly just keeping it in my pocket so I can book the next cruise faster.
2. Interior cabins are made for sleeping like a rock
This is often underrated, but interior cabins are completely dark at night, and I love that.
I’ve done balconies where the morning light creeps in early, even with the curtains, and suddenly I’m awake at 6:30 AM for no reason.
In the interior cabin, it’s midnight whenever you want, and that deep, blackout sleep hits different after a long day.
3. It forces the cabin to be what it should be
Balcony cabins can trick you. You tell yourself, “I’ll sit out here every morning.” Then it’s too windy or too hot. Or the balcony is shaded.
Interior cabins don’t pretend. They’re honest. They’re cozy and essentially for recharge.
And that actually makes me enjoy the cruise more, because I’m not accidentally spending hours hiding in the room.
I’m out there living my best cruise life with everyone else, being tempted by food and music and random activities I didn’t plan to do.
It’s like interior cabins keep me in vacation mode, while balcony cabins don’t push me to go out and have fun. I think it’s a psychological thing that’s a bit difficult to explain, but I assure you it’s real.
4. They’re usually quieter than people think
This depends on location, obviously. (We’ll talk about that later because cabin location matters more than people realize.)
But in general, interior cabins can be surprisingly peaceful. No balcony door also means no wind and no outside noise.
And if you pick the right deck, you’re golden.
The quietest interior cabins I’ve had were midship, sandwiched between cabin decks.
Nothing above but cabins and nothing below me but cabins. I had the best sleep on that cruise.
5. The price difference can be HUGE, and it adds up fast
Here’s the thing people don’t always say out loud.
That extra money for a view isn’t just a little upgrade. Sometimes it’s the difference between cruising or not cruising.
Interior cabins are often the best value on the ship. They have the cheapest fare and the lowest daily.
If you’re budgeting carefully, that’s the easiest way to justify booking that extra cruise.
I’ve had cruises where upgrading to a balcony was like adding an entire weekend trip’s worth of money.
My brain just goes…I could use that to book another cruise. Because that’s the whole trick, I think more cruises beat fancier cabins on fewer cruises. At least for me.
If money isn’t really a concern, then sure, booking a bigger, more comfortable cabin, or even a suite, makes total sense. But for most people, that’s just not the reality.
6. Less motion (usually) if you choose the right spot
Interior cabins are often in the middle of the ship. And midship tends to feel steadier than the very front or very back.
Again, not always. But if seasickness is something you deal with, a midship interior on a lower or middle deck can be a really smart move.
I’m not super sensitive, but I’ve been on a sailing where you could feel the ship moving and the people up front were not having a good time.
7. I spend the balcony money on experiences and I never regret it
Here’s a real example. On one cruise, I booked an interior and used the savings for better excursions in port.
I came back with photos, memories, and that happy exhausted feeling that makes a cruise feel like it was worth it. A balcony view would not have topped that.
Same thing with specialty dining. Give me one really good dinner with a ridiculous dessert over a balcony that I might use twice.
What about fresh air, claustrophobia, feeling trapped?
Totally fair concerns. Interior cabins aren’t for everyone.
If fresh air is a must, balconies are amazing. If you love sitting outside at night with a drink, that’s a vibe and I get it.
If you’re claustrophobic, interior cabins are definitely not a good choice for you. Especially on older ships, where the rooms are smaller.
Once again, interior cabins aren’t for everyone, but they don’t deserve to be written off right away either.
They’re often small but you can also use these tricks to make a cruise cabin more comfortable or you can check these space-saving hacks for any cruise cabin.
