I've stayed six kinds of cruise rooms, and the cheapest was never worth it. Here's what to book instead.
In:After over three dozen cruises, it's safe to say that I've stayed in my fair share of accommodations at sea, ranging from windowless interior cabins to lavish suites with butler service.
Throughout my cruising career, I've learned that not all cruise cabins are designed equally. As such, although booking the cheapest room might seem like the easiest way to save money on your vacation, that doesn't mean you'll have the best cruise experience.
In fact, splurging on higher-category rooms, like ocean-view balconies and suites, has often made my cruises more enjoyable and memorable.
Based on my experiences, here are a couple of the cruise rooms I've tried and would skip— and the ones I'd recommend in a heartbeat.
Tiny interior staterooms with limited space and no views
Growing up, my family never stayed in interior rooms, which perhaps spoiled me a little too much. Still, once I began traveling as an adult and paying for my own vacations, it was hard to stomach always splurging on balconies.
That said, I quickly learned why my parents were always adamant about booking balconies. Inside cabins are the smallest accommodations onboard and lack the natural light, fresh air, and connection to the ocean that I crave while at sea.
On Caribbean itineraries, this isn't the worst since most of the views at sea are just endless blue water. However, I really regret booking interior rooms on both my Alaska cruises.
Although I spent most of my days exploring the ship and ports of call, like Juneau and Skagway, having a private balcony to enjoy Alaska's scenery in privacy would have been worth the extra cost — especially on scenic cruising days.
Ocean-view staterooms provide a little more space but lack fresh air
Wanting to find a middle ground between a windowless inside cabin and a pricey balcony, I tried an ocean-view stateroom. These cabins are generally larger than interior staterooms and have a view of the outside world, but they still lack fresh air.
Plus, some ocean-view cabins have smaller windows or obstructed views, meaning you won't get the sweeping view you imagined. In that case, the biggest advantage is the natural light, rather than the view itself.
There's no denying that ocean-view staterooms are a step up from interior cabins, but I still found myself missing the ability to step outside without having to leave my room.
Interior-facing balconies feel enclosed and are often noisy
Next, I've sailed in a handful of interior-facing balconies on Oasis and Icon Class ships, including Central Park and Boardwalk-view rooms. These staterooms technically have private balconies, but they offer a different experience from traditional ocean-facing cabins.
For starters, the biggest downside of these rooms is the lack of privacy. As implied by the name, Boardwalk balconies overlook the Boardwalk Neighborhood on Oasis Class ships (this neighborhood was replaced by Surfside on Icon, Star, and Legend of the Seas).
This means that, rather than having a direct oceanfront view, you're looking inward at the ship's public areas. Not only that, but these cabins can be surprisingly noisy, especially at night during AquaTheater shows.
Central Park is a little better since you're looking at a neighborhood with trees, bushes, and other vegetation. However, it's still a little awkward looking directly into other guests' staterooms.
Plus, I discovered that these cabins are still noisier than you might think. On Icon of the Seas, my fiancée and I stayed in an Infinite Veranda above Izumi and Trellis Bar.
As such, we could hear the sounds of Central Park's popular dining and entertainment venues, along with music drifting down from the pool deck during the day, from our stateroom.
Connecting staterooms are great for families and give everyone more privacy
My family quickly discovered that connecting cabins worked well for us. I'd stay in one room with my sister, while my parents had the room next door.
The reason connecting cruise rooms work so well is that they provide the three major things families need: space, privacy, and value.
For example, having two bathrooms was a huge perk of our connecting cabins. With two teenage girls, there's no way the four of us could have shared one tiny bathroom and made it out without fighting.
I also appreciated that we weren't stuck on pullman or sofa beds. Instead, we'd each have our own twin-sized bed. This made the cabin feel less cramped, especially at night.
I've never regretted splurging on a balcony cabin
Finally, the one type of cruise room I've never regretted booking is an ocean-view balcony. They may not seem necessary on every voyage, such as a short weekend getaway to The Bahamas, but they serve as a constant reminder that you are actually at sea. To me, that's worth every penny.
Instead of only feeling like I'm on a cruise while standing on the top deck or exploring the ship, I can take advantage of my own private outdoor space whenever I want, whether that's first thing in the morning or late at night.
Even on Caribbean getaways, I love starting my morning with free room service and a hot cup of coffee on the balcony, watching the ship glide through the open ocean.
However, a balcony feels even more necessary on scenic sailings, like on my cruise to Norway a few years ago. During that weeklong sailing, my fiancée and I used our balcony way more than we thought, watching the dramatic fjords, mountains, and coastal landscapes pass by.
Ultimately, the best cruise cabin depends on your budget and travel style. However, after staying in different kinds of staterooms over the years, I've learned firsthand that extra space and private balconies make a huge difference.
