Cruise ships offer different stateroom categories to accommodate various vacation preferences and travel budgets, ranging from windowless inside cabins to spacious suites.
Sometimes, however, the cheapest cruise cabin isn't the best. While saving money is always great, the trade-off can affect your onboard experience. For example, a lower-category cruise stateroom typically means less space and no access to natural light.
Before you agree to a downgrade, consider what you might be giving up on your next vacation and whether the cost savings are worth it. Here are 7 reasons the cheapest cruise cabin isn't always the smartest choice.
No fresh air or natural light
Interior cabins do not have private balconies or windows. As such, they're sometimes referred to as "shoeboxes" or "tombs" because of their compact size and lack of natural light. Some travelers don't mind the setup. Others, however, find the windowless staterooms disorienting and claustrophobic.
Without a window or balcony, you can't watch the sunrise, step outside for fresh air, or check the current weather conditions. Your stateroom's television will typically have a live feed of the bow or top deck, but it's not a substitute for the benefits of a true verandah or window.
Plus, if you suffer from motion sickness, being in an interior cabin can make it harder to orient yourself since you can't gaze out at the horizon.
Limited storage space
Cruise cabins aren't known for being spacious. The lack of storage space, in particular, is a common complaint, especially on older ships.
While all standard staterooms (i.e., interior, ocean-view, and balconies) provide storage options, the amount varies widely. Since inside cabins are the smallest, they may have limited closets, drawers, and shelving.
This may not be an issue on a short 3- or 4-night cruise. However, those sailing on longer voyages, such as two-week cruises through the Panama Canal or across the Atlantic Ocean, could find the lack of storage frustrating.
Read more: I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked
Less space to relax
The size of inside cabins on Royal Caribbean cruise ships is inconsistent across the fleet.
For example, most interior staterooms on Enchantment of the Seas come in at around 136 square feet, while those on Utopia of the Seas measure anywhere from 150 to 170 square feet.
The smaller the rooms are, the less living space you have. In fact, it's not uncommon for many inside cabins to have limited seating, whereas most ocean-view and balcony staterooms have an extra sofa.
Privacy is harder to come by
One major downside of inside and ocean-view cabins is the lack of a private verandah. Without a balcony, it's harder to savor private moments watching the passing scenery. On typical Caribbean sailings, this may not be as big an issue.
However, on scenic cruises to places like Alaska or Norway, you might want your own outdoor space to enjoy glaciers, fjords, and wildlife.
In fact, it is not uncommon for the top deck to be packed on glacier viewing days. As such, a room with a balcony means you won't have to fight the crowds for a good spot. You can even enjoy room service, complete with freshly brewed hot coffee, from the comfort of your private verandah.
Basic amenities
One reason to consider splurging on a suite is the extra benefits. The perks vary but often include upgraded toiletries, plush bedding, priority boarding, extra Crown & Anchor points, and access to exclusive lounges.
Inside, ocean-view, and balcony rooms cover the basics, offering everything from an ensuite bathroom, daily housekeeping, and a television. However, the added comforts of a suite can make a noticeable difference, especially if you're celebrating a special occasion onboard.
For example, Sky Class suites within the Royal Suite Class include complimentary VOOM internet; access to the Coastal Kitchen restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; priority boarding; suite lounge access; and more.
Read more: What are the Royal Caribbean suite perks?
Last-minute upgrades are a gamble
RoyalUp is Royal Caribbean’s cabin bidding program that allows passengers to bid on higher stateroom categories before their cruise, with the chance to “win” a better cabin.
It can be tempting to rely on last-minute upgrades to score a balcony or suite at a lower cost. However, availability varies, and there's no guarantee that your bid will be accepted.
There's less of a chance if your cruise sells out in advance, which is common during peak travel times. As such, you should secure your preferred stateroom when booking to avoid disappointment.
Guarantee cabins are risky
Finally, the cheapest cruise cabins are guarantee inside staterooms. Rather than selecting your specific cabin at the time of booking, Royal Caribbean will randomly assign a stateroom before sailing based on the remaining inventory.
Although they're a good option for cruisers who want to save money on their fare, you risk being assigned a cabin in an undesirable location, such as near a noisy elevator bank or at the front of the vessel.
Once the stateroom has been assigned, it cannot be changed. This could be frustrating if you're given, for example, a connecting cabin and don't know the party in the adjoining stateroom.
Read more: I saved $240 on my cruise by letting Royal Caribbean choose my room, and I'd totally do it again
