I sailed onboard Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas and booked an interior cabin, which was the cheapest available option. 

Measuring 139,999 gross registered tons, Navigator of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world when launched in 2002.  

In early 2019, she completed a $115 amplification, adding new dining venues, water slides, activities, and more that are round on newer ships in the fleet. 

Today, Navigator is the only Royal Caribbean ship deployed out of Los Angeles, operating 3-, 4-, and 7-night cruises to Baja California and the Mexican Riviera. 

In mid-June, I went on a 7-night cruise that visited Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta and paid a little over $2,280 for two people to stay in an interior stateroom, including port fees and gratuities. This broke down to $1,140 each, or about $162 per night, per person.

To save a little extra money, I chose a guarantee rate, so I was not assigned my cabin until closer to the sail date. 

Not only was this my first time on Navigator of the Seas, it was my first-ever cruise on a Voyager Class ship! Since this was going to be the oldest Royal Caribbean ship that I had ever sailed on, I was interested to see the condition of cabins that were over twenty-years-old!

The first thing I noticed upon walking into my stateroom was that there was a small loveseat that was not pushed up against one side of the wall. Instead, it stuck out in the already tight walkway of the 160 square foot cabin. I am glad that I had the beds separated, as I feel like the floor space would've been minimal if they were pushed together!

The length of the loveseat exceeded the length of the wall, meaning that even if we wanted to try to rearrange the layout, it would have been impossible. 

Overall, I appreciated the lighter decor compared to the dark greens found in most staterooms on Freedom Class ships. It made the room feel newer than cabins I have stayed in on both Liberty and Freedom of the Seas. 

Beside of each bed was a small nightstand that had a single drawer with additional storage space underneath. 

While there were no outlets beside of the beds, there were two reading lights. Had the beds been pushed together, the nightstands would've been directly underneath them, rather than on the center of the wall.  

The only two American outlets were located on the vanity. There was one additional European plug; however, neither my travel companion nor myself had an adapter. Thankfully, she brought a cruise line approved power strip, so we had access to multiple USB ports through a single outlet. 

Since the plugs are located far away from the bed, I recommend bringing a longer cord, so you are able to use the device from bed! 

The vanity area itself had plenty of storage, with nine drawers and two cabinets "hidden" behind the mirror. Above the television was the safe and another larger cabinet.

Stateroom mini-fridges are hit or miss in that some keep your beverages colder than others. While this was not the strongest mini-fridge I have had while on a cruise, it kept a couple bottles of water cool. 

The bathroom in my inside cabin was exactly what I expected. Although it was dated, it had everything that was necessary.

There were two cups attached to the backsplash, and between the shelves behind the mirror and the large shelf underneath the sink, there was enough space to hold all of our toiletries, makeup, and hair products.

As someone who cruisers frequently, I was not surprised by the size of the shower; however, it was my travel companions first-ever cruise, and she could not get over how small showers are on ships!

In terms of closet space, there were plenty of hangers for both of us to hang everything that needed to be hung. That, coupled with the shelving, meant there was enough space to unpack a week's worth of clothes. Had the safe been in the closet like on other ships, we would have had one less shelf to use. 

My stateroom (#8447) was located on Deck 8 in the forward of the ship. We loved the location because it was not a far walk from the elevator bank.

Plus, it was only three decks above the Royal Promenade, making our morning coffee commute relatively painless! Three decks above us was the pool deck, so we did not have to rely on elevators much at all. 

While I am still a fan of the larger Royal Caribbean ships, I wouldn't hesitate to book another cruise on a Voyager Class ship, especially if the ports of call were places I had never visited before, such as those in the Mexican Riviera! 

I sailed onboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas and booked the cheapest stateroom possible. 

Making her launch in 2006, Freedom of the Seas is the namesake ship of the Freedom Class ship. When she debuted, she became the largest cruise ship in the world, a title that Royal Caribbean ships have held ever since.  

In early 2020, she received $116 million in upgrades through Royal Caribbean's Royal Amplification program, during which she got the Perfect Storm water slide duo, upgraded resort-style Caribbean pool deck, Splashway Bay, and new dining venues, such as an enormous Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, and El Loco Fresh. 

During a recent 4-night cruise to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, I paid a little over $1,500, including port fees and gratuities, for a guaranteed inside stateroom, meaning that I was not immediately assigned my exact cabin.  

If you're wondering why so much for an inside room, there's two reasons.

First, this was a holiday sailing over the very popular July 4th holiday. Cruises over a holiday will always cost more due to higher demand.

Second, I booked this cruise just a month before the sailing.  I booked it on June 2, 2023 for an embarkation date of July 3, 2023. Booking a last-minute sailing doesn't necessarily mean a deal.

Earlier this year, I sailed onboard Liberty of the Seas and was disappointed in the overall shape that my interior cabin was in-- it definitely needed some tending to! 

I was interested to see how my experience onboard an older Freedom Class vessel would be and was pleased to find that this cabin was in much better condition. 

As soon as I walked in, I noticed that the layout was extremely similar to that on Liberty, with the small loveseat pushed against the right wall. 

My cabin measured close to 150 square feet, which is the average size of most interior cabins across their fleet. 

Since I was sailing alone, I decided to keep the two beds pushed together. If you are traveling with friends and family, you might want to separate them into two twin-sized beds to help maximize the limited floor space.  

Beside the bed there were two nightstands. Even though the stateroom's phone was sitting on top of one, there was enough space for my glasses and a glass of water at night. 

Above each nightstand was a lamp attached to the wall and reading light. 

The desk area felt spacious with more than enough storage, especially considering that there were hidden shelves behind the mirrors on the left and right. 

One thing I have learned to be prepared for on older ships is the lack of available outlets, so that did not come as a surprise to me on Freedom of the Seas. 

There were no outlets or USB plugs beside of the bed. There were two American outlets, as well as one European plug, located at the desk. 

The cabin also came equipped with a mini-fridge. There was a single adjustable shelf inside that could be moved according to your preferences, and while I only used it once, it kept my beverage cool. 

Immediately after entering the cabin, you will find a closet on the right. Inside, there were plenty of shelves and hangers. Even if I was sailing with another guest, I do not think we would have struggled unpacking, especially since this was only a 4-night cruise. 

The safe was also located inside of the closet. On a recent cruise onboard Navigator of the Seas, it was in a shelf above the television. 

The bathroom inside of my stateroom was as I expected: a small, standard cruise ship bathroom. There were a few signs of wear and tear, especially along the top border of the mirror; however, it was minor. 

Compared to newer ships, such as Symphony of the Seas, the sink is located in the middle of the vanity, rather than to one side. This means that there is available storage space on both sides of the sink. Plus, the vanity tends to be wider, too. 

There was more storage underneath the sink, and this is where I kept my cosmetics bag and hair straightener. On the back of the door were two hooks to hang items like towels and wet swimsuits. 

One thing that pleasantly surprised me was the water pressure, both in the shower and the sink! It was so strong that I had to be careful turning the sink on. 

In terms of location, my cabin (#8677) was situated at the aft of the ship on Deck 8. While I enjoyed being able to walk three decks to reach either the pool deck or Royal Promenade, I wish it had been more centrally located. 

Overall, I was happy with my stateroom onboard Freedom of the Seas.It was cozy and a comfortable place to return to each evening. I had a fantastic stateroom attendant, which always makes the experience better, too.  

When booking a cruise vacation, you are faced with the decision of what stateroom category you would like to stay in at the time of booking. 

The cabin that you book will impact your cruising experience, whether it is an interior stateroom to help save money to allocate towards other incidentals or splurging on a suite for an upgraded cruising experience.  

Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas, offers guests a wide variety of staterooms to choose from, including larger interior cabins and brand-new suites. 

Overall, Utopia of the Seas will have the same staterooms that are found on Wonder of the Seas, with the addition of three new categories and a few other enchantments. 

Here is a breakdown of all the cabin options onboard Utopia of the Seas to help you make the best decision.

Related: Your really dumb cruise ship cabin questions answered

Standard staterooms

Interior cabins

The cheapest accommodations onboard any cruise ship are interior staterooms with no windows. Utopia of the Seas, however, will debut a new category of interior stateroom. Rather than having a rectangular shape, these cabins will be square to allow for more floor space. 

And as always with Oasis Class ships, you may select interior rooms with a window that overlook the Royal Promenade, Central Park, or Boardwalk. Note that all with a view of Central Park will be located on Deck 9 mid-ship, while those overlooking the Royal Promenade are located on Deck 7. 

These staterooms range from 172 square feet for a standard interior to 199 square feet for those with a view of Central Park. 

Wonder of the Seas was the first Oasis Class ship to include virtual balconies off of the bat; they were added during amplifications to other ships. Like Wonder, Utopia will have virtual balconies. These staterooms include 80-inch LED televisions that provide live HD views from outside the cruise ship, so while you may not have a window or sliding door to allow fresh air to flow into your room, you will be able to see what is going on outside!

Ocean view cabins

Ocean view cabins do not have any direct access to the outdoors like balcony staterooms do; however, you will be able to wake up each morning to natural light! When deciding between an interior and ocean view, this is a selling point for many people.

At 179 square feet, they are larger than the basic interior cabins. Plus, some feature a forward facing view of the ship overlooking the helipad on higher decks.

Balcony cabins

Oasis Class ships were the first cruise ships in the world to feature interior facing balconies, meaning that you could book a cabin with a balcony facing the ocean or one of the interior neighborhoods. These staterooms will return on Utopia of the Seas! 

All balcony cabins have 182 square feet of interior space, as well as 50 square feet of balcony space. Unless, that is, you book a Central Park balcony. With 52 square feet of balcony, they are slightly larger than Boardwalk and ocean view balcony staterooms. 

Likewise, ocean view staterooms with large balconies have more space outdoors, with a balcony of 80 square feet. 

Suites

Sea Class

As with other ships with the Royal Suite Class, the only suites included in the Sea Class are standard Junior Suites. These tend to be the smallest suite options and come with fewer perks than suites in higher tiers.

You, for instance, will not be able to access Coastal Kitchen for breakfast or lunch. Likewise, wi-fi will be an additional expense, and you will not be able to utilize the concierge service. 

One of the primary benefits is the additional living space, as these suites are 287 square feet with an additional 80 square feet of balcony. And, of course, they are cheaper than other Royal Suites. 

Related: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

Sky Class

The new Sky Junior Suite will be similar to standard Junior Suites; however, those staying in these specific suites will receive Sky Tier benefits, meaning that they will have access to the Suite neighborhood, as well as dining at Coastal Kitchen any time of day and complimentary wi-fi, among other perks. 

Other Sky Class suites include Grand Suites, Owners Suites, Crown Loft Suites, and One-Bedroom AquaTheater Suites.

The total square footage of these suites ranges, as One-Bedroom Grand Suites clock in around 371 square feet, while One-Bedroom AquaTheater Suites are a little over 600 square feet.  

Related: 10 things to know about Sky Class suites on Royal Caribbean

Star Class

Suites within the Star Class are the only ones to include a Royal Genie, who serve as personal butlers and concierges for the duration of your cruise. In fact, their services begin prior to your vacation, as they can help arrange specialty dining reservations, entertainment seating, and shore excursions. This, among other benefits, is what makes this suite tier a costly investment. 

Solarium Suites are brand-new to Royal Caribbean and are only available on Utopia of the Seas. Each of the two suites will be located above the bridge wings on the port and starboard side of the ship on Deck 14. The stateroom numbers are 14130 and 14530. 

The panoramic windows will offer guests sweeping 280 degree views of the ocean from the large living space.

And while neither suite will have a balcony, it will offer the infinite balcony technology introduced on Icon of the Seas. With the push of a single button, the windows will lower to provide fresh air!

The cruise line is also bringing back the Royal Loft Suite, Ultimate Family Suite for up to ten guests, and Two-Bedroom AquaTheater Suite. These are some of the most luxurious and fun suites available on any cruise ship. Who wouldn't want to watch the AquaTheater show from the comfort of their own balcony or play a game of ping pong in one of the most colorful and kid-friendly suites at sea? 

Note that the Royal Loft Suite will be a bit different than on Wonder of the Seas. Outside on the balcony, guests will find a brand-new outdoor shower. Plus, the primary bathroom will have a spa tub. In terms of square footage, though, you can expect to still over 1,500 square feet of living space. 

And if booking the Ultimate Family Suite is on your bucket list, you should plan on booking far in advance. Since there is only one of these suites onboard the entire ship, they tend to go quickly, despite the large price tag. 

What are the benefits to each Royal Suite Class?

Not all suites are created equally, both in terms of design and perks. If you book a standard Junior Suite, you may be disappointed when you board and discover that you have a limited number of benefits compared to higher tiered -- and more expensive -- suites. 

Star Class Benefits

• Complimentary gratuities and internet
• Expedited embarkation and disembarkation
• Reserved premium seats in select entertainment venues, as well as priority entrance to many onboard activities
• Access to Suite Lounge and Suite Sun Deck
• Royal Genie service
• All-day access (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner) to Coastal Kitchen
• Complimentary specialty restaurants, Deluxe Beverage Package and/or Refreshment Package
• Still and sparkling water replenished daily
• Complimentary minibar stocked with Coca-Cola, beverages, and water
• Complimentary laundry and pressing services
• Luxury mattress, pillows, and bathroom amenities
• Frette linens
• Royal Caribbean plush bathrobes for use onboard
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Sky Class Benefits

• Concierge service
• All-day access to Coastal Kitchen (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• Specialty bottled water upon arrival
• Complimentary internet 
• Priority embarkation and disembarkation
• Priority dining reservations
• Access to Suite Lounge and Suite Sun Deck
• Royal Caribbean plush bathrobes for use onboard
• Luxury pillow top mattress and bathroom amenities
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Sea Class Benefits

• Dinner at Coastal Kitchen based on availability
• Royal Caribbean bathrobes for use onboard
• Luxury pillow top mattress and bathroom amenities
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

When Oasis of the Seas launched in 2009, it was the first time a cruise ship had ever had interior facing balconies. This increased the total number of balcony cabins available for booking on any given sailing. 

In addition to the standard ocean view balconies, Royal Caribbean added cabins that overlook the two open-air neighborhoods: Central Park and the Boardwalk. 

Other than the view, they are identical to traditional balcony staterooms. Often, they are cheaper, meaning that you can still experience having your own personal outdoor verandah at a lower price, allowing you to allocate additional money towards other incidentals. 

For some, it may make more sense to stay in a cheaper cabin if that means you will be able to purchase experiences to enhance your overall vacation, like specialty dining meals, shore excursions, and more. 

Here's a breakdown of Boardwalk and Central Park balconies. 

Related: Guide to balcony staterooms on Royal Caribbean

Stateroom features

Until Icon of the Seas launches in 2024, interior balconies can only be found on Oasis Class ships. You will not have the option when looking at other classes, such as Voyager and Freedom. 

Every balcony cabin comes with the same interior features: two twin beds that can convert to a queen, vanity area, sofa, television, minibar, and, of course, the balcony furniture. 

They are all about the same size, too, measuring roughly 180 square feet with a 50 square food balcony. 

The most notable differences are the view and location.  If you want to look at the ever-changing scenery, you will want to make sure that you book an ocean view balcony. 

Related: Everything about Royal Caribbean's Central Park View Balcony Staterooms

If, however, you are looking to save some money, Boardwalk and Central Park staterooms are great options. Compared to ocean view balconies, they are less windy and each offer a distinct experience. 

A cabin overlooking the Boardwalk means that you will be able to view the AquaTheater.

Depending on where your stateroom is located, you might have a prime viewing spot, especially if it is closer to the back of the ship. Plus, due to the neighborhood's open concept, Boardwalk staterooms may include an ocean view, allowing you to soak up some wake views from the comfort of your cabin. 

Central Park staterooms offer a more tranquil vibe, as they overlook the lush garden.

This neighborhood is also home to many specialty restaurants, and it boasts a more relaxed environment at night, unlike the Boardwalk, which is more lively at night. You will find people dressed up to enjoy dinner at Chops or listen to live music outdoors. 

Related: Are Boardwalk balcony cabins too loud?

Central Park is located midship on Deck 8, meaning that all balconies overlooking the neighborhood are on Deck 10 and higher; Deck 9 is where you will find staterooms with picture windows. 

The Boardwalk can be found at the aft of the ship on Deck 6, with balcony cabins starting on Deck 8. 

Related: What is the best location on a cruise ship?

If you have a preference in regard to midship or aft, Central Park staterooms are located closer to the middle of the ship, while Boardwalk cabins are located further back. 

Is privacy a concern?

When you book a Central Park or Boardwalk stateroom, the balcony is visible by everyone in the neighborhood, as well as those staying across on the opposite side of the ship, meaning that you will not have much (if any) privacy when sitting outside. 

When getting ready in the morning, it is best to keep the curtain closed to avoid having someone peek into your room while you are changing. 

If you are someone who enjoys people watching, these cabins are great options. 

Pricing

The cost of a cruise varies on multiple different factors, such as time of year, length, and ship's age.

A Boardwalk stateroom on a cruise on Wonder of the Seas in July will be more expensive than a Boardwalk cabin onboard a voyage on Allure of the Seas departing in October.

Looking at Royal Caribbean's website, a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Wonder of the Seas departing on July 21, 2024 currently starts at $2,173 per person for a Boardwalk balcony, $2,241 for a Central Park balcony, and $2,303 for a traditional ocean view balcony, meaning that you can save over $120 per person if you opt for a Boardwalk stateroom. 

The cost for the same cruise in October drops significantly, with an ocean view balcony costing less than the Boardwalk in July.

On the sailing that departs on October 13, 2024, the current rates are $1,718 for a Boardwalk balcony, $1,772 for a Central Park balcony, and $1,848 for a traditional ocean view balcony. 

If you do not have a preference, you can always book a guarantee rate. This means that Royal Caribbean will assign your cabin closer to the sail date with whatever staterooms have yet to be booked. Sometimes, this can save you hundreds of dollars per person!

Related: I saved $100 by letting Royal Caribbean choose my cruise ship cabin location, and I would let them do it again

While nothing beats a private oceanfront balcony, if you are looking to save some money and still be able to enjoy the benefits of a balcony, consider booking a Boardwalk or Central Park stateroom for your next cruise. Central Park tends to be quieter; however, select Boardwalk cabins located further in the aft will give you a sliver of ocean to look at. 

When you on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you'll be assigned a cabin attendant for the duration of the sailing, but what do they do?

You cabin attendant, also called a stateroom attendant, is a crew member who services your cabin during a Royal Caribbean cruise. They are responsible for cleaning your room throughout the sailing, from restocking towels to making your bed.

Your cabin becomes your home away from home while onboard, and cabin attendants visit your room every day in order to make your cabin as comfortable as possible.

It’s helpful to have an understanding of what services your cabin attendant provides before embarking a Royal Caribbean cruise. From knowing your cabin attendant’s responsibilities to tipping guidelines, here’s everything you should know about cabin attendants on a cruise ship.

What are the responsibilities of my cabin attendant?

Cabin attendants are responsible for serving you cabin, which entails the following responsibilities:

• Restocking toiletries and towels in the bathroom
• Tidying up belongings
• Getting pullman and sofa beds ready for bed
• Cleaning the room (cleaning bathroom, vacuuming floor, etc.)
• Making your cabin’s bed
• Emptying the trash
• Delivering documents and informational sheets about your cruise

Exact service can vary from cabin attendant to cabin attendant. Some cabin attendants may fold clothes laying on your couch or bed and organize belongings on top of your desk. Others, on the other hand, take a more hands-off approach to tidying up personal belongings albeit still cleaning your cabin.

Of course, cabin attendants are known for delivering cute “animals” made out of towels to your cabin. From elephants to monkeys and snakes, finding a towel animal in your room each evening adds extra fun to the cruise experience.

Cabin attendants are not responsible for answering questions about your onboard account, providing mechanical maintenance to your cabin, childcare services, laundry, delivering room service, and helping you unpack.

How do I meet my cabin attendant?

The best time to meet your cabin attendant is on embarkation day. On the first day of your cruise, your cabin attendant will knock on your door to introduce themselves. During the introduction, we recommend letting your cabin attendant know any preferences and requests for your cabin service.

Related: A Royal Caribbean to-do list after you board a cruise ship

Requests may include separating your cabin’s beds, asking for extra towels, and letting them know the time of day you’d prefer your cabin to be serviced. Letting your cabin attendant know any requests in advance helps ensure service goes smoothly throughout the sailing.

If you’re not in the room when your cabin attendant knocks on your door, you’ll likely meet your attendant on the evening of embarkation day. Whenever you see housekeeping carts in the hallway, it means cabin attendants are servicing rooms, and they will make it a point to introduce themselves whenever you pass through the hallway.

How many times (and when) does my cabin attendant clean my room?

In non-suite cabins, your cabin attendant will clean your room once per day. They will service your room in either the morning or evening, and guests can give preference as to which time of the day they would prefer service.

If you’re cruising with more than two guests in the cabin, your cabin attendant will visit your room twice per day in order to prepare your sofa/pullman beds for the day and night.

Guests in Junior Suites and above will receive standard service twice per day—once in the morning and once for turndown service in the evening.

During turndown service, stateroom attendants prepare your room for bed by turning on your cabin’s nightlights and placing informational sheets, such as a Cruise Compass and disembarkation documents, on your bed.

Each stateroom comes with a double sided magnet that lets your cabin attendant know if they can clean the room. If you plan to sleep in, put the do not disturb side of the magnet on your cabin door. If your cabin is ready to be serviced, on the other hand, switch the magnet to the side indicating that your cabin attendant can enter the room.

How do I contact my cabin attendant if there is a problem with my cabin?

We always recommend checking your cabin on embarkation day to ensure there are no problems with the room. If you notice anything wrong, such as a broken closet door or missing TV remote, you should contact housekeeping via your stateroom’s telephone.

Related: 15 things to do as soon as you get to your cruise cabin

Every Royal Caribbean cruise cabin has a phone you can use to contact various departments on the ship at no extra charge. To call housekeeping, simply press the button for housekeeping on the phone. Your cabin attendant or another crew member will answer the phone and respond to your request; service is usually provided quickly and efficiently.

If your cabin has a mechanical issue—a leaky toilet or stuck balcony door—you can call maintenance as opposed to housekeeping. Maintenance will send a crew member to resolve any problems in your cabin as soon as possible.

Should I tip my cabin attendant?

All passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise are charged a daily gratuity fee—this covers the cost of tipping your cabin attendant.

Guests in standard cabins (interior, oceanview, balcony, and Junior Suites) are charged a daily fee of $16 USD per person, per day. Those staying in Grand Suites and above incur an $18.50 USD per person, per day fee.

Related: Tipping on a cruise ship: what you should and shouldn’t do

Despite the daily gratuity, some passengers choose to tip their cabin attendants extra for their service at the beginning or end of the cruise. Tipping extra is completely optional, but it’s an extra way to reward hard working cabin attendants. There is no recommended amount to tip a cabin attendant, but many passengers will tip around $25 to $50 USD extra.

What is a Royal Genie, and how is it different from a cabin attendant?

If you’re staying in a suite on a Quantum, Oasis, or Icon Class cruise ship, you may have access to the services of a Royal Genie in addition to your cabin attendant.

Guests in Star Class, the top tier of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite Class, have access to their own "magic maker" throughout the sailing. This special service is reserved only for top-tier suites such as AquaTheater suites, Owner’s Loft Suites, and Royal Loft Suites.

Related: What is Star Class?

As part of Star Class, each guest can use the service of a Royal Genie. A Royal Genie is a crew member that can enhance your cruise experience through added services and requests. While Royal Genies do not clean your cabin, they can provide services such as:

• Organizing in-cabin parties
• Delivering specialty restaurant meals to your room
• Accompanying you to onboard activities where you can skip the line
• Reserving seats at shows before you arrive
• Bringing Starbucks drinks to your room each day

Depending on your preference and travel style, your Royal Genie’s services can vary greatly. Within reason, most requests can be accommodated, whether you want sushi delivered to the cabin or snacks waiting for you in the room upon return from a shore excursion.

Related: My advice for someone using a Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise

If you’re staying in a Star Class room, it’s important to know the difference between your Royal Genie’s services and those provided by your cabin attendant. While you can certainly let your Royal Genie know of any cleaning preferences, your cabin attendant will be the one cleaning your cabin throughout the sailing.

I almost always book an inside cabin when I cruise. Despite being the smallest, most basic cruise ship cabins, I find that I actually like these rooms.

Not only do inside cabins save me money, but I find they come with extra perks as well. From a quieter cabin to a perfect night’s sleep, I’ll never complain about cruising in a cozy inside room.

Inside cabins definitely aren’t for everyone, though. If you value the added space of a balcony or the exclusivity of a suite, a tiny, windowless room will not be the best choice. Likewise, having natural daylight in the room is a major plus for many cruisers, making an inside cabin a last resort.

Nonetheless, I continue to book inside cabins again and again when I cruise, and here’s why I actually like these rooms.

Inside cabins are the quietest cabins onboard

A few months ago, I stayed in a Boardwalk balcony cabin on Allure of the Seas. Although I appreciated the room’s extra space and balcony views, I found the cabin to be much too noisy for my liking.

The Boardwalk neighborhood is full of activity during both the day and evening, and it was much louder than I expected when I initially booked the cabin.

Related: Are Boardwalk Balcony cabins too loud?

The carousel, in particular, drove me a little crazy. My balcony was located directly two decks above the carousel, which played carnival-themed music for over ten hours each day! Even with the door closed, I couldn’t stop the muffled sound of music entering my cabin.

An inside room, on the other hand, is impressively quiet. On my recent cruise, I rarely heard any noise above, below, or adjacent to my cabin. If I heard noise, it was almost always the loud flushing sound of a cruise ship toilet!

Cabins with balconies are more prone to noise, especially those located near the pool deck or within Central Park and the Boardwalk neighborhoods. You may find yourself hearing music, conversations, or activities happening from your balcony, which you won’t encounter when staying in an inside room.

Related: Avoid these mistakes when picking a cruise ship cabin

Of course, you can still encounter noise in inside cabins. Older cruise ships, for example, have thinner walls than Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, which may help noise travel from room to room. In addition, booking an inside cabin above or below a busy area of the ship—such as a nightclub or Adventure Ocean—can lead to increased noise levels.

In my experience, however, inside cabins have been more quiet than other staterooms.

Inside cabins are cheaper than other cabins, and this stretches my budget much further

Inside cabins are almost always the cheapest cabin you can book on a cruise. As someone who prefers cruising on a budget, this is the primary reason I book inside cabins.

I’ve been on 16 cruises, and I’ve spent 11 of them in inside cabins. By doing so, I’ve saved thousands of dollars. Had I spent every cruise in an oceanview, balcony, or suite, I probably would not have been able to cruise nearly as much as I have!

Related: I'm a budget cruiser. Here are 8 easy strategies I used on my recent Royal Caribbean cruise to save money

Booking an inside cabin means I can stretch my vacation budget further. On my recent cruise, I saved around $500 by sailing in an inside room instead of a balcony cabin. This $500 was put towards flights to Miami, shore excursions in port, specialty dining, and other incidental expenses during the cruise.

This isn’t to say I’ll never sail in other cruise cabins. Recently, in fact, I sailed in one of Royal Caribbean’s most expensive and luxurious suites, and it was certainly an experience I’ll cherish for a long time.

Related: I cruised in a suite for the first time. Here are 5 things I learned from the experience—and 3 I’d do differently next time

Additionally, I always reprice my cruise and email my travel agent about upgrade options before my sail date. Several times, I’ve been surprised to see upgrade options for as little as $90 from an inside to balcony cabin. It’s always worth asking if prices have gone down prior to your sail date.

I sleep the best in inside cabins, as there is no natural light in the room

There’s nothing quite like the sleep you’ll get in an interior room on a cruise ship. Having no window or balcony to the outside means these rooms are pitch black when you turn the light off. For most passengers, including myself, this leads to a fantastic night’s sleep.

Not only that, but taking a midday nap is easy when sailing in an interior cabin. I have a hard time napping at home, as I can never properly fall asleep with daylight shining through my window. In an inside room, though, I have no problem sleeping at any time of the day, whether 3AM or 3PM!

A post-port day nap is one of my favorite parts of cruising, and it’s even better when staying in an inside room!

Not all inside cabins lack outdoor views

Certain Royal Caribbean ships have a virtual balcony, which is a large, floor-to-ceiling television screen projecting a live feed from outside the ship. Having stayed in two virtual balcony cabins, I find these to be a nice way to get an outside view at a fraction of the cost of a balcony cabin.

I’ll admit the virtual balcony doesn’t necessarily make you feel like you’re looking at the scenery in real life, but it’s still a nice cabin feature. Being able to easily see what the weather is like outside, if you’ve left port yet, and if it’s day or night is helpful when staying in an inside room.

I don’t know if I’d pay extra for a virtual balcony in lieu of a normal inside cabin, but it’s still a nice option.

Voyager, Freedom, and Oasis Class ships offer a different type of interior cabin: a Promenade view room. These cabins have a window looking into the ship’s Royal Promenade, a hub of shopping, bars, and activities.

Read more: Everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean cabins and suites

Like other inside cabins, these rooms do not have a view of the outdoors, but they can be a nice middle ground between booking an inside cabin and an oceanview or balcony room.

Inside rooms “force” me to spend time in other areas of the ship

Whenever I’ve cruised in a balcony room or suite, I find myself spending a significant amount of time in my cabin instead of exploring the ship. Instead of attending trivia, seeing a show, or watching live music, I frequently choose to hang out on my balcony instead.

There’s nothing wrong with spending time relaxing in my cabin, but I love how inside cabins almost force me to spend time elsewhere. Although inside cabins are cozy, there’s no view to admire outside, and I’d much prefer spending my day in other, more interesting areas of the ship.

On my recent cruise in an inside room, I only visited my cabin to sleep, shower, and change. Instead of spending time in my small cabin, I spent my days lounging in the Solarium, enjoying a drink at the Schooner Bar, and catching a show at the AquaTheater.

With so much to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise, I almost felt as if I would be missing out on the cruise experience by spending time in my cabin!

Should you book an inside cabin on a cruise ship?

First-time cruisers often struggle with picking the right cabin for their cruise. After all, no one wants to make a mistake on cabin choice and regret their decision once the cruise begins!

Thankfully, there’s no “wrong” cabin to book on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Regardless of whether you stay in the cheapest inside room or most expensive two-story suite, you can still have an amazing experience onboard.

If you’re considering booking an inside cabin, consider the following factors before making your reservation:

Budget

Most cruisers book inside cabins to save money. Most of the time, you can save a few hundred dollars by booking an interior stateroom.

Take a look at your travel budget before booking an inside cabin. Would you rather save money on your cabin in order to afford shore excursions, dining packages, and drink packages? Or would you prefer to cruise in an upgraded stateroom and skip pre-cruise add-ons?

Every passenger has a different budget, and ultimately you are the only person who can decide what splurges to allocate your budget toward.

Price

Although inside cabins are usually cheaper than other cabins on your cruise ship, it’s not guaranteed. Before booking an inside cabin, be sure to check the price of oceanview and balcony rooms.

Depending on the sailing—and how far in advance you’re booking—you may be surprised to see upgraded staterooms priced similarly to an inside room.

Travel style

Are you the type of cruiser who loves being out and about on the ship? Or do you prefer getting alone time with a book and an ocean view?

If your goal when cruising is to experience as much as possible—from entertainment shows to activities and nightclubs—an inside cabin may work well for you. With so much happening around the ship at any given time, it’s unlikely you’ll spend much time in your cabin throughout the sailing.

If you’re a more introverted traveler, though, and would prefer a stateroom with a view, an inside room is probably not the best option. Although inside cabins are still comfortable, they aren’t the most exciting place to hang out if you plan to spend significant time in your cabin each day!

Still deciding which cabin to book for your cruise? Check out more of our tips & tricks:

• The rare cruise ship cabins that get booked very quickly
• Inside vs. oceanview cabin: Are the differences worth an upgrade?
• Guide to balcony staterooms on Royal Caribbean
• Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

On my recent Symphony of the Seas cruise, I decided to book a guarantee cabin and let Royal Caribbean assign my stateroom closer to the sail date. I saved $100 by doing so and would let them choose my cabin again in the future! 

I booked an interior guarantee for less than choosing my stateroom at the time of booking. When I received my cabin assignment, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I got an accessible interior cabin, which meant that my cabin for my cruise was going to be much larger than a traditional interior stateroom. 

Here's why I'll choose to save my money next time and book another guarantee cabin.

What does it mean to book a guarantee cabin?

Guarantee staterooms are cheaper cabin options offered by Royal Caribbean (and most other cruise lines) in exchange for allowing them to assign your stateroom closer to the sail date. In other words, when you book your cruise vacation, you will not have the exact room assignment until later on, as you won't get to choose your cabin.  

Additionally, Royal Caribbean states that you will receive the stateroom category you booked or higher. There is always a slim chance that you could receive an upgrade. If, for instance, you booked an interior, you may find that you got an upgrade to an ocean view cabin. However, as cruises are booking up further in advance and sailing at full capacity nowadays, it is unlikely that this will happen. You should not book a guarantee cabin expecting an upgrade!

The purpose of guarantee cabins is to help fill in the gaps of unsold staterooms-- some rooms are less likely to get booked. 

I did not mind taking the chance of getting a cabin in a less desired location. While that meant that I may have had to walk further to and from my cabin or deal with some noise from the casino, theatre, or nightclub, I knew that I would still be on the same ship as everybody else and enjoying the same amenities. I don't spend much time in my stateroom; I'm always exploring the ship, listening to live music, hanging out on the pool deck, or off in port. 

Cabin assignment

Royal Caribbean states that guarantee rooms will be assigned at some point between 5-30 days before the cruise. This means that you could potentially be one week from embarking on your cruise vacation without knowing where your stateroom is located yet. 

Most of the time, rooms are assigned a few weeks before the cruise. Sometimes, though, people have not received their stateroom until a day or two before sailing. These instances, however, are rare!

Additionally, you will not be notified when Royal Caribbean assigns your stateroom. You will have to continuously log into the cruise line's website to check.

I booked my stateroom after the final payment date and was assigned a room fairly quickly-- I had one within two weeks of booking, or about 1.5 months before the cruise sail date. To me, I was surprised that I was given an accessible cabin so early. There was ample time for another cruiser, one who truly needed the benefits of an accessible room, to book it!

I spent the time leading up to my cruise wondering if this meant that my stateroom could change again at the last minute. This never happened, and I spent my week onboard Symphony of the Seas enjoying my oversized stateroom. As a solo traveler, this felt like I was royalty! 

Stateroom #6189 impressions

Since I looked up my stateroom in advance, I knew that it was an accessible cabin. As mentioned earlier, I was confused as to why this was assigned to a solo traveler over one month before the cruise. I knew that the cruise was pretty booked, so this probably all that was left when I booked the cruise.

This is usually how guarantee cabins are assigned, anyway. Cruisers who are willing to pay to select their staterooms choose the ones in more desirable locations to be near their favorite amenities or closer to family and friends. Those that have yet to be booked are what guarantee cruisers are given. 

The guarantee process itself was straightforward. I was assigned my cabin in a timely manner and had no issues with the room. 

What I did not know, however, was just how large my stateroom was going to be. The room was 258 square feet, so it was over 100 square feet larger than traditional interior staterooms! 

While the square footage of the room was larger, there was not really much more storage space. It was outfitted with the same amenities as other standard cabins, including two closets, a dresser, vanity area, and three bathroom shelves.

The two primary difference that I noticed were that the nightstands were larger than the ones I had in my last interior room onboard Symphony of the Seas, and the bathroom sink did not have a long shelf underneath it. The bathroom counter, however, was wider. 

There was not a glass shower door, either, but that was to be expected in this category of stateroom. I was a fan of the oversized cruise shower; I did not accidentally hit my arm on the door or shower wall!

My largest issue with the stateroom was the automatic door. I either had to forcefully shut it or wait for it to close on its own and let people passing by peer into my room. There were switches that were supposed to toggle this function on and off, but neither myself nor my stateroom attendant could figure them out.

Overall, this was such a minor issue that I came to appreciate the mini-workout I got trying to close my door, and for people who are utilizing every function of an accessible room, this would be useful!

I loved how I actually saved money to end up with a specious cabin! It was a comfortable place to call home for the week. 

Cabin location

My stateroom was located on deck 6 midship, and honestly, it was probably the most centrally located stateroom I have ever stayed in! Midship staterooms are great because they are never a far walk from the elevator or stairs, meaning you can navigate the ship quicker.

If there is one thing I could have changed about this location, I think I would have preferred to have been on a higher deck to be located, quite literally, in the middle of the ship. The Windjammer Marketplace was all the way on deck 16, so that meant I had quite a ways to travel to reach the buffet for breakfast or lunch.

That being said, the forward elevator bank was close by, and I was a short walk to my morning coffee at Café Promenade each morning. Plus, returning from port meant I only had to walk up three or four flights of stairs, as I usually never take the elevator since it's so crowded; I enjoyed being able to quickly return to my stateroom! 

The one downside was that it got pretty noisy at night from the events in the Royal Promenade. To me, though, that is not a dealbreaker. I always assume that I'll hear something in my stateroom. I'd much rather it be a little bit of vibrations from the music below than the dragging of pool chairs early in the morning. 

Overall thoughts on booking a guarantee stateroom

Guarantee staterooms are not for everybody. Whenever I cruised with my parents, for instance, they loved to be able to pick two staterooms close to one another-- we often ended up in connecting balconies!

For myself, though, I don't mind saving the money and letting Royal Caribbean choose my cabin. I figure that I can use the extra cash to book other experiences that will enhance my cruise vacation, such as shore excursions or specialty dining.

I know that even if I end up in a location that requires more walking or is a little noisy, I will still enjoy my vacation. And walking on a cruise is never a bad thing, right? 

I got lucky with my cabin and location. Guarantee cabins are the luck of the draw, but I think playing the game of chance is worth it, especially if you end up with a cabin like mine! After staying in a larger stateroom, it will be difficult to return to the standard sized ones! 

Sometimes, the price difference between choosing your own cabin and booking a guarantee is negligible. In that instance, I would probably opt to select my own cabin somewhere on deck 8, as I love being located near Central Park! 

If you're prone to seasickness or really do have a preferred location (i.e., close to Central Park or the Main Dining Room), it may be best for you to pay the difference. Choosing the ideal stateroom and location is one easy way to make sure that you start your cruise vacation as seamlessly as possible! The savings won't be worth it to someone who would fell ill all night or be kept awake by the activities nearby. 

Choosing a cruise cabin is an important part of the planning process, but how do you decide which type of cabin to book? We booked every type of cabin on our recent Royal Caribbean cruise to see how they compare.

Everything from budget-friendly interior cabins to multi-bedroom suites are available on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Unsurprisingly, these cabins can come with drastically different price tags, from $50 per person, per night to well over $1000.

And whether you’re booking your first cruise or 50th, the type of cabin you book can make or break your cruise vacation. Some passengers prefer saving money by booking the cheapest cabin they can find whereas others prefer the privacy of booking a room with their own private balcony.

The Royal Caribbean Blog and Cruise Blog team recently sailed on Liberty of the Seas for a 3-night Bahamas cruise. With 9 staterooms to book, we decided to try as many types of cabins as possible to see how they compared.

These cabins ranged in price from $670 to over $2600, and we wanted to look at the advantages, disadvantages, and overall experience each team member had in their cabin to see which cabins were worth it—and which we’d skip next time.

Owner’s Suite

Total cost: $2,612

Staff member Jenna stayed in the Owner’s Suite on Liberty of the Seas during our 3-night sailing. As one of the biggest cabins on the ship, the Owner’s Suite was, undoubtedly, an incredible place to spend the weekend.

Like any cabin, though, it came with a few pros and cons.

Jenna noted the best benefit of the Owner’s Suite as the cabin’s ample space. With 624 square feet in the room and an 160 square foot balcony, the cabin is around 4 and a half times larger than the smallest interior cabins onboard!

Related: I stayed in a luxurious cruise ship suite for $870 per night—see what my room looked like on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas

“With so much space, the Owner’s Suite worked perfectly as an entertaining space during our cruise,” Jenna mentioned. “We hosted our whole group for an after-dinner get-together two of the three nights of the cruise, and it was a lot of fun.”

In addition to the cabin’s size was the location, which Jenna found to be another huge benefit. Her Owner’s Suite was located right outside the elevator lobby, making it convenient to get anywhere onboard quickly.

Of course, suite benefits come with an Owner’s Suite, and these were a massive advantage of the added price tag.

“I loved going to the Suite Lounge each evening for drinks and appetizers. Having priority boarding was another plus, and added perks like a private breakfast at Chops Grille in the morning made our 3-night cruise extra special.”

Related: I cruised in a suite for the first time. Here are 5 things I learned from the experience—and 3 I’d do differently next time

There were a few cons to Jenna’s Owner’s Suite experience, however. The cruise’s short length of three nights combined with a port-intensive itinerary meant there was little time to spend in the cabin. Furthermore, the cabin came with a hefty price tag, which Jenna mentioned as a reason she would probably not book a suite for every cruise.

“After my first suite experience, I totally understand why suites are so popular on cruise ships: they add a level of luxury to a Royal Caribbean cruise that’s simply unattainable in a normal stateroom category.

“However, I felt that, while my weekend onboard was memorable, booking an inside, oceanview, or balcony cabin is perfectly fine with my travel style,” she continued. “I can easily save hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars by booking a lower-category room instead of a suite, and can put the savings toward other add-ons like shore excursions, dining packages, and spa treatments... or even a longer cruise itinerary!”

Junior Suite

Total cost: $1,439

Cruise Blog writer Chantal spent the weekend in a Junior Suite.

She found the cabin to be very spacious, with a large living space and balcony. Her walk-in closet was so large, in fact, that she joked how she could have rented it out in New York City!

Her main complaint with the Junior Suite, though, was the price versus benefits received. Chantal explained how she paid a premium for a Junior Suite compared to a regular balcony room, but did not receive any of the elusive suite benefits she would have received in a higher category suite.

Related: Royal Caribbean’s Junior Suites: What you need to know

Receiving double Crown & Anchor Society points for the sailing was a major plus, though, and the location was great. Despite being located right below the pool deck, Chantal mentioned she heard little noise.

The funniest part of her cabin experience? The bathroom. “It was like an Italian Nonna had sent her 60s era bathroom to the future! I say this lovingly as my husband is half Italian,” she joked. “Everything worked as it should but I remain puzzled by the design choice."

Ben & Jerry’s Sweet

Total cost: $753

Guest writer Allie stayed in one of Royal Caribbean’s most unique cabins during her Liberty of the Seas cruise: the Ben & Jerry’s Sweet. As the name implies, this cabin is located directly above the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream parlor on the Royal Promenade.

Technically a Promenade view interior room, this cabin’s view is partially blocked by a cow statue. Because of the obstructed views, guests in the Ben & Jerry’s Sweet receive complimentary Ben & Jerry’s vouchers each day and access to the Suite Lounge.

Allie mentioned Suite Lounge access as one of the best benefits of the Ben & Jerry’s Sweet. With complimentary drinks each evening during happy hour, breakfast, and hors d'oeuvres in the evening, it’s hard to beat the value you receive in the Ben & Jerry’s Sweet.

Related: A suite that’s sweet! I stayed in the weirdest cabin on Royal Caribbean—it included free ice cream and cow-themed decor

Of course, the free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was a plus, too, but Allie noted that the crew members at Ben & Jerry’s didn’t always know how the vouchers worked.

“It seemed like most crew members didn’t know the protocol of what’s included in the Ben & Jerry’s Sweet. For example, I got different answers each day as to what the ice cream vouchers include, our cards didn’t work to get into the Suite Lounge initially, and there was a weird ambiguity with the cabin about whether we were actually suite guests or just received a few fun suite perks.”

In addition to ambiguity, Allie didn’t totally love the cabin’s location. She explained how, due to its location on the Royal Promenade, the room was noisy at night, especially during parties. And, if you wanted to keep the curtains opened to the Promenade below, there was little privacy in the room.

Regardless of these few cons, Allie wouldn’t hesitate to book the “suite” again.

“I’d do it again just for the happy hour and free ice cream!”

Balcony

Total cost: $707

Social media strategist Nicole booked a balcony cabin on our 3-night cruise. Nicole’s cabin was room 1878, one of the new cabins added to Liberty of the Seas during the ship’s 2016 refurbishment.

With updated decor and furnishings, Nicole felt the updated room was a major plus of staying in her particular cabin.

“There was an updated closet system with plenty of storage and it felt larger than other balcony rooms we’ve stayed in.”

The location of her room had pros and cons, however. It was conveniently located near the elevators and close to the deck 12 running track and Solarium, but its location above the gym made the cabin slightly noisy. In addition, there was a security camera on their balcony, as it was the last balcony room before turning into oceanview cabins.

Despite a few disadvantages, having a balcony cabin is a must for many cruisers, and Nicole didn’t regret booking a balcony cabin for her short cruise.

Oceanview

Three members of our group spent the weekend in oceanview cabins, each of whom had their own unique takeaways from the cabin experience.

Ocean-facing oceanview cabin: $785

Guest writer Marcy booked an oceanview cabin on deck 3, providing an unobstructed view of the ocean from her room’s private porthole.

Marcy enjoyed her cabin’s location, as it was located right near the elevator yet was surprisingly quiet. It provided easy access to the ice skating show in Studio B, and the cabin’s lower deck location wasn’t prone to any ship movement.

The main con of her cabin was the small size, but that is to be expected in an oceanview cabin unless she were to upgrade to a spacious oceanview cabin category. And, of course, Marcy missed having a balcony, but appreciated the outdoor views from her stateroom’s window.

Helipad oceanview cabin: $821

Guest writer Haley and Social Media Strategist Angie both stayed in oceanview cabins overlooking the ship’s helicopter pad.

Angie found her cabin to be quite spacious, with a lot of closet space and drawers. She enjoyed the deck 7 location as it was close to the Royal Promenade and other lower-deck activities, and found her stateroom attendant to be excellent.

Similarly, Haley found the cabin’s size to be adequate, noting there was extra space for getting ready in the evenings due to the ship’s interesting layout. The view of the helicopter pad was also a plus.

Related: Inside cabin vs. oceanview cabin: are the differences worth an upgrade?

However, she thought the angle of the room made the bathroom’s layout rather uncomfortable, and mentioned how the room lacked privacy due to facing the helipad.

“Make sure to close the curtains when not using that porthole,” she advised, “or else everyone can see directly into the prime changing spot in the room!”

Despite the two rooms being located just a few doors down from each other, Angie and Haley had contrasting experiences when it came to movement and noise in the cabin. Haley found the cabin to be quiet and did not encounter any issues with seasickness.

Angie, on the other hand, was woken up by the ship’s anchor at 6AM each morning when the ship docked, and said she could really feel the waves on the first night of the cruise when seas were rough.

This goes to show that your experience in a cabin can vary drastically from someone else’s even if you’re located right next door!

Promenade View Interior

Total cost: $758

Cruise Blog writer Hayley spent her weekend cruise in a Promenade view interior cabin, which looked into the ship’s Royal Promenade below.

Her cabin was identical to Allie’s Ben & Jerry’s ‘Sweet’, albeit without complimentary ice cream and suite lounge access. One of the major benefits of Hayley’s Promenade View Interior cabin was having two couches in the room.

“Having two couches in a small living room space meant more room to spread out than a standard interior room," she explained.

Her centrally-located cabin meant she didn’t feel any motion during the sailing while being close to the amenities and activities near the Royal Promenade. She found it interesting and fun to experience a unique type of cabin, and mentioned how she hadn’t seen anything similar on other cruise lines she’s experienced in the past.

The cons? Being on the Promenade meant the cabin could potentially be noisy during the evenings, but mentioned how most of the loud music seemed to end around midnight each night.

Interior

Total cost: $670

Staff member Elizabeth booked an interior cabin for her 3-night Liberty of the Seas cruise. 

For such a short cruise, Elizabeth decided against unpacking. Luckily, her stateroom had a couch where she and her cabin mate could place their carry-on suitcases with no issue, and without compromising floor space.

Outside of having no window or balcony, Elizabeth encountered a few disadvantages when staying in her interior cabin. First was wear and tear, and she explained how the room’s condition made her want to spend less time in the cabin.

Related: I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked

“Paint was chipping in our bathroom, and there was a hole in our shower hose. This isn’t exclusive to an interior stateroom, and could have happened in any cabin, but it just happened to be my experience.”

Booking a guarantee cabin meant Elizabeth could not pick her room location, and the room she was assigned to (#8401) was located in the ship’s aft. Because of this, she had a long walk down the hallway to reach her cabin.

“I think I’ll always opt for an interior stateroom on short weekend cruises,” she explained. “I’m glad we didn’t spend any more than we did. For three nights on a cruise with no sea days, it just didn’t feel necessary. We were literally only in the room to sleep. There wasn’t any real resting time like on longer cruises.”

Extra cost vs. extra space: what were our takeaways from staying in nearly every type of cabin on Liberty of the Seas?

It’s no question that every member of our group encountered different experiences onboard depending on which cabin they booked, but just how much did the cabin selection affect the overall cruise experience?

Here were our main takeaways after comparing our experiences in these cabin types.

Compare prices of all cabin types before booking

Before making a decision on which cabin to book, be sure to compare the price of the cabins against each other. We were surprised to see cabins in higher categories, such as Nicole’s balcony room, priced the same (or even lower) than interior and oceanview cabins.

Here’s an overview of what we paid for these 8 cabin types on our 3-night cruise. Prices show the total for 2 adults and include taxes, fees, and gratuities:

• Owner’s Suite: $2,612
• Junior Suite: $1,439
• Ben & Jerry’s Suite: $753
• Balcony: $707
• Ocean-facing oceanview: $785
• Forward-facing oceanview: $821 
• Promenade view interior: $758
• Interior: $670

It’s clear that some team members got much more value from their cabin than others. Nicole’s balcony cabin was $78 less than Marcy’s oceanview cabin, and she had access to a private balcony along with updated decor and furnishings.

In addition, Allie’s Ben & Jerry’s Suite was $5 less than Hayley’s regular promenade view interior cabin. Despite the cabins having the exact same size and layout, Allie received access to the Suite Lounge in addition to complimentary ice cream!

On the contrary, Jenna’s suite was four times more expensive than Elizabeth’s interior cabin, so she could have booked 4 separate cruises for the same price as one in her Owner’s Suite. Although it’s not so black and white when comparing the value of a suite versus an interior cabin, it’s important to consider how much value you’ll get from the suite before booking.

When cruising with a large group, you’ll spend little time in your cabin

One of our group’s main takeaways from our Liberty of the Seas cruise was that, when sailing with a large group, you’re unlikely to spend much time in your cabin.

From eating together in the Main Dining Room each evening to group activities onboard and in port, we found ourselves with little free time to hang out in our cabins. And even if we did have time to spend in our rooms, it was hard to justify sitting alone in our cabins when we could be having fun with the group elsewhere onboard!

Therefore, when booking a cruise cabin, be sure to consider who will be onboard with you. If it’s just you and your spouse, for example, you’ll likely spend more time in your cabin compared to sailing with your entire extended family!

In these cases, booking a cheaper category could be better than splurging on a balcony or suite so you don’t feel pressured to spend time in the cabin to “justify” the price you paid.

There’s no ‘best’ or ‘wrong’ cabin to book for a Royal Caribbean cruise

Like anything in life, a “perfect” cabin for one cruiser may not work well for another. Some passengers may love saving money by booking an interior cabin whereas others would rather not cruise at all than book an inside room!

On the flip side, some cruisers swear by booking a suite on every sailing whereas others don't find the extra space and added benefits a necessity.

If there’s anything we learned from our experience booking nearly every type of cabin on a Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s to always try something new! It’s easy to get in the habit of booking the same type of cabin over and over again, but on your next cruise, consider trying something new.

Whether you book a balcony for the first time or score a booking on the unique Ben & Jerry’s “Sweet”, you might be surprised to find a new favorite cabin on your next Royal Caribbean cruise.

Is it worth it to book an inside cabin or spend more for an oceanview?

There are several differences to know about between the budget-friendly cabins before booking one over the other.

While inside cabins are usually the cheapest cruise option available, many cruisers prefer the natural daylight and views provided in an oceanview cabin. Others, however, don’t mind the small size and darkness of an interior cabin provided it saves them money.

Let’s take a look at the differences between inside cabins and oceanview cabins on a cruise ship. From more space to better locations, this guide will help you decide if the differences are worth an upgrade from an inside cabin to an oceanview.

What is an inside cabin on a cruise ship?

Inside cabins on a cruise ship are cabins without a window, balcony, or porthole to the outside. They are located in the ship’s interior rather than along the ship’s perimeter and are, more often than not, the smallest cabins onboard.

Most inside cabins are around 170 square feet and can accommodate 2-4 guests depending on the room’s configuration. Aside from the lack of a balcony or window, inside cabins feature the same amenities as oceanview and balcony cabins, including:

• King size bed (which can be separated to two single beds)
• Plush chair or couch
• Closet and drawer space
• Vanity/desk area with a chair
• Nightstands
• Private bathroom with shower

These windowless cabins are usually the cheapest option onboard, making inside rooms a great option for those cruising on a budget. Many guests who book interior rooms choose to spend money elsewhere during their vacation, such as on drink packages or exciting shore excursions.

The majority of inside cabins on a cruise ship have no view outside the room, but there are two alternatives: virtual balcony and Promenade view inside cabins.

Virtual balcony inside cabins

While no inside cabins will have a window to the outdoors, new or amplified Royal Caribbean cruise ships may offer virtual balconies.

These interior rooms feature a floor-to-ceiling television screen with a live view of the outside. By booking an inside cabin with a virtual balcony, you can check the weather, watch the scenery, and have a better idea of what time of day it is outside.

It’s easy to get disoriented in a pitch black, windowless inside cabin, so many cruisers enjoy having the virtual balcony option.

Promenade view inside cabins

Promenade view cabins are interior cabins with a window facing the Royal Promenade on select Royal Caribbean ships. These staterooms are found on Voyager, Freedom, and Oasis Class ships. 

While you cannot see the ocean from these cabins, they offer nice people watching opportunities in the Promenade below and bring extra light into your room.

Related: Everything about Royal Caribbean’s Promenade View staterooms

Priced only slightly higher than interior cabins, Promenade view cabins make a nice “trade off” for those who don’t want to splurge on an oceanview or balcony, but want something nicer than a regular inside room.

In addition to Promenade view inside cabins, Oasis Class ships also feature Central Park view and Boardwalk view inside cabins, which look into their respective neighborhoods.

What is an oceanview cabin on a cruise?

Oceanview cabins are a step up from an inside cabin on a cruise; they offer a private porthole with a view of the ocean.

This porthole window does not open (nor does it have a balcony) but the window provides natural sunlight to the cabin, which is a must-have for many cruisers. 

There are several types of oceanview cabins to book:

• Standard oceanview cabin: 170-179 square feet
• Spacious oceanview cabin: 211 square feet
• Ultra spacious oceanview cabin: 293 square feet

The exact dimensions of an oceanview cabin can vary from ship to ship, although most are the same size as an inside cabin. This gives you enough space for a king size bed, vanity, and seating area, but leaves little walking space in the cabin.

Therefore, upgrading to a spacious oceanview or ultra spacious oceanview cabin can be a great option for those looking for more living space.

Related: I spent $250 to upgrade my cruise ship cabin: Was it worth it?

The majority of oceanview cabins overlook the ocean, but some have obstructed views. Oceanview cabins in the very front of the ship may overlook the ship’s helicopter pad whereas others may have an obstructed view caused by lifeboats.

A unique type of oceanview cabin to consider booking is the panoramic oceanview cabin. These cabins take “oceanview” up a notch by offering a floor-to-ceiling, panoramic view of the outside. Compared to the small porthole in other oceanview cabins, the view from a panoramic view cabin cannot be beat.

What are the major differences between an inside cabin and an oceanview cabin?

Size

Many cruisers upgrade to an oceanview cabin believing the cabin will be larger than an inside room, but that isn’t necessarily the case.

Most oceanview cabins are the same size as inside rooms. If you prefer a larger cabin, you’ll have to book a spacious or ultra spacious oceanview cabin.

These cabins come with a higher cost than a standard oceanview room, so be sure to compare the price of these cabins with the price of a balcony before booking. You may be surprised to find a balcony cabin at a lower cost!

Daylight

The biggest downside to cruising in an inside cabin is the lack of daylight.

Inside cabins are completely dark when you shut your cabin lights off. Without checking the clock, it’s impossible to know whether it’s 3AM, 8AM, or 12PM. Additionally, you won’t have any idea what the weather is like outside from your cabin.

Many cruisers combat the lack of daylight in inside rooms by purchasing a sunrise alarm clock. The light on these alarm clocks remains off during the night and gradually turns on during sunrise, which can help you keep a normal sleep schedule.

Related: I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked

Location

Inside cabins are located all over a Royal Caribbean ship, from the lowest to highest decks. Oceanview cabins, on the other hand, have fewer location options.

Oceanview cabins are primarily found on a cruise ship’s lower decks closer to the ocean. It’s not safe to build balconies so close to the water, so cruise lines build oceanview rooms there instead.

Related: Avoid these mistakes when picking a cruise ship cabin

You can occasionally find oceanview cabins on higher decks, but they won’t be in the best locations. For example, you’ll find oceanview cabins in the very front of the ship overlooking the helicopter pad, but these rooms are prone to more motion than mid-ship cabins.

While there’s nothing wrong with booking an oceanview room on a lower deck, many cruisers prefer the flexibility of cabin location they can find with other stateroom categories.

Price

It’s no surprise that oceanview cabins are more expensive than inside cabins, but just how much more will a room with a window cost?

Cruise pricing can vary drastically from ship to ship and sailing to sailing, but you can expect to pay around $25-40 more per night for a standard-sized oceanview cabin compared to an inside cabin.

As an example, let’s compare the price of a guarantee inside cabin versus a guarantee oceanview cabin on a 7-night Oasis of the Seas cruise.

• For two adults in an inside cabin, the total price is $2834, or $404 per night.
• For two adults in an oceanview cabin, the total price is $3034, or $433 per night.

The price difference between an inside cabin and an oceanview cabin is $200, or around $29 per night.

Pricing is always subject to change. It’s possible to find an oceanview cabin for around the same price as an inside cabin, but they may also be priced significantly higher.

Are the differences worth an upgrade?

An oceanview cabin can certainly be worth the upgrade from an interior cabin, but there are several factors to consider before booking the upgraded cabin.

Understand your travel style

Before booking an oceanview room instead of an inside cabin, consider your cruising style. If you plan on visiting your cabin only to sleep, shower, and change, you might want to book an inside cabin to save money.

The $30-50 a day extra you would spend on an oceanview cabin could be spent on other onboard activities such as specialty dining or a spa treatment.

Related: 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise

On the contrary, if you plan to spend significant time relaxing in your cabin throughout the sailing, an upgrade could be well worth the cost.

It is, of course, important to look beyond just the price when comparing oceanview and inside cabins. If you fear feeling claustrophobic or disoriented in an inside cabin, booking an oceanview room is your best bet.

Look at the price of balcony cabins

If you’ve decided to upgrade from an inside cabin, first compare the price between an oceanview and balcony cabin. While balcony cabins are usually significantly more expensive than oceanview cabins, you might be surprised to find a deal on a balcony room.

If a balcony is only $100-300 more total than an oceanview cabin, it may be better to upgrade from an inside cabin to a balcony cabin instead of an oceanview.

Related: Oceanview vs Balcony staterooms on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Consider the itinerary

If you’re cruising somewhere particularly scenic, such as Alaska or Norway, booking an oceanview room is recommended. You don’t want to miss a single moment of scenery outside, and time spent in an inside cabin means missing views of fjords, wildlife, and snow-capped mountains.

While you can still cruise in an inside room on these itineraries and view scenery from public spaces onboard, many passengers enjoy the privacy of viewing these destinations from their cabin.

Situated on deck 6 of Royal Caribbean’s Freedom-class ships is a promenade stateroom that’s unlike any other cabin onboard.

Imagine a stateroom featuring cow-themed decor, vouchers for free ice cream and highly-coveted suite lounge access - all for the same price as every other inside promenade stateroom onboard.

Without a doubt, the Ben and Jerry’s suite is the weirdest stateroom onboard any Royal Caribbean ship; and I was lucky enough to experience this bizarre stateroom for myself onboard Liberty of the Seas last weekend.

Found on Liberty of the Seas, along with Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas, the Ben and Jerry’s suite is the only inside cabin suite on any Royal Caribbean ship.

While cabin 6305 might look like a regular ol’ promenade stateroom from the hallway, most don’t realize this stateroom is perfectly situated right above the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream parlor. Open the cabin’s blinds and you’ll find a front row view of two life-size cow’s derriere (or should I say dairy-ere?)

Here’s what it was like staying in the weirdest Royal Caribbean stateroom.

Having never heard of the Ben and Jerry’s Sweet, I did some preliminary research to see what I could expect staying in the promenade “suite.” 

Legend has it that the cow-obstructed views were an oversight from Royal Caribbean during the construction phase of building the Freedom-class ships. Once it was discovered that these massive cows block most of the cabin’s promenade view, Royal Caribbean decided to add a few freebies for guests.

Alas, the Ben and Jerry’s Sweet was born!

After learning about this peculiar promenade stateroom, I found an older article on RoyalCaribbeanBlog that provided some pictures, videos and details about the Ben and Jerry’s suite.

Back in 2011, the Ben and Jerry’s suite appeared to be covered with cow-themed decor from head to toe. From bedsheets and pillows with cow-prints to mini cow trinkets and clocks, the Ben and Jerry’s suite was decked out with decor. The door of the suite even had a special plaque, which surely intrigued other guests onboard.

Booking the Ben and Jerry’s suite was the same price as every other promenade stateroom on Liberty of the Seas

Because of the cabin’s obscureness, it was difficult to find any updated or current photos of what to expect from the suite. With just 3 cabins existing in Royal Caribbean’s entire fleet, the Ben and Jerry’s suite is considered a hidden gem.

Although I’ve cruised many times on Royal Caribbean ships that feature promenade staterooms, or glorified inside cabins that have a window overlooking the lively promenade onboard, I’ve never actually booked one for myself.

I always worried that a promenade stateroom would be too noisy when trying to sleep at night, especially considering how busy the promenade is on any Royal Caribbean cruise. I was anxious to see whether I liked staying in a promenade stateroom and I was grateful to try out this cabin on a short, 3-night sailing.

For this cruise, I’d be sailing with my husband. I warned him about expecting obnoxious cow decor in the stateroom while in the same breath sharing that we would presumably be receiving suite lounge access and free ice cream with the stateroom.  

While boarding, I was confused whether we could board with other suite guests, as we didn’t receive any communication regarding the benefits of our room prior to boarding. As such, we boarded like everyone else so as to not potentially embarrass ourselves. 

Walking inside the stateroom for the first time after boarding, my husband looked to me and said “Uh, I don’t think this is the Ben and Jerry’s suite.” 

Expecting to see an obscene amount of cow-themed decor, we opened the door to cabin 6305 to see a stateroom that initially looked like every other promenade cabin. There was no plaque on the stateroom door like I had seen in older pictures and videos.

I gave a confused look to my husband and went inside the cabin further to investigate.

Once we were inside the promenade cabin, we quickly spotted a framed photo of a cow painting. The quirky artwork confirmed we were indeed in the Ben and Jerry’s suite!

I looked out the window to find the life-size cows right above the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop in the promenade. 

These massive cow structures blocked the majority of our promenade view - and it certainly made us laugh when seeing the cow posteriors for the first time.

On the stateroom vanity, we found a coupon that was titled “Ben & Jerry’s Sweet Guest” with small boxes to check for each complimentary treat. 

The voucher said, “Enjoy a daily complimentary ice cream treat from your friends at Royal Caribbean International and Ben & Jerry’s. Present this voucher at the time of ordering.”

The voucher stated that the coupon was non-transferrable, non-refundable and non-replaceable if lost or stolen. Since the sailing was only 3-nights, the boxes for Treat 4 through Treat 7 were crossed out.

We also found a welcome sheet from the suite concierge welcoming us onboard, writing, “We're thrilled to welcome you to the Ben & Jerry's Sweet onboard Liberty of the Seas for what’s sure to be an unforgettable adventure. This one of a kind stateroom overlooks the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop on the Royal Promenade - and it comes with some pretty cool perks.”

The perks listed on the sheet included a free treat at Ben and Jerry’s on every day of our cruise for all guests staying in the stateroom, along with exclusive access to the Suite Lounge for continental breakfast and happy hour each evening from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 

I’ve only ever stayed in a junior suite onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, which confusingly enough did not come with Suite Lounge access. We were excited to see what the Suite Lounge was all about and compare it to the Diamond Lounge.

Of course, we couldn’t wait too long to take the Ben and Jerry’s voucher for a spin.

Voucher in tow, my husband and I went to Ben and Jerry’s for a little ice cream treat after boarding and dropping off our luggage. 

Proudly displaying the voucher to the crew member working at Ben and Jerry’s, we inquired about what exactly our “complimentary treat” entailed. The crew member seemed a bit confused at first and didn’t entirely know what would be included. 

We told him that the description said in our room that we could each have a daily complimentary treat, but he still seemed unsure about what the voucher was all about. 

Eventually, he said we could pretty much have whatever we wanted, including any size of ice cream. I opted for a small Phish Food while my husband tried the Cookies and Cream.

After serving up our ice cream, he checked off Treat 1 on our voucher. We were surprised that using the voucher seemed to be confusing for the crew members, as there must be guests on each sailing that have this benefit.

Access to the suite lounge, including complimentary happy hour, was a huge benefit of the Ben and Jerry’s suite.

I’d look at a cow’s derriere (or are we saying dairy-ere?) each day of a cruise if it means I can enjoy complimentary happy hours each evening!

As I mentioned, I’ve never had access to the Suite Lounge. This gal is a cheap cruiser, so I normally stay in an inside cabin guarantee and enjoy my complimentary Diamond + drink vouchers.

We were giddy as we took out our SeaPass cards to enter the suite - I even took my phone out to film us waltzing into the Suite Lounge. We had big smiles until the card reader flashed red over and over again. We tried both cards until we finally accepted our fate that the cards were not going to let us in.

After waiting for someone else to enter, we rode their coat tails and spoke with the suite concierge who assured that he would fix our cards. We enjoyed a few drinks in the Suite Lounge before heading to dinner with others in our travel group.

I was surprised to find that the Suite Lounge has the same assortment of appetizers and snacks as the Diamond Lounge. I always assumed that the Suite Lounge would have a more desirable spread during happy hour, but this wasn’t the case when I went into both lounges on the same night. 

The following evening, our cards still didn’t work, so the concierge issued us brand-new cards to use. While we confirmed they worked for the lounge, we were unable to access our stateroom that night; my husband had to go get us new cards at guest services around midnight. 

With two SeaPasses in my lanyard, it was slightly frustrating to have these issues between the lounge and our stateroom - which were two of the most important places we needed access to!

Luckily by the last evening, we had access to the lounge and statement without any issues. 

The promenade stateroom was indeed noisy, especially at night and during certain events.

We felt there were two major drawbacks of the promenade stateroom: the noise and the privacy. On the plus side, the promenade stateroom feels pretty similar in size to an inside cabin, although it does have two seating booths around the window nook. It was also nice to have a view of something other than a blank wall or a giant mirror.

We had to be very mindful of the curtains being closed while changing, as it would be very easy to forget about onlookers in the promenade. Because the cows block most of the views from our window, we would forget that people could easily look into our window if we weren’t cautious of closing the blinds.

Another major drawback of the promenade stateroom was how noisy it can be in the evenings. I would argue that the promenade had loud music playing each evening until midnight. The final evening of our cruise, my husband tried to go to bed at a reasonable time because we had an early morning flight the following day.

While trying to fall asleep, the 70s disco inferno party started in the promenade. He said it sounded like a concert was taking place inside our cabin and that it was actually vibrating from the music.

He texted me that it was so noisy, “They might as well be performing in our stateroom!” To investigate, he got out of bed to open the curtains and see what was happening. He was taken aback to find the performers were literally standing next to the cows on the small platform right outside our window!

He said he couldn’t close the window quick enough, especially considering he was dressed to go to bed. 

We both agreed we would stay in the Ben and Jerry’s suite again, but probably not any other promenade stateroom.

The perks of the Ben and Jerry’s suite make this promenade stateroom worthwhile, but I don’t think I am sold on promenade staterooms in general. 

Of course, access to the Suite Lounge with complimentary, nightly happy hour is a huge perk of booking the weirdest cabin on a Royal Caribbean ship. Considering the Ben and Jerry’s suite doesn’t cost anything extra compared to other promenade staterooms, it’s truly a great deal.

As a sweets lover, it was a fun daily treat to have Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. It did feel as though the crew members at Ben and Jerry’s didn’t know the rules of the voucher or suite, as we always seemed to get different answers when inquiring.

For example, we asked about whether we could have a milkshake instead of ice cream and it wasn’t entirely clear. On the last day, the voucher was taken after I ordered my daily treat, but my husband hadn’t had the chance to get his.

It was great to have the free ice cream vouchers daily, but I certainly wouldn’t need to have daily ice cream on a longer cruise. The 3-night sailing was perfect for a daily ice cream treat after long days in the Bahamian sun.

Again, I’d happily look at a fake cow’s dairy-ere if it means I get free ice cream and complimentary happy hours with drinks each day. The noise and privacy of the promenade stateroom wouldn’t always be worth it, but the Ben and Jerry’s suite is a must if it’s available!