Inside Cabin for 4 Adults? Here’s What No One Tells You!

Booking an inside cabin is often far cheaper than booking a balcony cabin.

If you are cruising on a budget, an inside cabin can be a great way to have a fantastic cruise holiday without breaking the bank.

After all, you will spend most of your day enjoying the ship’s many different venues or you’ll be off the ship, exploring new and exciting ports.

Booking an inside cabin for four adults can be a great way to save money and make a cruise more affordable.

Often, there are extra discounts available when third or fourth guests share a cabin.

Most inside cabins are set up for two travellers sharing. Depending on your requirements, you can have the beds set up as a double or twins.

If you book four people into an inside cabin, the other two beds will either be beds that pull down from the ceiling (sometimes called Pullman beds) or there will be a sofa bed that is made up by your cabin steward in the evenings.

Because of the lack of floor space available, having four adults in one small cabin has some disadvantages.

But this set-up can work well for families with children or friends travelling on a budget.

Cabin Size and Layout

The size of inside cabins can vary, but most are between 150 and 180 square feet /14 and 17 Square metres.

Inside cabins can have four people staying in them. Extra passengers can be accommodated either by using two “Pullman” beds that fold down from the ceiling or on a sofa bed.

Inside cabins are the smallest cabins available onboard – but also the most affordable when you are cruising on a budget.

Have a look at some of the smallest cabins I have stayed in here:

If you have four adults staying in an inside cabin, storage space will be at a premium, so you will have to be quite organised with your personal belongings.

Privacy and Personal Space

There are many challenges to face if four adults are sharing one cabin.

Taking turns in the bathroom, getting changed and getting ready to go out isn’t always easy.

You may have friends who like to stay out late partying while you prefer to be in bed, asleep far earlier.

You are bound to be disturbed by someone coming in later, using that bathroom, switching on lights, etc.

Remember that inside cabins are pitch black all the time. They will have no choice but to switch on the lights or use the torch/flashlight on their phone!

Storage and Packing Tips

You will all have to pack light because there simply isn’t room for large cases and lots of clothes.

You can probably fit at least a couple of the cases under the bed for storage when they’re empty. There isn’t going to be enough room to put all the empty cases in the bottom of the wardrobe.

If you are really stuck with what to do with the empty cases, speak to the cabin steward, who will be able to store them somewhere else on the ship until you need them again.

Some guests swear by magnetic hooks and over-the-door organisers to create more hanging space.

All cabins have metal, magnetic walls, so it is easy to stick magnets to them.

Packing Cubes

I swear by packing cubes. I can pack underwear in one, t-shirts in another, shorts and dresses in another.

It keeps everything you need together, and helps your clothes compact more to fit into a smaller suitcase.

I just pop the whole packing cube into a drawer and get things out as needed.

It certainly helps if you and your friends/family are tidy – but you are always likely to get one person who isn’t, and that can cause friction!

Sleep Quality and Comfort

Two of the beds will be comfortable – they are used all the time in the cabin.

Whether the other two beds are – that is another matter!

Pull-down beds or sofa beds may be less comfortable, particularly for taller/larger people. You might have a fight on your hands as to who gets the best beds!

Those in the upper beds will also have to struggle down the ladders in the dark if they need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night! You need to be quite agile!

Some people prefer to sleep in a colder room, while others prefer it to be warm. You need to be considerate of everyone’s needs.

If you are a light sleeper, your roommates might disturb you when you are sleeping.

The Bathroom Situation

This is one of the trickiest elements, in my experience.

Everyone is going to want to have bathroom time in the morning or last thing at night. It can be annoying if others take a long time in the bathroom and you can’t get access.

If you can work out some sort of schedule so you can all get your own bathroom time, it could make things easier for everyone.

Toiletry storage can also be an issue. Many cruise ship bathrooms have low shelves or cupboards under the sink and storage to the side of the sinks. If you share that space equally, you will know where to find your stuff.

Many cruise lines supply shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, so you don’t need to bring your own. Why not double up with friends? Do you really need to bring four tubes of toothpaste? Could you share?

Have a look at what you are likely to find supplied in your cruise line’s bathroom below:

Do Cruises Provide Shampoo and Conditioner? Cruise Line Guide

I have a hanging storage bag, so I can hang my toiletries on the back of the door. Of course, that leaves less room for you to hang your towels, but it works for me.

Social Dynamics and Avoiding Conflict

It might be good to set a few ground rules before you book the cruise!

Respecting others’ space and habits is crucial. Hopefully, if you are sharing an inside cabin with someone, it will be someone you know well, want to spend time with, and know you can get along with.

Make the most of the space outside your cabin – lounges, top deck space, etc. Just four of you are on holiday together doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time in one room with them!

Pros and Cons of Sharing an Inside Cabin

There are pros and cons to think about before you book an inside cabin for four.

• Pros:
  • Cost savings.
    • Four people sharing an inside cabin can be a very cost-effective way to travel, with extra discounts available for third or fourth passengers in a cabin.
  • A great bonding experience with close friends and family.
  • An inside cabin forces you to explore the ship more.
    • You won’t want to spend much time in your room, you will be out and about enjoying public spaces.
• Cons:
  • The space will be very cramped.
    • There will be a lack of personal time and space – and possibly battles over bathroom usage!
  • You will need to pack light.
    • You will probably struggle for storage space.
  • You need to get on well with those you travel with.
    • If in doubt – don’t do it!

Find out about my favourite inside cabin in the video below. I shared it with my brother, and we get on very well. It was plenty big enough for the two of us – but if you imagine four adults sharing the same space – you will see it could be cramped:

Is It Worth It?

This “four-person in a cabin” arrangement works best for families with children or close friends.

If your children are getting bigger/older it might be time to consider adjoining cabins or an upgrade to a larger balcony cabin.

I wouldn’t want to share an inside cabin with three other adults for more than a few days although I have in the past.

My second cruise was a two-week baltic adventure. My parents, my brother and I shared a cabin, and whilst it was doable, it was very cramped for that length of time. (I was a teenager at the time).

Luckily, we get on well – I wouldn’t do it again though!

That said, if you can only afford to cruise by sharing the cheapest cabin with three others, do it! Any cruise is better than no cruise…

Before You Go

Find out more about how to avoid most inside cabins here:

How to Avoid the Most Common Inside Cabin Problems on Your Cruise

Find out how booking a balcony cabin compares to booking an inside cabin here:

The Pros and Cons of Booking a Balcony vs. An Inside Cabin