Is It Worth Upgrading From An Inside Cabin On A Cruise?

People seem to think that inside cabins are very basic, and everyone’s goal in life is to have a balcony cabin.

Upgrading can be lovely, but it’s not as essential as many people think.

Whether I book a balcony cabin depends a lot on the itinerary and the weather I am expecting. If I am not going to be in the cabin much, booking a balcony can seem like a waste of money.

What You Actually Get With An Upgrade

Even the cheapest inside cabins are well-appointed and have everything you need to have a good cruise.

Oceanview cabins are usually similar in size but have the advantage of natural light and often good views over the sea.

Balconies are great because you have space, light and your own private outdoor area.

If the weather is good and you will be out on your balcony enjoying the views and the sunshine, a balcony might be worth the money.

If you are sailing to Northern Europe in winter, you probably won’t be out on your balcony. It will be cold, dark and possibly wet outside!

Spending the extra money on an upgrade may be a waste of time and money.

Upgrading Is Worth It When:

• You are sailing to a picturesque destination, such as Alaska or Norway, it is probably worth getting a balcony cabin, if it is affordable.
• You are taking a warm-weather cruise to the Mediterranean or the Caribbean because you are more likely to use the balcony.
• If you prefer a quiet, private space, a balcony can be your escape from busy public decks.
• You are celebrating a special occasion, it might be worth it – it’s just about enhancing the experience.

When Upgrading Often Isn’t Worth It:

• There seems little point in an upgrade to a balcony for colder or rough-weather itineraries
• If I were going to an industrial port, like Zeebrugge for Bruges, then I wouldn’t need a balcony. All I will see is piles and piles of shipping containers. I could be anywhere!
• If I were taking a cruise with a port-heavy itinerary, I might think twice about upgrading.
• If you’re happy using public decks or think you might spend a lot of time sitting around the pool, it probably isn’t worth an upgrade to a balcony.

The Case For Inside Cabins (That People Don’t Talk About)

Inside cabins are darker, which means I sleep better with no disruptions.

I have a “daylight alarm clock” which gently lights up the room at a set time, to simulate the sunrise.

If I didn’t set that, I wouldn’t know whether it were 1 pm or 1 am!

I have the sunrise alarm clock below:

Inside cabins are often mid-ship and lower down, so they feel more stable. If the seas become rough, you are likely to feel less movement.

Inside cabins are significantly cheaper, freeing up cash to spend on other things – drinks, excursions, speciality meals –or another cheap cruise.

What About Oceanview Cabins?

Oceanview cabins are often overlooked, but they are the middle ground between inside cabins and balconies.

You get the natural light without the full balcony price.

Oceanview cabins are usually low down, below the balcony cabins, so there is less movement.

They give great views out over the ocean, without the clutter of balcony doors, sunloungers and railings between you and the water.

You can often lie in bed and watch what is going on outside, which you often can’t do in a balcony cabin.

Oceanviews are a great option if you don’t need any outdoor space.

Have a look at an oceanview cabin on an older ship that I stayed in here:

How You Cruise Matters More Than The Cabin

If you’re always out and about, enjoying the public areas of the ship, or lying on a lounger around the pool, cabin type matters less

If you like downtime in your room, it matters more

It is a personal choice, there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to cruising.

A Realistic Way To Decide

Ask yourself these simple questions before you book:

• Will I actually spend time sitting on the balcony?
• What’s the weather likely to be during my cruise?
• How much extra am I paying?
• What could I do with that money instead?

Have a look at some of the small inside cabins I have stayed in, so you know what you might get for your money below:

It’s Never Required

Don’t let anyone convince you that you need to book a balcony cabin. You can have an amazing cruise even if you have booked the cheapest inside room.

If you are worried about a lack of daylight, maybe look at the prices of oceanview cabins instead.

Millions of people have a great time every year staying in inside or oceanview cruise cabins.

If I am sailing with a group of friends or family, we tend to all congregate in one balcony cabin anyway, so we don’t all need one!

When I was younger, my parents used to book an inside cabin for me and my brother, and a balcony cabin for them. It was a great way of saving money, as we were always in their cabin during the daytime anyway.

An upgrade to a balcony can improve your trip – but it certainly doesn’t make or break it

Before You Go

Find out how to avoid noisy cabins here:

Don’t Book A Noisy Cruise Cabin – Check These 5 Things First

Find out what happened when I was finally successful in bidding for an upgraded cabin here:

I Bid on a Cabin Upgrade and “Won”! (First Time EVER)