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

When booking your cruise, choosing the type of cabin is one of the most important decisions you will have to make.

The type of cabin will have a big impact on your cruise experience. If you have a balcony cabin you might spend time out on your balcony, enjoying the scenery. If you are in an inside cabin, you really might only spend time in there sleeping, showering and changing.

In this article, we look at the advantages and disadvantages of each cabin type so you can make an informed decision.

Reasons to Consider A Balcony Cabin

#1 Private Outdoor Space

There is no getting away from it. It is lovely to have your own private balcony.

It will offer you a private space where you can enjoy fresh sea air and wonderful views and give you somewhere to relax in peace and quiet.

#2 Natural Light

Having natural light can make a small space feel larger and more pleasant. A huge advantage of a balcony cabin is that you will know what the weather is like outside, and you will know what to wear.

If you have an inside cabin, you will have to check the “Bow cam” of the ship on the TV – and try and work it out from there!

#3 Scenic Views

Your own private balcony is a great place to enjoy sunsets, sunrises, and scenic cruising spots without leaving your cabin.

I really enjoy having a lazy morning, watching the scenery go by, with no pressure to be up, dressed and look “decent.”

If you have an inside cabin, you have to get dressed and be ready to face the world before you can go out and view the scenery.

#4 Relaxation and Privacy

If the ship is busy and a lot is going on, it is lovely to have your own outdoor space for quiet moments away from the crowds.

#5 More Space

Balcony cabins tend to be larger in size and have more floor space than inside cabins.

Obviously, cabin sizes vary from ship to ship and cruise line to cruise line – but in general, balcony cabins are larger, often with a sofa/seating area that you can enjoy.

Find out about my favourite standard balcony of all time on Norwegian Prima here:

Reasons Not To Get A Balcony Cabin

#1 Higher Cost

I think this is the main disadvantage of a balcony cabin. Often, balcony cabins come with a significantly higher price tag than inside cabins.

If you are cruising somewhere particularly scenic, like Alaska or Norway, the majority of passengers onboard will want to be in a balcony cabin.

This means they are in demand, and the cruiseline can charge more.

It is not unusual to find balcony cabins at double the price of the cheapest inside cabin.

#2 Time Spent In The Cabin

You might find that your cruise has a very busy schedule, and you might not spend a lot of time in your cabin, enjoying that extra balcony space.

Carefully consider your destination, itinerary and the time of year you are sailing before you choose a balcony cabin.

Will you be able to take full advantage of your balcony? If not, consider saving the money and booking an inside or ocean view room instead.

#3 The Weather

Balconies aren’t much fun during bad weather or on windy days.

If you are planning a sunny Mediterranean or Caribbean cruise – great – spend the money on a balcony cabin.

If you are sailing to Northern Europe in November or taking a winter Transatlantic crossing, you are unlikely to be out on your balcony anyway…

Reasons To Consider An Inside Cabin

#1 They are Budget-Friendly

Inside cabins are so much more affordable. You might be able to book two cruises in an inside cabin for the same price as one trip in a balcony cabin.

This makes them a great option for budget-conscious cruisers.

I am a great fan of an inside cabin. For me, they are just a place to sleep, shower, and change.

When I used to sail with my brother and parents, they would book a balcony cabin, and we would book an inside. If we needed a balcony for a great sail in or sail out – we would just go to their room. It worked perfectly and saved lots of money.

Find out about the smallest inside cabins I have stayed in below. An inside cabin always offers great value for money, in my opinion:

#2 Better for Sleep

I sleep so well in an inside cabin! Because they have no windows, they are pitch black when the lights are turned off.

It could be 4am or 4pm – you would never know!

A great inside cabin hack is to pack a small sunrise alarm clock. These slowly light up over time, so you aren’t rudely awakened from a deep sleep by a loud, startling alarm clock!

You can even set them to have relaxing sounds – like birds tweeting – as it slowly lights up your cabin.

Find more details about the sunrise alarm clock I use below:

#3 It’s Cosy Space

The cabin will be cosy and compact – perfect for sleeping and comfort.

#4 Save Your Money For Other Things

Cruisers who plan to spend little time in their cabin might prefer saving money for excursions, speciality dining, drinks packages or other things.

If you have spent lots of money on a balcony, you might feel you need to skimp on other things, and might miss out on some of the great things the ship has to offer.

Reasons Not To Get An Inside Cabin

#1 No Natural Light

Having no windows in your cabin can make the space feel more enclosed, and it’s harder to keep track of time when you have no natural light.

#2 Some May Feel Claustrophobic

Some people might feel a bit claustrophobic being confined in a windowless room – although this isn’t a problem for me.

If I was booking a longer cruise where I would be in the room for weeks on end, I may consider a balcony or an ocean view. For a week or two, I am perfectly happy in an inside cabin.

#3 Missed Scenic Views:

Inside cabin guests miss out on the direct ocean views that balconies offer, and you might feel more disconnected from the ocean.

If you are taking a cruise that offers “scenic cruising” past islands, along rivers – or past glaciers in Alaska, for example, you would have to make sure you got a good spot on the deck or in a bar with big windows – otherwise, you will miss out.

Find out more about my Alaska cruise and whether I thought the balcony cabin was worth the extra expense here:

Factors to Consider When Making Your Choice

• Cruise Itinerary
  • Consider the length of the cruise and whether it’s more sea days or port days.
  • This will affect which cabin is better (e.g., balcony cabins might be more enjoyable on scenic routes for example).
• Budget
  • Decide whether you’d rather splurge on your cabin or spend extra money on excursions, drinks, or speciality dining once onboard.
• Time You Will Spend In Your Cabin
  • Consider how much time you will realistically spend in your cabin.
  • If you’re always out and about onboard, a balcony might not be worth the extra cost.

Who Should Consider a Balcony Cabin?

• Nature Lovers
  • Those who enjoy fresh air and ocean views may benefit more from a balcony cabin.
• Romantic Getaways
  • Great for couples looking for a bit of privacy away from others.
• Relaxation Seekers
  • If you want a peaceful, private space to unwind, a balcony cabin could be the best choice.

Who Should Consider An Inside Cabin?

• Budget Travellers
  • If you want to save money and spend more elsewhere on the ship, choose an Inside cabin.
• Active Cruisers
  • If you are planning to spend most of your time enjoying ship activities – or getting off the ship to go exploring or taking shore excursions, it would be sensible to consider an inside cabin.
• Those Who Like to Sleep!
  • Inside cabins are Perfect for those who appreciate total darkness for uninterrupted sleep.

Other Cheaper Options

If you don’t think you would be happy in an inside cabin, but can’t afford the hefty price tag of a balcony cabin, there are some alternatives you can consider:

Ocean View Cabins

My parents are big fans of oceanview cabins. They are often a lot cheaper than a balcony cabin, but you still get the advantage of great views and natural light.

If the weather isn’t likely to be great, you may decide you don’t need the private outside space of a balcony.

Oceanview cabins are a great “middle ground”.

Another advantage of an ocean view cabin that you may not have thought of is that they are often lower down on the ship, meaning they are quieter, and you will feel the ships movement less. Great for those who suffer from seasickness!

Obstructed View Cabins

You might be able to get an “obstructed view” cabin – either an ocean view or a balcony cabin with something in the way of the view. This is often part of a lifeboat or some sort of safety equipment.

The obstruction can range from a small thing at one side, to your view being completely blocked, so choose carefully. This is where the help of a good travel agent is invaluable!

Have a look at pictures of real-life cabins with obstructed views in the article below:

The Truth About Obstructed View Cabins – (Photo Examples & How to Find One)

I chose an obstructed view cabin onboard Spectrum of the Seas when I visited Asia. The cost of the flights and the cruise was expensive, and it seemed like a great way of saving money.

Find out whether it was a good choice here:

My Advice

My advice would be to try an Inside cabin for your first cruise.

If you find you don’t like the inside cabin for any reason, you could consider upgrading for a future cruise.

I took a short cruise on P&O’s oldest and smallest ship, Aurora. I booked an inside cabin – due to the destination (across the English Channel to Bruges) and because I was planning on spending a lot of my time out and about catching up with friends onboard.

It was a great choice for me, although the cabin was dated, I loved the ship itself.

Find out more about that here:

Once you have sailed in a balcony cabin, you might find it harder to consider an inside cabin. The last thing you want is to be disappointed, and constantly comparing your cabin unfavourably to one you have had on a previous cruise.

There is No Right or Wrong Choice – it is down to your personal preferences and budget.

Before You Go

I stayed in a very quirky balcony cabin onboard the Italian mega-ship, Costa Smeralda. Find out more about that here:

Nowhere to Hide! – I Stayed in The Weirdest Cruise Ship Cabin – Costa Smeralda

On Anthem of the Seas, i had a “Virtual” Balcony cabin. To find out about that unusual cabin, read this next:

7 Days in The Most Controversial “INSIDE” Cabin (Virtual Balcony Review)