Which Cabin Type Should You Book on a Marella Cruise? (Inside, Outside and Balcony Review)

Note: This post is sponsored by Marella Cruises. All thoughts and opinions are my own based on my 8+ Cruises with Marella. My cruises with Marella were not press trips and I paid full price for them.

Marella offers Inside, Outside (sometimes called Oceanview), Balcony, and suite cabins.

Choosing the right cabin can significantly affect the cruise experience and price.

In this article, we look at the Inside, Outside and different types of Balcony cabins I have stayed in.

The below is me in my Outside (Oceanview) cabin onboard Marella Voyager.

Although I have never yet sailed in a suite on a Marella ship, I have sailed in all the other cabin types. (I would love to do so, hopefully that is one for the future!)

Inside Cabins – The Budget Choice

I stayed in an Inside cabin onboard Marella Explorer.

I was on a 90’s themed cruise, and the cabin fitted the bill perfectly.

There were many performers, and lots of themed entertainment going on around the ship, so I knew I really only needed a clean, comfortable place to sleep for a few days. I wasn’t going to be spending a lot of time in the cabin.

Inside Cabins have no natural light, so you won’t know if it is twelve noon or twelve midnight. That does mean that I sleep very well, with nothing to wake me up!

Marella’s Inside Cabins are well designed, with lots of storage space.

If you aren’t planning on spending a lot of time in your cabin and are not worried about feeling claustrophobic, an Inside cabin could be the perfect choice for you.

I certainly never feel claustrophobic – to me, Inside Cabins feel like a warm, cosy nest, away from the hustle and bustle of the ship. I have had some of my best ever sleep in Inside cabins!

Watch my Inside cabin tour of the room I had on Marella Explorer Below:

Some Inside cabins can accommodate up to four guests, which makes them even more affordable.

Be aware though, that if four people are sharing a cabin, you will have to be very organised and tidy with your belongings, or you might end up falling over each other – or falling out!

An Inside cabin might suit you if:

• If you want a good value, budget cruise experience.
• If you aren’t planning to spend much of your time in the cabin.
  • You still get to enjoy all the same public areas and facilities onboard.
• If you want a quiet, comfortable place to sleep with no distractions.
  • It is dark in these cabins all of the time, so you can sleep and sleep and sleep…

An Inside cabin may not suit you if:

• You prefer to have more open space.
  • You may prefer a cabin with a window or Balcony instead.
• You want access to fresh sea air.

Outside (Oceanview) Cabins – The Middle Ground

I am very fond of an Outside cabin for a number of reasons.

You get an outside view; there is plenty of natural light, but there are huge cost savings compared to booking a Balcony cabin.

On some sailings, I just can’t justify the extra cost of a Balcony cabin.

If you are sailing in winter and are unlikely to use your Balcony much, or if the ports you are sailing to are quite industrialised, I think a Balcony might not be worth it.

All Outside Cabins are well-appointed and have lots of storage. They are very similar to Inside cabins, just with a picture window.

Have a look at the oceanview cabin I shared with my mum on Marella Voyager here:

Cabins can accommodate up to four guests. The cabin I shared with my Mum on this trip had two extra “Pullman” beds that could be pulled down if needed.

An Outside cabin might suit you if:

• You want views of the outside, and some natural light.
• They are a good price.
  • You can often secure an Outside cabin for not much more money than an Inside cabin.
  • Don’t assume that Inside cabins are always the cheapest or best choice; look at all available cabins when you book.
    • Inside cabins might all have been sold, and they might have Outside cabins available at a very good price.

Outside cabins may not suit you if:

• You want some private outside space of your own to sit and watch the world go by.
• You want access to fresh sea air.

Balcony Cabins – Worth The Upgrade?

I have stayed in a Balcony cabin on Marella Discovery, and more recently, Marella Voyager.

A Balcony cabin is lovely if you want a bit of private outside space.

If you are on a good-weather cruise, it is lovely to sit outside and watch the ever-changing views.

Balcony cabins can often accommodate four guests, the third and fourth passengers sleeping on a sofa bed, or pull-down “Pullman” beds

Have a look at my Balcony cabin onboard Marella Discovery here:

A Balcony cabin might suit you if:

• You want that extra private outside space.
• You want to be able to watch the sail-ins and sail-outs from your balcony.
• You want a light and spacious cabin.
• You have the extra money available to spend.

A Balcony might not be the best choice if:

• You are travelling on a budget.
• You aren’t taking a summer cruise, and aren’t going to be out on your balcony enough to warrant the extra cost.

Aft Balcony Cabin – A Quirky Layout

I recently took a friend on a cruise, and we chose an aft Balcony cabin. (Marella calls this a “Deluxe Cabin With Balcony” on their website).

The ship we sailed on was the adult-only Marella Explorer 2.

The layout of this cabin was quite unusual – but perfect for the two of us sharing the space. Each Marella ship has different cabins and some which are unique to each ship.

An aft Balcony cabin might suit you if:

• You want plenty of space.
• You want a cabin with two double beds, instead of two singles.
  • The layout of the cabin I had was great for friends sharing.
• Want great, uninterrupted views over the back of the ship.

An aft Balcony cabin might not suit you if:

• You are worried about noise.
  • Aft Balcony cabins have a reputation of being noisy and vibrating more when the ship docks.
    • Vibration didn’t cause me any problems at all.

With all cabins, check which venues are close to your room and decide whether noise will affect your enjoyment of the cruise. In my experience, it is better to have a cabin surrounded by other cabins, where possible.

Have a look at that aft balcony cabin ( “Deluxe Cabin With Balcony”) here:

A Range Of Suites Available

I have never been lucky enough to stay in a suite on a Marella ship, but there are a range of fantastic cabins available.

Suites can sleep multiple guests. Family suites can sleep up to six and typically have two separate bedrooms and a pull-down bed.

If you are travelling as a family or in a group, it may be worth considering the cost of a suite compared to booking multiple Balcony cabins.

Verdict – Which Cabin Should You Book?

All of the cabins on Marella ships are clean, comfortable and well-appointed, so you can’t go far wrong whichever one you choose.

Budget and itinerary are really the things to consider.

If you are on a picturesque summer sailing, then you might want to splash out on a Blcony.

If you are sailing in winter, or the cities you are sailing to are a distance from the port, spending extra on a Balcony might not be worth it for you.

I hate it when people give you the impression you MUST have a Balcony to have a good cruise. It’s just not true. I’ve enjoyed all of my Marella cruises in the Inside, Outside and Balcony cabins.

It’s important to remember that all cabin types have their own bathrooms, and these are usually very similar across cabin grades. Gone are the days of shared bathrooms!

I have been on over eighty cruises, many in cheap Inside cabins, and some of my favourite cruises have been the ones that didn’t cost the most!

If the itinerary warrants it and you have the money available, by all means, book a Balcony. You will enjoy it.

But don’t think a Balcony is a necessity. You can have a fantastic cruise in either an Inside or an Outside cabin, and I have done so many times in the past.

Before You Go

Find out who would love a Marella cruise in the article below:

7 People Who Would Love a Marella Cruise

Have a look at the included drinks when you sail with Marella Cruises here:

Marella Cruises All Inclusive Drinks List (and 2026 Menus)