Choosing between an inside cabin and an oceanview cabin for your next cruise? These budget-friendly cabins are both excellent options for a cruise vacation, but there are several differences to know about between the two cabins before booking one over the other.

While inside cabins are the cheapest cruise cabins 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!

After 10 cruises in interior cabins, I spent three nights in the opulent Owner’s Suite on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas.

This cabin is one of the most spacious on the entire ship and comes with its own name: the Adagio Suite. At 624 square feet, the room’s size is nearly four times as big as the interior staterooms I typically book.

For 2 guests, the total price of our suite came out to $2,612 for a 3-night cruise, or right around $870 per night. This price includes taxes, fees, and gratuities, and we also received $100 onboard credit.

We originally booked the suite for $2,934, but our travel agent repriced the sailing a few months after booking and found a cheaper deal, saving us $322.

Let’s take a tour of my spacious cabin at sea complete with a bedroom, living room, dining room, and extra large balcony.

My suite was located on deck 10, right outside of the ship’s aft elevator lobby. The suite’s convenient location was one of the best perks of the cabin, as we never had to walk far to get from our cabin to anywhere onboard.

When I opened the door to my suite for the first time, I was immediately blown away by the cabin’s size and amenities.

The suite has one bedroom, where you’ll find a king bed, television, side tables, and storage space.

The bedroom is not separated from the rest of the suite by a wall, but you can close a curtain for more privacy.

There is a vanity and desk area in the bedroom which includes several outlets to charge your devices.

Like all cabins, you’ll find a safe in the Owner’s Suite in the drawers above the vanity.

Now let’s move to the living room.

The living room has a sectional couch, plush chair, coffee table, and end table. This space is great for entertaining or winding down after a busy day in port.

To watch television in the living room, you can simply swivel around the TV from the bedroom to the living room.

The living room is connected to a dining room.

This area features floor-to-ceiling closets, which are perfect for hanging dresses and suits for formal night. You’ll also find Royal Caribbean bathrobes inside the closet.

Next to the closet are additional drawers where you can store clothes, shoes, and other personal items. Like all Royal Caribbean cabins, there is a mini fridge available here as well.

Above the mini fridge is a Lavazza Espresso coffee maker and ice bucket. You’ll also receive a few complimentary water bottles in the suite, which will be placed near the coffee maker.

There is also a dining table perfect for enjoying in-suite meals. As a suite guest, room service is complimentary, including meals from the Main Dining Room menu.

Across from the dining room is a bathroom, and the Owner’s Suite bathroom is unlike any bathroom I’ve experienced in a cruise ship cabin before.

The bathroom has dual sinks, which is optimal for two guests getting ready at the same time.

It also features a standalone bathtub with jacuzzi controls.  Like all suites, the bathroom comes with upgraded Malin + Goetz shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

In addition to the bathtub is a separate shower with a detachable shower head.

There is both a toilet and bidet in the Owner’s Suite bathroom.

Next let's head outside to the suite's balcony.

One of the best benefits of the Owner’s Suite is the large balcony. At 160 square feet, the balcony is three times larger than those in standard balcony cabins.

There are two balcony doors, one in the bedroom and the other in the living room.

The balcony offers unobstructed views of the outdoors. It’s located on the ship’s hump, meaning that the balcony sticks out further than other balconies onboard.

On the balcony is a dining table with two chairs, a perfect spot to enjoy breakfast and coffee in the mornings.

There are also two padded, reclinable lounge chairs, a notable upgrade from the standard chairs found on regular balconies.

While not cheap, the Owner’s Suite is nothing short of a spectacular cabin on Liberty of the Seas. For those looking for extra living space, upgraded amenities, and a more luxurious experience onboard, it is certainly worth the splurge.

I sailed onboard Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas and stayed in the cheapest stateroom available. 

Making her grand entrance in 2018, Symphony of the Seas is the fourth ship in the cruise line's Oasis class and held the title of largest cruise ship in the world until the debut of the Wonder of the Seas in early 2022. 

For $1,400 (including port fees and gratuities), I stayed in a guaranteed cabin, which means that I wasn't assigned my cabin until a few weeks prior to departure.  

This was my first time sailing in an interior stateroom. I've had balcony cabins on all of my previous cruises, so I was nervous as to how I'd adjust to no natural light at all. 

Read more: Interior vs Balcony staterooms

My interior cabin on Symphony of the Seas was only 149 square feet; however, it was one of the most contemporary feeling staterooms I have stayed in.

As I was sailing alone, I opted to keep the two beds together. While this was perfectly fine for me, I could see why a family might want to separate them into two twin-sized beds to help make the space feel more open and create a pathway in the middle of the stateroom. 

There were a total of four American outlets in the stateroom: three by the desk and one by the left side of the bed, where there was also a light switch present. As a solo traveler, this was plenty of power for me! I also appreciated being able to turn off all the stateroom lights from the comfort of the bed. 

Plus, the desk area also had one European outlet socket, as well as two USB plugs. 

There was a telephone located on the other nightstand, but I would have preferred if it was hung somewhere in the room! The phone was so large that it made that a non-functioning nightstand. There was just enough room for a phone and pair of glasses.

Surprisingly, there was an abundance of storage in this cabin. The dresser contained three empty drawers, a fourth that contained a box of tissues and room service information, and fifth that was home to the hairdryer.

There were also two closets, one on each side of the rather large couch. One had five free shelves, with the sixth being occupied by the safe. There were two additional drawers at the bottom. 

The other closet was just for hanging garments and contained eighteen hangers.  

Above the desk was a single glass shelf. I didn't find it to be that wide, but it was a great place to keep my sunglasses and other miscellaneous items throughout the week. When I first entered my stateroom, the desk was full of details regarding my cruise vacation, such as showtimes, Crown & Anchor information, as well as two masks. 

The large mirror above the desk was illuminated with a ring light, which was a great touch to this interior stateroom. It also provided great lighting for my makeup each morning!

Inside the dresser's large cabinet was a mini-fridge. I found that my drinks were always kept cold, despite it saying that it was a cooler and not a refrigerator. It had three selves that could be moved and adjusted according to your preferences, as well as a single shelf on the side. 

As expected, the bathroom inside of my cruise stateroom was small; however, I found it to be modern and clean. There was a shocking amount of counter space, as well as three shelves to the side of the mirror. Additional storage was available underneath the sink, too. On the back of the door were two hooks for wet towels and swimsuits. 

Inside of the shower, there's a soap dispenser that distributes Royal Caribbean's signature bath scent: Salt + Breeze. I was disappointed that there was only one small ledge in of the shower. If I was traveling with one more person, it would have been a tight squeeze to fit all of our products there. 

The water pressure inside of my cabin was neither awful nor great; it was just okay. I did have issues with the temperature that never got resolved. In the mornings, it was nearly impossible to get any hot water. Sometimes, I had to wait twenty-five minutes for the water to heat up to lukewarm! In the evenings, I had the opposite problem: the temperature was scalding hot.

At the entrance, there was a key slot that powered on all the electricity within the cabin to preserve energy. My room steward left a key in there all week, though. Additionally, there was a magnet that I placed on the exterior of my door which alerted the staff when I wanted my room to be tended to. If I wanted to be left alone, there was an option for that, too. 

My stateroom was located on the forward of deck 7 in a "secret" hallway full of other interior cabins in between the port and starboard sides of the ship. It felt like a maze when I was first trying to locate my stateroom. However, I appreciated how there wasn't another cabin door directly next to mine.

I am used to having a cabin located near the mid-ship when sailing, so being located all the way at a single end was a new experience for us. While the forward elevator bank was somewhat close, the aft was quite a walk from where I was located. 

For $200 each day, I was satisfied with my interior stateroom. I was worried that the lack of natural sunlight would cause me to feel cramped, sleep in on accident, or that I would just flat out miss waking up to an ocean view.

If I was sailing with another person, the cost would have dropped to a little over $125 per person, per day, including all taxes, port fees and gratuities. Now that I know what a great value interior staterooms can be, I'll consider them more for my personal travels!

You’ll almost always find me in an interior cabin on a Royal Caribbean cruise. While the opposite of luxurious, I never mind my small, windowless rooms, especially if it means I can save money on cruise fare.

Nonetheless, I just disembarked a 4-night cruise in a Spacious Ocean View cabin on Liberty of the Seas. Wanting to “treat myself” but also try something new, I upgraded my cabin for $248 extra on top of the $779 I originally paid for an interior cabin. This brought my total cruise cost to $1027.

I always love trying new ways to cruise with Royal Caribbean, so when I realized I could upgrade to a Spacious Ocean View cabin for a reasonable price, I figured I would give it a try.

I had never sailed in an ocean view room before, so I was curious to see how my cabin experience would differ from an interior or balcony cabin. The price of an ocean view cabin is usually between interior and balcony cabins, but I had two main questions:

• Would an ocean view cabin be that different from an interior to justify the extra cost?
• If I’m upgrading to an ocean view, is it better to spend a little more to upgrade to a balcony?

With extra room and scenic views out the porthole window, was this upgrade worth it? Let’s find out.

Royal Up vs standard upgrade

Many cruisers look to Royal Caribbean's stateroom bidding program, RoyalUp, when hoping to upgrade their cruise ship cabin. I have used RoyalUp once before (without any luck), but I’ve since realized it’s better to first contact your travel agent about the cost to upgrade without bidding.

Related: Royal Caribbean’s RoyalUp guide, tips, and tricks

RoyalUp allows guests to bid on higher stateroom categories with the hope of winning the bid and upgrading at a lower cost.

What I’ve realized, however, is that the minimum bids on RoyalUp are not always cheaper than upgrading your stateroom directly through Royal Caribbean or a travel agent.

When I asked my travel agent how much it would cost to upgrade from my interior cabin, for example, I was surprised to see such reasonable prices. The Promenade View Interior and Guarantee Ocean View cabins were actually cheaper than the original price I paid for my interior stateroom.

Meanwhile, if I had placed a bid on a Guarantee Ocean View through RoyalUp, I would have had to bid a minimum of $30 per person for the weakest bid possible.

Initial impressions

As soon as I walked into our cabin, I was pleased to see it was quite spacious, although I was a bit surprised that the room was the same size as a balcony cabin.

For some reason I expected this cabin to be even more spacious than a balcony room, but this is probably reserved for the Ultra Spacious Ocean View cabins.

Regardless, compared to the tiny interior rooms I usually stay in, our ocean view cabin felt huge! The interior cabins on Freedom Class ships are tiny, and while I’ve stayed in this size stateroom with guests before, it’s definitely a tight squeeze.

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

Our cabin was equipped with many amenities, including:

• King bed (that we later separated to two twin beds)
• Desk and vanity area
• Wardrobe
• Couch and side table
• Television
• Mini fridge

There was ample storage in the room, from drawers on both sides of the vanity to our nightstand and a spacious wardrobe. There were also shelves on the side of the vanity near our bed which I found useful throughout the cruise.

There was also storage located behind the mirrors in the vanity and bathroom which could easily be overlooked, so we took advantage of this, too.

The best part of our cabin, of course, was the porthole window. This window was larger than I expected, although I was surprised that we had a “balcony” outside the window.

Because this room is on deck 7 as opposed to the majority of ocean view cabins on decks 2 and 3, the porthole overlooked a non-usable balcony before reaching the ocean.

Pros of our cabin upgrade

More space

An obvious benefit of staying in our Spacious Ocean View cabin was having more space. We never ran into each other in the cabin and had no shortage of storage space.

We didn’t even utilize most of the storage, in fact, because there was more than enough room to keep our suitcases on the floor of the cabin without having to unpack for a short cruise.

I spent more time than usual in my cabin

On a short 4-night cruise, I never expect to spend much time in my room. Between attending onboard events and filming videos around the ship for the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube channel, I usually spend little time relaxing in my cabin.

This week, however, I spent more time than usual in my cabin. I have a few hours of computer work to do each day, for example, which I usually do from a public area onboard when staying in an interior room. Unsurprisingly, I don’t love working in a room without windows.

Related: Can you work remotely from a cruise ship in 2022? I put it to the test.

With an ocean view room, I spent these hours working next to my private porthole window instead. 

Our itinerary also changed due to weather and we ended up with two sea days instead of just one. This meant we had extra time to enjoy our stateroom (take naps) during the cruise.

Great option for a first-time cruiser

I sailed on Liberty of the Seas with my cousin Keli, and she had never been on a cruise before. I thought having an ocean view cabin as opposed to an interior was nice for my cousin's first cruise. 

While I’ve brought many first-time cruisers onboard in interior rooms and we’ve had a great experience, I thought Keli would appreciate being in a more comfortable room with a window.

And it worked, because she’s already looking forward to sailing again in the future!

Cons of our cabin upgrade

Stateroom location

One drawback of our upgraded stateroom compared to the interior room we originally booked was the location.

Our ocean view cabin was located in the very aft of the ship, so this location wasn't as convenient as somewhere closer to the elevators and stairwells. We spent a lot of time walking back and forth to our cabin down a long hallway.

Plus, because it was at the ship's aft, I felt a little more movement than I normally would as we sailed through the Caribbean. Our upgraded cabin location wasn't a dealbreaker, but I would probably take the location more into consideration next time I upgrade my stateroom.

The one plus of our stateroom was that it was located on deck 7, so we rarely had to take the elevators as we were located only a few decks from all the main attractions onboard.

Spending money on a cabin upgrade instead of other activities

Looking back, we probably could have stayed in our interior cabin and used the $248 we spent on a cabin upgrade for other cruise add-ons.

For around $120 per person, for example, we could have booked an Unlimited Dining Package for our 4-night cruise. Dining at specialty restaurants once (or more) every day could have enhanced our cruise experience more than a little more space in our cabin.

We also could have put this cost toward shore excursions, drinks, internet, and other onboard spending.

Only a 4-night cruise

Spending $248 on a cabin upgrade would have spread out further on a 7-night cruise compared to just 4 days. This brought the nightly cost of the upgrade to $62, whereas it would only be $35 per night on a weeklong cruise.

Next time I upgrade my cabin, I’ll calculate the nightly price of the upgrade to help justify whether or not it’s worth it.

Obstructed view

This con didn’t bother me too much, but our “ocean view” actually looked out toward a balcony not in use, so we didn’t have the panoramic view of the ocean we would have gotten in a smaller, cheaper ocean view cabin.

Was the upgrade worth the cost?

I am still torn whether our cabin upgrade was worth the extra cost or not. While $248 isn't a lot of money in the grand scheme of our cruise vacation, we could have put the money toward other onboard experiences.

That being said, I truly enjoyed having a larger stateroom with gorgeous ocean views from the porthole. There's no doubt this room was better than an interior cabin, and I could have spent my entire day reading in bed next to our cabin's window.

Overall I would lean toward the upgrade being worth it rather than a waste of money. While I’ll probably continue to sail in interior staterooms for the lowest cruise fare possible, it’s nice to treat yourself every once in a while!

Staying in an inside cabin on a cruise ship means you're probably saving lots of money compared to a balcony cabin (or suite), but it also means a lot less living space than usual.

For a lot of cruisers, that tradeoff is well worth it given the low prices an inside room usually costs. But that doesn't mean there aren't at least a few tricks for maximizing the space.

I've seen plenty of articles and videos over the years talking about easy ways to get more space out of a smaller cabin. Since I was booked in an inside cabin for a cruise on Mariner of the Seas, I picked out the best sounding tips to get an idea of how well they work.

I combed over a lot of cabin hacks, and settled on 10 of them from two really informative sources: Cruise Tips TV and Life Well Cruised.

Both of these ladies are cruise packing, planning, and travel hack experts. I figured if they shared them, these tips had to have some sense of usefulness.

In looking over the list, I was skeptical about some tips being actually useful.  I had no doubt they worked as intended, but would I actually find them such a benefit that I would not only recommend it, but adopt it in my own strategy.

After going through the cabin hacks, I had to purchase a number of items. Luckily, all of them were available on Amazon and I was able to get every single item in this article for just around $130 total with shipping. 

Given that they can be re-used over and over again from cruise to cruise, it's not much of an investment to try out.

I decided to rate each one from one of these labels:

• Worth it
• Meh/Indifferent
• Not practical

Please note that I linked to each item on Amazon which contains an affiliate link. This affiliate link costs you absolutely nothing extra, but I make a small commission if you purchase it.

Let's see how they went!

Luggage under the bed trick

This is a cabin hack that works on any kind of cabin, not just inside rooms.

Did you know there's enough room under your bed to put your luggage underneath it?

This is actually a trick I've been using for years, and it works everytime. After unpacking, shove your empty luggage under your bed and it's out of sight until you need it when you have to pack.

The only downside to this trick is if you either have a lot of luggage and/or your bags are oversized. Stacking the smaller bags inside the larger ones helps a lot, and I've found no issues with any of the luggage we ever had in getting it under the bed.

Conclusion: Worth it

The perfect outlet extender

Even on the newest cruise ships, power outlets in your cabin are at a premium. Juggling devices with which to plug in and which to leave unplugged is not a fun game.

An appropriately named "Cruise ship power strip" by Cruise On seemed to be the perfect fit and it promises that it was designed to get around cruise ship rules that prohibit anything with a surge protector. The product description claims it is fully cruise compliant.

It takes up one outlet space and offers 3 new outlets along with 2 USB plugs.

I've been using a USB hub up until now, but never had something for extra plugs too.

I left the power strip in my checked luggage and sure enough it made it through and my bags were delivered without incident.

Other than the fact the outlets are upside down for some reason on Mariner of the Seas, it worked as expected.

Not only would I recommend it, I would suggest buying two so that you can get enough USB plugs along with the outlets.

Conclusion: Worth it

Night light motion sensor

In addition to inside cabins being super small and inexpensive, they're also very dark.

Since there's no outside light, trying to navigate the room without lights on can be a challenge, such as when you wake up from sleeping and need to get to the bathroom.

The workaround I've always employed is to leave the bathroom light on, but that lets more light out than I would care for. I enjoy the pitch blackness of an inside room when it comes to sleep!

The night light not only offers lighting, but it will only come on when someone moves around.

The light itself pivots on its base in almost any direction, so you can position it.

It's powered by 3 AAA batteries and has LED lights that are activated when motion is detected. The base is magnetic too, so that means you can attach it to any wall or door in your cabin.

It worked as intended and gave me just enough light once the lights were out if I got out of bed. I positioned it near the bathroom so it wouldn't pick me up moving around in bed.

Conclusion: Worth it

Sunrise alarm clock

The idea is to not only have an alarm clock, but a light that will come on slowly to let you know there's daylight out.

Since you have no windows in your cabin, it's hard to know when you wake up on your own if it's 3am or 3pm. If you're like me, opening your eyes to check what time it is can be a dangerous game because you might end up waking up too much and find it difficult to go back to sleep.

The sunrise alarm clock has a gradual light, with two alarms and even has noise you can sleep to: birds, running water, white noise, and more.

There are 7 different light setting too, so you can choose the color you like.

As advertised, the light was off when I went to sleep and on when I woke up. The nice thing about this is when I woke up earlier than my alarm, I could sense no light without opening my eyes.

While it worked as intended, at this point in my life, I rarely sleep without an alarm set whether I am in a balcony or inside room. In my mind, if my alarm didn't go off yet, then it's not time to get up.

The benefit of this light would be if I woke up on my own a half hour early, I could more easily determine if I could just get about and go rather than turn over and try to fall back asleep. This is also common when nature calls in the morning.

I think this might be better for my kids, who seem to think noon is too early to get up while on a cruise.

Conclusion: Meh/Indifferent

Fridge magnets

There are two kinds of magnets that make the list, and this one is more of a general purpose magnet.

The idea is since the walls are metal, you can put magnets up to get certain other items off the desk, couch, or floor and free up that space.

Things like hats, coverups, important paperwork and more would be ideal. In fact, these have clips to them (rather than hooks) so they can "grab" items that cannot otherwise be hung.

My only problem is the magnets I bought are rather underpowered. I needed two to be able to keep my hat on without the magnets sliding down.

Otherwise, this is a great cabin trick for any kind of room because the couch and desk end up the catch-all for all of our junk. It won't work for everything, but every little bit helps.

Conclusion: Worth it, but I need to find stronger magnets.

Laundry hamper

Another cabin trick I've used in the past is to buy a cheap laundry hamper.

You can find pop-up laundry hampers that are easy to pack and keep your dirty laundry more organized.

For years, we just picked a corner of the cabin and designated it "laundry corner" and tossed all the dirty laundry there. By the end of the cruise, it was a mountain of dirty laundry.

A laundry hamper means there's less of a mountain and just like one you have at home, it does the trick.

Before buying it on Amazon, you should check if there's one at your local dollar store since this is a commonly sold item at those stores.

While a pop-up laundry hamper won't result in any less dirty clothes, it will help keep them better organized.

Conclusion: Worth it

Over the door hanging shoe organizer

I've seen the shoe organizer trick for years and always thought it sounded better than it was.

The idea is you get a plastic shoe organizer to hang over the back of your bathroom door and put all sorts of things in one of the pockets.

You could fit shoes, snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen and something else that starts with the letter "s".

Because the pockets are designed for shoes, they are large enough to hold a lot of small items. 

It certainly did the trick for me and when I took the time to put a lot of things in there just to get a nice photo for this article, I realized I had gotten rid of a lot of little things off my desk.  I suppose that's an endorsement.

Conclusion: Meh/indifferent

Curtain divider

This was an interesting idea to get a shower curtain with magnetic hooks and get a divider for the room.

If you are sharing a cabin, privacy is always going to be at a premium. Royal Caribbean's cabins have a curtain in the middle, but it only goes a bit of the way. Frankly, I'm not sure why they exist in inside rooms unless someone is going to lay on the couch very still.

You hang the magnetic hooks from the ceiling (which is also metallic) and then attach the shower curtain.

The particular shower curtain I bought was more see-through than I thought, so it would not give total privacy if someone needed to change.

It also only went about 75% of the way across. When combined with the Royal Caribbean curtain, then it worked, but I would check if there was a longer and more opaque curtain next time.

If you shared a cabin and had the beds split, putting the curtain between the beds might give just enough privacy so you can feel like you have your own space.

Conclusion: Meh/indifferent

Outside TV channel

Rather than purchasing a sunrise alarm clock, a no-cost hack is to leave your cabin TV on and tuned to the channel that has a view from the ship's bridge.

The idea is you'll know when it's day time when the light show on TV illuminates the room.

This may work for some people, but wasn't good for me because I don't like the amount of light the TV emits even at night.

Moreover, the channel changes between the bridge view and a map view. Moving back to map view means more light than when it's on bridge view.

If you can sleep despite light from the TV, then it could work for you.

Conclusion: Not practical

Bed configuration

I never considered the layout of the bed can help with providing more space.

Whether you are sailing solo or sharing the cabin with someone else, having the beds separated can actually create more space.

By asking your stateroom attendant to split the bids, you'll now get a walkway in the middle of the room between the beds. This extra space makes it much easier to get around your bed because when the bed is together, you have to move to the walls to get in and out of bed.

The only problem with this hack is you are giving up the luxury of having a larger bed by keeping it together. Personally, I prefer to keep the bed together to have a larger bed, but there's no doubt this trick works.

Conclusion: Worth it

Royal Caribbean is known for being a family cruise line, so which family-friendly cruise cabin should you pick for your vacation?

From time to time, I answer questions our readers have sent in here on the blog so that everyone can benefit from the advice.

We want to book a cruise for my family of 5, but we can't fit in one room. What's our best choice for a cruise ship cabin for my family? - Christy D.

The best cabin for any family will depend on a few factors in order to narrow down the choices.

Every cabin on a cruise ship has a capacity limit to it, which means a family of five or six will have less choices if you want to stay in the same room.

In addition, your budget will play a role in picking the right room for you.

A good starting point is to decide if you want to have everyone in the same cabin, or get separate cabins.

Family cabins

Royal Caribbean offers family-sized staterooms on many of its ships, usually with the word "family" as a prefix to the stateroom category title.

These rooms are designed for 5 or 6 guests, and come with more living space.

With extra beds and square footage, these family cruise ship cabins have what you would need to fit everyone in, and will cost less than a suite.

There can be two major downsides to these family rooms: the location tends to be at the very front or very back of the ship, which makes for longer walks to the elevators, as well as potentially a higher sensation of movement during rocky sea conditions.

In addition, many of these cabins only have one bathroom. Not every ship offers family cabins, and there are only a few to begin with.

Family-Connected Staterooms

Whereas family cabins are essentially larger standard cabins, the family-connected staterooms are individual rooms that can be booked together and have common doors removed to create a larger room.

Family-connected staterooms were introduced on the Quantum Class cruise ships, allow you connect three different staterooms to form one large shared space.  That also means three bathrooms for one space.

If this sounds like a great option, the issue may be simply finding them. As far as I can tell, they are only available on Quantum Class ships.

Suites

Suites are always going to be the biggest rooms on any cruise ship, and that extra living space can be very attractive for families.

Not only can suites accommodate 5 or 6 people, some of the larger suites can fit even more. The most expensive suite on Royal Caribbean can fit as many as 11 guests.

Of course, we're talking about suites, so this will not be an economical choice for many families.

Suite prices can vary significantly, but they are rarely a cheap option. Some families will split the cost to save on costs.

Connecting cabins

Rather than putting everyone in one room, why not get multiple cabins?

Booking more than one room is usually not as expensive as it sounds, especially compared to a suite.

Royal Caribbean offers connecting cabins that have a common door inside, which means you can open or close that door as you see fit.

Even if you don't book a connecting room, on some ships you can open up the balcony divider and get a common walkway between the rooms at that juncture.

If you don't need a connecting door, booking two (or more) cabins near each other without a common door opens up all sorts of possibilities that can really save money. Parents can book a balcony cabin, while their older children stay in an inside cabin across the hall.

Connecting cabins can be more economical, and provide one full bathroom per cabin.

Another advantage is there can be more separation between each cabin, since the connecting door can be closed. This is is especially helpful with young children who need quiet and darkness to sleep.

The downside to booking more than one room is connecting rooms are limited, especially if you book close to the sailing date.

In addition, booking more than one room will not get you the benefits of a suite.

Which should you pick?

Often the decision is made for you depending your budget and ship you sail on, but assuming you have a wide budget and lots of room choices, there are pros and cons to each option.

I generally recommend families get two connecting cabins because it provides separation between the rooms, and two full bathrooms. It's usually cheaper than a single-cabin approach, and gives parents what they want: to be in the same room as their kids, without having to sleep in the same room as their kids.

If you have older kids, or traveling on a multigen trip, being able to book multiple rooms that do not have to be connecting/adjoining will save a great deal of money.

Suites are fantastic, and if you can afford one, it's difficult to not enjoy all those wonderful amenities, especially on Royal Caribbean's Oasis or Quantum Class ships. Those ships have the Royal Suite Class amenities for suite guests, which means a higher level of service and perks.

Balcony cabins on a cruise ship come in locations all around the vessel, including some on the aft of the ship that are highly desirable for certain cruisers.

Aft balcony rooms are usually standard balcony rooms, but with a location that overlooks the back of the ship.

If you've talked about balcony location with some people that cruise a lot, then you may hear about how wonderful a cruise cabin an aft balcony is to book.

What's the difference between an aft balcony and a regular balcony room, and what should you know about these rooms?

What's special about an aft balcony

As the name implies, an aft balcony is a balcony that overlooks the back of the ship.

Aft balcony staterooms stand out because they offer a different kind of view from a standard balcony, which some cruisers find desirable.

Having a view of the ship's wake is something you may find relaxing and/or enjoyable to watch, especially while sailing out of a port.

In addition, the aft balcony rooms on some Royal Caribbean ships have significantly larger balcony space than a balcony cabin on the side of the ship. 

Essentially, you may end up paying a similar price as someone who books a balcony on the side of the ship, but get much more living space on your private veranda.

Another nice benefit of an aft balcony is you will not have noisy people walking by your door, compared to cabins midship.

Why you might not want an aft balcony

The principal drawback of an aft balcony is the distance of the room to the elevators.

On Royal Caribbean cruise ships, there are two elevator banks: at the front and middle of the ship. 

Depending on the size of the ship and your aversion to walking long(er) distances, the amount of walking to and from your room may be a concern.

In addition, aft balcony rooms can sometimes have less have a breeze compared to balcony rooms on the side. This will vary from sailing to sailing depending on the weather, but it is not unheard of to have a hotter balcony feel due to the lack of wind moving past.

Just like rooms at the very front of the ship, the sensation of movement can be potentially greater at the very back of the ship.

It's also possible an aft balcony may cost more than a balcony elsewhere on the ship.

One more thing about aft balcony rooms on Royal Caribbean: the aft balcony rooms on some ships can have obstructions. This is the case with Voyager and Freedom Class ships.

Tips for aft balcony cabins on Royal Caribbean

You will find aft balcony rooms on all Royal Caribbean cruise ships, but the more affordable ones will be on Vision, Radiance, Voyager and Freedom Class ships.

On Oasis and Quantum Class ships, the aft balconies are primarily suites that command a much higher price.

If you want to nab an aft balcony room, you will want to book it early. These cabins are among the most highly sought-after staterooms because of their desirable location.

Before booking, look at the deck plans for the ship you are going to sail on and investigate which aft balcony rooms have the extra balcony space.

Is an aft balcony worth it?

If having an extra large balcony and different views from your balcony is important to you, then an aft balcony can be worth booking.

You should be okay with the distance to the elevators, so anyone with mobility issues will want to avoid them. Likewise if you are sensitive to motion sickness and should instead book a room midship.

If you do want to book an aft balcony, be sure to act quickly and reserve it as soon as you can.

The views of the wake alone are usually what draws most people to booking an aft balcony.

More information

• Cruise FAQ: Cabins
• 7 things you should know about your cruise ship cabin
• What's the difference between a balcony and a suite cabin on a cruise?

Balcony staterooms are among the most popular category of cabin you can book on any cruise ship because of the combination of space and value it provides.

When you book a balcony cabin, you get a well-sized room along with a private balcony to enjoy at anytime during your cruise.

Royal Caribbean offers more balcony rooms on its ships than ever before, with its newest cruise ships offering the most balcony rooms.  In short, you will find plenty of balcony room choices when booking a cruise on any of its newest vessels.

If you are thinking about booking a balcony stateroom on your Royal Caribbean cruise, here is what you need to know about this stateroom category.

Balcony room basics

No matter which balcony cabin you book on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship, you can expect a very similar experience across the board.

Balcony rooms all feature a bed that can be split into twin beds if necessary, private bathroom with stand up shower, sitting area, television, mini fridge cooler, and of course a private balcony.

Most of the time, there will be a couch in the room. In some balcony rooms, the couch can convert to a twin bed.  Other balcony cabins may also include pullman beds, which are retractable beds that can descend from the ceiling.

The typical size of a balcony stateroom on Royal Caribbean is right around 180 square feet, not including the balcony.

The balcony itself has seating for at least two people and has a table.

Read more: Avoid these mistakes when picking a cruise ship cabin

Types of balcony rooms

There are a few types of balcony cabins you can book.

Traditionally, a balcony room means you have a view of the ocean.  Balcony rooms are situated on the outer portion of the ship, with the ability to look out from your room to the ocean.

Royal Caribbean also offers two other types of balcony rooms that actually face inward towards the ship, instead of outwards to the ocean. These interior balcony rooms are only available on Oasis Class cruise ships.

Boardwalk balcony rooms have a view of the Boardwalk neighborhood, while Central Park balcony rooms have a view of the Central Park neighborhood.

These inward facing balcony rooms tend to be a little bit cheaper than oceanview balcony rooms, and offer excellent people watching opportunities. There is still plenty of fresh air to enjoy, and you get to see what is happening below in the neighborhood.

Read more: What you need to know about neighborhood balcony staterooms on Royal Caribbean's Oasis class ships

Obstructed balcony rooms

It is worth talking about a subset of the balcony rooms, known as obstructed balcony rooms.

Obstructed balcony rooms have some physical barrier that blocks at least part of the view you would usually have in a balcony room. That is not to say the view from your balcony is completely obstructed, just partially.

Most commonly, obstructions are either life boats or the ship's structure.

The reason to book an obstructed balcony room is you will be able to get a good deal on these types of cabins because demand for them is much less than a regular balcony. But if having something blocking at least part of your view from your balcony will bother you, then avoid these types of balconies.

Why you should book a balcony room

If you are wondering if booking a balcony room is worth the extra money compared to an inside room, here are a few good reasons to move up to a balcony.

Read more: What's the difference between a balcony and a suite cabin on a cruise?

Private space

Without a doubt, the number one reason to book a balcony room is you get a private balcony to enjoy when you want it.  

Unlike the top deck of the ship, there is no one to contend with to get a great view of the ocean. Moreover, it is your place to enjoy in the morning and evening, or with a cup of coffee.

Some passengers like to take their room service orders outside and enjoy the meal on their balcony as an added plus.

Unlike the pool deck, a private balcony means private space to enjoy time in the sun and also somewhere much more quiet.

More living space

A balcony room will also give you more space, both inside and outside.

Balcony rooms are larger in terms of square footage, and the balcony adds even more space to enjoy.  Cruise ship cabins are traditionally smaller than hotel rooms, so every square foot counts.

When you are traveling with children, having that extra space really makes a difference.

The views

Of course, the views you get from your balcony are worth it alone to book.

Having a balcony on certain itineraries really makes a difference, such as Alaska or Europe. You will be able to see wildlife and the coastline as your ship passes by, which is especially nice during sail away or sail in.

In addition, just having a view of the open ocean is calming.

Conclusion

Balcony rooms offer more living space than inside rooms, and the private balcony gives you a really nice area to enjoy anytime during your cruise.

Of course, a balcony room will cost more than an interior room, but in many cases the price jump to a balcony is not unreasonably more.

For a lot of cruise fans, having their own balcony to see every morning, enjoy the ocean as it passes by, and watch the sunset from is worth it every time.

Choosing a cruise cabin isn't easy. In fact, with so many options, it can be downright confusing.

We've already broken down Royal Caribbean's cabin types for you, but below, we'll explore some of the most common questions we're asked about staterooms.

What do cruise ship cabins look like?

Cruise ship cabins look a lot like hotel rooms in many ways, albeit smaller in most cases. They're outfitted with carpeting, decorative lighting and wall art, along with plush duvets and throw pillows. Whether or not your stateroom has a view or a balcony with outdoor furniture will depend on the type you book.

Although layouts for special cabin types can vary by ship, rooms on all mainstream cruise lines' vessels include a bed that can be configured as a queen or two twins, at least one night stand, a vanity with a chair, and a coffee table.

Many also include a larger chair and/or a sofa, which may or may not convert into a bed. Some staterooms also provide bunks that pull down from the ceiling to sleep third and fourth passengers.

In each cabin is a bathroom with a shower (rarely a bathtub), sink, toilet, mirror and storage shelves, as well as towels and in-shower dispensers for basic toiletries that are likely to include body wash and a shampoo/conditioner combo.

Staterooms generally also come with interactive TVs that allow you to watch a limited number of channels, rent movies and check the ship's position and your onboard bill; a phone with the capability to call other cabins on the ship (shoreside calls cost a pretty penny); a hair dryer; reading lamps; and outlets for charging devices.

Each cabin will also have some sort of closet space with shelving, drawers and bars for hanging clothes. Additionally, the closet is where you'll find life jackets, robes and slippers (in higher-level staterooms), forms for requesting dry-cleaning and laundry services, and a safe for storing small valuables.

How big are cruise ship cabins?

The size of your room will depend on the cabin type you book. As a rule, the larger the cabin, the higher the cruise fare. In general, the larger your view, the more interior space you'll have, as well.

Although sizes vary by ship across the cruise industry, insides (no view) generally start around 150 square feet, with outsides (porthole or fixed window view) offering just slightly more space. Veranda accommodations (with balconies) usually start around 175 square feet, not including the balcony.

Suites, on the other hand, offer significantly more living area. One of the largest afloat includes the Regent Suite on luxury brand Regent Seven Seas' Seven Seas Splendor. The stateroom encompasses more than 4,400 square feet of space -- more than many large houses on land.

For questions about specific measurements for a cabin you're considering, check with your cruise line or travel agent.

What is the best deck to be on for a cruise?

The best place to book a cabin on your ship depends on several factors.

If you're someone who is prone to motion sickness, you'll want to reserve a room on a lower deck, as close to the middle of the ship as possible. Make sure it's at least an ocean view cabin, as gazing at the horizon -- where the waterline meets the skyline -- can help to alleviate symptoms.

Looking for peace and quiet on your sailing? Avoid staterooms that are above, below or next to crew areas such as the galley, and noisy public spaces like the theater, pool deck or kids club. Your travel agent or cruise line representative can help. If all else fails, Google deck plans for your ship.

However, if breathtaking vistas are what's most important to you, we highly recommend staying in one of your ship's coveted forward- or aft-facing cabins. These are often pricey suites that are positioned on higher decks, but the wake and captain's-eye views they afford are worth every cent.

Is it worth paying extra for a balcony on a cruise?

It all depends. If you're someone who plans to go ashore in every port and squeeze as many onboard activities as possible into each day, you probably don't need a balcony because you won't be in your room except to shower and sleep.

There are also plenty of outdoor public spaces with railings where you can enjoy sea views if you don't want to miss out while respecting your vacation budget.

However, if your goal is to have some alone time or romantic time with your significant other, if you plan to enjoy your morning coffee with a view in your bathrobe, or if you're someone who feels claustrophobic in small spaces, we highly recommend balcony accommodations.

What do cruises do with unsold cabins?

They sell them at a discount. Cruise lines strive to fill ships completely, so if any staterooms are left unbooked one to two months prior to the embarkation date, you could snag a sailing for a steal if you're flexible. (Generally, that means being able to pay in full at the last minute and not being too picky about cabin type.)

Because it's less of a kick in the teeth for lines to discount their lower-end cabins, they will often try to coax already-booked passengers into upgrades from lower- to higher-tiered staterooms for a small added cost. That ensures balconies and suites are filled, and the vacated insides and oceanviews can then be offered at discounted rates.

The discounted rates are usually offered through large travel agencies and marketed to people who live near the ship's embarkation port.

How do you choose a room on a cruise ship?

Picking a cabin can be difficult, particularly with the large number of types available on any given ship. Your best bet is to consider the following before making a decision:

• Preferences: Do you need a room with a view? If so, does your view need to come with outdoor space?
• Travel party: With whom are you traveling? Do you need space and beds for more than two people? Are you cruising alone? Do you need connecting rooms?
• Location: If you're prone to seasickness, book low and middle. If you're a light sleeper, book away from noisy public spaces.
• Price: Does the type of cabin you want fit into your budget? Sign up for price drops, and ask your travel agent about deals and discounts.
• Status: Are bragging rights or high-level loyalty status important to you? If so, you'll want to book swankier digs.