Are Interior Cruise Ship Cabins Actually Worth Booking?

Whether you're planning your first cruise or your 15th, there's one major decision that can significantly impact your entire experience at sea: Choosing the best cabin location. Although many first-time cruisers might instinctively reach for expensive cabins with ocean views or balconies — after all, these types of rooms are said to offer the "full cruise experience" they've been dreaming of — most clued-in cruise travelers are often quick to make a different choice and select an interior room instead.

While these rooms might lack the postcard-perfect ocean views, they make up for it with practical perks. In fact, our sister site, Islands, recently released a video discussing the benefits of booking an interior cruise cabin, and we have to admit: they absolutely nailed it. From significant cost savings (sometimes over $1,000 on a week-long voyage) to creating the perfect environment for restful sleep, Islands correctly highlights that interior cabins have a lot more going for them than their window-equipped counterparts. All of this adds up to create a surprising list of advantages that might make you rethink your entire booking strategy — and even get you switching your reservation.

Interior cabins generally offer much more than just cost savings. Islands' video rightly points out the significant price differences, as well as the fact that the benefits actually go far beyond your wallet. For starters, interior cabins are the perfect choice for a more peaceful cruise voyage. The complete darkness and quiet often results in much better rest than you might get while staying in an exterior cabin that's located above a busy pool deck or near a noisy entertainment venue. This is especially valuable when you're making transatlantic or transpacific crossings, where adjusting to new time zones during the journey is so important.

Additionally, interior cabins also offer unexpected advantages during port-heavy itineraries. Without a balcony tempting you to linger in your room, you're more likely to get outside. These rooms are also especially practical for destination-focused voyages where the ship serves more as your base than your primary point of interest. Take Mediterranean cruises, for instance. When you're spending your days wandering through Italian coastal towns or exploring Greek archaeological sites, you'll likely return to your cabin only to refresh and rest. The same goes for island-hopping routes through Hawaii or multi-stop Alaskan journeys, where your off-ship adventures are sure to exhaust you enough that a simple place to shower and sleep is all you really need.

Better yet, the money you've saved on accommodation can then go toward enhancing your overall cruise experience. This includes things like booking shore excursions, specialty dining experiences, or even trying your luck at the ship's casino.

Ok, sure: A windowless cabin might sound like your worst claustrophobic nightmare. Thankfully, that's not always the case. Nowadays, most modern cruise ships design these rooms to maximize space and comfort — helping cruisers feel a little less boxed in. This even includes incorporating smart features like Norwegian Cruise Line's one-way windows that look into the ship's corridors, Disney Cruise Line's "magical portholes," which display real-time ocean footage with surprise character appearances, and Royal Caribbean's floor-to-ceiling "virtual balconies," projecting live feeds from the ship's exterior cameras.

Ultimately, however, keeping your sanity in an inside cabin boils down to smart cabin selection and usage. Beyond Islands' suggestion of choosing lower, central locations for stability — a game-changer if you're prone to experiencing seasickness on a cruise — it's also worth noting that location matters beyond just convenience. Ideally, you'll want to avoid booking interior cabins near service areas, laundry facilities, or crew access points, as these can get noisy early in the morning.

Similarly, interior rooms directly below the pool deck or buffet restaurant might experience more noise from the constant foot traffic and furniture being moved around. That said, this strategic positioning near "high-traffic amenities" does mean you can access dining areas, pools, and entertainment venues quickly without long walks through winding corridors. So, it's really up to what you value most and what you're looking to get out of your cruise adventure.