The Unexpected And Oddly Dystopian Feature Inside Many Cruise Cabins

Cruises offer an exciting adventure, providing a chance to visit multiple destinations at the same time while packed with entertaining features for enjoying the journey. From water parks on deck – a favorite cruise choice for kids and families – to casinos and formal dinners for adults looking for a chance to dress up, you can choose a cruise ship that has everything you need. 

While many cruise ships come with a hefty price tag, that doesn't mean there aren't a few booking hacks when it comes to cruises. Depending on the cruise line, the route, and how many days the journey is, there sometimes can be an alternative affordable option. One way to save money on your next cruise is to book an interior cabin. These rooms don't have windows, so they can seem very dark and small, but they are less expensive. However, some cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean, offer an escape from the doom-and-gloom darkness of interior cabins by including something that seems right out of a sci-fi movie: A virtual window, providing a fake scenic view displayed on an 80-inch, floor-to-ceiling HD screen. A room without windows can seem suffocating, especially for anyone who may be claustrophobic or experience depression, as these small, windowless rooms can be quite dark. To ease the mind, virtual windows have become a common commodity on cruise ships, making these lower-cost rooms more appealing and providing many advantages. 

A virtual window can offer a false effect of natural lighting, providing a better experience and a more positive psychological impact on passengers. The soothing landscape — based on the real outdoor setting captured through high-speed cameras and a live feed — helps passengers feel calm and settled. And looking at the horizon — even a fake one — is a well-known if unconventional hack to get rid of seasickness. Since the feed captures the real outdoors, including its sounds, it also gives a sense of the real time and weather outside your walls. 

However, one passenger on the Cruise Critic forum didn't like the virtual window, as they were apparently unable to turn it off, making it difficult to sleep from the screen light (though others said they could turn theirs off). "And it is zero substitute for the breeze on your face and the smell of salt in the air," they added. There is also the environmental concern. The enormous use of energy is one reason why some people choose to never go on a cruise, and the additional energy required to keep these virtual windows running likely adds to that total. Another criticism against virtual windows is that the illusion of the natural experience can break, especially if there are technical difficulties. One reviewer even thought the ship was leaning forward because the live camera feed was placed on an angle. Whether these virtual windows and the immersive experience they provide are worth it are ultimately up to you to decide on your next cruise.